Accountability

Names I’ve been called lately – all in good fun!

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

At work for the past year they launch a SprintGetFit challenge. It gets the competitive juices flowing plus it is great as we all become healthier. This time around, I’m the team captain. You can have a team of up to 11 people (we have 9) and they ask you to track weight, steps walked and minutes exercise – you have to compete in at least on category (and everything is private).  The program runs from May 14th – July 8th.

One part of the program allows everyone to issue daily challenges.  A challenge could be to walk or run for 30 minutes, yoga, drink 64 ozs of water, complete your favorite exercise and even record your results (and yes that is a challenge) (and there are prizes for this program).  I decided this time around, I would take this a lot more seriously – especially since I’m a team captain.  I’ve leveraged some of my boot camp experience to issue a little more challenging ‘challenges’.  Here is an example of one of them:  30 minutes of exercise, 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups and 2 30 second planks.  Here are some of the comments from my team (and btw I love it):  ‘Taskmaster’, ‘Are you crazy?’, ‘Always up for a ‘D’ Challenge’, ‘I hate planks, but I will do them’, ‘Fun for all’.  At least they are reviewing the challenges right?  And even doing them.  It helps me hold myself accountable and provides additional motivation! (I shared the comments with my trainer and she loved it – she even volunteered to help me with challenges – some of my team reads this blog too – hmmmm – maybe I’ll take her up on her offer 🙂 )!

I’ve even put out some easier challenges as well – here was Friday’s:  Drink at least 64 ozs of water (not ice tea or crystal light – pure water) and 30 minutes of your favorite exercise.  Even got some people not in our group to accept the challenge.  I think the team was glad to see I went a little easy on Friday.

Then I posted Saturday’s challenge (which I didn’t get to until tonight):  Set the clock for 15 minutes and do the following (record your rounds):  5 bicep curls, 5 tricep kickbacks, 5 walking lunges (I had to do high knees), 10 Jumping Jacks (modified mine), 10 full sit-ups (with a weight) and 10 squats.  Rest/Hydrate as needed.  All exercises requiring weights I used 8 lbs weights – I just got 6 rounds in!  Whew – and worked up a great sweat!

Have a fantastic week!!

PS:  Hope you enjoy the two posts in 1 day!

Couch to …

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

1/2 Marathon or ???

Over the weekend I received a text from one of my BFF’s from college (TBG) that said the following, “What would you say if I thought we should do the Disney Princess Half Marathon next February??  We could make it a girls weekend!!”  My first reaction was to laugh and it took me awhile to even respond so guess I was a bit speechless too (and special note:  girls weekend <> running).  I finally responded with a “Who are you?  And what have you done with Tracy?”  I never responded No at any point though (which is important as I dislike, loathe, hate running – you get the picture).  At some point in the afternoon we spoke – and I agreed to do it with a couple of caveats – I have a knee injury and need to lose some weight (which I believe is also contributing to my knee injury) before I could completely commit.  I also found out the TBG shared with her husband that the two of us were doing the 1/2 Marathon – he wanted to know if I knew it yet – which I didn’t 🙂  This still makes me laugh!

So then reality started to set in – will my knee be able to handle, will I lose some of the extra weight that I’m carrying around before I start training (which I believe is part of the knee problem), what would my time per mile be? – then I did the math – 2 hours + probably running for me – I’m just not mentally there yet – nor do I truly believe Couch to 1/2 Marathon is a smart thing to do from a training perspective.

Today, TBG and I agreed to the following:

  • Complete the Disney Princess 5K next year with a girls trip (either weekend / maybe week)!
  • Complete the Disney 1/2 Marathon the year we turn 45!

I’m looking forward to the challenges of completing each goal!

6 Week Spring Transformation – Week 1

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Last Sunday started the BP (www.bodyprojectfitness.com) 6 week Spring Transformation.  I just love the transformations as they really help me re-focus.  The theme for this transformation is BE the transformation.  There are many things the same and some new things.  My biggest challenge is continuing to maintain the focus and commitment post-transformation.  Each week we are being given new goals (which are additive) to focus on and monitor ourselves as it takes 21 days to change a habit.  My long term goal is to learn from this transformation and carry it forward to the post 6 week transformation.

So how did I do week one?  I give myself a B+.  We had 19 daily goals to achieve and I achieved 17 of them – an 89.4%.  What was I proud of most this week?  Giving it my all the 3 days at bootcamp.  Particularly on Friday’s challenge.  I have a knee injury which hinders my ability to do high impact cardio.  Friday’s challenge which included all out running (I can power walk).  I kept my focus and continued through the challenge even though everyone else was finished.  My final time 21:21.

We also had a goal of drinking 70 ozs of water a day.  I achieved that each and every day.  I have a pitcher that I fill up with water each day that holds 80 ozs of water.

I’m ready to tackle week 2 – bring it on!

Happy New Year – Welcome 2012

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I don’t normally have a New Year’s Resolution…this year I decided that I wanted to have a top 10 list – Goals vs. Resolutions.  So here is the list (in no particular order)…

  1. Write more personal notes and thank you notes – not email.  My goal is to write one per month in 2012.  I just finished writing Thank You notes to some employees at work for some outstanding work…it was very rewarding and I got some nice emails / comments back.  I didn’t include my return address as I wanted it to be a surprise (sent to the home not work address to btw)…one employee thought it was an invite to a ‘shower’…she was plesantly surprised!
  2. Get back to Mass.  I was pretty lax in 2011.
  3. Make Yoga part of my fitness program.  I have 5 free sessions via LivingSocial at One Yoga and have a free session (via a silent auction).
  4. Buy Made in America – buy local (note to self:  check the fine print).  I bought some Candy Canes for my Christmas Tree – the company is in Ohio; however, the Candy Canes were made in Mexico.
  5. Donate, Donate, Donate – I’ve got a lot of stuff…especially clothes, shoes and handbags…need to find some good homes locally.  And it will help me de-clutter – a bonus!
  6. Pay it Forward
  7. Play More Angry Birds Rio 🙂
  8. Schedule a massage at least once every 3 mths
  9. Re-connect with friends and stay connected with my family
  10. And last but not least…continue my journey of self-discovery and transformation

What goals do you have for 2012?

December 2011 Accountability Log

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Time sure flies nowadays.  I can’t believe it is December 6th already.  I don’t know about you but I have lots to do this month and just don’t seem to know when the heck I’m going to get it all done.  The good news is I do take off the week before Christmas off so that is my saving grace.  This will be the 3rd year I’m hosting Christmas at my house.  I love having my family here but I’m a procratinator so it should be an interesting month (the first year I hosted, I was still putting the finishing touches on my tree Christmas morning).

So in the end I know I will get everything done, but the one thing that seems to suffer is the making time for myself to ensure I exercise and make good food choices.  This year is going to be different.  I’ve established 3 goals for myself (December 5th – January 13th):  Keep a food journal, drink 105 ozs of water a day and complete my Daily10 Challenge (click here for more details:  http://bodyprojectfitness.com/daily10-challenge/ ).  What are you doing this year to keep your focus during this busy time of the year?

Accountability Log:

12/7:  Food Journal – check, 105 ozs water – check, Daily 10 Challenge (modified for my knee) – check

12/6:  Food Journal – check, 105 ozs water – check, Daily 10 Challenge – check

12/5:  Food Journal – check, 105 ozs water – check, Daily 10 Challenge – check (it included a total of 80 push-ups)

 

Push-up Challenge

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

In an effort to push myself during this 6 week transformation, I wanted an additional goal / challenge (my first was attendance).  I’ve decided to increase my push-ups.  I did a one minute test on Sunday.  I was able to do 16 push-ups in 1 minute.  My goal by the end of the 6 weeks is to complete 35 in one minute.  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Happy Hump Day!

Good Morning FALL!

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Good morning FALL! Week 1 of the Fall Transformation is in the books. I’m feeling great! Attained my attendance goal for week 1.

We have accountability goals for each day. I’m doing well…so a really good week.

I’m adding another goal for the 6 week fall transformation…push-ups! On Sunday, I’m going to set my baseline. What is the baseline? I need to count how many good form push-ups I can do in 1 minute. From there I will set my 6 week goal (at that point 5 week).

Happy Friday!

Transformation Accountability Log: 9/19 – 10/28

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My goal for the 6 week fall transformation is Attendance! I have a knack for talking myself out of not going at 5 am (my class is 6 am). I’m very convincing at that hour! I need to remember that I’m doing this for myself and no one else.  Anything worth it –  is worth the hard work!  This blog is dedicated to me holding myself accountable.

  • 9/19:  Day 1 in the books:  DONE!!
  • 9/21:  Day 2 DONE!  10 circuits / 20 reps – timed 20 minutes.  Goal:  30 – Actual 21
  • 9/22:  Non-bootcamp activity:  Yogalates – combo of yoga / pilates…lots of strecthing
  • 9/23:  Day 3 and Week 1 DONE and in the books!!  Feeling fantastic!!
  • 9/26:  Day 4 and the start of Week 2 DONE!  Today was a day that I could’ve rolled over and stayed in bed.  I didn’t!  I felt great right after, but was a bit tired in the AM.
  • 9/28:  Day 5 in the books.  Again hard to get up this AM (but not as hard as Monday).
  • 9/29:  Non-bootcamp activity:  Yogalates – combo of yoga / pilates…one of my favorite poses – the corpse – very relaxing!
  • 9/30:  Day 6 – mission accomplished…Week 2 DONE! (first time hitting the snooze and I actually needed the alarm…I usually either get up before or turn off the alarm completely).  Happy Friday!!
  • 10/3:  Day 7 – no bootcamp today due to a sore knee (started last week) – really bothered me yesterday and today.  I did notify my trainer and she encouraged me in the future to come to bootcamp and we can modify my workout.  I agreed.  I just completed an 11+ minute circuit (so about 1/3 of what I normally do)
  • 10/5:  Day 8 – back on track – icing the knee
  • 10/6:  Day 9 – Sunrise Yoga! 🙂 & Yogalates (normal Thurs evening class) (after the day I had today I needed both sessions! 🙂 )
  • 10/7:  Day 10 – Done and in the books!
  • 10/10:  Didn’t make it this morning
  • 10/12:  Didn’t make it this morning (did not sleep well at all last night) (felt like I was up every hour on the hour)
  • 10/15:  Made it to the 5 am class as it was a busy, busy, busy day at the office
  • 10/17:  Didn’t make it due to sleep deprivation from the weekend.  I did not make myself a priority regarding hydration on Sunday and I really felt it Monday morning.  I had planned to go to the 9:30 am class since I was off.  Not going was a poor decision on my part…I let the negative self talk over rule my better judgement.
  • 10/19:  Done!  Back on Track!! 🙂  Loved the circuits today (even the dreaded cardio)!
  • 10/21:  Done!
  • 10/24:  Done – Last week of the transformation
  • 10/26:  Done!  1000 Rep Challenge and Yogalates Class
  • 10/28:  Done – The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Workout

I’m back…

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Sorry I’ve been gone for about a week. Went away for my birthday and it has been kind of hectic since I’ve been back.

I did my best when I was out of town to stick to the elimination diet (even took ingredients for my shakes with me – breakfast). And I did use my blender, just not as much as I would’ve liked. And I strayed quite a bit from the elimination diet.

So I’m back home and still not back on the elimination diet. My plan is to get out tonight and re-stock my kitchen. I can tell you this week, I’m feeling very lethargic. The old saying goes, “We are what we eat’. I’ve definately noticed it over the last few weeks. I did order my food for next week so that should get me back on track (while I was away I forgot to order for this week).

Happy Thursday!