Anyone interested in a strength training challenge?

[hope101]

My kids are back in school next week, and thanks to dance and Scottp's walking challenge I feel on track wrt aerobic fitness. But I know I'm not doing enough resistance training. I want to commit to doing a minimum of 2 hours per week until the New Year, so 2040 minutes by Dec. 31, 2007.

Anyone up to joining me?

[nomikins]

What do you have in mind? This would tie in nicely to my marathon training.

[hope101]

I think we could each do our own particular exercise plan and just report the minutes here. If you want to report progress in strength too, I certainly don't mind, but I don't personally feel it to be necessary. My problem is just committing to doing the strength training. Once I'm working out, my nature is to keep besting myself and improvement happens automatically, plus I keep track of my own reps and sets. I'm just finding the public accountability of posting my weight and step counts has been so helpful in keeping my health on project status that I'd like to get this last piece in place.

I plan to work out with free weights and exercises that use my body weight for resistance an hour per week at home. Then once a week I'll go to the gym to use the machines.

Would that work for you?

[AnnaS]

I'll join you--I have been putting this off but I need to get back into strength training. My aerobic fitness is finally getting back to where it should be--I run/jog/walk 3 mornings a week and bike on weekends.

I think what I can commit to is 2 sessions, a half hour each per week. That's because I will need to do some Egoscue exercises first for my shoulder, which eats up time. Once I'm getting stronger and the shoulder is better I'm sure I'll want to do more.

When do we start? After Labor Day? I know, I sound like a wimp but I still have tomatoes to can...

[hope101]

Oh, great AnnaS. Yes, I had thought to begin September 4. I plan to drop my son at school, walk home and celebrate my freedom with my first hour.

[nomikins]

Sounds good to me. I also include flow yoga in the strength training category (any kind of yoga, really). Yoga is very strengthening. I have been wanting to increase my practice; this challenge will be a great catalyst.

[Groovy Granny]

Need to pep up my strength training. So will commit to circuit training 3 days a week.

This week will do 2 sets - 15 reps and increase by 1/2 set each week for 3 more weeks.

S'long! On my way to the gym!

[AnnaS]

Is this where you want us to report? Tues., 9/4--I am pleased to say that I got up early this morning and did my stretching (Egoscue) and some (about a half hour) light upper body weights, plus some crunches and lunges.

I am easing into this gently, as I know I'm out of shape and don't want to overdo it. I'm happy that hope101 has got us started on this! Something I've been needing to do for some time.

Now I feel energized for the rest of the day!

[hope101]

Yes, AnnaS, I thought we could just report here. Either as we do it or weekly. Whatever helps each of us to keep motivated and challenged. Glad to have you all doing this with me!

[nomikins]

Sunday: 12.25 mile walk/run, 40 minutes biking
Monday: Rest Day
Today: 30 minute walk, 40 minute balance ball video

[scottp]

Count me in. I did about 1/2 hour of dumbells, etc. Yesterday. My goal is to do 1/2 hour 3 days a week, so 1.5 hours a week. That's 25.5 hours by 12/31.

Scott

[hope101]

Yay, Scottp. Glad you could join us.

[Groovy Granny]

OK, never made it to the gym. But walked 30 minutes.

So my goals:

30-40 minute walk 5 days a week
3 sets (15 reps) circuit training machines 3 times a week

[Groovy Granny]

Walked 35-40 minutes. No gym. But tomorrow's the day!!!!!!

[AnnaS]

Fulfilled my (easy) goal today, thursday, of light upper body weights and some lunges, crunches, etc.--about a half hour. I am happy that I've started back up with this and will move forward slowly so as not to hurt my shoulder (has been chronically painful for some time). I think the strengthening will be part of the shoulder solution.

I'm thinking I'll report in weekly from now on as to how I'm doing... my effort is not very interesting or inspiring but it does help me to feel I should report in.