Profile--Abraham

Name: Abraham

Age: 25ish

Occupation: Stay-at-home-husband

Weight: 184 lbs. according to the scale at my gym (no shirt, no shoes)

Goal Weight: 190 lbs (gain muscle, lose fat)

BMI: ~23

What I would like to gain from this competition:
I'd like to get into better all around shape. When the weather is good I've generally been very consistent at making it to the gym and riding my bike. However, this winter really got to me and I feel like I'm more out of shape than I've been in awhile. I want to get back into good biking shape (I'm preparing to ride across Iowa in RAGBRAI this summer) and also put a bit of muscle on.

One more thing...I love junk food too much and I plan to cut back on the amount of sweets I eat (although I am not going to give up desserts altogether!).

My stategy for success:
Lift weights at the gym 4 times per week; ride bike to work every day; cardio exercise 5-6 times a week (bike rides, jogging, pickup basketball, jump rope); limiting myself to 1 dessert per day; substituting healthy snacks in place of sweets

My challenges:
The cold weather (will spring ever come?); ice cream (it's an excellent source of calcium, right?); my fondness for baking delicious desserts; the cookie/candy jars at work (my mentor stocks these full of great-tasting sweets every week and I find myself partaking more often than I care to admit)

Please...

...take the time to fill out a profile. See the example below. Feel free to add any info that will give you accountability and will be helpful. If you do not feel comfortable sharing personal info such as weight, feel free to email me your stats.

We can go private once we get started. Is that what people would like to do?

Let me know.

Good luck.

Erin

Profile --Erin

Name: Erin

Age: 25

Occupation: busy student

Weight: TBD (the scale I bought tonight is WAY off. 10 pounds different from the sample one at the store). ~132 lbs

Goal Weight: 122-125 lbs

BMI: ~22

Optional: Measurements: 28'' waist, 38.5'' hip, 11'' right bicep

What I would like to gain from this competition:

I am mostly hoping to establish some life-long habits of regular fitness and healthy eating. I figure my life will only get busier so I need to change things now to live a long, healthy life.

Also, I want to cut down my weight to my normal range (see dorky picture above), tone up, and be able to keep up with Abe better on my bike.

My stategy for success:

Load up on fruits and veggies first and make 45-60 minutes of exercise a priority 5 times per week.

My challenges:
Cookies, brownies, pies... and time and energy for exercise. And, thinking of healthy things to make.

Rules

Well, I've been trying to come up with the perfect plan for how this is going to work. I've never done anything like this before so I'm sure I'll mess up but it is better to try than to do nothing, right? Moral of the story: please make suggestions before we start on April 1.

Amber and Russ made a spreadsheet that you can use to help calculate your daily points and goals throughout the competition. I cannot figure out how to link it here. Does anyone know how to do attachments on here? If not, I can email the spreadsheet to each person, part of the reason I need your email address. It is an interactive spreadsheet that will help tally your points for each day.

Here is the breakdown:

On day one (April 1), each person will find their weight and calculate their BMI. There is a handy-dandy calculator on the sidebar if you need it. You will set an overall weight goal as well as a weekly weight goal. For some this will be very small if anything. For others, this may be the biggest motivator. This can be a weight loss or gain goal (if you want to bulk up with some big muscles). I would recommend weighing yourself at the same time in the same circumstances each week. The best time is in the morning before eating.

Next, points will be added for each goal.

Dietary:
1 pt = each fruit or vegetable eaten. This includes servings of vegetables. For example, a serving is usually 1 c. of fresh fruit, a med apple or banana, etc.
2 pt = Bonus 5 total fruits/veggies in one day
1 pt = choosing whole grain/unprocessed food choices--example brown instead of white rice, whole wheat pasta or breads, etc. 1 pt per substition.
3 pts = Bonus avoiding sweets for the day
1 pt = 8-80z glasses of water (pop shouldn't be a substitute because it is bad for your teeth! That's what happens when the dentist makes the rules)

Fitness:
3 pts = 15 min cardio workout
1 pt = bonus for 60+ min workout in one day
3 pts = 30 min strength training

I also wonder if you'd like to get bonus points for trying shared recipes? Let me know.

I figure we can aim for 70 points for the first week. Here is my thinking
30 points for 5 days of 30 min cardio
35 points for 5 days of 5 fruit/veggies
5 points from bonus points or other categories

No one has suggested incentives. Would you like a monetary one? If so, we can all donate $10-$20 to go to the winner at the end. Please let me know.
Do you want to submit more specific personal goals such as a mile goal, weight lifting goal, etc?

So, to get ready:

1) email me your preferred email so I can get you added as an author and send the spreadsheet
2) come up with your goals, weigh yourself (on April 1) and determine BMI
3) post profile (example to come) or email me if you prefer privacy by April 2.

Did I forget anything?

Coming Soon

I am really close to debuting our rules with the help of Amber and Russ. I will hopefully submit it for your input by this afternoon. As you can see, I have added some hopefully useful (even if unsightly) widgets to help us on our way. Feel free to add others if you have any ideas of what may be handy. Again, send me your email of choice so I can add you as an author.

I am hoping we can all start an initial post giving our profile and goals. If you are not comfortable with sharing this I understand. I think for me it will help me be accountable. I am also fine if we would like to go private once everyone who wants is on board. As soon as I have the rules up I will post my profile.

Just a few more days! Eat your desserts now. :)

Welcome!

Welcome to our new blog! Please let me know if you have not been added to the authors list so you can have access to post items. Feel free to post anything that will be helpful to you: personal goals, tips, progress, problems, etc.

I hope with a little extra encouragement we can all meet our goals!

Erin

PS I hope to have the rules ready within the next day or so.

Also, please add your name to our followers list so we know who we are all working with.