Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Q and A

Q:

Is it bad for your body to run outside in cold weather when you're not bundled up? I ran this morning w/ shorts and a t-shirt and it was cold. My knees were hurting afterward.
Abby

A:

The experts say to wear enough running clothes to make you feel just a bit of cold when you step out the door. You don't want to walk out the door and already feel warm because you'll heat up so much on your run and be uncomfortably hot. I wouldn't say it's necessarily bad for the body to run outside in cold weather in so far as I doubt there are long term side effects. In the short term yes, you're likely to get a bit stiff and sore.
I myself loath running in pants and do anything I can to stay out of them, but when winter calls, I do dig out my supply of tights. I have a great pair of capri tights that I prefer to their full length counterparts. I also dress in layers up top so I can strip off a long sleeve shirt if I need to.

Kelly

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Q and A

Q:

You need to tell me why people gain weight while training for a marathon...I am ok with it, if I know it peels off as soon as you are finished training.
Kristen

A:

That's a good question, especially when you see elite marathoners who look more like twigs than women (these women are on strict diets and limit their caloric intake to bare minimum). I usually gain weight when running longer distances because I need more calories to go the distance. If my caloric intake is the same as my 5k training weight I get really worn out on the long runs and usually get deep, painful side aches that last for days. You'd also assume that because you're running more, you'd burn off the extra calories you're consuming...not so my friend. I have yet to discover the theory behind this idea, perhaps I'll call it the Caloric Freeze Theory for now, but even though you are technically burning off more calories, it doesn't seem to compensate for the additional dietary intake.

The weight has always come back off for me once I resume my normal caloric intake and 5-10k training schedule. This seems to be the case with many others I have conversed with as well.

Serious Consideration

Yes. I'm seriously considing calling you all...while at work, or in the shower, or at the most inconvinient time and asking for you numbers...unless that is, you get them in to me tonight!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Challenge Standings

Sorry it has taken all week to get these points out, but with the number recall and waiting on people to get their numbers in it is the best I can do. I am still missing numbers from a FEW people, you can't win unless you report!

Kim: 86
Ryan: 67
Michelle: 66
Pam: 42
Ellen: 33
Jeni: 24

Great job with you points this week...and reporting! Like I said, I have yet to hear from several people. Hopefully you didn't just give me money for nothing!

Extra Credit assignment this week goes to Jeni and Sarah. I want an article, tips, info, whatever on FIBER! Email it to me at ellom8@hotmail.com and then I will get it posted on here. You both will get 2 points for suppling the article and everyone else will get 1 point if they read it and comment.

Keep going!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Number Recall

I just got some great/crazy numbers in from you all which made me realize I need to do a NUMBER RECALL! I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but there were a few things I didn't think about enough before making the point system.

I made changes to Daily Points (especially the water), and Challenge Points.

So, here we go.



One chance points

*Participate in this challenge with a friend. Email/Comment who you will be partnering up with. -4 POINTS

Daily points

*1 serving of vegetables. -1 POINT/5 POINT LIMIT
*1 serving of fruit. -1 POINT/4 POINT LIMIT
*48 oz water. -1 POINT/1 POINT LIMIT
*30 mins. of exercise. -1 POINT
*45 mins. of exercise. -2 POINTS
*60 mins of exercise. -3 POINTS/3 POINT LIMIT
*Follow your healthy eating plan. -2 POINTS

If you have questions as to what a serving size is go HERE

Challenge points-you can complete one challenge per week, you may not repeat a challenge point. New/different Challenge Points will be added throughout the Healthiday Challenge.

*Try a new exercise class or video. -1 POINT
*Watch the Supersize movie. -1 POINT
*Try a new sport *(play tennis, go rock climbing, jump rope, rowing, golfing, basketball...something that you haven't tried before). -3 POINTS
*Play outside with your kids (cross the monkey bars, build a snowman, play tag, ride bikes). -1 POINT
*Plan, organize, and execute a fun run/walk, sporting event, yoga session, healthy eating plan for 5 or more people*. -3 POINTS

Bonus points

*6 days of exercise. -1 POINT
*5 days of sticking to healthing eating plan. -2 POINT
*Checking in with your partner 3 times during the week. -2 POINTS

Education points

Each week I will assign a partnership or individual to research and post an interesting, health related article. You will submit this article to me via email/comments.
*Accept assignment and Post Related Article. -2 POINTS
*Read posted article and comment. -1 POINT

My Email: ellom8@hotmail.com

*please okay these points with me before commencing.


You WILL REPORT your points to me at the end of each week (AKA SUNDAY EVENING).

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Numbers Please

Everyone get you numbers in tonight for your first week of the challenge!

On another note, I'd like to give a tip here.
When on a healthy eating plan or diet plan, one might be tempted to go the FAT FREE or LOW FAT route. You've probably all heard health/nutrition experts encouraging a diet LOW IN FAT. A low fat diet is essential to weight management and good health, however I think the term is often confused. Instead of consuming smaller portions of cake/french fries/ chips/cookies/pizza, people find a FAT FREE or LOW FAT version of their favorite food and loose all restraint. I RARELY/NEVER buy anything FAT FREE or LOW FAT 1. because it usually doesn't taste as good and 2. because it is important to have some fat in your diet and 3. because I don't go overboard on my portions so I don't have to worry about the side effects.

My point is this. A diet low in fat doesn't mean a diet high in FAT FREE/LOW FAT foods. It means, eat less of things that are high in fat. My other point is this: STOP BUYING FAT FREE and LOW FAT products and just control your portion size. Enjoy the full taste and flavor that your favorite foods have to offer and that naturally fatty foods come with, just don't fill up an empty belly on these fatty foods.

And so, I give you my current addiction:

Salad
Wish-Bone Rasberry Hazelnut vinaigreete dressing with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (NOT the low fat kind)
Feta cheese
Almonds

YUM!

My friend made a similar salad with spinach, cranberries and pecans. YUMMILICIOUS!

I crave this salad everyday. Around lunch I think, "hum, what do I want to eat..I'm starving!" and then I get a big smile on my face and pull out all of these tasty salad ingredients!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Monday, November 10, 2008

Let's get it Started in Here

Aright Ladies and Gents (yes! there are a few Gents!),

The Challenge is ON! I've been getting lots of trash talking emails, like "Let's go....I'm after your money," that I'm totally loving! There are lots of people signed up, but I have yet to see some MOOLA! So, get your money in.

Make sure YOU are keeping track of your points. Report to me via email or comment at the end of the week.

I am really excited to see how you all do. Jan. 1st is going to come whether you reached your goals or not...so might as well get serious and feel great for the new year!

Good luck everyone!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Points


This guy ROCKS!


Happy Healthiday Challenge

Here is the point system that we will use for the Healthiday Challenge. Please copy and paste it into a Word document, print it off and wallpaper it all over your kitchen. I want everyone to get serious about this and jump in with two feet. No balancing on the fence. Don't start this challenge wondering if you'll finish it or if you'll really do it...that sinks. Just do it!


Before getting started, I need everyone to email me/comment (this will remain confidential) their WEIGHT, HEIGHT, WAIST/THIGH/BICEPS MEASUREMENTS.

Everyone also needs to pick a healthy eating plan. If you like Weight Watchers, South Beach, whatever....email/comment what plan you will be following. You can make your own, and I RECOMMEND this, using the mypyramid website, check it out. To make a plan on this site, start with My Pyramid Plan. I love the menu planner!

On to the POINTS:

One chance points

*Participate in this challenge with a friend. Email/Comment who you will be partnering up with. -4 POINTS

Daily points

*1 serving of vegetables. -1 POINT
*1 serving of fruit. -1 POINT
*1 cup of water. -1 POINT
*30 mins. of exercise. -1 POINT
*45 mins. of exercise. -2 POINTS
*60 mins of exercise. -3 POINTS
*Follow your healthy eating plan. -2 POINTS

Challenge points

*Try a new exercise class or video. -1 POINT
*Watch the Supersize movie. -1 POINT
*Try a new sport *(play tennis, go rock climbing, jump rope, rowing, golfing, basketball...something that you haven't tried before). -3 POINTS
*Play outside with your kids (cross the monkey bars, build a snowman, play tag, ride bikes). -1 POINT
*Plan, organize, and execute a fun run/walk, sporting event, yoga session, healthy eating plan for 5 or more people*. -3 POINTS

Bonus points

*6 days of exercise. -1 POINT
*5 days of sticking to healthing eating plan. -2 POINT
*Checking in with your partner 3 times during the week. -2 POINTS

Education points

Each week I will assign a partnership or individual to research and post an interesting, health related article. You will submit this article to me via email/comments.
*Accept assignment and Post Related Article. -2 POINTS
*Read posted article and comment. -1 POINT

My Email: ellom8@hotmail.com

*please okay these points with me before commencing.

Santa will be coming soon. You can either look like him, or have a nice wad of cash in your back pocket. You choose.

I hope that everyone will jump on the sleigh, find a partner, and get started. Please send your $10 into me ASAP! You're not officially in until I have a money commitment. We will begin the 10th of NOVEMBER...next Monday! Write in with questions or other discrepancies and we'll get the kinks out before starting date.

You WILL REPORT your points to me at the end of each week (AKA SUNDAY EVENING).


Sunday, November 2, 2008

Are you in or what?

Okay, here's everyone I have for the Holiday Health Challenge:

Kristen, Pam, LeeAnn, Kim, Ellen, and Julie. Hum, $60...I'll take that! Let's see if we can get a few more people in, get your $10 in to ME (to hold until there is a winner on January 1), and we'll start on the 10th of November.

I will get THE LIST posted by Tuesday (oooo-commitment!).