Health Challenge

Since I started my new job I have stopped paying enough attention to my health. I am not sick but I am seeing a lot of young people getting chronic diseases and sadly, some have terminal illnesses.

My buddies and some of my friends are challenging each other to live healthier during the last six months of this year. I get miffed because some people equate getting healthier with beauty and vanity. The goal is not to look better even though when you are healthier you do tend to look better. I think health is more important than beauty--physical, emotional and spiritual health are important.

We are not setting big goals. For example, my ex is not a runner and he is not training to run a marathon by New Years! It's small changes. At the beginning of the year, we will set new goals for the next six months.

I have not exercised regularly since I started working. My job can be very physical and I am outdoors a lot. But it tends to be an up and down thing with very chaotic times followed by a lot of down time, like I have now.

My goal is to get back into my routine somehow and there are some changes I need to make in my eating habits-- like on some days remembering to eat which I did forget to do yesterday. Some of my buddies and I are "competing" and that pushes me. I love to defeat the guys in any challenges.

I don't judge anyone when it comes to their health and I think beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and personalities. I am just sharing my challenge.

good for you, k!!! stick to it. i had the same thought a couple of years ago....and i started doing a mix of yoga/pilates and my old dance training exercises. didn't think i'd do it long, but it's been over 2 years now. not sure i "look" and different, but i'm flexible!!

I had not thought of yoga! Thanks! I am going to add that to my list.

I went dancing the other night and noticed i just wasn't as flexible as I usually am. I have never done yoga/pilates because I like to run/walk/hike and I work out with free weights (which helped me increase my chest size without surgery which I would never have anyway!!). How often should it be done a week?

Congrats on your routine! And the not smoking....

well....i used to be mega/scary/ultra flexible and i noticed that i wasn't anymore, which is why i started doing it. (i took dance for years and that was why i was so "bendy!" lol!) i'm getting really flexible again, for which i am proud and thankful.

i was doing it six days a week (every day but sunday!) but here lately i've backed off to 4 or 5 days a week. just been busy....and HOT

thanks for the congrats. been 6 months since i smoked.

Good luck!

I used to be very flexible when I was taking Tae Kwon Do, I could do splits and kick over my head. Now I'm kinda "meh" in the flexibility department.

i can do splits again...and kicks!! i think i would like to take tae kwon do~

I used to be flexible. I ought to do something about it.

sami, grats on 6 months of not smoking. Have you noticed you have more pocket change?

LJ......that's exactly what i DID do.......something about it!!

unfortunately...i'm jobless, so i haven't noticed much money at all!! but? being broke has been a motivation to quit. i haven't noticed any other benefits........yet.

thanks!

Great suggestion on the Tae Kwon Do!

I was hoping for some advice and to hear what worked for everyone. I needed a good new exercise challenge and I am going to start eating on a schedule too. I just get too busy and forget. I want to be healthy and not too thin so I am looking for a balanced way of life.

kayanne wrote:

and not too thin

That is so not my problem.

Tae kwon do ate my left knee back in college. It's never been the same since. I'm interested in tai chi and yoga. They're slow and there is no contact with other people.

Listen to all of you. Good for you!

I'm going to start taking walks, again. Oh and I lost my flexibility a long time ago. I mean, a LONG time ago. Or maybe I never had it!

Quote :

I want to be healthy and not too thin so I am looking for a balanced way of life.

I am not to the point of being too thin yet but I tend to gain and lose weight quickly, which is not healthy.

Just ordered a Yoga DVD so I am going to give it a try. I am also going to start training for a Halloween charity run.

However, today is not the day for me to start.

Nay wrote:

Dahling PJ, I think we should ask Mr PJ about your flexibility.

Oh dear, you made me blush, Nay.

Great. Now I'm thinking yoga + marriage = Tantric sex.

if i could only get married..........

Vigorous sex burns off 300 calories an hour.

I am not having a good day on my challenge. I had breakfast with men and I was lured into eating a biscuit, which I am trying to avoid. Maybe I should have tried to lure them into having sex, which would have helped me burn calories. One newbie was quite attractive. Maybe if I told him that I was trying to be healthier and that sex burns off 300 calories an hour.....

Oh, I forgot to say it's 3:45 here and I haven't had lunch. Not eating is also an unhealthy habit.

And I hope you guys know I was kidding about throwing down some guy I just met! He would have had to buy my breakfast and sing me a love song.

Seriously, I have been with men folk all day that have no filters so please forgive my sauciness. I would not have sex with a guy I just met at breakfast.

What was in the biscuit??

LegoJulie wrote:

Great. Now I'm thinking yoga + marriage = Tantric sex.

And you weren't already thinking it?

No. I was wondering if I would be kicked off the new Harry Potter ride.

Quote :

What was in the biscuit??

Oh Julie! You got me. There was sausage in the biscuit! I didn't want to say I was having breakfast with men and eating sausage, particularly after my saucy sex talk. But I was.

I suck at this. I am either eating too much or not at all--not good for my metabolism. I ate a lot on my getaway with the roomie. Then today I forgot to eat at all with the exception of some garlic Triscuits this morning.

I am getting in my cardio but not my yoga and free weights.

Tomorrow is another day....

Well, I'm inspired.

Doing my grocery shopping last week, not one treat, sweet, snack, whatever...all fruits, veggies, meat and dairy. Nothing frozen either.

When it's hot, I like to snack on juicy fruits-grapes, watermelon, peaches, etc.

My meals have been salads, yogurt with granola, and sub-like sandwiches.

I have been enjoying cooking at my roomy's place. She doesn't cook at all. But with the heat, I hate using her electric stove. I opt for non-cooking meals.

Now I just have to get going on my exercise regiment going again.

Alice--that is awesome! You are inspiring me.

We just had a marathon in my area and last night someone asked me if I was a runner because I have toned legs. My legs are inherited from my mom and grandmother--it's in the genes so I can't take credit for them. But I have really let things slide using the excuse of my hectic job and crazy social life.

But that question inspired me to get back in the groove. I have set a goal to run in a couple of 5K races. One is later this year and the other one is in February of next year. My ex, my roomie and another buddy have agreed to join me.

Headed out to begin "training" now.