Posted by Cassie in Fitness | 14 Comments
all about the numbers challenge
You may have noticed that I don’t do well without a hard-fast, identifiable goal.
I’ve yet to figure out how to just be healthy and fit for the sake of being healthy and fit, and until I do, I need some sort of finish line to motivate me to keep on keepin’ on. Sometimes it’s a literal finish line, but a lot of times, I like to create my own little challenges. Does it make me incredibly cheesy? Yes! But I am definitely a goal-setter and I think creating challenges is a fun way to gameify health and fitness. And anything that keeps me on track is a good thing.
I’m currently in the last few weeks of my extended Summer of Strength Challenge. As that winds down, it is time for me to create a new focus and new plan. (Don’t worry, I’ll be doing a SoS wrap-up and results post in a few weeks.) One thing that SoS has taught me is that the scale is really not worth all my energy. There are so many other numbers that can be just as good (or even better) indicator of health. So my newest challenge is all about the numbers just not the one on the scale. And it definitely calls for an obnoxious graphic.
We have 40 days until the “holidays” really start. And I want to come into Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year feeling my absolute best. And hopefully continue those habits through right past the vats of eggnog and over the third helping of pumpkin pie. A body in motion stays in motion, right? Well I believe a body in health is more apt to stay in health. Even when being assaulted with fudge and wassail.
So here are the “10 number-y goals”. The challenge starts today and ends on Thanksgiving (November 24th). During that time, I’d like to:
- Complete 2000 fitness minutes
- Do a 2 minute plank
- Do a 1 minute chair sit
- Run or walk a total of 100 miles
- Stationary bike a total of 100 miles
- Drink 4000 ounces of water
- Track my food for 30 days
- Eat 200 servings of fruits and veggies
- Go 40 days without stepping on a scale
- Write and post 30 Operation Beautiful notes
Of course, with any good challenge comes a reward! There has to be some gold at the end of the proverbial fitness rainbow to really make me devoted. And since I have to check off so many goals to get this prize, I figured it should be a big one. If I successfully check off all these goals, I get a $200 shopping spree at the nearby outlet malls. Which, considering I’ve been wearing the same pair of Under Armour crops for every single workout for the past two years (yes, including rolling in the grass), I desperately need $200 to spend at the UA outlet. Motivation!
I’ll be updating you with my progress on my (almost) weekly Sweats of the Week posts. Keep me on track. Mama needs a new pair of workout pants!
Oh, man, I think one of my prizes is going to be saving up my pennies and if I can lose twenty pounds I will buy myself one of your Train Dirty tees. ^–^ A huge splurge for me, but I just LOVE it!
Aww, thanks! I love that tee, too. And it is so soft and comfy! I kinda live in it.
Goals and lists make me happy, and they help keep me on track and honest. I love being able to check something off of a goals list, or cross something off of a to do list!
Meeeeee, too! Lists are my favorite.
I think your goals are so admirable. I love how you’re focused on positive results instead of a number on a scale. It’s definitely inspiring and is making me think about how to add more fitness goals into my life.
I’ve never heard of Operation Beautiful before, but I love the message. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Heather!
I’m definitely a goal-setter, but I’m not really number oriented. I’m more a “check it off the list” kind of girl. So instead of doing something 30 times, I’m more likely to do something every day for a month. In the end, it’s the same thing, but for some reason counting up doesn’t work as well as checking off for me. I do need goals, especially now that I’m an unemployed layabout (“in job search mode” sounds so much more positive…). It’s dangerously easy to fall into the habit of spending all day reading, playing online and snacking. If I don’t have tangible “check them off” goals, then I find that the day just whizzes by, and i’ve accomplished absolutely nothing.
I totally get that. It’s kinda the “take it one day at a time” approach!
I’m tracking my food and exercise this month as well. I’m finding even eating consciously with appropriate portion sizes and recording what I eat is helping. I don’t have to avoid the pumpkin pie/ ice cream entirely; I just have to have a small piece and enter it into my phone. I’m using the Shape Up iPhone app, and I like it. It does all the calories for me so I don’t have to think about it.
Good luck!
Definitely! I still eat whatever I want, but just being aware of portion sizes is my biggest issue. I tend to be a “bite sneaker” when I’m cooking. Which can add up to a lot of excess calories.
These are such positive goals. I love them. May I copy some of them, especially the one about not using the scale for 40 days? Wonderful post thanks for sharing. I’m off now to write some great sticky notes and start randomly placing them around our town of 400. I wonder how long before the towns people realize its me “doing those crazy things again”?
Steal away, Sue! And I always feel a little bit like a criminal when I’m placing notes. I try to get away before anyone can tell it’s me.
oh am I good goal keeper, so any goals I am a sucker for. That is really awesome you set these up! I usually do a once a month thing!
Yay for goal keepers!