Athyra

Update: 1. Changed my Tues & Thurs rides to Wed & Fri so my husband can use the indoor bike trainer on Tues & Thurs. I did my 10 mile ride on Wed and am scheduled to do the other one tomorrow. 2. Did both days of strength training this week per plan. A bit sore after taking last week off, but I'm really enjoying my current workout routine. 3. Had 5 or 6 tortilla chips at a Mexican restaurant this week before I realized they were fried. I'm planning to only count this as 1/2 serving. 4. Haven't spent any more time cleaning up this week. I haven't heard back from the landscaper. I need to give them a call tomorrow. I think I may have been a bit over ambitious with this goal given how much I have going on this month. I don't know how many of these tasks I will get done, but I will keep trying.

Your goals look great. I have done yoga in the past, but am not doing any right now. I wish I could fit it in, but I feel like I am already doing too much. I would love to try that crane pose, but probably couldn't hold it for very long. I just started playing the piano again in January after not really playing for more than 15 years. After only a few months, I think I'm back to where I was when I was playing regularly. I love having music in my life.

I'm excited to watch your barefoot progress. I wish I could go barefoot, but I don't think my feet would thank me for it (very sensitive). I currently use Minimalist shoes (Newtons) and I'm working towards Vibrams (or similar) someday.

German - I don't really consider myself a cyclist either, but I sure am trying... Yesterday's bike ride sure took a lot out of me, slept pretty soundly last night for 10 hours (10pm - 8am) and I still didn't want to get up when I finally did. My legs are a bit sore today, but other than that I'm feeling good.

Week 1 update: 1. Did not complete Tue & Thu rides per training plan due to business trip and delay in getting home (was supposed to be home late Wed night, got home late Thur night). This was already a given at the time I posted my goals so I have to be even more careful to meet the rest of the training plan. Did a 35.5 mile bike ride today - longest distance to date. 2. Continue strength training 2 days per week: Did not do any strength training this week due to business trip. Goal is based on the last 5 weeks of the challenge only. 3. Have not eaten any fried foods since goals were posted even though I'm not officially tracking this until next week (tomorrow). Made an alternative choice for tonight's appetizer to get something not fried, even though I'm not tracking it yet. 4. Spent some time clearing some of the junk off the kitchen table (not all). Sent an email to the landscaper contact regarding the work I am looking for on Friday. Will follow up tomorrow via telephone if I don't hear back.

This is my 2nd challenge so far, but my first one as a Scout. I'm starting a bit late as I have been away on business travel since Monday and I didn't have a chance to post before now. Fitness Goals: 1. Complete 2 day charity bike ride (Breathe NH) on May 18 and 19. In order to achieve this goal, I am following this training plan: Apr 15 Tue 10 - 15 mi, Thu 10 - 15 mi, Sat/Sun 30 - 40 mi Apr 22 Tue 10 - 15 mi, Thu 10 - 15 mi, Sat/Sun 30 - 40 mi Apr 29 Mon 10-15 mi, Wed 10-15 mi, Fri 10-15 mi, Sat/Sun 40-50 mi May 6 Mon 10-15 mi, Wed 10-15 mi, Fri 10-15 mi, Sat/Sun 40-50 mi May 13 (week of ) Mon 8-10 mi, Tue 3-5 mi, Wed 8-10 mi, Thu 3-5 mi. Note, the specific days of the week are flexible and I am also taking total mileage in a week into account, i.e. a shorter ride than planned on one day can be "made up for" by a longer ride on another day. Scoring: Complete 2 full days of charity ride (day 1 distance 45 mi, day 2 distance 32.7 miles) and meet 75% of training plan: A. Do not complete 2 full days, but meet 85% of training plan: B. Do not complete 2 full days, but meet 75% of training plan: C. Do not complete 2 full days, but meet 50% of training plan: D. Do not complete 2 full days and meet less than 50% of training plan: F. STA 5 2. Continue strength training 2 days per week: day 1: bench press 5 sets of up to 5 reps; bent over rows 5 sets of up to 5 reps; squats 5 sets of up to 5 reps day 2: deadlift 1 warm up set of 5 reps, 1 full weight set of up to 5 reps; squats 5 sets of up to 5 reps; standing shoulder press 5 sets of up t o 5 reps Scoring: 90% of plan: A 80% of plan: B 70% of plan: C 60% of plan: D Less than 60% of plan: F STR 3 STA 1 Diet Goal: 1. Limit fried foods to avg of 1 per week (not including 1st week of challenge). Scoring: <= 5 fried foods: A 6 - 7: B 8 - 9: C 10 - 11: D 12+: F CON 3 Level up life goal: Complete the following household tasks: 1) Clean all of the junk off of the kitchen table. 2) Organize the pantry. 3) Get quote from landscaping company to install patio / hot tub. 4) Get quote from construction company to look at roof and to replace sliding glass door. 5) Clean out the floor of the hall closet. Scoring: all 5 tasks complete: A 4 tasks complete: B 3 tasks complete: C 2 tasks complete: D < 2 tasks complete: F WIS 3

I haven't dropped out either. Still working on my goals, just haven't been good about posting. I guess posting on the forum should be my level up goal for next challenge.

Here's my Shire miles: Week 3 - 26.9 miles (cycling) Total miles so far: 96.3 miles, currently on my way to Tom Bombadil's house

Had a bit of a rough week this week due to the time change and also my husband was away so I had a harder time getting up in the morning. Looking forward to a better week next week. Status against goals: 1. Did not do my Tuesday ride; but rode Thursday for 30 min. and Sunday (today) for 2 hrs. 2. Did not do my Monday workout (chest); but did Wednesday (legs) and Friday (actually did it on Saturday - back) Barbell squats at 75 lbs., Deadlift at 105 lbs. 3. Weight was 126.2 lb. this weekend; Was able to wear a couple of pairs of pants to work this week that I haven't been able to wear in a while; Measurements are almost at goal (27.5" waist, 37" hips) 4. Late to work on Mon, Wed, and Thur (by 9:15 all 3 days). Early to work on Friday (8:15). Total miles this week: 26.9 mi (all cycling) Total miles to date (since start of challenge): 83.4 mi

The charity ride is for Breathe NH (www.breathenh.org/bike). It is an organization dedicated to lung health research and education. My mother had Pulmonary Fibrosis and passed away 5 years ago. I am dedicating my ride to her.

Just wanted to let you guys know I'm still here and still plugging along. I will post my challenge update for the week later today after I complete my cycling. I didn't do as well this week as the first two weeks, but that's ok. Next week will be better, right?

Looks like you're making pretty good progress. I had the same problem with adult beverages for St. Paddy's day. Ended up drinking about a bottle of wine last night (twice as much as I would normally drink). I don't have a goal to limit how much I drink in a week, but I might have to add that to my next challenge as it is probably the biggest thing that interferes with my fitness goals.

Honeysuckle, Here's my miles for the first two weeks: Week 1 - 41 miles: 23.8 (cycling) + 3.6 (run) + 0.7 (walk) Week 2 - 28.4 miles (all cycling)

Status against goals: 1. 20 min. of cycling Thursday and 120 min. today 2. Skipped Friday workout since I was away for the weekend 3. Weight was 125.6 lb. on Thursday; diet wasn't that great this weekend so hopefully it won't be too bad when I weigh myself tomorrow. 4. Late to work on Wed. (9:15), on time Thurs., had Fri. off from work. Total miles to date: 56.5 mi Total miles in Middle Earth (For the Shire! tracking): 69.4 mi

Status against goals: 1. 90 min. of cycling on Sunday (14.9 mi.) & 30 min. of cycling today (5.2 mi.) 2. Chest and arms workout yesterday; bench press progress: 3 sets of 8 reps at 45 lb (empty bar) 3. Eating per diet plan. Couldn't check weight since battery in scaled died. Decided to order a new scale instead of replacing the battery on the old one (accuracy was poor on the old one). The new scale comes tomorrow. However, I've been wearing pants this week that haven't fit in months so I'm sure I'm on the right track. Also waist & hip measurements are just about at goal. 4. On time to work Mon & Tue. Total miles to date: 33.3 Total miles in Middle Earth (For the Shire! tracking): 46.2 Running miles: 3.6 Walking miles: 0.7 Biking miles: 29