Starlite

Okay, soooooooooo kind of fell off this last week. My excuse is that I was in the process of looking for (and then being offered!) a new job, so everything else kind of fell to the wayside! I didn't do a single exercise routine last week, and I must've drank at least 1 soda a day (probably more, but I didn't keep track). Still kept on the fruit/veg stuff, though - finding that one really easy. I probably ate more than 2/day, but I'm just going to put in the minimum on my spreadsheet as I didn't keep proper tabs on what I was eating, but I do know I at least had fruit and veg x 2 every single day. So I guess now I'll be dragging myself back into the routine. I'm going to have a busy 2 weeks at work as I close down all my current ongoing projects ready for me finishing at my current workplace, then I'll be starting a new job on the 13th, so no rest for the wicked! I'll do my best to get back on the horse! Thanks for the nudge, Elastigirl - I'd been neglecting the forums, too!

I'm still here! I made the mistake on Thursday of trying to do a consecutive training days, and ended up in quite a bit of pain over the weekend (my intention was to do more during the week so I could have weekend "off", which I ended up doing, but I was only able to do 2/3 sets today). I'm doing smashingly on my soda goal, only having 3 so far overall. I bought a water bottle to use at work, and I'm getting through much more water now, which is also helping to settle cravings for soda. I also bought a bum bag / fanny pack. I wanted an arm band really, something to keep hold of my phone while I'm doing my routines, but my arms are too skinny for the arm bands, so I had to compromise! Still going, though. Onwards!

Check!

Hello erosan, and thanks for the support So I did my first proper workout yesterday. Myyyyyy goodness, some of the noises coming out of me...the neighbours probably thought I was being murdered when I was trying to hold a plank for 15 seconds. It was really tough to get through all three sets (I had to take a twenty minute break between 2 and 3), and my form was atrocious (nearly fell over multiple times doing the lunges), and my bum muscles are hurting this morning(!), but hey, at least I did it! The other goals weren't too challenging (0 soda, 3 portions of fruit/veg), but hey, it's only day one. Not time to get too excited just yet!

Hallo, hallo! I'm thinking assassins will be the place for me, if I succeed in my first six-week challenge. Far, far down the road, I'd really love to get into parkour - right now, that's just blue sky thinking, but never say never! One step at a time right now Hmm, favourite Assassin. Does Leeloo from the Fifth Element count?

That's great to hear, Feowyn, it's reassuring to know it can be done!

Don't be scared! Or, rather, be scared, but like the excited kind of scared. You can do it!

It really, really adds up! Good luck with cutting down yourself That's a good point! I have a freezer full of salmon and chicken breasts at the moment, so I'll be doing my best to put back in whatever I'm sweating out Excited to start tomorrow, woo!

Thanks ninjakitten I tried the routine for the first time yesterday, and it's a challenge for me, but doable. As for the sodas, I'm just scaling down, really (I was on 5/6 a day at the start of the year - haven't had any major issues with headaches or withdrawal that I've noticed yet). I don't even like them that much, it's just pure, utter laziness that I'll grab a can instead of taking the extra 5 seconds to pour a glass of water or milk! And possibly caffeine addiction, I dunno. But sodas are pretty expensive, when you sit down and look at it, and I'm poor, sooooo...!

Lift the heavy things! Move the heavy things! Put down the heavy things! \o/ Best of luck!

Age: 31 Gender: Female Height: 5'0" Weight: 101 lbs / 46 kg Introduction: Long(er) version here. Short version - I've always been thin, and I've always been weak. After recovering from a total thyroidectomy, I want to build up some strength. I don't think my goals are unreasonable, but as this is my first ever attempt at something like this, I'll just have to see how it plays out. Main Quest: Get stronger. Goal #1: Basic strength training sessions (Beginner Bodyweight Workout), 3 times a week A = 19 - 21 Sessions B = 14 + Sessions C = 7 + Sessions F = < 7 Sessions Goal #2: Cut down to no more than 1 can of soda a day (currently approx. 2 a day). A = < 42 B = 42 - 60 C = 60 - 70 F = 70 + Goal #3: Eat at least 2 portions of fruit/vegetables a day. A = 75 + B = 65 + C = 55 + F = < 55 Side Quest: Pay £250 off existing debt, and accrue no new debt. I have something of an issue when it comes to personal finance (and impulse buying!), which I've been rollercoastering since splitting from my long term partner in 2012. I currently have almost £3,000 in personal debt, although it's all interest-free until 2017. The important part here is not to accrue new debt. A = £250, and no new debt B = £200 +, and no new debt C = £130 + (minimum payment), and no new debt F = Any new debt, regardless of payment. I'll be logging my activity through a spreadsheet (here), which I'm going to make public in the hope that it will encourage me to keep it updated. Motivation: I want to be able to go out for the day and not be exhausted after walking around for less than an hour. Looking forward to this!

They didn't even diagnose me with the back issues until I was in my 20's. I've never been offered either braces or surgery - they gave me some exercises to do, which I think helped it feel a little better, though I must admit I haven't done them in years. The sideways curvature isn't that bad, just a slight twist to the right, but the lordosis is to the point where I look permanently pregnant if I'm wearing clothes that drape down my back. It also affects the way I walk, so I kind of waddle along and my hips sway like crazy. Neither give me much pain, but I suspect that will be because I don't move around much, and as I get into exercise more, problems may arise. However, I will cross those bridges when I come to them, and thanks for the support! I'm going to follow your daily battle, PP, see if I can draw some inspiration! Thanks for the yoga suggestion, shaarawy! I've looked into it briefly in the past, though maybe I should put a bit more effort in that area, especially if it could improve general health and flexibility.

Hello! Basics: Female, 31, 5' 0", 101lbs, desk job, in the UK. I have always had a thin frame, but late in 2013, I noticed it was getting worse than usual. Since I hadn't changed my eating habits (which have always been pretty bad - junk food, takeaways, living off cans of pop), I was referred to a specialist and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. When my thyroid was at its worst, I weighted around 85lbs, and no matter what I ate, I couldn't get any weight on. I was also constantly tired and weak. They tried to manage my thyroid levels with tablets for six months or so, but my body was just like "naw". In January this year, doctors took the final step and removed my thyroid gland (I also had a goitre, which was causing me some self-esteem issues as I'm sure you can imagine, so I requested surgery as opposed to radiation, which wasn't guaranteed to shrink it). I've been back and forth to the hospital since, while they try to get my thyroxine tablets to the right levels. I'm on 100mg at the moment, up from 50 then 75. I do feel generally better, but I'm still not sure if I'm on the right dose. As I'm now gaining the weight back and then some, I figured I'd best look into some kind of fitness routine, so I don't end up looking too much like a Weeble (I'm already a pear shape, with no boobs and big ol' booty). I also have lumbar lordosis and scoliosis (the combination of which means I physically cannot do a sit-up at present), so I'm looking with particular interest into exercises that will help build up some strength in the back and abdominal areas. Coming from a place of where exercise has just never been a part of my life (I've always been slim, if unhealthy, and people don't tend to notice/point out when you're unhealthy but thin), it's taking some getting my head around. I've never even set foot in a gym! I am still incredibly weak, with no stamina whatsoever, and now slowly turning into a little fatty magoo. I figured now that I've had time to recover from the surgery would be a good time to get into some kind of routine, start as I mean to go on sort of thing. I've already made a number of changes to my diet before looking into fitness of the body, which I've been phasing in more-or-less since January, and I'm kind of on track for making a proper move into really decent eating. I don't go to McDonald's multiple times a week anymore (though I do still visit maybe once a week and get a lunch or breakfast wrap - kind of a treat), and I've cut right back on the takeaways (again, maybe once a week - usually Friday nights after a week in the office!). Pop is one of my biggest weaknesses when it comes to diet, I think. I like water fine (and milk!), but having a can of pop is like my version of crack. I currently have about 2 a day (down from about 6, so...!), and ideally I'd like to have it phased out entirely by the end of the year. I'm going to sign up to the next 6 week challenge. I haven't decided yet what my goal will be, as I'm not sure which aspect of my health I want to concentrate on first (strength or stamina). Sorry if this all sounds like rambling - I didn't really know where to begin! Thanks for reading! P.S. I've attached a picture of my throat before and after surgery. Look at that bump! P.P.S. Yes, I have chosen a username based off the narcissistic horse from Rainbow Brite. I'm amazed the name was available! )