MFP Elimination Challenge - Week #3

I worked my butt off in Week #2.  Okay, actually I worked the heck out of my abs.  It was totally a stretch for me, but I enjoyed it.  Unfortunately, the scale didn't reflect nicely.  Again, I scheduled my workouts for each day and stuck with them.  And I ate well.

In summary:
I was supposed to burn 1,000 calories. I burned 3,067.  TEAM GOAL: burn 23,000 calories, which we nearly doubled.
I was supposed to do 300 core reps. I did 1,200.  TEAM GOAL:  8,000 reps, which we nearly doubled.
I was supposed to do 150 squats. I did 220.
I was supposed to do 15 10-second planks.  I did 21.
And I was supposed to get 6 Extra Movement points.  I got 22.

In the end, I gained 1.2 lbs!!! Can you believe that?! I worked so hard and GAINED!  But I've been told by teammates that when you start working new muscles, you tend to hang on to water weight as a way to heal those muscles.  Since I hadn't worked my ab muscles that hard since probably basic training, I was hanging on to a lot of water weight.  The fix for that, keep doing the workouts for ALL muscle groups and drink more water!

So, when Week #2 started, I weighed 222.4.  When Week #2 ended, I weighed 223.6.  Lucky for me, based on my efforts and going above and beyond the requirements, I was not eliminated.  Yea, me!

The Wolverines lost two people.  Both did what was required of them, but they didn't do much more than that.  I personally feel bad because they both still had a weight loss, whereas I had a gain.  In fact, I was the only person on our team that had a gain.  I thought for sure I was a goner.  Anyway, I thought we'd done everything to be the safe team this week, but apparently I missed something.  There were actually three teams that were safe, though the honor only went to the team with the highest percentage of weight loss, the Tigers.  Oh well, we'll try again this week.

Week #3 Challenge:

1. WORKOUT - I have to burn 1,200 calories between Monday and Friday this week. My workouts have to include a 120 minute, a 90 minute, a 60 minute, and a 30 minute workout.  If I don't complete this, I will be eliminated. Team Goal - Burn 22,000 calories.
2. REPS - I have to do 200 core reps (crunches, etc.)  PLUS 200 cardio reps (like jumping jacks) during the week. I can mix and match what I'm doing reps of, but they have to be in increments of 25. If I don't complete this, I will be eliminated. Team Goal - 9000 reps.
3. HARD REP - I have to do my HR every day this week AND do them TWICE two days this week. My HR is 3 10-second planks, so I'll be doing a total of 21 of them.  If I don't, I will be eliminated. No Team Goal for this one.
4. FAVORITE REP - I have to do my FR every day this week AND do them TWICE two days this week.  My FR is 20 squats, so I'll be doing a total of 140 of them.  If I don't, I will be eliminated. No Team Goal for this one.
5. EXTRA MOVEMENT - I have to earn 8 points in EM this week.  If I don't, I will be eliminated.  Team Goal - 160 points.

So, I'm starting out this week at 223.6 lbs.  This is my workout plan for the week...

Monday - lunch walk/run (30 mins), track walk/run (30 mins), 200 core reps, 200 cardio reps, 6 HR, 40 FR, 4 EM
Tuesday - lunch walk/run (30 mins), Rockin' Body - 4 workouts (120 mins), 200 core reps, 200 cardio reps, 6 HR, 40 FR, 4 EM
Wednesday - lunch walk/run (30 mins), Zumba (60 mins), 200 core reps, 200 cardio reps, 6 HR, 40 FR, 4 EM
Thursday - lunch walk/run (30 mins), PiYo (60 mins) and walking (30 mins) ((total of 90 mins)), 200 core reps, 200 cardio reps, 6 HR, 40 FR, 4 EM
Friday - lunch walk/run (30 mins), Rockin' Body - 3 workouts (90 mins), 200 core reps, 200 cardio reps, 6 HR, 40 FR, 4 EM
Saturday - WEIGH-IN

I know this schedule is aggressive and blows away the requirements.  But if effort is what kept me in the game this past week, I need to put forth at least as much effort this week.  Wish me luck!

MFP Elimination Challenge - Week #2

Week #1 went GREAT!  Not only did I enjoy it.  But it did a lot for my weight loss too!  I scheduled my workouts for each day and stuck with them.  I also ate well...at least between Monday and Friday.  Fell off track over the weekend.  But hey, it's a brand new day!

In summary:
I was supposed to burn 1,100 calories.  I burned 2,010.
I was supposed to do 400 reps.  I did 700.
And I was supposed to do 120 squats.  I did 150.

In the end, I lost 4.8 lbs!!!  Can you believe that?!  4.8 lbs in one week!

I know I said I weighed 225 lbs last week when I was typing up Week #1.  But I actually weighed 227.2 for our Friday weigh-in.  I didn't weigh 225.4 until Saturday.  Anyway, this Friday, I weighed in at 222.4!

So this week, we've been assigned to a team.  There are 8 teams total.  We happen to have 17 people on our team.  And we called ourselves the Wolverines, strong and feisty, willing to do just about anything to get what we want!  So now that we're on a team, we have an individual goal AND a team goal.  The team that does the best at the end of the week will be safe and no one on that team will be eliminated...if they all completed the challenge, all team goals are met, and all information was posted on time.  So, we're all doing a little extra to try to be the safe team of the week.

Week #2 Challenge:

1. WORKOUT - I have to burn 1000 calories between Monday and Friday this week. And I have to do it with at least three workouts that last at least 25 minutes. If I do more, I should post exactly what I did. If I don't complete this, I will be eliminated.  Team Goal - Burn 23,000 calories.  That means that if everyone does their 1000, we need to burn an additional 6000 calories between us.
2. REPS - I have to do 300 reps of core exercises during the week. I can mix and match what I'm doing reps of, but they have to be in increments of 25.  If I don't complete this, I will be eliminated.  Team Goal - 8000 reps.  So we have to fit in an additional 2900 reps between us.
3. HARD REP - This week, I have to actually do my Hard Rep (HR).  So, I'll be doing 3 10-second planks all five days.  If I don't, I will be eliminated.  No Team Goal for this one.
4. FAVORITE REP - This week, I have to add five more reps to my Favorite Rep  (FR).  So, I'll be doing 35 squats all five days.  If I don't, I will be eliminated.  No Team Goal for this one.
5. EXTRA MOVEMENT - This is new this week.  'Extra Movement' (EM) is anytime we choose to walk further or work harder during the course of our normal day.  For instance, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the end of the parking lot.  For each time we choose Extra Movement, we get a point.  The goal is to incorporate a lifestyle change that keeps us moving...even when we're not working out.  I have to get to 6 points of EM.  That shouldn't be a problem between parking for home or work.  If I don't, I will be eliminated.  No Team Goal for this one.

So, I'm starting out this week at 222.4 lbs.  Again, I plan to do my Kettlebell workout in the mornings, walk/run at lunch, and do my core reps in the evenings. And I'll likely do my Rockin' Body workouts a couple nights of the week as well...though last week I stopped by the local fitness center for Zumba and Turbo Kick classes.  Looking forward to another great week!

MFP Elimination Challenge - Week #1

Because I don't know if anyone actually reads this blog and because anyone who does falls into one of two categories: total stranger or someone who loves me, I'm going to be completely frank here.  Anyone who knows me well won't be surprised; those who don't know me at all won't care.

So, know that I'm working on losing weight and getting into better shape.  My ultimate goal is to lose 100 lbs.  Nearly a year ago, I was at my highest weight at 243 lbs.  When I joined MFP at the beginning of March, I weighed 235 lbs.  Today, I weigh 225 lbs.  My goal weight is 135 lbs.  I'm giving myself two years to get there.  By that time, working out and healthy eating should be part of my life and not a daily challenge.  At this point, I'm still really excited about the journey and my ability to accomplish my goals.

In an effort to keep myself motivated, I joined the latest MFP Elimination Challenge this week!  I'm new to these online fitness challenges.  But this is what I know about this one so far...

• weigh-in is every Friday, but no later than 10am Saturday morning.  If I don't log my weight, even if it doesn't change, I will be eliminated.
• there will be a weekly challenge that will run Monday through Friday.  I must complete the challege successfully.  If I don't, I will be eliminated.
• I must log my progress of the weekly challenge at least twice during the week.  If I don't, I will be eliminated.
• everyone is encouraged to use the forum to chat, banter, ask questions, provide support, and take advantage of the opportunity to friend others taking the challenge. Playful trash-talking is welcome, but rude, insensitive comments will not be tolerated and will be cause for elimination.
• the first week (possibly the first two) is all based on individual effort.  After that, remaining players will be put on teams.

Week #1 Challenge: 

1. WORKOUT - I have to burn 1100 calories between Monday and Friday this week.  And I have to do it with at least three workouts that last at least 25 minutes.  If I do more, I should post exactly what I did.  If I don't complete this, I will be eliminated.
2. REPS - I have to do 400 reps of anything during the week.  I can mix and match what I'm doing reps of and they have to be in increments of 25.  For instance, I can do 50 crunches, 100 squats, 25 bicep curls, etc.  But I have to do a minimum of 150 reps on two days of the week.  If I don't complete this, I will be eliminated.
3. HARD REP - I have to pick one thing that is normally done in reps that I HATE or STRUGGLE WITH.  No problem!  It should be something that I can only do 1 - 5 reps of.  In Week #1, I only have to specify what my Hard Rep is and how many I can do.  The thing I struggle with the most is push-ups.  I can't even do one...girl-style!  Sad, but true.  But because I don't expect to be able to do many more than 0 in the next 11 weeks, I'm listing planks as my hard rep.  Currently, I can do 3 10-second planks.
4. FAVORITE REP - I have to pick one thing that is normally done in reps that I ENJOY doing.  I have to provide the number of them that I'm comfortable doing...and then add 10 to it for the first week.  For instance, Jumping Jacks (100) or Crunches (25).  I have to do this exercise four days between Monday and Friday.  Since I feel like I'm getting plenty of cardio workouts in during the week, I'm choosing squats for my favorite rep.  I can do 20 fairly easily...so I'll be doing 30 for this challenge.  And I have to complete this four days of the week.  If I don't, I will be eliminated.

So, I've already provided my weight this week of 227.2...because that's what I weighed Friday morning.  And I'm all set to start the Challenge tomorrow morning.  I plan to do my Kettlebell workout in the mornings, walk/run at lunch, do my 200Squats or 200Situps/Upper Body Workout in the evenings.  And I'll likely do my Rockin' Body workouts a couple nights of the week as well.  I check in with MFP daily, so I'll probably log my progress daily.

The keeper of the contest says that no one gets eliminated in the first week (as long as they log in), even with a weight gain.  So, that means I'll be telling you all about Week #2 next Sunday!  Wish me luck!

Fitness: Body Weight Lifting Part II

Again, someone from MFP introduced me to Nerd Fitness.  My first reaction was, "TOTALLY love the name!"  Then I went to the site to check it out.  Steve (MISTER Nerd Fitness) is an excellent writer.  Not only does he thoroughly explain things so that even a newbie can understand it, he does it with humor...and a multitude of references to science fiction movies.

I initially visited the site to check out the Beginner Body Weight Workout.  Only one of the exercises requires any equipment...and Steve suggests a gallon jug of milk for that one.  I fully intend to start this workout once I accomplish my 200 squats.  Once I can do the Beginner workout, I plan to move up to the Advanced Body Weight Workout.  This one suggests a pull-up/chin-up bar and something to allow you to do dips.  I'll definitely have to build up my arm strength before I can pull this one off!

The site is filled with a ton of information and several other workouts...like The 20-minute Hotel Workout and The Angry Birds Workout.  There's information on dieting, recipes, success stories, and a whole library of videos that show you how to do each of the exercises.  I really like this site!  Check it out!

Fitness: Body Weight Lifting Part I

So, as I've ramped up my workouts and cleaned up my diet, I've learned that it's not all about cardio.  Sure cardio is good for the body, especially the heart.  And it allows me to burn off calories.  BUT if I want to keep the weight off, tone my body, and do something about my metabolism, I need to be doing some sort of weight lifting.

I am not all that familiar with weight lifting.  I didn't even know where to start really.  I have my little 3 lb and 5 lb hand weights.  And I do bicep curls with them.  But that was pretty much the extent of my knowledge of anything requiring weights.

Lucky for me, someone on MFP introduced me to TwoHundredSquats.  It's a six-week training program that allows you to increase your lower body strength by gradually building up to doing 200 squats in one workout.  The site shows the proper form for a squat, has you do an initial test, and then gives you a six-week program for building up to 200 squats.

I was surprised to find that in my initial test, I could do 28 squats!  I'm now through week one of the program and can definitely feel that I'm working most of my leg muscles in doing this workout.  Looking forward to getting to 200 at a time!

At this same website, they have programs for push-ups, dips, sit-ups, and pull-ups.  I'm also doing the one for sit-ups.  I eventually want to do the one for push-ups as well...but I'm ashamed to say I can't even do ONE PUSH-UP from my knees.  My arm strength is so non-existent!  So, I've picked up the 3 lb and 5 lb hand weights.

Tune in tomorrow for another website on Body Weight Lifting that I really like.

Fitness: C25K

C25K, or Couch to 5k, is a running program to get folks from sitting on the couch to running a 5k (or 30 consecutive minutes) in just 9 weeks.  C25K uses an alternating run/walk process.  In week One, you run just 60 seconds at a time.  By week Nine, you'll run 30 minutes at a time.

Keep in mind that even if this program is too aggressive for you, you can still work it.  If you're not ready to move on to the next week, don't...just repeat the current week.  Sure it'll take you longer than 9 weeks.  But it's still going to happen much faster than if you stayed on the couch!

I am training to do a 5k the first weekend in July with a good friend.  I've been running some, more than 60 seconds at a time.  And this is the second time in a year that I've tackled running.  So, the first week or so should come fairly easily.  But perhaps that will give me the boost I need to stick with it for all 9 weeks and run that entire 5k in just under 3 months.

Fitness: FitBit

I have a FitBit Ultra in plum.  LOVE IT!  I got it so that I could know exactly how many calories I was burning in a day or for a particular workout.  It counts calories burned, steps taken, stairwells climbed, and miles traveled.  It'll even tell me if I'm sleeping well.

AND it syncs with myfitnesspal.com.  And because it tracks all calories burned, I only have to track all calories consumed.

My favorite thing about my FitBit...after a workout and again early in the evening, I check my numbers.  If I'm without a few hundred steps of 10k for the day, I take a short walk.  If I'm close to my 5 mile goal for the day, I take a short walk.  It entices me to hit those goals every day!  Just the little nudge I need to stay on track.

Fitness: BeachBody

I am a BeachBody coach...but mostly so I can get their products at a discounted rate.  I like the chocolate Shakeology and drink it almost every day.  And I have two of the workouts...Slim in 6 with Debbie Siebers and Rockin' Body with Shaun T.

Slim in 6 was a little too advanced for my fitness level when I initially received it.  I found that I wasn't able to complete the workouts.  And I felt that the portions I was completing, I wasn't doing very well.  I was just SO out of shape!  I'll go back to it eventually though.  But I LOVE Rockin' Body.  It's just dancing.  Reminds me of my Lionette days.  It allows me to burn calories for 25 - 45 minutes at a time.  And I always look forward to doing it.

Eventually I want to get to the point where I can do the big hitters like P90X with Tony Horton and Insanity with Shaun T.  But between now and then, I intend to do Turbo Fire with Chalene Johnson and maybe even the Tai Cheng series.

Fitness: MyFitnessPal.com

I was introduced to MyFitnessPal.com (MFP) by my BeachBody coach, Jayme Thompson.  I signed up to do her March fitness challenge (where I lost 8.8 lbs and 2 inches!).  The challenge included committing to doing Shakeology daily, doing a BeachBody workout daily, touching base with our Facebook group daily, and logging in our workouts and food choices to MFP daily.

I LOVE MFP.  So many supportive people there.  Some are just starting their weight loss journey.  Some have lost more than 100 lbs.  Some only have 15 lbs to lose.  Some are just looking or different workouts or diet choices.  Some are even looking to bulk up.

I use MFP to track my calories burned and calories consumed.  But I also love to look at other people's before and after pictures.  Inspiring!  And we respond to each other's comments.  I check in with MFP every day.  And right now, it's working for me.  So, I don't plan to give it up anytime soon.

If you choose to get on board, look me up.  I'm lesliemdoyle.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com

Easter Prayer

Jesus, Lord, don't let the fear of death overpower us.
And don't let the loss of our loved ones
cause us to doubt Your power to "Easter" everybody.
Remind us, Lord,
that You have the last words over death.
You are risen! You are not "among the dead."
Neither are we.
We shall live forever in Your triumphant love.

Amen.

Easter Vigil Prayer

This is the night of nights,
the night of faith and of hope.
While all is shrouded in darkness,
God, the Light, keeps watch.
With him there keep watch all who hope and trust in Him.

O Mary,
this is truly your night!
As the last lights of the Sabbath are extinguished,
and the fruit of your womb rests in the earth,
your heart too keeps watch!
Your faith and your hope look ahead.
Behind the heavy stone,
they already detect the empty tomb;
behind the thick veil of darkness,
they glimpse the dawn of the Resurrection.
Grant, O Mother, that we too may keep watch in the silence of the night,
believing and hoping in the Lord’s word.
Thus shall we meet, in the fullness of light and life,
Christ, the first-fruits of the risen,
who reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever.

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia!

The Passion

Dear Lord Jesus,
by Your Passion and Resurrection
You brought life to the world.
But the glory of the Resurrection
came only after the sufferings of the Passion.

You laid down Your life willingly
and gave up everything for us.
Your body was broken and fastened to a Cross,
Your clothing became the prize of soldiers,
your blood ebbed slowly but surely away,
and Your Mother was entrusted to the beloved disciple.

Stretched out on the Cross,
deprived of all earthly possessions and human aid,
You cried out to Your Father that the end had come.
You had accomplished the work given You,
and You committed into His hands,
as a perfect gift,
the little life that remained to You.

Lord, teach me to accept all afflictions
after the example You have given.
Let me place my death in Yours
and my weakness in Your abandonment,
Take hold of me with Your love,
that same foolish love that knew no limits,
and let me offer myself to the Father
with You so that I may rise with You to eternal life.

Holy Thursday Opening Prayer

God our Father,
we are gathered here to share in the supper
which Your only Son left to His Church to reveal His love.
He gave it to us when He was about to die
and commanded us to celebrate it
as the new and eternal sacrifice.
We pray that in this eucharist
we may find the fullness of love and life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through Him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
He came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate
of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance of the Scriptures;
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead
and His kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
Who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

Offering of One's Body

Lord, You have given me a body
for it to help me fulfill my mission on earth and for eternity.
By baptism, it was consecrated just as was my soul.  
Today I renew that consecration
and submit my body to Your service.
Help me acquire over my body absolute control,
so that it will always be an instrument, not a tyrant.
Give it strength and endurance.
Help me reject whatever is harmful to it:
too much eating, drinking, smoking; abuse of drugs or sex.
Help me have the will to deprive it at times of normal pleasures
as acts of sacrifice and as exercises in character building.
May the frequent contact with Your Body in the holy Eucharist
make it sound and pure.

Amen.

Prayer for Those Who Live Alone

Heavenly Father,
my true Provider,
in all my daily needs,
protect and guide me.
Spare me from fire and flood,
from thieves, fear and evil in any form.
If sickness or accident befall me,
send a messenger of love to attend me.
When I am feeling low,
lift up my heart.
I live alone, dear Lord,
yet because I know Your presence is ever near,
I will have no fear.

Amen.

Prayer After Holy Communion

Dear Lord,

help me to remove from my mind
every thought or opinion which You would not sanction,
every feeling from my heart which You would not approve.

Grant that I may spend the hours of the day
gladly working with You according to Your will.
Help me, just for today and be with me in it.

In the long hours of work,
that I may not grow weary or slack in serving You.

In conversations,
that they may not be to me occasions of uncharitableness.

In the day's worries and disappointments,
that I may be patient with myself and with those around me.

In moments of fatigue and illness,
that I may be mindful of others rather than of myself.

In temptations,
that I may be generous and loyal,
so that when the day is over I may lay it at Your feet,
with its successes which are all Yours,
and its failures which are all my own,
and feel that life is real and peaceful,
and blessed when spent with You as the Guest of my soul.

Amen.