Week 8!

Week 8 and a New Year.

Amazing - and we didn't need the week off at Christmas after all. (That was originally suggested - but some felt it was a week where exercise was especially critical.) I guess this 30 minutes of activity has already become so ingrained in our weekly schedules that finding the time has become easy - if not always the motivation.

And we all have even more new personal goals now - more miles, more time at maximum training rates, more reps, more push-ups, etc.

Have one more request for all you Challengers - some of you have talked over the past week about the motivational power of music when you're working out. So why not post your top 5 Challenge songs! Or maybe it's a motivational speaker or a radio station or Seinfeld on your Video iPod! Let us know what you're listening to while your working out! What get's you going?

Happy New Year gang.

Week Seven!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hew Year to all Challengers and keep up the great work!

Week Six!

Week Six is here - time really DOES fly when you're having fun!

Since everyone is doing such a great job at increasing activity, I thought I would do some research into the kind of food and diet that would go well with a more active lifestyle. Not too many surprises here.

I guess the basics never change - but this is a hard one to comply with -"Eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day'"

"Reduce the amount of fat and sugar in your diet. Remember to check food labels for the amount of fat and sugar in foods."

Here's an interesting tip for all of you Atkins fans - when you are more active you need carbs. So - "Increase the amount of starchy foods (pasta, rice and potatoes) in your diet".

Push-up Trivia!

Most push-ups in 5 minutes: 441 by Giuseppe Cusano at the Loftus Road Soccer Stadium in Fulham UK on 24 Nov 2003

World push up record with both hands on raw eggs(!!): 112; by Johann Schneider. Which gave out first - Johann or the raw eggs?

Week Five!

Notes: Daily physical activity can help prevent heart disease and stroke by strengthening your heart muscle, lowering your blood pressure, raising your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (good cholesterol) and lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (bad cholesterol), improving blood flow, and increasing your heart's working capacity.

Regular physical activity can also reduce blood pressure in those with high blood pressure levels. Physical activity also reduces body fatness, which is associated with high blood pressure.

Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes. By reducing body fatness, physical activity can help to prevent and control this type of diabetes.

Obesity. Physical activity helps to reduce body fat by building or preserving muscle mass and improving the body's ability to use calories. When physical activity is combined with proper nutrition, it can help control weight and prevent obesity, a major risk factor for many diseases.

Back Pain. By increasing muscle strength and endurance and improving flexibility and posture, regular exercise helps to prevent back pain.

Psychological Effects. Regular physical activity can improve your mood and the way you feel about yourself. Researchers also have found that exercise is likely to reduce depression and anxiety and help you to better manage stress

Week Four!

The feedback on the Challenge so far has been pretty positive. So positive in fact, that some have suggested we up the ante and go to 35 or 40 minutes per activity day starting in January. Post your comments on this change and let me know if you are in favour.