Get fit together support group, and: Join the President's Challenge!

[mrs_toad]

Geez...I'm feeling guilty, I guess I better try to start weaning myself off of "white" food. Mostly rice and pasta is my guilty pleasure. Does the "bad white revolution" include white wine? :rolleyes:
Bill, if we have a NorCal Padder Meet at some time, I think I might have an extra rice cooker that I will give you. I have a lot of "stuff" stored under my parent's house and I think I might have an extra stored over there.

PS ~ Thanks for the links on bruising...very interesting.

[Bill Catherall]

Lani - Yeah, it was the computerized ones that I saw. After doing some very partial shopping (back in college) for one and seeing that price tag I decided that I'll never be able to afford one and completely stopped looking. So I've probably walked past some cheaper ones and never even bothered to look at the price. Thanks for the link.

And you know, it wasn't until I moved to Taiwan that I learned what a rice cooker was. :D My initial reaction was, "A cooker just for rice?" But then I learned how versitile they are and started using them for cakes and breads and they sure made life good. Oh, and I never ate more rice in my entire life.

[MouseWife]

Thanks for the tips, they really help! I will print them out and show the Hubster. He needs to see it in print before he believes it. :)

Never burn rice again? Ahhh... :)

So, as far as the sauce goes for the pastas, watch the sugar content. That's it? Too simple!! I can do that!!

I have been checking the lables a lot more lately, not just for me but since I pick up food for my mom I like to get her the healthiest snacks I can. I get those for her since she doesn't go to the store anymore. I don't just want to get her stuff because it is easy. Trying to introduce her to things without telling her it is good for her. ;)

[Lani]

So, as far as the sauce goes for the pastas, watch the sugar content. That's it? Too simple!! I can do that!!
Not sure if it's the kind of things kids like, but I love pasta with fresh basil, chopped dried tomatoes, chopped parmesan cheese, chopped garlic, and olive oil... yum. And you can toss in a few sliced sausages, green peppers and onions or something. That way, it's all good stuff and you avoid the sauce.

I've had that with spaghetti squash. It's certainly NOT pasta, but it's basically all the "right" flavors of a pasta dish, without the chewishness of the pasta. I can live with that.

[Lani]

Congratulations go out to MouseWife! She is the first recipient of the President's Challenge Bronze Award for earning 20,000 points!!

A quick scan of her activity log shows an incredible variety and array of activities that kept her very busy. If she is open to it, I can post an example of her log activities (but only if she approves, or maybe she can post them). I

I am THOROUGHLY impressed!!

MouseWife, I will let you know when I get the lapel pins in the mail, and I will be contacting you offline at that time, to send you your pin and certificate.

Congratulations!

Nobody else is as close to finishing just yet... at least a week away, I suspect.


=========================

Administrative note:

1. Is it OK if I merge this thread into the sticky Team MousePlanet thread, if I retitle it to include the challenge?

2. Is it OK if I post the top five point-holders for the three categories in the challenge? And would it be OK to post the points? Keep in mind those are gross points, not the net points that actually count toward your award. I don't know those points because they're not listed in the admin view.

[MouseWife]

Wow, and this MouseWife is tired!!! :geek:

Yep, I try to do a variety of things. Right now I have to pull out my recumbant bike and get in those minutes.

AND I just got a flier for water aerobics {sp?} and I think I may do this...

I don't mind that you post anything. Except the weight. LOL

AND I am actually walking a lot. We do the swapmeet on the weekends and my son is enjoying walking so we are taking him for a walk almost everynight to make sure he gets out for one. Even if we've done a lot that day.

And, if you notice, I don't have a heck of a lot of house work listed as one of my exercises.... :rolleyes: YUCK!

Question~ I want to get a bike. I want a beach cruiser type. I feel that it would be more comfortable. Did anyone purchase a cruiser for this reason or does everyone think that mountain bikes are best? I don't like the posture or all of the gears. Should I rent a cruiser and see if I am wrong? I haven't gotten a bike for myself in years and maybe I am just jonesing after that hot metallic blue cruiser I always wanted as a teen??? :geek:

As for the toppings for pasta~ Thanks! I was showing the Hubster the variables and he is actually open to them! He is losing weight with me. Er, he is losing weight. I think I have plataued...again....

Thanks for the recognition, Lani!

[Lani]

Thanks for the recognition, Lani!You earned it, woman!!

OK with your approval, here is a sample activity log from the amazing MouseWife for just the past week!!!

DATE/ACTIVITY/DESCRIPTION/DURATION/POINTS

05/23/2004 Running Moderate, 8-12 minutes per mile 0 Hr.45 Min. 457
05/23/2004 Walking Light, less than 2 mph 1 Hr.30 Min. 218
05/23/2004 Aerobics Vigorous 0 Hr.15 Min. 145
05/24/2004 Boxing/Kickboxing Vigorous 0 Hr.5 Min. 58
05/24/2004 Cardio Machines Vigorous 0 Hr.5 Min. 53
05/24/2004 Circuit Training General 0 Hr.30 Min. 232
05/24/2004 Aerobics Vigorous 1 Hr.0 Min. 580
05/24/2004 Running Moderate, 8-12 minutes per mile 0 Hr.20 Min. 203
05/25/2004 Walking Light, less than 2 mph 0 Hr.30 Min. 73
05/25/2004 Walking Light, less than 2 mph 1 Hr.0 Min. 145
05/25/2004 Aerobics Vigorous 1 Hr.0 Min. 580
05/26/2004 Running Moderate, 8-12 minutes per mile 0 Hr.25 Min. 254
05/26/2004 Walking Light, less than 2 mph 3 Hr.0 Min. 435
05/26/2004 Aerobics Vigorous 0 Hr.45 Min. 435
05/27/2004 Walking Moderate, 2.5-5 mph 0 Hr.30 Min. 110
05/27/2004 Walking Light, less than 2 mph 0 Hr.40 Min. 97
05/27/2004 Stationary Bike Vigorous 0 Hr.30 Min. 305
05/27/2004 Aerobics Vigorous 0 Hr.45 Min. 435
05/28/2004 Walking Moderate, 2.5-5 mph 0 Hr.40 Min. 147
05/29/2004 Running Moderate, 8-12 minutes per mile 0 Hr.30 Min. 305
05/29/2004 Walking Moderate, 2.5-5 mph 0 Hr.40 Min. 147
05/29/2004 Walking Light, less than 2 mph 1 Hr.30 Min. 218
05/30/2004 Walking Light, less than 2 mph 1 Hr.0 Min. 145
05/30/2004 Aerobics Vigorous 0 Hr.45 Min. 435

[SacTown Chronic]

Nice job MouseWife!

[MouseWife]

Thanks, STC!!!

Hey, I love your signature....How about right now??? :~D

And, I am sitting around here on my laurels, eating a pumpkin scone from Starbucks, wondering 'Where is the fella who was running neck and neck with me, eh?' ;)

I'll sip on this coffee and munch this scone while he catches up. :D

[Lani]

And, I am sitting around here on my laurels, eating a pumpkin scone from Starbucks, wondering 'Where is the fella who was running neck and neck with me, eh?'I think I have about a week to go!!

Actually while I'm here, let me post the top results so far, like I said. :)

[MouseWife]

I think I have about a week to go!!

Actually while I'm here, let me post the top results so far, like I said. :)


Ah! Heck, I can not compete with you. LOL You've done a MARATHON!!! No way in the world will I ever, ever, ever, ever, be able to do one of those. I won't even try. What I do kills me. :geek:

[Lani]

Please note that these are gross numbers, not the net numbers needed to get to the various award thresholds.

Presidential Performance -- Competitive athlete level:

spookrepitus 16620 points -- our sole representative in this tough category!

Presidential Champion -- Medium exerciser level:

1. MouseWife 29911: recipient of the Bronze Award, and on her way to a Silver!! Wooo!!
2. Lani 22835
3. Bill Catherall 18281
4. SacTown Chronic 13796
5. Tim L. 12247

Active Lifestyle -- Starting-my-engines level:

1. DisneyFan25863 13841
2. mrs_toad 12711
3. MonorailMan 9272
4. SusanP. 5666
5. Tinker Bell 4256

[MouseWife]

Okay, yeah, that would be me. Medium level. I am definitely not competitive and I can't say I am beginning. I wondered if I should change as when I reached the bronze level they sent me a window opting to change up.

I didn't as I think this is who I am. Middle of the road... :fez:

[timl33]

You've done a MARATHON!!! No way in the world will I ever, ever, ever, ever, be able to do one of those. I won't even try. What I do kills me. :geek:

If you've ever seen any non-world class runners at a marathon, I think you'd rethink that statement. All it takes is time and dedication. The training is the work. The marathon itself is just the gravy.

[Bill Catherall]

Please note that these are gross numbers, not the net numbers needed to get to the various award thresholds.
Oh, so awards aren't given by gross numbers? I thought (based on an email from the admin at President's Challenge) that the lower number on the meter was a programming error. It's actually based on some computed "net" value? How is this number derived?

[MouseWife]

Wow, timl33, I just noticed your signature and I am impressed. :cool:

Oh, the thought of one is just so intimidating!! You would have to see the pictures of me dragging my tatookas up the Coronado Bridge {yes, the Hubster had enough energy to run ahead of me and snap my picture :rolleyes: }.

Not a pretty sight. :(


But yeah to you!!! Those of you who have done any should be proud. :cool:

And, thanks for the encouraging words. :)

[Lani]

Oh, so awards aren't given by gross numbers? I thought (based on an email from the admin at President's Challenge) that the lower number on the meter was a programming error. It's actually based on some computed "net" value? How is this number derived?The President's Challenge caps the maximum allowable points in a day to 750. This encourages people to work out regularly, rather than laze about all week, then bike for 14 hours on a Saturday and call that your week's worth of exercise. Keep in mind, 750 points is still a lot. You can do a medium-paced run for an hour and still not exceed the cap. For me, those days when I add weight lifting to my cardio is when I exceed the cap. Otherwise one workout won't do it for me [but some of my longer weekend hikes have been well into the four digits -- again, only 750 of those count.]

[Lani]

But yeah to you!!! Those of you who have done any should be proud. :cool:
You can too, MouseWife! There is a group of dedicated joggers/walkers who are part of a group called the Penguin Brigade. Started by John Bingham, a columnist at Runner's World magazine, "Penguins" are folks who are "adult onset athletes" (his phrase), and who look more like they waddle than run in sleek form. :D These are the back-of-the-pack folks who train just as hard as the competitive runners, but who look like ordinary people!! (you know, the ones that hold up the rear with the baby strollers) ;)

There are a number of Yahoo Group lists if you ever want to sign up. There's a main big one, and a number of small subgroups for different regional areas and different marathons (including one for the WDW Marathon). If you or anyone else is interested, I'll post subscription contact info here. :)

[SusanP.]

Ooooh, I'm so busted! :rolleyes:

Just got a friendly reminder from Lani that I haven't been posting activity lately.

I wish I hadn't signed up for this so soon, so I wouldn't be such a slacker (at least on paper!)

So I've fallen off the exercise wagon and I have so much going on right now...a wedding and a funeral and all that goes with those, buying and selling a house, applying to grad school, 6 weeks of jury duty...and I was supposed to be training for a marathon, which I may give up at this point.

Any suggestions on how to recover from a major setback?

[Lani]

Any suggestions on how to recover from a major setback?Yup! First, don't hit your head on the wall for the time lost. It sounds like you're extra busy. Second, try to assess what your daily schedules look like, and try to come up with something realistic. Maybe you can't walk or jog for an hour a day (or whatever you were doing), but maybe your courtroom is on the sixth floor. Consider taking the stairs each time. You might sweat a bit, but it's a great workout. If you're on the jury, you'll always be given a lunch period. Consider bringing your own food, and take half an hour at lunch to power walk.

It just means you have to be a little more careful about how to squeeze in your exercises.

When is your marathon?

[SusanP.]

It just means you have to be a little more careful about how to squeeze in your exercises. When is your marathon?
Thanks Lani. I know what I need to do, in theory, but actually making it happen is another story. I should be going to the gym at night, but when I put my son to bed I usually end up falling asleep, too!

My marathon is in October. My concern is that I was signed up to do the TNT program with the Leukemia Society, and I'm totally off track on the schedule they gave us. Plus, I'm supposed to be fundraising at the same time, but I don't want to be all out collecting money if I'm not going to be able to do this for the fall season. So I may have to just shelve the whole thing for right now.

Luckily I only have 6 more days of work to go, so hopefully I'll be able to work this all out. Hurray for summer vacation!:D

[Lani]

Ohhh.... can you change the event from October to January? You can do the WDW marathon or half-marathon! There are a TON of TNT folks in that one!

[Lani]

Congratulations to DisneyFan25863, our first Team MousePlanet recipient of the Active Lifestyle award!

DisneyFan25863 combined all sorts of fun activities, including bowling, tennis, golf, baseball, and bicycling to earn his points, and he made some impressive point earnings by walking for many hours on weekends.

Yay!!! Great job!!

When you got reached goal, did the system automatically bump you up to Presidential Champion level? If not, you should consider it; you're one active guy! :)

[Lani]

I'd like to welcome the following new members to the team's President's Challenge:

AVP! Yes, our very own staff person, Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix has joined the team! Yay!

MegaManZero and Radical Rico! MegaManZero and Radical Rico are recruits from MouseWife -- Rico is her husband, and MegaMan is her son! Woo hoo!

So now our Team MousePlanet members who have taken on the President's Challenge (or Active Lifestyle challenge) are:

AVP
baileykat
Bill Catherall
cirquelover
cryan71
DisneyDyke
DisneyFan25863
Leap for Joy
Mark Goldhaber
MegaManZero
millionairegirl
MonorailMan
MouseWife
mrs_toad
Nephythys
Radical Rico
SacTown Chronic
hersheythecat
sassy
simzac
spookrepitus
SusanP.
timl33
Tinker Bell
and me

Yay!!

[AVP]

AVP! Yes, our very own staff person, Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix has joined the team! Yay!Yes, but I couldn't find the place to opt-out of Lani's reminder e-mails when I fall behind. :p

AVP