The Couch Potato 10x10 Challenge

[DarlingBri]

This is a very straight forward, 10-day challenge for those of us starting any form of exercise, possibly for the first time... ever. The goal is not to have a heroic exercise log, but to develop the habit of exercising each and every day. Who knows, we may launch and exercise junkie or two!

(OK that doesn't feel very likely in my case but you never know and I'm willing to find out!)

The first day, you commit to walk, bike, jog, peddle, row, swim, jump, dance or whatever you like for just 10 minutes. Every day, you add 1 additional minute to your routine. Add one more minute each day and at the end of the The Couch Potato 10x10 Challenge, you will have doubled the amount of exercise you're getting daily!

If you want to start at more than 10 minutes, that's fine - you simply need to add 10% of your first day's time on each successive day of the Challenge.

Rules:

1/ The Challenge starts the 20th of September and ends on the 30th.
2/ You must log in and post your exercise achievement each day
3/ Each day must represent a 10% addition to the previous day's
4/ Everyone who succeeds will get an award for their effort and commitment to forming new and healthier habits.

To Sign Up:

Just reply to this post and state the form of exercise you're committing to. If you want to add a little about yourself and where you are with Atkins, weight loss, or exercise, you're welcome to.

Good luck!

[DarlingBri]

I am accepting my own challenge and committing to start with 10 minutes of brisk walking each night after dinner.

Goal: 20 minutes a day after 10 days

I just started Atkins and I'm not comfortable enough to go to gym, so this is what I can do now and I'm happy to be doing it!

[barrnone]

I will join your challenge. I bought a Wii last spring, used it a lot in the beginning - but it has now been sitting idle for months. I really enjoyed it, so not sure why I don't use it. Hopefully this will get me going again!

For this initial challenge - I will start with the 10 minutes, so my goal would also be 20 minutes after 10 days.

Thanks for the Challenge!

[jimmie 48]

CCOL BEANS! i'll be moving this challenge to the Exercises Challenges

[DarlingBri]

Yay! I am happy to do this on my own but so much happier to do it with someone

[mizski]

Originally Posted by DarlingBri

This is a very straight forward, 10-day challenge for those of us starting any form of exercise, possibly for the first time... ever. The goal is not to have a heroic exercise log, but to develop the habit of exercising each and every day. Who knows, we may launch and exercise junkie or two!

This is an excellent idea for a challenge! I'd like to comment on beginning an exercise program for people who are couch potatoes AND very heavy. Things like "walk, bike, jog, peddle, row, swim, jump, dance" seem daunting when you get winded just by getting up off the couch.

Of course, these are the people that need to do this the most. I know how difficult it is...I was one of those people.

Heavy, out of shape people read on...Bob Harper of The Biggest Loser TV show fame came up with a 30-day challenge that addressed this fact. His program was to help the unmovable get moving. As I recall, the first 10 days instructed you how to do that (the rest of the days helped you start walking, etc.). I will put together those routines and post them in this thread.

Just a thought...people who are really out of shape can and should do this challenge too.

[DarlingBri]

That is a great post and a wonderful point. Nobody cares if you sit on the couch and clap, toss a ball, tap your toes, lift a can, squeeze a lemon, or learn to juggle your houseplants - it all counts. It's totally about forming the habit, not what you're doing. Thanks Mizski!

[DarlingBri]

OK I did my bit - 10 minute river walk with the dog. Woof!

Tomorrow: 11 minutes.

[barrnone]

just finished mine - decided to do my fanny buster instead. Its a stair step, so did 5 minutes each leg. Thanks for the challenge!

[mission to lose]

Hi Bri,

I will post my activity a little later, but I would like to ask--- then Tai-chi, lifting weights and yoga may be an option, too. Correct?