Welcome to the TDC Fitness Challenge!

The purpose of this challenge is to increase our physical fitness over the course of eight weeks without incurring any kind of injury. This is a special thread dedicated to support members of the Triple Digits Club, women and men who are (or were) looking to lose 100+ lbs.

Our challenge goes officially from July 25th to September 5th, 2003.

Let’s Get Started with Week One …

Goals
Make a contract with yourself for what you will accomplish this week. Be realistic, challenge yourself, but don’t set yourself up for failure by promising more than you know you can do.

* Give some thought to how you’ll prevent injury during your workout.

* Some of us will focus on increasing our activity each week, without a final fitness level in mind. However, if you have a set goal you want to reach by September 5th, feel free to post it now, too.

* If you like, you can include your start date weight and/or measurements.

Rewards
Is there a special something you’d like to treat yourself with next Friday when you meet your fitness goals? Tanya (Gotaloseit) has suggested we chose a simple non-food item, a manicure, a new pair of shoes, etc. This doesn’t have to be anything that costs money, just a treat for giving your health the energy it deserves. Post you’re reward and your fellow Challengers will root for your success!

Body Image Exercise: Arms
Pick a time when you’ll have at 5-10 uninterrupted minutes. Get a mirror (full length is best) so you can take a good look at your arms, from shoulder to fingertips … front, back and sides. Notice every nook and cranny, every plane and curve. Feel where you are rough, where you are smooth. Can you feel muscle, fat and bone under your skin? How are the textures different? Stretch your arms, extend them full length and feel their power and range. Jiggle the fat under your upper arms. Are you dimpled? Hairy? Freckled? Spread your fingers, make a fist, flex your wrists and notice the skill and grace in your hands.

Did any negative thoughts come to mind? You can combat these messages by focusing on what you do like. Find three things you admire and appreciate about your arms. Think of all the abilities they provide you with. Find beauty in their form and function.

Homework
For the next week, try to suspend all judgment and just appreciate your arms. Your homework assignment is to notice and praise them whenever you think of it. If you find yourself being self-critical immediately stop and pay yourself a compliment. Your arms are yours, uniquely yours, to use, take care of, and to treasure. Find new ways to pamper them this week … Report back here how it felt to give them extra attention.

Affirmation Of The Week
Many things are possible if I accept the fastest way is one step at a time.