The Couch Potato Challenge (Aug. 24th- Oct. 4th) ** SIGN UPs ON GOING**

I'm sure I am not the only couch potato on this site who cannot fathom the idea of putting away the mouse/remote/video game control to get off their butt. I really would like to start exercising and even join a challenge but some of them seem way too hard for me. This is a challenge for people who get winded going on a 2 minute bike ride, who need a nap after getting the mail, and who drop the dog's tennis ball down the stairs rather than throwing it outside for him (Hey- I told you I was a couch potato!). This is for those of us who decide to go on a long walk, do a one-time 20 minute power walk or jog and are so tired or sore, we lay on the couch for a week "recovering". You know you're out there. I KNOW I'm not the only one.

So, come out of the couch potato closet. No need to be ashamed. This is a 6 week challenge to get us off our butts. We're going to start REALLY slow and work our way up to a 30 minute work out by the end of the six weeks. Hardcore athletes might laugh at us but we know that taking our time and setting goals we can achieve (preferably between commercial breaks!!) is our only chance at reaching our goals. Read the rules and if this is for you, post in this thread with your desire to sign up. The rules are simple:

• We will set a work out goal of 5 minutes/day of cardio + 2 1/2 minutes of toning/weights/stretching for the first week. Our goal will be to work out 5 days/week, allowing for 2 days off.
  
• Each week, we will add 5 minutes to our cardio and keep the toning at half the amount of time of cardio.
• Our 6 week goal will be to work up to a 45 minute work out 5 x / week that will include 30 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of toning.
• Feel free to do more IF/WHEN YOU CAN but the bare minimum is good enough for this lazy challenge.
• You may either post each day with workout amounts or you may post no later than Sundays with your total workout minutes for the week. Either is fine and I will keep a running total for all participants.
  
• You can determine what is/isn't cardio and judge for yourself. I quit a challenge last summer after being told my power walk didn't "count" as cardio because I wasn't running. You know what gets your heart rate up and what doesn't. I trust your judgment and just want you up and off the couch with me! We'll define cardio as "exercise that gets your heart rate up" (and I don't mean gets your heart rate up in that watching Olympic beach volleyball kinda way). Use the toning time for light weights, sit ups, stretching, yoga and other things like that which probably won't leave you breathless.
  
• Try to do your cardio more or less non-stop but still count it even if you have to break it up over the course of the day.
  
• Remote control or cell phone curls do not count as toning. Water bottle curls do count if the bottles are full, capped, and you're using them in place of hand weights.
  
• Cheering for your favorite football team does not count as cardio no matter how fast your heart is pounding. However, DDR and Wii Fit does!
  
• No negativity, bragging, or discouraging posts. If some "mega-athlete" comes in and starts posting how the first day they did an hour of cardio with no problems, THIS CONTEST ISN'T FOR YOU. You will be politely asked to leave.
  

• Please join only if you are lazy and unmotivated (I mean this!) because we will provide great encouragement for each other without making anyone feel bad for "only" working out 25 minutes the first week of our challenge. Hey- a goal is a goal.
• Feel free to join us mid-challenge. You can either join us where we're at our start at the beginning of the challenge if that's easiest for you!
  

Edit-

Participants: kthompson92, zenasavvy, rpete144057, emily532, hunziha123, lindsaypie74, baubles17, baubie5673

Hi...I can occasionally do 30 minutes on the stationary bike but seldom do much at all....I love to lift weights--and used to love Turbo Jam...I fell into the habit of just thinking about it and never doing it.

IT IS TIME for me to get off the couch and get moving!!

Hi,  I am new to CC and the whole lifestyle change...have a treadmill that does great double duty as a clothes rack..Would really like to join your challenge.

Yay!  I knew I wasn't the only lazy person around here!!    Very excited to have workout buddies who will move at my pace. 

Hi all. I just got a Wii Fit 2 weeks ago, and I've only used it twice. I never want to get it out because I know I can't do the 30 minutes. Knowing my goal is 5 minute cardio, 2 and 1/2 minute strength training (as Wii calls it), I'll be motivated to actually turn it on. This challenge sounds like a great way to start moving without all the unreasonable expectations of myself, a fellow couch potato. Great idea, kthompson92! Count me in.

Wow, this sounds like the group and encouragement I need to stay motivated. Thankyou for creating this support group =)

Yay!!  I am so excited about this and THRILLED with the great response.  I knew I wasn't the only lazy person who's on these forums.  :)  But, lazy, no more!  After 1 more week of lying on the couch, watching the Olympics, we are going to rise up and start challenging ourselves.  I think we're all going to have fun because there's minimal chance of us not being able to meet these goals and since we'll be taking our time together, there will be no pressure to be running a 5k in a matter of weeks or anything like that. 

My personal hope is that with such small goals, I will find myself exceeding what I set for myself, but we'll see.  Regardless, I know I can do this and I'm going to have so much fun doing it with all of you as well!!  Enjoy that couch dent for your butt while it lasts because we're going to get rid of it before too long!

**BUMP**

With any luck, my fellow couch potatoes are browsing the forums right now!

Good Afternoon,

I was at my library this last weekend and they had R.Simmons Sweatin to the Oldies..WOW talk about energy...I was sweating just sitting watching..( I preview exercise dvd's to see how awful I will be at them)

I am looking forward to your challenge and our new lives!

Ok, everyone.  Tomorrow is our last permissible day of "total" laziness.  Starting Sunday... 5 minutes.  WE CAN DO IT!!  Let's look at it this way, to do the 25 minutes of cardio and 12 1/2 minutes of toning, we just have to give up the equivalent of ONE tv show all week and then sit in front of the tv with hand weights or doing sit ups for another 1/2 of a program.  We can TOTALLY make this goal. 

Day 1: Ok folks, we're off to the races!  It's early yet and I'm still leisurely sipping a breakfast smoothie so my 7 1/2 minutes will be later in the day.  Remember, we're only shooting for 5 days/week so if you don't do anything today, don't beat yourself up!

Hello

I'm in (thanks to the lovely kthompson) and a bit of a late comer. I have done a little walking today, but only found the site this evening and am going to start in the morning. Im hoping to do a little fast walking tomorrow, as its low inpact on my geriatric (i'm 26 ) knees.

Good luck everyone!

8/24

Day one: 10 minutes of cardio on DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) in the beginner's workout mode.  I was sweating and huffing and puffing almost from the start.  I am sooooooooo out of shape.  But, I managed to do 10 minutes and want to get in as much as possible so if I peter out towards the weekend, I can still try to reach my goals.  Also did 7 minutes of light weights/toning/stretching/sit ups.  I only did 20 sit ups but I did some great stretching and worked out with 2 lb. hand weights. 

Cardio- 10

Toning-7

Ahead of goal by a total of  9 1/2 minutes!

haven't worked out yet will this evening....will report back

8/25

Day Two:

11 minute power walk and 8 minutes of stretching/weight lifting.

I am huffing and puffing.  I am sweating like a pig.  I probably look like I just ran a marathon.  I am soooooooo out of shape. 

8/26

Day Three:

6 minutes cardio

6 minutes toning

Bad allergy day.  Stayed in the house and did 6 minutes alternating marching in place with jumping jacks.  Out of breath and sweaty but VERY proud of myself for doing so well.  Hope everyone else is having a stellar week!!

Hi there,

I am a little late, but would love to be part of this challenge. Why? Because I felt like kthompson was describing me in her first post!

I think this challenge is going get me moving!!!

So, how does this work - do I report back on this thread everyday?

Original Post by baubles17:

Hi there,

I am a little late, but would love to be part of this challenge. Why? Because I felt like kthompson was describing me in her first post!

I think this challenge is going get me moving!!!

So, how does this work - do I report back on this thread everyday?

Yay, baubles!!  I'm glad to hear you 'fessing up about your couch potato habits.  I'm pretty laid back about this whole challenge thing.  I'm posting daily to keep myself on track and hopefully motivate others.  You can post daily or at the end of the week (no later than Sunday with your total from previous Sun.-Sat.).  Start when you're ready and good luck!

8/27

Day 4:

5 minutes cardio, 3 minutes toning

I am BEAT!  I thought this was supposed to get easier...

8/28

Day 5:

No workout but I did go shopping with my husband as walking around the antique mall was healthier than sitting at the computer

8/29

Day 6:

5 minutes cardio, 3 minutes toning

I don't feel as motivated as I did earlier in the week but I'm still doing something. 

8/27
Day 1: Super motivated - Did 10 minutes of jumping jacks, stretching and jogging - broke a sweat!

8/28
Day 2: Did the same 10 minute routine as Day 1 - wanted to do more, but was feeling tired

8/29
Day 3: Had a hectic day at work with a major document getting out of the office. Spent the entire day on my feet - rushing around from printer to table, stuffing 80 binders (!), to carrying heavy boxes - trying to make it in time for the last FedEx pickup! One of the few times I don't sit at my desk the whole time! Felt good when all done!  

8/30
Day 4: Ran a couple of errands the whole morning and afternoon, and went for 20 minute walk (slow pace) in the evening. Don't know how many calories I actually burnt but felt it was better than sitting at home!

Feel great so far!!