Need newbie goal/challenge ideas

[spud.mama 7]

OK, need some extra motivation. Need goals/challenge for myself. I've been walking for about a month for 30 min 3 or 4 times a week. Last week started my Dr supervised exercise program--2 days a week for 1 hour. I would like something to work towards besides weight loss. Do I do a time challenge for a week, or miles, or a challenge for a month, what?? Looking at the veterans challenges--I ain't the one!--YET! If I do a time challenge do I include the 2 hrs that are a given each week? I'm so confused as to what to do. :wink:

[MacMadame 81]

I just try to improve on what I did the week before. When running, I want to run for a longer time (before I have to start walking) and/or faster. If I'm on the stationary bike, I want the resistance level and mileage to go up.

Another thing to do is to sign up for a race. That gives you something to aim for. I'm doing a 5k in two weeks. My goal is to do it in under 40 minutes.

[Jachut 487]

Definitely sign up for a race! That's what really moved me from running a bit to lose weight into becoming a runner. My first was 4K, then I did a 7.5 six months later, then a 10, then a 14. I mainly stick with 10's now, that tends to be "my" distance, if I run more than that regularly I tend to get niggling injuries. 10's enough to keep anyone fit!

But definitely having the goal gives you the motivation to get out and push every week. If you're anything like me I did NOT want to walk during the race!

If you're more of a walker, that's fine, enter the race and set a time goal for that and gradually work towards time/distance.

I think athletic goals are really really helpful, and there's NOTHING like the self esteem you get from winning a physical challenge - to me it beats actual weight loss hands down.

[krtork 0]

I agree with signing up for a race! It is fun and very motivating. That really helped me start running, especially when I told others that I signed up for the race. I have found that there are lots of 5K run/walks that you can enter.

I also set time/distance goals for myself. I try to get farther within a set time limit. They are personal goals that I set to push myself and see how far or how fast I can go. I might just set a certain number of miles for a given week or I might set a time limit and try to increase the distance within the time limit.

Have some fun and push yourself, see what your body can do!

[spud.mama 7]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Obviously I must look into a 5K to work towards. Thanks a bunch. :party:

[JuneAct2 0]

It doesn't necessarily have to be "running" a 5k. You can start by signing up for charity events like Race for the Cure, or Jingle Bell Runs at Christmas. When I first started running YEARS ago, I saw an ad for Willie Nelson's 10k for Farm-Aid. Signed up immediately! It was a blast! And I was running alongside Willie Nelson AND Lance Armstrong! It just doesn't get any better than that!!

Check out www.runnersworld.com and look at the race schedule. You don't HAVE to be a serious dedicated runner to join alot of the events they list.

As for daily workouts, I use an elliptical machine for my aerobic exercise. One week I will watch minutes try to go longer, then the next I'll watch how many steps I've been and if it's like 1250, I'll try to hold out to 1500. I try to vary my goals so I don't get bored.

Good luck!

[Makulafamy 55]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Obviously I must look into a 5K to work towards. Thanks a bunch.

Heck...enter as a walker! I am doing my first 5k April 4th, entering as a walker. Its got me totally motivated. For me...its a HUGE deal. Before my surgery (which was only 6 weeks ago), I wouldnt walk to blocks if I could drive it instead. I loathed walking! But we found a beautiful path to walk and I feel so good afterwards! PLUS, it helped me bc when I started eating mushies and real food, I gained 3 pounds and was stuck there for a few weeks. Now I walk 3-4 times a week for about 55 minutes.

Rock on! You can do it!