The Big F.A.T. Challenge

July 13, 2006 by Renee @ 08:45 AM

First rule of F.A.T. Challenge, no talking about lbs lost during F.A.T. Challenge

The sole focus of this 8 week challenge is to get healthy. While losing weight has numerous health benefits, I think, as a society, we are too tied to the scale. Now it doesn't mean you toss it out, I'm still tracking my weight week to week, it just means during the challenge, please don't make "I want to lose xxlbs in 8 weeks" or whoop it up that you lost 4lbs last week and the following week bum out that you gained 5.

Second rule of F.A.T. Challenge, anyone can join!

The stats we track are health related. Anyone can join in. You don't have to be overweight to participate. If you weigh 50lbs less than me, but I can outlast you on the elliptical machine, you my friend are out of shape. Join Up!

If you are at a "healthy" weight, but skip breakfast, eat fast food for lunch and can inhale an entire bag of Doritos while watching TV and consider the pumping action your arm does to cram the chips in your mouth to be your daily workout, you my friend are not very healthy. Join Up!

Challenge Goals

Looking at the challenge a different way, rather than make lofty goals, we are going to make 1. It won't be extreme, it'll be cutting back and replacing. For example, say you smoke 1 pack a day. Your goal will be to cut that in ½ and replace the other time you did smoke with something healthy. Maybe a glass of water instead, maybe a piece of fruit, or just walking up 1 flight of stairs.

If you don't work out, you won't jump in head first to 30 mins/3 times x a week. Instead, try for 10 mins 6 days a week and after a few weeks, add another 5 mins or so till you make it to 30, or more!

See what I'm getting at?

Your first homework assignment is very easy, spend the next few days thinking about your health, your families health, your friends health. If you keep going the way you are going now, what are you putting yourself at risk for?

Then think of 1 thing you can get a handle on and will focus on improving in spite of anything else. Even when the scale fluctuates back up, you will still drink your water because it keeps your skin soft and supple or will still walk 10 mins because your heart is benefiting.

When I get the challenge forum up, you can answer your "homework" assignment and/or list your 1 goal for the next 8 weeks. (Please don’t post them here, they'll get deleted and I'll ask you to repost them in the forum)

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Over the weekend I am going to set up a private forum for the challenge participants. The way the blog is set up, comments automatically close after a certain amount of days, and there are quite a few lurkers, which is really cool, I love that people read, commenting isn't necessary, but people doing the challenge may not feel comfortable listing their goals in public and may rather share their stories with others who are willing to talk about themselves too.