It's a very slow process - two steps forward, one step back - but I'm inching in the right direction. - Rob Reiner

November 07, 2013

Operation 40......And So It Begins

First off, I want to THANK YOU all for the very, very nice comments on my Bass Pro Marathon Post.  As always, the blogging community is so wonderful!!

But, now on to the meat of this post.  On Monday, November 11th I will officially kick off what I am loving calling "Operation 40". 

In just 22 short weeks I will turn the BIG 40...as they say.  While I am incredibly proud of what I have accomplished from an athletic perspective over the last several years, I would like to go sailing in to 40 in truly the best shape of my life.  So, I have a lot of work to do.  And I mean a lot.

I had been trying to decide how to go about Operation 40 and I've decided that I will do a series of short challenges, that I will hopefully incorporate into my life after the challenge period is up.  Operation 40 is not just about losing weight, although that is a major goal, it is about making better choices and living a healthier lifestyle.

So on Monday I am kicking things off with a little Weight Loss Challenge with a few girlfriends.  It is going to be EXTREMELY tough.  It is a 4 week challenge and during three of the weeks I will be traveling  at least a few days, and for the one week that I'm home the entire week....well that's Thanksgiving....so yes, it's going to be tough.  I used DietBet to set up the game.  If you've never used it before it's kind of cool.  Basically everyone  has to lose 4% of their starting weight in 4 weeks.  Everyone that does splits the pot.  You can make the game public or private.  I made ours private for more motivation.  I think it helps to know those you are competing against.  If you have any interest in joining it let me know and I can send you the invitation.  It's by invite only.  The bet is $25 and you are guaranteed to at least get your money back if you lose 4%, but you could win some money too.  But you would have to let me know before Monday to get you added to the game.

Other than that I will be doing other challenges throughout the 22 weeks.  They will probably also be 4 week challenges.  Here are a few ideas of things I'm thinking about.  I won't do these all at once, but pick one or two every few weeks so things are always rolling on or off

  • No Starbucks
  • No Soda
  • Squats, planks or other fitness type challenges (certain # a day or amount of time per day)
I also want to add in some other goals, like I don't know maybe biking and swimming again....ha!  I am a triathlete but haven't really biked or swam since September...so I need to get that going again.

I'm also *thinking* about doing the December 5K a day challenge.  Would anyone be interested in that?  It might be a really difficult one for me this year because I will be traveling some in December and will have some pretty full days in the car....so I would have to figure that out.  No pressure to officially join, but let me know if you'd be interested and I might make this a 2nd Annual Challenge.  If you weren't following my blog last year - you can read about what I did here.

I will also post about the other challenges I will be doing along the way, so feel free to join me.  I will need all the help and support I can get to make Operation 40 a success!!!

So do you think you'd be up for the December 5K a day Challenge?  How about the Weight Loss Challenge starting Monday?   If so, leave me a comment below.  If you are interested in the weight loss challenge I will need your e-mail address.  You can e-mail me directly at weatherlymh01@yahoo.com

You can't really see the words I put below these images very well, but the first one says Me Today, and the 2nd Me in 22 Weeks???  Maybe :)






26 comments:

  1. I don't think I can commit to the weight loss 4 week plan, but I would be in for December 5k a day. It would definitely help to motivate me!

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  2. I'm in for both! Yay you!! (we're in this together by the way, I will be turning 40 as well). If it can be of any inspiration for you, I quit drinking pop cold turkey about 6yr ago. I've never had a can since. As for the weight loss, I will try to make some changes during the next month as I'm officially in off season and I don't need as many carbs as before. Time to experiment!

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    1. Wow 6 years, with no soda! I'm not sure I'm even interested in that lol, but it's definitely been a bad habit I've picked up over the last 6 months. I used to have one just occasionally and lately it's been daily. I am on day 4 of no soda this week...so that's something. If you to do the weight loss challenge that's great...just remember to send me your e-mail address so I can invite you. In the meantime you can go to http://www.dietbetter.com/ and watch the tutorial about how the game works and see if you'd be interested.

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    2. Michael, we were really bad addicts. Not drinking anything else BUT diet soda. Over the years I've been trying to eliminate as much crap as I could from my diet, starting with chemicals and artificial everything. It's a rule like any others, but it works for me to keep me from drinking and eating stuff with ingredients that I don't recognize.

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    3. Ririnette, I totally agree with you. I decided quite some time ago to eliminate the artificial sweetners from my diet, though they creep in on occasion in things I don't even realize...so yes that means drinking regular soda - because that is soooooo much better for you than diet...lol....yea, it's gotta go...5 days without it this week and I haven't died.

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    4. Yay!! Way to go! I also checked with my coach for the 5K challenge and he's not fond of it. I think we may want to consider 5k/day run or walk. That sounds more doable and easier on the joints.

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  3. Ooh, I'm in for the weight loss plan, but not the 5K a day. I'll email you!

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  4. I am turning 41 in 26 weeks and I need to get on a healthier track. What an awesome idea to get headed in the right direction - so I am in for both! I will send you an email!

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  5. I tried the 5K challenge last year and just couldn't do it. I would sure like to give it a try again. I'm in for the weight loss challenge also. I have several half marathons and a half ironman in the next few months. sure would be nice if I could do them with 10 less pounds.

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  6. I'm 44 ... have 7% body fat ... keep myself in decent shape for an old man ... We've discussed this over and over, I would be more than happy to coach you up a little and get you on "The Program". All you gotta do is say the word. But if not, welcome to the 40 year old club anyway! And in my opinion, I don't think you should change a thing. I looooooove the way you look naked!

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  7. What about a running streak (at least a mile each day) instead of 5K a day so there's more flexibility for things like travel, unexpected winter colds, work craziness, etc.? I'd be up for that! Here's to turning 40 in style!

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  8. LOL at Jim's comment. That is totally something I'd write on my wife's blog if she had one :-).

    Good luck with the weight loss challenge. 1% per week sounds tough.

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  9. I'm trying to cut a bit of weight, but 4% in a month would be stretching it for me as I'm pretty little and only trying to reach race weight for the spring. I'd love to do a dietbet some day though! Maybe I should gain some weight for the challenge ;)

    Kyle @ SKORA

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    1. Well consider yourself lucky to just need to get to racing weight! I wish I didn't have 4+% to lose, but you've got to start somewhere. Good luck to you trying to get where you want to be.

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  10. 40 has been great for me! Good luck with all your challenges. I'll cheer you on from here!

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  11. So far, the 40s have been great! :-) I think this sounds like an awesome challenge, can't wait to follow the journey!

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  12. Man I need to do something. I will let you know. I am talking about the diet plan. Should do the 5K too but I love my day off.

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  13. I will be salivating over that pizza for an entire week....omg, YUM!!

    40s were good....50s are better (so far). It's nice to have lofty goals at big milestones, I think. Maybe you can run a 40 mile race! :)

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  14. Sounds like you are going to be 40 fit and fabulous! Good luck with the challenges, you can do it. (I say as I am drinking a Diet Dr. Pepper that i swore I would stop drinking months ago... LOL). Intervention time for me!

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  15. I'm glad that you started by acknowledging how much you have already done!! I LOVE reading everyone who is simply getting better every year!

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  16. what a wonderful idea! i'd like to get to 2 or 3 5ks a week!

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  17. Id love to participate with the 5k a day in december. I tried last year, and failed, but would love to try redemption!

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  18. I like the idea of short challenges. That's much easier to stick to than 1 big challenge that you have to stick to for a longer period.

    I won't participate in a diet challenge. I'm waiting for results if I'm glutes intolerant. If I am I have to change a lot in my way of eating.

    As for a 5K a day, I'm tempted but no. I'm not good at challenges, I never stick to it. But you got me thinking about walking at least 30 minutes EVERY day in December instead of skipping a walk when it's raining.

    Good luck!

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  19. I need to do something about my weight gain- thanks, marathon training.
    Good luck on your DietBet!

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