Monday, October 5, 2009

100 miles to a firmer butt?


You are all used to me caving on nearly every reading challenge that comes my way. Thanks to Beth Fish Reads and her post today, I've been suckered into another challenge...the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge. The official host of the challenge is Trish from Trish's Reading Nook.

You see, while I am a fairly active person, I like food and I like wine. And I do spend a fair amount of time sitting at the computer. Walking is something I do often, always with an audiobook playing on my iPod. But this slightly ups the ante. The challenge? 100 miles between October 1st and December 31st. If you walk or run, it counts mile for mile. If you do other forms of exercise, like an elliptical trainer, 15 minutes equals a mile. Walking around the grocery store, or going to a theme park doesn't count!

Our official host is Trish from Trish's Reading Nook. To register, or to learn more about the rules, see her special 100 Mile Fitness Challenge blog here. (You don't have to have a blog to join...) She won't promise us weight loss or firmer fannies, but I'm thinking it can't hurt people!

I am currently working on a widget to put in my sidebar for my up-to-the-minute updates on my progress. So who wants to join the fun? Come on! Follow me into the abyss!

18 comments:

bermudaonion said...

Now if you can figure out how to read while you walk you can tackle two challenges at once!

Molly said...

GREAT title for a post!

I saw this challenge on Trish's blog, but I am just afraid this will be another "failure" for 2009. I am hoping that someone will schedule another 100 mile challenge in January, and I will be sure to make it my one and only New Year's Resolution!

I am anxious to follow your progress.

Alice said...

I am so doing this, Sandy! Thanks for highlighting it. I'll go over to Trish's to sign up.

I've recently started walking for exercise again and I think I can do it. I'm following you to the abyss!

Sandy Nawrot said...

Kathy - yes! I intend to do just that with my audio books!

Molly - you know, when you crunch the numbers, it isn't a huge deal. I AM hoping that Trish does these on a regular basis.

Alice - I am so glad! I think even if you do some amount of exercise three days a week, you can hit the goal. We can cheer each other on!

The Bumbles said...

Why wouldn't walking regardless of where you are count as exercise? It does in the real world. Scrubbing tubs and vacuuming floors, mopping kitchens and lifting toddlers - all are movement which burns calories. That said, kudos to Trish and to you for taking on an exercise challenge during one of the toughest times of the year to stay focused on health! You should get your entire family to join in and have a side challenge amongst yourselves to see how you do - I know your competitive spirit would be all over that!

Sandy Nawrot said...

Bumbles - well, when you are keeping track of calories you work off for weight loss, all of these things do count. But I think this may be a different deal. I think if we counted our total steps, it would be too easy, and would have to raise the goal to 200!

Beth F said...

I'll pretend we're walking side by side!

And Kathy -- yes, that's what audiobooks are for.

LisaMM said...

Easy- peasy. I walk 4.5 miles with a friend 4 or 5 mornings a week. Off to check out the challenge!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Good luck! Ideally, I would love to have one of those treadmills with the computer attached on top so we could get blog reading and other tasks done while walking!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Thanks so much for joining up and posting about this, Sandy! I'm excited to have you along.

The Bumbles - I think part of the challenge is thinking in terms of fitness. Yes, I burn one heck of a sweat with the vacuum, but even though I'm burning calories it isn't really fitness-minded. You know what I mean? :)

The Bumbles said...

Gotcha Trish. But sometimes getting people to recognize that some of the everyday activities they already do work for them in their health goals will motivate them to take the next step to more strenuous activity. Kudos to you on your challenge. I hope you have many people participating.

Andreea said...

Good luck, Sandy:)

Melissa said...

I always listen to audios when I walk. They make the time go much faster. I would normally be all over this challenge, but I'm afraid my increasingly pregnant self wouldn't be able to keep up! :)

I'll be hoping for another one of these challeges in the future though!

Jenners said...

I think this is a great challenge idea ... and I suspect almost all book bloggers would need to get out and walk/run more! I should probably do this...

Sandy Nawrot said...

Beth - This challenge was made for us, I would say. All I need is one more excuse to walk around and listen to my books!

Lisa - well, that number 100 kind of looms over you. But when I really started thinking about it, every time I walk it is at least 4 or 5 miles. It adds up quick.

Jill - when I am on my elliptical, I read hard books. When I walk I listen to audios. I can't stand not multi-tasking!

Trish - I am excited to be a part of it! I think I've even got some non blogging FB friends joining!

Andreea - thank you!

Melissa - yes I totally understand. Maybe when Trish does another one, after the baby is born, you can join!

Jenners - uh, yeah, I call it computer butt.

Donna said...

Perhaps you would like to raise money for Cancer Research while you are at it. My husband has just spent a year doing various challenges, have a look at www.365challenge.co.uk for more details if you are interested. No pressure, hope you don't think I'm spamming!!

Sandy Nawrot said...

Donna - this did cross my mind. My only big hangup is that I am seriously considering doing the 3 day Breast Cancer walk in Tampa next year, and will need to raise $3,500. While I'm not sure I'm ready to start actually campaigning for the money, I don't want to tap out my potential sources. If not for that, I'd be all over it.

Literary Feline said...

Good luck with the challenge, Sandy. I know you can do it. :-)