January Weight Loss Challenge To All Ducks

[old] woolsmith · Post by **[old] woolsmith** » January 27th, 2006, 11:13 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(efg @ Jan 27 2006, 06:16 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Now I want the fishing game, but I don't want to buy the new PM3 monitor....waaaaah....I hate intervals, too. Oh well. I may not row today - I'm GOING OUT!!!! BY MYSELF!!!! For dinner and a concert with a friend and NO KIDS!!!! In case all the capitals didn't give it away, this is an unusual event for me . Maybe when I get home...a quick midnight row . Emilia </td></tr></table> Might be worth selling your old PM2 on eBay and getting the PM3! I love that Fish Game. I did 6 rounds of it today and got 4082 meters without even feeling like I did that. And now, Emilia, if you come home from your dinner and concert, and STILL have energy to row, I will be sooooo disappointed in your party and general rowdiness skills. Yeah right, like *I* even have any. Have a great time. I did over 17K today, thanks to that addicting Fish Game, so I rowed extra for ya's! Might still even try for some more. --Jen in WI

[old] rhorva@hotmail.com · Post by **[old] rhorva@hotmail.com** » January 27th, 2006, 11:15 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(woolsmith @ Jan 27 2006, 11:13 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(efg @ Jan 27 2006, 06:16 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Now I want the fishing game, but I don't want to buy the new PM3 monitor....waaaaah....I hate intervals, too. Oh well. I may not row today - I'm GOING OUT!!!! BY MYSELF!!!! For dinner and a concert with a friend and NO KIDS!!!! In case all the capitals didn't give it away, this is an unusual event for me . Maybe when I get home...a quick midnight row . Emilia </td></tr></table> Might be worth selling your old PM2 on eBay and getting the PM3! I love that Fish Game. I did 6 rounds of it today and got 4082 meters without even feeling like I did that. And now, Emilia, if you come home from your dinner and concert, and STILL have energy to row, I will be sooooo disappointed in your party and general rowdiness skills. Yeah right, like *I* even have any. Have a great time. I did over 17K today, thanks to that addicting Fish Game, so I rowed extra for ya's! Might still even try for some more. --Jen in WI </td></tr></table> Question: We have a trusty, good-shape PM2 rower... can we put the PM3 monitor on it? I WANT THE PM3!!! Hey... maybe I can ask for that as an anniversary gift, and the husband and I can row side-by-side (IF I let him out of the attic, that is). QUACK QUACK. Rubber Ducky

[old] woolsmith · Post by **[old] woolsmith** » January 27th, 2006, 11:25 pm

Hey Rubber Ducky! As far as I know, you can upgrade a model C to a PM3, but I don't know about any older models. I'm sure someone will jump in on this, otherwise, you could get on the "Product" topic on the main forum board and ask C2jonw. He and Scott are doing the responses to the Fishing Game topics. It is a cool game, and I know eventually the novelty will wear off, but it's still a better way to do intervals. --Jen

[old] rhorva@hotmail.com · Post by **[old] rhorva@hotmail.com** » January 27th, 2006, 11:31 pm

This morning I had the most FABULOUS rowing experience of my short career, it was really TRANSCENDENTAL... and I just have to tell the Ducks about it... who else can I share it with?? I was only about 800M into the row, and this good song came on (not too fast, not too slow, groove rhythm), and closed my eyes, and began concentrating on my motion, and then trying to lenthen my arms. I thought about the CATCH... trying to reach father, and the RETURN, trying to straighten my legs and lean back slightly, and then all of a sudden I started to feel how my shoulders work... how when you get into this one part of the CATCH, there is this little sort of tendon extension that takes the arms even further out... Then I just let my mind go, and my body was rowing absolutely EFFORTLESSLY, it was almost like ice skating in that I was just gliding along, and my mind was way far away. I felt like I could have rowed on forever. What a great way to start the day!! Then the news came on, and jarred me out of my meditation, but my body just kept going. I wondered if this is what they call "muscle memory," and exactly how long I could have gone on for IF I didn't have to stop and go to work. It was BLISSFUL!! I wonder HOW MANY DUCKS have had a similar, almost clairvoyant, rowing experience? Tell us about it.. and how you go there. Rubber Ducky.

[old] woolsmith · Post by **[old] woolsmith** » January 28th, 2006, 12:00 am

Yup, gotta love those endorphins! I kinda do that when I do my rowing "meditation." That's when I close my eyes, and count each row at the finish of the stroke. I block everything else and focus on the count and my breathing, doing most of my exhale on the drive and most of my inhale on the recovery. Meanwhile, I'm also doing occasional checks on my technique, but it seems that once I've got the "flow," I keep my technique going pretty well. After about 100 strokes, I'll take a quick peek at the monitor to see where things are, then I'll do it all again. You're right, it does make a long row seem like less work, and sometimes I'm really surprised at how many meters I've cranked out between peeks at the monitor. There are points where it feels like the physical work is effortless. It's hard to explain how it feels, but it seems just like meditation in the sense that it's a focusing inward of my mind, yet still being aware of all of the stuff I'm doing above. It's almost a kind of autopilot mode for me. And what's really weird, is that I'm even able to do that at all with my ADD. Sometimes the ol' "monkey mind" makes it a tad more difficult to go into "the zone," but each time I try during a rowing session, it gets easier to stay focused. And some days are better than others! I haven't tried it to music yet, but that may be something to check out. Either that, or I have some CDs of the Brainwave Suite by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson. It might be especially interesting to try the Theta Meditation System, and Awakened Mind System 2.0. I've never really thought about listening to them when I'm rowing, but I do already have them on my iPod. Might be interesting to see how those "feel." --Jen in WI

[old] sirrobin · Post by **[old] sirrobin** » January 28th, 2006, 5:43 pm

I have felt that way for a short time once or twice. I imagine that someday this will happen and when I "wake up" I will find that I've done a personal best that I could never have done if I was over-analyzing as I usually do. Well, speaking of over-thinking things... I think that's what I do to freak myself out about my weight loss goal. Accountability time. I weighed in on Wednesday (at my Weight Watchers meeting) at exactly the same weight as last week. As you may recall, last week I had lost 3.4 pounds, leaving me a net gain of 1 pound for January. I said I wouldn't give up. But I guess I have to admit that I was discouraged and I did consider quitting. I thought that maybe my current weight is really where my body likes to be and I should just accept it. I sat with that thought for a few minutes at a time and each time I shook it off and had to say that I really don't accept that. So, it's a new week and I have new things to encourage me that I should report on the "Atta Girl" thread: 1. I hit the 2 million meter mark during my 30-Minute-Thursday! 2. I did a PB on that 30-Minute workout (woo hoo!) 3. I figured out my average for the month and found that I have kept my promise to average 5000 meters a day for the Virtual Team Challenge (Go Fowl Play!) and 4. I have taken to heart some of the advice I've gotten from this topic discussion to increase my workout intensity. I have been doing that this week, so we'll see if it shows up on the scale next Wednesday. I have hope! Thanks for "listening" Robin

[old] billandmargaret · Post by **[old] billandmargaret** » January 30th, 2006, 11:59 am

CONGRATULATIONS! ONE POUND IS GOOD!! Be happy that you lost it. I can sure see my pants getting looser this week, I think next weigh-in may show some gains in the losses... snacking is my hardest part.. but what the heck is this TZATZIKI? YOu just mix up yogert, herbs, and crush up some cucumbers??? UMMM sounds good. [/quote] Tzatziki--it's fun just attempting to say it. It's a Greek spread: 2 cups strained yogurt (or you can be lazy and skip the straining) 1 grated cucumber salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon) 2 cloves mashed garlic 2 t. fresh dill 2 t. fresh chopped mint, or dried & crushed 1 T. olive oil Excellent with crackers or crusty bread.

[old] billandmargaret · Post by **[old] billandmargaret** » January 30th, 2006, 12:18 pm

Another so-so week for me. I rowed 12k one day, but that was it. Was out of town a few days at the snow, but mostly I just wanted to sit by the fire, talk & read. Don't think I lost any weight, but held steady, and for me that's something I need to get better at too. I'm having a hard time keeping my exercise routine going; somehow it's much harder finding time away from my kids, or keeping them productively occupied, for long enough this month. I need to make the most of my shorter opportunities and perhaps not focus on the long rows so much for a while. Also, I'd like to focus on improving my speed. I won't be getting the fish game, but I like the idea of working on intervals and perhaps posting newest short imed pieces each week, seeing if we can improve. That would give us some variety too. For February, I think I need to focus less on the scale and more on maintenance. If it weren't for the one week I gained a couple of pounds, I would have made progress towards my weight loss goal in January. If I could avoid my weight gain, my sporadic weight loss would accumulate faster. My goals for February will be to: 1) eat at a maintenance level. No weight gain. 2) make the most of the opportunities I have for exercise, even if interrupted and short. Not focus only on the erg, but strength training & stretching I can squeeze in while watching kids (e.g. at the playground...) as well. 3) improve my PBs for the 500m, 1000m, and 2000m. Margaret

[old] sirrobin · Post by **[old] sirrobin** » January 30th, 2006, 1:38 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(billandmargaret @ Jan 30 2006, 09:18 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>For February, I think I need to focus less on the scale and more on maintenance. If it weren't for the one week I gained a couple of pounds, I would have made progress towards my weight loss goal in January. If I could avoid my weight gain, my sporadic weight loss would accumulate faster. My goals for February will be to: Margaret </td></tr></table> Margaret, I hear you! But I can't just maintain any more. I've been doing that for a long time. So I'm kicking it up a notch. I have had a net GAIN of 1 pound this month so far. I'm tired of it! If you are part of a couple (if Bill rows) then why don't you think about adding joining the "couples valentine's day challenge" as one of your February goals? (See the new topic in the Women's Forum.) Robin

[old] Canada Goose · Post by **[old] Canada Goose** » January 30th, 2006, 8:18 pm

Well, I guess this is pretty much it for the January weight loss challenge. I am so thrilled with my progress this January. I lost 11 pounds!! I know, I can hardly believe it either! I weighed in today at 143 pounds, so lightweight status (my original goal) is starting to look doable. Looks like I have at least another month of weight loss to go. Anyone up for a February weight loss challenge? Shannon

[old] holladay · Post by **[old] holladay** » January 30th, 2006, 9:17 pm

I'm in for February. We should look over our progress and the goals we originally posted and see how we did. I did not record everything I ate. I will for February. Although the JVC is ALMOST over (one more day), I will continue to row 5x a week (or more) but not less. My goal is 50 K a week, which will be 200 K for the month. (I almost made it.) I lost 4 pounds this month. (My weight was constant through the HC and the JVC until the last week when the scale finally moved!) I almost through it out and bought another! Let's keep up the good work!! Susan

[old] billandmargaret · Post by **[old] billandmargaret** » January 30th, 2006, 9:32 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(sirrobin @ Jan 30 2006, 09:38 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(billandmargaret @ Jan 30 2006, 09:18 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>For February, I think I need to focus less on the scale and more on maintenance. If it weren't for the one week I gained a couple of pounds, I would have made progress towards my weight loss goal in January. If I could avoid my weight gain, my sporadic weight loss would accumulate faster. My goals for February will be to: Margaret </td></tr></table> Margaret, I hear you! But I can't just maintain any more. I've been doing that for a long time. So I'm kicking it up a notch. I have had a net GAIN of 1 pound this month so far. I'm tired of it! If you are part of a couple (if Bill rows) then why don't you think about adding joining the "couples valentine's day challenge" as one of your February goals? (See the new topic in the Women's Forum.) Robin </td></tr></table> Robin, I agree; I'm not giving up. Rather, I'm realizing that much of the time I'm gradually losing weight, and if I can keep that good part up and reduce the days/weeks when I gain weight from overeating, that may solve my problem. For example, this January if I eliminated my one week of overeating, I'd have reached my weight loss goal of 4 pounds by February. My calorie needs for my ideal weight (125) & activity level (moderate-hard exercise most days) are between 2000-2200 calories. Usually I try to lose weight quickly, then bounce around and have difficulty maintaining my loss. This February for a change I want to aim for 2000 calories a day and 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day I can. Then, whether I exercise 3 days or 6, for just half an hour or for a full hour, I'm still gradually losing weight and reinforcing good lifetime habits. I'll follow my new revised challenge for February and report how it goes. Thanks to this forum & Fowl Play, I've managed 110km this month, short of my goal, but more than I would have without you gals & guys. Congratulations Shannon! That is so impressive. It encourages me to hear of your success! Rubber Ducky and Jen, catch lots more fish! That sounds hilarious. This week I'm planning a few long extra slow rows, then I'll keep trying a few sprints to see if I can't improve my PB. Margaret

[old] rhorva@hotmail.com · Post by **[old] rhorva@hotmail.com** » January 31st, 2006, 10:21 pm

Ducks, wow that was a bunch of fun!!! What a pleasure its been quacking to all of you each day, getting home from work to check the Concept2 forums has been the high point of my day... aside from rowing, of course. Looking back over my month's weight loss, I'm pretty pleased. I lost 2.5 pounds, which is just a start I know, BUT I developed some new, and healthier, eating patterns, and certainly wouldn't think of starting the day without my rowing exercise. NOW, to get that new PM3 for Valentine's Day! I'm' working on it, Ducks. Keep quacking! Thanks for the commradarie. RUBBER DUCKY

[old] rhorva@hotmail.com · Post by **[old] rhorva@hotmail.com** » January 31st, 2006, 10:23 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(billandmargaret @ Jan 30 2006, 09:32 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(sirrobin @ Jan 30 2006, 09:38 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(billandmargaret @ Jan 30 2006, 09:18 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>For February, I think I need to focus less on the scale and more on maintenance. If it weren't for the one week I gained a couple of pounds, I would have made progress towards my weight loss goal in January. If I could avoid my weight gain, my sporadic weight loss would accumulate faster. My goals for February will be to: Margaret </td></tr></table> Margaret, I hear you! But I can't just maintain any more. I've been doing that for a long time. So I'm kicking it up a notch. I have had a net GAIN of 1 pound this month so far. I'm tired of it! If you are part of a couple (if Bill rows) then why don't you think about adding joining the "couples valentine's day challenge" as one of your February goals? (See the new topic in the Women's Forum.) Robin </td></tr></table> Robin, I agree; I'm not giving up. Rather, I'm realizing that much of the time I'm gradually losing weight, and if I can keep that good part up and reduce the days/weeks when I gain weight from overeating, that may solve my problem. For example, this January if I eliminated my one week of overeating, I'd have reached my weight loss goal of 4 pounds by February. My calorie needs for my ideal weight (125) & activity level (moderate-hard exercise most days) are between 2000-2200 calories. Usually I try to lose weight quickly, then bounce around and have difficulty maintaining my loss. This February for a change I want to aim for 2000 calories a day and 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day I can. Then, whether I exercise 3 days or 6, for just half an hour or for a full hour, I'm still gradually losing weight and reinforcing good lifetime habits. I'll follow my new revised challenge for February and report how it goes. Thanks to this forum & Fowl Play, I've managed 110km this month, short of my goal, but more than I would have without you gals & guys. Congratulations Shannon! That is so impressive. It encourages me to hear of your success! Rubber Ducky and Jen, catch lots more fish! That sounds hilarious. This week I'm planning a few long extra slow rows, then I'll keep trying a few sprints to see if I can't improve my PB. Margaret </td></tr></table> Margaret & Robin.. NEVER GIVE UP!! Just re-strategize, and come at the problem from a new angle. We'll ALL be much thinner by the end of February, no doubt! Rubber Ducky.

[old] woolsmith · Post by **[old] woolsmith** » January 31st, 2006, 11:13 pm

Yup, Rubber Ducky's right. Ya can't give up! Let's see if I can remember how that saying goes: "If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten." You'll have to repeat that a couple of times out loud to get it. I had to anyway. So for me, that means in order to break out of this plateau (I gained back the 2 pounds I lost ), I'm going to have to do: 1.) eat less/better, and/or 2.) exercise more, or at least kick up the intensity. I'm kinda/sorta in a comfort zone with my rowing, and I need to challenge myself more to improve my speed and endurance. I really think the Fish Game will help. I love that thing. And I am just a huffin' and a puffin' when I get done with it. And then I hit "Play Again!!!!" And even though I was doing pretty well with cutting down on the amount of Dr. Pepper I was drinking, there were still several days where I had more than my alotted one can of DP. And for some reason, this was carb blow out month for me. I think I felt so sorry for myself when I got my cold, that I ate lots of baaaaaad stuff. Anyway, I *know* I have lots of room for improvement in the areas of food choices and food quality. So these two things will be my goals for February. And I'm hoping some extra variety or cross training will help move the ol' metabolism, too! --Jen, ready for Round 2