Fat Tuesday

Hell, since I grew up an hour north of N’awlins, it’s only appropriate for me to join in on a Lenten challenge, even though I gave up religion for New Years (more on that at IIWII, link at the bottom of this page).

From Summer:

WHAT? I’m starting a 40 day challenge designed to take advantage of the Lenten self-deprivation season, starting tomorrow and running until Easter. The challenge consists of making one (1) dietary change and doing T-Tapp.

WHY? Because of that little fat pudge that still remains on my lower belly and the backs of my upper thighs. Also because I can’t see any reason why I shouldn’t combine my religious observances with my fitness regime. God wants me to make the most of what He gave me, right?

WHEN? Starting tomorrow, like I said, and lasting through the 40 days of Lent.

WHO? Well, me, of course. And you, if you’d like to join me. (You don’t need to be a Lent-observer to join the challenge, but you do need to be a T-Tapper. I will discriminate about exercise but not religion.)

HOW? Today, choose your dietary change. I’m going to give up sugar. (I will not be giving up coffee. I’m going to have to get some stevia….) Email me or leave a comment letting me know that you’re in. Tomorrow, take your measurements and your first set of photos. Yes, photos! Best way to really see what your results are, I promise. Photos should be taken in workout clothes or other form-fitting attire, preferably the same outfit each time. Take three full-body shots, one from the front, one of your rear view, and one from the back. You will take a second set of measurements and photos over Easter weekend, at the end of the challenge.

WHERE? Right here. I’ll be using this blog to document my progress through the challenge. But this isn’t just about me — I’d love to have some company over the next 40 days, so every week I’ll post a challenge entry where you can leave comments about your progress. I’ll be posting my own photos at the end of the challenge, and if you like, you can email me your photos to include in the end-of-challenge entry. If you have your own blog, you can certainly post about the challenge, post your photos as often as you like, etc. Just link back here, and include the link to your challenge entries in any comments you leave.

WHAT DO I WIN? Um… a sense of accomplishment? Shorts and bikini readiness? The jealousy of your friends? These are fabulous prizes. And there might be a surprise at the end, who knows.

HOW COME YOU WAITED ‘TIL NOW TO TELL US ABOUT THIS? Because I just thought of this last night. I’m organized like that.

So, any takers? You know you want to….

Head over to her place to join in the fun. I’m going to drink water — at least 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight, preferably more like 3/4 ounce per pound. And of course, I’ll do T-Tapp.

20Feb07

It’s questionable whether I’ll have time to T-Tapp today, but Joy tells me that I really *must* give B/R (TWO) a try…because the pace is just perfect, not too fast, not too slow. Perhaps this afternoon I’ll give it a whirl, right before I pick up Maya from school.

I’m still feeling changes in my figure from this, but I’m seeing almost nada in changes on the tape measure (and I’m avoiding the scale, because I can TELL I’ve gained muscle…so I’ll weigh more, period). I’m glad that I saw catzrule’s photos…it reminds me that yes, I’m seeing change, even if it’s not measurable so to speak.

On motivation, I was thinking yesterday that if I *do* aspire to become the New Mexico T-Tapp training connection (someday…right now, I just need to keep learning, ha!), MORE would be a fabu workout on which to focus. We have a huge retiree population here. Besides, I still need to give MORE a try so I can ease my mother (more to lose, 63 years old) and grandmother (huge physical issues, 84) into a gentle version of it. Both are interested, mom to lose weight, and my grandmother to regain some range of motion with her right shoulder. Hmmmmm. Ah, the possibilities.

19Feb07

Basic workout plus. And that’s all she wrote. At least I got to do something

You know, it’s kind of sucky having a Monday “off” when you don’t really have access to your own house (long story…not really…short, but boring).