Thirteen weeks into our 60 in 60 Challenge, Erica and I are proud to say we are now fitting into clothes we had nearly given up on ever wearing again.
We got through the holiday season without much damage - in fact, we lost weight as a team every single week in December.
We confess, there have been weeks when one, or the other, of us has actually gained weight, but, to this point at least, whenever that has happened, the other one has more than made up for the hiccup.
That’s another area where working as a team has its benefits.
To date, we have lost 33 pounds combined in the 24 weeks (12 weeks apiece).
And while we have had some weeks that have been more successful than others, we have managed to lose weight in every one of the 12 weigh-ins.
It’s been interesting to log our progression.
A couple of weeks ago we returned to the gym where we had our first workout.
That first day, I ran four six-minute cycles, with three minutes of walking in between. This time I spent 20 minutes on the stair climber (I climbed the CN Tower), followed by a 35-minute run.
On Erica’s first day, she walked for 30 minutes on a treadmill. This time she was on the treadmill for 45 minutes, the elliptical for 15 and the bike for 10.
My personal goal at the beginning of our 60 in 60 Challenge was to be doing 30-minute runs by Christmas. I not only met that goal, I passed it, by a long shot.
I am now averaging 50-60 minutes every run, depending on where I go.
I feel great, and the difference is visibly noticeable.
That 30-minute target was a motivator for me. Now I need a new one. and fortunately, with the new year came dozens of fitness challenges popping up on the internet.
I use the Map My Run app to log my times and distances, and on New Year’s Eve, it introduced me to the Under Armour promotion, “You vs. The Year” - a challenge to run 1,000 kilometres in 2016.
The app automatically logs my runs for me, and there’s Under Armour swag to be won throughout the year.
The best thing about this Under Armour promo for me (OK, other than the chance to win free stuff) is that it will give me a goal to focus on, not only for the remainder of our 60 in 60 Challenge, but far beyond.
By my calculations I should be about halfway to my 1,000 kilometres by the time our 60 in 60 Challenge is complete. The Under Armour test will keep me going for a substantial while afterward, which is every bit as crucial, in regards to maintaining the fitness level I will be at, when the 60 in 60 ends.
If you are interested in entering the Under Armour You Vs. The Year Challenge, go to bit.ly/1JqpdgN for all the details.
In the meantime, good luck with your New Year’s resolutions. If one of them involves losing weight, or getting fit, why not try something like this yourself?
The Comox Valley Road Runners can help you get started. The annual Learn To Run Clinic is now accepting registrations. The Road Runners will have you from the couch to completing a 5K run in 10 weeks’ time. The clinic starts Saturday, Jan. 16 and goes Saturday mornings from 9-10:30 a.m.
It costs $50 if you register prior to Jan. 10, or $55 after. Call Fred at 250-890-3288 for more info.
Terry Farrell is the editor at the Comox Valley Record