GET FIT Challenge - good idea - BUT

Earlier this week I received this email from a friend for the GET FIT Challenge. I signed up to do it but I am quickly rethinking before the Sunday deadline. I am very competitive. If someone on the treadmill next to me (obviously oblivious to my craziness - hopefully!) is running faster, I try to "catch up." In classes, the instructors that yell to push you through the hard stuff have a special place in my heart. Years ago my friend fell when we were racing and I still get grief about the possible push down (I did NOT - and this is Thursday, NOT not me Monday. I really didn't).

I already spend a good amount of time at our YMCA (they have free child care and I love the caregivers). This is often the only other place I go during the day. I think they already see me enough. If I enter the challenge I might resolve to be there a little longer. I'll probably have to get everyone at home to "get fit" with me on the weekends as well. My kids will love the extra mom time outside but my husband might make resolutions of his own. I love it that you get points for playing with your kids.

What do I do? I really am OK with losing....as long as I did every thing I could. But with me, this may be a little overboard.

I wanted to post this because I do think it's a good motivator (friendly competition and $) and well organized. It has specifics for our area but you can probably find a 5K/10K near you to fit. Maybe you have a group of friends that would be fun to challenge....

Calling all Sport and Fitness Fans!

You are receiving this email as an invitation to track your fitness activities for the next 8 weeks. Please feel free to pass this along to family and friends. The more participants the better!

We’ve got an official name and guidelines to the First Annual Fitness Challenge – GET FIT 2009!

If you are interested in joining the GET FIT 2009 fitness challenge, reply to this email and get your $20 to Brian by January 12th. (see address at end if you want to mail a check)

GET FIT 2009:

The goal for this group is to become a healthier, more fit you! We all want to stay around longer for our children and one day grandchildren, so make an investment in yourself and let’s GET FIT together! Below you will find a very easy point system for you to log your progress. This will be based on the honor system, so work hard and have fun!!

Begins: January 12th
Ends: March 14th (1st phase)

Point Guidelines:
Your goal is to earn as many points as possible using this scoring system:
§ 5 points for every 15 minutes of exercise or ANY activity that causes you to break a sweat and elevate your heart rate and keep it within a safe range.
§ Examples include: running, walking, biking, swimming, aerobic classes, flag football, pilates, strength training. Challenge yourself during this time, but be cognizant of how your body is feeling. Stop or slow down if you don’t feel well.
§ 10 points for every 15 minutes of exercise in a competitive format. This would be a 5K, 10K, etc…, triathlon, bike race... This is a racing atmosphere where you will be working a lot harder than during training. View the Track Shack website for great races!!
§ http://www.trackshack.com/events/trackshack-calendar.shtml
§ 2 points for every 15 minutes of exercise you do with your children. This would be anything active you do with the kids and would be at a much lesser intensity. Maybe playing tag or kickball or just throwing the ball around.

Points Chart:
Log your points on the attached spreadsheet. Every Sunday evening, email your points earned from that week (Mon-Sun) to _. On Monday we will email a winner of the week and that person will earn an extra 10 bonus points for that week!!!

Culminating Event:
We will start on January 12th and culminate on March 14th at the Winter Park CNL Road Race 10K or 2 mile run. I hope you all will sign up for one of the races and train for it throughout the next 2 months. We will have a celebratory luncheon later that day as well, so mark your calendars now!! (The GET FIT group will continue beyond this first phase, but we feel that short time periods yield successful results)

Grand Prizes:
Each person in the group will contribute $20 and Brian will hold the money for later distribution. Each person will win a certificate of completion and recognition. The first prize winner will receive 50% of the money collected, 2nd will get 30% and 3rd will get 20%. Additional encouraging activities may be planned along the way. We encourage all to keep track of BMI, Vital Signs, and weight redistribution during the 8 week period.

We look forward to celebrating success with you on March 14th!