Black Belt Mama's Challenge

I completely missed my 100th post.  It was last week sometime.  I had been watching for it, and then I completely forgot about it.  So, here is post 105 or 106 or something.  Apparently I had a lot to say in the last week or so. 

Lots of bloggers make a big deal out of their 100th post, pointing readers to previous posts before most readers even knew they existed, or paying tribute to their faithful readers.  I wanted to do something different.  Of course, feel free to read my archives anytime, but I wanted to do something for us both. 

I came up with an idea, and this post serves as the official launch for "Black Belt Mama's Challenge". The challenge is simple.  I am challenging each and every one of my readers, and anyone else who might be interested, to change at least one thing in their life to improve their physical fitness.  I personally find it very difficult to stay motivated to continue working out (despite the fact that many of you used to say how motivating I was).  I know what I should be doing; I think about what I should be doing, but I don't do it.  Other things get in the way.  Excuses pile up and what needs to be done doesn't get done.

Usually I wait until three months before my beach vacation and decide I need to get moving on that ab work out.  This year, I'm starting now with an overall goal of continuing with the process.  I plan on having my goals evolve and change as I reach new ones.  It's not all about looking good either; it's about feeling good.  This isn't an Extreme Makeover.  This is about making gradual changes that enhance your physical and mental well-being.

Here's how it works:

1.  Create a personal goal.  Your goal can be as simple as "start taking the stairs instead of the elevator" at work, or go to the gym once a week.  Something, anything, that will make a positive impact on your physical fitness and life.  If you don't go to the gym at all, don't make a goal to go to the gym five days a week.  It's not going to happen.  Start with something small.  You can always add to it later.

2.  Create a plan.  How are you going to accomplish your goals?  If your goal is to take a walk every day, figure out what time you're going to go, where you're going to walk, etc.  If you have a planned time and place, it's more likely you'll actually follow through.

3.  Write about it.  Post your goal and your plan for all to see.  Keep track of your progress and post on your blog on in a personal journal every once in a while.  If your goal is to tone your arms, take a picture now and plan on taking pictures as you work towards your goals.  It will help keep you motivated (at least that's what I'm telling myself).   Consider adding a category to your blog where you will keep all your entries regarding the challenge so that other participants can find your entries easily. 

4.  Get the code.  I made a button for the occasion.  Put the button somewhere in the sidebar on your blog and then let me know it's there via a comment or an email (black-belt-mama @ hotmail dot com) or just click on the "email me" link on the upper left sidebar.  Once I verify that you are indeed taking the BBM Challenge and have your button up, I will add you to the BBM Challenge blogroll.  The blogroll will include all BBM Challenge participants so that we can stop by each other's sites and help each other reach our goals.  I'll also email you the code for the blogroll, so that you can have the participants at your fingertips.  The button will link to this entry so that others can see what you're doing and join in the fun.  The code is below.  (Thank you Izzy for helping me with this!)

<p><a href="http://blackbeltmama.typepad.com/black_belt_mama/2006/08/black_belt_mama.html"><img title="Bbmchallenge_1" height="15" alt="Bbmchallenge_1" src="http://blackbeltmama.typepad.com/black_belt_mama/images/bbmchallenge_1.png" width="80" border="0" /></a> </p>

I think it will be a lot of fun and help all of us to reach our goals and make positive changes in our lives. 

So here's how I'm challenging myself.

GOAL:  Tone muscles and get better at sparring.

PLAN:  Remember that sparring gear my husband and I were going to get each other for Christmas?  Christmas is now.  As soon as the equipment is in, I plan on sparring at least once a week at home.  O.k., let's start with small reasonable goals: I plan on sparring ONCE a week at home.  If it happens more than that, great. But let's be realistic here. . . I still need time to blog!  I also plan on doing some push-ups, sit-ups, and minor weight lifting to start with the muscle toning. 

My code is up!  My blogroll is just waiting for you!  Won't you take the BBM Challenge?

Edited to Add:  This just in. . . participants in the BBM Challenge are eligible for a 5% discount coupon code for Everything Fitness.  They have everything from boxing gloves to yoga mats to heart rate monitors, so no matter what your personal goal is, they will be able to help. 

Comments

[Lynn]

Yes, I will, actually, because this coincides with what I was thinking about earlier (walking, getting more into shape, and then getting into running or biking once I buy a bike here in GA).

And two weeks from today, I'll even have a blog! All right!

[John]

Over 100 posts already? I've had my blog just over a year - only 50 something posts. I'm so lazy!

I'm glad you want to tone up and get better at sparring. But what's "minor" weight lifting?

[Black Belt Mama]

John-I probably could have described that a little better, huh? I mean light weight-lifting as in 10 lb weights max for starters. I want to start slow so I don't get to the point where I can't lift my arms above waist level. I want to do some basic toning in my spaghetti arms. ;-)

[Wayward Goddess]

I'll do this...but then I want all my readers (you know who you are) to do the Tour de Cure with me next year. You have 11 months to train. No excuses, you hear me, lol

I'll be biking every day next week in preperation for my MS 150. My goal is to log at least 20 miles a day. That's a very lofty goal for someone as lazy as me, lol.
I'll write about all my adventures with dogs and cars and snakes and potholes, oh my!

[supergroup7]

I wish you the best on your goals and on your challenge!

This is not an opportune time for me to take you up on the invitation.. I'm off on vacation in the early weeks of September so my email boxes will fill up, and my blog will lay fallow for a good amount of time.

Perhaps later, I will return and take up the challenge. Again I wish you success!

[[Mat]]

Taking the challenge.

- No more salt in food.
- do each kata at least once (slow fast, whatever) each day.

Cheers and like we say in french,

bonne continuation.

[J]

OK, I'm in. I'm going to work on building up my bone density via yoga and calcium. Good timing!

[sesame]

Ah...I wanted to write a post about how lazy I've become. Not even wanting to go for my yoga lessons. Okay, I think 1st thing 1st for me is to get over this lazy mindset. That's a challenge!

[Maniacal]

I totally let my 100th post come and go and did nothing. See your ALREADY more motivated than me. Ok, I'll take your chalange. I just have to come up with a attainable goal. I'll let ya know....

[Amber]

You've inspired me in 2 ways - to actually take this challenge, and to keep a strictly karate blog. I'm in.

[Maniacal]

My blogroll is up, and so is my challenge post!

[psumommy]

How do you know when your 100th post was? Congrats, though!

I started your challenge without even knowing you were doing it...I'm now walking 2 miles a day (doesn't sound like much, but I'm walking it faster than I would jog it...). And not eating ANY junk food before dinner again. I'll post about it in my LJ blog. :)

[Becky]

Ok, I resisted this long enough, but it's time to get over being lazy. I'm joining the challenge. I've posted about it on my blog, and am going to start right now!