Discussion: motivation

right then Middle, i think the two of us need a bit of a challenge. how much do you weigh at the moment? I could do with losing a good few kilos, the plan is to start getting serious on the 8th September, my first full day back in Spain. Maybe a joint running/weight loss challenge, starting on the 8th September and finishing on New Years Day.

Open to suggestions of targets - how about a 5km time trial sometime in December for the running?

Cool, sounds good to me. I weighed in at 77.5 kg this morning. I'd still like to try and get under 70 kg, although I don't know how realistic that is. What's the scores on the doors with you at the moment? Are you living permanently in Madrid now? I can't run much nowadays due to my knackered, arthritic ankles but I can probably get away with a 5km I reckon if I do most of the training on the bike.

sorry to hear about your ankles. that really sucks. do you have a road bike? we could try and do a cycle challenge, perhaps more in terms of 'time on the saddle' if you are riding a mountain bike, so that it is equivalent? Perhaps for me, something like a 100 mile ride, and for you 100km on the mountain bike?

Yep I've got a road bike, although I've only ever used it on the turbo trainer in front of the TV as it's too hilly around Queenstown for my liking. I'm not sure where I'll be living in a few months so a 5km run might be easier I guess. What time do you reckon you could do by the end of year?

Okay.. First of all, too hilly???? Come on, grow a set!! I'd be doing my 100 miles in the mountains too.

But back to the 5km; sure, sounds good! Weight wise I don't know what I am at the moment, but long term I want to trim down to a sub 85kg weight. I think I must be around 95 at the moment. I'm not sure how realistic it is to lose all of that by Christmas, but would give it a go.

My running is really bad at the moment too; I'd actually be really happy to run somewhere around 18.15 by the new year. What about you?

Can anyone join the weight loss challenge, i am currently sitting at the same weight as you Middle, don't think I have ever done under 70kgs since I was a teenager?

Welcome to the global branch of Weight Watchers, Seamus. What time do you think you can run a 5km in by the end of the year? Ben's target of 18.15 is but a pipe dream for me.

Welcome Seamus!!

Middle - my 18.15 could be optimistic, will know better in 8 weeks or so!!

Yeah I am in, so I need to get to 18:15 on 5k and under 70kgs?

sounds easy, right?

Easy as! It's probably a bit harsh to set Ben a target of 70 kg since he must be about a foot taller than us. I reckon we should record a starting weight this week and then I propose the following points scoring system: one point for every 0.1 kg of weight lost; one point for every second under 20 minutes for a 5 km run. Lowest weight and 5 km time achieved before the end of the year counts. Highest cumulative score wins.

So if you drop from 78 kg to 70 kg and run a 5 km in 18:15 then you would score 185 points. I'd be happy with anything over 100.

What do you think?

that sounds good, nice to have a mathematician in our ranks! I'm just scared to see my starting weight...

so what date shall we set as 'Day 1'?

and what date will our 5k time trial be? My gut feeling is that it should be after christmas, to give us an incentive to stay off the mince pies over the festive period...

i love mince pies

Easy peasey.........

Just need to learn to touch my toes in the morning as well and I will be sorted. Day 1 will be any day I can find a decent weighing scales, but let me know a day and I will find one.

How about next monday?

Awesome, sounds like the biggest loser! Can we have weekly weigh-ins to add to the excitement?

maybe some before and after photos?

I think both of those are possible, i for one have no shame. just a big belly.

If it is going to be just like The Biggest Loser TV show, then can I select Craney as my personal trainer please? I'm sure he would provide lots of positive motivation.

So is the starting weigh-in tomorrow then? I've been eating lots of chocolate and taking no exercise in the last few days in preparation. I think we should just use our lowest weight and 5 km time from any time before the end of the year, since trying to coordinate a set day to run 5km sounds like too much hassle.

sounds good. i will post my colossal weight tomorrow, Porky von Fergburger!

Done, I thought I was being a bit cheeky thinking Middle would be well over 80kgs but no similar weight. Although I suspect Bendover will bring in the points on the weight loss.

Now to work out how to upload my sad, chubster over weight pre-diet photo on AP that all dieters have.

i ate a pizza tonight to kick things off.