Jumpin' June 2017 (Step) Goal Challenge

[A_Lurker]

How It Works:

The purpose of this challenge is to keep track of your daily step goals for June 2017. This is not a competition to see who can do the most amount of steps, instead it is a challenge to measure your consistency . So whether you do 100,1k, 5k, 10k or even 40k steps a day, this is measuring how many days out of 30 for the month can you hit your goal.

Some of you might have a constant goal of 10k steps every single day and some might have a variable goal throughout the week, for example.

Monday -> Friday = 10k steps a day

Sat & Sun = 6k steps a day

Regardless of how you structure your daily goals, the only thing that matters for this challenge is whether or not you reach what you set out to do.

Suggested Posting Format

1) Post either your constant or variable step goal.

2) Keep track of the # of daily goals achieved / 30.

Optional

3) Post either your constant or variable (anything you want) goal.

4) Keep track of the # of daily goals achieved / 30.

Oddly enough, the optional items keep growing, that's why I changed the title slightly.  In the end it's about setting goals and improving habits.  So the optional items can really be anything.  Running, biking, weight lifting, food goals, etc.  Some will add a goal that is not daily - ie. wanting to do so many strength training workouts in the month - so you would be aiming for a number not necessarily out of 30.  Really, it's just completely open.

Injury Notice

If you injure yourself during the month and decide scale back the number of steps due to the injury, then all you have to do is adjust your daily step goal for that period. If you normally do 10k steps a day but pull a hamstring and decide to do minimal walking (2k steps a day), then all you have to do is change your goal.

[Bhuvana]

Day 22: Another gorgeous day! Tried to go for a run. Changed my mind after seeing high UV. Instead, went for a brisk walk in the mall. Happy to see flashing green all over the app :).  Went for strawberry picking in the evening with kids. Really had fun. 

1) 13 k step goal - 20 out of 22/30
2) Run - 10 days - 4/10
3) Active minutes: 30 + - 20 out of 22/30
4) Plank: - 18 out of 22/30
5) Push up : 18 out of 22/30

[Baltoscott]

June 21:
Goals
10K steps/day -- 21/30 + 18K bonus steps
1 Pushup/day -- 21/30 + 66 bonus reps
14 lifting days -- 10/14

Ouch!  Rainy day here in Baltimore for day 22, so instead of doing my early step routine I did my lifting program and a body-weight warm up routine and managed to aggravate the tweak in my back from last Sunday.  That sucks, as it was almost gone!  Looks like I'm in for some stretches later today and probably a low step count.

[Dave001]

Day Twenty Three

1. 10,000 steps/day. I will be consistent in June!
23/30

2. Running. I will run 70 miles during the month.
52.8/70

Short run before work this morning. The wind is being a bit of a nuisance, but somehow it still feels desperately humid.

The Great British weather!

[JenniferinFL]

I've screwed up my back/neck too @Baltoscott

Woke up Wednesday morning in pretty severe pain, haven't been able to lie down since. I'm into my third day spent standing. Sitting and lying down are absolute agony. Couldn't get an appointment at my doctor's office until today. She did Lidocain injections. Said my back was one huge spasm. Unfortunately, she only did the injections along the spine because we assumed shoulder and spine pain were radiating. Called her back because I still can't lie down and they can't get me back in until Monday. 

I went to the hospital ER in the overnight hours between Wednesday and Thursday. They identified me as a potential junkie, amusing since the last time I received pain meds was in 2010 after my C-section and previous to that was 2004 when I fractured my arm completely. (That time I was told I was wasting their time and they wouldn't do an Xray on a sprain. I waited 8 hours to be seen. Then they covered their butts and faked my arrival time on my records because they hadn't been busy, they just had hoped I would leave) This time,  they told me they had to pregnancy test pain med seeking people and then they sent me out with no Xray, no EKG, nothing at all. Paid a $500 copay for a pregnancy test. I would love to know which of the darling hospital staff tagged me as drug seeking. I mostly went in because radiating arm/chest/shoulder pain is associated with a heart attack. Despite saying I was concerned about a heart attack several times, they did nothing to check if I was having one. I've always gone to doctors who were associated with this hospital, if they wanted to, they could have glanced at my medical records and seen that I've only gone to a doctor a few times and never for pain meds. 

I think I'm pretty much washed out of the rest of the challenge. 

[Dave001]

You have my sympathy @JenniferinFL, being on the receiving end of judgemental healthcare is a horrid experience. I hope you find some relief from pain soon. 

I realise that :united_kingdom: and :united_states: are politically and economically very, very different, but to hear about people in the richest nation on Earth having to pay for healthcare sounds to my English ears to be a grave injustice. If I see my family doctor, go to the ED or even have an operation in hospital, the bill comes to exactly nothing!

We are indeed two nations separated by a common language!

Anyway, let's hope you're feeling better before your comedy president makes things even worse for you all!

[JenniferinFL]

---

@Dave001 wrote:

You have my sympathy @JenniferinFL, being on the receiving end of judgemental healthcare is a horrid experience. I hope you find some relief from pain soon. 

I realise that :united_kingdom: and :united_states: are politically and economically very, very different, but to hear about people in the richest nation on Earth having to pay for healthcare sounds to my English ears to be a grave injustice. If I see my family doctor, go to the ED or even have an operation in hospital, the bill comes to exactly nothing!

We are indeed two nations separated by a common language!

Anyway, let's hope you're feeling better before your comedy president makes things even worse for you all!

---

I do get that there is quite a bit of abuse of pain pills. Man, back in the early 2000's, I was working in a distribution center and just about everyone was on them. There were maybe 3 or so of us on the whole crew that weren't on prescription narcotics. I'm nervous about using them at all. I've taken maybe 3 narcotics pills in total in my entire life because I've seen what that addiction can do. That's probably why I was particularly infuriated by the whole exchange. I'm a county government employee Dave, I pay $7000 per year for my health insurance, 39% of my income. I was lucky it was only $500. I live in central Florida and our insurance coverage here is pretty terrible due to the disproportionate amount of elderly people. My 56 year old aunt in Michigan pays $1000 a year for much better coverage and she purchases hers directly from an insurance company, not with a subsidy or anything. Mine is partially subsidized by my employer and it's still $7000 a year and I'm in my 30's.

I get really nervous about my back. I spent several years in a warehouse where all I did all shift long is pull pallets that weighed more than my car. I know I'm going to pay for that someday. I was hoping to clear 50 though before having a major back pain incident. Really hoping this isn't it and it's just a week long setback. 

The only bright side in all this is that I'm still getting my steps because sitting or laying down is so brutally uncomfortable. Additionally, easily staying within my calories as even chewing is painful.. lol So, at least maybe I won't backslide?

[GershonSurge]

@JenniferinFL,

Sorry to hear about your back. I slipped a disk in about 1983. It wasn't diagnosed properly because they didn't have CAT scans back then. The severe pain lasted about a week, and then it was a dull ache. It got worse when I started playing tennis in about 1988. Finally, in 1992 or so, I was ready for an operation.

An Army doctor told me to take three Ibuprofen three times a day for a month and not to do any exercise for a month. After that, nothing but walking for a year. The pain disappeared in the first month and never came back except for a few times that lasted about ten minutes.

The only exercise I've done since then has been walking, and a couple years ago, I started slow running.

A Starch centered whole foods plant based diet can help. The blood vessels between L5-L6 are the first to get clogged. Send me a message if you are interested in more on this.

It sounds like your muscles may be knotted up. A massage therapist may be able to help and will be better than anyone associated with doctors. I'd schedule a two hour appointment. You can kneel in one of those massage chairs and leave your clothes on.

On the bright side, at least they didn't do an angiogram and give you a stint or something.

[JenniferinFL]

I did go to a chiropractor who has a massage component at the end. But, my back was just too painful to make it through a session. I will have to retry once the pain gets managed a bit. My symptoms indicate an issue around C6, typical for someone of my height who has spent a lot of time pulling pallets. Taller people get it in T1 and T2. 

I'm not quite ready to go vegetarian yet, but, I have greatly increased my carbs and most of them are from plants. Well, until the last two days, even chewing is uncomfortable and jarring to my back. 

I've been given a variety of prescriptions over the years. I've filled some of them, not bothered with others. My current doctor is not bad, she doesn't prescribe much. My daughter's pediatrician is a joke though, I brought her in for a UTI and we ended up leaving with something like 4 prescriptions including a rash cream for a tiny rash on her knee that had side-effects including mental disturbance and partial paralysis. We didn't use it. 

I'm more moderate when it comes to medical use. I don't bother going in unless it's more serious or unless my work requires it. If I don't make it into work on Monday, that will be 3 days of missed work and I'll have to submit FMLA paperwork signed by my doctor or lose my job. So, unfortunately I have to use drugs in this case or I won't have a job anymore, I don't see any other way that I'm going to complete my entire typical job for a whole shift without some kind of muscle relaxer. If I was able to rest, it would be a different story, but I highly doubt my doctor will sign FMLA paperwork for my back spasm. I did go to the chiropractor first, but, his advice was that my back was still too inflamed to do much with.  

My doctor can't order an MRI for me either. I've never had one before, but, she says that they have had crackdowns on wasting things like MRI's and CT scans. So, everyone involved is working blind without even an Xray. I was told I can get an Xray if I lose sensation in my left arm completely, the partial numbness isn't enough,  or I lose control of urine or bowel. I'm tempted to drive out of network to one of those places that offers MRI's and Ct's without a prescription and just get the scan done myself. 

I keep hearing about overuse of MRI's and CT's, but, I have yet to see it. lol 

Anyways, sorry about derailing the whole post. I'll probably duck out of here for now and let it get back on topic. 🙂

[almost_where]

6 for 23 out of 30 Chart Burn

10 for 16 Lifting

Fell just short for the burn goal yesterday but lifting went well. Trying to to make small increases in the amount of weight lifted and so far so good. Binging appears to be on hold at the moment which I'm grateful for.

[Baltoscott]

June 22:
Goals
10K steps/day -- 22/30 + 19K bonus steps
1 Pushup/day -- 22/30 + 66 bonus reps
14 lifting days -- 11/14

Hang in there @JenniferinFL.  Backsliding is not allowed (pun intended).  

The first time I messed up my back was maybe 15 years ago when I tried to pick up lawn aerator I rented from Home Depot and put in the back of my pick up.  It was the size of a biggish push lawn mower and I had the help of a store employee, but I just didn't realize that it probably weighed twice as much as it looked because they add weights to those things so they can drive the spikes into your lawn.  I immediately heard a "pop" and there was a flood of adrenaline that kind of got me through the day (because I already paid for the rental I went ahead and aerated the lawn ... idiot).  By the end of the day, though, I couldn't sit, could barely breath, and I didn't sleep at all that night.  Went to the doc after 3 days of mostly no sleep and got a muscle relaxer and pain med.  I'm not sure either made that much of a difference; the truly serious pain lasted a full week, and it wasn't completely gone for a month.  

Since then I try to remember to do core exercises and stretches daily, but I guess it is a little like flossing my teeth (I do it much more often right  after and right before a trip to the dentist for a cleaning).  

Anyway, I continue to have occasional relapses, like last Sunday.  The relapses are often years apart and they might come on just from bending over to tie my shoe.  Fortunately, none of the relapses have been anywhere near as bad as the first time.  Usually I'm good in 3 or 4 days and only the second day is really all that bad.  Yesterday's setback was probably because I did a 10 minute set of body weight exercises -- including a lot of push-ups and burpees -- right before a lifting routine that featured weighted squats and some bend over rows.  I WAS keeping the weights light, but obviously it was still too much too soon.  Maybe I'll learn someday.

The mayo clinic has a few stretches/exercises that may help you.  And I really hope you get better soon.

[Dave001]

Day Twenty Four

1. 10,000 steps/day. I will be consistent in June!
24/30

2. Running. I will run 70 miles during the month.
52.8/70

No running today, but very excited to be entering a 10km road race tomorrow!

Shame about the weather forecast! 💨 :umbrella_with_rain_drops:️ 

[almost_where]

7 for 24 out of 30 Chart Burn

11 for 16 Lifting

[Dave001]

Day Twenty Five

1. 10,000 steps/day. I will be consistent in June!
25/30

2. Running. I will run 70 miles during the month.
59/70

Brilliant "undulating" 10km road race today. Thoroughly enjoyed it. < 55minutes. Waiting for my official time now.

Edit: Official time 54:32. I'm delighted!

I feel invigorated! Losing weight and starting running has given me a new lease of life. 

[Baltoscott]

June 23:
Goals
10K steps/day -- 23/30 + 10K bonus steps
1 Pushup/day -- 23/30 + 99 bonus reps
14 lifting days -- 11/14

June 24:
Goals
10K steps/day -- 24/30 + 15K bonus steps
1 Pushup/day -- 24/30 + 39 bonus reps
14 lifting days -- 11/14

[Bhuvana]

Day 23 - Rainy day! On and off with heavy downpour. Completed my steps in the mall. Happy to have it done! 🙂

1) 13 k step goal - 21 out of 23/30
2) Run - 10 days - 4/10 (I don't think this will be done for the month 😞 )
3) Active minutes: 30 + - 21 out of 23/30
4) Plank: - 19 out of 23/30
5) Push up : 19 out of 23/30

Day 24: Gorgeous day for any outdoor activity. Had fun in the park and splash pad! Completed the goals in all aspects. Flashing green! 🙂

1) 13 k step goal - 22 out of 24/30
2) Run - 10 days - 4/10 (I don't think this will be done for the month 😞 )
3) Active minutes: 30 + - 22 out of 24/30
4) Plank: - 20 out of 24/30
5) Push up : 20 out of 24/30

@JenniferinFL: I am really sorry to hear about your pain! I really hope you get better soon! Are you thinking about re-locating? Come to Canada! You don't have to worry about the health care! 🙂

[JenniferinFL]

@Bhuvana

Funny you mention Canada. My husband has dual citizenship, US and Canada. He grew up in Canada. We've also applied to get our daughter Canadian citizenship as it's so much more affordable to do while she's young. I did live in Canada for about a year when we were newly married. At that time though it was such a culture shock to me and spouse wanted warm weather, so, spouse immigrated here to the US instead of the other way around. We often kind of think that was a mistake. LOL 

[almost_where]

8 for 25 out of 30 Chart Burn

11 for 16 Lifting

@JenniferinFL

Sorry to hear you're going through so much back pain right now

[almost_where]

8 for 25 out of 30 Chart Burn

11 for 16 Lifting

@JenniferinFL

Sorry to hear you're going through so much back pain right now

[Bhuvana]

Day 25: I was singing all day "Rain Rain go away". Thunderstorm and heavy downpour. Also this year, none of the vegetable plants are growing as it's too much of rain. Frustrated!!.. Thought I would not be finishing my step goals or the minutes. I saw my mom was trying to finish hers around 10 PM which in turn make me to finish mine. Yes, literally she motivated me. 

1) 13 k step goal - 23 out of 25/30
2) Run - 10 days - 4/10 (I don't think this will be done for the month )
3) Active minutes: 30 + - 23 out of 25/30
4) Plank: - 21 out of 25/30
5) Push up : 21 out of 25/30

@JenniferinFL: Sometimes, we think we made a mistake when the situation arises. But everything happens for a good reason! So hang in there and you will be out of this miserable pain soon. I will send some positive vibes for you! 🙂

@Dave001: Congratulations! that's an excellent time! You are conquering your pace! Bravo! 🙂 

[Dave001]

Thank you @Bhuvana!

I'd forgotten quite how much pace you can squeeze out of yourself by being in a race situation, rather than just out for a run on your own. 

I loved it!

Here are my mile splits. I normally run at 9:15 - 9:45/mile!

I'll be entering many more races, I find it incredible motivation to get out training consistently. 

[Dave001]

Day Twenty Six

1. 10,000 steps/day. I will be consistent in June!
26/30

2. Running. I will run 70 miles during the month.
59/70

After the exertion of yesterday's race, I was incredibly hungry and ate a 12" pizza last night!

I didn't feel guilty whatsoever and thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful! I'll find out tomorrow morning if the scales are equally relaxed about it...

I've been feeling tired all day, but I was up for work at 5am. I've just been out for my evening stroll. Today is the 49th day in a row that I've hit at least 10,000 steps. A seven week unbroken run is not too bad for me. I'll push on to eight now!