The Unknowns Keep Their Eye On The Finish Line

Here we are heading into the fifth week of the Madison Challenge.  We are half way to the finish line! Our team, The Unknowns, has pretty much figured out what line items they can get points from and what line items are either more difficult or downright unattainable.  I know that sounds like a cop-out, but there are definitely challenges included in this program that we have discovered to be very difficult.

Right now we are all having trouble spending at least one hour outdoors.  This evening I was reminded that this does not need to be an hour all at once, but could be walking the dog for 10 minute intervals.  That would work great, if we had a dog!

So, alas, we are all finding that enjoying the great outdoors is a bit elusive with these endless days of chilly, chilly temperatures.  We are hopeful, though, that brighter, warmer days lie ahead.  We are holding the weathermen to his promise of warmer air this weekend, into next week. 

I plan to bundle up in my Under Armor and take a nice, long walk near the beach.   It is bound to clear away some of the cobwebs that have gathered in my head over the last couple weeks of snow, rain, freezing rain and subzero temperatures!

This exercise will, hopefully, increase my steps per day up nearer to 10,000, one of the goals of the Madison Challenge that none of the four of us have been able to reach.  Just to put this in perspective, this is equal to 5 miles. 

According to madisonchallenge.com “The 10,000-step program is a nationally recognized campaign to promote movement. Although 10,000 steps is an attainable goal, you will want to build up to it to prevent injury.”

We all began the challenge wearing the pedometers that we received in our registration goody bags.  I think the most any of us could get was about 5,000 steps.  Not nearly enough to earn the 5 points for 10,000 steps. 

None of us are sedentary.  My husband and I have professions that require constant movement.  The girls move from class to class in school, they both have physical education requirements and we all work out weekly at the YMCA.

Even with all this movement we have yet to hit 10,000 steps in a day.  It is important point wise, but not of grave concern to any of us in terms of whether or not we are getting our daily required amount of exercise.  I think we all try, give it our best, and hope that what we are doing is good for our body, mind and soul.

The remaining line item that is giving us trouble is “Go without Television/Video Games.”  This is worth 5 points a day for a total of 25 points per week.  That’s a lot of points we are missing out on by turning on the television to relax, unwind or stay informed about the day’s newsworthy events.

I personally enjoy watching the morning and evening news programs.  I get caught up on what’s going on in the world around us and feel more connected.  It also makes for interesting conversations when meeting a new person (worth 5 points/day). 

I know that the goal here is to discourage endless hours planted in front of the “boob tube,” watching trivial, mundane television.  Instead we are being encouraged to expand our horizons through books, taking walks outdoors and improving our minds through cultural arts and music.

In a very broad stroke, what this challenge is encouraging us all to do is be well rounded.  Exercise, enjoy the outdoors, eat healthy, spend quality time with your family, be a positive member of your community and above all, take care of yourself. 

The Unknowns are proud of what we have accomplished thus far and know that while some of these suggestions may be unattainable, we can work on moderation and that in itself is a step in the right direction.