Recently, I posted about What’s ahead for me in 2019. As I wrote in that post, my big focus for 2019, is Maxine’s Challenge.

So, what is Maxine’s Challenge?

The Maxine’s Challenge is a 12 week on-line body transformation program that has helped thousands of people from around the country get in the best shape of their lives. If you’ve tried numerous ways to lose weight and get in shape without success – then the Maxine’s Challenge is exactly what you need to get results!
– https://www.maxineschallenge.com.au

I have particpated in this challenge previously, but just randomly, really. Ocassionally, when I’ve felt like it, I’ve joined in for a 12 week stint, and picked out the bits that interest me, and almost ignored the rest.

Over the new year period, as I gave thought to my goals for 2019, I realised that I really wanted to go for some big goals, and would  need extreme focus to achieve them.  My first thought, was that participating again in Maxine’s Challenge, would give me that focus and dedication. But the difference in 2019, is that I plan to do all three challenges during the year. The first of those starts next week, so we are currently in Prep Week.

Prep Week

My tasks during prep week are to

• Become familiar with the website and visit the forums. Ask any questions about the plans
• Start a journal, recording experiences during the challenge. I plan to do this in my gym journal
• Think about why we decided to do the challenge. To keep focused and have success, it’s necessary to understand ‘the why’.
• Book exercise sessions into our diary or calendar, so they become non-negotiable appointments with ourselves
• Become familiar with the food plans, and pre prepare a few meals for the freezer, for those times when time is a challenge
• Become familiar with the exercise plans. Try them out in the gym and set our starting weights, so that it’s all systems go on Day 1

What I love about Maxine’s Challenge

• No calorie counting
• No weigh ins
• Focus is mainly on strength training with cardio days also included
• Meal plans are provided, with the food being basic nutritious food.
• An abundance of information about nutrition
• Strength programs for the gym, and for working out at home are given
• An abundance of information is provided, about nutrition, weight training and fitness in general
• Following other participants in the forum on the Maxine’s website and on social media
• I love seeing my stats improve in the gym and feeling strong

My Goals for the Challenge

I have set end  goals for the entire year, but have divided them up into smaller goals, to fit in with each 12 week blog of Maxine’s Challenge. These are my goals for the next 12 weeks, with the end date being 21 April

• Increase all weights in the gym during the challenge ( I have a list of the actual target weight for each exercise)
• Complete Maxine’s Challenge
• Ride 60k
• Walk 30K
• Swim 1k
• Complete a gym triathon – Rowing, cycling and intensive weights program
• Complete my version of an outdoors triathlon – walk, cycle, swim

I have set tiny goals along the way, for the duration of the challenge. These goals will then continue on, and be built upon until the end of the year. I have some big goals, thatI want to achieve in 2019. My theme for the year is Commitment which to my mind, is perfect for where I am at, at the moment.  Commitment will be necessary, for my focus to be held on the challenge for the entire year. I am also planning to throw in ‘no excuses’, as a sub theme, as this is what will get me out of bed and into the gym, on those early mornings, when I really don’t feel like it. Usually, my gym is my ‘happy place’, but I know that over the course of 12 weeks, not to mention an entire year, there will be the occasional day, when I’d rather skip a session.

Look out for my updates at Week 4, Week 8 and Week 12

 

 COMMITMENT – NO EXCUSES

#Disclaimer: All comments are just my opinion, made from my experiences. I receive no kickbacks at all from Maxine’s Challenge.

Have you ever set a big scary challenge for yourself? I’d love to hear about it, and promise to reply to all comments.