It works like this: you decide you'll do something for 21 days straight, every single day, so keep it doable. Then you count ....one through 21.....and if you flub it, you MUST go back to zero and start over again. Everyone will be on different days. You can start anytime. At the beginning of the challenge you declare what level it is -- Level 1, 2, or 3. Level 1 means you feel it's a relatively easy challenge for you and means you only give yourself ONE pause day (see explanation of pause days below). Level 2 would give you two pause days and so on...
And taking NO pause days is what redballoon called "aceing a challenge," as in "I'm aiming on aceing this one!" Yowzah!!

With a pause day you pause in your counting and continue the next day with the number you left off with. Pause days are NOT substitutes for days, i.e. Day 12 -- Day 13 -- Pause Day -- Day 14..... I suggest taking a pause day late in the game (better to go back to Day 1 early on) if you need a break or screw up when you're well into the challenge, meaning, when you're on Day 15 or something like that.

In any case, the trick is to keep going. The momentum builds and it's great incentive to stick to your guns, cause if you don't.........back to START you go. And the really great thing about this challenge is that you are forming new habits that will wipe out the old! AND, you get to do it with a great bunch of really supportive people to whom you are accountable!

There is NO shame in starting over. Remember, it's not over till you give up. And our motto around here is:

NEVER GIVE UP!!...Just start OVER!!




(This challenge was originally started by redballoon. I looked for new threads, but the last one was in December, 2011. I always found this challenge motivating, so I'm reviving it.)
This is the new thread for 2013. When we get to 500 posts, it will be titled the same except Part 2.

I'm in, my challenge is to drink 64 oz of water (at least) a day. I have a horrible time drinking anything, I don't seem to get thirsty. It's very strange...

this is a level 2 for me.

Here we go!

Drink at least 24 oz. water. Day 0 (Level 1, 1 pause) 1 pause remaining
Log all my calories on Sparkpeople. Day 0 (Level 1, 1 pause) 1 pause remaining)
Stop eating by 11:30 p.m. Day 0 (Level 2, 2 pauses) 2 pauses remaining
Exercise 5X this week. Day 0 done New Week


I want to increase my water intake this year, but I will set myself up for success by starting with 24 oz.

I will also eventually stop eating earlier than 11:30. (But I don't go to bed usually until 1 a.m., so this isn't as late as it may seem.)

My biggest challenge is night time snacking, chips, chocolate, nachos etc. So I'm going to commit to healthy snacking or preferably none at all. My healthy snacks would be rice cake with almond butter or tortilla with salsa or Greek yogurt with fruit. I bought a bunch of new loose leaf tea in sweet flavours and I'm hoping that will be enough since most times I do it I'm not even hungry. This will be a level two for me.

Drink at least 64 oz of water a day. Level 1
No bread, potatoes, or rice. Level 3 because I live in Louisiana!!

StaceyDanielle

Moving over from the 2012 thread.

Level 2 Goal: DO THE FREAKING SHRED
1 pause remaining

1) 12/27 - L1D2
2) 12/28 - L1D3 twice
3) 12/29 - L1D4
4) 12/30 - L1D5
5) 12/31 - L1D6
PAUSE DAY (hurt my knee)
6) 1/2 - L1D7
7) 1/3 - L1D8
8) 1/4 - L1D9
9) 1/5 - L1D10
10) 1/6 - L2D2
11) 1/7 - L2D2
12) 1/8 - L2D3
13) 1/9 - L2D4
14) 1/10 - L2D5
15) 1/11 - L2D6
16) 1/12 - L2D7
17) 1/13 - L2D8
18) 1/14 - L2D9
19) 1/15 - L2D10
20) 1/16 - L3D1
21) 1/17 - L3D2

Goal: To eat around 1350 cals daily. This is day 1 of 21.

Glad some of you made it over from the old thread. Welcome newbies. We have fun trying to reach these short goals. If we mess up, we forgive ourselves, and start over.

Moving on over from the old thread. I was the thread killer over there, so I added in a link to here on my last post.

Still exercise once a day, no pauses.

Day 1: exercised (elliptical + weights)
Day 2: exercised (went for a run!)
Day 3: exercised (weights)
Day 4: exercised (run + weights)
Day 5: exercised (elliptical)
Day 6: exercised (long walk)
Day 7: exercised (elliptical + weights) WOOOO MADE IT A WEEK!

Goal: To eat around 1350 cals daily. This is day 2 of 21.

I had my tea last night instead of snacking, so Im on day two. Only problem is I'm already drinking tea now and it's still early so I know I will want a snack later. Guess I'll just plan a healthy one but the chips are calling my name.

Goal: To eat around 1350 cals daily. This is day 3 of 21.

Day 1: exercised (elliptical + weights)
Day 2: exercised (went for a run!)
Day 3: exercised (weights)
Day 4: exercised (run + weights)
Day 5: exercised (elliptical)
Day 6: exercised (long walk)
Day 7: exercised (elliptical + weights)
Day 8: exercised (run)

I'm in! For the next 21 days, I will keep my calories to less than 1700. No exceptions. Exercise at least 20 minutes every day - 1 pause.