"Forming new habits "- 21 Day Challenge
 

It works like this: you will challenge yourself with ONE new habit for 21 days straight, every single day, something you need to work on for your dieting success. 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...

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.....

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 thread is a variation of an old thread called "Every Day" 21 Day Challenge 2013.

One of my greatest challenges is p.m. snacking. I eat for entertainment, boredom, I think I'm hungry, I want a treat, etc........ So NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible, starting TONIGHT!

:dust:

I just want to mention a book about changing habits. Its called Let Go by Martine Batchelor, a mindfulness meditation teacher. People might pick up some great new insights and ideas from it. I think i might be about ready to read it again myself.

http://www.amazon.com/Let-Go-Buddhis.../dp/0861715217

NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible

3/2/14- No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results! :cp:


Good Evening 3 fat chicks peeps
Join this thread and make positive changes in your life - you can do it.

NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible

3/2- Day 1- No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row :cheer2:

Good Evening 3 fat chicks on a diet bloggers.


NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible

3/2- Day 1- No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5- No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think aboout it but know I can't go there.:bravo:

NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible

3/2- Day 1- No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5- No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think aboout it but know I can't go there.
3/8 - Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment) :devil:

working, I'll join you. I need to keep myself accountable. Thanks for starting this thread. :)

Day one - eating within range, exercising

tyla, so good to have you join this thread:D. I know, I need more accountability too. I got really mad at myself yesterday and after listening to myself talk about my diet to a girlfriend, I realized I could do better. So it's time to walk the talk.

NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible

3/2- Day 1- No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5- No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think aboout it but know I can't go there.
3/8 - Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment)
3/10 - Day 8 - No snacking - & good time to drink extra water.

Day 2 - in range and exercised. Let's keep doing this, working! :)
:dust:

Keep up the good habit tyla. :flame: Hope you have a great day.

NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible

3/2- Day 1- No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5- No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think aboout it but know I can't go there.
3/8 - Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment)
3/10 - Day 8 - No snacking - & good time to drink extra water.
3/11 - Day 9 - No snacking, was a bit hungry so had a glass of milk which did the trick.

Hi working! I'm so glad that I've joined you! It helps to have both here.

Day 3 in calorie range and exercised.

This whole article called "8 Clever Tips for the Body You Want" was very good, and the last tip pertains to this thread. Thought it was worth sharing.

"Make one change.
Our final piece of advice for getting the body you want as effortlessly as possible? Pick one easy diet- or exercise-related change that you know you can make, and start there. Says Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD, author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet, Small steps and strategies do add up.

Homework: Consider the habitual things you do every day, since they ultimately shape your health and fitness. Pick one unhealthy habit and trade it in for a healthier one. For example, do you drink a high-fat, high-sugar coffee drink every day? If so, start ordering a plain coffee with low-fat milk. Or, if you don’t exercise enough, start taking a daily walk. You’ll be surprised to see the difference one simple change can make. Once you’ve mastered your first healthy change, you can move on to others."

http://www.sharecare.com/health/wome...autiful-body-9

Good morning tyla, hoping you have a great day.


NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible

3/2- Day 1- No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5- No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think aboout it but know I can't go there.
3/8 - Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment)
3/10 - Day 8 - No snacking - & good time to drink extra water.
3/11 - Day 9 - No snacking, was a bit hungry so had a glass of milk which did the trick.
3/12 - Day 10 - No snacking, some how easier not to snack tonight-Yeah.

Day 4 - Yesterday was a breeze for me, too. Maybe it's because we're doing this together! :)

In calorie range
Took an aerobics class.

Today: In range so far, and planning on staying there!
Going to Sweat to the Oldies this afternoon. (If it's good enough for Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyer's Club, it's good enough for me. LOL) - Just finished. :yay:

:dust:

Tyla, Yes, the power of two is great. Your class sounds like fun. I did a new Jazzercise this morning called "Burlesque". It was fun, I worked up a sweat and look forward to doing again.


NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible

3/2- Day 1- No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5- No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think aboout it but know I can't go there.
3/8 - Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment)
3/10 - Day 8 - No snacking - & good time to drink extra water.
3/11 - Day 9 - No snacking, was a bit hungry so had a glass of milk which did the trick.
3/12 - Day 10 - No snacking, some how easier not to snack tonight-Yeah.
3/13 Day 11 - No snacking - on a roll NOW!

Day 5. :) Yes, you are right. So much better with two of us working together. Your class sounded great!

Today I've planned my meals, and am now going out for a walk. Going out to dinner tonight, too. (Included in calorie range.)

Happy Friday, Happy Weekend!!

I have a plan to work out every day for at least 20minutes and I'll allow myself 2 pause days.
Day 1: 40minutes Jillian video workout + 20minutes cycling.

Day 6 - still have to plan my meals and exercise, but I will do it! :)

Happy Saturday!

Good Afternoon. Still have to go on a walk today, looking forward to it with the sun out and no wind. Taking photos of my ds outside today for his hs graduation picture.

:welcome: Velvet, glad to have you join us. You did well on day 1!

tyla, love the can do attitude. I have "I Can Do This" written on my dry erase board. How was dinner last night and where did you go?

NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible

3/2- Day 1 - No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5 - No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think about it but know I can't go there.
3/8- Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment)
3/10 - Day 8 - No snacking - & good time to drink extra water.
3/11 - Day 9 - No snacking, was a bit hungry so had a glass of milk which did the trick.
3/12 - Day 10 - No snacking, some how easier not to snack tonight-Yeah.
3/13 - Day 11 - No snacking - on a roll NOW!
3/14 - Day 12 - No snacking -I Can Do This.

Looks like you ladies need some company/help here, so I'll join up too! I remember the Every Day 21 challenges...I wasn't as good about logging onto 3FC back then....my goal was always to eliminate liquid donuts...ha! That became my NYR for 2014, and I've been booze-free all year! One bad, calorie-laden habit down the drain!

Let's see...so many habits to work on....This may not seem "diet"-related, but it is. I need to regulate my sleep cycles so I can avoid exhaustion--especially on low calorie days.

OK, here's the plan: I will be up by 6:30am weekdays and 7:30am weekends (when possible) and I will retire by 10:30pm. Level 3 (since there's no Level 21!)

I'm nervous...I NEVER get 8hrs sleep! especially during the week, and I never get to bed before midnight, but I need to work this out before I start up a routine exercise plan.

Challenge accepted. Thread subscribed. Major family upheaval underway!

Welcome, Seemyfeet!

Yesterday I ate 1/2 a burger and fries for lunch, and the other half for dinner. Walked after dinner.

Day 7

Plan: To work out every day for at least 20minutes – Level 2

Day 1: 40min Jillian, 20min cycling
Day 2: 45min warrior yoga
Day 3: 20min running, 20min elliptical, some weight lifting

:welcome: Seemyfeet, glad you were able to join the thread. Sleep is so important, makes everything else work better. You can do this!

Velvet, Look at you - exercising twice your goal, you are the gal to watch (for inspiration). Keep it UP.

tyla, good job at portion control :cp:

NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible
3/2- Day 1 - No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5 - No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think about it but know I can't go there.
3/8- Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment)
3/10 - Day 8 - No snacking - & good time to drink extra water.
3/11 - Day 9 - No snacking, was a bit hungry so had a glass of milk which did the trick.
3/12 - Day 10 - No snacking, some how easier not to snack tonight-Yeah.
3/13 - Day 11 - No snacking - on a roll NOW!
3/14 - Day 12 - No snacking -I Can Do This.
3/15 - Day 13 - No P.M. snacking! - This is getting to be a habit!

Thank you ladies for being here to help me form new habits :hug:

Afternoon ladies, Hope everyone is doing well this week. Keep at it, you can do this :hug:


NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible
3/2- Day 1 - No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5 - No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think about it but know I can't go there.
3/8- Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment)
3/10 - Day 8 - No snacking - & good time to drink extra water.
3/11 - Day 9 - No snacking, was a bit hungry so had a glass of milk which did the trick.
3/12 - Day 10 - No snacking, some how easier not to snack tonight-Yeah.
3/13 - Day 11 - No snacking - on a roll NOW!
3/14 - Day 12 - No snacking -I Can Do This.
3/15 - Day 13 - No P.M. snacking! - This is getting to be a habit!
3/16 - Day 14 - No p.m. Snacking - I did it again:dancer:

Yesterday was a bust.

Day one. Just eating proteins, veggies, fruit today.

Thanks, workinglikeadog. You're doing great yourself! Snacking is the second habit I want to work on, after I master workout! I started this challenge (great idea for a challenge btw!) mainly because my weight loss has slowed down significantly in the last three weeks and I wanted to try something new. I haven’t seen results yet, but I only step on the scale one time per week (so, we'll see) – but I feel great about myself, I never worked out 5 days in a row before! I really want to be this healthy fit person that cannot live without workout. :lifter:

Day 1: 40min Jillian, 20min cycling
Day 2: 45min warrior yoga
Day 3: 20min running, 20min elliptical, some weight lifting
Day 4: 40min Jillian
Day 5: 20min strength training with Bob Harper

Plan: To work out every day for at least 20minutes – Level 2

Good Morning Ladies. I'm working on one step at a time today, trying not to be over whelmed. Well go for a walk after finishing threads on this site. Make it a great day.

Seemyfeet, how you doing? If you can't manage your set goal, try baby steps, something smaller. You can do IT!

tyla, I had to take a pause day on what would have been day 8, I'm proud of you for starting back right away, keep up your good work.

velvet, Yeah for your strength training! I'm hoping some of your ambition will rub off on me.

NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible
3/2- Day 1 - No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5 - No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think about it but know I can't go there.
3/8- Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment)
3/10 - Day 8 - No snacking - & good time to drink extra water.
3/11 - Day 9 - No snacking, was a bit hungry so had a glass of milk which did the trick.
3/12 - Day 10 - No snacking, some how easier not to snack tonight-Yeah.
3/13 - Day 11 - No snacking - on a roll NOW!
3/14 - Day 12 - No snacking -I Can Do This.
3/15 - Day 13 - No P.M. snacking! - This is getting to be a habit!
3/16 - Day 14 - No p.m. Snacking - I did it again
3/17 - Day 15 - No p.m. snacking - boy do I have to work at not nibbling if I fix something (like granola) in the evening, but I made it - not even a taste of coconut.
3/18 - Day 16 - No p.m. snacking - well I made it(some how), was tired and hungry(dangerous combo).

Not eating starchy foods. Day 2

Thanks for your support, working. It helps to be here together. :)

I injured my front thigh muscle today while doing lunges with a bicep curl (like on Jillian’s video) after testing how fast I can run. It hurt so much I almost cried. :( Luckily it doesn’t hurt when I walk or ride a bike, so I’ll be able to continue with my plan. I hope it heals quickly!

Day 1: 40min Jillian, 20min cycling
Day 2: 45min warrior yoga
Day 3: 20min running, 20min elliptical, some weight lifting
Day 4: 40min Jillian
Day 5: 20min strength training with Bob Harper
Day 6: 30min cycling
Day 7: 20min running, 20min elliptical, some weight lifting

Plan: To work out every day for at least 20minutes – Level 2

No high carbohydrates. Day 3. Feeling better. Ate more fruits, vegetables and proteins. Yay :yay: Also did 40 minutes of walking outside and treadmill.

Sorry about your thigh, Velvet. :(

Day 4 - No bread or other high carbohydrates. Feeling better. :)

Good Evening Ladies, I've been busy and out for last few days, thought I'ld better check in tonight.

tyla, good to see your entries, you are doing well. Glad you are feeling better as well. Yeah for the 40 mins. of exercise.

Velvet, so sorry to hear you injured yourself, that's a big muscle - I bet it did hurt. Let us know how you are doing.

NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible
3/2- Day 1 - No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5 - No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think about it but know I can't go there.
3/8- Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment)
3/10 - Day 8 - No snacking - & good time to drink extra water.
3/11 - Day 9 - No snacking, was a bit hungry so had a glass of milk which did the trick.
3/12 - Day 10 - No snacking, some how easier not to snack tonight-Yeah.
3/13 - Day 11 - No snacking - on a roll NOW!
3/14 - Day 12 - No snacking -I Can Do This.
3/15 - Day 13 - No P.M. snacking! - This is getting to be a habit!
3/16 - Day 14 - No p.m. Snacking - I did it again
3/17 - Day 15 - No p.m. snacking - boy do I have to work at not nibbling if I fix something (like granola) in the evening, but I made it - not even a taste of coconut.
3/18 - Day 16 - No p.m. snacking - well I made it(some how), was tired and hungry(dangerous combo).
3/19 - Day 17 - No p.m. snacking -
3/20 - Day 18 - No p.m. snacking -
3/21 - Day 19 - No p.m. snacking - I am so tired, should go to bed early tonight. Sure have to be mindful about not nibbling at night.

Well...I've been laying big goose eggs for a solid week or more...I cannot seem to keep a schedule for more than one day! I'm working on a deadline, so no early sleepytime for me today, either. I'm hoping that I can knock out a lot of work tonight and start afresh tomorrow with a nice feeling of accomplishment.

I really want to acquire a more disciplined lifestyle and GET THINGS DONE!

I can so relate. I think it helped me to get mad & put losing weight as a priority before the million other things that distract me daily. Gonna have to do this for my art studio time also if I can't get enough hours of painting in this next week (we shall see). We are here to support YOU.

Just came back from a long walk. Still no carbs. Yay :yay:

Workinglikeadog, your challenge is almost complete! What's the next habit you'll work on? ;)
Tyla, you're doing great too and you're very strict to yourself by starting over. :cp:
Seemyfeet, waking up at 6:30 and especially at 7:30 weekends :eek: seems kinda tough – try waking an hour earlier than usual and the next day an hour and a half before and so on …?

My thigh hurts a lot less today and only when I flex it. It didn’t cause me a lot of trouble while I was swimming today so I’m happy to move on with my plan. I gave myself one of my pause days yesterday to rest it just in case. I didn’t have the time anyway. :o

Day 1: 40min Jillian, 20min cycling
Day 2: 45min warrior yoga
Day 3: 20min running, 20min elliptical, some weight lifting
Day 4: 40min Jillian
Day 5: 20min strength training with Bob Harper
Day 6: 30min cycling
Day 7: 20min running, 20min elliptical, some weight lifting
Day 8: Pause day
Day 9: 45min swimming

Plan: To work out every day for at least 20minutes – Level 2

Good Morning Ladies, it is sunny and no wind - but cold this a.m.(29). Hope to go for a nice walk with my dog today once it warms up.

Velvet, I will probably do no p.m. snacking again. This is the habit that allowed me to gain 8 pounds over 8 weeks during the winter holidays. I really have got to understand this critical new habit has to be a life time habit.

NO p.m. snacking with 2 pause days possible
3/2- Day 1 - No snacking - I can do this, the effort is worth the results!
3/3- Day 2 - No snacking - Keep going.
3/4- Day 3 - No snacking- My body thanks me for this new habit.
3/5- Day 4 - No snacking- four nights in a row
3/6- Day 5 - No snacking
3/7- Day 6 - No snacking- still think about it but know I can't go there.
3/8- Day 7 - No snacking
3/9 - Pause Day #1 -(boy do I need an attitude adjustment)
3/10 - Day 8 - No snacking - & good time to drink extra water.
3/11 - Day 9 - No snacking, was a bit hungry so had a glass of milk which did the trick.
3/12 - Day 10 - No snacking, some how easier not to snack tonight-Yeah.
3/13 - Day 11 - No snacking - on a roll NOW!
3/14 - Day 12 - No snacking -I Can Do This.
3/15 - Day 13 - No P.M. snacking! - This is getting to be a habit!
3/16 - Day 14 - No p.m. Snacking - I did it again
3/17 - Day 15 - No p.m. snacking - boy do I have to work at not nibbling if I fix something (like granola) in the evening, but I made it - not even a taste of coconut.
3/18 - Day 16 - No p.m. snacking - well I made it(some how), was tired and hungry(dangerous combo).
3/19 - Day 17 - No p.m. snacking -
3/20 - Day 18 - No p.m. snacking -
3/21 - Day 19 - No p.m. snacking - I am so tired, should go to bed early tonight. Sure have to be mindful about not nibbling at night.
3/22 - Day 20 - No p.m. snacking - busy away from the tv last night, did not think of snacking.

Day 6 - no high carbs, and feeling good physically and mentally. :)

Day 7 No high carbs. Now going out for a walk.