[Terri in MO]

Challenge Thread for "In it for the Long Run" posters. This is for week two of a second challenge.

To change behavior, it is said to take 21 consecutive days to make the change behavior.

I'm using a three week challenge to help me focus on goals that will change unhealthy behavior into healthy behaviors.

Join me if you will!! There are no rules. Think about what you would like to change, set your goals and make a plan. Post that here and post how you're doing. I start a new thread for each week of the challenge.

[Terri in MO]

Bringing forward my original goals:


My overall goals for challenge #2:

1. Journal how real life has affected how I feel each day. Am I tired, bored, stressed, whatever is going on and how I react to those situations. My goal isn't to change anything to be aware.

2. Continue to maintain my focus on planning and journalling - being aware of food and what I'm eating.

3. Continue to build my exercise stamina.

What I plan to focus on for week 1:

1. Make note of how each day goes.

2. Increase my strength-building exerices to 25 mins a day and 30 mins of cardio (walking, spinning, or stationary bike).

3. Make a menu plan for the week.



For week two, I really want to focus again on planning. That includes having appropriate snacks and enough at my meals to avoid being hungry and stupid.

[Xan]

Hi! I'm starting (again) and just finished Week 1 -- may I join in? This is a great idea.

My first week, the challenge was getting back in the saddle: planning meals, journaling, cooking and eating what I'd planned!, drinking water. One of my main challenges is that I'm a junk-food-for-meals eater -- I'd be happy eating a candy bar and a coke for lunch! -- and I have to switch to eating real meals. It took nearly the whole week to even begin to get that down. I developed a rather rote way of eating -- cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch with fruit, a TV dinner, 2 planned snacks -- and want to move on to eating more varied meals.

A second challenge is to start exercising again. Beginning Wednesday of last week, I made sure to walk at least 30 minutes a day.

This week's goals:

1. Continue planning, eating on plan, journaling, and drinking adequate water.

2. Continue to walk at least 30 minutes a day.

3. Vary menus and eat real meals, not TV dinners.

4. Eat regularly scheduled meals.

Habit is overcome by habit. -- St. Thomas a Kempis.

[Terri in MO]

Sure Xan, come on in and join me!!

My main reason for the challenge is to help me keep progressing at this. It certainly is a lifelong journey and we can really only do so much at a time.

Sometimes it takes a while to get it all going in the right direction. Looks like you've made some postive changes. I tend to be a rote eater too. Especially for breakfast and lunch. That makes it easier for me to have more points leftover for the evening meal. With DH cooking and him not really into WW (even though he needs to be), I've learned that I need more points leftover at the end of the day.

Keep up all your great efforts. Let's keep working at this so we're healthier and stronger chicks!

Good luck!

[Terri in MO]

Sunday was being active day. I didn't do my normal exercise but I did do lots of housework and yardwork. It felt good to get up and move around. I did okay on food even though we did go to the Pastor's house for dinner. "Lots of food" was the mini turkey sandwiches, fresh veggies, fresh fruit and low fat dips! Very healthy food. Lucked out there!

Monday - I'm good on points. I did earn 6 exercise points. I did my normal strength builders and 12 mins on the airdyne before work. It was so beautiful when I got home that I got my bike out for a 15 min evening ride. We also worked on putting pickets on our fence we're building. So it was another evening of activity.

Tues am - my lower back is tight this morning so I'm going to do lots of stretching exercises. Won't have time for much else. Maybe I can squeeze in a bike ride this evening.