Challenge
Remember how last month, I agreed to do a sympathy challenge for all those participating in Lent? And I promised I’d workout 3 days a week plus a long training run on the weekend? Well, I meant to complete that challenge. And I still mean to instill this routine into my daily life well past the upcoming holiday of Easter in a few weeks. But, sickness prevailed last month and I didn’t workout as much or in the same way as I would’ve liked. Such is life, right?
This challenge did put a bug in my head. There were so many things I could’ve done instead of the workout challenge. Things I’ve been wanting to do. And so I thought, why not do a challenge a month. Each month add a new challenge. Sometimes the challenges from the previous month will stick. Other times, I’ll chalk it up to a good test of will.
For example, one of the things I had been wanting to do for a while was give up Diet Coke. While sickness cut into my workout challenge, I actually added the Diet Coke challenge. I’ve been Diet Coke free for a month as of today. It was easier to kick than I originally expected. And I definitely plan to move forward with this challenge into the foreseeable future.
For the month of April, the challenge I have decided to take up is giving up Sweets sweets. That’s right. No ice cream. No cookies. No candy. No dessert when going out to eat. At one time in my life, this challenge wouldn’t have even been a challenge. Because I wasn’t that tied to sweets. But, ever since Sweets came into my life, sweets have come into my life, too. He’s dreading this challenge. And in some ways, I’m a little sad to give up the sweets. But, it will be a good challenge to kick-start my swing into spring!
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:48 am
How do you feel after giving up Diet Coke?
I bet giving up sweets will be a lot easier than you think! After awhile, you’ll be craving fruit! That is what is happening to me anyway :)
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:06 pm
At least giving up sweets means you don’t have to worry about breaking Sweets’ rules regarding the Girl Scout Cookies!
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
This is a great idea Nilsa!
I need to think about doing this as well.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Speaking from experience, I think that you will be much happier after this is over with. You will lose a good bit of the sugar addiction, and find that things like fruit can be perfectly satisfying once you are no longer addicted to high fructose corn syrup and refined sugars. So hooray for you! I hope it goes well.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
You are a MUCH stronger woman than I am. Good luck!
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
What did you substitute for your diet coke?
As for sweets you can always have fruit for the sugar kick.
Good luck on this challenge.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Once you give up sweets you will never go back.
Seriously. I gave them up a long time ago when I was fighting and had to make weight every week. And now?
I have grown up to hate sweets. Pretty much all of them. Especially chocolate.
so think about what you are doing here.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
You rock! I love Diet Coke waaaay too much to give it up totally. Shame on me! I gave you an award this morning on my post!! :)
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Giving up sweets is actually a great thing. After a couple of weeks I think it won’t be as hard (from my experience in doing this in the past) and you will probably feel more energetic and see a noticable difference in your body in a possible number of ways.
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
I figure giving up drinking for the rest of my life is enough penance. I’ve done my duty for my entire being.
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
I haven’t given up on Diet Coke but I’ve cut back. Only water during meals. It’s been good!
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Wow, you are a strong chickadoodle. I have seriously cut back on both refined sugary treats…one or two a week, at most. And soda…used to be we would buy a case a WEEK. Now, I typically have one a day (at home) and when I go out to eat. But cold turkey? yikes.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Giving up sweets would be like killing me. I gave up chocolate for lent and I just can’t wait until next Sunday because OHMYGOD I get to each chocolate again!
It’s great that you’re doing this though! You’ll have to let us know how it all goes.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
The two things you are talking about…diet coke and sweets, are things I would HATE to give up. I have very few vices, but those are the two I need to make it through the day. Good for you though. You will be more healthy without both. I just don’t think I could (or would want to) do it.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Without sweets, I’m pretty sure I would be a raging beast for at least a month, if not more.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
i don’t drink a lot of soda, and i pretty much gave it up w/in the past few weeks as an attempt to get into better shape anyway -- figured i didn’t need the empty calories (uh, except when i’m hungover. then ONLY A FOUNTAIN COKE will do.)
however, sweets? NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I’m making brownies this afternoon because I’m pregnant and it’s my god given right, but after this kid pops out, I’m back on the straight and narrow.
Swear to goodness.
When the time comes, I will look to you for guidence, oh wise and brave Nilsa.
April 2nd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
It’s funny, I was going to make a joke about you giving up (Capital Letter) S-weets, but you had already done it.
I gave up Fast Food for Lent, and although I had one or two slips, for the most part, I did well. Actually, I don’t even quite crave it anymore.
I think giving up dessert and things would be too hard for me. Or, at the very least, I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to do it for more than a month.
April 2nd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
as long as it’s not Sweets you’re giving!
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I gave up sugar for months once. It’s possible! (Of course, I eat it again now because I really don’t think I’m fully living my life if chocolate is not involved.)
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Hmm. This is a good idea… maybe I’ll try to give up french fries for April.
MAYBE.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:36 pm
You can totally give up sweets! Purge the house, and stop buying sweets at the store.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:03 am
If you can survive the first two challenges, you can do this. I know you can.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 am
My husband tried to challenge me to give up sweets for Lent. Would never happen, I’m just not that strong. Good luck to you!
April 4th, 2009 at 12:42 am
good job on the diet coke! my challenge this month is to not purchase one plastic bottle. I’ll let you know how I do!
April 10th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Oh, I’m glad it was pretty easy to give up Diet Coke. Cuz for me? It was HELL. First there was the caffeine withdrawal part, which I figured out how to wean so I didn’t get mind splitting headaches, just little ones. Then game the crash off the artificial sweetners. That came about 2-3 weeks later and cause inexplicable headaches in the afternoon for about a week. I’ll never go back!
April 10th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Oh, I’m glad it was pretty easy to give up Diet Coke. Cuz for me? It was HELL. First there was the caffeine withdrawal part, which I figured out how to wean so I didn’t get mind splitting headaches, just little ones. Then game the crash off the artificial sweetners. That came about 2-3 weeks later and cause inexplicable headaches in the afternoon for about a week. I’ll never go back!