Challenge
It’s June 1 today, which means it’s time to update you on the lifestyle challenges I’ve been attempting and add a new one for the month of June.
Improved Workouts
Started: March 1, 2009.
Goal: Workout three times during the week and once over the weekend.
Progress: I’m doing better than I was while I was sick. But, I’m still not back to where I want to be. I signed up to run a half marathon in August. The race is in Chicago. And I know a number of friends who have also signed up for the race. Training started a couple weeks ago … so far, so good.
Plan: Use half marathon training as a way to stay motivated. Use the improving weather to take my workouts outside!
Grade: IMPROVING!
No Diet Coke
Started: March 5, 2009.
Goal: Give up drinking Diet Coke and other sodas.
Progress: ZERO Diet Cokes for almost 3 months. I’m so proud of myself. This new Jenny Craig diet allows for diet sodas. So, I have upped my intake of Diet Sprite. But, I only have 1-2 per week. Max. And I’ve been needing less caffeine (via green tea) than I have in past months.
Plan: Keep at it!
Grade: SUCCESS!
No Sweets
Started: April 1, 2009
Goal: Give up eating all sweets.
Progress: Oh, I should just take this challenge off the table. I like sweets too darn much and it’s going to be awfully hard to get rid of them altogether. But, I don’t really grab candy out of the bowl at work anymore and do try to stick to what’s provided through the Jenny Craig diet.
Plan: Stick to the sweets allowed in the JC plan.
Grade: STATUS QUO!
[Editor's note: In June, this challenge will officially be reassigned as, Eat moderate amounts of sweets and no candy at work.]
No Delivery
Started: May 1, 2009
Goal: No take-out or delivery food
Progress: Finally, a challenge I can stick to! ha. Sweets and I did a fantabulous job this month at not ordering out. The only time we actually had take-out was when we went to his brother’s house for a birthday celebration. We can’t really tell the people providing us dinner that they have to cook.
Plan: Stick to it! We’re doing great so far!
Grade: PASS WITH FLYING COLORS
As you can tell, a lot of my challenges have been closely tied to my health. I have a few more related to my health, but I think I’m going to save them for future months. Instead, the challenge for June will be to read at least one magazine article or one book chapter every day. Sweets and I have discussed reading more. In fact, we have talked about turning off the TV at least one night a week to devote to reading. But, I want to do more than that. Here’s hoping my challenge this month will get me back on track with reading!
Who wants to join me in this (or any other) one-month challenge?!
Finally, a quick heads-up. In an attempt to find the right balance on my blog, I’m going to be writing password-protected posts from time to time. If you’d like the password, just shoot me a quick note in the Contact form (button in the side menu). Thanks!
June 1st, 2009 at 7:44 am
You are doing such a great job with these goals Nilsa! Way to go. =) I love the challenge for June. I absolutely love reading and basically quit watching tv three/four months ago. Its amazing what turning off the tv can do for your attitude. I would love the password for your protected posts please.
June 1st, 2009 at 7:58 am
I am impressed with your dedication to the goals. I would probably make big plans and then completely forget about them and never mention them on my blog again.
My kids and I talked about having a “pioneer day” sometime this summer where we use no electricity. I want to do it soon because I do love my air conditioning and right now it is cool enough that we don’t need it so I wouldn’t miss it. But I feel like that would be cheating a bit.
June 1st, 2009 at 8:41 am
Way to go. I find it refreshing that you are updating us on your progress. Most people never make it as far as you have because half the battle is telling the world what you are doing and making it accountable.
I gave up all soda a few weeks ago and I thought that I would miss it and I don’t. It is funny because I thought that by now it would be too hard and I would be drinking them again but it’s not. I feel less bloated and drinking more water is not a bad thing.
I am up for the reading challenge. Sign me up!
June 1st, 2009 at 9:07 am
Good work on your goals, and I think your password idea is a good one.
I am going to join you on the reading more, less television. For June (at least) I will not watch tv for one day a week, and replace that with reading.
June 1st, 2009 at 9:32 am
Way to kick a$$ with the various goals =)
Does reading a chapter a night for grad school studies count? With the exception of maybe two hours this weekend, Irish and I kept the TV off most of the weekend and turned to books or magazines instead of the television. (Radio was often on, too.)
I won’t be able to run the half-marathon in September since I’ll be at a bachelorette party in TN but I’m sure you will totally kick butt!
June 1st, 2009 at 10:11 am
You’re doing great! I guess I am kind of in the challenge boat since I’m not eating sugar, starches or drinking any booze. And I’ve got a list of goals for myself as far as exercise. :-)
June 1st, 2009 at 10:16 am
You’re doing great! Congrats! That’s fantastic how much of a difference a month makes. :)
June 1st, 2009 at 10:19 am
You are doing fabulously well and I am very impressed.
Also, can I submit a standing request for all passwords?
June 1st, 2009 at 10:44 am
Good job! B and I were just talking this week about maybe giving JC a try. I’d love an update as to how you think it is going for you guys. Combined we have about the same amount of weight to lose as you and Sweets, maybe just a tiny bit less.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:05 am
Goals. Hrmph. You’ve got me beat there – by even HAVING them.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:42 am
Sounds like you are on a roll! Keep up the good work :)
I did a similar food journey 12 years ago when I decided to try vegetarianism for Lent. I am still doing it now, and am so proud of how long I have gone without meat. I hope you can find the same satisfaction out of this experience, too!
And yes, I would love the password if you don’t mind sharing :)
June 1st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Good job on sticking to your goals! I am (almost) motivated to start my own :)
I think it goes without saying that I’d love to be able to read your password-protected posts. Definitely email me the password if you’re so inclined.
June 1st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Congrats on all the accomplishments! I need to take inventory again and see where I’m at, and set new goals. Reading is definitely one of them, but I’ve been way too ADD to sit still lately, so my free time this weekend was spent doing laundry, rearranging my food, biking 20 miles with my roommate, cooking, bonfiring with friends, and vacuuming the house. HA. I should’ve taken an hour out for reading, but… maybe this week…
June 1st, 2009 at 12:14 pm
I could never give up sweets. It’s my one weakness.
As for the new challenge, I like it. I spent almost all of Saturday without the TV on and it was great! I keep saying I need to read more as well, but for some reason it’s hard for me to turn off the TV on a regular basis.
And I would love the password :-)
June 1st, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I’m so impressed with your challenges and how well you’re doing. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure how you’d do with ordering out. Based on myself, when all else fails, I’m ordering take out!
Way to go!
June 1st, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I’m so excited for you and your marathon training! And I love the book goal. I’ve been needing to get in more reading lately. I try to do it before bed, but always find myself dozing off. No TV night is a good idea.
June 1st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Wow I am so impressed with the way that you have stuck to most of your challenges!! Keep up the good work!
I should challenge myself this coming month….and I want to think about turning off the tv too!
June 1st, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I love your resolutions and that you’ve been so successful! Since we started our around the house projects my whole workout routine has fallen completely apart…just in time to be around tons of bloggers in bathing suits next weekend….yaay lol
I’m resolving to do yoga 3 times a week from now on though, and that’s the kind of resolution that will feel really good to keep.
June 1st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Good luck with the reading challenge! I find books are very important. They get into subjects in depth in a way that TV and even magazine articles cannot, due to length restrictions. It’s hard to find time to read, but I’ve always got at least two books on the go.
June 1st, 2009 at 5:40 pm
You are kicking butt! :) I have to ask, and I am not trying to be rude, but why did you decide to ditch diet coke but keep diet sprite? I think you explained but I forgot. Does it have to do with the dark cola staining your teeth? I know that is why many people do not drink dark sodas or coffee!
I want to hear more about the overarching challenge of JC! :) It sounds really interesting! (well, not “challenge” but you know what I mean. Oh, and I want to hear about the half marathon training too :) me me me want want want :P)
June 1st, 2009 at 5:42 pm
You are doing an amazing job. All that we can ask of ourselves is to make progress with each and every month and you are totally doing that!
June 1st, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I’m quite impressed, lady. Keep up the good work! (And way to adjust the “no sweets” one, I would never be able to do that!)
June 1st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I like your sweets modification. I had to do the same thing; I just like sweets far too much to give them up entirely. I have a friend who hasn’t eaten chocolate in over 14 years… wish I could be like *him!
Oh, and if you’re looking for a book to read about health, I *highly* recommend “Master Your Metabolism” by Jillian Michaels. You’ve seen her, right? She eats 2,000 calories a day, works out 3 hours a week and looks like *that*. This book is how we can do it, too!
June 1st, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I am totally with you to do a challenge, but I won’t lie, this one will be tough this month, lol. But keep me posted on the next one :)
June 1st, 2009 at 8:54 pm
way, way impressive. Keep it up girl!
June 1st, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I totally need to do a one-month or monthly challenge like these. They’re fantastic!
I have a major sweet tooth, so that’s the area I struggle with the most. Today, I decided to buy a lot of fresh fruit to counteract my need for sweets. So far, it’s working. I’ll let you know how it goes…
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:47 am
Yay you!! I have not doubt you’ll keep up with your plans!
Oh and thanks for sending the password. :)
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:50 am
way to go with that!!! Well I did really bad with the 5 minutes (even 2.5 minutes) of meditation. ha ha. OK, let’s try something else for June. I’m having a real “problem” with eating chocolate pudding at home with peanut butter. Hello? Calories! So my goal for June is to not have any sweets in the house. I rarely go outside my house to seek it out, so hopefully I can start to lose some of my sweet tooth.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:10 am
way to go! I’m thinking about quitting the diet coke. I quit when I was trying to get pregnant with Scout and drank Ginger Ale (less sugar, no caffeine, less artificial…if that’s possible with soda) through the end of my pregnancy with Lil’bug. 10 years! I was trying to avoid caffeine and artificial sweeteners (they gave me headaches). I started drinking it again after Lil’bug was born, don’t ask me why, just had a taste for it, I guess. Now I’m starting to lose my taste for it. I find myself reaching for slightly sweetened (sugar only, not artificial) iced tea (caffeine free if I can find it and am making it myself). I think it quenches my thirst better.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
my lord, no sweets is a hard one…!! i’m impressed you’ve had ANY success – not because i doubted you, i just know how impossible it would be for myself :-) well done you on all your goals!!
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I’ll join you. I may have some catching up to do, but I’ll join in on the one month challenge.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I am TOTALLY going to join you for the June challenge! I have about a zillion partially-read books and severe ADD from watching too much TV. I need this! Thanks!
June 4th, 2009 at 12:29 am
I’m impressed that you were able to give up sweets AT ALL! If you asked me to give up fried food for the rest of my life, I think I could do it, but sweets are necessary. I just shoot for keeping them in moderation (and find that the more I work out, the more infrequently I crave them).
June 4th, 2009 at 9:51 am
[...] I just need to block the time to do it. Which is why I decided to join Nilsa at SoMi Speaks for her June challenge: reading at least one magazine article or one book chapter every day. I’ve changed the rules [...]