Challenge
It’s July 1 (where the heck did June go?!?). And that means it’s time to update you on my challenges as well as add one for the month of July!
Improved Workouts
Started: March 1, 2009.
Goal: Workout three times during the week and once over the weekend.
Progress: Up until I fractured my elbow, I was doing REALLY well. Training for yet another half marathon. Feeling great. And then, I spent a week knocked out from the pain and meds. Another week trying to catch-up. And then the last week walking, but not really working out.
Plan: Focus on walking up to 5x per week. If possible, begin running again. Do not give up on half marathon; there’s still time to train and complete the race!
Grade: STUNTED!
No Diet Coke
Started: March 5, 2009.
Goal: Give up drinking Diet Coke and other sodas.
Progress: ZERO Diet Cokes for almost 4 months. And unlike last month, where I drank Diet Sprite a few times each week, I have virtually stopped that habit, too. Over the course of this past month, I’ve had maybe 5 sodas total.
Plan: Keep at it!
Grade: SUCCESS!
No Sweets
Started: April 1, 2009
Goal: Give up eating all sweets.
Restated Goal: Eat moderate amounts of sweets and no candy at work.
Progress: With the newly designed goal, I’ve done much better. Only slipped up at work a couple times. And when eating sweets not in the Jenny Craig plan, I have definitely used portion control in my favor.
Grade: IMPROVING!
No Delivery
Started: May 1, 2009
Goal: No take-out or delivery food
Progress: Now that we’ve been on the Jenny Craig plan for a while, we have no need to worry about take-out or delivery.
Plan: Stick to it!
Grade: SUCCESS!
Read Daily
Started: June 1, 2009
Goal: Read at least one magazine article or one book chapter every day.
Progress: This challenge was tough. I was really good for the first couple weeks and then got knocked around a bit with my elbow injury (I did a lot of sleeping that following week). I probably averaged reading 4-5 days per week instead of every day.
Plan: Keep at it. It’s a worthy goal and one I’d like to achieve each and every day!
Grade: MODERATE SUCCESS!
I can’t believe I keep adding new challenges while sticking to my old ones. This has been a great way to slowly make changes to my life … changes I’ve been thinking about for some time. In July, I’m going to continue with the non-health related challenges. This month, my goal is to write at least one hand-written note every week. This challenge doesn’t sound difficult. But, if you know me, you know I’m not one at a loss for words. My letters are often long and heart-felt. I put a lot of thought into what I write. In an attempt to unplug a little more, I will return to the hand-written letter. Now, if only I knew where to send that first card!
If you were to add your own challenge for the month of July, knowing that at the end of that month you could give it up or continue with it, what would it be?!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:36 am
Yay you! Not sure if I would be able to stick to mine so well.
I would say my challenge or goal would be to apply for US citizenship once and for all. I hate paperwork and this involves paperwork. But yeah, that would be mine.
Write a letter to me? ;)
July 1st, 2009 at 9:11 am
You are doing great. With reading I go on crazy kicks. I will read like a maniac for a few weeks – going through 6 or 7 books – staying up all hours of the night and skipping all social activities. Then once that is out of my system, I don’t touch a book for a month or more. I’d love to get a little more balance with that.
So as for my challanges – Take on the things I have been avoiding. Paying an over due dentist bill (for $32 that has been sitting on my desk for more than 3 months). Clearing out the old VHS tapes from under the TV since I no longer have a VCR. Sorting through the junk mail (mostly) that has piled up on the end of my dinning room table. If I tackled one mission a day, by the end of the month I would be almost done. I should do it.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:35 am
To give up challenges! ha ha!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:41 am
i gave up soda (and pretty much all carbonated or caffeinated beverages except for certain teas) almost…5 years ago now. i’ve only had sprite a few times when i was sick or not feeling well and root beer for root beer floats. it feels really good knowing i’m not drinking a bunch of chemicals anymore and that i’m not even craving it slightly. it’s funny, but the longer i stay away from stuff like that, the more i realize i don’t like it.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:45 am
I think an elderly family member is a great person to receive the first card. Grandparent? Aging aunt?
July 1st, 2009 at 9:56 am
You’re doing awesome!
If you aren’t up to speed come marathon time you could always walk it, right? I walked a half-marathon once and let me tell you, that’s no easy feat! (But, I hate running.)
The hand written note idea is great. Maybe I should join you on that?
July 1st, 2009 at 10:10 am
Way to go!! I love making goals and acheiving them, it always feels so great!
July 1st, 2009 at 10:35 am
Wow I leave blog world for a few months and your blog has totally changed design! Love it!
I think this is great. I so need to make a list like this. I have things I definitely want to do but listing them like this and holding myself accountable I’m sure would help. Hm…
Keep up the good work!
July 1st, 2009 at 10:50 am
you go girl! you’re doing so well! and i love your july goal!
hmm… if i were to pick a goal for july, it would be to eat more fruits and veggies throughout the day.
July 1st, 2009 at 11:03 am
I am still incredibly impressed! Keep it up!
July 1st, 2009 at 11:41 am
Awe I love that challenge. There aren’t enough handwritten notes in the world these days. I’ve been writing love letters to Mr. W since Memorial Day – just because I feel those will leave a legacy unlike emails.
If I were to add a challenge I think it would be to sit outside quietly somewhere for 5-10 minutes a day. It’s so calming to do that and I don’t do it enough.
July 1st, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Sadly, I totally crapped out on the June reading challenge. The month was crazy and I have been a spaz. I think maybe I’ll revisit the idea post-summer. :)
July 1st, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I actually have added challenges for July.
1) Crunches 5x/wk
2) Go to the next level ballet class
3) Do one cleaning/home-related task a night
4) Drive to work 2x/wk or less
5) Attend at least one Commonwealth Club event every month
July 1st, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I’ve been doing really well for the past week or so… but DAMN! 4 months… I will try… :-0
July 1st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I’ve tried to make challenges for myself but I never last longer than a week. And after seeing your list of challenges, I really need to start working out again…
Your dedication is really impressive!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:27 pm
My challenge is to practice playing my violin every 2 or 3 days. I’m trying to learn Pachelbel’s Canon well enough to play it for my mother’s father at his 90th birthday party on August 8th. It’s his favourite piece of music. At the moment I can play it, but not terribly well. I hope that I can get good enough to perform in front of everyone. If not, he’s getting cookies for his birthday.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
This months challenge is one I’ve been doing for YEARS. More specifically I write to my father every week because he had a stroke and his hand is weak but he always writes back so it’s great for strengthening his hand AND I get mail! On top of that I try to send one of my hand made cards to someone each week. The best way to achieve it is to designate a day that you will write and stick to it!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Hey looks like you’re ahead in just about all of these goals, which is great! Even if the workout part is stunted, you’re still working on it slowly.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:37 pm
you are really rockin’ it girl. I’m so impressed.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:25 pm
You are awesome! This months challenge — Love it! I need to do this more often too.
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:55 am
As long as you call it “stunted” and not “failed,” I’d say you’re doing pretty well. Nice job!
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
ooooh, i LOVE this newest goal! i might adopt it for myself, as well. i love getting “real” mail, and i love sending it… why oh why don’t i do it more?? :-)
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:06 am
I love your no sweets goal. That’s mine too, and I have been pretty successful at it.
My new goal for this month is work out at the gym three times a week.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Sadly, I didn’t start my reading daily challenge until the first of July. But I have been reading daily since and am almost done with the book and will report on it soon over at Banal Leakage.