Challenge
For seven months, I have challenged myself to make changes to my life. From quitting the Diet Coke to reading more, I tried to better myself. One month at a time. One challenge at a time. As has been the norm over this time, I take the first of the month to write a summary about my progress that month and to choose a challenge for the upcoming month.
Only, this month, I’m not going to do that.
In protest, I’m writing on the last day of the month instead of the first. And there’s a reason to this. I have decided to bring this challenge to a close, so it’s fitting to write it as the month is coming to a close. Not because it wasn’t successful. But, in large part because it was. What have I achieved over the past seven months?
- I don’t drink nearly as much soda as I once did. Sure, I drink a Diet Coke here and there. But, going from needing 1-2 sodas a day to drinking them for the pleasure of the taste is a great accomplishment.
- My workouts are back on track. Despite a broken elbow, I spent the summer running and biking. I completed a half marathon in early August and have plans to run a 15K in early November. I’ve started taking yoga. And plan to increase my muscle tone in the coming months. I’m feeling good.
- I am eating better. I’ve been following the Jenny Craig diet for quite a few months, which has helped me reel in my portion control. Has limited how many sweets I eat. And has forced me to eat LOTS of vegetables, more than ever before! In the last five months, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve had take-out or delivery, virtually cutting it out of my life!
- I am reading more! Though I may not read fast, I have read two books over the past couple months. I just started a third. And I joined a book club. Plus, I’ve been better about reading interesting articles from our New Yorker and Atlantic subscriptions. Just the other night, Sweets and I turned on some jazz music and sat reading. No TV. No games. Just us and the words in front of us.
- I wish I could say I’m watching less TV, but that’s just not the case. However, I’m trying to be more targeted in what I do choose to watch. And when the show I want to watch isn’t on, instead of flipping through the channels, I’ve been more likely to pick up a book or magazine instead.
Lifestyle changes to better my life. I’m not sticking to them all the time. But, they have become guiding principles to a better me. And while I think it’s good to continue to challenge myself, the real challenge is to continue this finely balanced act of feeling good about myself. I don’t need to quit the red meat. Or take 3 yoga classes a week. To feel good. To feel better than a prior time. To feel I’m back on track.
So, it’s with 100% sweetness that I bring this set of challenges to a close. I’m not wrapping them up and storing them away. Nope. I’m using them every day. And I’m going to continue to be a better me. Because that’s what counts. That was the whole point of taking on these challenges in the first place. Fine tuning and tweaking my life until I’m at that special place. Well, friends, I have arrived. And for once, I’m gonna stick around this party for a while.
September 30th, 2009 at 5:15 am
[...] Challenge | SoMi Speaks [...]
September 30th, 2009 at 8:04 am
You should be proud of yourself, you have enhanced your life by making small manageable changes. It seems that you are on a very positive and rewarding path.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I’m proud of you Nilsa! I really enjoyed reading these challenge posts and they encouraged me to better myself one month at a time. Its easier to break the big challeneges down into days and weeks as opposed to months and years. I’m glad that you are so happy with the results, thats the most important thing.
The thought of listening to jazz and just reading makes me want to be doing that right this very minute.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Could you perchance bottle up that drive of yours and start selling it? Cause I would totally buy some.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:45 am
This whole post made me happy! It’s a great feeling to have “arrived,” at your own party, isn’t it?
One of my favorite things to do is curl up on the couch with some music in the background, preferably records like Benny Goodman (Irish has a ton of jazz records) and just relax.
Also, a huge thanks to you as you’ve inspired myself (and I’m sure others) to work on personal goals/challenges over the last eight (has it really been eight!?) months. I’ve definitely curtailed my soda drinking. Increased my letter writing. Learned to relax more. It’s been great!
September 30th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Yeah for met challenges! And yeah for knowing when you’re done.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Good for you! There is something to be said about knowing when you have arrived. Right now I am so focused on getting from day to day that I haven’t set any personal “me” goals, but I know I should.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am
This is awesome. You did such a fantastic job meeting all your goals. Go you!
September 30th, 2009 at 9:36 am
You did an awesome job and I’m totally proud of you!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:35 am
good for you. how awesome. i think you’ve done really well!
September 30th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Ah, such an inspirational post to read!! Congrats! Your constant efforts to challenge and improve yourself—whether it’s what you’re reading or what you’re eating or how you’re working out—is so inspiring.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:43 am
I can’t believe you started this 7 months ago…every time you post a progress report I am amazed and every time I tell myself that it’s my turn next.
Seven months and I have yet to do a single thing about it. Sigh.
xox
September 30th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
your monthly challenges have been a treat to read about. you’ve done such a fantastic job and im so proud of you!
September 30th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Congratulations! Well done.
I never did play the violin for my grandfather, but I place all the blame on Swine Flu.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
It sounds like they are such a part of your daily activity at this point that it’s not an end at all, but a beginning of ingraining all that you have done and learned into “normality.” You Go, Girl!
September 30th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
You certainly have accomplished a LOT in such a short amount of time, relatively speaking. These are changes that most people make as a New Year’s resolution, once a year, but you have done *five* major changes in less than one year… and stuck to them!
September 30th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Congratulations on achieving so much in such a short amount of time!
September 30th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
man, maybe i need to call out some goals online, because i SURE could stand to eat healthier. and work out more consistently. and read more. EFFF.. :-)
October 1st, 2009 at 1:10 am
Congratulations!
October 1st, 2009 at 11:00 am
I loved your challenges, and even seriously considered/wanted to challenge myself as well…but no Diet Coke? Less TV? Those are my life staples. BUT, weirdly, in retrospect to the last 7 months…I am doing less of both of those as well. Interesting.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Just in time for the end of your challenges, I’ve taken on my own inspired by you (and the immense amount of money I’ve handed over to delivery guys!!)
http://moderndayrickyandlucy.blogspot.com/2009/10/inspired-to-change.html
October 5th, 2009 at 7:23 am
I’m so excited that you have reached this point, Nilsa! This makes me want to set out little challenges for myself every month to get to this point. Where it’s ingrained in you. And you don’t have to think about making the best choice. And you get a little leeway.
Thanks for being such an inspiration, and keep it up!
October 5th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Congrats! Just as you posted this I was working on my own post about how I was going to take up these challenges. So thanks for the inspiration and I only hope I can be as successful as you were! Fabulous!