April Challenge Week 1: How’s it going?
Apr
2012
2012
06
It’s time to “check in” and tell us how you are doing with the April challenge. Leave a comment and let us know your progress so far. (If you are new, it’s not too late to join in the fun! Check out the challenge here.) Remember:
- You don’t have to be perfect. If you’ve slipped a bit (or haven’t felt “in your groove” yet) still let us know so we can support you.
- Progress not perfection. Progress NOT perfection. (Just making sure this idea sticks.)
- Let us know what has helped or worked for you?
- Need support? An idea? Have a question? Ask!
- Make sure to read the other participant’s comments and leave any words of support or encouragement. (Or any great advice that you might have!)
Leave your comment!
My comment will be in there, too. (After all, this is about accountability, right?) :)
Related posts:
23 comments
Trackback e pingback
No trackback or pingback available for this article
So far so good! I’ve avoided sugar and haven’t had as bad as cravings for it as I thought I would. I think the secret is to eat some good real fat when the craving hits.
What are you tips to avoiding sugar? Anyone?
So far things are going well. I’ve only had water and tea all week. Have gotten up while working to walk around so I’m not sitting all day. I’ve made sure to focus on not sitting for over an hour. Also, so far I’ve exercised 3 days this week (this afternoon will make 4) so I should reach the 5 days if I get up and exercise tomorrow morning.
Awesome job, Jen! I’m always amazed how easy it is to be sitting for a long time without realizing it. But the small changes can be so rewarding.
I know! It is so easy to get busy and not realize you’ve been sitting for so long. I’ve had many a days where I sit down to start working and next thing I know it is lunch time and sadly I’ve been sitting the entire time!
I’ve realized the more mindful I am of moving my body during the work day the better I feel!
I have done pretty well at not sitting at my computer for more than an hour. That part was hard, as I have a mostly-desk job. But I did get a plio-ball to swap out with my “regular” aka back-eater chair, I plan to sit on the ball more and more until my core is strong enough to use it all day and give the other one away.
I walked my dogs 3 days this week so far, and I did dance a little. It didn’t add up to 30 minutes 4 days, but it was more than I’ve done in a while.
My plan for next week – add yoga sun salutations and moon salutations to my morning and bedtime routine. I’ve done that before and loved it, but got DISTRACTED and didn’t keep it up.
Great job! I totally understand the whole “distracted” thing. I used to be so diligent about doing daily yoga… and then I had a baby. Wow, talk about distractions.
Well I got thrown for a loop last week after losing a pregnancy. BUT, besides not yet being able to exercise as intensely as I’d like to (due to surgery) I’ve still made it a priority to take a daily walk. I’ve also been consistent with my daily green smoothie. I already feel better about life. Yay for progress!
You are a strong woman. I hope it all works out and you can heal completely (physically and emotionally). You seem to have a great attitude and lots of support. Great work with your daily walk and green smoothie.
Wow, Rach! You are an inspiration. Thank you! (And great job… and still sending lots of hugs your way.)
My challenge was to get rid of processed foods.
My husband was so supportive. We got rid of everything with over 5 ingredients or not natural and I have spent more time in the kitchen.
It takes more work and has been a little stressful trying to get used to cooking so much. I need more meal ideas! I made a whole chicken and broth and used the meat for two more meals, we soaked our whole oatmeal, used white beans and plain yogurt for white enchiladas instead of cream of chicken (tasted better!), added healthy fats to our diet like butter and coconut oil (decreased sugar cravings!).
THE BEST PART: I have had migraine headaches for over 1.5 months every night and just though it was part of my pregnancy. Get this, the DAY we ate whole foods only (no MSG or HF corn syrup etc), I haven’t had a headache at all! So that’s a whole week and I feel AMAZING.
I’m a believer now. Wow, what a difference. It is still a big lifestyle change and we’re working on it still but….WOW.
AWESOME! I love hearing things like this! Way to go. It’s so great that your husband it so supportive. I was just talking to my husband today about how grateful I am that he is “on board” with all this stuff. It makes a huge difference.
Can’t wait to hear how the rest of your month goes. Keep it up!
ok so i am still craving sweets, but not as much as i thought i would. weird thing though – day 2 i wanted to eat bread and butter like crazy! possible my body wanted those fats, but the good kind?? maybe i’m just making things up? what do you think?
i didn’t eat an insane amount of bread and butter. i only made myself 2 pieces of toast, and then, yes, i spread that butter on there.
I say, eat the butter! I often find that when we think we are craving sweets what we really need is fat. Your body is obviously just knew that you were off sugar this month.
Wow! I’m so inspired by everyone! Great job to all! Today will be my 5th day of exercise 45 mins+. I’ve been back on the bike which has felt great, and right away have been doing 10-15 miles. I feel so much better already! I think the hardest part was getting on the bike. Thanks for this chance to reconnect with movement!!
Crystal, you make me want to be a biker. (For reals). Maybe some day we can actually meet up and move together again. What do you say?
Yes PLEASE! I am sending this very thought into the universe in hopes to make it happen! Hugs!!xoxo
I have to say that with the Easter celebration my sugar intake has been higher than I would have wanted, but, not as high as it has been in the past. I have done very well with my exercising. We just moved into a neighborhood with lots of hills. What a way to work the gluts and the hamstrings. Not giving up on cutting out sugar and refined foods. I know I feel better when I eat more whole foods.
Sounds like you’re doing great, Tamara! I know Easter through me back a bit, too. I did allow myself to indulge in some dessert. I don’t think we should feel guilty about enjoying holidays and special occasions. The trick is to keep it to the special occasions.
I think in order to be successful with this I need to set up a better routine. some times the day slips away doing housework,baby,young womens,teaching and its bed time and I didnt get my time in to really move. Im going to try and do better this week.
I totally understand! I’m constantly amazed at how hard it is to get into a consistent routine with a little one. Good luck! You can do it!
So…I totally bombed
. I told my hubby about starting the challenge and asked if he would like to join me and he kind of made fun of me. He was not intending to be mean or anything, but it quickly discouraged me. Then Easter came around and I ate quite a bit of candy over the weekend. But reading through these, and one girl said her headaches went away from eating less processed foods, dvd well, I have a head ache right now and it’s only 9:30. Okay, back on the bandwagon. I’m going to track my sugar intake and just see if my headaches improve this week.
I know it’s totally ridiculous, and my hubby would never intentionally say something to hurt me or my feelings, but I’m having a hard time wanting to cut out sugar knowing he thinks it’s a silly idea. So…there ya go, didn’t do well at all this week. Moving on, what has happened has happened and I can’t change the past, but I can work in it again now.
It’s okay, Camille! Sorry it didn’t go as planned. I know how crucial support is within the house (even if he wasn’t “against” but just didn’t see your vision of change.) You can do this! Maybe you can show him some studies as what sugar has been linked to (look up the book “sugar shock”) that might help him realize that this isn’t silly, but a good goal.
Go, fight, win! (Although, you don’t need to fight. Just go and win!)