30 Day Holiday Health Challenge: Week 1

Last week I put a challenge to myself. I decided to take on my health during the month of December. Some may say it’s crazy to do this before Christmas. Some may say it’s impossible. I say it’s neither.

The challenge includes:

1.       I cannot eat out during the work week.

2.       I must work out at least once a week.

3.       I cannot indulge in any candies, cookies, etc. during the work days.

4.       I must drink one Herbalife shake daily during the week.

To read the rationale behind these, see my blog “30 Holiday Health Challenge.” These rules apply specifically to me and aren’t guaranteed to provide weight loss. They were created to attack the weaknesses I have.

So after one week down, how did I do? Im happy to report that all challenge qualifications were met in the first week! 

The Third Day

In my opinion, the third day of any change is the worst! Days 1 and 2 are kinda new and fun. On day three, I woke up wanting a Chik-fil-A spicy chicken biscuit with no butter and a fruit cup for breakfast, a clear violation of rule number 1. But I resisted! I had a tasty Herbalife shake instead and met rule #4. If you can make it passed days 3 and 4, you can finish what you have started.

The Good Stuff

There are several things to be proud of in just the first week. I lost one pound! Very exciting considering it wasn’t my goal to lose weight. I made it to body pump and was sore for the next 3 days. I set out to accomplish something and for 7 days, I did it.

What’s the bigger picture?

But seriously, why do this? For me, it goes beyond my health during the month of December. I greatly desire to be more disciplined. I wouldn’t say I am a flake; I commit to others and perform what I say I will do for them. But more often than I would like, I am undisciplined in my own initiatives. I easily let myself down.

Someone who is disciplined will follow the path regardless of distraction or deterrence. Someone who is disciplined will complete the task despite others who may say it’s crazy or not possible to complete. Paul encourages self-discipline by comparing it to running a race.  

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27.

So you see the greater objective is to become a better runner, one that finishes races to gain the ultimate prize. If I am able to complete this self-induced, discipline forming challenge, I will be better for it. I will be more equipped to deal with situations that attempt to grab my attention away from God. And of course, there is the increased ability to say no in the presence of queso.

Today’s verse: “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize,” 1 Corinthians 9:27.

I Know it’s Your Mom’s Easter Pie, but Throw it Out!

This morning I heard on the news that Easter dinner produces the most leftovers of any holiday. I was shocked by this. Surely, Thanksgiving whose sole activity is eating would produce more leftovers. Like many holidays we have our favorite foods, the things that are made every year that you only eat on that occasion. For me at Easter, dad gives us a bag of Starbust jelly beans. In my humble opinion, they are the best brand of jelly beans, ever! Right now as I write, the jelly beans are talking to me, begging me to come over and eat them.

This is the problem with jelly beans and other such unhealthy leftovers. What was once meant for just one meal is now turning into several days of justifying why I can have the jelly beans. “Well I only had a small lunch and I think my dinner is only going to equal 250 calories so I think I will be okay to have some jelly beans,” I tell myself in a sad attempt to justify my continued indulgence. A good holiday will ruin anyone’s nutrition goals. It sets in motion activities that are beyond our norm. These abnormal activities interfere with our regularly scheduled plans and when you are working on nutrition goals, planning is key.

The bag never stays this full in my house.

There are a couple of reasons I believe we enter into this year-round situation. First, we love with food. Think of all the occasions where food is present including deaths, births, weddings, holidays, and celebrations of any kind. Bringing and giving food to others is a form of love. Second, we feel guilty for throwing it out or refusing. Regardless if it was made or bought, this gift of love occurred because someone thought enough of us to give it and we feel guilty if we don’t eat it or throw it out. So after several days of sugar rushes from jelly beans, I will be craving sugar for long after they are gone.  Sugar detox will ensue.

Tips for dealing with gifts of love called Food.

• Instead of the proverbial family meal, how about planning an activity instead. Go bowling, swimming, hiking, or to the park together.

• Freeze it for a future date (Personally I can’t do this because the food talks to me from the freezer.)
• Give it friends and coworkers. Share the love.
• Ask to be given other things besides food. We don’t verbalize our goals or aspirations enough to the people around us. They can’t be supportive of your healthy lifestyle if they don’t know about it.
• Very sad, but true fact: There are lots of starving people throughout the world. But they will never receive your half eaten snickers bar. Throw it out!

For more tips, see “How to Deal with Unhealthy Leftovers”

Now, what to do about my Starbust jelly beans? Hmm…

Today’s Verse: “ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” 1 Pe 1:3-4.

Next blog: How to Remain Steadfast in an Ever-Changing World