10-Day Challenge!

I am all about being open with y’all, so here goes…..

I have totally gotten derailed with my diet.  It started with grief and dealing with a really hard situation.  Then, in the midst of that I’ve been working on a book so I have been sitting and feeling snacky, THEN we went to Disney World where and ate a lot of lemon ice and chocolate and when I got home I just didn’t seem to be able to muster the strength to care about eating well.

I have gained 7 pounds over the past 2 months.  But I do think some of it is just quick weight and will fall right off again.  But a few of those are hard knocks pounds that I need to work to get off.  In the meantime, I am spending the next 10 days with my head buried in my computer working on my book as the deadline looms.  So this is my plan…..

I am going to challenge myself to stay tightly on my diet plan for the next TEN DAYS.  No crazy, forever thing.  No telling myself I can’t do it or it doesn’t matter.  It’s just 10 days and then I will evaluate the plan and tweak as necessary.

Thankfully I haven’t fallen completely off the wagon, meaning I didn’t start back with soft drinks or fried foods or breads.  So I know I can, with some prayer and determination, get back on my program and have success.  I need a kick in the booty and I am hoping some of you will join me in this challenge!  Let’s do this together!

Here’s the challenge:

1. Make an eating plan and stick to it.
If you know you’re going to a Christmas party (I have several coming up) and want to indulge in the treats there, make a plan.  Say to yourself, “I can have half of a serving of ONE thing for only that night” instead of “I’ll let myself eat whatever I want that whole day and then start again on Monday”.

2. Stock up:
Buy everything you need to eat healthy for ten days.  I already stocked up on the foods that I need to be eating so I don’t have any excuses.  I can’t claim there was nothing else to eat and grab something unhealthy.  And I made sure the kids knew to NOT eat what I got for myself.  There’s nothing wrong with having “Mom-Only” food around.  I keep all of mine on a separate shelf so they know it’s been designated for my diet plan.

3. Keep the Goal in mind:
Don’t get off track by changing the goal in the middle of the challenge.  I will tend to think, “I don’t really care today and tomorrow I can get back to it,” then blow a day.  For the next ten days, don’t do that!

4. Find what motivates you:
Last week I saw a picture of myself from a year and a half ago….whoa!  I didn’t realize how much I had changed!  I took a screenshot and made it my phone wallpaper so I can see it every day.  I can’t believe how much my face has changed in that time and I never want to look or feel like that again.  Find something that will motivate you to stick with it.

5. Keep your perspective:
This is a short term challenge.  It’s not forever, you’re not going to die.  You can do anything for 10 days.

6. Exercise:
Find a way to move your body even if you have limitations.  While I will admit, I haven’t felt like it much, I have kept up with my morning workout.  I am determined to add some new music and a fun DVD to break up the monotony.  Make yourself a workout plan and do it!!!

So, who’s with me?!  Let’s give ourselves the gift of better health and energy for Christmas!!!

There is nothing like waking up and feeling good about who you are and the direction you are headed.  I started this 2 days ago (although I am still going to keep it up for the next 10 days) and already I am feeling more motivated and more like “myself” again…..the good myself not the overeating, depressed version.

You can comment here and tell me your plan or you can join my Facebook group for women trying to get healthy.  It’s not all about losing weight but taking good care of ourselves and respecting what God gave us.  To join the Facebook group you can send me a friend request….just look for “Lisa Pennington (The Pennington Point)” and let me know you’re sending me the request or I won’t know to accept and add you.  If you’re picky about who you are Facebook friends with you can send me your email address that’s attached to Facebook and I can add you that way.

Let’s Do This!!!!

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