3 Week Challenge Results

Three weeks ago I set out on a challenge. A 3 week challenge (obviously). All of the details can be found here. I was rather nervous about embarking on the challenge, as I decided to give up iced coffee. See, I am an iced coffee addict. To the point that it wasn't uncommon for me to have a 600ml carton daily, if not every 2 days.

{image source}

So giving it up for 3 weeks was a big deal for me... but I did it! It has officially been 3 weeks since I last had iced coffee! I have had 1 or 2 chocolate milks in that that time, however that does not have the same addicting affect over me as iced coffee, so I was able to stop there and not crave it the next day. So on the whole, I would say that part of the challenge was a success.

The second part of the challenge was only having take away once a week. Unfortunately I did cheat a little on this part. But only a little, I swear! There was one week, where I was running late, and stopped and got an extra take away meal. 

{image source}

You have no idea how much money I have saved over the last 3 weeks!

The 3rd and final part of the challenge was starting to incorporate running into my daily walks. This part was not possible at all. 4 days into the challenge I got sick with a cold, which in turn triggered my asthma. From there my health spiraled for a couple of weeks, and just as I started to feel well enough to even tackle my daily walks again, the weather turned horrible, meaning I couldn't walk outside.

{image source}

I will be starting a new challenge in a few weeks time, and will be adding the daily walks and incorporating the running into the challenge. 

I also lost about 2 and a half kilos in the 3 weeks that I took part in the challenge. Even though I wasn't actually aiming to lose weight, it certainly was nice to get a little further down to my ideal weight. So on the whole, I would say that the challenge was a success, even with my little "failures". I managed to kick a bad and addictive habit (the iced coffee), and I'm on the way to reducing the amount of take out in my life. The walks will come in time. 

Have you successfully given something up in your life?

How do you reward yourself when you achieve something?

Linking up with Twinkle in the Eye for Flash Blog Friday

My Three Weeks of Pain

I keep reading all of these inspiring blog posts about gorgeous women getting out there and running. Exercise is so not my friend in winter, when I find it hard enough just to get out from underneath the 3 blankets on my bed and face the cold morning, let alone get into gym gear and go for a run.

image source unknown

My second issue is the running itself. I can never seem to run beyond 50 meters before I start feeling like my chest is going to explode, and my knees want to give way from underneath me. I'm unsure if it's my life-long asthma that's the problem, or if I am just so unfit that I struggle with it. Perhaps it's just that I don't push myself hard enough, and working with a personal trainer will help.

Whatever the reason, I am usually the girl that everyone sees casually strolling down the bike/walking track along the beach, while they all jog past me.

I am not an overweight woman. When looking up my Body Mass Index (BMI), I am at the weightier end of the average range for my age and height. In roughly 3 months I went from a size 6-8 to a size 10-12, where I have stayed. I actually lost weight after having Master A.

This post is not about a weight loss journey for me (however if I could lose a few kilos here or there I certainly won't complain!) For me this is about being healthy. I want the energy to keep up with my son, to keep up with life in general. I am a single mum, who has just started studying and writing a blog. I love to spend time with friends and then of course there is the housework. I do not have the time to feel fatigued.

And then there is of course the simple fact that child sees, child does. I want to teach my Munchkin healthy habits. Running around, playing, eating healthy and doing the things he loves. He will not learn that from me wrapped up in a blanket in front of the computer, iced coffee in hand, or sitting on the floor playing play dough with him, wearing 3 jackets, track pants and ugg boots.

{image source}

It is time for a change. However I am someone that will get overwhelmed with too much change, and change that feels too permanent. Therefore I have decided to set myself a 3 week challenge, changing just a couple of things at a time, so that I don't feel too burdened by it.

This challenge includes:

• Giving up Iced Coffee. I know, I want to cry and I miss it already (even though I have a glass of it sitting next to me now!) 
• Take away once a week only. Years ago I participated in a bet that I had to go 2 weeks without take away. I managed to do it. I know that I could do it again this time however my parents do buy take away, and I know I couldn't resist for 3 weeks straight, with it being in the house. So I will limit myself to either a Friday night or Saturday night.
• Going for a walk daily. This walk will include periods of running. I will take my asthma inhaler just in case its required and work my way up to a 50/50 ratio of walking to running. 

This is all I am going to change for the moment, as I know that if I go on a full health kick, I will start to regret it, my will power will slide and I won't achieve anything. I am hoping that after 3 weeks, I won't feel like iced coffee anymore, and walking and running daily will be a bit more routine.

Have you ever set yourself a health challenge?

What do you need to give up in order to be healthier?

Complaint-free May Challenge - Final Week

Okay, so we are finally at the wrap up of the May challenge, and what a month it has been. This has been one of the hardest things that I have ever done, and I'm sad to say that I have failed, miserably.

I could use the excuse that May has been a horrible month, because it has. In the entire 8 months since I became a single mum, May has been the hardest time physically, and emotionally. I don't want to create excuses though. I am just going to accept that I have not done the best that I could, and keep trying.

{image source}

I am not going to continue to follow the challenge like I have been, but I will make a conscious decision to try to complain less, and be much happier for what I have in my life. I am already doing this via my gratitude posts on Facebook every night. They really do make you look for something to appreciate, even when you have had the day from hell.

So I invite you to join me, not in a challenge, but a lifestyle change. Because that is what this really is. It has become socially acceptable to whinge. "Oh my hubby never cooks me dinner anymore" or "I hate the wet weather, there is never anything to do with the kids". Believe me, that second one, I have been guilty of that more than ever since the weather turned cold. If that is something that is bothering you lately, there is a list of 25 things to do on a rainy day here.

It's time to stop focusing on the bad and start finding conversation starters that are actually focusing on the good. Find something else to talk about when you are out with your friends other than complaining that your child won't sleep, or that hubby won't clean up after himself.

{image source}

Take the drama out of your life and the victim out of your personality and start living again!

If you want to see my progress throughout the May challenge, here it is:
What is the May Challenge?
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4

Complaint-free May Challenge - Week 4

This week has proven to be a little difficult again. As explained in my post When the Going Gets Tough, emotionally I have gone through a really rough time in the last few weeks. I have been trying not to let it get it the way of my challenge, but haven't always succeeded.

Then there was my girls night out last night. I had an absolute ball, however my poor feet copped a brutal bashing, and I was one of those girls seen walking the streets of the city at 1am carrying my heels in my hand. I was exhausted and so ready for bed. Yes I know, 1am is not that late. But seriously I am so not used to dancing in high heels for that amount of time. I let out more than a few complaints of sore feet that night.

But I learned from it: next time pick different shoes.

I am about to head in to my last week of the challenge. And although I have curbed my complaining, I have not successfully eliminated it, and will be trying extra hard for these last few days.

Complaint-free May Challenge - Week 3

This week has been full of ups and downs. I have taken a few emotional blows and am trying to keep standing with a smile on my face. This has made it hard not to sit down and have a good old whinge. I have allowed myself a small amount of time to get all of my feelings out on a couple of particular issues to my close friends and family, and follow the challenge at all other times.

I would have to say that considering the circumstances, I have done rather well this week, and am looking forward to trying even harder this coming week.

Complaint-free May Challenge - Week 2

Well, I am proud to say that I have done so much better during week 2 than I did with week 1! I am not entirely complaint-free, however I am getting much better at recognising when I am about to complain and stop it in it's tracks.

Today was a little bit hard as although it was Mothers Day (and what a lovely day it was), I was feeling really unwell, and I struggled not to have a little whinge about my sore throat, or achy back and neck.

On the whole though I am very pleased with my progress this week, and would give myself a B-!

Complaint-free May Challenge - Week 1

{image source}

I am going to be completely honest with you all. At the end of week 1, I failed miserably. I have tried for most of the week to put of lid on any whinging or complaining that I can feel boiling up in my stomach, but there were times where I just thought "to hell with the challenge! I need to complain!"

I can only hope that this week I am a little more vigilant with it, and that I don't have to deal with as many exes, annoying family members and friends (I love you all!) and that I can get a hold on my child's sleep habits.

Does anyone have any ideas for dealing with this challenge and help me get through it a little more successfully?

{image source}

The Complaint-free May Challenge

Image Source

I have been inspired by the April issue of Cleo in more ways than 1. To start with, this particular month featured the Cleo Bachelor of the Year special. Countless pages of 50 eligible bachelors, most of which are shirtless to get lost in. And I particularly love the mini interviews they do, as it makes the guys sound so down to earth and like they would be likely to choose an ordinary (though sometimes strange) girl like me.

But to get back to the point of this challenge, there was also an article in which one of their young journalists embarked on a 21-day complaint free challenge. She had to make it through the full 21 days without so much as a complaint that her coffee was too hot or her friend cancelled on her again.

I began to think about what a great idea this challenge would be. I like to think that I am a pretty level headed person, and try not to be too whiny. But, unfortunately I am human. So along with never being able to grow wings and fly, I do have my periods of feeling sorry for myself, where I will whinge to my little hearts content. I have gone through one of these periods this week. So I thought that the beginning of the month would be the perfect time to start my challenge. I am doing it for a bit longer than the girl in the article, but I'm hoping that it will be easier the longer that I'm doing it, and I won't notice.

To start the challenge, here is 2 definitions of the term complaint:

1. A statement that a situation is unsatisfactory or unacceptable.

2. An expression of pain, dissatisfaction or resentment.

The article states that when embarking on this challenge, you need to recognise the feeling of when you're about to complain, and stop it in it's tracks, ignoring it (or shrugging off whatever is causing the complaint) or turning it into a positive. Upon doing some research, I have found that when doing this challenge, some people like to wear a rubber bracelet, and switch it from wrist to wrist, every time they find themselves complaining. The idea being, that you physically catch yourself in the act. You could even try flicking a rubber band on your wrist if you think that the pain association would work.

I will keep you updated on my progress with the challenge, with a post every Sunday to let you know how I coped with the week, and any failures! Is there anyone that would like to join in this challenge? If so, comment below and I can try to work out a system that is easy for everyone to join in and share their challenge success!

Image Source