February 24, 2008

Anyone up for a challenge?

Moxie has something going on that I have been referring to as Moxie's 2008 Super-Duper Awesome Health Challenge Dealio Thingie. Or something like that. Anyway, it goes like this - she is challenging her readers to pick 3 items from a list of "healthy habits" and commit to doing them for 60 days - Feb 27th to April 27th. Thus far, the list she has compiled is the following:
  1. Switch out your coffee for green tea.
  2. Stop drinking diet soda (or Crystal Light) and drink water instead.
  3. Actually start drinking 64+ ounces of water a day.
  4. Take Omega 3s every day.
  5. Cut out refined sugar.
  6. Switch from refined carbs to whole grains.
  7. Start reading all labels and not using anything with high-fructose corn syrup.
  8. Exercise for 15-25 minutes a day.
  9. Start running (the 60-day Challenge will end just about the time all the summer 5Ks start). (Read's DoctorMama's post on how to start here.)
  10. Take up T-Tapp (read Summer's post on how to start here.)
  11. Eat 5+ servings of vegetables every day.
  12. Take the stairs every time.
  13. Walk/bike to work.
  14. Go to bed at a decent time.

I felt pretty good that I am doing several of these already -- Omega 3s, tons o' water, decent bed time, reading labels, whole grains when possible, avoiding HFCS when possible. However, I am excited to pick up some more Healthy Habits. At this point, my 3 New Healthy Habits for the 60 day challenge are going to be the following:

  1. Cut out all soda (I have done this for Lent already, but am going to cruise on through April with it)
  2. No beef (I do not eat/cook beef at home, but have been splurging way too much while eating out. The exceptions to this rule will be the occasional haleem, nihari or steak/goat cheese fajita. Which I rarely eat anyway.)
  3. This one I am still working on the details, but at this point, I think it will be "exercising for 30 minutes, 4 times a week". If the weather was warm, I would commit to every day because it is a No Brainer to cruise around the neighborhood with the jogger stroller. However, right now it will require careful scheduling for me to get out to a mall or the gym for exercise. For example, to take Anjali to the gym with me requires scheduling with the gym nursery because she is a non-walker and they can only take on so many babies at once.

So, whaddya think? Up for the challenge? What will be your 3 Healthy Habits? Report back by Wednesday.

7 comments:

Moderndayhermit said...

Hmm, I do most of these already except taking Omega 3s, T-Tap and walking/biking to work which is out of the question (25 miles).

One thing I did want to mention if someone was interested in starting to run (I recently started again)...the Couch to 5k program. It is excellent. I've been doing it three times a week and I'm loving it.

http://www.c25k.com/

meno said...

Also, when you take the stairs, go slowly and FEEL each step. Go for the glutes.

Monkey McWearingChaps said...

I already do almost all the things on her list. Some stuff is just impossible (like walk/ride to work...this is freaking socal!) but yeah, I'm pretty much doing all of it.

Omega 3s...is that fish oil? I'm required to be on high does Vitamin E everyday and I'm not supposed to take fish oils, to the best of my knowledge. I already eat enough fish anyway!

I will credit 1 (I don't drink coffee at all), 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14 (in some variation thereof) for getting me down to my current pant size.

Pretty much the only one I can do is swapping out my black tea for decaf. I want to continue (and get more hardcore) about cooking all my own meals and saving money.

Anonymous said...

This list could not have come at a more opportune time. Hubby and I have committed to him losing 30lbs and me losing 25lbs by the end of school - I know it is a long time away but it gives us time to implement healthier habits.

Right now I will commit to actually drinking 64+ozs of water and exercising every day and eliminating the HFCS.

Thanks for the ideas...

Diana said...

Good for you! Go for it! (clap, clap, clap)

Oh, me?

I'll get back to you, shall I?

Anonymous said...

I have tried to do the 64 oz. of water so many times, but I usually only last a couple of days because I spend half my time in the bathroom and the other half with a mouth full of water. It certainly does make you feel better though and the skin, it glows!

I think exercising for 30 minutes 4 times a week is an excellent goal-trying to do it every day can seem really overwhelming and your body really does need a day off here and there.

CPA Mom said...

I changed everything on Jan 1. Weight Watchers, 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week, water, water all the time, hot tea instead of coffee, exercise instead of sleep....