Tuesday, January 9, 2007

More on the Challenge

Our start date is February 11. You might wonder why we decided on January 7 to start on February 11 if this is something we really want to do. There are a couple of reasons: all three of us (Donna, Kathy and I) are going to a conference in Portland January 19-21 and I am going to visit family early February. In the past I would have said "Let's do it now anyway" because I've felt for years that one can't go on a diet that is not realistic to last forever. In this case I'm bending that rule. While I don't think that our challenge is anything that is unrealistic, my approach to it is different. In the past I would have allowed myself a day off if I was traveling or had a special occasion. During this challenge there will be none of that. Even though my birthday is during this 90 day challenge, I will still eat 1500 calories that day and I will still exercise 4 hours that week. This challenge is about being able to take it to the "ultimate" for 90 days. After that I can incorporate the "normal" things in life, like vacations. Part of the challenge for me is going to be to not allow exceptions. I don't think that's realistic forever, but I do think that's realistic and do-able for 90 days. There will be some special occasions (like my birthday) during the 90 days, but I didn't want to start off the challenge and have a trip in the first 10 days. (And I admit I want to eat some good seafood when I go see my family!)
As Kathy said in our group meeting Sunday night, this month until 2/11 isn't going to be like a final meal though. We aren't going to feast all we can to prepare for the famine afterwards. In fact, I think I should start tracking my food and exercise some now so that the first week isn't such a shock to me--especially the exercise part!
Countdown--33 days until 2/11

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

What's fun about "living happy, joyous and free" on "the road less traveled with food" is that once we get used to "taking it to the ultimate" and receive incredible results from this--in all areas of our lives--we do things like birthdays and vacations in a completely new way and find out that it's even more rewarding to do so.

I am so grateful that you are willing to go all out for the 90 day challenge and look forward to seeing how this feels to you on all levels.

And I love how you are preparing by tracking your food and exercise even now--rather than doing the whole "last supper" thing that we have all done a gazillion times before. This practice will make transitioning into the 90 Days much easier, I believe.

You are awesome! :)

With Love,
Kathy