The 3 mini-goals LENT challenge: starting Wednesday 9th Marc

CarthagoDelendaEst

Hey everyone,

So as most of you know, Lent starts this Wednesday (9th March) Even if you are not religious, I feel this is a great time to set some goals to achieve. If you are like me and not cut out for fasting, then join this challenge!!

So it's pretty simple: Pick three mini-goals that you would like to achieve over the 40 day period.

Examples include a set amount of calories to be burned over the 40 day period, hours spent exercising, cutting out a certain type of food or eating below a certain numbers of carbs/sodium/whatever, to lose a certain amount of weight...the list goes on!

Sundays aren't traditionally held as part of the 40 day period, so if you like, you can have Sunday off, but I personally am going to try and stand firm for every day until Saturday 24th April 2011.

My three goals are:

1) Cut out red meat, wheat and most dairy (especially cow's milk)

Now, I don't eat red meat all that much, so I'm kinda cheating on this on, but my mother pointed out that it is the done thing during Lent, so what the hey? And I like vegetarian sausages so I'm sorted there. As far as wheat and dairy are concerned, I feel this is much more interesting and to a certain extent, more challenging than say, chocolate. I rely on wheat and dairy quite a lot; cereal and milk for most breakfasts and milk for protein shakes, I consume quite a lot of milk. I also love bread and pittas, but I do think that I may have a slight intolerance to wheat and dairy products, so this will not only test my willpower and perhaps simultaneously aid my weight loss, but also allow me to see whether I have an intolerance or not, whilst finding and trying new alternatives. So no pasta, wheat based cereals or breads, yoghurt, cow's milk etc. I'm not counting eggs as dairy though.

2) Lose at least 7lbs

Quite simple, I have 40 days in which I would like to lose half a stone. I'm kinda hoping cutting out wheat and dairy will aid this.

3) Drink only water and herbal tea

So far on my MFP journey, I've cut out most fizzy drinks, bar Coke Zero which I have every once in a while, only diluted with water mind. But, I haven't been drinking plain water...I've been a bit naughty and cheated a little by drinking heavily diluted low cal squash. Now this stuff isn't great for me as it has all sorts of additives, colourings and the dreaded aspartame...but I HATE plain water. 40 days of the stuff just might be enough time for me to get used to it. This one is going to be a toughie. And so, no more Coke Zero and low cal squash, just herbal teas (I LOVE peppermint tea!) and good ol' fashioned plain water.

So, please join me on my challenge. It is the first challenge I've ever created! It will start on Wednesday 9th March 2011 and go on for 40 days. We will check in here for motivation and support.

P.S. If you are unlike me and would like to fast, by all means, join this challenge! You will be inspirational to us!

realrayne10

Heh, I just posted a list to my blog a few minutes ago. Great minds think alike I guess.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/realrayne10

Basically, I would like to eliminate fast food, cupcakes, and drinking calories. I also set a goal to lose 10lbs during Lent.

kkremegirl

I'm giving up wheat! Decided that about 2 weeks ago..I agree..it will be much harder for me to do this than it would be chocolate. Takes much more meal planning but I'm sure I can do it. Ummmm....Sunday will be my day to have it tho...LOL...Sunday is my cheat day anyway so I mite as well go all out
FYI for you giving up milk...have you ever had Almond Milk....i get it Unsweetened plain and it's pretty good. only 40 calories and no dairy! I luv it!
Good luck on your Lent challenge...WE CAN DO THIS!!

CarthagoDelendaEst

Thank you for joining my challenge. I've had a look at the blog, awesome goals!

FYI for you giving up milk...have you ever had Almond Milk....i get it Unsweetened plain and it's pretty good. only 40 calories and no dairy! I luv it!

I've never had it, but I started eating almonds about 5 days ago and they are my new best friend! Someone else told me about almond milk not too long ago, I've found it in one health food shop but it's SO expensive. I may have to give in and buy it to try it. I have a litre of soya milk ready for Wednesday; the last time I tried soya milk I HATED it but that was a few years ago now, so I will try it again. I need to use up the cow's milk I have left in the fridge before then :-)

Thank you for the tip! I had no idea it was that low in calories!

humpalc

I'm in! Will post goals later...still deciding...

LurayneMarie

Hi! I'd like to join this challenge, I never succeeded in surviving the full 40days of lent before so Im determined to give this one my best shot!!

My 3 goals for 40 days:

1.To drink 100oz of water daily (12 glasses) to help kick this water retention business in the butt!
2.Keep my sodium intake under 2300mg daily (again to get rid of water retention)
3.Exercise at least 4 times a week for 1 hour

I dont know how much I hope to lose in these 40days but I do have a family wedding on April 29th so I want to be a slim as I can for that!!!

Thanks for starting this challenge!! Best of luck everyone! :happy:

CarthagoDelendaEst

Yay! This is brilliant, thank YOU for joining the challenge!

humpalc, I look forward to seeing what you decide!

LurayneM, lovely to see you here!

humpalc

OK, here goes....

1) By the end of lent I will be able to do my 5K in under 40 minutes
2) To do 10 REAL push-ups
3) To fast once a week - from after supper Thurs PM to supper time Friday PM - not as a weight loss gimmick, but as a tool to figure this body of mine out - when I want to eat and why - what hungry REALLY feels like -

oh, and to actually remember it's lent and not eat meat on a day I shouldn't - LOL (that was so much easier back when I lived with Mom all those years ago....)

kent4j

I really started this journey three weeks ago even though my profile says I joined last year. I've been looking for something to join but everytime something I see looks good they've actually started the challenge a while ago. So this will be perfect. My goals
1) Exercise 5 times a week for 45 minutes
2) Drink 64 oz. of water a day
3) Keep sodium under 2300 mg daily

busygirl1

OK I'm in:

1) exercise every day for at least 20 mins
2) lose 5lbs
3) no chocolate

busygirl1

actually I should do a hard one really so:
1) exercise ever day for at least 20 minutes
2) no chocolate
3) NO COFFEE<<<the killer!!!!!!!!!! I am an addict!!!!

CarthagoDelendaEst

Welcome kent4j and busygirl1 (hey there!)

Good luck with your goals!

humpalc - your goals seem great! Good luck with it!

hooah_mj

I've really been struggling with what to give up or what to do for Lent, so this is a great challenge for me...thx.

I'll get 3 mini-goals and post them soon...:bigsmile:

I really like humpalc's comments!

OK, here goes....

1) By the end of lent I will be able to do my 5K in under 40 minutes
2) To do 10 REAL push-ups
3) To fast once a week - from after supper Thurs PM to supper time Friday PM - not as a weight loss gimmick, but as a tool to figure this body of mine out - when I want to eat and why - what hungry REALLY feels like -

oh, and to actually remember it's lent and not eat meat on a day I shouldn't - LOL (that was so much easier back when I lived with Mom all those years ago....)

Mom had it right :flowerforyou:
mj

Fancy_Nancy2

I really like this will need to figure mine out. Will post them by tomorrow.

kris1085

My name is kristen user name kris1085
my 3 mini goals are
1. To exercise every day for at least 45 minutes
2. Had set a goal for myself to be under 200 by april 1st was at 213.5 friday and i will deffently be under 200 by easter !
3. to be under my calories every day !

melodyg

Great! I really love the idea of adding something in at Lent as well. I'm already doing the no-scale challenge for Lent so I need to stay focused on NSVs! I set some goals at the beginning of the year and 2 of my mini goals are focused on 2 of those that I need to get in gear on.

My mini goals are:
1) Exercise at leat 3x a week (doing Conservative Couch to 5K, which is 3 workouts a week so this should help me stay on track there!)
2) Get in 8 glasses of water/day at least 5 days a week.
3) Take an hour just for me once a week, whether that is to take a leisurely walk around the block, do some journaling to try to figure out some of the more emotional parts of weight issues, or do some bookstore browsing (a sure way for me to relax).

godblessourhome

my three health-related mini-goals are:
1) to liquid fast each wednesday (allow 600 calories)
2) to do the 30 day shred and at least three miles with leslie/outside daily
3) to see some definition in my upper arms (add more resistance training)

my main goals are to give up my facebook time and go back to knitting once a week. i have a sweater i want to finally finish. lol.

sleight119

To walk 3 miles 6 days aweek
to do the shred it with waights 3 times a week
and drop 10 lbs

CarthagoDelendaEst

Welcome everyone and good luck on your goals, they all sound fantastic!! Here it is 11:27pm and Lent is just around the corner. Hope you are ready!

If anyone else would like to join, now is your chance!

I've eaten so badly the past week and a half, I think this is the time to go back to basics. Good luck and please remember to check in guys!

kent4j

Good luck everyone!

CarthagoDelendaEst

OK everyone! Tis the first day of Lent and our challenge participants are as followed:

CarthagoDelendaEst
realrayne10
kkremegirl
humpalc
LuranyeM
kent4j
busygirl1
hooah_mj
fancy_nancy2
kris1085
melodyg
godblessourhome
sleight119
Dbow0207
ayj73

Here is to success over the next 40 days! Good luck to all and remember to check in!

Dbow0207

WOW this sounds great. This is easy any way, every since I started my lifestyle change I have already been cutting back on those things already. So I will do my best to stick with your challange! I am also giving up Alcohol, Sex, Facebook, and excessive spending!!!! Let's get it! :glasses:

ayj73

OK, I am taking the Lent Challenge!
These are my mini goals...
1. Burn at least 5,000 calories a week.
2. Drink 96oz of water a day.
3. Consume no more than 8400 calories a week.

CarthagoDelendaEst

Welcome Dbow0207 and ayj73!

humpalc

Here we go Good start to lent - hit the treadmill this AM - spicy black bean burger (morningstar farms) for lunch, and fish (that my hubby caught) thawed out for supper - Hope you are all having a great Wednesday!

busygirl1

oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!! I remembered to skip my lovely much needed morning coffee but when someone at work handed me a chocolate I totally forgot and just ate it :mad: I am was so annoyed at myself when I realised that I just thought 'sod it' and ate a load more :noway: However, the coffee is a real accomplishment for me so will focus on that as it is 1854hrs here and I am craving it real bad but haven't given in. Exercise on its way so will ditch the choc tomorrow and not stress about it x x

hooah_mj

I'm off to a great start, so that decides it for me....I'm in for 40 days of awesomeness!
I'm certain I'll twek this list before the day is out...and as soon as I read everyone else's :laugh: I already copied the 10 real push-ups from someone who posted earlier :flowerforyou:

My 40-day 3 mini-goals:
1. Cut sodium to 2400 mg daily…salt is my Achilles heal
2. Healthy snacks…carrots, almonds, air popped popcorn.
3. Burn minimum 3500 calories a week w/70 ounces water daily
The results I would like to see include a drop in blood pressure and 10lb drop in weight.
I would also like to be able to drop and do 10 real push-ups!

mj

CarthagoDelendaEst

Busygirl1, I would have done the same thing with the chocolate! Don't worry, that is what this thread it all about, support and motivation. You have another 39 days! So don't worry and amazing job on the coffee!

Glad to hear your goals hooah_mj and glad you had a great start to Lent humpalc.

I have done well, found lots of great alternatives to wheat - had oatmeal made with water instead of my usual wheat based cereal and milk :-) Also found these amazing Nakd bars which are wheat and dairy free. a 30g bar is only about 98calories and they are packed with fruit and nuts and goodness. One of the flavours, apple pie tastes like apple pie, yummy!

I also went to Zumba today for the first time, it was amazing! Hoping to go at least twice a week! And I also completed the 30day shred today! Yay!

So a brilliant day for me :-)

kent4j

Ok got my water in (and lots of bathroom breaks), exercised for 1 hour and kept my sodium under 2300 mg. Yeah to day one.

ayj73

1st day of LENT challenge! I met 2 out of 3 of my goals for today. I burned over 1,000 calories, drank plenty of water and just barely went over my daily caloric intake of 1,200. I am off to a good start.

hooah_mj

CarthagoDelendaEst, thx for the kudos and I want you to know that you inspired me to forego regular milk, so I’m dedicated to stick to Organic Vanilla Soy. It’s so delicious, so kudos back to you for the inspiration! p.s. I love me some almonds

So thrilled to see so many with aiming to cut that sodium! I’m not alone with this monster, thx all :happy:

mj