21 Day Challenge ~January 17th-February 6th

DMRN0125
DMRN0125 Posts: 87
edited October 30 in Motivation and Support
Experts agree that it takes 21 days for our minds to retrain ourselves and break old habits and when you think about it, 21 days is such a short period of time. I am starting this challenge for myself because I have been on MFP for a few months now and am starting to get lax with some of the things that we all know need to be done in order to be successful.

Anyone can join this challenge, but really its just a place for me to hold myself accountable daily. If anyone decides to join, let me know what habit or behavior you would like to change or add to your life? It can be something simple like replacing diet soda with water or something more complex.

For the next 21 days I will:

1) track everything that goes in my mouth and be precise with portion sizes (because little bites and tastes show up on the waist)

2) do something active everyday. I know my body needs rest days, but for this challenge I want to do something active daily to get in the habit. Some days will be hard workouts while others will be just a stretch session or a walk. (its good for my body and mind to get out there and exercise)

3) eat out no more than three times for the duration of this challenge (once per week) [good for my wallet and keeps me honest about what and how much I am eating]

4) only weigh myself on my weigh in day (Monday) [focusing on the scale detracts from recognizing how hard I am working. Losing weight needs to be a healthy process in terms of how I approach it and obsessing over the scale will carry over once I'm at goal]

Its important to not only have goals but to remember why you want to accomplish them and how changing each habit will have a more positive impact on your life. I listed my reasons why in parenthesis so I can look back on them.
«1

Replies

  • Fit_2013
    Fit_2013 Posts: 326 Member
    Thanks for starting this wonderful challenge.For the next 21 days I will walk for 1 hour daily.
  • SuzieA1991
    SuzieA1991 Posts: 45 Member
    Great Idea! Mine will be to lay off the sweets! although I may treat myself to one small treat at the end of the day (If I have enough calories for it) They say if you deprive yourself entirely of sweets, and you love sweets, then when you 'mess up' you feel bad and just binge. But if you have one small portion once a day then you wont over indulge.
    Another one will be to exercise everyday (even though I have sprained my ankle I can still walk very slowly Lol)
    A second is to get my 8+ cups of recommended water a day. Although water is all I drink and occasionally Orange Juice or Green tea, I still sometime don't get the recommended 8 cups of it which is essential for weight loss.
    Also I will be tracking what I eat and when I exercise. And I will also watch my portions and make it a habit to portion out everything I eat.

    Good luck everyone! This is a great Idea. I will be blogging throughout the 21 days and try to blog everyday thereafter about my progress.
  • harleenarang
    harleenarang Posts: 174 Member
    1) 8+ cups of water :drinker:
    2) Workout on atleast 5 days a week. :glasses:
    3) Eating 1 apple/day (5 days a week) :heart:

    And I am not gonna weigh in myself till Feb 6th. :smile:
  • Fit_2013
    Fit_2013 Posts: 326 Member
    21 Day habit
    DAY 1- 1 hour walking done.
  • Tiffany789
    Tiffany789 Posts: 42 Member
    This sounds doable...I'm in.

    For the next 21 days I will:
    *write down everything I eat, even if I go over on my calories.
  • away3000
    away3000 Posts: 20
    Ok I am in.
    1. I will exercise everyday
    2. I really like the whole not weighing one's self until February 6th as mentioned above. I think it will get me to focus on the changes in my body through clothes and other measures and will allow me not to fixate on the numbers.
    3. Only allowed to eat out twice. (1/21 is one of those days and I am already preparing)
    I think these are all doable goals and will allow me to maintian focus.
  • m2agm
    m2agm Posts: 35 Member
    I really like this idea.

    The one thing I need to seriously work on is only weighing myself once a week.. on Monday am ..I jump on the scale every morning and I know this isn't a good habit.

    Additionally I will work out everyday. I started the 30 day shred yesterday so I know I will at least do that. I will walk on the treadmill for 30 mins at least 3 days a week.

    are you starting a group ? Let's add each other as friends, we can keep each other accountable

    Emily
  • DMRN0125
    DMRN0125 Posts: 87
    I'm so excited that I have buddies to do this with! Everyone's goals are such great ideas.

    Today I met all four goals and am looking forward to the next 21 days with you all!

    Have a good evening. =)
  • Beenna
    Beenna Posts: 1
    I'm in too!
  • kholl25
    kholl25 Posts: 12 Member
    I'll be in...my husband and I joined a "Biggest Winner" club at the gym...so that's some motivation for us - the money isn't it for me...I am tired of being overweight. I haven't had a family picture with ME IN IT in a couple of years...that's how bad it is.

    Work out everyday
    Recored everything I eat - every day
    5 glasses of water every day (I just can't do more!)
  • MissMom3
    MissMom3 Posts: 101 Member
    I'm in!! I haven't lost a pound since before the holidays but thank goodness I haven't gained but 3 lbs. I competely stopped drinking water and working out so that's my challenge:

    1. Drink 8 cups of water every day
    2. Exercise 5-6 days a week

    Thank you for the motivation!!
  • Shannonnn92
    Shannonnn92 Posts: 86 Member
    I'm in :)

    I will:
    1) Exercise every day
    2) Only weigh myself once a week
    3) Only eat out 3 times
    4) Not drink anything other than water!
  • shellma00
    shellma00 Posts: 1,684 Member
    This one will be really hard for me... but my goal is going to be that I only weigh myself once a week. I think I will pick Thursday mornings for my weigh in days. I currently hop on my scale about 3 times a day, which is almost obsessive compulsive.

    :wink:
  • Shannonnn92
    Shannonnn92 Posts: 86 Member
    Same here, I literally step on my scale every time I go in my room!
  • sklala
    sklala Posts: 208 Member
    Love this idea and agree with M2Agm, we shoudl start a group and hold each other accountable.

    I would like to keep up with doing yoga at least twice in my week to help strtch my muscles

    I like the weigh in once a week idea, Monday is as good a day as any.
  • Smooch009
    Smooch009 Posts: 2
    Oh wow this is just what I need x focus and a goal x I am looking to stop naughty snacking and snack healthily. Also to pick up my walking x thanks for starting this. X walked for an hour today xx
  • brighteyesxluv
    brighteyesxluv Posts: 334 Member
    Definitely in..
    1) drink 10 glasses of water a day!!
    2) workout 5 days a week
    3) weigh in on monday morning
    4) try to get atleast 1 more serving of veggie/fruits in a day
  • hunnybee262393
    hunnybee262393 Posts: 10
    I'm in!

    My goal is to drink at least 5 cups of water a day. Sometimes I go a whole day with just one, which is definitely not good for me and gives me dry, itchy skin due to dehydration!!
  • antlia
    antlia Posts: 7
    I'm in :) My goals are:

    1) Doing the 30 Day Shred every day.
    2) Drinking 3 botles of water daily.

    That's it :) Of course eating healthy is in the list :)
    Lets do it!
    :flowerforyou:
  • away3000
    away3000 Posts: 20
    I might have already hit a snag. I wanted to eat out only 2 times during this challenge and I ended up eating out last night. I only have one more for the entire time and that will be this weekend. Oh well, I will do the best I can with the following weeks!
  • DMRN0125
    DMRN0125 Posts: 87
    How did everybody's day one go? Mine went pretty good but I forgot to track a few things once I got home from work. To help avoid this, I spent some time last night getting dinner ready for tonight and a snack for after dinner. This way I dont have the choose of opening my pantry and staring at it until I decide to eat something :tongue:

    It seems like everybody wants a group started so if there are no objections, I'll do that today so we can check in with each other and help with any issues we encounter.

    20 days left!
  • DMRN0125
    DMRN0125 Posts: 87
    I think the important thing for all of us to remember is that perfection isn't the only way to achieve success. Instead, by actively trying our best for 21 days we are forming the habit to try and not just give up and say screw it. I have a feeling eating out is going to be a hard one for me too because my BF loves to go out to dinner and of course, is healthy as a horse.
  • JCNESHA
    JCNESHA Posts: 1
    i"m in I gotta do this!!

    1- Write down everything I eat
    2-Excercise 5 days a week 30 mins a day
    3- Drink 8 glasses of water
    4- Weigh my self each Monday and only then
    5- Eat more fruits and veggies:happy:
  • DMRN0125
    DMRN0125 Posts: 87
    Group started...search for 21 Day Challengers..corny I know but my inspiration was lacking this morning. I think I left it right by my coffee on the kitchen counter at home :ohwell:
  • KatriceMichelle
    KatriceMichelle Posts: 6
    Like the idea, For the 21 day challenge I will
    1. Log in everyday and log everything I eat
    2. Do at least 30 min. of exercise everyday
    3. Drink at least 8 cups of water everyday
  • FaugHorn
    FaugHorn Posts: 1,060 Member
    (1) I won't weigh-in until February 6th to see the overall progress and focus less on the scale
    (2) I will treadmill 3 times a week, rowing machine 2 days a week and do a workout video 2 days a week
    (3) I will eliminate alcohol from my diet other than Saturday evenings (Saturday will be my allowed high cal day)
    (4) I will stay within calories every day and log religiously (luckily I do this one already so it should be easy to stay on)
    (5) I will finish my afghan by crocheting in front of the tv at night instead of snacking in front of the tv! (this'll be hard, I LOVE snacking)
    (6) I will try to eat more snacks during the day and have a smaller dinner (portion size portion size portion size)

    Awesome :) See ya'll soon!
  • fitat53
    fitat53 Posts: 33 Member
    I am in - one day off from the rest of you, but I'm looking forward to the "group support". I will:
    1. track every day
    2. drink at least 2 glasses of water every day
    3. exercise more than I have been, do something at least five days/week
    4. log on EVERY DAY

    If I can accomplish this much for just 21 days, I'll be so happy!
  • cuelgirl
    cuelgirl Posts: 47 Member
    I'm in!

    1. exercise every day
    2 log everything i eat

    thanks for starting this!
  • DMRN0125
    DMRN0125 Posts: 87
    Anybody else that wants to join is still welcome! Join the Group "21 Day Challengers" and let us know what you want to work on for the next 21 days. I will close this thread tomorrow so that we all finish the challenge around the same time.
  • SuzanneBall
    SuzanneBall Posts: 71 Member
    I'm in!

    I need to:

    ~only drink water
    ~exercise at least 30 minutes daily
This discussion has been closed.

Categories