Health Month Begins
Several friends here in Seattle have done this annual event for the last 2 years and I thought they were crazy. Why sacridice things you love. To me its all about balance. BUT I have had a feeling that I need to tone up and get some discipline in my life so I decided to try this year's "Health Month." I will do my best to follow it but will not be too hard on myself or take it too seriously as there has to be balance and a level of sanity if I get a craving. I'm doing it with good intentions and looking forward to challenging myself. It starts today and ends Feb. 1st. This is a birthday gift to my soon-to-be 33yr old body.
Here are the rules and per the rules I will blog my weight and mood.
As of last night at 10pm, I weighed 126.8, with a body mass index of 24.8 (A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy for adults. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 and above is considered obese. People with BMIs of 18.5 or less are considered underweight.) WOW I'm cutting it close aren't I!
The start date is midnight on Sunday January 4th, and the end date is midnight on Sunday February 1st. Feel free to start earlier or end later if you want.
Take on something that's challenging. The spirit of the month is to take on a few new behaviors that are totally contrary to your normal routine. So, even if you think you can't survive without coffee in the morning, give it a try for the first week, and drink a green tea when you have a bad headache. It might not be as bad as you think. Our habits aren't as immutable as they might seem, and getting out of your routine can be remarkably refreshing. You can always go back after the month is over (the first coffee after Health Month is amazing), but you'll have the added benefit of knowing that you can survive without something you thought you couldn't before.
Everyone gets one Amnesty Day, which is a day when you can relax from the rules. It's easier to commit to a whole month if you know that you can take a day off at any point.
Modify the rules if it'll make it work better for you. If you want to add additional restrictions, like no granola, or no dried fruit, go for it. Talk about your modifications, because everyone might be able to learn something new if you've gone through the act of researching and thinking about it.
Let's not take this too seriously. There will be a temptation to complain and or become self-righteous or act the martyr, especially while sporting an alcohol/caffeine/sugar withdrawal headache, so when that happens just remember that we should all be doing this primarily for ourselves and that we're all at different places in our quest for health. We all have good intentions and can learn from each other if we treat it all with a spirit of learning and fun.
Start a new non-drinking hobby or self-improvement activity. We are doing this as an exercise in self-control, experimentation, and paying attention. Use the extra time spent away from bars and restaurants to think about what it means to be healthier year round. Have Health Month potlucks if you have other Health Monthers around you.
Track your progress every week. It's helpful to have a record of your weight changes, mood changes, etc, especially once the month is over. By posting your progress in this community or on the Facebook Group page, you will also be indirectly motivating the rest of us to continue through our own dark hours.
Here are the rules and per the rules I will blog my weight and mood.
As of last night at 10pm, I weighed 126.8, with a body mass index of 24.8 (A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy for adults. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 and above is considered obese. People with BMIs of 18.5 or less are considered underweight.) WOW I'm cutting it close aren't I!
Here is the Rules for Health Month
The start date is midnight on Sunday January 4th, and the end date is midnight on Sunday February 1st. Feel free to start earlier or end later if you want.
Take on something that's challenging. The spirit of the month is to take on a few new behaviors that are totally contrary to your normal routine. So, even if you think you can't survive without coffee in the morning, give it a try for the first week, and drink a green tea when you have a bad headache. It might not be as bad as you think. Our habits aren't as immutable as they might seem, and getting out of your routine can be remarkably refreshing. You can always go back after the month is over (the first coffee after Health Month is amazing), but you'll have the added benefit of knowing that you can survive without something you thought you couldn't before.
Everyone gets one Amnesty Day, which is a day when you can relax from the rules. It's easier to commit to a whole month if you know that you can take a day off at any point.
Modify the rules if it'll make it work better for you. If you want to add additional restrictions, like no granola, or no dried fruit, go for it. Talk about your modifications, because everyone might be able to learn something new if you've gone through the act of researching and thinking about it.
Let's not take this too seriously. There will be a temptation to complain and or become self-righteous or act the martyr, especially while sporting an alcohol/caffeine/sugar withdrawal headache, so when that happens just remember that we should all be doing this primarily for ourselves and that we're all at different places in our quest for health. We all have good intentions and can learn from each other if we treat it all with a spirit of learning and fun.
Start a new non-drinking hobby or self-improvement activity. We are doing this as an exercise in self-control, experimentation, and paying attention. Use the extra time spent away from bars and restaurants to think about what it means to be healthier year round. Have Health Month potlucks if you have other Health Monthers around you.
Track your progress every week. It's helpful to have a record of your weight changes, mood changes, etc, especially once the month is over. By posting your progress in this community or on the Facebook Group page, you will also be indirectly motivating the rest of us to continue through our own dark hours.
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