Day 2 of the rest of my life...

I am totally rocking the water!  However, I was out of bananas and couldn't take all three kiddos I had yesterday to the store JUST to get me bananas.  Really, I should have because that fruit helps carry me through the day!  Ultimately, smore's bites and a glass of wine both after 8 were yesterday's downfall.  Instead of fruit.  But the veggies... those I got!

Post-Challenge Day 1

Otherwise known as the rest of my life...

I started this post when I finished the Challenge... two weeks ago.  But I didn't get very far.  The original writing from 2 weeks ago is in black... my notes about really how this has gone since then are in blue.

So during the challenge, I kept a notebook and I have found this to be an incredible tool for being true to myself.  Things that have worked...

1. Bible - I like starting my day off with a blip of reading from the bible.  I would like that to turn to prayer rather than read and run.  So that will continue.  Apparently I am highly motivated by that point and being the high point scorer.  Not continuing, but will now consciously work on it.
2. Exercise - I did discover machines for dummies in the gym and I have started training for the 5K.  I would like both of those to continue.  I got sick with an infection and my lungs were involved which meant I was unable to work out as much as I wanted.  However, I am back working toward the 5K.  I still have hopes of being able to run it, but it is going to require some hard work over the next three weeks.
3. Affirmations - not sure how I would continue to affirm myself except to make sure if I am using stinkin-thinkin, turn it around.  I should probably type up my affirmations in one spot and keep them someplace where I can read them.
4. Memorizing - not likely.  Don't remember the first one I did memorize but didn't believe in fully.  Didn't memorize the one I believed in.  What?!  It is what it is.
5. Diet Plan - For lack of a better way of putting it, there were 13 steps for healthier eating, 14 if you included the cleanse of the second week.  To be honest, I didn't notice a difference in my digestive tract during the cleanse.  Of the 13 steps, many make excellent sense:

• Water Steps - drink half my body weight in water, adding more for work-outs, 12 oz before eating anything in the morning and only drink water/tea/fizz tabs.  All three make sense.  But that coffee is coming back.  Brought back my coffee.  On days that I don't drink the 12 oz before breakfast/coffee, I have a hard time getting my water in AND I feel lousy and dehydrated later in the day resulting in much water drinking after dinner and many trips up in the middle of the night.  That part is a dislike, getting up several times in the night.
• No eating after 8 pm.  Should be a no brainer.  However, if you are on prednisone and up half the night, an appropriate, healthy snack is necessary.  Cause dinner at 5/6 and then not going to bed until 1 or 2 am means, hungry girl at midnight.  
• No snacking.  Disagree with this plan.  Planned healthy snacks are a good thing.  Of course, unhealthy snacks, like eating chocolate, not a good thing.
• Vitamin.  Smart plan.  I am continuing it though I am aware that the whole vitamin debate exists.
• One plate of food.  Most of the time!  This is really an important habit!
• No processed sugars/no fake sugars.  So I am shooting for no fake sugars and minimal sugar.  Realistic.
• Organic meats.  I get it.  I do.  But, I just cannot afford it.
• 5 veggies/3 fruits a day - when I hit this, I make SO FEW OTHER mistakes.  Trying to keep up fruit at breakfast, fruit and at least one veggie at lunch and fruit for snack in the evening.  

Writing things down really works for me so I am going to try to keep that up, also.  I am looking for life changing habits, not short term results.