30 Day Challenge

When 2013 began and we were headed home from vacation, I decided that I would do a 30 day challenge to kick things off on the right foot. I didn't follow any program or anything like that; I simply wrote down goals and strived to meet them. I started on January 2nd and finished up on Thursday, January 31st. I would say my 30 day challenge was a SUCCESS!! I am a fan of challenging myself and setting goals...this year might just be a year full of 30, 60 or however many day challenges! 

My Goals:

1. Consistently add more weights into my workout routine
2. Push myself everyday with my workouts 
3. Less processed foods, more whole foods
4. Plan school lunches ahead of time
5. Quit chewing gum 
6. Drink more (2-3 L) water daily
7. Be consistent about digging into God's word 
8. Get out of my comfort zone!! 

Lets go through these one-by-one.... 

1. With the help of my personal trainer, aka my husband, I created a weight routine for each day of the week. 
   • Monday - Biceps and Triceps 
   • Tuesday - Squats, Lunges, Step-ups, etc. 
   • Wednesday - Back and Shoulders 
   • Thursday - Hamstrings, Quads, Calves, etc. 
   • Friday - Full Body Circuit - Burpees, Planks, Push-ups, Dips, Mountain Climbers 

I used Saturday as a day to run or do a fun workout. Sunday is generally rest day unless it is switched with another day where time ran out. I really really really enjoyed doing this! This cardio queen has now turned into a weights junkie! I find that I look forward to the time I get to spend in the weight room rather than the time I spend on the elliptical, treadmill or stairmaster. There were those few days when I just got in the zone and I went with it. For example, I had a 20 minute HIIT run planned + back and shoulders one day, but when I got on the treadmill, I just zoned out and ran 5.02 miles instead. I love those pleasant surprises!  

    2.  SUCCESS - I started adding weight, reps and more circuits all on my own! It usually takes Ben going to the gym with me and yelling at me, but I wanted to see results! 

    3.  I really tried to plan out our meals and get more whole foods in my meals. On the nights when we  were both busy and there was no meal planned, I tried to choose better quick meals. I used to choose things like cereal, but this time I went with protein shakes, Amy's frozen meals, etc. There were a couple nights where cereal was just the best option and I didn't beat myself up about it.

Salmon, Quinoa and Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Kale, Sweet Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts with Feta and Black Beans 

I love Amy's!! My favorite is the Black-Eyed Pea Bowl!

Zoe's Kitchen Spinach and Chicken Roll-Ups...2 eaten for dinner, 2 wrapped up for lunch

These are just a few examples of my meals. I tried to make something on Monday's that could be taken for lunch during the week - taco soup, quinoa, etc. I was even proud of the choices I made at some of the events we went to. I stuck to vegetables, salads and things that were not cooked in large amounts of sauce or oil. 

     4.  Semi-succees. Like I mentioned before, dinners that could be taken in tubberware helped, but frozen meals that could be grabbed in the morning while running out the door did too. 

    5.  I would say this was an incredible success!! There have been a few days that I have chewed gum, but I no longer want piece after piece after piece. I was able to chew 1 or 2 pieces and then be done for the rest of the day! MAJOR SUCCESS!!!! 

    6.  Mostly a success - I struggle to drink water during the day while I'm teaching. I find it really annoying when I constantly have to pee during class. I can't exactly just leave my students, plus I am always cold and drinking water constantly doesn't help. I used my big Starbucks Venti cup to help and a 1L water bottle that I tried to fill up at least 2-3 times a day. Still working on this! 

    7.  Still working on daily quiet times, but I joined a Women's Bible Study that meets on Tuesdays and Ben and I attended Elder Led Prayer on Wednesdays. We also attended church on Sunday, but I would still really like to get into a daily routine. 

    8.  This, I have done. It was definitely not in my comfort zone to join a Women's Bible Study. I tend to stick with being around people that I am already comfortable around and who know me. I don't exactly open up easily, but I am have so enjoyed the 2 weeks so far that we have met. I just had to get out there and do it!! 

Also going along with getting out of my comfort zone, I am now doing a 30 day, maybe a 60 day if things go well, challenge doing INSANITY. I started yesterday with the Fit Test and already know that this is going to be killer! I am really excited and can't wait to share my results! 

Hope you have had a fabulous first 32 days of the New Year! Make this your year!! 

PS - Something else that has helped is keeping track of my meals and workouts in this adorable little spiral. I love feeling the accomplishment of writing down the really tough workouts!