Sunday, November 02, 2008

Healthy Eating Challenge

Ok. I was the winner of my friend Laura's exercise challenge last month. We were supposed to set our own mileage goal for a 5 week period and those who accomplished it were entered into a drawing for a prize. My goal was 75 miles and I ended up getting 80. I know I would not have come close to running that without the issued challenge because it's just too easy to make excuses.

I've really been having a weakness for treats recently and it is not helping my month long battle with candida. Therefore, I've decided I need a new challenge.

I've decided to pay it forward while I'm at it. I am issuing a challenge and will enter all who accomplish their goal into a drawing for a prize. You will have a choice of prizes: Betty Crocker's Healthy Home Cooking Cookbook or a homemade gift like you see linked on my left sidebar.

Just to be clear:
You don't have to make up your own challenge if you win.

You don't have to know me or live near me.
You can be male, female, old, young. Whatever.

The Challenge:
  1. Set a healthy eating/drinking goal for yourself. Make it realistic, but it has to be a challenge for you!!
  2. (It will last from Thurs. November 6th to Wed. November 26th. 3 weeks.)
  3. Post your goal in the comments section by Wednesday the 6th to be eligible to be entered into the drawing for the prize.
  4. Check back on Wed. November 26th for a follow up post. If you accomplish your goal and leave me a message saying so, you will be entered for the prize. (It will probably be easiest to remember if you are subscribed to my blog since I'll make the follow up post.)
Examples of Challenges: (Remember, you are not limited to this list. This is just to get ideas rolling.)
  • No sweet treats period. (Or no specific treat that is a weakness).
  • Drink X cups of water every day.
  • No chips or other snack foods that seem to plague you.
  • No fast food.
  • Eat 5 full servings of fruits and veggies.
  • Certain WW point goals or specific amt. of calories if you're a counter
Reminder: This challenge ends the day before Thanksgiving, so you will not have to miss holiday goodness.

14 comments:

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

My goal:

No sweet treats period! No candy, cookies, sugar muffins, cake, ice cream etc.

I can have fruit, jam or honey on a PB sandwich, or maple syrup on waffles, but no sugar treats.

Kristi said...

I'm so in. I'm headed back to WW, so my goal will be to not exceed my alotted points each day, plus to get 14 exercise points each week.

And I have to say that I'm sorry for you and the Candida problem. I don't know how it affects you, but it turns the surface of my tongue yellow and I get bloated. After 4 whole weeks on a no sugar diet it finally went away. But it was NO sugar - no fruit or seasonings that included sugar or anything, no white flour, no yeasts, no mushrooms, no cheese (except cottage & cream), etc. Hopefully just cutting out the sugar treats works . . . but if not, there's a diet to consider (and it's really not too bad, thanks to whole wheat pasta, tricuits, and rice).

Also, I love that you ended the challenge on Thanksgiving eve. Thanks!

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

There was no way I was depriving myself of Thanksgiving Pie!!!

holly said...

Okay, I'm in. Ditto to your goal. No treats. I was going to pick something slightly easier, my mom makes hand dipped chocolates this time of year, but then I decided to just go for it.

leethie said...

I've been trying to stay away from sweets, too, but I've been weak lately. This will be good for me. I've been wanting to make sure I get more water, too, so I am going to drink a glass of water instead of giving in to a craving for something sweet. Thanks for the challenge!

Erin said...

No sweets OR fast food for me! I'm totally in!

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

Hooray for those who have taken the challenge already! Hopefully a few more will before tomorrow.

Juls said...

Mine is no sweets except for FHE treat monday night. Also, to exercise at least once a day (even if it is just a few minutes.)

Stephanie said...

I will eat at least 5 servings of fruit/veggies a day. Question: this Wednesday is November 5, so are we starting Wednesday the 5th or Thursday the 6th?

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

Thanks Steph. Fixed it. I need people to accept the challenge by Wed. the 5th and the actual challenge will start Thurs. the 6th.

erin said...

I'm in. I'll be with Stephanie and making sure I get my 5 servings of fruit and veggies everyday. Fruit isn't that hard for me, but veggies are tough! Let's go!

Jodi Reeve said...

Okay for me, I need to up my veggie in take to 5 servings a day. Also, no chips or french fries, or salty foods like these. They are my enemy! Sugar isn't such a problem, but I love fries.

randa_joy said...

I really want to do this longer than the challenge so I'm giving myself some allowances that hopefully will help me stick with this for a longer term. Here goes:
-4 20 oz. water bottles refills
-Social treating only (my problem is replacing meals with ice cream and baked good at home). The at home restrictions include sugar cereals, chocolate milk and 8oz limit on fruit juice/day).
-Eat 3 meals a day (this will probably come naturally when I stop eating junk).

Maren said...

Count me in. I hope it is not too late. No sweets except on Friday - cookie night. I also want this to turn into something long term as well. Thanks for the challenge.