Day 1: February 21 Day Challenge

Here we are, another new month and a brand new start. The January 21 Day Challenge went well for me, and for the days between challenges, I actually continued with those same goals. The end result for January was that I'm down 5.4 pounds. That surpasses my hopes. So here's to February!

The Way the Challenge Works

It is said that it takes 21 days to establish a new habit. The 21 Day Challenge starts the 1st of the the month and goes through the 21st. The challenge is to set goals for those 21 days in hopes you will gradually establish new habits. The days "off" between challenges will show you whether or not your new behavior has become a habit, whether it needs work, or perhaps needs tweaking to work for you.

I set goals for many different aspects of life, but for this blog the focus is losing weight. If you don't need to lose weight the same technique can be used to maintain weight, work toward a healthier lifestyle and even for gaining weight. Before year's end, I hope to be maintaining rather than losing.

My February 21 Day Challenge Goals

• Exercise 3-5 days a week
• No S Diet
• Drink water

How to Set Goals

When setting goals, be sure to make them achievable. For example, if I set a goal to lose 5 pounds and only lose 4, then I have not succeeded. Failure can send me into a tailspin. I don't really have control over exactly how much I lose so that is not a practical goal. However, if I set a goal to exercise 3-5 days a week, THAT I can have control over. It's measurable and achievable. The result will be weight loss. How much weight loss, well that's in God's hands.

Don't set yourself up for failure, but success! Set attainable goals.

21 Day Challenge: Day 7

Wow, the first week of 2010 is already under the belt.... So how's your belt fitting these days? It is so easy for people to make New Year's resolutions and even easier to not keep them. I've said it before, but it is worth repeating. I set goals each year, but instead of New Year's resolutions I'd rather think of what needs to be done as a New Day resolution. Each new day is a brand new start. If you haven't met your diet or exercise goals for this year, and feel like a failure, don't give up. It is never too late to start! Come on! You can do it, if I can do it.

Along with the completion of the first week, I have to report that I do like my new scale. Along with letting me know I lost a little more than 2.5 pounds, it also told me I am more hydrated than I was a week ago, have lost some body fat, and even gained .001 bone mass. How about that! All in one week--7 days. I'm on target!

21 Day Challenge: Day 4

I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but here it is COLD. It didn't get above freezing today. That's just about enough to make me reconsider going for my 3 mile walk...almost. Having this challenge before gave me that little extra push to get out there. Once I get moving it's okay. I'm told I look like an umfa loompa, but I don't care. I rather be warm than fashionable.

If you look back at Day 1 of the challenge, you'll see that my goal is to exercise 3-5 days a week. I set it that way because it is attainable. It leaves room for life's unexpected road bumps. My ultimate goal is to walk for an hour 5 days a week. When I set the goal, I left myself some wiggle room.

Today I had the grandkids join me on the walk. They are almost as tall as I am these days, and one of them was raring to go and the other was complaining before we made it up the first hill. It's a great opportunity to share the discipline. Today, for most kids, there is no walking to catch the bus...or walking to the store...or walking in general. It's one of the reasons more than 50 percent of our society is considered obese. In the StarTrek movie, Insurrection, one of the characters says, "When you create a machine to do the work of a man, you take away from the man." That is so true of our health in many ways. I'm trying to watch for opportunities to expend energy even in the little things I do during the day.

21 Day Challenge: Day 2

For years I've had writers ask me how I do all that I do. As a result, I started a group to help other writers. I have facilitated this goals-oriented group for years. We show up each New Year with our annual goals, post monthly goals at the start of each month and weekly goals each Monday. Why do I mention this?

I became a successful writer because I learned how to break tasks into little pieces and reach a target--the goal. That's how I need to approach losing weight. While I'd like to lose 25 pounds in January, I've made a goal of 4 pounds. I'm also making an appointment to exercise, so that when the time comes...it's time to exercise. Otherwise it is so easy to stay busy. I have plenty to do.

One other thing that helps with the writer's group is the accountability. We all know what is expected, and we also know we aren't perfect. Goals are flexible, but offer a target to aim for. One small failure doesn't have to send us into a tailspin. To help see things through, if we break things into smaller steps, they seem more manageable.

Feel free to join in with comments. Set your goals for the first 21 days of this month. Then Feb. 1 we'll start again. For now, January 1 is behind us. Together we can get in shape! Let's do it!