Summer is HERE. Lauren's last day of school was June 3rd and I started dreading the "randomness" of summer. I love having my children home with me (regardless of how much I complain... I do love the buggers) but summers can be SCARY for those of us who feel they need routine to succeed. Over the last week, I've been thinking "what can I do differently to make this summer stand out? To make this summer... successful?" I look at my body & I've gained weight... There are projects around the house I walk by each day that aren't done... The kids want fun, creative things to do but I'm 'too busy' to be the mother I need to be... The crappy-ness of my life is starting to bring me down & depression is setting in...
Isn't there more to life then this..............?
And then I took THE SHOWER....
And here's what we're going to do:
(oh... this is exciting, people...)
THE 100 DAYS of SUMMER CHALLENGE:
I am going to exercise 5 days per week for the next 100 days, one hour+ per day. In addition to my 5 days of exercise, I'm going to challenge myself SEVEN DAYS A WEEK to find SOMETHING to do that is "outside of the box" for me that will enrich my life and the lives of those around me. Some days this may be taking the kids on a huge nature hike or to the lava caves... other days, this may mean I'm cleaning out a closet I've ignored for 3 years... So remember, MY idea of "outside of the box" may differ from yours but I will be honest with myself and you about what I choose to do.
I will blog EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK about my exercise and about my daily "personal challenges." That's me, blogging, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Here's the exciting part...........
On the days I do not exercise, I will have a FREE give-away on this blog. (how fun is THAT??) So... 2 days a week, there will be prizes. All you have to do is leave comments on the "give away" posts and I will have a drawing where I use the names of those who posted on that day's thread.
AND EVEN MORE EXCITING NEWS.... (oh MY this is big...)
ON DAY 100 - - - - I will take the names of EVERY PERSON who posted on my blog over the previous 100 days and enter your name into a drawing where you will win... a BODY BUGG PLUS A YEAR'S SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE SERVICE. How cool is that???
Why am I doing this? The last time I lost weight, I only made changes to my exterior. This challenge is going to force me to go into "training" from the inside, out. There's a quote I heard the other day that REALLY touched me: "why would you choose to fail when success is an option?" (Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser) I am not incapable of losing weight. It's not impossible for me to be a better mother or a better home maker. I'm already pretty darn good but I want to strive to be the best I can be. That's why.
Starting Monday, June 7th, 2010 through September 14th, 2010 I'm going to make some changes. I hope you'll join me for the ride - - - what can YOU do?
45 comments:
Sounds like a great idea, I think I'll join you in doing something outside the box...I think it will be fun.
Taking the ride with ya. Got my before pic ready. Really gonna do it this time. Will read your blog everyday to find some fellowship from you, a friend who is in the same place. Have to start slow since I just had surgery. I will walk everyday, more every day (unless its raining, whine whine) I will enjoy my chike, my leafy greens and I will win
I love it!! Great idea's do amost always come in the shower huh!
ps, sorry to sound dumb but what is a Body Bugg?
BodyBugg is that thing the Biggest Losers wear on their arms... it helps you track the calories you consume along with the calories you are burning. I've ordered one that's coming this week - - as soon as I have mine and have figured it out, I'll blog about it!
I love this! What a great idea!!
I love your blog!!! i read it all the time!! I am so Excited that you posted this. i have been trying to lose weight for a long time and i have finally started to do it i have lost 30 lbs and have about 35 to go! i have been trying to decide wether or not to participate in a sprint triathlon and your idea of 100 days and coming out of the box has just inspired me i signed up for one in sept. this morning!! Thanks so much i look forward to reading your blog everyday :)!!! Good Luck!!!
I am totally in!!
I love this idea! Today my outside of the box thing is I am going to mow the yard for my husband...yikes!
OK - HERE WO GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes I am READY, started training with a perosnal trainer at Anytime Fitness on June 1st !!! 46 years old and never had a trainer before so I am with you on "out of the box" THANKS for the inspiration !!!
Ok...Amy, I'm with you on your 100 day challenge! Let's do it.
It sounds like a great plan!!! I will join with you!!!! Monday..I am gong to start. I've got people to prove wrong...including myself. I CAN do it...so can you!!
I am so happy that you are doing this. I lost 45 lbs then over the last 2 yrs gained 30 back. I have been hating myself and needing some inspiration. I rejoined ww last week and am ready to go again. Sounds like fun!
What an excellent idea! I think I'll be joining you in your 5 days of exercise a week.
Ps...just found your blog and so far I'm loving what I'm seeing.
Rock on, sista!! I am on the Inside Out band wagon with you. What a great concept. Let's kick some dang bootay!!
Sounds exciting - bring it on!
Very fun and motivating Amy! I love it!
You're attitude and humor remind of the book "The Happiness Project". You should totally read this!!
Can't wait to follow you along on your journey. PS I'm coming into the office on Monday for an appt and would love to finally meet you in person, if you're around the place...-Heather Carter
ready! Although I'm not at a point right now where I feel I should start with an hour of exercise. But I will start. =)
I found your blog through Jared...and I have to say, what an inspiration!! I would love to join ya!
Oooh! What a great idea! I'm just excited that your going to be blogging regularly again, I love your witty posts! and a Body Bugg?!! that's awesome! I've always wanted one!
I wish you the most amazing success EVER!
I love it when you blog Amy, so I'm definitely going to read every day! I will join you in the hour of exercise and let you know how I'm doing. When you do your out of the box field trips with the kids let me know, I'd love to join you!
Sounds like a wonderful idea! Thank you for bringing us along on your journey!! =)
Janece
@gourmetmama on Twitter
janece.suarez-turner.com/blog
Your idea is awesome! I will be joining you too.
I'm in, let's do this brutus.
I'm joining in too!
LOL...there is something very inspiring in showers for me too. Maybe it's because it's the only silence I get in a day. :)
What a lovely idea! :)
I already blog seven days a week, but not always on my health and fitness blog. (I have loads of blogs on subjects as varied as princesses and fairies to health and writing.)
I have already reached my goal weight (lost 139 lbs), and I am in the process of cutting back on my exercise because I was overdoing it. (Please don't do more than an hour a day, five days a week. You risk putting your body (and its metabolism) into starvation mode.)
However, your idea about the spending time each day doing SOMETHING (in particular, the mention of the household mess and clutter got ym attention as I suffer with the same problem) is a wonderful one.
I need, desperately, to work on my household clutter and mess. So maybe I will attack one area of the house a day. Or maybe that's what I will do on some days, and other days I will set aside time to do some crafting stuff with my kids (who would love that). Or maybe I'll start learning how to sew (as I've been promising myself that for years and even bought a sewing machine that never gets used). I've already promised myself (and my writing blog's readers) that I am going to attempt to teach myself to draw (I suck at drawing).
Love your positive and upbeat idea! :)
I just found your blog through 'AntiJared'. I love your idea for summer! I've been struggling with motivation to exercise so I might need to steal your idea. And, I'm especially excited about the giveaways!
This is an amazing idea! I love it when shower time becomes one of those AHA moments ~ I too have them! I want to join you! (I have been having techy issues with my blog on blogger though and may have to put this on SEVERAL different blogs just to get it all in! LURVE it!
I think this sounds like an awesome idea, and I'm joining you! Can't wait for this adventure :)
That sounds amazing. :D Not sure I can honestly commit and keep myself on track with an hour+ 5 days a week. :P But the outside the box sounds incredible!
On board with ya!
Plan to do a mix of walking and biking depending on the weather and day of the week. Thansk for the challenge!
This is a great idea :)
I love the concept of working on yourself from the inside out - I've lost 50 pounds so I understand that happiness doesn't come from the outside changes, but from the inside ones. It's funny how people think that being skinny will make them happy when it's so not true. That's why I've started my blog - to help people undergo a life makeover both inside and out! Love your 100 days idea! Good luck everyone!
For exercise I took advantage of the twilight zone that was my pantry shelves: Upon openning the door a few days ago there were two moths.. The next day, about a dozen, the third day: so many moths flew at my face it felt like air conditioning. Results? A midnight to dawn makeover. I found boxes in the garage, took out all the food stuff and trashed it. Then, spray 409 as if it was Vietnam and 409 was Agent Orange. I know 409 will take paint off walls so thought the moths wouldn't stand a chance. Then, stripped out all the shelf liners, wallpaper in the back, sweeping, sweeping sweeping debris. Then the painitng of the shelves, walls and ceiling. Then, washed all the "safe" stuff that was in bottles, washing each. Then, relined and restocked everything. The shelves looked so good, the kitchen walls looked dull, so began my entire kitchen repaint, including trim. When I fell to bed, with the odd dead moth in my hair no doubt, I think I burned a few thousand calories, a few million moths, and removed snacky stuff that fell behind the good-food-healthy boxes, so, no more bags of triscuits, wheat thins, marshmallows, sleeves of saltines (which was the initial moth bait).
You go girl! Funny how the warmer weather gets all of us interested, or re-interested in looking our best. Probably thinking about how we'll look in our swimsuits. I just started a repeatable detox diet that helped me get into the best shape of my adult life after baby #2. I have two more now and I'm blogging about my progress too, with some scary pics, at Detox Dieter Anonymous. Best of luck on the current "rebuild."
Love it Amy! I always feel that whenever I try something new, the enthusiasm I feel is contagious to those around me. Very inspiring, thanks!
Thanks for your blog. Now I don't feel so alone in the lose it/gain it/lose it again battle.
Awesome idea Amy, and way to go for it full board! Can't wait to read your blog and see how totally successful you will be!
Janette
You are so inspiring! It's a good thing you are doing, inspiring others to join you. There are strength in numbers. I just found your blog and look forward to your daily posts!
I'm all for blog stalking, and you have a great blog! My favorite is that you are not 100% perfect on the challenge so far, but you are plowing ahead anyway! It is good to see that others aren't perfect either (so many blogs read like they are).
I found your blog by reading a comment on c jane that you had left.
You are right, bloggers are beggars...for attention.
We all want to be noticed. And that is okay.
Thanks for sharing!
PS: I added your blog to my blog list.
I think it sound good a 100 days to jump start and looose those ugly pounds
here is what i would do in 100 days keep my self energized by well Im busy all the time with 4 kids but Im going to make sure i go walking five days a week and im going to keep up my good work with looseing weight since april 2nd i have lost 28 lbs
I LOVE your blog, I love how you are a real person. I have started a transformation with myself. Im walking on the treadmill & just received P90x so I hope to be able to do that program. Thanks for all entertainment & help along the way. Hope I win the Body Bugg lol I want one SOOO bad !!!
Oh Amy, I love your blog! And your parallel journey. I just re-committed myself to regular exercise last night. It's one of those things that gets away from us and sometimes we just gotta go chase after it. Glad to hear you are back at it too. Who knows... perhaps we may even see each other again at one of our favorite gyms someday soon. Here's to us making progress!! :)
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