meet the challenge

Two years ago, I invited friends and family to join me for an eight week "Happy Holidays Challenge." We had a website, winners with prize money and such. I got mixed reviews from those who participated in the challenge with me so when I decided to do another one this year, I decided to go it alone. I started on Sunday and will finish on December 23. I decided to choose 8 things I want to improve or accomplish. I don't really have a way to track my success this time. I am just hoping that the extra focus will help me make good choices over the next two months. I tried to make the challenge filled with things I do instead of things I can't do. For example, while I know I should eliminate sugar from my diet, I am instead trying to increase my vegetable intake. If you would like to join me, I would love to have some company in the journey. Choose your own 8 challenge items and come along for the ride.

Happy holidays Challenge

1.   40 workouts (average 5/wk, at least 30 minutes)

2.   Increase vegetable intake to 4 servings/day or more.

3.   Study scriptures (15 min. Book of Mormon, 15 min. General Conference)

4.   Go to bed by 11, get up by 7.

5.   Do 8 deliberate and prayerful acts of service.

6.   Write on blog at least weekly.

7.   Go on a one-on-one date with each of the kids.

8.   Complete office makeover.

death by chocolate

After three weeks of perfect scores in my challenge, I was done in today by Tootsie Rolls and frosted donuts. The challenge has been difficult to follow this week even with two full free days and my perfect score is no more. I shan't give up though! I've been really pleased with the good things the challenge has helped me to do. The key to perfection is proper planning which I did not do this week. However there are four more weeks to go and I won't let them go to waste!

give thanks 1

1. I'm thankful that today I succeeded in making healthy choices. I organized an official version of this challenge with 42 participants. I don't know why but this is the motivation I need to stay away from the sweets. I wasn't even tempted by the Halloween candy.
2. I'm thankful that I didn't throttle Slade within an inch of his life even though I really wanted to. The last few weeks he has been completely unwilling to do any of his responsibilities. He has been spending a lot of time in his room. I'm praying hard for some inspiration in how to motivate him. It is such a change from the beginning of the school year.
3. I'm thankful that I managed to get all the laundry cleared out of my laundry room. Four loads today.
4. I'm thankful that the whole of the Book of Mormon is not quoting Isaiah. Those are some hard chapters to get through in 2 Nephi. I feel lame for being so clueless.