28-Day Challenge – Week 4: Kick-Start a New You for Good

Week 3 set us on a path of a healthier lifestyle by gaining momentum.  On the fitness aspect, I would say I met the goal.  However, nutrition-wise, I fell off the bandwagon a bit.  And one thing I learned from this is that by going back to my old snacking habits, I definitely did not feel as good as I have been during the first two weeks.  One particular day I had snacked on cookies and went out to eat for a not-so-healthy dinner.  When I came home, I felt horrible, proving to myself that there’s something to be said for eating healthy.  So my plan is to get back into the swing of things this week.

Meals

The goal this week is to increase fruit and vegetable intake.  Strive for 8 servings of fruits and vegetables daily….3 to 4 of fruit and 5 to 6 of vegetables.  Avoid hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial sweetners and preservatives.  This should be thought of as the first week of the rest of your life.  Wow!  Putting it that way really puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?  Focus on eating healthy carbs, proteins and fats at every meal.

Exercise

Build on last week’s fitness regimen by challenging yourself even further.  Whatever your fitness level at this point, push yourself to the next level.  If you are bored with your fitness routine, try something different.  Take a new class, take a different route when walking or running, try out new fitness equipment at home or at the gym.  And tell someone your fitness goals…this way someone can help hold you accountable for reaching your goals. 

Self

In the last few weeks we have worked on easing stress.  By reducing stress, you should have energy to go after a new goal or challenge.  This week we will come up with a goal and find ways to reach it.  Start thinking about what you want to accomplish (starting a scrapbook, completing a home project, learning something new) and we will begin tomorrow by writing it down, then working throughout the week to complete it.

Just because this wraps up the “official” 28-day challenge, doesn’t mean we stop everything we’ve worked towards over the last few weeks.  The goal of this entire action plan was to create new, healthier habits that will last a lifetime.  We hope you take this road to healthy for yourself and your loved ones….we know we will.