Here’s the thing!
I struggle with committing to health and fitness daily routines.
Now you would think given my prior cancer diagnosis that I would be all over health and fitness like ants over a dropped lollipop, but I am an erratic ant who is completely sporadic when it comes to sticking to well-being rituals (See what I did there? Sticking? Ants like sticky stuff? Never mind).
This is not to say that I don’t look after myself, that I don’t move my body, that I don’t get enough restful sleep or that I don’t fuel my body with healthier food choices.
I just don’t manage to do all the above over the course of a day every day consistently.
Most days I’m okay with whatever I manage to achieve because I’m all for not placing unrealistic expectations on my little ant self that may set me up for failure. Setting your-self up for failure by striving for perfectionistic outcomes only invites guilt, shame and the “I’m not good enough” monsters to take up residence in your head.
And let’s face it; those bad-mannered monsters leave one hell of a mess to clean up in there.
I do feel that I am capable of a little more self-expectation without necessarily setting myself up for failure. I think I’m ready to shift things up a gear whilst remaining true to my value of being kind to myself.
So when I read that the amazing Carly Jacobs who blogs over at Smaggle was kicking off her free
How To Get Your Shit Together In 14 Days: Wholesome Habits 2 Week Challenge
I was all like “Yeah, I can do that… in fact I want to do that!” So I signed myself up.
Then I had a little panic attack!
After the palpitations and clammy sweats subsided I declared that a little extra commitment and accountability certainly will not be fatal. I can manage this. I may even enjoy it. There are only three things Carly asks to integrate into your day:
- Getting 30 minutes of exercise
- Getting enough sleep (aiming for 8 hours)
- Eating 5 cups of vegetables each day
Is this an unrealistic expectation for me? No, it’s not. I feel it’s quite achievable to work into my over all day. So I’m going to give it a crack!
Why not click on over to Carly’s page and sign up? It can’t hurt right?
The challenge starts Monday and Carly will guide us through with emails, a facebook group, posting via snapchat (carly.jacobs) and there is even a printable sticker chart for progress! She’s thought of everything to help keep us supported and focused!
If you want to follow my progress I’ll be posting on Instagram at Sandra Kelly What Lies Within using the hashtag #gettingmyshittogetherwithsmaggle (long tag I know – try thinking up a hashtag that’s not already in use – almost impossible).
I’ll also be over at Sandra Kelly What Lies Within facebook page so come on over and like my page.
I’ll report back here after the two week challenge and give you the run down on how I went.
Nothing like public accountability yeah?
Now has anyone seen my walking shoes?
Gah… forget those… I’ve just realised I’ve committed to spending time in my kitchen… COOKING!
That sounds like all kinds of fun Carly (sarcastically laughs with disapproving undertones whilst eye rolling)!
Tell me – How are you with health and fitness commitments?
Has public accountability worked for you?
Anyone else freaked out by snapchat?
Go you! I’m on day 10 of a 21 day Fresh Start Challenge, it’s a program run by the Simple Green Smoothie Team (in IG) and so far I’ve been without caffeine, dairy, most carbs, meat, alcohol, basically a VEGAN! I’m eating SOO many vege, nuts, tasty spices and sauces and spending about 2 hours a day making the meals but I figure I’m worth it! It was hard at the start but feel great now and the day it ends I’m doing the fundraising Eat Like A Syrian Refugee for 7 days so I’m giving my body a good reset and then I’ll introduce a few treats but not like I used to eat before which was WAY too much sugar, coffee and defo more than the rec wine intake! I’m proud of you, you’ve got this!
Yes Em, you ARE worth the effort! Those are huge committments. I admire your motivation and determination. Good luck with the fundraising. Can you leave a link here for people who may like to donate to your cause? I think giving our bodies a good reset from time to time helps foster a healthy change in mind set too. I’m so excited about getting my shit together I have even started early! Thanks for your support and for stopping by Em. 🙂 Xx
Yay! Go you! A little bit of accountability never hurt anyone. I’ve been loving Kelly and Carly’s Straight and Curly podcasts and as a result have made some small lifestyle changes that have made a big difference particularly with regards to sleep and eating veggies. I think the important thing to remember is that if you fall off the wagon one day, it’s perfectly OK, you can just climb back on the next. It’s all about developing healthy habits! I’m looking forward to following along via Facey and IG (but not in a stalker way!) xx
Ha ha ha you can stalk me Sammie – not creepy at all :-). Kelly and Carly are all kinds of cool aren’t they? They would be wrapped you are getting so much out of their podcast. And you are right, if I fall off the wagon I’ll jump straight back on because this is a not a put pressure on myself exercise. Thanks for stopping by Sammie 🙂 Xx
Looking forward to seeing how you get on. I’ve had a health-ish challenge forced upon me following latest blood tests. I’ve been doing the right thing 95% of the time, looks like that just isn’t enough.
Oh Raych – that must be really frustrating for you! I hope it becomes more manageable over time and you are getting enough suppport. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂 Xx
The hardest part for me would be the 5 cups of vegetables! That sounds like so much! Especially when you’re a sweets lover like me. Good luck on your challenge!
It does sound like a lot of veggies to try and fit in but I think if I focus on leafy greens at lunch time and including a smoothie I’m hoping by dinner time I’ll have the five cups almost knocked over. Well, sounds good in theory ha! Thanks so much for stopping by Paula 🙂 Xx
I quite like snapchat – I’m minxymummy. The 5 cups of veggies thing would be the thing I’d struggle with most I reckon.
Think I’ll have to check out snapchat a bit more. Despite being freaked out by the face swapping stuff. The 5 cups of veggies is proving to be more challenging than I thought. Thanks for stopping by Robyna 🙂 Xx
Good you, I am going to start my health kick again, maybe I also need to sign up!
Thanks Anne! It’s proving to be challenging but I am enjoying doing what I can towards improving my health. Thanks for stopping by 🙂 Xx
Oh you’re so lovely! Thank you so much for signing up! It’s pretty manageable I think and just nice things that are lovely to do! So glad to have you on board! x
Thank you Carly! The sleep and the veggie count will be most challenging but I’m happy to just do what I can each day. This is a great idea for improving well-being without feeling totally overwhelmed. Thanks so much for stopping by Carly 🙂 Xx
Good on you for making the commitment. I read Carly’s post and just couldn’t commit to it… Well, I should be honest with myself, I could if I tried to. The veggies would probably be my downfall too.
The veggies are challenging Karin. I need to put more planning into place for it to work more in my favour – it’s not called a wholesome habit 2 week challenge for nothing I suppose – it’s certainly challenging me, but in a good way. Thanks for stopping by 🙂 Xx
Oh hello you… good stuff!
Well done.
I’ll be checking you out on insta, you can totally do it.
Heck, I might even sign up too. x
It’s certainly been interesting so far Sarah! I have discovered Isuck at documenting challenges on social media!? Ha ha, another challenge for me to work on. Thanks for stopping by lovely. 🙂 Xx
I need to get my act together and am going to be forced to do so by a specialist shortly. The changes I need to make are going to be quite shocking and things might get ugly for a while, but I know I need to make them!
Oh Deb, that sounds a little confronting for you. I hope the ride is much more gentle than you first think. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 Xx