It’s back!
The Better Healthy Living challenge is back. It’s been a few years since I brought it back but it’s here. I have had some health struggles over the last bit and just didn’t have it in me to keep it going while dealing with all that. You can read about the more recent struggles here.
Everyone enjoyed the challenge most when I kept it simple so that is what we will do. There will be a different topic to focus on each of the 4 weeks in June.
The details for this months challenge are below.
- Week 1: Fitness
- Week 2: Relaxation/Sleep
- Week 3: Healthy Eating
- Week 4: Motivation/Self Improvement
We will challenge ourselves to do better every day in every aspect of our life. Let’s first start our days off on the right foot. Here are some tips to help you do just that.
Starting Your Day Off on the Right Foot
Not everyone gets out of bed in the morning easily and in a good mood. Some can bounce out of bed eagerly anticipating the day and waking with an awesome attitude (I’m pretty positive most days!). Others groggily stagger out of bed reluctantly and you better not speak to them or they’ll bite your head off.
Which of these describes you? Or do you fall somewhere in between? Which would you rather be?
Typically, the person who bounds out of bed wide awake is the person who gets more done in the morning and is happier to do it. This isn’t always true. Some get just as much work done; it just takes them longer to get to it.
If you’re not happy with your morning habits and want to change, it can be done but it has to be a concerted effort on your part. Many people don’t want to change. They’ve been that way for years and it works for them. On the other hand, who wants to be an old grouch in the morning making yourself and everyone else miserable?
You can become an early happy riser and make it a habit you will embrace. First, admit your current method of waking up in the morning isn’t working and you want to change. Be willing to try a different method and realize it may not be the first that will transform you.
Technique is important. Prepare yourself for bed with the same routine if possible. With children and spouses this is sometimes difficult. Start with a healthy diet (we will discuss this more in Week 3). Stay away from heavy fatty foods and sugars before bedtime. Eat dinner early. Of course, no caffeine or other stimulant before bedtime.
Keep track how you feel the mornings after having an early dinner. Is it working? If not, don’t give up. You might be surprised.
Exercise daily. The better shape your body is in the better it will sleep and the better you’ll feel each morning. Morning exercise is usually more helpful than just before bedtime. Nighttime exercise can get the blood flowing too much for you to fall right to sleep. But if that is your only option, go for it.
Do something pleasant before going to bed. Take a nice relaxing bath or read a good book for a few minutes. Don’t get so caught up in the book that you can’t put it down though, that is asking for trouble. My book loving friends are rolling their eyes at me right now lol And please don’t pay bills before bed. Money worries are one of the main causes of sleeplessness.
Anticipate the morning routine. Give yourself something to look forward to. Make time for at least some morning exercise even if it’s just stretching (today I hopped on the mini trampoline for 10 min. then the treadmill for 10 min.and it made me feel good). You might go sit outside and greet the sunrise with a delicious cup of coffee or tea.
Count your blessings and plan your day. New morning habits were not accomplished overnight. Be patient and willing to experiment. Soon you’ll like yourself better in the morning and so will your family.
The above suggestions should help get you through the month and help us have a more successful challenge too.
Have you joined the Monthly Fitness Challenge group yet? If not, you need to. There is a private Facebook group where you can check in daily and feel comfortable sharing with others in a more private setting than a blog or Facebook page.
There are a mix of challenge participants, from beginners to the more advanced so this challenge will work well for everyone.
There will be 4 prizes (one each week) unless of course we have people who would like to donate more.
Everyone who comments here or on any of the weekly challenge posts will be entered to win. If you are on social media and you use the hashtag #BHLchallenge you will be entered to win as well.
If you are interested in sponsoring and/or donating a product/service for the challenge please feel free to reach out to me here.
Here’s to your fitness this week! Share your goals/struggles/successes below so we can help motivate and inspire one another.
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