Anyone up for a challenge?

Full disclosure: I'm typing this while licking peanut butter off the back of a spoon.

I hope my post on the artificial sweeteners didn't make anyone feel judged. That certainly wasn't my intention. It was more of a "first we couldn't drink regular soda because of the HFCS; now we can't drink diet; soon they won't even let us drink water" grouse.

Did any of you guys see this article in The Onion this week (for those of you not in the US, The Onion is a fake weekly newspaper): Study: Use of Phrase 'Don't Skimp On The' Linked to Heart Disease Read it first, then read the rest of this post.

If you read the whole Times article, the author of one of the studies did bring up the idea that the study showed correlation, not causation. (Which is why I didn't specifically mention it--it was in the article).

But for me, at least, correlation or causation doesn't make a difference in what I'm going to do with the information that there's some kind of link, in terms of my own behavior.

I thought Catherine's comment was brilliant. If artificial sweeteners cause metabolic changes, then obviously we should stop using them. But Catherine's comment points out that it could just be a correlation, but that that still points to a problem, just a different one.

From a public health standpoint, I hope that it turns out that there isn't a causal link, because it would mean that we've been effectively poisoning ourselves willingly for 20 years. But I actually think that a behavioral link (as Catherine put it) is more interesting to me, and I'm guessing to you.

Have you ever gone on a low-sugar or low-carb diet? You feel like you are literally going to die of the cravings for the first week. And sweet is such a cultural force. Witness the comments to my Valentine's Day rant, when people were outraged that I didn't want my son to have candy. (Which, again, I'm fine with candy, just not every week in school. I'm all for Halloween and Easter as candy ground zeros, but I resist candy just for the sake of candy, or as a boredom reliever.) It's almost as if we're supposed to have something sweet and comforting in our mouths to help us manage the stresses of daily life. And artificial sweet is so meaningless and disposable, so it doesn't matter. Which is cool on one hand, but alienating on the other.

Did you guys read the Little House books? I'm thinking about the scene in one of the middle books--Plum Creek, maybe--in which Ma gets hold of some white sugar and makes some white cakes for Laura's birthday. And how special they were. I wonder what it would be like to live without having sweet tastes at our disposal so easily.

So I was thinking about how useless all these musings were, and how they aren't helping anyone, and then realized that we could actually all be helping each other. I believe, without a doubt, that the reason so many of us are so stressed and tired and stretched out and unhappy with ourselves is that we're eating the typical Western diets and living the post-post-modern lifestyle.

So I'm going to propose a challenge. 60 days, starting next Wednesday, Feb 27 (so we have time to figure out what we're going to do and to have a last hurrah) and running until April 26. Do three things to improve your health, whether that means giving something up (ahem, diet soda) or doing something new (ahem, T-Tapp Basic Workout Plus) and stick with it as well as you can during those 60 days.

Everyone who "finishes" will get some sort of prize, which I haven't determined yet, and which will undoubtedly have no actual value. "Finishing" will mean that you're still doing it on April 26 and haven't given up, even if you slip up a bunch of times during those 60 days. Consistency, not perfection.

Here are some suggestions of things you could do to improve your health:

Switch out your coffee for green tea.
Stop drinking diet soda (or Crystal Light) and drink water instead.
Actually start drinking 64+ ounces of water a day.
Take Omega 3s every day.
Cut out refined sugar.
Switch from refined carbs to whole grains.
Start reading all labels and not using anything with high-fructose corn syrup.
Exercise for 15-25 minutes a day.
Start running (the 60-day Challenge will end just about the time all the summer 5Ks start). (Read's DoctorMama's post on how to start here.)
Take up T-Tapp (read Summer's post on how to start here.)
Eat 5+ servings of vegetables every day.
Take the stairs every time.
Walk/bike to work.
Go to bed at a decent time.

Please suggest more in the comments. Next Wednesday on the official start, we can all post what our three things are going to be. (I know what mine will be already: Switch out my delicious, delicious coffee for green tea, eat 5+ servings of vegetables a day, and go to bed at 10 pm every night.)

Is anyone else interested in the challenge? Or is it going to be me doing it alone?

Comments

[vickie]

Brilliant, Moxie! I'll be putting lots of thought into what my 3 will be.

[Leah]

I'm in. Usually I'm not, but the phrase "consistency, not perfection" hooked me.

[paola]

Is having more sex a challenge?

[Jennifer]

Great idea! Normally I would be in, but I am 8 months pregnant expecting to deliver 1/2 way through the challenge. I hope you run this challenge again later in the year! Cannot wait to get started with exercise again.

[Kate]

I'm in too! Not sure about what 3 yet though.

[Ruta]

I'm in... These same types of thoughts have been percolating, so this is just what I needed, Moxie!

[Suzie]

I am SO in! Just went back to Weight Watchers (lifetimer who gained *a bunch* of baby weight), so am all about changes right now. Since that's already begun, won't count that. That being said, bring on:

1) water in place of soda
2) T-Tapp (just ordered the book! DVDs to follow!)
3) making time to read -- even if only a little bit -- every day (more mental health than physical, but I'm all into the whole mind-body connection)

Yay! I'm so inspired. May the good feelings continue.

[JJ]

Sounds suspiciously like Lent to me.

[Jezer]

I'm in. I'll post back with my 3 as soon as I decide what they will be.

Thanks for the challenge and the inspiration!

[cs white]

I'm in too. I just received the T-Tapp book and have been noodling around with the videos (on your recommendation, of course). I'll commit to doing the BWO+ at least 3 times a week. I'll commit to drinking more water - I'll post back a specific amount when the challenge starts and I'll come up with a third by then too!

Thanks for the challenge! And I just wanted to add that I'm really liking the concept of adding good things without necessarily making you give up bad things all at once. I think the USDA is using this idea too - like just adding more veggies to your diet at first and then believing that as your body gets used to the good things, you'll naturally start dropping some of the bad things. Just my $.02!

[Nutmeg]

I'm in:

-I've already given up soda, diet or otherwise (the scientist and statistical thinker in me will never let go of correlation doesn't equal causation) because I've done it once before and I think it is just adding to how much waste I create in the world. Water is transported to my house without necessity of a tractor trailer, diesel fuel or a plastic bottle. I will occasionally indulge in a soda while I'm out at a restaurant. I can't get behind more calories going in to creating my food than the food actually provides.

-Going to bed at a decent time. Before 11. This might actually lead to Paola's suggestion.

I'll have to think about the third. I just don't have time right now to add something that will actually take up my TIME, though I'd like to start exercise.

[Katy]

I'm in too - I feel like I should do everything on that list but I'll pick 3 by next week. Paola, you crack me up!

[heather]

Interesting timing. I just began to workout last night and got out the old measuring tape and sneakers.

Unfortunately, last night would also be the night my husband brought home five boxes of Girl Scout cookies. Damn those little girls!

[Summer]

I'm going to ignore that part about giving up coffee. La la la la la! I can't hear you!

You're right about the sugar. Last year I gave up sugar for Lent (didn't even use honey, I used stevia instead when I NEEDED sweet, i.e. in my coffee) and it really wasn't that big a deal, after the first few days. But on Easter Sunday, I put a jellybean in my mouth, and suddenly my body started screaming SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR ME NEED SUGAR YUM YUM YUM YUM. Yes. I turned into Cookie Monster in high heels. Just like that.

There are a lot of healthy habits that I need to get back into, like taking my vitamins every day (somehow they started seeming optional when I realized I wasn't going to get pregnant, completely forgetting that vitamins are good for ME), drinking noni juice (I really did feel more vital when I drank it), and flossing my teeth. I should go outside to play with my kid more often, we both need it, and it won't always be this miserably cold.

I'd add "daily dry skin brushing" to the list of suggestions, because it's done wonders for the health and appearance of my skin, and I do believe it helps with lymph function and detoxification. And for a really easy one, how about "use a moisturizer with sunscreen every morning"? Or one I've actually managed to make a good habit, "start every day with a Primary Back Stretch" (or sun salutation for the yoga types, or even just a few minutes of generic stretching).

I'll let you know about my three. Too many options to choose from!

[rudyinparis]

Love it. Let's see. My 3 will be:

Cutting out the sugary/chocolatey snack I have somehow gotten into the habit of having during my afternoon slump at work. (This is going to be hard for me, so I'm going easier on myself for the other 2.)

Walk the dog 3 times a week.

Start taking a multivitamin.

The last week or so I've been reading through "Women's bodies, women's wisdom" by Christiane Northrup and it is quite good--dovetails nicely with this challenge!

[Sarah Lena]

I'm totally in! Having just had a baby, I'm having trouble breaking out of the pregnancy laziness that consumed me the last trimester. I need some sort of goal to make it out of the rut.. this should work!

[Phil]

Count me in as well. I'm normally just a lurker (RSS feeds rule) but I had to join this.

My three:

1. 1/2-hour cardio five times a week, weight training twice a week.
2. Water instead of diet soda at home and in the office (dining out doesn't count)
3. Stairs instead of the elevator.

This I can do. I'm currently at 225 (I'm tall) and I'm hoping that this concerted effort will get me under 210.

[Moxie]

@JJ--Ha! I actually thought about how it was going to stretch across Easter, Orthodox Easter, and Passover. I wonder if any other religious holidays will be ruined, er, enhanced by this challenge.

[Sherry]

Moxie, way to go on throwing in some resolutions that are less about imposing rules and more about treating yourself right -- like going to bed earlier. After spending years as an anorexic with what they called "exercise bulimia," which just meant that I exercised way too much, I spend most of my energy trying to enjoy life (the "what's the use of finishing with a perfect body -- I want to slide in to the finish line with all my bumps and lumps, shouting 'whoo-hoo, what a ride!'" philosophy) and trying not to worry about what I eat or how tight my abs are. My goals for the next 60 days will be to spend some time in meditation daily, to smile more, to be more loving to my husband, and to enjoy the pieces out of my 9-month-old girl, even when I get home from work too late to do anything but play with her and fix supper.

[meggiemoo]

Count me in...

1. Continue doing T-Tapp and bump it up to every other day.

2. Put the nail in the coffin of the diet soda habit. Just started this one and am grumbly about it already.

3. Go to sleep by 10:30 and wake up by 6:30 every day. No more rushing around like a maniac in the morning!

Whee!

[Phil]

Oh, and how about some sort of regular check-in here, kinda like a support group thingy? That would be helpful and would keep us accountable.

[michaela]

Moxie, as ever you are brilliant. Just this morning I was bemoaning my crappy skin and wondering what might make it better (besides not sitting w/ my hand on my face all effing day long). This group effort totally gives me the incentive to figure this out. LOVE it. I'm also plugging my ears re: coffee, but will ponder my three things and come back....

[Eva]

I'm in! need to think about my 3.

[Claudia]

Heck yea! I think the top of my list is Paola's suggestion.

1) More sex. (At this point, any would be more).

2) Really start T Tapp. I got the book, and have been studying it and the website like it's neurosurgery. I need to just do it, mistakes and all.

3) Eat 5+ fruits and vegetables a day.

I'd like some checking in/accountability along the way, too. And making it 60 days is much more appealing to me, like it will stick in my conscience better.

May I add a couple of suggestions for others? Get your pap smears, mammograms, etc. done on a regular basis. Mine are scheduled already.

[Matilda]

Amazing! Thank you so much for this challenge, Moxie--last night I was re-reading Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit and berating myself for not picking up my sketchbook for several weeks. I think my problem is I want way too many things on my plate (the usual demands of family, tidy house, supper, and work PLUS hobbies, ie: drawing, crafts, exercise, language practice) that I get overwhelmed and end up just surfing the web after dinner (my version of zoning out in front of the TV).

My three:
1-do the 15 minutes of T-Tapp
2-draw something every day
3-drink the damn water

[Maria]

Ok, I'm convinced. I'd LOVE to be part of this challenge, and I really hope it'll make it more doable that there are others involved (in fact, just joining may be good for me as I tend to be an isolationist, which does a disservice to my mental and physical health).

My three things (though I reserve the right to edit and amend before next Wednesday!):

1. No more soda at home

2. Go to bed by 10:30

3. …um, something exercise-related, but I'm not sure what because I'm not sure how to fit it into my schedule.

I absolutely second the notion of some kind of check-in (maybe even a yahoo group?) for support and accountability.

Thanks Moxie!

[Loconte]

I'm in. Here's my 3: exercise 30 min a day (treadmill, exercise ball or band workout), no more diet soda, use lotion twice a day on skin and face (It's unbelievably dry. Itchy. Ouch.) I like the yahoo group idea.

[pixie]

when I hit about 24 I noticed I was gaining a little weight, nothing drastic but I was not a youth anymore and my metabolism was slowing down. My first goal was to stop drinking soda, period.

I don't drink coffee (on occasion I get a decalf or have a sip of my husband)

I've always hated diet foods, the basis for my hate was I could taste the difference in yogarts and coke, I always felt it tasted worse. So I have personal never looked for anything that says diet, or light or anything to that effect. In fact I want it natural and as natural as can be, with as little human meddling as possible.

So now the only drink in our house is bottled spring water, and some grape juice for my husband that I don't drink. When I few up all my father drank was coke. I wish I could convince him to stop now but he's stuburn.

I do like to get organic stuff but I don't make it a point to buy all organic or anything like that.

I can taste the difference between mayfield milk and generic milk. And mayfield actually tastes the same as organic milk so i consider it okay to drink, although I like the idea of avoiding all the hormones.

[Moxie]

I was thinking of just a daily post where people could check in/complain/etc. My fear with a Yahoo group is that people who don't want to give out their email addresses won't participate. Or people won't want to join something new. The benefit of doing it on this site is anonymity and immediacy.

But I could be talked into a Yahoo group if there was something that would make it outweigh the anonymity and ease.

[Sarah S]

Give up coffee?? every morning I wake up with the sweet knowledge that I will be sipping my coffee in my favourite mug..soon! can't give it up! But what I will do:

1.) Take my flax seed oil vitamins every day, twice.

2.) Do pilates every other day.

3.) cook home made healthy meals at least 4 times a week.

[Amie]

Sounds great, I'm in too! My three:

1. Drink more water
2. Floss every day
3. Cut out refined sugar

I've also bought the T-Tapp dvd, so I'll try to work that in. I started out well, but the only time during the week I can work it in is after I put the baby to bed at 8, and by then all I want to do is grab a glass of wine and watch American Idol or Lost.

[jessica]

Last year I went vegan and completely sugar-free for a whole month and it really wasn't bad.

But Moxie, I must ask you...what floor do you work on? Stairs every time... I'm on the 21st floor!!

LOL

I've always thought artificial sweeteners were worse than refined sugar. Ick.

[heather]

I'm in! Usually a lurker here, but this might just be the motivation I need to stick with this. I'm thinking...
1. 1/2 hour of exercise at least 3 times a week
2. cutting out refined sugars
3. cutting out the splenda i put in my morning cup of tea.

[Sarah]

This lurker is in. I've already given up sweets/baking for Lent, so I'll just continue it. I was doing really well with drinking water, but I got lazy, so I'll have to start again. I'd also like to add exercise and an early bedtime, but I don't want to get carried away. I could also add saying no to too many activities. That would definitely keep me saner.

[Beth]

Yay yay yay! And what perfect timing. I am trying to lose the last 10 pounds gained with baby and need to get into a better mental head space. First step: exercise! I was into a great routine pre-baby, but it all fell apart sometime around the third trimester. Since then, I have not made any time for exercise and have been eating what I will call "conveniently," which means anytime I pass a Chick-fil-a, I stop there. Ugh.
So, in an effort to fix this disgusting behavior, count me in!!! I had already resolved to get on the treadmill and run or walk for 30 minutes a day (which has been going fairly well- "consistency, not perfection"), so I will choose 3 new resolutions to add. Here they are:
1. Cut out all drinks but water. I generally get about 64 ounces in a day, but I also drink a coffee every morning and a glass of sweet tea or a Mountain Dew maybe every other day in the afternoon. So I am making the move to all water, all the time.
2. I found a 4 move, 20 minute strength training routine online last night that I will attempt to do at least 3 times a week.
3. No more fast food. At all. Chick-fil-a, consider yourself on notice.
In addition, for my husband's mental and physical well-being, I think I will also take on the sex challenge. He was just mentioning to me yesterday, in fact, that some preacher recently challenged the married couples in his congregation to have sex once a day for 30 days. I don't think that will be happening at our house, but we do need to up the frequency.
I am also going to challenge my husband to pick 3 things to improve his health for 60 days.
As Obama (or Clinton or McCain) might say, I am fired up and ready to go! Woohoo!

[alex]

I'm so in! This is a fabulous suggestion.

I espeically love Paola's thoughts on more sex. All the nursings, snuggling and cuddling I've been doing with DS for the last six months has helped fullfilled my need to be touched, but my poor husband isn't receiving enough! It will be a great way to focus on the two of us more.

So here are my 3:

1) Have sex at least once a week
2) Floss every day
3) Cut out the candy/treats I consume at the office. I do not want to cut out ALL sugar, just the stuff I consume mindlessly at work because I'm stressed and/or bored.

[caramama]

I'm in! This is a great idea, and it's so exciting that so many people are already in!

I'm surprised by how many of the things Moxie listed I've started doing in the past year, so yeah me! But there are other things I've been meaning to do, and this challenge could be just the thing to get me going!

Here are my three:
-Do yoga at least 3 times a week. (This was a new year's resolution that has gone NOWHERE.)
-Start reading all labels and not using things with HFCS (I will say specifically to "cut back" since I'm not sure I can cut it out completely).
-Eating organic foods especially fruits (specifically those grown on farms around my in laws as much as possible, which has an added bonus of supporting their local economy)

paolo - Sex is exercise, so it totally counts!

Summer - You totally cracked me up!

Michaela - I was just thinking the same thing about my skin! I was thinking if I ate healthier that might help my skin. Let me know if you come up with anything.

[Joy]

Yay! I'll play!!
I will:
1. Get on the damn elliptical machine we sunk so much money into last year.
2. Drink much more water. And I'm going to add at least a glass a day of low sodium V8... 2 servings of veggies in a glass!!
3. I've already given up my precious daily afternoon indulgence of something chocolate (all chocolate, really, for Lent), which I will continue for the course of this challenge, but grant myself a reprieve on Easter Sunday itself.

Good Luck everybody!!

[Rachel]

I am feeling seriously sad about the remaining 10 lbs from baby #2... the kid is eight months old, and it's taken me that long to lose fifteen pounds, I don't want to go another six months before I can fit into my real clothes again! So:

1. 64 oz water daily - It is so important that I do this, for goodness sake I'm nursing, and yet I often do not. I am now setting up a daily reminder to refill my water bottle twice at work.

2. 5 servings fruits and vegetables - Again, nursing, duh. Also for my weight goals ADDING fruits and vegs to my daily intake does more than anything that implies deprivation. Especially if I eat them first, and am then less hungry.

3. re that: Eat when I'm hungry, as much as I need to feel satisfied. Don't eat when I'm not hungry, and don't eat past feeling satisfied. Occasionally stop wolfing food long enough to pay attention to how I am feeling.

[Heather in WA]

Organic chocolate is okay though, right? ;-)

DH and I were actually talking about this last night. We aren't soda drinkers, we don't eat many pre-packaged foods, we already avoid HFCS. We have discovered we are eating even better (ie - the 5/day fruits & veggies) because of the 9monthBabyWhoEatsEverythingInSight.

Dr Oz said yesterday (it just *happened* to be on when I was getting ready to watch the local news) that coffee is the best source of antioxidants. I thought that meant it was okay to drink...?

I really like Rachel's #3--that is my biggest problem.

So, after all this talking to myself (thanks for bearing with me), I'll go with:

1. Eat when I'm hungry, not when I'm bored.
2. Take the baby on a walk AT LEAST 4 times a week (we're in the suburbs. Nowhere fun to walk.)
3. Add green tea back to diet. I used to drink a lot of it. I think I stopped when I was PG. (I only have 1 cup of coffee/day, and like others have said, it is the thing I look forward to in the morning.)

Wow. That's a pretty lame list. Sigh.

[pnuts mama]

paola, i am so in for the more sex...should i commit to times per week?

i think a daily check in post would be much easier than a yahoo group- i can't handle that much email!

i'm not sure that i'm willing to concede that coffee can be a healthy drink (although i do love green tea as well)- as long as you aren't chugging it all day long...it's still better than soda/juice w/ HFCS...

will take the time later to read everyone's responses and think of my own three! awesome idea, moxie! (i was thinking lent too)

[Susan]

Indeed - I love the challenge - it's just what I needed to kick start my life again. (it needed a jump) I'll be thinking about my "three things" and then post on it on my blog....

[Amy]

I hate to be a downer... but you'll have to count me out. Nursing a 9 month old all night, working full time, and doing several hours of homework every evening with my older kids means that mommy has very little time to herself and her indulgences. I have no intention of giving up any vices until I get a full night's sleep, a day off work all to myself, and a romantic dinner out with my husband.

Yes, I think I have TMTDANETD ("Too Much to Do and Not Enough Time Depression").

[Katie B.]

in re: other religious holidays this will include, add Ostara, or the celebration of the spring equinox. Sort of the Pagan Easter, but usually without the candy and Hallmark cards.

I'm in. This dovetails nicely with some of my own recent resolutions. It also includes me going into my third trimester and not wanting to completely fail at labor because I'm so out of shape. So:

1) More sex. Good for all kinds of things, including helping baby come a touch earlier. :)

2) Exercise! I want to get a prenatal yoga disc, but until payday I can at least do better at doing Kegels.

3) Actually drinking all the water I'm supposed to be drinking. I count herbal tea in that, but not black tea.

[kirsten]

I'm in!

1. Take Omega 3s every day
2. Drink 4 cups green tea daily
3 exercise 3xs per week

Hurray!!

[Lorraine]

I'm in -- will have to sculpt my 3 to fit the time I've got, what with a 9-month old and a new job (starting in March). But the number one thing that I'm promising myself:

If I achieve neither perfection nor consistency, I will NOT tell myself that it's because I'm bad, lazy or lame. I will not beat myself up over the things that I can't accomplish - I will try my best, and celebrate what I can do, not cry over what I can't.

I find that so often, challenges like this turn into another reason to aim a spotlight on our shortcomings - I love that people are thinking positively, so let's keep it up!!

[ruby's mama]

Long-time reader, first-time commenter stepping in to say I LOVE THIS idea. It's so "Oprah" of you, Moxie. ;-)

This inspires me. I'm a new mama, still FT nursing my 8-month old (who still wakes up every 45 minutes all night!), looking for work after getting laid off, gained some weight from self-medicating with sweets, and now struggling a bit with some late-blooming PPD.

Sorry, don't mean to whine. I'm just trying to say that with some goals like this, I think I'd feel like the sun is shining down on me again.

So, for what it's worth, here are my three:

-- Give up my Diet 7Up habit and commit to drinking water every day. I'm going to start with 32 oz because 1, who am I kidding. And 2, that's how big my Nalgene bottle is.

-- Exercise 3x per week with my yoga and pilates DVDs that have been gathering dust.

-- Take my vitamins and Omega 3s every day.

Anyone have any suggestions for a good multivitamin I can take?

[Jen]

I'm in!

1. Take my Omega 3s every day. I stopped with the Omega 3 supplement with my prenatal because they made me gag and spew. But this poor girl I'm carrying deserves them!

2. At minimum, drink 64 oz. of H20 daily.

3. Take naps or rest at least once a day. I've got a two year old and I'm 7 months pregnant... it's impossible not to feel guilty for what's becoming essential to take care of myself. I need to do that.

I'll be delivering 4 days or so after this ends, so it'll be a great way to take care of myself, (and build good habits), until then.

[Julie]

I definitely want to do this. I really need to think about it.....and may I also suggest that we write down our 3 things on a post-it and put it somewhere so we can look at it every day to remind us? Setting goals is important, but thinking about them every day is important too.
So far I have
-Drink 2 big water bottles of water a day (I think it adds up to 64 oz)
-Exercise - either doing my t-tapp or my beach body workouts - 3-4 times a week.
And I really think I need to spend 60 days renewing my love affair with vegetables. I used to be a fanatic about putting them in everything - salads for dinner all the time.....but once I got pregnant, my taste for salads and veggies went to hell. So I want to get them back in my life. I just typed "I'm not sure I can hit 5 per day..." then deleted it because I CAN hit 5 per day dammit. And I think I really need to. My skin and hair look like shit.

Also, can we please have one open post a week to check in? The weekend seems like a good time for people to reflect on their week and set some goals for the next week.

[Julie]

I'm in!
1- cut out chocolate (and candy) and cut way back on cheese
2- walk at least 3xs a week on my lunch break
3- have more quality time with my husband (doesn't necessarily mean sex but he wouldn't complain if it did!)