Day 8 and Day 7

Day 8 of 30 Days of 30 Minutes (30D30M) of Exercise:  I have done pretty well for the first week.  I definitely tried to ease into it, starting off mostly walking, but storms and humidity forced me to go back to the gym later in the week.  That's a good thing.  Seeing me back on a cardio machine, NOT such a good thing.  I am sure I looked something like this...

I know it sure felt like that the first day back, but I am now holding my own again.  Next step is to start some light weightlifting along with it.  Look I am not trying to be the next Mr. Olympia or challenge The Rock in the ring (Bring it Jabroni), but I am trying to focus on getting healthier and making exercise part of my life all of the time, not just once in awhile.  I got plans son.  Sleep has definitely been better this week.  Not sure if that has to do with the exercising, the no sugar or both.  Regardless, I am feeling a little better each day. 

Day 7 of No Sugar:   This challenge has been a little bit tougher.  Cravings are so very strong right now.  What didn't help me this week is the guys in my office.  Only two days after beginning this challenge, two people in a room occupied only by 6 of us, decided to bring in donuts.  They know what I (and another co-worker) am going through, but here are donuts anyway.  That was a tough day. 

This weekend, the very woman who challenged me with this, decides to make pancakes for the family.  Seriously!!!  I looove pancakes...but I also made it through that one, although there may have been a little bit of drool...okay, a lot of drool.  My kids tried to help by telling me "Even The Rock has a cheat day".  I smell what your cooking...and dammit, it smells like brownies.  Thanks for the support kids.  This challenge is really tough, because sugar is disguised in so many ways and is probably still in some of the stuff I have eaten, but I know that I have severely decreased my sugar intake.  That truly is the ultimate goal.  If I can decrease that, I will be well on my way to getting healthier.  The funny thing is, I think I am starting to actually notice it.  I just want the cravings to go away.  Let's see what wonderful treats I encounter this week.  Going strong though...for the moment. As for The Rock, I am coming for you Rocky.

Two Challenges To Start

So minutes after posting my 30 Days of 30 Minutes of Exercise challenge, my wife challenged me to 30 days of No Sugar.  So I accepted it (as much as I didn't want to) and now I am working two challenges at once.  From the moment she challenged me I have been craving ice cream, donuts, pop tarts, M&Ms, cake...you name it.  Currently I am on Day 4 of No Sugar. 

This has been quite tough, not so much because I have to cut out sweets, but other than contain sugar that you just don't think about, such as BBQ sauce, ketchup, most breads, coffee creamers, all of the salad dressings that I like, as well as many other things that I thought were good for me.  I love greek yogurt, but most of it is loaded with sugar.  Imagine my surprise when I see the yogurt I like the most has 15 grams of sugar in it.  I always that yogurt, especially greek yogurt, was good for you.  So I tried a zero sugar yogurt...not as good.  I definitely have an addiction with sugar, like most of America does.  So during this, I am finding all kinds of other things to eat, even over just 4 days so far.  Lots of vegetables, some fruit to give me the sweet that I crave, but not too much and nuts and seeds have become my friends.  Long way to go and this one is going to be a fight.  No real difference after 4 days except the cravings are fierce.  I do believe I am starting to go through a bit of a withdrawal though.  Minor headache for the last day and half.  Can't seem to get it to go away.  No big deal though.

As for the 30 Days of 30 Minutes (30D30M) of Exercise, been pretty tough to find time more than it is to do.  I have started with walking to ease into it so I don't hurt my back.  Each day I have been out walking from 40-60 minutes.  It's been extremely hot and I have been having to walk around thunderstorms.  It's easy to find 30 minutes as long as the weather holds up.  I plan on going to the gym a little more often to continue, especially since the humidity is getting to be unbearable. 

I have made it through 5 days (after today) and definitely feel a difference already.  I am falling asleep quicker just with walking.  My back has been less of a hindrance.  My step count on my FitBit has been well passed my goal each day.  I like seeing that. 

Check back in a couple of days...thanks and get out there and Challenge Yourself.  It only takes 30 days to change your lifestyle.  Be safe and try to have fun.

And So It Begins...DAY ONE!!!

Hello and Welcome!!!

I started this blog really to document my attempts to becoming a better version of myself.  The hope that if I do them for 30 days, they will become part of my lifestyle instead of something I just think about doing once in awhile.  And if they don't, hopefully they will at least be entertaining to the rest of the world.  Throughout these challenges, I will document changes in me physically, mentally and spiritually.  If I fail to complete the 30 days, I will either continue on from where I left off the next day or start over.  Sometimes I may even attempt to do 2 challenges at once with a little separation between start times...or not as you will see at the beginning of this.  This all started because my wife likes to tell me "You can do anything for 30 days.  It's not that long in the span of your life".  So let's see if she was lying to me.  I have my doubts. 

Few things you need to know about me.  I am a husband and a father of three.  All three are teenagers or older.  Two are in college, one is in middle school.  I have been happily married for 20+ years to my beautiful wife.  She works hard to try and keep me alive.  Thanks for that sweetie.  I love video games, tv, sports and movies.  I have a bad back, bad knees and they will hinder me at times.  The first challenge is truly going to be a challenge, because I am going to attempt to start with 30 days of exercise for 30 minutes or more each day.  I know that doesn't seem to difficult, but for me it seems to have been hard to come by for 40+ years, so let's try it.

The 30 minutes of exercise can include anything from walking to weightlifting to playing an active sport or game outside.  Basically, work up a sweat.  I would except mowing your lawn as exercise as long as it is with a push mower.  This 30 minutes will not include my daily stretches for my back that I am under doctors orders to do.  So that's where this challenge will begin and it begins TODAY. 

I will not update every single day on the blog, but I will track what I do for my 30 minutes and let you know all the funny stuff that happens.  I will try to update the blog at least twice a week, so please check back and see how I am doing, ask questions, suggest some other challenges and let me know if you wish to partake as well.  Thanks and I look forward to the results.