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.