Baby Steps to Weight Loss...FITNESS JAR CHALLENGE

A friend had the idea of a FITNESS JAR CHALLENGE, wherein you place scraps of paper with healthy choices in a jar and complete one per day. When I taught school, we had a math 'challenge' called DROPS IN THE BUCKET, with the concept that if you practiced the basic concepts daily, you add a drop of knowledge to your 'bucket.' By the end of the year, you have acquired a wealth of knowledge in your bucket o' brains.

The same concept holds true in the challenge. It is like taking baby steps in this healthy life style journey and by the end, maybe you can RUN! I developed a different version very particular to me. I used to exercise obsessively. But, with MS, I simply cannot do that. My focus needs to be more on healthy eating and positive thinking. I also assigned point values to each choice. Some will be more challenging to me, specifically. My idea is that I want to make a COMPLETE change; a turn around. I want to make a 180 TURN! I used some ideas from Jillian Michael's book, "Slim for Life," as well as thoughts shared at Weight Watchers, coupled with my own goals.

Next, I like numbers. I like patterns. I'm hoping to establish a routine and possibly even healthy habits. I'm aiming for a 180 turn (180 points earned) by 1/4/14. I will allow myself a few throw backs, since some days with MS, you physically cannot do what your spirit/soul wants to. I have some exercise concepts in the challenge, but acknowledge that there will be times that I'll have to save it for days of increased strength. And, in all honesty, it will also put me under, possibly, for days after. So, if I pull out two physical options on consecutive days, I need to be realistic.

I tend to get down when I don't see a particular number or downward movement on the scale. Since my most recent MS exacerbation, I have been down because I just can't move that scale as I'd hoped. So, I'm going to change my focus. When I had strength, I was able to lose 5.4% of my body weight. Now I can't. Be REAL. Be HONEST. Be LOVING.

Instead, I'm going to acknowledge that I have weaknesses and can do one thing per day to increase my HEALTH.

Here's my personal list: (use it if you want, modify it to your own goals, and GOOD LUCK)

SLIM LIST (list of WHYS) “Make it Personal” 3 points	Measurable Goals 2 points	“Behold the Power of the Pyramid” 3 points
After washing my hands, 1 min positive affirmations 1 point	Smoothie for Breakfast 2 points	Salad for lunch 1 point
No dairy 2 points	No bread today 2 points	No sugar all day (refined) 3 points
Walk outside 1 point	After using the bathroom, 2 push ups 2 points	NO chemical crap (no processed foods) 3 points
3 full meals today 1 point	“You are beautiful, strong, and capable” repeated 5 times every time you enter or pass the kitchen 1 point	Under calorie allotment (track food, as well) 3 points
Make a weekly menu and grocery list. FOLLOW it. 1 point per day followed	Grocery shopping with no junk purchased 2 points	Plan ahead (and track accordingly) 2 points
Date night with hubby and make a SMART choice 2 points	Bag it for the week (small portions with info written outside baggie) 3 points	Journal food choices and feelings 2 points
One piece of fruit with every meal 1 point per meal	60 oz. of water 1 point	Meds every day this week 1 point per day
Fiberwise 1 point per day	62 oz. of water 2 points	Electrolytes 1 point
100% whole grains 1 point	Yogurt instead of sugar/chocolate all week 2 points every 2 days	Salad/soup once a day 1 point per day
Colorful meals today 1 point per color total	Create a vision wall 5 points	Lunges everywhere I walk for ½ the day 2 points
Journal 2 points	64 oz. of water 2 points	Healthy breakfast 1 point
5 crunches before and after every meal 3 points	Water aerobics 3 points	Buy organic 1 point
Try a new vegetable (or new way with a veggie) every day this week 1 point per day	Dance with baby girl 2 points	Choose a mantra and repeat 10 times in the morning, afternoon, and evening 2 points
Report to someone on positive changes made yesterday, today, and plans for tomorrow 2 points	1 point for every day w/o chocolate	Reboot for 3 days 3 points
Attend WW this week and report 2 points	Balanced diet today (discriminate, don’t eliminate) 2 points	“Slim for Life” Meal plan 3 points
“If it didn’t come from the land or sea, or have a mother, avoid.” 2 points	Real versions, “Go back to Nature.” 2 points	“Eat in Technicolor” 3 points (all day) 2 points (one meal)
Visit the local market this week 1 point	Meds every day this week 3 points (end of week)	After washing my hands, 2 min positive affirmations 2 points
Be seasonal 1 point	Eat every 4 hours 2 points	Snack is 20% of allotment (4 by 4= 4 meals—snack being one, every 4 hrs) 2 points
Eat w/o distractions 2 points	No juice today 1 point	80/20 every day this week (80% greens, leans, fruits & 20% treats) 1 point
Eat 2 water-packed foods (watermelon, zucchini, cucumbers, etc) 1 point	Apple a day keeps the doctor away (every day this week) 1 point per day	Crawford video 3 points
Weights during commercials of 1 hr show 3 points	No shopping while hungry this week 2 points	Fish for dinner 3 points
“Kick the Can” (no foods from a can) 1 point	Precut fruit for the week/day 2 points	Journal 2 points
No food with more than 5 ingredients all week (or bought at the grocery store) 1 point	Try a new meal and blog about it 3 points	Kid size (plates, cups for juice, bowls) 1 point
Colorful w/o much white (2 white per day) 1 point per day	Brush teeth after each meal 1 point	Put down fork after every bite 2 points
Fiberwise 2 points	Picnic this week 3 points	Soup or Salad once a day 1 point per day
Find an inspiration 2 points	Talk with hubby about progress, issues, and concerns 1 point	Healthy breakfast 2 points
Work out playlist 1 point	3 jumping jacks every hour until 8 p.m. 3 points	Drink a cold glass of water before every meal/snack 1 point
Eat each meal with my left hand 1 point	When I get a craving this week, listen to music that is uplifting and/or calming. 2 points	Eat 5 walnuts or 8 almonds before 2 meals today 1 point
Emergency Plan for 3 triggers/issues 3 points	Yoga 2 points	Take three bites ONLY of treats for 3 days. 3 points
Read a health book for 5 minutes with every craving 1 point	Brush my teeth after every meal and snack and before cravings 2 points	Check all labels for MSG. Avoid ALL WEEK 1 point
In bed by 10:30 p.m. 1 point per night	Get a massage 1 point	Meditation 1 point
Pray for 10 minutes to God about goals and assistance 2 points	Grow something you can eat 3 points	When going grocery shopping only pay with cash 2 points
Pair a protein with a carb 2 points	Slim pick for date night 2 points	Chew gum 1 point
Eat with chop sticks 2 points	Cut food into smaller portions 1 point	When going out to dinner, tie a ribbon around waist. When it expands, STOP 3 points
Leave wrappers out and take inventory at the end of the day 1 point	No carbs at night 3 points	5 day combo (1 pt each): *Spinach & citrus *Veggies & healthy fat *Vitamin D & calcium *Grapes & Nuts/Fish *Protein & Starch