You will most certainly recall (?!) that I decided to embark on a 30 day challenge for the month of June. I took a leaf out of Matt Cutts’ book, who had in turn taken a leaf out of Morgan Spurlock’s book (sort of), deciding that I would try to do (or not do) something  for 30 days.

Not being a ‘challenge-lover’, my logic for doing this was to hopefully prove to myself that I CAN indeed set goals and deliver on them.

I’m half-way through the month, so thought it timely to check-in and let you know how I’m going. Also, I’m conscious my posts of late have been very depressing and I’ve portrayed myself in a not-good light. So…

Amazingly, I’m ‘succeeding’ (yes, you heard me) in this challenge.

Photo-a-day June
I know this wasn’t/isn’t really a hugely aspirational goal, but I said I’d participate in the photo-a-day challenge for the month of June, and I have. I must confess that I haven’t really scoped out others’ photos – other than those I know from Twitter, Facebook and the blogging world. In fact, I don’t really care how my photographs compare… it just requires me to put some thought into the process. Matt said that it made him more contemplative (my words not his) as he could recall what he was doing and where he was when he looked back at the photos. What I’ve gained from the exercise so far is that I have to try to be a bit more ‘aware’. Friday’s theme, for example, was ‘yellow’ and it meant that I had to try to constantly remind myself to keep on the lookout for something related to that theme.

I do occasionally (often) forget to keep it in the front of my mind, but my mindfulness in that respect has improved. (Note that I’m posting my photos each day on my Diet Schmiet Facebook page.)

Dump the junk
My after-thought goal was to STAY AWAY from my danger food. I had eaten (binged) on corn chips, rice cakes and chocolate EVERY non-working day for over a month. My distaste for grocery shopping was overlooked as I willingly headed to the store every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a few things. ‘A few things’ being rice cakes and chocolate! I was spiralling out of control and could not stop. But… I have. I’m now almost through my third weekend of no-danger-food! I know that doesn’t sound like a big deal to others, but it is to me. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve looked longingly at the chocolate aisle at the supermarket, or health foods section (home to my gluten-free corn chips)! Just today, after a morning walk, I called into the local store to buy the Sunday paper and RIGHT THERE NEXT TO ME at the checkout, were giant caramello koalas. Argh! But… I refrained.

Interestingly it hasn’t helped my weight loss efforts. I’m not-dieting at the moment, so eating… whatever. Ravioli and potato etcetera. When I was in binge / overeating mode, I’d binge evilly on the weekend, but make up for it during the week (filled with remorse). So I’d go carbohydrate-free most nights. The kilograms I’d gain over the weekend would be lost during the week. Then, you know… rinse, repeat.

Now I’m eating whatever (though no – what I call – ‘junk’) but my meals are too large. I’m yet to rein in what I believe to be the over-eating behaviour of a normal fat person, rather than the over-eating behaviour of a binge-eating fat person. If that makes sense.

I won’t be all ‘Pollyanna-like’ and say I’m not struggling with my lack of weight loss, cos I am. But, I’m trying to remind myself that I’m making SOME progress. I like to think I’ll continue with the no-binge food goal as long as possible. (Although if previous efforts are an indication, I usually find other binge foods after a while – which is why rice cakes (of all things!) are on the binge-foods list now. They were supposed to be a healthy alternative to corn chips. Alas.)

But, small steps. I’m halfway through the month and so far so good.

What about you? Are you working towards a goal? Is it a biggie and related to your health and fitness; or a more bite-sized one like my photo-a-day challenge?