30 days and 30 nights

Friday, June 29, 2012 Permalink

*Actually, it was probably 29 nights but that wasn’t as snappy a post title! 

As the first half of 2012 nears its end, I’m sure you’re wondering how my June 30 day challenge went. Yes? No? Whatever. I’m gonna tell you anyway!

You will recall that I decided to participate in the Photo-a-day challenge AND avoid my danger-foods (aka binge foods) for the month.

And guess what? I succeeded. Yes, it’s true. My resolution held strong and fast. For a change.

Destination: success!I know the goals I set myself weren’t lofty. I mean, I was hardly inventing a cure for cancer or learning to run 5km. But… given that I hadn’t been able to get through a weekend WITHOUT chocolate, corn chips and / or rice cakes for some time I’m mightily stoked with my achievement. I responded to a comment on my blog a day or so ago saying that – at the end of May – I felt I was spiralling out of control.

In my attempt to not-diet, I moved directly to binge mode – albeit in a binge manner. And by that I mean I was healthy during the week, but spent all weekend eating far too much of my food-of-the-moment. And already I was having to ‘up the ante’. One packet of cheese flavoured rice cakes was no longer enough to eat with my 12 caramello koalas. I needed two packets. And perhaps 2 packets of koalas. I’ve been down that road many-a-time and it’s not pretty. And quite frankly the return journey is excruciatingly painful.

During my mid month check-in I mentioned that I’d gained a bit of weight. Just a couple of kilograms. Fortunately that hasn’t increased, but nor has it decreased. My double digit goal is further off than it was over six months ago. Although still doable.

And – interestingly enough – it became easier as the month went on. I visited some of my danger places on occasion (supermarket stocking my fave foods, service station where I’ve previously picked up ONE small chocolate as a treat; I’ve even survived promotional staff handing out free chocolate). But my resolve has held strong. And, it’s increased along the way. In my old weightloss program (the 12 week body transformation challenge) the leader Michelle talked about ‘strengthening’ our willpower muscle. Quite frankly it seems to work.

However, I must pause for a moment because I really should relish the moment: I. DID. IT.

I said I was gonna do it and I did! In addition to the no-junk, every day I took a photograph of something that someone told me to – which didn’t take a lot of effort, but a mindfulness I don’t often possess. I had to keep it in the front of my mind (with a whole heap of other crap) lest I forget and skip a day.  And well… you know what I’m like. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!

So – building on my June achievements I’ve now set some goals for July which I’ve written about in my other blog. They include daily posting (there) and going alcohol-free throughout July.

I’m hoping the daily posting there doesn’t impact on this blog – though if I keep my posts short and sweet, it should be doable. I’m more worried about the no-alcohol thing. I gave up alcohol for over 3 months a couple of years ago and my chocolate consumption grew in reverse proportion until it got to the point that I was buying 4 x 200g blocks to get me through the night.

I’m not going to do that this time. I swear. Rather, I will continue to not-diet, but attempt to stay away from my binge foods. I don’t think my willpower muscle is strong enough yet to enjoy ‘a bit’ of chocolate or ‘a few’ corn chips without devouring it/them all and going back for more. Again and again. Instead, I’ll keep working on it and – hopefully – at the end of July I will be able to write a similar post…. Acknowledging my achievements for the month and again surprising myself : I can set goals and deliver on them!

Did you set yourself any goals for June? Did you succeed?
What about July?

24 Comments
  • nondiscrypt
    June 29, 2012

    Well done Deb that’s no mean feat that you’ve achieved !! You’ve got yourself some momentum happening now … I’m looking forward to reading your post about your July success too !

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2012

      Thanks! Fingers crossed!

  • B
    June 29, 2012

    Hey! You linked in! How awesome!

    So great to meet you today – so glad you caught my eye from across the room!

    I hope that you are made welcome at Team Friday!

    See you in the morning,
    B

    • Debbish
      June 29, 2012

      Lovely to meet you as well. Am looking forward to tomorrow!

      Deb

  • Jennifer
    June 29, 2012

    It was so nice to read this post! Such optimism!!! 🙂 Good for you Deb!!!!!

    Have you read Fit from Within??? It’s really a mind-blowing read for those who are fed up of dieting! I’m 3/4 of the way through and it’s really changed my mindset and attitude towards healthy living and weight loss!

    have an awesome weekend! xoxo

    • Debbish
      June 30, 2012

      I haven/t read “Fit from Within” Jennifer but I’ve heard of it before so must take a look.

      And thanks… so far the weekend away’s been fabulous!

      Deb

  • Me
    June 29, 2012

    Well done on achieving your June goals – that is awesome !! I think that in order to achieve great things we need to achieve a whole bunch of little things along the way and before you know it, you will look back and see just how much you have achieved !!! Good for you !

    Thank you for linking in with Team Friday – I love finding new blogs to read through these link ins !!!

    Have a great weekend – love, hugs and positive energy.
    Linda

    • Debbish
      June 30, 2012

      Hi there and thanks for dropping by. I think you’re right. I feel such a sense of accomplishment just from the little goals I set…

      Thanks again
      Deb

  • KCLAnderson (Karen)
    June 29, 2012

    Yeah you!!! As I was reading your post, I started to wonder if having two very different goals (taking a photo every day and avoiding junk food) actually worked in your favor…it’s as if taking the photos shifted your focus (literally).

    • Debbish
      June 30, 2012

      Thanks Karen – I think it’s true – having non-weight related goals was quite different and possibly (?!) made the other goal less about dieting / weight etc. More just a goal I’d set that I didn’t want to fail! I think that’s what I liked about the Matt Cutts clip – his goals involved the photo-a-day thing and riding to work. No burpees, no planks, no calories etc.. I’m hoping the same thing will be true for July!

      Deb

  • Julia
    June 30, 2012

    Congratulations on the 30 day challenge! I’ve restarted mine so many times that I realize what a big deal it is to stick to something for 30 days, even if it seems easy.

    WAY TO GO on the July resolution. I think it will be so good for you, and I can’t wait to read about it.

    • Debbish
      June 30, 2012

      Thanks Julia and I do feel quite chuffed with my attempts EVEN if the goals weren’t huge. Am hoping I can build up to bigger and better things (and not necessarily weight-related)!

      Deb

  • J
    June 30, 2012

    congrats on june!

    • Debbish
      June 30, 2012

      Thanks J!!! Happy with my results.

  • Lou Lou
    June 30, 2012

    Sounds like you had an amazing month! Congrat’s. Enjoy the feeling of success and good luck with ‘white’ July…

    • Debbish
      July 1, 2012

      Thanks Lou Lou!

  • Liz@LastChanceTraining
    June 30, 2012

    Nice work Deb!

    • Debbish
      July 1, 2012

      Thanks Liz, I am proud of myself! (And I don’t say that much!)

  • Vicki
    June 30, 2012

    Congrats Deb! Build on the strength you have found x

    • Debbish
      July 1, 2012

      I will certainly try Vicki!

  • Kerstin
    July 1, 2012

    You are such an inspiration! You have all reason to be proud, this is no small thing. I love this idea of setting monthly goals for getting back on track and also changing habits. Well done!

    • Debbish
      July 1, 2012

      Hi Kerstin and thank you. Me too… small goals (weight related and other ones) seem and feel achievable!

      Deb

  • Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky
    July 2, 2012

    Congrats on the achievement of your goals! I didn’t really have any set for June… except for putting myself out there at NNB2012 and meeting new people, which I can say I succeeding in doing 🙂
    So lovely to meet you x

    • Debbish
      July 2, 2012

      You definitely did and it was lovely to meet you as well!

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