Week 6 #HolidaySweat Recap

Well those 6 weeks flew by!

Holiday Sweat is the first challenge group I have joined and I had such a positive experience, that I will certainly give other challenge groups a try and will be signing up for Holiday Sweat in 2015. 

What I liked about this challenge:

• Simple parameters - track your workouts, water intake and fruits/vegetables
• Healthy habit focus - no diet overhauls or punitive* consequences (*for me punitive = cutting out chocolate/toast)
• Accountability - regular check-ins via social media and a shared spreadsheet
• Thoughtful, quality content - workouts, recipes and opportunities to reflect on healthy ideas were offered via email and through social media
• Connecting with others - it was really nice to connect with others walking a similar path

Amanda and the Sweat Guru team were great cheerleaders and role-models!

I also learned a bit about myself.

Yes, I can eat more vegetables! I have always eaten quite a bit of fruit (at least 2-3 servings a day) but was concerned that I would have trouble meeting my #freggie target by dedicating 70% of my intake to vegetables . Once I started planning it became easier. I hit the target more often than not and the days I missed the goal of 7, I consistently ate 5-6 servings of #freggies (with at least 3-4 being a vegetable and not a fruit). I'm going to count that as a success. More importantly, now I seek out ways to add more vegetables to a recipe and we have instituted a 2-vegetable policy at dinner for the kids (age 4 and 5). 

I was able to stay consistent with my running schedule and my yoga practice at the studio over the holidays. I had a harder time squeezing in home yoga practice and the extra workouts I was hoping to complete. I'm not sure if I will have more luck now without the added holiday mayhem or if I have squeezed of the time that I can out of my hectic schedule for exercise. I'm going to keep trying to make more time for exercise - especially for home yoga practices and strength training.

#HolidaySweat Week 6

Day	Water	Freggies	Workout & Check in	Notes
Monday	1	1	1	social media check-in
Tuesday	1	1	4.5	Ran 4.5 miles on TM, stretched for 15 minutes, social media check-in
Wednesday	1	0	1	social media check-in
Thursday Happy New Year!	1	0	6	Ran 4 miles on outside, stretched for 15 minutes, social media check-in
Friday	1	1	7.8	Walked 1.8 miles, Ran 4 miles on TM, stretched for 15 minutes, social media check-in
Saturday	1	1	0	Busy planning for reentry!
Sunday	1	1	7	Ran 5 miles on the TM, stretching social media check-in

What now?

• Daily Yoga - yes, seriously! I am starting of 2015 with a one hour yoga session Monday- Friday for the month of January. I'll write more about that later this week.
• Figuring out how I am going to fit daily yoga and 3-4 runs into my schedule this week.
• Slogging away on the treadmill, slowly as I continue low heart rate training.
• Shoveling snow - I don't know when and how much, but I do know that after a month reprieve, I will get my fair share this month (and probably the next two as well).

Wishing you a smooth, post holiday re-entry in to reality.

Kim