Get Set. 24 Day Challenge Starts Tomorrow!

Ok guys.  I'm so pumped that we are in this together!  Before we get started I do want to say that I am not a doctor or a professional so please don't take what I say as the official word on being healthy.  I've just learned what has worked for me and wanted to challenge myself to get back on track and thought it would  be fun to do it with my friends. Are you ready?!

I'm going to go through the ground rules and details of the 24 day challenge.  It is really easy to explain.  BE HEALTHY.  Thats it.   For 24 days we are going to be the healthiest we can possibly be.  There are only 4 things we have to do.  They are simple, but sometimes its the simplest things that are the hardest.  So if your ready lets...

The first rule is most likely going to be the hardest for almost all of us.  But it is going to make the biggest difference.  And really it will be what makes or breaks it for me and you.  

Ummm... I don't know how to say this strongly enough.  But here is a little tough love.  WE ARE NOT GOING ON A DIET!!  Eating clean isn't "a diet" it is a lifestyle change.  It is changing your diet.  Diet as in the food that you eat.  Not I'm going on this new diet called the clean diet.  

It isn't rocket science.  We all know what we need to do.  Its just the actually doing it that is hard.  

Eat healthy food.  Eat food that is good for you.  That's all there is to it.    A great website with a whole lot of information and ideas for you is 100 Days of Real Food.  Here is a general idea of what eating clean is...

Remove any processed or refined foods from your diet.  This includes but is not limited to anything made with white flour or sugar.  

Don't rely on packaged food.  If you are buying food from the store and it is in a package make sure that there are 5 ingredients or less.

Buy local as much as you can.  It is the height of garden season so getting fresh vegetables and fruits should be fairly easy.

The obvious would be to stay away from candy, ice cream, baked goods and those things that are yummy but you know aren't good for you.  

Eat 5 small meals a day. Depending on how active you are and your  goals, each meal should be around 300 calories.  If you are really active shoot for between 300 and 400 calories per meal.  Since exercise is part of the challenge, please don't starve yourself.  You need to eat for fuel.  1500 calories should be the minimum you eat in a day.  To help you get a good feel for how many calories you are eating use some kind of calorie counter like MyFitnessPal. 

Does that about cover it for eating clean?  If you have any questions feel free to ask me or google. 

**DISCLAIMER**  If you feel like you need to go on "a diet" or some other program to help jumpstart you to eating clean, then feel free.  I personally don't agree with anything that says I can't eat something that I know is healthy.  And I'm a firm believer in not taking any kind of weight loss pill/shake/anything.   I could go on and on about that but here is my one thought for you.  I know that you want results quick and easy, but how much more satisfaction would you get from knowing that any results you see are from your very own hard work and determination?  Yes its going to take longer.  But my guess is your results will last longer. 

Moving on...

Ok this one is not so complicated.  Drink 80+ ounces of water a day.  Drinking out of the same cup or water bottle that you know how much it holds will help you keep track.  No soda, juice or alcohol please, just good ole water to wet your whistle.   Next up...

Again pretty straight forward.  Sleeping 8 hours {or more if you are lucky} is really good for you.  So we are going to do it.  

And last but not least, my favorite!

You gotta do it.  You need to sweat for at least 30 minutes every day.  Rest on Sunday.   There are so many resources out there to help you get going.  Buy the 30 day shred or hit the road running.  I don't really care as long as you are moving.  And secretly I will be insanely jealous that you can and I can't.  I'll be doing strength training and working on getting my knee better.  If you are already on the exercise wagon, then switch it up.  Add strength training or a yoga class.  Push yourself to do something new.  Some of my favorite programs are free and so awesome.   BodyRock.tv is amazing.  Twelve  minute workouts that kick your butt every day.  I love the Nike Training Club app.  I'm pretty sure it is on android and iOs.  Again I could go on and on.  Let me know if you want a full list! 

I think that about covers it for ground rules.  There are just one more disclaimer {also known as my personal opinion},   and then you can go and get set.  Kick off is tomorrow!! 

**DISCLAIMER** This challenge is not the see how skinny I can get in 24 days challenge.  Or the see how much weight I can lose in 24 days challenge.  This is the see what happens if I am the healthiest I can be for 24 days challenge.  It will make all the difference if you shift your thinking away from feeling like you are depriving yourself of something when you pass on a cupcake or soda.  Focus on the positive changes you are making and how hard you are working toward your goal and you won't miss that cupcake I promise!