I am all about theory. I love making lists, setting goals, learning about new subjects… My problem is turning all of the knowledge and plans into action.
Starting the Made to Crave Action Plan this week has really brought this to light for me. In the last study, I told myself I was making internal changes, growing closer to God and creating my plan. Now I have to actually put my plan into… action.
It is time for me to add some good works to my life…
I’m starting with 2 action steps from the book:
- Drink 16 ounces of water first thing in the morning
- Consume 25 grams of fiber each day
Tip: Drinking 16 ounces of water in the morning can reduce your caloric intake by up to 25 percent for that day. ~Dr. Ski Chilton
SOLD! That sounds like an easy enough habit to erase such a big chunk of calories from my day. He goes on to share about how women who eat the recommended amount of fiber are more satisfied and full. This makes it easier to stay on a healthy eating plan.
These two goals seem to be quite effortless, with wonderful results. I struggle to stay on any nutritious way of life. I’m more into sugar than fiber, but this is clearly not working for me.
The 3rd and final action step I’m working on this week is 10-20 minutes of exercise a day. I have always set lofty workout goals, and get burned out too quickly.
Today I started the 7-day fitness challenge with Shazzy Fitness. For the next week, I have committed to dancing along with their fun DVDs set to Christian music. I’m happy to share I survived day 1. It’s not too late to join in! The challenge ends March 11th, but I plan to keep moving. Ten minutes is easy to find in my day and I know it will lead to longer sessions in the near future.
I did a review on their program a few months ago along with a giveaway. They are generously giving away another DVD to one of you! Just leave a comment below with any action step you would like to take in your life and you will be entered.
They have 2 workouts available at this time: In the Beginning and A Time to Dance, which is the one I have. If you win, I will notify you by email to get your mailing address and which DVD you would prefer. The actual prize will be shipped from Shazzy Fitness. You must be in the US or Canada to be eligible.
The giveaway will end at midnight on March 12th. I will put all names from the comments into a hat and pull the winner the next morning.
I can’t wait to hear what areas you are ready to take action in. I also look forward to sharing with you next week all that I actually accomplished instead of what I have planned.
UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. The lucky winner is Amy R.! Thanks to everyone who entered!
We all have good intentions in mind but often we lack the motivation to follow through with. Drinking 16 oz of water and eating fiber sounds like a realistic goal to keep.
So far, so good :). Motivation and consistency are two things I really struggle with. I think starting small like this will help.
I like that you are making small achievable goals. That’s what I do, too. It’s good to be gentle with ourselves.
I agree, Laura. We need to “be gentle with ourselves.” That is not something I practiced most of my life, but I’m getting much better at it!
Candace I added those same steps and it has been easy and I’ve added some treadmill and squats and loving it. The videos sound awesome and with Christian music such a blessing. Thanks for sharing. Debbie W. (OBS Facebook Group Leader/Blog Hop Team)
Thanks for visiting, Debbie! I would like to add the treadmill next. Even 30 minutes walking on it helps me on so many levels!
Candance, I have this on my list of this to get done tonight. I will get one of these videos and give it a shot! I love the goals you set for excercise. I think that’s been one of my problems this whole time is setting unrealistic goals for me. It’s much harder for me in the winter, less daylight hours, weather is crappy. But when you put in 10 minutes, I thought about how I could get back to what I intended on doing months ago at work, prior to my health issues. Walking for 10 mins around the conference room at lunch, or yoga for 10 mins! 10 mins is better than nothing!
That’s what I keep telling myself- 10 minutes is a great start! It will eventually turn into more but I’m trying to develop the habit. I love yoga. I used to do it all the time but my body is so tightened up now from lack of use… Walking around the conference room sounds like a great idea, Veronica!
I love the idea of starting out small. I have used a dance video and think it is genus to praise God as I work on his temple. I would love this DVD.
I love the way you put that, Kathy! “Praise God as I work on his temple.” I will remember that. I want to add in “God walks” on my treadmill next week where I just spend time with Him walking. Your phrase has just made me even more sure of that plan. Thank you :)!
Candace, thank you so much for writing this! I’m working on the 25 grams of fiber. I will try & get in to the early morning water. It’s early morning coffee for me! I do understand the concept though. I love this study, think it’s really worth it! <3
I love this study too, Mary! It is forcing me to take action, which is something I don’t always like to do. I think increasing fiber is one of the best things you can do for your body. I had to google some stuff today to find out the fiber content. I have no idea about how much is in most foods. I brought a bottle of water to sit by my bed the last couple of nights so I could drink it first thing in the morning. It’s the only way I’ll remember to do it. I’m pretty out of it in the mornings :)!
Hey Candace, Love what you had to say today. I’m trying to figure out how much water I need to take daily at 200 lbs. I saw it somewhere in this study but can’t find it now. Anyway I’ve really upped my water in-take. By bedtime I had reached 80 oz. Yay!! I’m trying to move more too. I live up stairs and they are difficult for me so I’m stuck inside most of the time. I have a stationary bike I’ve worked up to 6 min at a time. Yesterday the sweat was pouring down (into my eyes as well) ouch it stings but Praise God I’m on my way. I would love to have the dance DVD it sounds wonderful, and I could adjust it to my abilities. Well Thanks for the encouragement Candace and here’s to a great day!!
Thank you, Loresa! I’m not sure on the water intake. There is so much conflicting information about it out there. I’m just trying to increase mine. I stay dehydrated most of the time which is so bad for my body! That is great news about you on the exercise bike! Keep going, you’re doing great!
Hi Candace,
I sometimes feel like I just cant get motivated, but with the help from P31 group and the Action Plan I am doing better. Action steps I am doing are… (1) consume 25 grams of fiber each day (2) exercising more. I have a pedometer and I am getting 10,000 or more steps a day. I do drink water all day and I am going to work on an action setp (3) drink 16 ounces of water first thing in the morning. Coffee is my first drink in the morning but going to try hard to make water my first choice. Have a blessed day!
You are doing awesome, Deborah!! I don’t get even close to 10,000 steps a day. I’m so impressed. Keep it up, my friend! I hope to get to that in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the reminder about the pedometer. I’m going to start wearing mine again :).
thank you so much, once again! Great post with lots of practical advice. I am going to start with the water too…I am so much like what you describe…lots of theory but weak on the application. gotta start somewhere and I think the water will be my jumpstart to a life of action : ) I would love to do the exercise too, but I’m dealing with some issues that are keeping me on the low key for now. But I am going to try to get to it as soon as I can! Can’t wait! Thank you Candace, blessings always!
Blessings to you, Gisela! I think water is a fantastic place to start. I’m focusing on the 16 oz in the morning in hopes of it leading to so much more throughout the day. You are going to be healed and exercising before you know it, my friend!
You are so right Candace….. I have always set my goals to high and gone out and exercised to much to soon. Baby steps for me!!! It’s a process!! Praying while walking, eating only when really hungry, water water water, fiber conscience, and visualizing myself at my goal = wonderful!! Thank you for your blog!! The dance workout looks like fun!!
Great tips, Amy! I know eating when I’m really hungry should be obvious, but it is something I rarely focus on. I snack so much that I’m rarely hungry, yet I keep eating! I love your website! I didn’t know you had that. I will have to check out your audios when I get some time!
Ok, Candace, you’ve got me up and moving. I am going go drink my water right now and I’ve already been working on my fiber but you have given me some motivation to take some more action myself! My son has hooked our Wii back up in the living room and I’m going to do some exercising and hopefully it will be warm enough today to walk the dogs. I don’t have any exercise videos but I will have to look at the ones you have recommended. BRING on SPRING!! Thanks, sweet friend, you gave me a MUCH needed push today.
You made my day telling me how much this helped you, Kim! Thank you! I get so self-conscious and start to question everything I post sometimes. I really needed your sweet encouragement today. I am with you- “Bring on Spring”! I need to start back on the Wii, but I dread that little computer guy telling me I’m obese…
the water thing is sooo hard! i’ve been trying, but I keep forgetting. I tried doing the 64oz a day thing, but I read somewhere depending on your weight, height, etc., one may need more or less than 64oz. So far, what I’ve been trying to do is gauge it by how clear my bodily secretions are. 🙂
That is a great way to tell if you are getting enough water, Roaen. That’s what I always tell my kids to do! No one in my house gets the proper amount of hydration, but we are all working on it :).
Candace I could not agree with you more. I seem to always set my goals to high and unable to follow through. My action plan goals are to give up the morning coffee and drinks the water first thing and make sure I get the 25 grams of fiber a day. Finding the 10 minutes to get started with exercise is very doable instead of trying to start out with 30. Would love to try out the dance workout to Christian music. My 8 year old daughter would love this. She would be joining me. As always your blog speaks to me. God bless my friend!
Thank you, Camille! Blessings to you as well! Your daughter would love it. My 11-year-old son does it with me. It’s so nice to have something fun and fitness oriented to do with our kids!
Thanks for sharing your plan, Candace! Here’s to health! ~ Miriam
I’m looking forward to seeing how you are doing so far with the Action Plan, Miriam. I will definitely be over to check on you :)!
Great tips here. I too and back on a health drive and am finding I am succeeding because I am setting realistic targets. Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
Thanks for hosting the link-up, Mel! These small goals are working well for me so far. I’m so glad to hear you are finding success as well.
I started taking action by going back to the gym. I’ve made so many lame excuses why I couldn’t go, but I finally stop what I’ve been doing and made time for it.
I drink a lot of water already but still working on all my sugar intake.
It is so easy to find excuses to not exercise, Louida! I feel your pain! Good for you on starting back at the gym. I’m still struggling with my sugar intake too, but I refuse to give up on it.
i just joined the gym!
Good for you, Claire! Exercise is something I’m really starting to focus on. It helps me on so many levels!
Great points! I love that you included the daily action steps you plan to take. It is amazing at the difference that incorporating small changes in your day can have on your life and mindset. In my book 5 Gifts to Give Yourself I wrote about how small sustainable steps are much better than trying to overhaul your life all at once. Makes a huge difference, Kudos to you!
Thanks, Lori! Small steps are new to me. I’m loving this technique so far. It has made a huge difference compared to my usual early burnout from unrealistic goal setting. Sounds like a great book!
I should try that water thing. My water/fluid intake is definitely less than par for the day! I look forward to getting to know you through #SITSblogging.
I think drinking a lot of water is one of the best things to do for your body, Jamie. It is a hard habit for me to be consistent with. I always forget about it until I’m already dehydrated. We are in good company though. I would say most people don’t get the recommended amount.
I love that you’re using your blog to plan out your goals and hold yourself accountable. Super cool!
<3 Jen via #SITSblogging
I am amazed by how well I can do with something once I announce it here, Jen! I did a 31 day series here and it kept me off sugar, flour, and wheat for a whole month. I could never have done it without the wonderful support of my online friends :). Thanks for visiting!