When I started the Being Habitually Healthy challenge on 9th September, I knew I was getting into something serious, but I wasn’t sure about the kind of difficulties that could come my way.
It is one thing to decide being habitually healthy, but to stand by it and follow through is an absolutely different task.
Following are two challenges that I personally have come across:
WATER INTAKE
Till about the third day of the challenge. I completely missed out on drinking water 8 times a day. Thankfully, my (Being Habitually Healthy) BHH friends reminded me and I added 8 lines on my tracker, just to remind myself to drink water and cross out as I go over the day.
I am also following the suggestion by James Clear in his book- Atomic Habits and started a routine of drinking water by pairing it with the usual activities of the day.
So now I am
- taking a glass of water, as soon as I wake up,
- I drink 2 glasses while preparing a meal (2 times a day)
- 1 glass when I am heating up milk for my son (2 times a day)
- once before going to sleep
You can ofcourse have more water during the day, but I personally had a poor habit of not drinking water at all, so I’m just sticking to 8 glasses as of now.
My friends are trying to keep up with their water intake by placing phone reminders to drink water, and by keeping an attractive water bottle with them wherever they go.
DINNER ROUTINE
Earlier the evening routine in my house used to more or less depend on my husband’s return from work. I would prepare half the dinner by 4 ( during my son’s nap time) and then complete the cooking only after my husband returned. Dinner therefore was always served hot, at around 9…9.30 pm.
Now since I have chosen the 16/8 fasting schedule with 12pm to 8pm as my eating window, I am forced to finish my dinner before 8.
In the first week, I tried to tackle this by eating biscuits or some quick yet not so healthy snacks with my evening tea, thereby cancelling my own dinner, so I could continue with the routine for my husband and son, as it is. This however, I soon realized, wasn’t serving the purpose of the challenge.
I had to change my ways. I now ensure that I finish cooking for dinner before 7, so I can eat a satisfying and healthy meal too, before 8.
It is exhausting with a toddler who needs your attention, but I’m committed. This challenge is about converting my current lifestyle into a healthier one- so so be it!
Ofcourse, there is a third option of getting up early in the morning and preparing all the meals for the day in the wee hours. I am considering it and I may start off, once my dinner routine with my family is established.
PS: I hate getting up early especially if I have a disturbed sleep routine.
ANY CHANGES YET?
A few I have noticed
- Staying at home and eating at indefinite and untimely schedules used to leave me lethargic and moody all the time. The first change that immediately came into my notice is the absence of bloating. Absolutely gone! I feel rather light now.
- My waistline has reduced by an inch.
- I thought I would get constipated, but I guess the water intake has helped prevent that.
- Owing to the amount of water I am drinking, I quickly recovered from a cold that I had caught from my son, very recently.
This week and the next, we are focusing on the diet aspects, keeping the 16/8 fasting schedule as we move on.
So stay tuned for my upcoming posts on diets that go along with the 16/8 fasting schedule and how we the BHH group, as individuals from different families, different contexts, different routines, with different preferences, at different countries are going about it!
Click here to read my diet and routine for the BHH Challenge 2019
Found this post useful? You might like reading these as well:
Why I am pledging to be habitually healthy today
Meet the accountability group of the BHH Challenge
My progress with the intermittent fasting schedule
How my husband reversed his Diabetes Type 2 with intermittent fasting
Diet and routine for Diabetes Type 2
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Hi! My name is Rubitah. I’m a Content Writer certified Life Coach, Counselor, Social Work professional and the Founder of Being Rubitah. Over the years through my professional and personal life, I have realized that prayers and love can do wonders to family life once you come to terms with yourself and surrender to God. Do you relate to me? Then you may like what I post here! Read more about me
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