Toots + Dill: 40 Day Challenge of Self-Reflection

Well more like 47 days... 

Lent has 7 days built in for rest...

The past few weeks have pretty much knocked me on my butt in more than a few ways and it's resulted in me stepping back to really look at my daily life a little more closely. A New Year's resolution I didn't plan on has presented itself and I'm happily about to embrace the change!

 Embracing Self-Reflection 

 It sounds vague, but trust me it isn't. Self-Reflection for me is stepping outside my little world and peeking in for a full-on audit with the hope of a positive change of bad habits. Yesterday's post was about healthy changes to my diet, but this overall challenge will go deeper and *keeping my fingers crossed* will result in big changes. The areas of my overhaul will be health, fitness, and savings. Yes it will be strict, but with only two parts I hope the challenge will be manageable and possibly fun!

Also, what better time to do this but during Lent, which starts today with Ash Wednesday. I do celebrate Lent & Easter without going further into religion and I've always tried to embrace Lent and give up some luxuries I've indulged on too frequently in the past year.

This Lent/Easter Season is quite special for me because Easter Sunday lands on my first year wedding anniversary!! Craig and I's first year of marriage was full of life's ups and downs and I would love to kick off the 2nd year of marriage happier and healthier!

Part I: Health +  Fitness

My starting weight this morning after a morning coffee and with no pj pants on (I swear they add a pound or two) was 220.4 pounds. This is the heaviest weight I've ever been in my 30 years. For me at my 5'5" frame it's not healthy and I will be putting my utmost effort to change that number. I've already started changing some habits here and there but I need to take it further. Like I said yesterday, I can't flake out on this anymore. I just can't.

To move things along I have also chosen to give up Soda, Candy, & Chiptotle for Lent. Candy will consist of actually buying candy for the sake of eating it, not breath mints or gum, but real candy w/ carbs & way too many calories I don't need to waste.

I also will not weigh myself until March 27th. I know that doesn't make for great blog post updates, but I get so discouraged when the number doesn't budge day-to-day. If I'm going to see real progress, I need to do the time and wait it out.

Part II: Save Money

I was super successful in the month of January saving almost $50 on my $35 Weekly Lunch budget. Well the 2 car repairs, glasses, and taxes kinda put that a little more into perspective and I need to cut back further. It's okay, really! I did not fall into debt by life's unexpectedness but my awareness hiked up a lot of notches.

I can't tell you how many times I run into Walgreen's/CVS/Target and come out with tons of crap I don't need. Also the realization that if I want to move out of my current home I can't lug around tons of half-used products with me. I need to use what I have before I venture out and buy something new. This all is resulting in a No-Spend February/March - thanks to motivation from Amy@Getz Girl On Fire!

Ready. Set. Go. 

It's on!! I've successfully done this challenge for about 9.5 hours today...Hopefully it lasts! =P

I need to seriously listen to "Bulletproof" by SIA, "Fight Song" & "Stand by You" by  Rachel Platten, & "Hard Out Here" by Lilly Allen to get through this!!!

How Do You Motivate Yourself For A Challenge??
Do You Celebrate Lent? If so, What Are You Giving Up?

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