Fit by 40, Week 12 – Dedication

Can you believe that twelve weeks have passed? With only four weeks left in the Fit by 40 challenge, I am dedicated to finishing the challenge and continuing the lifestyle changes that I have made when it is over. I have noticed so many improvements in my overall health and wellness. I am meditating daily, getting more sleep, eating a healthier diet and exercising more. My family is supporting me and joining me in exercise several times a week. This challenge has had such a positive impact on me as an individual and also on my family!

What Went Well, Week 12:

1. Exercise: This week our family has increased our family exercise time. In addition to going to the track two or three times a week, we also started playing tennis as a family. Well, playing may be a bit of an exaggeration at this point! My husband Nick has been patiently teaching me and the kids some basics, as none of us have ever played tennis before. I realized that while gaining tennis skills is great, the time together having fun as a family is even more important.

2. Moderation: We took our first trip of the summer to the beach this weekend. We had a great time and stayed for about eight hours! Now that we have officially left the baby and toddler stages behind we are able to stay at the beach much longer. We packed lunch in addition to lots of snacks. We brought sun butter sandwiches, five types of fruit and crackers. I did buy a bag of organic Doritos as a fun snack for our trip. Moderation is key and having a fun treat on a beach day is what summer is all about, especially while enjoying plenty of time together as a family.

3. Meditation: Meditation has been going really well. I am meditating at least once a day for twenty minutes. This week I was able to start each day with meditation. My youngest is often the first child awake and has asked to meditate with me! I’m not sure how much meditating is actually happening at three years old. It’s a good habit to start practicing though!

Area That Needs Work, Week 12:

1. Going to Bed Early: I went to bed a little later than I normally do this week. There was no particular reason for this, unlike in Week 11. Time just seemed to get away from me and before I knew it, my bedtime had come and gone. This made meditating each night difficult. Most nights I started meditating and fell asleep. I plan to make sleep a priority so that I can meditate nightly and have more energy throughout the day.

I am dedicated to meeting the goals that I set for myself at the beginning of this challenge. Seeing progress in multiple areas helps me to stay motivated. The support I have received from my family throughout the first twelve weeks of the Fit by 40 challenge has made it easy for me to remain dedicated to making healthier choices as well. I am also dedicated to maintaining my new habits over the next four weeks so that they become my new lifestyle moving forward. Fit by 40 has translated into a healthier lifestyle for myself and my family!

How are you feeling about your fitness journey?