after our chat about resolutions and what changes we would like to make this year, i was full of enthusiasm to get started!
i decided to set a challenge every day of the week for two weeks to give myself a kick start!
here they are...
CHALLENGE 1 ~ take two black bin bags
{label one to throw out and the other to donate} walk around your house
and fill them up! then bin one and put the other in your car boot to
take to your nearest donation point or charity shop.
CHALLENGE 2 ~ switch your oil.
Coconut oil is a great
alternative for cooking – it can replace butter or oil in most recipes
and if you use an organic refined coconut oil it wont impart an aroma or
flavour.
Coconut oil has some saturated fatty acids like Capric
Acid and Lauric Acid, which raise the level of High Density Lipoproteins
in the body, lowers bad cholesterol, boosts immunity and fights ageing.
They also increase the rate of metabolism and help shed weight.
Plus you can use it as a moisturiser, teeth whitener and hair conditioner... to name but a few of it's many many uses!
Try this yummy recipe instead of an expensive and {not that healthy} breakfast bar ~
http://www.epicurious.com/…/Nutty-Grain-and-Oat-Bars-512100…
CHALLENGE 3 ~ IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP! Make your bedroom a screen free zone,
write a list to clear your head and read a book instead. Or take a bath
with some epsom salts {bet your granny used to do that!} the salts draw
out impurities from the skin and if you add a little lavender oil into
the bath too, you will be drifting off to sleep in no time... get out of
the bath first though!
CHALLENGE 4 ~ Pick a shelf, worktop or cupboard... that drawer in the
kitchen {you know the one I mean}... this will be your first clutter
free zone – protect it with all your might!
Take everything out
and sort it into three piles or boxes {I found it helpful to take three
cardboard boxes and decorate them all nice and pretty and label them}
1. file/put away
2. bin
3. donate
PUT NOTHING BACK ON THAT SHELF THAT DOESN'T BELONG THERE!
Repeat this step once or twice a week with a new area...
CHALLENGE 5 ~ FAST.
Intermittent fasting is when you change the
times that you eat to 'allow your body to go into a fat burning state
that you rarely make it to during a normal eating schedule'.
My
suggestion would be to just extend your normal fasting hours {when you
sleep} as this is probably the easiest to do initially... So, eat a
decent meal between 5 & 6pm {with the kids perhaps} and don't eat
again until 8am the next day.
Change your eating habits one step at a time!
CHALLENGE 6 ~ REDUCE your Caffeine... coffee, tea, fizzy drinks. This
will improve sleep, help keep your teeth and bones strong and may
decrease your risk of hypertension.
CHALLENGE 7 ~ WALK MORE! Try to walk at least 10,000 steps every day ~
helps to have a pedometer or there are lots of free apps for your phone.
This one seems easy but in actual fact even with the school run and a
dog walk I only just hit it!
CHALLENGE 8 ~ Think about changing your blue top milk to green, or your
green top to red. Or how about mixing it up completely and going for oat
milk, coconut milk or almond milk? This is actually one that I already
do and since changing to skimmed, have really noticed a difference... my
husband Sam noticed too especially as the middle age spread started to
make an appearance! The once tall and lean surf hunk who could eat what
he wants now has to think twice!
CHALLENGE 9 ~ DRINK MORE WATER!
Everyone tells you to do it... you know you should do it... so do it!
Introduce an extra glass of water to your daily routine ~ maybe it's a
cup of hot water when you wake up {add a squeeze of lemon if you want a
morning boost} or carrying a bottle of water with you to work.
Upping your water intake will flush out more toxins from your body, can
eliminate the feeling of being hungry {as a lot of the time you are
actually thirsty, not hungry!} and can improve your mood, your skin and
your circulation.
Try adding fruit to your water to make it a bit
more interesting – cucumber is a big favourite in our house... I make
up a big Kilner jar fresh every morning and put it in the fridge ~ ours
has a wee tap so the kids come and help themselves!
Lemon, raspberries, apple and limes all taste great – or a maybe try a combination!
CHALLENGE 10 ~ This one is all about de-cluttering... Go into your
bathroom and bring a black bag! Anything that is out of date or more
than a year or two old... bin it or recycle it... Keep all the basics in
a wee basket or wash bag above the sink and keep them there! This makes
it easier to clean as well as you just need to lift the basket and not
lots and lots of bottles!
CHALLENGE 11 ~ Reduce sugar and salt in your diet. Some sweet
alternatives are honey {specifically organic, raw and unrefined} or
agave nectar and if you still like the taste of salt then try Himalayan
pink salt. {I found a really big mill in B&M's for a couple of
pounds}
CHALLENGE 12 ~ It is time to tackle that wardrobe! Check out this page for inspiration! ~
http://www.marthastewart.com/…/konmari-trendy-new-organizin… And just go for it!
CHALLENGE 13 ~
Introduce yoga into your new routine. As part of a physical detox the
yoga asanas {poses} stimulate the digestive, lymphatic and circulatory
systems helping your body remove waste products more efficiently.
Twisting poses in particular are known for aiding detox.
A
regular yoga practice also acts as a detox for the mind, releasing
anxiety and bringing about improved focus and emotional well being.
For some
examples of great January detox poses try: http://www.doyouyoga.com/8-yoga-poses-to-detox-your-way-to…/
CHALLENGE 14 ~ BANISH THOSE PAPER PILES! Create an efficient filing
system – two folders or box files would work well... all incoming
papers, letters, notes etc go in to one. TO DO could be the other folder
and you immediately file the rest – no cheating with a 'TO FILE'
folder!
we made a craft activity and made ours out of some old cardboard cereal boxes!
