It’s officially been a little over 1 Month since I began my 75 soft challenge and I have been LOVING it. I’ve found it to be very manageable and become almost second nature. So, let’s reflect
1. Drink 65+ oz of water
I definitely need far more than 65 oz but I haven’t been tracking this as closely as I probably should be. I will say I think the extra hydration has done wonders for my skin and I notice how frequently I can mistake thirst for hunger; Whenever I crave something sweet like a smoothie, chocolate, or fruit, I’ve figured out I’m actually just feeling dehydrated.
2. Move your body for at least 45 minutes daily
Besides the days I was away for homecoming and the couple days in early November that I was sick, I have had no problem in this category! When I was home in New Jersey I was making it a point to go on morning walks, since I’ll hit 10,000 steps most days in the city without blinking but in New Jersey I see under 1000 not including my runs. With the time off at home I was able to lift, run, walk, hit my local Orangetheory, and practice yoga. I loved having multiple chances to move throughout the day and have carried that back with me to the city!
In order to move a few times a day, I have carried on waking up nice and early to move just as I was doing in Miami. I really do love having a morning routine and being out before the sun is up. I’ve loved getting a 6am lift in and heading for a 7am running class. I have mainly been opting for an Orangetheory class or my new love of Mile High Run Club (45 or 60 minutes of straight treadmill action) as my shin splints have been acting up.
My friends and I signed up for the NYC half marathon in January so I’m hoping my shins cooperate and I’m excited to start training!
3. Drink only socially
As I mentioned in my previous post, I only ever drink socially. I’ve drank only 2 weekends out of the past month but I notice that my tolerance is far lower. I’ve also come to realize how much better I feel without drinking. Don’t get me wrong, I love going out with my friends and it’s always a great time, I just do love the mental clarity I feel without a weekend of drinking and how much better I feel physically and also mentally as I can keep a better routine going. I think I will continue to drink in moderation and really stick to just 2/7 days of the week.
4. Eat Healthy
I’ve removed dairy and gluten from my diet very successfully sans one instance with a late night slice from my favorite pizza place. I’ve felt so much better and for the most part I really have not experienced any crazy cravings. Now that I am back in my apartment, I am finding myself snacking more than I was when I was home or in Miami. I just seem to enjoy cooking much more when I’m in a nicer kitchen than my little apartment one but I am working on making it a point to make more meals and snack much less because I feel a lot better when I do.
5. Read for at least 20 minutes a day
Not one problem here! In fact, I have had to force myself to put down my books so I can get to a workout, meet my friends, see my roommates, or just go to sleep. I’ve read 14 books in the past month (book review post to come). I have added reading into my morning routine while I have coffee for 20 minutes before I get up to work out and it’s been such an enticing way to get me up and not snoozing my alarm.
So, there’s the update! I am a little under half way through it and I will continue to be conscious of this challenge and incorporating it into my lifestyle. It has become sort of second nature now but this could also be because it wasn’t too far off from my normal way of life. I think the challenge of it has just become motivation to stay consistent!
That’s all for now! I’ll check in again around the 8 week mark.
XOXO
Rachael
RachLansFit 