Thirty Day Challenges

Over the last several years, I have struggled to maintain life balance (well I think that I may have always had a problem with this :)).  However, this year as been particularly rough with the challenges of my fellowship, living in a new city, being a parent and wife.  I am sure that you can all identify with this and the thing that I have really given up is a regular workout routine.  This has certainly affected my health and well being. 

On a daily basis, I talk to my patients about making small changes to improve their health.  I usually talk with them about one strategy that many people have had success with..."thirty day challenges".  Basically, every month you set a goal that you intend to do for the rest of the month.  For example: eat 5 servings of fruits/vegetables per day, eliminate soda, less than 30 minutes of TV/day, walk for 20 minutes/day, call a friend every day, read for fun every day, no cell phones during dinner,  etc.  It can basically be anything that you feel would increase your well being.  It takes about 30 days to create a new habit and small changes lead to big things. 

There is even a Ted Talk on 30 day challenges:

http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html


So in January, I decided to take my own advice and do a year of "30 day challenges".  In January, I decided to be more patient with myself on a daily basis, in February I drank 40 ounces of water throughout the workday, in March I didn't eat after Evie went to bed, this month I am stretching for 10 minutes/day.  All of these are little things but they build on each other. 

I will be posting about my challenges every month and if you are interested, will be asking that you take part.  The more people that participate, the more ideas and support we will all have.  Let's Go!