nutrition | BulgingButtons

Well, I did it. I challenged myself to give up Starbucks cold-turkey and I did it. I haven’t been there since I issued the challenge, and I’m pretty proud of myself for that. So proud, in fact, that it actually feels good.

That good feeling got me thinking. What if I issued myself a new challenge each week? A healthy living challenge, like the no Starbucks challenge. If I could continue the old challenges while incorporating the new ones I could make some real progress.

Oh sure, these are things that I should be doing all the time, but the fact of the matter is that I don’t do them. Honestly, I was living a much healthier life back when BulgingButtons began than I am now. I don’t even want to think about trying to button up that red shirt you see at the top of the page. I have a feeling those poor buttons would pop right off.

I do like challenges, so here’s the challenge for the upcoming week: eat fruits and vegetables every day. That shouldn’t be too difficult, once I stock up on some. Maybe some baby carrots to dip in hummus and some apples to slice up. Oh, and it’s tangerine and orange season, so I might pick up some of those too, along with a couple of pre-made salads for lunch. I can do this!

If you’re someone who finds they don’t get enough produce in their diet, try it with me. Munch on some grapes or serve up some squash. Maybe add some peppers and onions to your marinara or better yet, try a veggie stir fry for dinner. I’d love to hear your ideas. Here’s to a healthy week.

Did you happen to catch Extreme Weight Loss on ABC last night? It featured a young man from Appleton, WI who not only started losing weight at 410 lbs, but did so with one arm. This young man, Ryan, gave it all he had and lost over two hundred pounds over the course of a year. Ok, he had help. Lots of help. But so what? Could I do it, even with help? Could you?

Here’s the thing, I have help. Maybe you do too. We all (well, you and I anyway) have the internet, so we have TONS of resources, right? And if you’re anything like me, you already know plenty about health, fitness, and nutrition. I’ve often said I could write the book… but would I read it?

Maybe you’re stubborn, like me. Or a slow learner. Or a procrastinator. Or in denial. Maybe you are so incredibly stunningly gorgeous that the very thought of altering your appearance in any way, including by losing even an ounce, is unacceptable to you. Or maybe, just maybe, you’re ready to try. Again.

That’s what this is all about for me. Allowing myself the space to try again and again and again. That’s what it’s going to take for me. I’m fat. Really really fat. I could stand to lose at least 100 lbs. Seriously. You’re welcome to come along, or stand on the sidelines and watch. Laugh when you want to, sob if you feel like it, but do something. This business of doing nothing is crap.