What are you doing over the next 30 days?

Back to school, back to life, back to reality! Much like the turn of a new year, autumn can signal a time of new beginnings - a time to start fresh. Perhaps you got away from your healthy living routine over the summer with all the summer barbecues and trips for ice cream (or maybe you never had a healthy living routine to begin with!). Time to pay the piper and get back on track before the holiday season begins! How about embarking on a 30-day challenge to get you headed down the path toward health and wellness?

I’m sure you have seen lots of fitness related 30-day challenges on Facebook and the like. They run the gamut from 30 day Ab or Plank challenges to 30 day Beach Body or Little Black Dress challenges. 30 day challenges aren’t limited to fitness related activities. There is an endless list of types of challenges you can do in thirty days with the goal of “adding” or “subtracting” a wanted or unwanted behavior, food, hobby, etc. from your life. For example, for a goal of an improved diet or weight loss, for 3o days you can add more vegetables or you can subtract sugar from your diet. For a goal of more energy each day, for 30 days you can add more sleep or subtract processed foods. The possibilities are really only limited by your imagination and level of motivation.

The next 30 days are going to fly by whether you want them to or not. Why not make them more meaningful and memorable and participate in your own 30 day challenge? Consider the challenge a strategy to help you create a lifestyle change by beginning or ending a habit, pattern or routine in your life . Ask a spouse, friend or family member to join you. Support and camaraderie always make it easier and more fun.

As you contemplate the goal of your 30 day challenge, bear this in mind, you hit a goal and you keep a resolution. When the 30 days are over, you have hit your goal and you are enjoying a sense of accomplishment, don’t give up. Keep the momentum going and turn your achievement into a resolution that lasts!

For challenge ideas and inspiration, find out what my family committed to by reading this blog post: Back in the Saddle!