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It Takes 21 Days To Change A Habit – Could You Do It?

May 14, 2018

I have mentioned before about joining Slimming World and wanting to lose weight. But, to be honest, I have needed to lose weight for quite a while now. I managed really well in the run up to our wedding [so that I would fit into the dress I’d ordered] but since that I haven’t managed to keep it off particularly well. Considering we got married in 2012 that’s quite a lot time ago!

 

Related article: How To Save Money On Slimming World

 

Factor in two children since then plus the comforts of being married and the inevitable slow weight gain, and I’m at a place where I’m not comfortable with how I look.

 

So, as someone who likes lists and challenges, I’m setting myself a new one.

 

They say it takes 21 days to change a habit, no matter what it is. The consistency of doing something day in, day out until it becomes the norm. It sounds easy, right? If only!

 

I’m setting myself a 21 day Slimming World challenge.

 

The rules are:

  • Between 5 and 15 syns a day (preferably below 10)
  • Start the day with a mug of hot warm with a slice of lemon
  • Use my HydrateM8 bottle to ensure enough water is drunk
  • Measure out my milk for allowance each day
  • Drink a mug of green tea before bed
  • Do at least 5,000 steps a day (tracked using my FitBit)

 

That’s it! I like to have rules to stick by, as it helps me. Nothing in this is beyond my doing; it’s all achievable. The only person to get in the way of this is me. But that’s been the case all along. I know what I’m doing when I eat too much chocolate. Or I reach for a bag of crisps to eat whilst doing something else. I’m even sat typing this with an empty chocolate wrapper next to my laptop. See why I need to change?

 

Why might I find this hard:

  • Motivation wanes after a time
  • Tiredness means I crave chocolate/junk food
  • Organisation has to be on top form
  • Will power will be questioned quite a lot
  • I need to do more
  • It makes my eating a priority, which it never has been before.

 

There are multiple reasons why I’m going to find this hard. Lack of sleep will make my will power non existent at times, plus motivation lower than it should be. There’ll be times when I want to order a takeaway because I can’t be bothered to cook. Those times will be the hardest. I need to make sure that I have snacks on hand that are low in syns or free. I need to be organised beforehand so that I can be quick when it comes to meal times.

 

But, this kind of challenge can be related to any area of life. Perhaps you want to put more in your savings? Then commit yourself to doing an account tidy each day for the next 21 days and see how much it adds up! Perhaps you want to commit to doing some kind of exercise each day for the next 21 days? You can!

It Takes 21 Days To Change A Habit - Could You Do It? - The Frugal Cottage

 

I’m excited, though apprehensive about the challenge. I’ve set up a spread in my bullet journal to keep track of it – I use this notebook and these highlighters for it – and it’l be interesting to see how it goes. I’ve weighed myself this morning and will weigh myself at the end to see how much weight I’ve lost. I’ve got a number in mind that I want it to be, but we’ll see 🙂

 

Why don’t you join me in your own challenge? I’d love to hear from you in the comments! 

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Filed Under: Lifestyle9 Comments

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Comments

  1. Karen says

    May 14, 2018 at 1:26 pm

    I’m on a May Jumpstart to get my weight back down. I set 5 goals for May. I’m seeing a difference in how my pants fit around my waist just in the 1st 2 weeks of May. (not as tight) Good look with your challenge.

    Reply
    • Nicola says

      May 15, 2018 at 1:45 pm

      Good luck to you too! Let me know how you get on 🙂

      Reply
  2. KnyttWytch says

    May 14, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    I am starting to follow the “Naturally Thin:Lasting weight loss without dieting” book by Jean Antonello, and yes the idea is to re-educate yourself and your body into eating sensibly and correctly – so I am with you on this one!

    Reply
    • Nicola says

      May 15, 2018 at 1:45 pm

      Let me know how you get on!

      Reply
  3. JS says

    May 14, 2018 at 10:39 pm

    Good luck from Canada with your challenge – you can do it!
    🙂

    Reply
    • Nicola says

      May 15, 2018 at 1:47 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Tuppenny says

    May 14, 2018 at 11:54 pm

    Dieting is so difficult but you are right the buck stops with you (me!). I’d love to go on one of those bootcamp style retreats. No access to chocolate or crisps and plenty of enforced exercise. If only they didn’t cost so much.

    Mind you I think I’d probably need at least 21 days at said bootcamp – to ingrain the habit!

    Reply
    • Nicola says

      May 15, 2018 at 1:48 pm

      I would struggle so much at one of those boot camps, though they do look awesome! And yes, expensive 🙁

      Reply
  5. Robert says

    May 15, 2018 at 1:59 pm

    Keep going! Good luck!

    Reply

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