So Mike and I would like to work on instituting a healthy lifestyle in our home. No, I don’t want to say diet, because that’s a dirty word, and it also I think doesn’t help much. I don’t need a “diet.” I need to change my whole lifestyle. For good. It’s funny. When I had gestational diabetes, it wasn’t hard to follow my meal plans. And I’m telling you—it was restrictive! Try limiting yourself to 45 carbs at dinner during the holiday-packed season: Halloween, wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, and New Year’s! But I was able to do it because I wasn’t thinking about myself. I was thinking about my little baby.
The rest of my life should be the same. I should be thinking about the fact that I’m more likely to develop Type II diabetes. I should institute the changes now that will prevent that and that will promote excellent health.
Being a designer, I find it helps me to get excited about something if I can design around it. So I’d like to share with you my healthy lifestyle chart, which is largely based on a health&fitness; initiative by a group of my friends some time last year. Instead of counting calories, or even counting pounds lost, what you do is award yourself points based on things that you should be doing. So here are the things on my chart, worth one point each:
Eat Breakfast
8 Cups of Water
<150 Calories Treats
No Soda
7-8 Hrs Sleep
30 Mins Exercise (with a bonus point for days that I put in 60)
15 Mins Strength (like stretching, or weights, etc.)
5 Servings Fruits and Veggies
No Fast or Fried Food
Personal Bonus (I can choose something to work on every week)
That allows me for 10 points every day (or 11 with the bonus exercise point). I have a goal of 600 points, which I could reach in a couple months of being perfect, and when I reach the 600 goal, I can buy myself a special treat (not food, but a nice material splurge on myself).
I realize that this chart is specific to me and Mike, but if you think it could help you too, feel free to download it! Just click the above image and save the full size version to your computer. This should print well on 8.5 x 11 paper.
I am excited to hear how this goes! I think I'm going to look it over and see if I need to modify it and smack it up on my fridge, since you know it gives me joy to copy you.
Well, thank you {???} for making me be accountable. I'm back on the WW wagon thankyouverymuch.
Good luck! I went on a "lifestyle change" a week ago, and already feel better when exercising (who knew soda was sooooo bad?). The only rule I have in addition to yours is no eating after 7 pm (though if dinner is late, I can do 7:30 say). This helps me go to bed earlier, too!
Oh, and I really like how you have points for behavior, not for pounds lost. Sounds very healthy.
I love your chart! I have been thinking of doing a chart because I have a lot of weight to lose bofore my big vacay in December! I might change your a bit but thanks so much for sharing!
May I make a picky request? I totally can't see the colors. Can you make it different colors so I can print it and put it on my fridge? I'm afraid if I can't see it I'll be more tempted to cheat.
I also had GD and only took 20 pounds during my pregnancy. For some reason, watching what you eat is so easy then… I wish I could continue doing the same forever…
I love this! I have been struggling with weight and feeling a need to bring more balance into my life. May I share it on my blog? I'm excited to see how it goes!
i'm totally doing this. my husband and i have been talking about how we really need to be better about eating right and exercising, but it's so hard to get started. this is awesome because its easy! thanks!
Does anyone else have problems seeing the colors or printing?
And Alison, feel free to share the love!