Oops I did it again

I think it was Brittanie Spears that immortalized the words, "Oops I did it again." In my case, "Oops, I just got fat and out of shape again." The reasons are many and varied, stressful work, church calling, busy family life, etc. but when it comes down to it I've got just one body, and dangit I need to start caring for it again. As I've been ruminating about how to address this issue, that's when the idea for 90 Days of Discipline hit me.

Let me explain. The idea is for me to design a code of health that I will commit to live rigorously for 90 days in order to produce a live a healthier, happier me. Call it part Body for Life, part blogosphere, part Weight Watchers, and part Brewster's Millions. Body for Life part because the BFL program works on a 90 day cycle that causes helps you break bad habits and establish solid, healthy core habits. It seems to take about 90 days to make good changes like that stick and keep the weight off. I'll need that time in order to adopt my code of health. I'll also borrow some of the diet and exercise aspects of BFL such as intervals in cardio, six meals per day, carb and protein balance, etc. to help in the design of my code.

The blogosphere part and the Weight Watchers part go hand in hand in helping me live by my code of health for 90 days. The magic of WW is accountability and community. You weigh in weekly and you join with others who are trying to hit similar goals. The combination of not wanting to let your friends down and having friends there to support you gives you discipline you never knew you had. Since I don't want to go to WW (something about sitting around with 50 year old women who still enjoy Jazzersize is not enticing) blogging becomes a virtual support group of sorts. I read somewhere recently that blogging about your goals shows marked increase in goal achievement. Basically, blogging about my fitness goals wil help to recreate that accountability and community that has made WW such a success. And while I'm at it I'll give some credit to Scotty as well. After reading some of his blog, it crystalized for me that I needed to do something similar

What's the Brewster's Millions connection? I don't remember anything about that movie other than they got a bunch of money to spend. While I don't have millions to give, if I can't live the my code of health in my 90 Days of Discipline program to the letter without help from you. So, I'll be giving all of my siblings and their spouses $1000 to split 7 ways between all of you ($142.88 per family) if fail to live up to my code of health. Yes, it's come to that...I'm that big of a loser. That's a number that motivates me to make it happen--because a thousand bones is a lot of cashola. Yeah, $142.88 bucks per couple isn't Brewster's Millions, but you could buy some Microsoft software with it or something like that.

So here is the code of health and rules for my 90 Days of Discipline.

1. The 90 Days of Discipline starts officially at 12:01 AM on Tuesday, May 20th and ends on Monday, August 18th, 2008.
2. No sugar (thanks Scotty).
3. No simple carbs (white breads, white rice, pastries, etc.)
4. No fast food (thanks again Scotty)
5. No foods high in fat (subject to my judgement...sorry, to be vague...I promise i won't be eating blocks of cheese or something but a modest amount of cheese or fat is considered part of a healthy diet).
6. No packaged foods (chips, cookies, cheeze-its, crackers, etc.)

Here's what is allowed:

1. High fiber foods, veggies, low fat foods, lean meats, fruits, etc. You know all that good stuff
2. Protein powders and protein bars (some protein bars have high fat content but will be allowed)
3. Artificial sweeteners (viva la Diet Coke! and yogurt with NutraSweet)
4. Unlimited sunflower seeds (shelled only...this is the greatest craving stopper ever)
5. Unlimited fruits
6. Unlimited low fat popcorn.
7. The following "cheat" moments where the rules will be suspended. Pioneer Trek - last three days of June. I won't have access to any of my own food and will be forced to eat the Trek food which is not likely to be legit. Luckily I'll be pulling a handcart all day, so I'll make out ok. Anniversary night (August 6th) from the hours of 5pm - Midnight. Who wants to eat healthy on your anniversary? :)
8. 90 minutes of exercise a week (yes I know that's really low...but right now It's much easier to control what goes in my mouth than how often I can get to the gym. Some weeks I'll do better on this than others).
9. If there is absolutely no other food option available and I'm not able to bring my own food in order to substitute, then the rules will be suspended for that meal only. But I will need to eat in moderation and no dessert is still enforced.
10. In general, moderation is a theme. I will have to be self assessed on this for the most part...but Heather will be there as a judge as well to help me along and allow me to bounce questions off regarding borderline questions or instances not covered by the rules that require a decision.

I still need to weigh in and post my "fat" picture showing my current status. I'll try and get to that tomorrow. I'll then work to post weekly updates on my weight loss progress and fitness discussions. I'll look to post an update picture of myself at the end of each month to show progress.

Let the challenge begin!

P.S. Actually, let the challenge begin in about 1.45 hours. I'm off to get myself a king sized bowl of Golden Grahams covered in chocolate syrup and bacon.