Finally Friday - Cleaning IT Up...and making it pay!

It's Finally Friday and every Friday I offer a Weekend Challenge.  Challenging ourselves is how we acheive personal growth.  Try a new habit on for a few days, walk around in it, see if it's something you could get used to or maybe if it's difficult but just what you need. 

If you could change one thing, what would it be?
This weekend challenge will be a little different than others.  This weekend, you pick.  This weekend, the sky's the limit,  This weekend, you choose what you need to work on.  For some it's kicking sugar, for others it might be emotional eating.  Maybe you leave the seat up and your sweetie is about to snap over it.  Is it swearing?  Do you swear so often that you don't even notice it?  Spend a little time contemplating this.  What is one thing you need to work on in your behavior that would make you happier if you could change?  Don't make this too easy, it should be a challenge.

Pick a "Cause"
So, you have chosen one annoying behavior that you would like to curb kick.  Now it's time to pick your cause.  You've heard me talk about Shakeology, if you haven't, take a moment to ready my post about it, then continue on.  (Don't worry, the link will open in a new window so you can come right back here.)  Maybe you REALLY, REALLY want to start Shakeology, but are a little scared about that $4.00 meal cost.  Maybe you've seem the Les Mills COMBAT video and want to pre-order.  Pick something you want to SAVE for, make it something you really want to invest in.  This is the goal, this is your "cause". 

Fitness Jars can be used to break a habit or to reward yourself. Use it to get that Challenge Pack you've been dreaming of, then when you achieve that, use it to reward yourself everytime you complete a workout!  Retrieved from http://brookenotonadiet.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/6-tips-on-making-working-out-a-habit/.

Get a Jar
Now you get to go a little Martha Stewart.  Find yourself a nice jar.  For me I used the little cookie jar, it really wasn't good for anything else, so I repurposed it.  Perhaps you have a big ol' Vlasic pickle jar, the jar from those pickled eggs or pickled pig knuckles (gak...I think I just threw up a little in my mouth)  or maybe the nice big jar left over from that homemade hot cocoa mix your auntie made you for last Christmas.  Find a nice one, a big one.  Now get your craft on and lable it.  Have fun.  Make it a thing of beauty and a wonder to behold.  My guess is you'll be so happy with this process and your progress that you'll keep this going for all your Weekend Challenges or even extend this through the weeks, working on different habits until your goal is met.  Then you can use it for the next goal.  When you have your jar labled, set it in a prominent place.

Set your toll, announce your goal
Think about those you love, those you admire and respect in your life.  Make a list of these names.  Add the names of all those who you would disappoint if you broke a promise to them.  It's been proven that when we make a promise to someone we care about we will go to great lengths to not disappoint them, hell or high water. 

Set your toll.  Make this a manageable amount, but substantial enough that it will make you think every time you have to pony up and pay the piper.  A good amount that is both manageable and stings enough for a penalty is One Buck.  Yep, That's right, $1.00.  If things are tight, you could go $0.50, but make it enough to count, enough to sting, enough to make a difference.  You want this amount to be enough to be both an encouragement and a penalty, not too much or too little....just right.

Do this part now, not in 10 minutes or tonight or tomorrow but now.  Use email, the phone or a text.  What ever is the easiest way to contact them.  Tell them what your goal is.  Announce it loud and proud.  This is your accountability. 

Make your statement: "I'm challenging myself to clean up my language.  For every time I swear this weekend I promise you that I will put a $1.00 toll in my Saving for Shakeology jar." 

Short, sweet and powerful.  You now have accountability.  If you have kids, tell them, they WILL hold you accountable...gleefully.

Follow through
Now, follow through and be honest with yourself.  Remember, this is for you.  The point is to break a bad habit, but when you slip up the toll will go to pay for something good.  Check in with those who are holding you accountable, let them know how you did.  On Monday, let them know how much you have saved, or how many times you have caught yourself.

Versatility in a jar
As I said earlier, this is a great idea to help yourself save for just about anything.  My son is using a "cuss jar" to save up for an elk hunting trip he wants to take with a budy in two years.  He set his goal, he set his toll and he set a dead line.  Once you save up and get that challenge pack (Shakeology Home DIrect and your home fitness program bundled  together at an average of a $54.00 savings over buying them separate), repurpose your jar, or start another.  This time use it as a reward.  Everytime you complete a workout you put in $1.00.  Maybe you're saving this time for that trip to Disney with the kids, or that second honeymoon with your sweetie, or your next home fitness program.  Whatever you decide, this is a great way to save a little, encourage yourself to drop bad habits or to reward yourself for your efforts.



glossary:
Shakeology - Shakeology is a meal replacement shake, nutrition in a bag.  The most intelligent calories of your day, like 5 trips to the salad bar in one shake.  It averages about $4.00 per shake.  This sounds expensive until you weight the health benefits, the strides it takes to getting you to your goals, against what you pay for a meal.  My son, an emergency room tech, or my sister-in-law, an RN, could both benefit from a meal replacement shake they can grab on the go in a job that doesn't offer regular, reliable sit down breaks for their lunch.  If you go to Subway every day for the special, the $5.00 foot long, you'll save a dollar a day by switching to Shakeology.  It's less than that designer coffee from Starbucks.  It's less than the breakfast special at our local greasy spoon.

Shakeology Home Direct - this program brings you your Shakeology on a keep filled basis, one bag per month so you don't need to remember to re-order.  It also saves you shipping.  Every month.

Challenge Pack - A Beach Body Challenge Pack bundles a home fitness program with Shakeology Home Direct.  The savings for bundling averages about $54 per offer.  The nutrition in Shakeology greatly increases the effectiveness of your home fitness program because, face it, you want FAST results, not just results.

Accountability - when we hold ourselves accountable for our actions we are much more likely to follow through.  This is a great thing about ordering your home fitness program through an independent beach body coach rather than Beachbody.com.  You get that coach for support, motivation and accountability.  The coaching is FREE.  That's right, it costs you nothing.  If you have already ordered through Beachbody and have a coach that does not work with you daily to help you reach your goals, you can change.  As me how.  The support and accountability will get you there.

Remember that you can always find me (Traci Glisczinski-Parrott) on facebook to ask me more questions or for more on my story and my continuing journey to health and fitness.  Find me there to interact daily on the fitter Fitter page by clicking LIKE on the page.