Meryl

Thanks both, I needed a bit of a pick me up. Thanks. Off to do headspace rather than hide under the covers.

I lost my motivation after a calf strain took away my ability to run or walk fast. I stopped drinking water and settled for tea and hot chocolate and I skipped a Headspace session. I'm still eating vegetables though so that's good. Apart from the physical training, should I just start my four weeks from scratch now or try and continue as best for the next two weeks and start the next challenge with lower goals. What do you think?

I've strained my calf again, third time in six months, this time simply by getting off the sofa. I'm going to try and complete the other three of my goals for this challenge but the running one will have to go unfortunately. I'm not happy, I was doing so well. I have to rest my leg which will involve sitting around a lot, any ideas how *not* to turn this into sitting around watching television eating brownies?

Thanks folks. I'm tracking the water by only drinking from the same measured pint glass, two pints a day, it's the toughest of the challenges as it's completely alien to me. I can be seen glaring at the glass whilst watching television in the evening. I would like to be able to drink it in one go but it's just not that easy for me. It's so much easier to drink a pint of beer than a pint of water, better for me though. The last time I did the C25K I completed it and did a park run (5k) but although I was really happy I completed it and went on to do another two, I really want to get under 30 minutes and for that I need to train. I need structure in all parts of my life but particularly exercise so I thought I'd redo the C25K but run a bit faster on the run bits if that makes sense. Also finding it tough, it's January out there! I did a bodyweight workout on Sunday and I can still barely walk, sitting down takes me a long time. My thighs hurt so much that even the thought of the foam roller makes me feel awful. I'm staying off the ibuprofen though as my doctor says they're bad for me, she's a runner and is very supportive. As for the veggies, weirdly this is the easiest of them all. Stir fry or salad for lunch every day with cheese, eggs or nuts & seeds for protein then salad or carrots/broccoli etc with dinner. Beef casserole for dinner tonight with broccoli on the side and I'm going to try cauliflower mash too. Meditation is going alright too. I'm managing 15 minutes of guided meditation using Headspace. I like that we get a run of log ins so I'm determined not to miss one. So all in all really good except for the water which I'm managing but finding difficult. Having Nerd Fitness is really helpful as I find that I've finally found somewhere I can type about my achievements and challenges and not feel as though I'm ramming my exercise down people's throats.

I'm excited about the possibility of completing a park run (5K) in under 25 minutes by the end of 2016. It's possibly the biggest and possibly achievable goal I've ever had but I'm up for it.

Updates Week 1 All done and achieved. Water being the hardest, veggies the easiest. Sugar withdrawal symptoms have kicked in, I'm knackered due to the sugar and bloated due to the water. I thought my waistline was supposed to shrink not increase. Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Summary

This is not new to me but it is a brand new start. I've started and stopped so many times I forget. I've gotten distracted and kept trying new things. This time I'm going to start again and hopefully commit to this first four weeks at least. Diet Eat a vegetable with one meal every day This is a really tough one for me as I can't abide vegetables. I'm taking that salad counts so I'll buy some when I'm out grocery shopping later. It may be covered in salad dressing but it's a start. Drink 2 pints of water a day Also a difficult one as my fluid intake is normally tea, coffee, hot chocolate or milk. Fitness Complete up to week 4 of the couch to 5k app I have completed the whole app before and even managed a couple of park runs but that's lapsed due to laziness and bad weather, mostly laziness. I will start from scratch but try and run faster with a longer stride on the running parts. Level up my life Complete a Headspace session each day I've had a Headspace subscription for almost a year and at the start I did it every day, that lapsed along with every new thing. I will manage 4 weeks, I will.

I came in late and so don't feel I can add to my stats yet (waiting until next challenge). As for this one: Goal 1 Live without wheat Gave in twice over two weeks so an A. I'm finding this challenge the most difficult, when my hobby is baking trying to give up my hobby whilst on a major detox is very difficult. Living without bread is doable, living without pastry, cake, scones, cheese sauce is really not. I will perserve next challenge. Goal 2 Live without refined sugar As above but only managed a B. I haven't added any sugar to anything or made and eaten any cakes but my downfall was chocolate Goal 3 Walk dog minimum 2 miles a day I almost managed this every day but not quite. Still qualify for an A though Goal 4 Do yoga/pilates 6 times in three weeks (by 11 November) Even though my pilates class was cancelled, I did the Rebel Fitness A & B sets instead so going to count those as a pilates class. Therefore an A Overall, three As and a B but it was only two weeks. Next challenge is going to have to accept sugar as I'm a chocolatier at Christmas and need to try the flavours to make sure they're right before selling them. I will try not to over indulge too much!

Thank you so much for all the positive replies. I've been feeling it's too tough lately and been binging on ice cream and chocolate. I even had a slice of pizza but now feel all bloated. Today I start again! Ready for the next six week challenge

Three miles was a goal too far, not only did I not do it but I slipped on the two miles as well. No wheat (actually it turned out to be no grains) was 12 days out of 14 so an A (Danish pastry, quiche and pizza) No refined sugar was also 12 days out of 14 so an A (Halloween called for chocolate and then there was the chocolate covered caramelised hazelnuts experience with friends) Walking 2 miles a day was 11 out of 14 so a B Pilates wasn't on last week so I did the rebel fitness A and B. it was tough so I'm going to count it. I did yoga on Friday. A Three as and a b All my stats have dropped too. I've gone down in two weeks: Weight 4.5 lbs Body fat 1.3% Biggest loss in inches is around my waist which is 2 inches Going to try full paleo for 5.5 days up to a party on Saturday night.

Thanks Lefeux that was really helpful.

I like the 30 cleanse and the rules ideas. Thank you. I always used to have a chocolate bar every time I filled the car with petrol; it became a habit. Following yesterday's blow out I realise it's not what I want, I enjoyed eating the danish pastry but not enough to go through looking at my bulging belly this morning again next week! I've just had a lovely bowl of chicken and tomato for my lunch, it was delicious

The milk is from a local farm http://www.lubclouddairy.co.uk/raw.html where previous to starting paleo I always drank their organic pasturised non-homogenised milk which is delicious. I've tried their raw milk this weekend and it's really creamy. I think I'll have a litre a week and see how I get on. Thanks for your comments

Looking back at my mileage, 3 miles is actually doable, I just need to go and do it.

I really appreciate all the support I've received this first week, it's made continuing that much easier. I had a massive blow out yesterday and according to my scales I put on 2lbs in one day! It made me realise that I should only have a small blow out next week! Week One No Wheat: achieved 6 out of 7 No Refined Sugar: achieved 6 out of 7 Dog Walking: achieved 7 out of 7 Yoga/Pilates: 1 hour yoga class and 1 hour pilates class All goals achieved in week 1 In addition I lost 3lbs overall (should have been 5 cept for the blow out ) Reduced body fat down from 25.5% to 24.6% As this weeks challenge is to do over and above one of the challenges I will attempt to do 3, yes 3 miles a day! That really is a challenge as I've only just made 2 miles a day on most days this week, that and it's getting dark and cold and wet It can be done, it will be done!