“Even before the first leaf falls – you can feel the seasons click. The air is crisp, the summer is gone and for the first night in a long time, you need a blanket on your bed….” This is one of my absolute favorite episodes of Sex in the City – the words are so pretty – can’t you just feel the fall?
Yes folks this week we flip our calendars to a new month SEPTEMBER! Maybe all the years of school, maybe its knowing the holidays are really on their way, chance for a new wardrobe, or just my little OCD planner heart that gets so so excited for a new month – but either way – doesn’t it feel like something special in the air? New beginnings where anything is possible?
And with all this new promise in the air … Starting tomorrow I am investing in my fall in a BIG WAY: 2 challenges – 1800 Minute Challenge and the September Shake Off!
1800 Minute Challenge
Joining Erin and Jessica – I plan to exercise 1800 minutes over the next 60 days. Their philosophy is to make this a challenge that pushes you, encourages you to strive for change, and learn the benefits you can see with just a little extra investment in yourself. You all know my running dreams/woes – let’s be real they are a little bit of one in the same- and you have heard about my YOGA saga – but all of that aside, I know that I want exercise as a part of my life. Getting fit, feeling confident, combating anxiety, and being in awe of the strength that lies within are all things I have experienced with exercise as a regular part of my life and by golly, I MISS IT! Enter – the challenge.
image via Pinterest
My hope is that this allows me to see that any effort that chips away at this goal is time well spent. There will be days that I run, there will be days that I yoga or cross fit, there will be days that I try and park my car a little further away from the Starbucks…. no matter how I get there, I just want to consciously get back into the habit of exercise. This is a new thing – all my past exercise lives have centered around plans, or DVDs, or workouts that I have designed on my own. My workout has been 100% autonomous….but in honor of my deep desire for change, I am changing up my approach. This is doable – there is room for error and room to make it up, it is exciting but not to over zealous, and it leaves the option open ended as to what I want those minutes to look like. I can’t lose….and o, yea if I do complete it I could actually win! So if you are interested in joining us be sure to check out Erin and Jessica on IG right away!
September Shake Off
Along with exercise, to really love your body you have to fuel it!! Juice Plus is “whole food based nutrition from 30 different fruits, vegetables, and grains in convenient capsule form,” and again, if you have traveled this blog with me than you know it is my insurance plan. While I am sipping sweet coffee, slugging down my diet coke, or slurping my cocktails…..while I am licking my fingers, dipping my chips, and chowing down on my Chik-Fila – Juice Plus “bridges the gap” between what I should be eating and I what I do eat. It is my primary nutritional investment in my body – and thank goodness because this lady loves to eat and finding REAL food while in the real world – not easy.
In addition to the capsules however, Juice Plus also has Complete Shakes – a nutritional drink mix – that can be used as meal replacement. Now I ALWAYS like to say that Juice Plus top goal is to provide you fruits and veggies to keep your diet well rounded…..but let’s be real, sometimes well rounded leaves me a little round….. so I have also looked at these shakes as a no brainer solution to how to eat healthy. With the shakes there is a program called “Complete Transformation” where you have the chance to completely change your diet! Following a 30 day routine you rely on your shakes and a healthy eating plan to get you back on track for a more nutritional diet. To get people motivated a group is forging ahead on this plan calling it the “September Shake Off”.
Lots of folks love this plan and have had great results, however for my life – a complete transformation is just not the right option….but I really wanted to challenge myself to clean up my diet (ummmm french fries throughout the week does not make for a healthy gal) in search of more energy, reduction of OCD and anxiety, and utilize a little bit more of my closet (aka mama needs to drop a few lbs). So I am taking from this plan these goals: 1-2 meal replacements with Complete shakes, increase water in take, and rely on healthy choices with proper portion size (meal and snack planning) – to participate in the September Shake Off Challenge.
image via Pinterest
So there you have it – my challenges for the start of fall. Nothing over the top – we are doing a little bit of KISS over here at casa Bessette – but a chance to challenge myself and you if you want in! This season feels so very full of excitement and promise. I know that if I just keep going, keep the faith, stay positive….no matter what life holds there is good experiences to be had and incredible lessons to be learned, so let’s kick off this September 1 right!
So while you dream of a new month, a new season, a new beginning with me- do remember to watch all of the episode because Carrie ends it on a pretty perfect note too – “Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate…without them what would shape our lives? Perhaps if we never veered off course – we wouldn’t fall in love, have babies, or be who we are…..after all seasons change….” No matter what these coming days hold, I accept my challenge but I also accept life and remember to be open to all the seasons of life.
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Happy Fall to All!
Have A Little Faith in We 