Updates: More Resources for Week 1 – Don’t Drink Your Calories
More Resources for Week 2 – Emotional/Stress Eating
Are you ready for 2016? December can be a very very busy month. You may have to deal with lots of demands on your time and on your emotions, but you also have to deal with lots of temptation from holiday parties, social drinking and family meals. With that in mind, I’m going to give you some very straight forward goals to focus on as you get ready for 2016. Below, you’ll see that there is a new goal each week to keep you motivated. It’s time to do the work and do some planning! Grab a notebook and a pen!
Just getting started? This challenge will help you to get started with the basics. Already got a winning plan? It’s time to evaluate what you’ve been doing so far to reach your weight loss goals. Plan out how you will stay on course or take your efforts to the next level. You don’t have to wait until Jan 1 to commit to how you want to shape your fitness and change your weight over the next 3-
12 months. Begin your journey today.
Lose to Win! – We will also continue with our series of DietBets for those who want to commit to losing 4% of their weight and split the pot $! Our December Dietbet starts on Dec 7th. Bet: $30
How do you join?: Comment below and let us know why you want to commit to weight loss NOW and what challenges you are dealing with in terms of weight loss and wellness. This will help us tailor the information we send out for the rest of the month.
Also, let us know if you already have an eating and exercise plan that is working for you that you plan to use in 2016.
Weekly Goals
Week 1 (Dec 1-5) – Stop drinking your calories.
Week 1, you will commit to drinking water, freshly brewed tea, freshly made juice and homemade smoothies you make at home. Cut out all soda, diet drinks, store bought, sweetened tea and store bought juice from concentrate. How much water should you drink each day? Start with 7-9 glasses of water per day (56-72 oz). Add fruit, tea and natural sweeteners (Stevia, agave, etc) to your water for more flavor. Haven’t been drinking much water? Start by adding a few more glasses a day to your normal routine and work your way up. You don’t have to drink a gallon of water a day to be hydrated. (If you have health issues, (kidney or bladder related-issues especially), follow your doctor’s orders when it comes to drinking water.)
- The Number One Drinking Mistake Affecting Your Weight
- Ebook – Drink Green Smoothies – Guide with 80 Delicious Recipes
- 8 Reasons to Give Up Diet Soda and Diet Drinks
- How Much Water Should You Drink Each Day?
- 25 flat belly sassy water recipes
- 14 Fruit Infused Waters to Drink Instead of Soda
- Can You Drink Too Much Water?
Week 2 (Dec 6-12) Commit to feeding your body, NOT your emotions. If you are dealing with emotional eating, stress eating, overeating or food addiction, get to the REAL root of your issues.
For the second week, I want you to focus identifying the junk food, fast food, sugary foods and highly processed foods that you haven’t been able to let go of. Ask yourself, what are the real reasons that you can’t let go of these foods. Take the time to really think about your connection to food, emotional eating, stress eating, overeating/binging and even food addiction. If you are medicating with food and using it to soothe and comfort yourself, that’s not really a food issue. That’s a lifestyle and mindset issue and you have to approach it as such. If you can’t commit to totally cutting these foods out, keep your indulging to a minimum and use portion control. However, be real and truthful about how much junk you’re really eating and why you are eating it if you want your lifestyle and habits to change.
- Emotional Eating: 5 tips for overcoming binge eating
- Action Steps for Emotional Eating
- Tips for having self control over your eating habits
- Tips for dealing with stress eating
- Hidden Sugars – The Many Names of Processed Sugar
- Is Sugar Addiction Real?
Week 3 (Dec 13-19) – Decide on a plan for eating and meal planning.
What is your current plan? What is your plan for 2016? Will you go raw vegan, low carb, paleo, keto, vegetarian, or eat clean? Will you be following a specific book or plan? Will you create your own plan for your own needs? If you haven’t done your research and embraced an eating plan, it’s time to do that. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. One of the number one reasons people don’t get results, is because they don’t go into weight loss with a clear plan and clear, reasonable goals in mind. When it comes to eating, it’s very easy to get off track, eat too much or eat too little food. If you haven’t lost weight in 2015, could it be that you didn’t commit to a balanced eating plan and give it time to work? Could it be because you really couldn’t find a way of eating that worked for you? Let’s change that before you make your New Year’s resolutions. There are tons of recipes and meal plans online for free to help you get started.
- Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail: Making the Decision to Change
- How May Calories Do You Need to Eat to Lose Weight?
- Lesson: Portion Control and Portion Sizes
- The Basics of Weight Loss
- List of Free Meal Plans
- The Best Diet Plan – These articles from ACalorieCounter.com are excellent! It’s a step-by-step guide for creating a unique eating plan to support weight release. Make sure that you check out this resource.
| Amazon Affiliate | ||||
Don’t worry about doing anything new Dec 20-26. Spend time with your family and focus on having fun.
Week 4 (Dec 27-31) – Decide on your exercise plan for the next 60 days. Workout at for at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week (minimum).
This week you will decide on your exercise plan for the next 60 days. No one can tell you what exercise routine will work best for you. Just like an eating plan, you have to do your research and figure out what will work for Y-O-U. However, there is no room for excuses. From home workout DVDs, to YouTube videos to fitness magazines, there are tons of workout resources out there at your disposal. Walking, jogging, HIIT, Tabata, cardio, Zumba, weight training, etc. If you’ve been exercising regularly, but haven’t challenged yourself in a few months, it’s time to consider more intensity. Online resources:
| Fitness Blender on Youtube | XHIT Daily on Youtube |
| Darebee on Youtube | BWLW Workouts and Exercise Tips |
| Bodybuilding.com | Oxygen Magazine |
| Body Rock on Youtube | Tiffany Rothe Workouts on Youtube |
Now that you’ve done the work, write down your plan and commit to working hard for the next 60 days (or more)
Tip: Give yourself a gift! December is a great time to buy good book on weight loss and wellness. Don’t just focus on diet books. There are some great fictional titles, devotionals and self-help books on emotional emotional eating and our relationships with food.
Mishara Lawson says
I want to lose weight because I am tired of having no energy and not living a life that I should be. I want to commit to myself for a change. Putting my health first.
Ajima Jackson says
You can do it, Mishara!
Andrea says
I need to lose the extra weight I’ve been carrying around. I can’t blame the kids anymore and I want to look and feel better.
Ajima Jackson says
You can do it. It takes work, but once you are clear on your goals and your plans, just start making changes. One step at a time.
Maggie says
Emotional eater!
Tonya says
Yes,I’ve just let myself go and I hate what I see and how I feel..I just need to stay motivated and stop the emotional eating..I’m in !
Sherlyn says
I need to lose weight for better health.
Kiva says
Yes I’m definitely interested in make a change for the best and losing weight.
Joy says
I need to lose weight to be more healthy and confident.
Andrea jackson says
Hi, i need to loose wait to get my blood pressure under control; and ooooh my knees! I need to get this weight off of my knees. My main problem is that I can’t stay motivated. I do good for awhile then i fall off the wagon. I am also an emotional eater. I just want to look and feel better overall.
Ajima Jackson says
Andrea, I would suggest some of the books I’ve posted above, especially “Life is Hard, Food is Easy” to help you with motivation and mindset.
arica ghayouba says
I’m in
I want to lose because I’m just Tired of being tired. my challenge is I’m a below the knee amputee and I can’t afford to go to a personal trainer right now.
Ajima Jackson says
Your eating habits are going to be very, very important. You can still lose weight.
Carol A Wagner says
Im in.
Jacquie Washington says
I’m ready to commit to lose NOW… I’ve been up and down with my weight currently at 180lbs… I drink plenty of water, no sodas.. I’ve changed my eating to veggies, turkey, and fish… Green smoothies during the week for breakfast… My biggest problem is what I call my MIDGRIF stomach area… Cant seem to lose it, even brought into those wraps and waist trainer…. I don’t like going to gym so I do a lot of walking and bike riding…. I will say that I haven’t been consistent so maybe I need to try something else…. I’m looking forward to the December Challenge…
Ajima Jackson says
Sounds like you are doing really well with your planning, Jacquie. Wraps and waist training aren’t what I would suggest for long term weight loss in the midsection. I’d suggest cutting down your carbs, and focusing on green veggies, greens and fruit with a low glycemic index. Cut out refined sugar and refined grains for at least a few weeks and see how you feel.
carpenter.v@ghc.org says
I’m in! I want to continue with a healthy lifestyle that includes healthy food choices and more exercise. Ready to begin the rest of my life as a healthy and happier me!
Adrienne B. says
I am so tired of carrying this weight around. I am older now (mid-fifties) and suffer from diabetes and up and down blood pressure. I need a good plan to get my eating habits in check and to exercise without a gym commitment, because that is not in my budget right now. I am ready to get serious about this weight and my bad eating habits!
Rose says
You don’t need a gym member Leslie Sansone on YouTube. I am 59 years young and I lost 30 Llbs in 4 months by eating more plant base food and working out with Leslie Sansone.
Beverly says
I was committed and on my way in 2014, however I got sick in November 2014 and it lasted until March. My Mom died in May 2015,my oldest grandson joined the military in June; my two oldest children transferred out-of-state January & July, and another close relative died in August. 2015 has certainly been challenging and I am a stress eater. Life goes on, however I want to lose weight, be healthy and manage life as it happens. So yes, I am in on this!
Bless you all!
Ava Haywood says
Last year this time, I was about 40lbs less afer having lost weight on my own through diet and exercise. I just got off track, first with my eating and then my exercise until almost all of it has come back. I find it so hard to get back on track and STAY on track. Maybe this will help, if I just take baby steps until I get and maintain my focus.
Tonjia Owens says
I started with you all back in the summer and did a great job loosing 17lbs! And then school started and it went down hill from there. I am back managing my weight so that I can be healthy and feel better! I had great energy when school began and now I am back to dragging!
Shaq says
Around the beginning of the year I can remember saying I needed to lose 15lbs now towards the end of the year I am saying that I need to lose 20 lbs. My numbers are going in the wrong direction. I have to put an end to this now!! I want a lifestyle change.
Tee Newkirk says
I would like to join. I have been losing weight since August 2014. Most of my weight has been lost with eating. I’ve been on low carbs because I have PCOS. I have a hard time maintaining the low carbs. I start to feel so tired after months of low carbs. I know I need the carbs but PCOS and carbs seems to be arch enemies!!!! PCOS seems to be the worst ever for losing weights me attempting to stay healthy. I’ve lost 55lbs since August 2014 but with the Holidays here I’m starting to lose my healthy habits. And I’m already starting to gain some weigh back. This whole year I seem to be losing and gaining the same 10-15 pounds. I completed my first 5K on Nov 14, 2015 which I think was awesome. But when I exercise I always gain weight and I know people say focus on other things to rate success but my mind cannot get past the weight! It’s taken everything in me to get to where I am now and I don’t want my work to be in vain by gaining all this weight back.
Valerie says
I am ready to commit again to losing weight. I have been on what i call my weight-loss journey 2015 and have been able to shed 52lbs by eating healthy and working out diligently from Jan 2015 thru August 2015. The last 3-months haven’t been so good as I’ve been slipping back into old eating habits and less working out i see the scale moving again!! I was working out at a boxing gym for 30min/day 3-4x’s a week+ walking 3-5 miles per day 3-4x’s a week, green smoothies for breakfast, protein packed snacks and lunch with a sensible dinner( fish, chicken, and turkey with fresh steamed veggies, brown rice or quinoa).I cut out ALL sodas and juice. Water and green tea’s only. I was also logging ALL my foods daily(using MyfitnessPal app) as well. Im ready to get back focused and driven to living a healthier lifestyle!!
Joyce says
I have struggled with my weight all my life. Before my mom passed away she asked me to get healthy. I told her I would but been bouncing all over with these fad diets. I have a four year old son and he is my world!!! It was until recently I went to my doctor who stated it was a must I lose 45lbs by March because I want to have another baby. She said I needed to take a good year to focus on myself and get healthy. If not for having another baby but living for the one that I do have!! No more fad diets but a lifestyle change started TODAY!
Gina B says
I’m in. My snacking is out of control and believe me when I say that I can snack all day and not eat any “real food”. I’m tired of spending money on bigger clothes so that I don’t feel uncomfortable. I’m ready to get started BEFORE the new year.
Jackie says
I want to lose weight but can’t seem to stick with anything. I’m going to do this challenge and hopefully communicating will help stay focused. I’m ready.
Robin Jackson says
I started my journey today. I’m using the 10-day Green Smoothie Challenge to jumpstart my weight loss. My goal is 75 pounds which I’ll be doing as 5-10 pound milestones for short term goals. I actually started 2 wks ago by changing what, when and how I eat. I have hypertension, diabetes, and asthma and I’d like to get rid of it.
Jackie says
Also no more fad diets. I want to do it the healthy way.
Danieal B says
I work out at least an hr a day. My eating habits r the worse.
Camey says
I’d like to get back to my normal healthy weight, in order to control my blood pressure. I also want to feel good about myself again. When I look in the mirror, I don’t like what I see. I started the 10 day green smoothie challenge today.
christale white says
I want to loose weight to feel better, reduce chance of getting Diabetes, heart disease, be able to have energy to do things with my family and treat my body mind and soul the way God would have me to do.
Ra'Tasha Rouse says
To take care of the body I have 🙂
Lorna says
I am committing to the challenge. Would like to lose 20 – 30 pounds in 2016.
Leah says
I’m ready for this challenge! I want to look and feel better overall. I’ve started doing the Dherbs cleanse to help jump start my healthy living, and extra motivation would be nice:)
Lee-Lee says
I hate dressing up. I’m tired of the boils, and I’m changing everything else EXCEPT my weight!
Shandra Boyd says
I’m in
Pamela says
I want to better my health and to rid myself of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I also want to be an example to my daughter and inspire her to lose weight because it will be best for the other of us.
Gizzy says
This page is so awesome, i got linked from FB and the transformations are so amazing. Thank you for this community. Im so ready to he healthier. I had gastric bypasssurgery in 2006, i lost 105 lbs, but lost two jobs in one year a few years later and fell into a deep depression which I used as a crutch to eat ..i gained 40 lbs of what I lost. I don’t feel good, ive been lethargic and feeling blah. IM READY TO GET HEALTHIER!
Karimah says
I am ready to release this weight, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am the heaviest I’ve ever been at 287lbs. What you have laid out here sounds doable. I have yo-yo’d and binge eaten my way to this point and I just want to be free! I already have the tools. Weights, work out clothes, a pre-made meal plan and a Y membership. Now this challenge. I want to be featured in one of your success stories. I want to be a success!
Gwen says
I’m in, need a boost to refocus on me.
Cerelia says
I want to join the challenge NOW because I am ready to lose weight and make healthier food choices. My challenges are eating sweets, eating processed/fast food, and lack of preparation/planning. I look forward to having more energy and making a long term commitment.
Shaletta Davis says
I would like to join the challenge. I need to shed sbout 30lbs by March 2016. The lbs came on due to a new relationship and just being soo happy and carefree. The weight, however, has me not happy with the eay I feel, no energy,puffy…. help
Dee says
I want to look how I feel on the inside. I was doing really well lost 20lbs. Gain it back plus more. I can’t take it anymore. I WANT TO BE HEALTHY.
KeKe says
I need help with a eveything. I worked out all my life. I’ve been up and down on weight all my life. I no longer can run …or do jumping due to some in ear issues and bad knees. So I need a low impact workout that causes weight loss still. And low carbs normally works for me and portion control. But I’ve had some low days since I miss running and HIIT and Tabata. Just really need help. My age is against me too. I want my health…myself worth and body back!!
trust says
i feel if i am commited enough to lose weight everything else in my life will fall into place, because i am essentially a pathological procrastinator i hv never been at an ideal weight i want to know wat dat feels like
Stacey Ann says
I’m ready
Gayle says
I need to change my eating habits and lose the sweets. I’ve been taking high impact aerobics at least 3 times a week for years. 🙁
Shana says
I’m in! I really need to lose weight. I am an emotional eater, I am a stress eater, I am a binge eater, I am an overeater. I eat when I’m not even hungry. It’s starting to affect my health. I know how to eat right, I’ve studied it however most of the time because of stress or loneliness I choose wrong. I am tipping the scale at 190lbs which does not look good on a 5ft body. I am ready to fix this problem once and for all before a health problem demands it.
Bok says
I am sooooo in yeah!!!!!!!
Erin says
I’m in! I have to find my way back to me. I want to to take charge of my health and life. I’m commuting to one smoothie a day to get started.
Lebogang says
I want to loose the extra weight I am carrying my problem is sticking to a routine especially the exercise, I need motivation on sticking to an exercise routine
Danielle C says
I need to lose weight to be healthy. I have gradually let myself gain weight over the years. Now that I’m in my 40’s I can feel the extra weight. I am ready to lose this excess weight forever.
Denise Torres says
I have fallen off the wagon and haven’t been on the scale yet to see how much damage was caused. Diabetes is well known in my family and at 36 all of my annual blood work shows everything is a okay and I plan on keeping it that way. After reading your post on Facebook. I realized that this is the motivation that I need along with a supportive group to keep me accountable in my health journey.
Kim D says
I need to find my motivation
Shaneaqua says
As i look back a few years my goals are the same; to lose weight however im doing the opposite, gaining. I need to lose a significant amount of weight by setting realistic goals that i can create a lifestyle around. My biggest obstacle is my addiction to sugar and salt. Every day i open my eyes is another opportunity to work towards my ultimate goal. Im ready.
Chikita says
I am ready. My problems are much like Shaneaqua, finding the best plan that fits my lifestyle. I also have a big problem with emotional eating, but I am ready to tackle it head on.
Angel Mayes says
I really want to lose weight. I have been a yoyo dieter off and on for a couple years now. I have gained a tremendous amount of weight due to health issues, medications, very poor diet and exercise. I cannot seem to stay consistent with anything I start especially with eating half way right. I do not eat a lot of vegetables because I do not like them. I eat meat, too many carbs, and Lord knows how much junk. I do not drink enough water neither so I need to focus on 1 goal at a time. Any health tips will be beneficial and very helpful.
Thanks
Karen says
I am tired of feeling bad about myself and not having the energy that I need to get through the day.
joyce says
i want too lose weight bcuz i’m tried of being sick and tried of all this pain and not being able too enjoy life,i’m ready
joyce says
oops i was trying too say tired.
Georgiana lee says
I am just sick and tired of trying to loose weight, but i keep putting on more and more weight.nothing fits, I want to look better and improve my overall health.i need help please.
Donna says
1 day late and $1 short. But in this case better late than never. Yesterday was my 37th birthday. I would like to make a big change to my eating lifestyle before my 40th. Problems for me are lack of consistency and support. Hope I can see some light here.
J says
I was recently diagnosed as a Pre diabetic . The disease does not run in my family. Therefore, the diagnosis it is a result of my lifestyle and is changeable. Being diagnosis with high blood pressure & cholesterol diagnoses didn’t have the same affect as Pre diabetes because once a diabetic always diabetic. It’s time to make a change and choose a healthier lifestyle.
Nitta says
I had my first child almost 1yr ago and it has been Very difficult to lose weight. I’m so busy with work, being a mom and taking care of the house that i just eat whatever and whenever. I will be 31 in January and I would like to eat clean, healthy and still able to enjoy food. My boyfriend recently went Vegan so today had helped me some. I need HELP! To lose this weight.
Sheena Wallace says
Need to keep my weight under controll , I do have vertigo and under active thyroid , would like to loose mid section weight, want to eat clean , not sure if I’m ready to be a vegan .
Sheila says
I’m in, need to feel and look good! Tired of carrying extra weight.
Chloe says
Im ready. I’ve been carrying the weight for 25 years and it needs to go. I’ve had success in the past but thought of the changes as short term changes. Now it’s about focusing on being healthy and losing the weight is part of that. Goal us to lose 100lbs
Andrea says
I don’t just want to lose weight. I want to create a new healthier lifestyle. I have been carrying around an extra person all of my life, now it has become two. Enough is enough. I want to get right now! I have tried in the past and have given up. Not this time! It’s time for a change, A new year is coming and I want to set it off with a new me!
Tina says
I just found out i’m pre-diabetic, and if i don’t do anything about the weight gain and eating habits i will end up taking medicine. I also, want to change my eating habits so my daughter’s habits will change and help her with her be healthy
Shontae says
I’m in!
Viola Thomas says
I want to lose weight and keep it off because I just do it need help. Belly and thigh fat is ugly.
Viola Thomas says
Fruits and veggie smoothies are working for me. I exercise twice a day,30 minutes in the morning and 30 at night I drink ginger all day, herbal tea and yogi detox teas. I drink plenty of water and no red meat. Still the belly fat and thigh fat is hanging on. I want to get rid of it all.
Florence says
I’m tired of looking in the mirror and hating the image I see. I need to lose weight for my family, but most importantly for myself.
Faleecia Madison says
I am ready to commit to losing weight. I have had back problems for a while now but the weight makes it 10 times worse; so bad that it’s difficult to enjoy family vacations and trips. I tried ketogenic woe and it worked so that’s how I plan to lose.