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BlancE
04-30-2008, 09:47 PM
So far this year, we’ve tackled:

The (http://www.proteinpower.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4107) January Challenge

The (http://www.proteinpower.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4373) February Challenge

The (http://www.proteinpower.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4644) March Challenge

The (http://www.proteinpower.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4891) April Challenge

Now we’re into May. Expanding on the April challenge, this month’s challenge is to focus on the “other 20%.” In PPLP, the Drs. Eades say that while 80% of the benefit of PP/PPLP comes from nutritional changes, “ if you want to live your life to the fullest, to extract every ounce of wellness you can wring from your life and drink it in, work the plan to its entirety.”

Wow, is that a goal to strive for! :)

Our challenge for May is to explore the other 20% of the PP program and enhance at least one aspect in your own plan.

The overlapping circles of health that surround nutrition (with some quotes from PPLP) are:

Stretching – “…stretching is something we hope you’ll do every day as a part of greeting the world…stretching is usually the first order of business to shake the cobwebs out of the muscles and ready them for whatever may lie ahead.” (pp. 284-285)

Exercise – “Once you begin to feel the increase in energy that comes from regaining your hormonal balance and the lightness of movement that comes from reducing body fat, you will very likely discover a pleasure in exercising that you may never have experienced before.” (p. 277)

Rest - “more is not always better…overexercising...adds stress, raises cortisol and with it increases insulin levels.” (p. 297)

Meditation and Relaxation – “But just as stress increases cortisol levels, the opposite of stress – total relaxation – can reduce them. And the best means of totally relaxing is to learn to meditate.” (p. 300)

Sunlight – “we humans ‘eat’ the sun as a nutrient…the action of sunlight on our skin produces the ‘sunshine vitamin’, natural vitamin D.” (p. 257)

New learning – “new learning should open up more blood flow along new circuits and pathways within the brain.”

So there it is…pick one or more of the “other 20%” to focus on this month, while maintaining adequate protein and keeping carbs within plan limits.

Let’s report in weekly for progress reports.

Who’s in?

gitfiddle
04-30-2008, 09:59 PM
I'm in, Beth! I picked up exercising regularly earlier this year and I always stretch something during the day. I research constantly and I've been taking vitamin D3 (sunshine benefits) since Dr. Mike recommended it.

I think my area for concentration should be sleep and meditation. I rarely get more than 6.5/7 hrs of sleep on work nights, usually less. I also don't think to meditate. So that's me for May. :)

I think it is just awesome that you're back and doing the Challenge this month!

BlancE
04-30-2008, 10:06 PM
Awww, I'm blushing, Carol! :redface: Thank you!

My goal will be meditation. Worked on rest last month, to no avail.

Besides meditation, I'll work on using my StressEraser (breathing monitoring tool) on a regular basis.

Smug Puppies
04-30-2008, 10:32 PM
I'm in, too! I'm selecting both stretching and meditation/relaxation... they are a natural duo for me with my interest in yoga. There's nothing more replenishing than 30 minutes or so of meditation following a really productive yoga session - my mind is so clear afterward that my whole day seems to sparkle.

Plus, there's all those health benefits - reduced stress & tension, improved focus, positive impacts on stress-related health issues like hypertension and migraines... it's a winner all the way around. :)

Rhyme'n Reason
04-30-2008, 11:07 PM
I'm here, too. My goal for the month--get back to getting a decent night's sleep and go walking twice a week. Doesn't sound like much, I know, but I have to start somewhere. :)

Missy
05-01-2008, 02:52 AM
I'm here too Beth! :D My plan is to DO the plan. lol :o:eek::o

Mitra
05-01-2008, 06:42 AM
I've been aware that in my yoga recently, my focus has been working with postures to help my back problems. This month I'll keep doing that, but I also want to make sure I take time for the breathing and meditation aspects that I've been neglecting a bit.

By the way, Beth suggested a weekly report on how you're doing with the challenge, but we can still keep the daily thread going for reporting on menus etc.

Karole
05-01-2008, 07:58 AM
I think I will opt for meditation and stress reduction also. Anything that will help with bp is good to go in my book !!

I was wondering-- will the weekly reports be on a sticky?

Thanks for the challenge Beth !!

Megan
05-01-2008, 08:24 AM
Good Morning everyone,
I am here. My first challenge! I am going to focus on starting an exercise program. Walking, stretching etc. and getting enough rest.
Megan :)

Peachy
05-01-2008, 08:27 AM
I'm going to focus on getting my exercise in. I've been slacking off. This will fit in with my 'back to basics' plan.

maxlharris
05-01-2008, 08:37 AM
Very odd month for me. Parents in town this weekend, with planned excursion to NoVA wine country, dinner out and possible trip into the District to mingle with the FOBs. Then, next weekend, Chicago for apartment shopping. Then, I'm out of the country from the 22nd to the end of the month. And I will not be posting from my beach resort. Sorry.

So, what to commit to. I dunno. Have to go to the mountaintop on this one.

Ammy
05-01-2008, 08:55 AM
I'm in...
exercise, definitely
sunlight, definitely (even if it means sitting in the tanning bed)
rest, yes...have to take time to sit and rest, and finding a dr to help me sleep through the night will be my ultimate "other 20%".
My knee and hip pain wakes me up often, and it's not the bed, we have a good bed.

Yes, I'm IN!!!!

Belfrybat
05-01-2008, 09:20 AM
I'm in for exercise/ meditation. I was down for the last several months, first with a bad shoulder and then with 'flu/pneumonia and am now just getting back to exercising. Will commit to at least 4X week on the Gazelle and daily 20 min. meditation (had let than go by the wayside as well wen ill).

I won't post daily, but will update at least once a week.

maxlharris
05-01-2008, 11:32 AM
I'm in for exercise through May 21, then sunlight for the rest. I think I can manage to get adequate sunlight in Curacao. It's only 12* north of the equator.

hawk
05-01-2008, 06:55 PM
I need to be in. Lately I have scaled back the activity. I brought home new puppy and she helps me slow down. She's a scream. SHe learned her name in one day.I think I need to take some time to reduce stress and rethink life. I got down my bike so I can take it to work on Mondays.I plan to spend time in the sun each day. And upscale my workouts. So maybe too much added on but it is important stuff.
I am currently covered with hives and I have no clue. I have not gone to the doc yet. Living on Benadryl.

Claudette
05-01-2008, 09:03 PM
Hi, y'all,

I'm in! Thanks, Beth for starting the Challenge.

So glad to see you again, Bellfrybat. I pm'ed you a while back, hoping you were ok. Glad you are back, we missed you.

So, I am going to concentrate on relaxation/stretching this month.

The exercise is going great, but I need to learn to relax and could use the stretching to boot.


Claudette

telanyfit
05-01-2008, 09:28 PM
I'm in for meditation and sunlight. What a great challenge, I definitely need to rev up that other 20%...

Mal Lady
05-02-2008, 04:58 PM
I'm in for meditation and sunlight. I could use a lot more of each. We just need to find the sun in Indiana.:D The meditation will be a great stress reliever that I always seem to forget to use. So, what a great time to start.

Sharon