Gaelen
09-02-2008, 12:07 AM
September--Try new things!
The basics of Protein Power stay the same for all of us:
-- figure out your current lean body mass (and get an accurate starting height and weight for reference)
-- determine your daily minimum protein requirement, and make sure you hit that number every day
-- control your carb intake: in Phase I, stay under 40 grams/day, no more than 7-10g/meal; in Phase II for slower weight loss or to transition to maintenance, stay under 55g of effective carbs/day, no more than 12-15g/meal
-- Take in at least 64 oz./2 liters of non-caloric fluids daily. Water is the easiest on your system, but yes, coffee, tea and other non-caloric beverages contribute to your daily fluid intake. Just make sure you 'drink 'til you float!' for best results.
-- MOVE every day; use it or lose it!
But whether you've been PP'ing for awhile, are returning to the plan, or are just starting out, a new season is a great time to try new things...and in that spirit, September's challenge is to TRY NEW THINGS!
The commitment is simple. There are four full weeks in September, 2008. This month, once a week, do something a little bit different. Shake things up a little.
If you're an old hand at Protein Power, break out of your routine(s).
If you're just starting or getting back into Protein Power, work on building new, healthier routines.
This month, you've got four chances to pick something new, try it on for size, and tell us all about the experience.
The new thing(s) you choose can be simple changes--but they must be something you've never tried or haven't done within the last year, something NEW.
You can choose to try a different new thing every week--for instance, week one you might try a new recipe, week 2 a new walking route, week 3 a new restaurant, and in week 4 start reading a new nutrition blog. Or you can choose to focus on shaking things up in one area all month long, and vary it four times (for instance, choose to try four new recipes, or try four new exercises.)
Challenge yourself by trying new things--what you try is all up to you.
And of course, we want to hear all about everything that's new to you--so share your explorations in the daily challenge thread, good and bad. If you're first to the board in the morning, start the challenge thread. Check in with your planned and actual menus for the day. Share what you've learned about the new things you've tried. Post a link to that great new blog you find, share your thoughts about that recipe you tried, tell us how it felt to take that new walking route or try out that new piece of equipment at the gym.
Need ideas? Here are some starters, or come up with your own list of things that are NEW TO YOU.
-- Once each week, try a new restaurant for dinner or lunch, and make the choice to stay on plan!
-- Make one new low carb recipe every week.
-- Walkers, runners and bikers, take a different route--or add in (or subtract) a hill or a set of stairs.
-- Going to the gym? Try out a new piece of equipment, or add some cardio to a weight-training program, or some resistance work to your cardio-focused routine.
-- Try a form of exercise that focuses on stretching and improving balance, such as yoga or pilates...especially if you normally workout 'harder'.
-- If you haven't tracked/journaled your food for awhile, pick one day a week and write everything down.
-- Check out a new diet and nutrition blog every week (shameless plug--you could start right here at home with the Drs. Eades' blogs!)
If you're new to the plan, and everything is new to you, jump right in!
In the daily challenge thread, share what you discover about following Protein Power...and about yourself. Is your blood pressure improving? Are you sleeping better? Do you have more energy? What have you discovered about low carbing when you pack your lunch or eat out? Everything is an exploration; let us know how the plan is working for you.
Four weeks in September, 2008--try one new thing every week.
What will YOU shake up this month? :D
The basics of Protein Power stay the same for all of us:
-- figure out your current lean body mass (and get an accurate starting height and weight for reference)
-- determine your daily minimum protein requirement, and make sure you hit that number every day
-- control your carb intake: in Phase I, stay under 40 grams/day, no more than 7-10g/meal; in Phase II for slower weight loss or to transition to maintenance, stay under 55g of effective carbs/day, no more than 12-15g/meal
-- Take in at least 64 oz./2 liters of non-caloric fluids daily. Water is the easiest on your system, but yes, coffee, tea and other non-caloric beverages contribute to your daily fluid intake. Just make sure you 'drink 'til you float!' for best results.
-- MOVE every day; use it or lose it!
But whether you've been PP'ing for awhile, are returning to the plan, or are just starting out, a new season is a great time to try new things...and in that spirit, September's challenge is to TRY NEW THINGS!
The commitment is simple. There are four full weeks in September, 2008. This month, once a week, do something a little bit different. Shake things up a little.
If you're an old hand at Protein Power, break out of your routine(s).
If you're just starting or getting back into Protein Power, work on building new, healthier routines.
This month, you've got four chances to pick something new, try it on for size, and tell us all about the experience.
The new thing(s) you choose can be simple changes--but they must be something you've never tried or haven't done within the last year, something NEW.
You can choose to try a different new thing every week--for instance, week one you might try a new recipe, week 2 a new walking route, week 3 a new restaurant, and in week 4 start reading a new nutrition blog. Or you can choose to focus on shaking things up in one area all month long, and vary it four times (for instance, choose to try four new recipes, or try four new exercises.)
Challenge yourself by trying new things--what you try is all up to you.
And of course, we want to hear all about everything that's new to you--so share your explorations in the daily challenge thread, good and bad. If you're first to the board in the morning, start the challenge thread. Check in with your planned and actual menus for the day. Share what you've learned about the new things you've tried. Post a link to that great new blog you find, share your thoughts about that recipe you tried, tell us how it felt to take that new walking route or try out that new piece of equipment at the gym.
Need ideas? Here are some starters, or come up with your own list of things that are NEW TO YOU.
-- Once each week, try a new restaurant for dinner or lunch, and make the choice to stay on plan!
-- Make one new low carb recipe every week.
-- Walkers, runners and bikers, take a different route--or add in (or subtract) a hill or a set of stairs.
-- Going to the gym? Try out a new piece of equipment, or add some cardio to a weight-training program, or some resistance work to your cardio-focused routine.
-- Try a form of exercise that focuses on stretching and improving balance, such as yoga or pilates...especially if you normally workout 'harder'.
-- If you haven't tracked/journaled your food for awhile, pick one day a week and write everything down.
-- Check out a new diet and nutrition blog every week (shameless plug--you could start right here at home with the Drs. Eades' blogs!)
If you're new to the plan, and everything is new to you, jump right in!
In the daily challenge thread, share what you discover about following Protein Power...and about yourself. Is your blood pressure improving? Are you sleeping better? Do you have more energy? What have you discovered about low carbing when you pack your lunch or eat out? Everything is an exploration; let us know how the plan is working for you.
Four weeks in September, 2008--try one new thing every week.
What will YOU shake up this month? :D