The Thirty Days Project

If you have heard of the documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, the movie Super Size Me or the tv show 30 Days you are familiar with the "Thirty Days" concept: Do something for 30 days that represents a mode of life markedly different from your norm.

Inspired by this concept, I have decided to embark on my own 30 days project, though admitedly it is not quite the leap that many participants take in the television series. Realizing that I am terribly out of shape and feeling generally sluggish on a day to day basis, I decided that my first project will be: 30 Minutes for 30 Days. Basically I plan to partake in some form of active, physical exercise for at least 30 minutes each day for the next 30 days. I know you are probably thinking that it doesn't sound that hard. Hopefully it won't be. But, for someone who's been pretty sedentary for the six months, I feel like it is an appropriately challenging, but attainable goal. In following the guidelines of the show, I have set 3 rules for this project:

1. EXERCISE for at least 30 minutes EVERYDAY. It can be any kind of exercise...walking/running on the treadmill, using the machines at the gym, playing raquetball, going for a hike, etc. Just do it for at least 30 continuous minutes.
   
2. DRINK a glass of water before every meal, and one before bed. On the good side, I usually don't drink anything but unsweetened black or green tea. However, I know I don't drink enough water. Plus, I want to see if drinking more water before meals will make me less hungry. (and therefore eat less)


3. CUT CALORIES whenever reasonably possible. I don't believe in starvation, calorie counting, carb cutting, zone diets or any of that. However, I think that I can be more conscious of what/when/how much I eat and when I can cut something out I will.

Sounds like your standard doctor-recommended, National Institute of Health kind of stuff, right? Well, it is. I want to see if it works for me.

I plan to make brief daily blog entries both recording my activities and progress. Why would you want to read this, you ask? Well, you probably wouldn't. It's mostly for me. However, I do admit that knowing someone actually read it would be great motivation to stick to the plan.

I have not set any number specific goals in terms of how many pounds/inches I think I should lose. I don't even know exactly how much I weigh. I think that if this is successful, I will feel better (less tired all the time) and my clothes will fit better. That's all the results I need. And, if I make it, who knows what I'll try next?