Game On is off

Well, I am taking a break from the Game On diet. I really dragged my team down on the last two rounds. It is hard to keep track of all the goals and rules when on vacation, travelling, and focusing on other goals so I am going to rejoin at a later date in another round. Each round typically lasts 4 weeks with a week or more between.
During the time off, I am going to ride my bike as much as possible and try to eat fresh, in season fruits and vegetables.
The pluses of Game On make me want to rejoin at a later date. I really enjoyed the commitment to keeping in touch with my friends who were sharing the journey. I am ashamed to admit that I am not as diligent about connecting since I don't get "points" for it. It takes a lot to motivate me and though I miss the interaction, I am not very proactive at maintaining it without the accountability that the points provide. I also enjoyed setting a new habit goal and trying to keep it. It is really more than a weight loss plan. It is just a challenge to keep all the balls in the air for each aspect of the game.
I am just not the kind of person who can or likes to keep track of every aspect of my life all the time. To me it takes some of the fun out of life to be tracking, counting, and fussing about so many aspects of life that the Game On plan addresses. It is useful to see my habits and patterns and how they affect my days but it is also pleasant to have a break from it. In my perfect world, I would eat like I did when I was young (and thin) and I would stay thin.

Spring in "the D"

Spring is a time for new beginnings.

It is better than New Years because the whole earth feels like it is being renewed. Because all things feel new, and because I don't want to be fat all my life, I have rejoined the journey to weight loss. (I had reached one weight goal, when my mom was diagnosed as terminally ill)

I am playing "Game On" with some friends. This necessitated picking a good habit to incorporate into my life. I chose going outdoors every day. I love the outdoors but sometimes I get so busy with house chores, homeschooling duties, laziness, etc. to get outside.
I rode my bike 25 miles last week. This was like paying two bills with one check or throwing two strikes with one pitch because on the "Game On" plan 20 minutes of exercise per day is required.

Someday soon I am going to write about being side tracked, like I was when I went looking for an alternative to killing two birds with one stone to use in this blog.

Ah, well, back to spring, weight loss, getting outdoors and "Game On". "Game On" is based on a book "The Game On Diet" that has a plan for losing weight and changing your life. My friend M told us about it and two weeks ago eight of us joined in the friendly competition. Competing to do better at positive life change is an interesting concept. It provides at least four good things. Camaraderie develops since communicating with your teammates and opponents earns points. Each player gets encouraged toward a healthier lifestyle. Accountability keeps us honest. And hopefully, we will all lose weight. Plus we decided on a prize before we started.

It is hard to tell who will win. Our team had the best score the first week and the other team beat us this week. Without sounding too kindergartenish, we will all be winners in the end for trying.