How To Plan For Success During The Lifestyle Challenge

Planning for the week is one of the most difficult things you may do, but it is one of the smartest moves to set yourself up for success. 

I remember my first "diet". My best friend and I decided to do the cabbage soup diet when we were in high school. Friends, it was terrible. We went into the diet with no preparation and the only day we ever looked forward to was the day where we could eat as many bananas and drink as much milk as our little hearts desired. 

I'll give you three guesses as to what happened and the first two don't count. We got to our banana and milk day and that was the end. Our moms had cooked huge soup pots full of this smelly cabbage soup and we barely even touched it. Why did we fail so hard then? Because we did not plan. The Cabbage Soup Diet is very clearly outlined for dieters, telling them what they can eat and when; unfortunately, we thought that would be enough. 

I am telling you right now, if I make your meal plan for you, you won't stick to it. If you don't have a back up plan for worse-case-scenarios, you will give in to temptation and usually it's for something that isn't even that delicious! 

So how can you set yourself up for success? 

Use the Vision and Strategy worksheets provided in your guidebook. Write down the obstacles you see coming along the journey and how can you use them to your advantage? What meals do you want to eat throughout the week? On the days you know you will be out of the house all day, how will you eat? Will you pack your lunch? Find a restaurant that has Lifestyle-Challenge-Approved meals? What will you order? Where will you get your juice? Will you make it ahead of time?

These are just some of the obstacles for which you will need to be prepared!

Here were some of the questions I asked myself during my last 30-day challenge.

1. What will I do when we go out to eat?

A) Order a side of grilled chicken and vegetables. Ask if they have a side of sweet potatoes or brown rice.

2. If my friends want to go out for a drink, how do I feel like I’m a part of the group without drinking alcohol?

A) Order a cup of hot water with lemon or a kombucha.

3. Since I’ll be flying, what should I do about snacks on the plane?

A) Buy veggies and hummus for the trip.

4. If I don’t have enough time to work out during the day, what can I do?

A) Yoga or Pilates at the end of the day so I won’t feel energized right before bed.

5. How will I get the support I need?

A) Text my fellow challengers. Try to get my friends and family to join.

My dad actually did join me for most of the challenge! We were on vacation in Kauai and it was so much easier having my dad’s support. I would make us both breakfast, we would keep each other accountable when my mom and sister wanted shaved ice, we went out paddle boarding together every day, etc. It was so much more fun with a friend alongside me! If you haven’t asked your friends or family to join you yet, get them on board. This will help push you toward success!

Remember, if you don’t plan for success, you leave the door open for mistakes. Be a winner! And never hesitate to reach out to me when you need support! We are all in this together