Are you doing a 40 in 40?

So yeah, Lent started yesterday but it's never too late.

I'm not Catholic and I don't feel the need to "give up" anything for Lent, but there are a couple other ideas out there that I've shared before (see last year's post). One is the 40/40 Challenge. It's 40 minutes of exercise every day during Lent. The 40 days doesn't include Sundays; you can rest on Sundays, or not.

The other is 40 Bags in 40 Days, brought to you by White House Black Shutters blog. This is about de-cluttering. I'm pretty sure I could get rid of 40 bags in my closet alone. If you click on the link back there, you'll get some great tips and ideas if you think you might not have 40 bags worth of "stuff."

Having said that I don't give up stuff for Lent, this year Aaron made a suggestion that initially made me laugh my head off, but actually I'm kind of digging it. We are giving up dining out -- in Columbus (an important distinction which will become clear very soon). We shall see how this goes...

Since this is my first post of the week, I also wanted to share that last weekend was our annual neighborhood chili cook-off. Here are the winners (categories include Best Vegetarian, Best Traditional, Hottest, Most Unique, and Best in Show).

This year's Most Unique went to a chili called "Sexual Chocolate." They even made their own sign for it:

If you can't read it, some of the ingredients included chocolate stout and cayenne cocoa,
and the garnishments were chocolate-dipped bacon, cilantro and sour cream.
OMG, it was delicious.

Ash Gwensday (yep, I went there)

So yeah, due to my extreme procrastination and laziness and lack of scheduling my posts, coupled with a busy work day and a church service, I am just now (9:30 pm EST) sitting down to write this post. And I probably would have blown it off but I wanted to show y'all some pictures from last weekend because it was quite eventful. Since Monday was full of Oscars talk and yesterday was devoted to the 40/40 Challenge, well, here we are on Gwensday and I didn't want to neglect the fun weekend stuff.

This is a party bus:

This bus transported 20 of us from the neighborhood to a surprise 40th birthday party for another neighbor, John. Said bus backed into our driveway from the alley and parked in front of our house to pick us all up. Those of you who know where we live know that's quite a feat. The surprise was a success and a good time was had by all (as far as I know, anyway).

That's Aaron line dancing

Saturday we had a rehearsal in the morning and went to a late brunch/early dinner. That evening we went to an engagement party, and the bride and groom asked Aaron to officiate their wedding! Look how cute this shit is:

I want to remind you that the 40/40 Challenge started today, but it's not too late to join in. I did manage to get to the gym and get in my 40 minutes (and I tacked on 10 more for the hell of it).

40 minutes of exercise for 40 days

And I have another different kind of challenge/Lent idea for you. My friend Michelle shared it on her Facebook page and I'm totally going to try it. Confession: I haven't done it today but if I do two tomorrow I'll be happy.

Who's with me?

The 2014 40/40 Challenge!

I have to apologize because I should have posted this last week. I'm cutting it a bit close here. For those who don't know, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday (I guess it's probably sacrilegious to call it Ash Gwensday, although I'll probably do that anyway), which begins the season of Lent. My friend from high school, Rose, is part of a group of women who started the 40/40 Challenge with the idea of picking up a good habit during Lent instead of giving up a bad one.

I posted about this last year, and if you missed it, you should check it out if only for the 80s pictures of Rose and me. Classic.

So here are the "rules:" Do some form of exercise for 40 minutes every day for 40 days. That's it. Technically Lent lasts 46 days, but Sundays are optional, so you can have a rest day each week. With any luck, you'll start a habit that will last long after Easter.

I desperately need the challenge this year because the habit didn't last for me last year and I've become a slug.

That needs to stop.

Interested? Of course you can do this on your own, but if you're on Facebook, there is a 40/40 group. It's private but if you friend me on my personal FB page, which you can do here, I'll get you added. It's a great way to get and give support and motivation. Either way, I'll do a 40/40 update of my own each Gwensday during the challenge and you can report in here if you like.

And if you're reading this after the challenge starts, don't worry, it's never too late to get moving!

Monthly Measures #2

Check here for my first Monthly Measures post. I struggled with what to write this month. I only lost two pounds since February's post, but I'm seeing progress in other areas. My jeans are loose around the waist (even fresh out of the dryer!) and I can take my belt to the third notch instead of battling to fasten at the first one. And I know a lot of women don't like it that one of the first places to notice weight loss is the boobs, but I'm really OK with it, and I've had to change where I fasten my bra and frankly, it's exciting.

I joined in on the 40/40 Challenge for the season of Lent, and I've done it although some days it's 10 minutes here and there at the office. With the door closed.

A year (or maybe two) ago I tried to come up with a reward system for myself. It didn't last, but now that I'm being accountable to Blog World I'm going to resurrect it. I'm a girly girl and I love clothing and shoes and jewelry. So I have this charm bracelet from Swarovski. (I think this is the one but the 6 3/4 inch length can't possible be right because what adult has a wrist that small?) I currently have only two charms, and I've decided that for every 10 pounds I lose I'll buy a new charm.

My charms (I don't think they're still available because I bought them so long ago.)

I think my next purchase will be this Crystal Double Star charm. Let's see if I can get my ass in gear and buy it soon!

Stay Tuned,

The Gila

Linking up with Nicole

40/40 Challenge 2013

Logo for last year designed by one of the participants.

About a year ago I was invited to participate in an exercise challenge called 40/40. My friend Rose and two of her friends started this (I'm not sure how long ago) as a twist on "giving up ______ for Lent." Rather than give up something, how about committing to exercise for 40 minutes a day for the 40 days of Lent?

In the Christian tradition, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (or, the day after Mardi Gras if that's how you roll) and goes until Easter. Technically it's 46 days, but Sundays don't count, thus 40 days. For the purposes of this challenge, Sundays don't count either, although you're certainly welcome to exercise that day as well.

Rose is very athletic and runs a lot. I fall into neither of those categories. She also lives in Arizona so us Northern folks can be jealous right about now. Anyway, the idea of this isn't to run everyday; it's just to MOVE.

There's a Facebook page for this group; it's a private page, but I have connections. If you're interested, leave a comment or shoot me an email at gwen.carmack@gmail.com. It's a great group of people from all over who inspire and encourage each other. I'm doing this again to keep up the momentum in my weight loss journey. Are you in?

And now, for your entertainment, a couple pictures of Rose and me from high school days (keep in mind this was the 80's).

That's me (in a bizarre and unflattering pose) and Rose.

A toast! Me, Maret, Rose, Stacey

Stay Tuned and Keep Moving,

The Gila