I hate vegetables. I really do.
I’m a meat and potatoes guy all the way and if veggies weren’t so damn healthy, I’d probably never eat another one. But they are good for us; so good in fact that they need to be a part of every guy’s diet, regardless of your fitness goals.
I’m not here to tell you all the wondrous benefits of broccoli, kale, and spinach, that’s been covered more times than Bruce Jenner’s transition to a woman.
What I am going to do is invite you to join the #FitDadNation in a 66 day challenge, that involves veggies; lots of them.
I recently read a book called The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and in it he proposes that a new habit takes an average of 66 days to form. I believe him.
I also happen to know that many of you are not eating nearly enough vegetables (or any) and if you want to be healthy and fit, you need to start eating them now (and so do I).
So I’m going to make it fun for us to eat them..
The Contest
So here are the rules:
1.You will eat at least one serving of vegetables every day for 66 days straight. Corn does not count! (and don’t eat carrots every day either, that’s weak)..
2. The contest will begin on Monday 8/24. I’m waiting a few days so as to spread the word as much as possible. More people=more fun!
3. You will document it with either a photo of your vegetable of choice or by leaving a message on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #66VeggieDays. For example, you could just tweet out “Asparagus #66veggiedays” and that would count.
4. If you manage to complete all 66 days without missing a single one, you not only will have one of the best habits you could ever hope for, but I will bestow upon you a reward that I know you’ll enjoy..
5. Don’t cheat! Only post when you actually eat your veggies!
That’s really it. The contest will end on October 29th and as much as I am not looking forward to this, I know it will help all who participate.
I encourage you all to share tips and recipes or anything that makes eating these things more enjoyable or palatable!
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram, now let’s hit this together and get our green on!
I’m in!
I don’t do Twitter anymore. I cancelled my account several months ago. I’m not on Instagram either. But I’ll post to Flickr. I was thinking about starting a new “365” project anyway, so this will give me a reason to get started rather than just thinking about it.
So it’s simple, huh? Just “at least one serving of vegetables a day,” in addition to, rather than instead of, something else? Sounds easy. Easier than it will actually be.
“And don’t eat carrots every day. That’s weak.” Oh, fine. Not every day. But there will be a lot of carrots.
The best part: the challenge ends on October 29 — just in time to replace the carrots and broccoli and kale with LEFTOVER HALLOWEEN CANDY! Uhm… since corn doesn’t count, does that mean candy corn doesn’t count, either?
Will you be sending out a reminder email on Monday? Getting into the habit of snapping a photo of the daily vegetable might be even more challenging than eating the daily vegetable!
Love to hear it, David! I know you are dealing with a lot of shit in your life right now so hopefully this helps a little. What is your project?
A “365” project is a challenge on Flickr or other photo sites to take a photo every day for 365 days. It started out several years ago as people taking “selfies,” before the term “selfie” and the idea of selfies became so mainstream-trendy. I’ve done 365 Days (selfies), 365 daily weather photos, and 365 toy photo projects.
I have snapped my first two #66veggiedays photos! And I’m sorry, but one of them was carrots! I’m using a “camera” — an outmoded piece of technology — and haven’t had time to upload the photos yet. I may soon have an iPad at my disposal; then I’ll join Instagram like all the other hipster kids.
At the moment, though, I’m pretty busy because our lengthy, drawn-out house selling drama finally came to a close today, literally, in that the deal actually closed! So the next three or four weeks will be crazy as we scramble to arrange a long-distance move!
Expect more “weak” carrot photos during that time period!
LOL, David. I’ll let the carrots slide but not for long..
And it’s fine that you’re using Flickr, as long as you’re doing it, I don’t care how..
Also, I’m actually really happy to hear your mess is getting resolved. I’ve been reading your blog and some days it seemed to look pretty bleak.
The irony is that last week Friday, with no word from the buyers’ agent or the lender or escrow, I felt fairly sure the house sale would not be finalized. I started making plans at work for undertaking some new projects, and had made up my mind to focus on the positives and do what I could to change everything about my current situation I disliked for the better while focusing on the positives. I was actually getting kinda jazzed about it. So the sudden “good news” left me with decidedly mixed feelings.
And as you know far better than I, being as you are a “single dad” with all that entailed in the past and having traded careers, there are always misgivings about making big changes, even if you were thinking and knowing that those changes would ultimately be an improvement. The doubt kicks in with a vengeance. The “what have I done” feeling as the reality sets in starts to feel overwhelming. But that’s probably a discussion for “Ending the Grind.” 😉
What day did we start this? Monday? Okay, today is the following Sunday. Seven days down! #Boom! Of course, I have yet to actually post any of the photos anywhere. There on my camera. I’m not sure where I put my USB cable or my SD card reader. Things are a total mess around here at the moment. But yeah, plugging away on #66veggiedays!
Yes it started on Monday and that’s fine if you aren’t posting the pics. As long as you’re staying consistent with it, I’m happy.
I hear you, David. Shifting careers is a very difficult move, especially for someone like a teacher. What is it you want to transition to?
Still plugging away at #66veggiedays. Hoping to start posting the pics this weekend.
What do I want to transition to? Would you believe… I don’t totally know yet? At least not career or job-wise. We’ve sold our house, we’ll eliminate most (sadly, not quite all) our debt, we’ll be moving into a mortage-free home and purchasing a loan-free car… and then we’ll figure it out from there! It’s gonna be an adventure!
I do know, however, that I want to transition away from being overweight, out of shape, exhausted, and discouraged. An end to most of the factors that have contributed to that situation is in sight! Two more weeks!
Sounds like things are moving in the right direction, my friend. Let me know when you’re ready to hit it hard and be able to fully commit to getting into shape!