March has always been a special month. Spring slowly begins to make an appearance, there is more sunshine, and you start to feel that it might be time to wake up from hibernation and give yourself a little reset. At the beginning of the year, a small group of four of us completed this challenge, and the results were excellent. Participants lost 2–7 kg, and everyone rated how they felt after the challenge a 5+.
Having seen how well it worked, I believe early March is the perfect time to take on this challenge with a larger group and head into the spring and summer months feeling lighter and healthier.
5 simple tasks every day
The challenge is simple: you have 5 daily tasks, each worth one point, with a maximum score of 175 points.
The tasks are:
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- Walk at least 10,000 steps a day
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- Do at least one active 10-minute workout every day
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- Drink at least 2 litres of water a day
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- Eat at least 5 handfuls of fresh vegetables and fruit a day
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- Avoid products with added sugar and alcohol
I initially set myself a goal of earning at least 160 points, but in the end, I completed all 175. If you are going to start, why do it by halves?
How and why did these particular tasks help me lose 7 kilos?
10,000 steps – it may sound like a cliché, but this habit made a noticeable difference to my daily activity level. Counting steps motivates you to move more, helps you burn more calories and is also good for your mental health. Spring is the perfect time for it, as the weather is pleasant enough to enjoy being outdoors.
At least one active 10-minute workout every day – for me, this was about taking small steps towards big changes. Whether I did a quick bodyweight workout at home or went for a short jog, regular short workouts helped me stay consistent and improve my overall fitness.
2 litres of water a day – let’s be honest. I was never a big fan of drinking water, but increasing my water intake had a noticeable effect on how I felt and on my weight. We often confuse thirst with hunger, and drinking enough water helped me avoid unnecessary snacking.
5 handfuls of vegetables and fruit – besides filling me up with relatively few calories, this also boosted my energy levels. Healthy food provided my body with essential nutrients and reduced my cravings for unhealthy foods. Fibre helps keep you pleasantly full.
Avoiding added sugar and alcohol – this was the biggest challenge, but it also had the greatest impact. Cutting out sugar and alcohol significantly reduced my calorie intake and helped me maintain stable blood sugar levels, thereby preventing sudden cravings.
Why start in March?
As spring approaches, many people naturally feel the urge to refresh their bodies and get into better shape for summer. Sunnier days and longer evenings motivate us to spend more time being active and help the healthy habits developed during the 35-day challenge stay with you even after the programme ends.
Although I managed to lose 7 kilos, I cannot guarantee that everyone will have exactly the same results. What I can promise, however, is that these 35 days will change your attitude towards health and help you build better daily habits. By April, you will be much healthier and more radiant.
Are you ready to begin your own 35-day reset this March? Give it a try!
JOIN THE CHALLENGE