May Day! Challenge

"May day" is an emergency code word used as a distress signal internationally... It derives from the French venez m'aider, meaning 'come help me'.  According to Wikipedia, "May Day" is used to signal a life-threatening emergency ... the call is always given three times in a row ("Mayday Mayday Mayday").

Here is is, May 1st.  We're nearly half way through with 2011! How did this happen? Where has the past four months flown off to - what about our New Year's resolutions - our True 2 You February promises to ourselves and each other? 


Esther Ralson, my son's great grandmom
Now the dreaded (for me, at least!!) bathing suit season is WEEKS AWAY!  WEEKS!  Not months... WEEKS.  Heck, Memorial Day is THIS MONTH!

MAY DAY! 
MAY DAY!
MAY DAY!

So here is the challenge for the month, friends.  I hope you'll join me in it!  May is upon us and it is 'call to action time'.  We can't be hiding behind baggy pants and sweaters any longer and kidding ourselves and others that we're doing the best we can do. 

Believe me - in the excuse department since January - I have all my bases covered.  I've had pneumonia, I asked my boyfriend to move out, siblings are going through divorces and a dear friend is battling for her life.  I've been using those excuses PLENTY to find reasons not to exercise or do my best.  But it is over.  I'm sending out the May Day call of distress!  I have to get my butt in gear and COMMIT!

The thing about this challenge that will be different is that we're calling out to one another.  You're not going this challenge alone.  Do you need help and know it?  Tell me or someone else you know and let's be ACCOUNTABLE to on another this month.  Let me know when you blew off that walk or the gym or inhaled that pint (or gallon) of Ben & Jerry's.  I'm not going to judge you... I've been there and have plenty of indulgences I'm none too proud of lately, too!

We're all in this together and we all need to be honest to ourselves and call out for help.   Because, for me at least, when I'm helping someone else - I feel good and - in turn - I do better myself.  It is the "what goes around comes around" cycle in the Law of Attraction! ; )

The details of this month's "HLG May Day Challenge" (on Twitter as #HLGMayDay) are simple:

Let's get out our calendars and of the 31 days of May, we're committing to 24 of them to move in some way - get to the gym - walk - climb stairs - go bike riding - do DVDs at home - park in the far lot and walk the long way into the office.  Write on your calendar which days you're committing to.  It doesn't matter if you tell me or someone else WHAT you do - you know what you will feel good about accomplishing - you write down your own goal and them commit to do it for 24 of 31 days.  The other 7 days of the month are days you can do whatever you want - you can do nothing or do something unplanned.  Totally up to you.

And here's the other part... reach out to someone specific - it would be great if it were someone else in this May Day! challenge - and let them know what your plans are and ask them how YOU can help them!  Be a life line - and be open enough, accountable enough to yourself and someone else, to give a May Day shout out for help!

I'll start us off - I need accountability that I'm walking 4 out of 7 days a week.  Anyone want to check in with me on my goal and by my May Day Challenge life line? :)

Let me know if you're "in" this Healthy Loser Gal May Day! Challenge, friends!  I know we can do this and head into the summer proud of ourselves and feeling fit and fabulous!  I can't wait to read your comments! :)

Dream. Believe. Achieve!
Jan / HealthyLoserGal

10 comments:

Melissa May 1, 2011 at 10:02 PM  

Girl, I'm right there with you. The year has been rough for me, too. My heart break happened just before the holidays, I've had pneumonia, etc. I'm so ready to be back on track, too! I commit to move my body 24 days this month!

HealthyLoserGal May 1, 2011 at 10:26 PM  

Melissa, I'm sooo glad you're in. Let's keep track of one another and DO THIS! :)

Anonymous May 2, 2011 at 10:48 AM  

oh my I think you were talking about me... Last month I fell and had a concussion, I got in a car accident, I finally ran my tough mudder then decided I "deserved" time off. Well I have not been back to the gym since... life has gotten in the way ugh! So my commitment is gym 3 days a week and walk the dog 4 days a week. The dog walk is 3 miles long so I am good! I am going to call on my friend Angie but feel free to make sure I am on track also! Hugs!!!

TGOTG May 2, 2011 at 11:03 AM  

It is so easy to let excuses get the best of us! We always try to get moving even if its in our own living rooms. We can't be victims of our own schedules. We respect and love this challenge, and we are in!

Unknown May 2, 2011 at 9:04 PM  

Hello eveyone.. I am right here with you..life has been well let's put it this way winter SUCKED.. marriage issues..health and money issues...and well NOW 15 lbs on..I think all stressed related ( i stayed on plan and still worked out_.....so lets do this... I have a friend that has about 100+ pounds to lose...I am mentoring her and supporting her.. I love it!

Shabby Chic Mom May 9, 2011 at 6:33 PM  

HAHA! My bday is May Day :)
I was looking at your journey pics and congrats on such a wonderful accomplishment. You look beautiful!

Carol Oliver May 17, 2011 at 11:55 PM  

I feel like I am reading Jill Knapp's story. She lost 100 pounds too and was in the same magazine as you were. How crazy is that. I have been following her web site for a few years now and have lost 50 pounds myself. Congratulations. I fell upon your site and am very excited for you.

HealthyLoserGal May 18, 2011 at 5:30 PM  

So here we are in the middle of the month, friends... how's everyone doing on the challenge? I'm at 14/18 which is behind where I wanted but I'm not gonna let that stop me!
@ff12a - how goes the gym? I didn't know about your concussion! So sorry!
Two girls- you are doing amazing! I know from your Twitter updates! :)
Becky- hopefully May is going better from you - I am so happy for you about the 1/2 marathon you did last weekend! You rock!
Thanks, Susie - I still look critically at my photos and need to stop that! ;)
Carol - thanks so much... I'll google Jill Knapp but if you stop back and read this - would you let me know her url? :)

Check in and let me know how y'all (I'm not from the south! lol) are doing!
HLG / Jan

Bring Pretty Back May 19, 2011 at 3:50 PM  

Oh Jan! I gotta get MOVING!
Hugs,
'Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Khang May 21, 2011 at 9:55 AM  

I only wish I read this earlier. We're 3/4 through May already and I just happened upon this post! UGH! I am so inspired! It is time to get off my butt and get back in shape!!!

Thanks so much! Keep it up! I'm here to support you!