Weekly Challenge #2 + Week #2 Reward

Hey, Challenge Members!  Let's all make sure to welcome Jamie to our challenge.  She is proof that it is never too late to join in.  (Now, if I can just convince Eric.....)

We all did GREAT for our first week.

Here is the CHALLENGE for the second week:  This starts Monday, April 8th and lasts through Sunday the 14th.

No Eating After 9 p.m.

Why?  The Global Healing Center has this to say:
"Some may reason that it shouldn’t matter how late we eat just as long as the calories we consume are within range of what our bodies need. However, eating late affects the body in a different way than eating a larger meal at mid-day. Calories that are consumed at night are usually not processed as efficiently as those during the day.
Think about it, unless you work the night shift, most people’s activities wind down as the day does. Settling in after dinner isn’t uncommon. Unfortunately, if we lie down after a huge meal, it can be a strain and lead to a feeling of lethargy in the morning. Disrupted sleep is also common when the body is working hard to digest what was eaten recently."

"Studies by Dr. Louis J. Aronne, director of a weight control program for the Weill Cornell Medical Center, have shown that people who eat late, eat more than they would during a day-time meal.
Furthermore, these studies found a link between larger evening meals and an increase in triglyceride levels associated with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and overall weight gain.

When triglyceride levels are high, our body thinks it needs to store fat from excessive night-time eating for later use. Eating large meals at night, in essence, informs the body that there will be a shortage of food soon and it should store fat!
Some people find they are able to eat healthy meals during the day, but crave sweets and heavier foods at night. Often times this involves an emotional component to eating, perhaps even a minor one."

Tips to Avoid Eating Late At Night

• Eat a moderate breakfast and a heavier lunch.
• Have a larger dinner before 6 PM.
• When you feel like eating late at night, drink a cup of warm lemon water or an herbal tea with raw honey. Hot liquids are soothing and warming.
• If eating late is a habit of yours, you will have to break that habit. Start by reducing your portion sizes and choosing healthier meals.
• Trade in junk food, white sugar, processes foods and white flour for whole grains, soups, fruits and vegetables.
• Brush your teeth earlier! It may sound too simple, but some people find that if they just brush their teeth, they are less likely to indulge in late-night eating patterns.
• Turn off the TV. Studies have shown that television can subconsciously trigger desires for more food.
• Take a warm bath. 
• Turn on some soothing music. 
• Read a book. 
• Create new night-time rituals that don’t involve heavy eating.
• Go on a brisk walk after dinner 

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WEEK #2 REWARD:  This reward is separate from the weekly challenge.  Erin will draw a random task from one of the set required goals, i.e. 5 Penny Service, or 30 minute exercise.  This does not include personal wildcards or weekly challenges.  All those who had perfect weeks on this one challenge will be entered to win the prize, which will be announced on Tuesday of the following week.
The person who wins will get a $5 gift card to one of the following:  Amazon, 


THIS TUESDAY, the very first reward will be given to the individual who had the most total points for the week.  The first week is a hard week!  We will let everyone know this Tuesday who the winner is. (This is because all members have until Monday at midnight to enter their points from today--Sunday.)