MOTR Founder vs. Healthy Holiday Challenge

Moms on the Run founder Karissa Johnson is making the 2016 Healthy Holiday Challenge a fun famiy affair, competing against her husband and children.

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By Karissa Johnson, Moms on the Run President

​A few years back I had a little brainstorm that turned into our annual Healthy Holiday Challenge. But the truth is, the last couple of years I haven't participated myself. I've had all the good excuses in the book of course (but nope, they're not good enough)!

So I'm back. I'm trying. And getting the family involved! It's husband against wife. And kids against mom and dad! Fist pump. Let's do this. Family pep talk.

Here we go! Here's a day in the life of my attempt at the Healthy Holiday Challenge:

1. Exercise
   Ugh, the cold and drizzle! The sun will come out tomorrow right? Will cardio then. No need to resort to the Dreadmill. For today I'm thankful for the accountability of a group exercise class (as the teacher, I have to show up)... and for my first love, strength training (don't tell running).
   
   
2. Fruits and Veggies
   Only 5? Ha. I know whoever wrote this was going easy on me for the holidays but this is my hardest category yet! Feeling determined. Doesn't matter if they taste good. I can do this! So I ate all the celery on the tray at Bible study (crunching is a helpful distraction from the much more attractive holiday M&Ms).
   
   And now I'm going to the fridge. I'm opening the door. I'm... searching... how does lettuce get so wet? Oops, I think that bag in the back is a month old. How many mandarin oranges does it take to get to one serving? Three it is. Must. Get to. Grocery store! Frozen berries to the rescue for now. I have a great smoothie recipe from my last health kick around here somewhere. Do I get bonus points for adding flax?
   
   
3. Water
   I can do this! Oh wait. It's 3 p.m. and I'm at half glass. No problem, I can just fill my favorite water bottle 2.5 times before bed. And I have an exercise class coming up! I can surely down a whole bottle there and then refill for the way home. Wait. Where's the cap? You've got to be kidding me. Forget favorite bottle, any will do. Twenty bottles and 15 caps, and none of them match? Since when did water bottles become like socks?
   
   I switch MOs, find the bottle that matches the cap, and victory is mine. Off to the gym. Thirsty. Proud of my plan, I head over to my bag to retrieve that hard-fought-for water bottle. It's not there?! Ugh. I forgot it! Now 2 more hours will have gone by without water. No problem... Can I just give up the sleep challenge tonight in favor of bathroom visits after my evening H2O binge?
   
   
4. Sweets
   Whew. My easiest category! Don't hate me. I don't keep them in the house (thankful to work from home this time of year)! Once the leftover pumpkin pie is gone I'll be golden. Today it's a zero.
   
   
5. Sleep
   Seven hours? Seriously? Who came up with this thing. Does lying in bed for 7 hours count?
   
   

Here's hoping your day towards better health is less of an adventure! Good luck everyone!