2Week #3: January 25th – February 8th Journalog

As our last two 2weeks have focused on limiting ourselves, this next one will be about adding something. The challenge is simple: keep a journal for 2 weeks and write in it at least once a day. How much you write, and the format, are up to you. Use any method you choose- a computer, moleskin notebook, video log, anything that allows you a chance to record your thoughts.

We have both tried keeping journals in the past but could never get in the habit of continuing them, hopefully this can be a starting point for more writing and reflection.

There are numerous reasons for keeping a journal. Now let's find out what those reasons are on a personal level.

2Week #2 Tom's Review

I’m standing in my bathroom naked, eyes fixed upon a sign that reads: “harden the fuck up.” It’s cold out, and I am losing body heat fast with no clothes in my unheated apartment. I flip on the water, trying to separate the connection in my mind between this action and the icy water to follow. I take quick short breaths as I dance around under this freezing waterfall. Water off. I nurse my frozen body with shampoo and body wash before going in for a second plunge to wash it all away. Day 1 complete.

The Navy shower was a great 2Week, and really helped me understand how much water is wasted in the bathroom. I have a new idea of what taking a quick shower means, and I may employ it as a time saving device in the future. I also know that I won’t be such a wimp when I use unheated showers in the future. Showering with cold water was by far the most difficult part of the 2Week. On a cold winter morning it takes a lot to get psyched up for the plunge. Anticipating the shower was worse than the shower itself and if I simply walked into the bathroom and turned on the water than the whole process was much easier. Each day it got easier and I came to really enjoy the wake up. I didn’t feel any less clean from this shower, but I did feel more refreshed when I stepped out. Apparently blasting yourself with cold water is good for both your skin and your heart too! In the future I feel like I will limit my shower time, and I am happy to have the Navy Shower as a practiced bathing method to use whenever needed.

2Week or Too Weak?
2Week complete!

2Week #2 Spencer's Review

I begin this post with an anecdotal fact about myself followed by a swift defense of my 2weeking behavior. I normally get up at 9:50 AM for class at 10:00 AM, giving me little time to hop in the shower. It's only after I return that I'll give the ol' body a rinse. For THIS reason, I was not as unfortunate as Tom to take the dreaded Morning Navy Shower. Rather, the warmer afternoon tended to be my washing time. I did do a few mornings, and it was like being clocked in the face with ice cubes of pain. My short hair would take the initial attack of freezing water, and the rest of me would shiver and shake as I drenched myself as thoroughly as possible. I would then turn off the water and give myself a swift lather of soap with scrubbing, and then water down again. It never took longer than 2 minutes. I would like to add that a cold shower in the morning certainly wakes you up in case anyone is looking for something more effective than a double espresso (I needed both on some mornings).

I did learn something from this flagellation process. I waste A LOT of water during my normal shower time. I've been known to just daze off under the warmth of a flowing shower. 60 gallons I could waste in one go... at least. You could easily drown a few people in that much water. I'll be more aware of this in the future.

The only small confession I have to make is while my girlfriend was in town we rented out a private hot springs bath at a hotel. I don't believe these 2 baths I took to be antithetical to the purpose of the 2Week, but it is certainly worth mentioning. The water was going to be used anyway and it's non-potable: so it's ok! Right? I think so.

Overall, this was an excellent 2Week and it was suggested by a community member. So, it just goes to show that we take your advice to heart! Hope others out there enjoyed the 2week as much as we did.

2Week or Too Weak:

2Week complete!

2Week 2: January 11th – January 25th 2010

The Navy Shower:
This was a suggestion by one of our rugby teammates. He said that he would be doing this 2Week with us.

As explained here, a navy shower is used on naval vessels as a means of water conservation with limited on-board supplies of fresh water.

Premise: People should conserve water, regardless of where they live. For us living in Taiwan, it's even more important as we live on an island with scarce fresh water resources. We are bringing attention to the way we use fresh water daily and how we can conserve this valuable a commodity. We are also conserving energy by not heating up the water. 2 for the price of 1.

According to this article a navy shower takes 3 gallons, while a normal shower takes 60 gallons. That adds up over a lifetime.

How to do the Navy Shower:
1. Turn on the water and stand directly under it- no time to let it heat up.
2. Turn off the water immediately after your body is wet.
3. Scrub with soap and shampoo.
4. Turn on the water again to just wash off the soap, shampoo etc.

Should not last more than 2-3 minutes.

2Week #1 Tom's Review

2Week: A Sugar Free Me

No sugar for two weeks? Ahh, I’ve been living on an endless supply of chocolate and cake that pours in from my kindergarten job here in Taiwan! My first realization was that almost every meal or snack that I was accustom to eating had some form of sugar. Total dietary revamp and exploration of bland alternative was left to follow. In truth, I found much more enjoyment in food in this time, seeking out items not masked by this white, powdery, addictive “cane.” My mood and energy seemed to improve during this 2Week, and the cravings went away. I realized I really didn’t need much sugar, and that I feel much better without those bursts and crashes in energy.

The hardest part of the 2Week for me was social pressures for eating sugar. Try saying no to a friend who buys you a whiskey and Coke at a bar. You should have seen the sad look in little Evelyn’s eyes when I told her that I could not eat her birthday cake… or the sad look in my own eyes when I couldn’t eat any of the brownie cake made for my own birthday this week. Some people understood the project and some couldn’t grasp it. I had a few people try to convince me that I could get away with just one little bowl of ice cream, or that it would be “our little secret.” When people did this, I began to think about how unaccustomed people are to saying not to things.

From this 2Week, I felt like I was able to practice some self-control, and I think the exercising of it was good for me. Stick to your values! I also learned some about food processes and unexpected items that had sugar. Truth be told I needed to do more research than I did. Ketchup has sugar in it? What! I ended up consuming products that were not entirely free from sugar, and although I kept on truckin’, my consistent mistakes earned me a big fat Weakend. I will continue to keep a low sugar diet, and I feel like I know how to eat healthier too!

2Week or Too Weak?

Sadly, my first 2Week was a Weakend

2Week #1 Spencer's Review

Spencer's review- Two weeks is way longer than I thought. It turns out I had sugar addiction- bad. The first few days I had to fight off the temptation of buying a candy bar before class every day. The urge to eat a bowl OF unhealthy cereal became a physical battle with my body. Then, after about 5 days, it became easier. A simple no to cookies or cake and the craving was gone. Before, if someone put out a plate of cookies before me I wouldn't stop until they were all eaten, even if I was the only one chomping away at them. I saw a movie with a few friends with homemade cookies. Even though they were right in front of me, the week of practice I had under my belt let me say no with ease. I've learned a tremendous amount of self-control, far more than I thought I could possess. It was astounding how much sugar I was eating in a day. I started paying attention to the food I was eating and its sugar content. Even daily staples like corn flakes had some of it. ketchup, as it turns out, does too. Sugar is pretty much in everything I eat on a daily basis. That was eye opening. I will say that I succeeded in accomplishing the fundamental goal of the 2Week, but I don't deserve a badge. I still did eat things with sugar in them- even though there were trace amounts, i.e. corn flakes, kethcup, some breads etc. I said no to all forms of candy and sweets, but I did eat SOME sugar. So, I give myself an honorable mention, but not the badge. To truly go without any sugar of any kind is a heroic feat in modern times. Please let me know if someone out there does succeed in that. The reason for my success is Tom. Without the element of friendly competition and honor I don't think I would have made it. A promise to myself is far easier broken than one to my best friend.

Conclusion: I'm going to try and continue this 2week and see how far I can go with it. My sugar addiction was debilitating and unhealthy. I had never realized the extent of it. I feel better, I feel healthier. That's worth far more than a bowl of frosted flakes in the morning. I'm exceptionally glad I did this. Now I know that it's possible to overcome the addiction and I've won the hardest part of a battle I have been losing since childhood. And it's on to the next challenge.

2Week or Weak?

Weakend

2Week #1 Sugar Free Me! 12/26/09 - 1/9/10

Yup, this was our first challenge. It came to use while we were watching American Gigolo late at night- getting fat on Pocky and Christmas toffees.

It had always been a goal of ours to kick the candy habit, and thus 2Weeking was born out of a bet. Could we go 2 WHOLE weeks without processed sugar?

So, Challenge #1 is: No Processed Sugars!

No candy, soda, cake, cookies, milkshakes, Frosted Flakes :( etc...

If you complete this challenge you get the Sugar Free Me Badge of Courage.

2Weeking Dates: Saturday, December 26th 2009 - Saturday, January 9th 2010.

Good luck 2Weekers and try for no weakends!