love the beginning of a new month. It’s like the clean sheet day of life. It’s the perfect time to start month-long challenges too and February is the perfect month to do it because there’s only 28 days. I’m taking part in 5 different challenges this month (it’s a lot I know but I’m mental like that). Here are 5 ways to get your shit together in February 2015. Let’s do this.
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The Minimalist Game – On the 1st of February I will get rid of one item from my home. On the 2nd of February I will get rid of 2 items and so on until February 28th when I will ditch 28 items from my home. The details are here if you want to play along. 2015 is all about downsizing and de-cluttering in the Smaggle house.
Febfast – I love a glass of wine (or four) but I just function SO MUCH better without alcohol in my system, so I’ve signed up for FebFast again this year to give my liver a bit of a break. I usually do Dry July and Oct-Sober too just give my body a bit of a cleanse. If you’re keen to join you can sign up here . Full disclosure – I’m giving myself one day off on 7th Feb for my cousins engagement party… but apart from that just call me Soda Water Sally.
Smaggle Salad A Day – I started a little challenge in December last year to eat a salad every day and lots of you gorgeous creatures joined in. I’m doing it again for February but this time there’s no prompts – just a simple salad every day. If you want to play along just snap a photo of your salad and hashtag it #smagglesaladaday so I can be a sticky beak and see what you’re eating.
The Whole 30 – I’ve been meaning to give this another crack after failing spectacularly at it last year so I’m giving it another go in February. It’s pretty much a month where you eat nothing but meat, veggies, fruit, nuts and eggs. I eat like this most of the time but this will force me to ditch my too milky teas, after dinner treats and mid-week sushi rolls. I’m looking forward to eating clean for a month and resetting my eating habits. If you’re keen to join me details are here.
20 Minutes A Day – I remember reading somewhere last year that a supermodel or actress (I want to say Kate Hudson but then again I could be lying) exercises for just 20 minutes every day. It sounds so bloody achievable doesn’t it? So for every day in February I’m going to exercise for just 20 minutes. If you’re keen to join in just snap a pic of you exercising and hashtag it #20minutesaday
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Let’s get our shit together this February yeah? Are you doing any challenges this month?
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P.S – Here are more places you can get Smaggled –  Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin, Instagram, YouTube and the Smaggle weekly newsletter. Being Smaggled is a good thing by the way… a ‘smaggle’ is a cross between a smash and snuggle so it’s like getting a really epic hug with lots of nuzzling and squeezing.
58 Comments
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Oh love this.
I love all the challenges and I am in.
I think they are great motivators.
Sometimes the challenge i.e. with alcohol is being clear with friends that try to sabotage your efforts…
Let’s go Feb-
Author
Definitely! Lots of my friends are pretty hard core drinkers (my bestie works in a bar!) so I have to be really strong. I can do though. It’s always seems harder for other people when I don’t drink but that’s not really my problem. 🙂
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Day 1 of Feb fast, paid up to not drink alcohol and sugar free too, am craving and big dinner in twn, no bubbles and no dessert, I’m gonna do this thing! Good luck everyone!
Also doing the de-clutter, good think 1st Feb is Sun, I’m finding loads of shit to get rid of as I swan around in my pjs until dinner tonight!
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I’m just doing a lot of exercise in the lead up to the Oxfam trailwalker in April – so we have two set team walks (getting longer each time) per week. You’ve made me think i do need to get more systematic on the other days, and maybe I’ll put one of the multitude of exercise programs I have saved into practice!
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Author
I have the 7 minute workout app and I do that a few times a week! Just mixes it up and gets me into some strength training!
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#smagglesteppingituphardcore 😀 Awesome plan, man. I love the 20 minutes idea – I did 2 x 7 minute workout yesterday and (maybe because I’m horribly unfit) even that was enough to get the heart pumping and today I’ve got a few of those little muscle twinges that mean I did something, win! You might have already seen The Minimalists follow a similar plan, too: http://www.theminimalists.com/18min/.
Look forward to hearing how you feel at the end of the month. I’m guessing it’ll be a bit like a superhero 😉
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Author
It’s the same one doofus! I linked to them! I love the 7 minute workout – Mr Smags has a similar app coming out soon actually and it’s awesome. Can’t wait to show everyone!
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Author
Ah you meant their exercise thing! Der!
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Hehe yep but your reply made me giggle 🙂
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All of the challenges sound fantastic. Im definitely in for the minimalism one. I could also do with the no alcohol one. I loved doing the Whole 30 late last year and felt so much better for it!
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Author
I have never made it through the Whole30 but I’m going to give it my best shot. I do eat almost like that anyway but I’ll definitley have to step it up and be more organised!
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I’ve been loving the #smagglesaladaday but I’ve totally been forgetting to take photos of mine. I should step that up again. A overseas holiday for mid-Feb means the rest won’t really happen but I’m looking forward to hitting thr ground running in March!
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Author
That’s the thing! I forget to take photos of mine too! Let’s get back on board for feb! 🙂
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I love love love this post! Had a little laugh to myself.:) Yes i am doing a February fitness challenge…Argh Burpees!!! LOL
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Author
I HATE burpees. They can die a slow and painful death. So bloody good for you though.
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Love it! I eat salads most days but don’t tend to photograph them (particularly because during the week it tends to be the same salad at work for a few days, which no-one needs to see!). I like the idea of the decluttering and 20-min exercise though!
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Author
That’s why I do the salad challenge – it forces me to mix it up a bit! 🙂
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I love the Minimalist Challenge!! I am going to do it with you!
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Author
Sweet! I’ll be posting FB updates on all the challenges! Yay!
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We (husband and work team) started the Whole30 on Jan 27, so I’ll ‘join’ you on this one which by default for my lunches will put me in the salad challenge and MAYBE the 28 day clutter challenge too 😀
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Author
Well that’s the beauty of these challenges – they all fit so well together! #whole30. Let’s do this!
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That’s a lot of challenges. I am taking up the get out of bed every day and get shit done challenge. So I applaud you for your goals!
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Author
Oh good luck! #getshitdone I do these things almost all of the time already so I’m really just upping the ante.
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I’ve been doing the salad in a jar thing and eating really clean this week….Thursday…BAM, tonsilitis city, hello Tom Yum Soup from the local thai takeaway. So I’ll join you with the salads once I’m back to fabulous! I’d love to do a Whole30, it’s a bit challenging with a partner and fussy 8 year old, requires a bit more forward planning! Looking forward to seeing how you go! Yay for February!
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Author
I JUST went to this amazing place for lunch where they have salads in jars and you get to keep the jar. It was the best thing ever. The Whole30 would be super hard wth kids! I’ll be doing weeking updates to keep myself accountable!
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lol I’m exhausted just reading all this!
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Author
Ha! I do most of things most of the time I’m just getting a little bit more serious about it this month!
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Wow, you are going to be one busy little bee next month! Best of luck for all your challenges. x
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Author
I’m hoping it won’t be too much of a stretch… I do most of this stuff every day anyway it’s just a matter of being Super Healthy and Organisational Smaggle for a full month!
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Love Challenges like these! I might join you on the declutter one. What a fab idea!
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Author
Oh please do! I’ll be doing daily reports! 🙂
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I loveeee this! I always need a little push to, you know, do things. Haha. Apart from “no alcohol” challenge, since I don’t drink anyway, I’m all innn! #letsdothis
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Author
Sweet! I wish didn’t drink… would make life so much easier!
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I did whole 30 to reboot my system after a shocking year of ill health- it was fantastic. Good luck with it! There are Facebook groups that are good for meal inspiration if you want it.
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Author
Oh awesome! Do you have links to them please? I like to take Oh She Glows vegan recipes and add meat to them!
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I’m already nearly perfect smags!;0
and I might try to do some more things on your list to challenge myself!
especially culling wardrobe and exercising regularly!
the rest i’m not too bad with …
my birthday is the 28th of feb!
cheers lovely! … m:)X-
Author
Oh what a lovely to finish the challenges! x
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If it wasn’t for finishing a master’s I’d be all in on all of these. Instead, I’ll take on exercise and the de-clutter – it’s a rite of passage to eat crap and drink a lot as your thesis deadline is looming! I’ll go healthy hog wild for the next clean slate!
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Author
Oh totally! If I had a major deadline the last thing I would do is give up wine and cheese!
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I am so on board with the decluttering challenge – I’m moving in a few months’ time and this will be the motivation I need to get rid of stuff so I don’t have to pack it!
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Author
Awesome! I’ll be posting up dates on Facebook every evening!
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Oh my goodness, you are going to be all over February. I’m very impressed. I think I have commitment issues so may just have to dip in and out of each challenge. I am sadly lacking in staying power! I’m definitely going to give the decluttering my best shot though!
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Author
That’s why I picked February! Only 28 days! 🙂
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Given February is my back to reality and year 12 Month, I’m keeping it simple.
-drink 2L water every day
-save 200 this month
-attempt (!) a reverse parallel park-
Author
That’s a brilliant list. I have total faith in you! x
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LOVE all of these challenges. I did a dry January but think I’ll keep going for Feb. Love the sound of 20 mins a day and must remember to take photos of my salads!
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Author
I always forget but doing the challenge will keep me on board!
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I am in with you Carly. My aim is to de clutter at least one section of my home, namely my closet at first and the 20 minutes of exercise a day sounds like something I will try to achieve. V x
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Author
I started with my kitchen last night! I went mental! Stayed up until 1am! Naughty!
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You are planning a very, very busy February, Carly! Good luck with it all. That’s A LOT of stuff to get rid of (both for the Minimalist Game and… generally. x
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Author
I do most of this stuff anyway – not drinking isn’t very hard, I eat a salad every day any way. The exercising and minimalist are the two biggest challenges but I’m sure I’m up for it! 🙂
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Youve signed up for a smashing Feb! I shall be joining you on some of these quests
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Author
Awesome! Don’t forget to check in on Facebook each night! x
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This is some serious challenge girl – I like the getting ride of 4 things today 5 tomorrow etc. I’m trying to eat more greens, less booze and no junk – so far so good. I did Dry July once and it was TOUGH. But I’m doing Mon – Thurs AFD all year instead. Time to get this body and mind back in shape!
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Author
I find that cutting out mid-week drinking makes such a big difference. It’s a shame because I really love a glass of wine but it just messes with me. I’ve never been a regular drinker (Mr Smags doesn’t drink much, if at all) so we never have wine at home but on the weekends I’ll usually have a couple of drinks with my mates. Even just a few glasses will totally kill my productivity.
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