BetterU - A Challenge

WARNING - there may be some indelicacies in what you read below!

Okay gang, we're eleven days into a Better Us. Now is about the time that folks start to lose interest, best intentions start to wane, and cookies find their way into the house. BUT just think, you are 1/3 of the way to developing solid, new habits! They say that if you do something for a month, it will become a habit. So hang on for another 2 1/2 weeks and you'll be golden!!

But those darn cookies... I'm going to issue you a challenge that will have you reaching the other way. We all have our reasons for joining BetterU. Somewhere along your list, I'm sure, is to get and/or stay healthy. But what does that really mean? Time to make it real.

Take 24 hours and imagine you had a stroke. Whatever hand you are, use the other hand - and only the other hand - for 24 hours. Do everything that you would normally have to do during a "normal" day. And YES (here it comes - indelicacy alert), you have to wipe with the other hand. This is not as easy as you think!

Shower/bathe using only one hand. Dry off with only one hand. Eat with only one hand. Clean with only one hand. AND REMEMBER that hand has to be your weaker hand.

What about your feet, you ask? Well, one leg/foot is probably going to be weak after your one-day stroke. So when you stand, make sure that you try to balance most of your weight on the "other" leg. (The leg affected will be the leg of the hand you are not using.)

OMG! You are sooo going to want to complain about how hard this new way of functioning is. Too bad your brain is working but your mouth isn't! Limit your talking on "stroke day". Of course you won't want to add a fake slur or someone is liable to call EMS for you! So, just limit what you say for the day. You will be amazed at how much you hear. Experience the frustration of not being able to respond.

So, there's your challenge. IF you can't do all these things but you're willing to try one of them, then (indelicacy!) spend the day wiping with your opposite hand. I think you'll be surprised at the level of frustration you will achieve with just that task.

At the end of your stroke day, you will better appreciate the "better health" you are trying to achieve. After all, you could spend a couple weeks- or your life - HAVING to do the things I mentioned.

If you are up for this challenge within the BetterU challenge and participate, please post your thoughts.

**And PLEASE be careful! Use plastic glasses, butter knives, etc. Do not injure yourself in this challenge. If this were real life, you'd quickly learn that plastic and dull are your new best friends. And, you'd learn that you have to ask for help. So, if there is something you can't do with your other hand, ask for help. Experience what that feels like, too.

I'll wait a few days and post my thoughts on my REAL experience with these challenges.

Good luck. And keep up the good work! You are doing this for reasons you may not even fully comprehend!