I came across Christine Tinslay’s Healthy Happy Habits on a Facebook bloggers support page when she offered me the opportunity to trial her 12 week program and blog about it. Of course my hand went up right away. As readers will know, I do love a 12 week challenge.

Previously I have done Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation, Maxine’s Challenge and Sarah Wilson’s I Quit Sugar  programs. I love to participate in a formal program, as I usually exercise alone, either in the home gym, on the bike, or walking. I find having a 12 week window to set and achieve goals, keeps me accountable and gives me a specific reason to exercise every day. The opportunity to meet new friends with like minded interests and goals is also a motivator. I have really enjoyed the different fitness programs that have been offered by 12wbt and Maxine’s Challenge. And a bonus is that along the way I’ve made some great friends from online fitness programs.

I hadn’t heard of Healthy Happy Habits previously, and had no idea what the program was about, but was very keen to give it a go. I have been a little on the slack side lately with my nutrition, so knew that I could use some focus there.

The program started last week, with preparation week, and a few simple tasks to get done.  I realised immediately, on checking in to the program that it is different from the previous exercise/nutrition challenges I’ve done. This program is about making one small change at a time and introducing healthy habits. It isn’t about going flat out, for hours in the gym,  burning amazing calorie numbers. It isn’t about making a complete change in diet and feeling irritated and starved as a result.  I kind of like the idea of being more gentle on myself for a change, and see what occurs from that. So far this is only day 1 of week 1, so I’m not sure if this softly, softly approach is going to continue for the entire 12 weeks.

Participants are divided into groups depending on starting day, and there are live video’s to participate in each week. It is possible to watch these videos later, if the live time slot doesn’t suit, which was the case with me for the first video on the weekend.

This is a new program, still in the testing phase. So far there isn’t a large number of participants, therefore the level of personal attention given is quite high. It will be interesting to see if that continues as the program becomes more popular. With a facebook page, closed to members, Christine has created a sense of community, that I’m sure  will become greater as the challenge progresses.

So far, I’m loving Healthy Happy Habits, and will report in with further progress report and thoughts on the program.

Stay tuned.