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# Month 1 Review and the plan for Month 2
- URL: https://amorechallenginglife.com/month-1-review-and-the-plan-for-month-2/
- Published: 2026-10-01T06:00:16.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T06:00:16.000Z
- Author: Shawn

September was a rough month to start in. Between extensive work commitments, university commitments and the start of hockey I had a lot going on.

I had a bunch of fails but a fair few wins too.

### **Challenge 1: No Spend**

Spending wise my groceries for the month were less than $350\. I reduced my debts by close to $3000 and I didn't spend anything on household goods/wants/etc. It was my birthday this month so I did buy 4 books but I bought them using gift cards I was given. I also bought myself a small present of some grooming/personal cleaning stuff that was <$75 and ended the month with a couple hundred dollars in my accounts.

I was part way through the month when I finally decided to just reactivate YNAB so I don't have exact spending for other categories though I backfilled in my groceries. Next month I should be able to break things down better. I've also setup payment plans in YNAB which will have me clearing off all my non-primary loan debt by my next birthday.

### **Challenge 2: No Alcohol**

I did not drink alcohol at all during the month and didn't find it challenging. I even went out for a club night with no issue.

### **Challenge 3: New PRs**

This one is not going super well, I had a bunch of missed weeks in here but I'm working on getting more consistent for October. I'm currently going to the gym after school drop off but debating moving this back to right when I wake up.

### **Challenge 4: Losing Weight**

I'm down 2.5kg on the month bodyfat staying level though.

### **Challenge 5: Reading**

I made some good progress in Quicksilver, finished off 2 books and am half way through a 3rd.

### **Challenge 9: Mobility and Yoga**

Started off strong here but haven't done it in 2 weeks now. Need to start hitting these again though as with hockey starting I'm already feeling it in my shoulders.

### **Challenge 10: Learn Math**

This one is a bit mixed. I'm not daily consistent with it but I'm doing a lot of stats study for university so I am making progress but it's not self directed at the moment.

If you notice the gap I dropped some of the challenges.

### **The month ahead.**

I'm excited for October, my uni finishes for the summer giving me back a bunch more free time and I'm finishing up a big project at my main company meaning I'll have time to make progress on side projects again.

I've realised after a month of doing this blog that all the tracking is just too manual so I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it/write something to update it more easily or just stick with this sort of update going forward.

I'm currently working on redesigning my daily schedule since I think changing contexts mid day like for the gym is throwing me off wanting to go to the gym and wanting to get back into work after.