I never even considered participating in a 30-day challenge before January of 2019. The idea of trying to do something intensely in front of others in a group for a whole month just intimidated the heck out of me. Since the start of 2019, however, I’ve participated in two. Now I’m embarking on day 3 of challenge three, which might be the most intense yet – the Whole 30 diet.
So, what’s going on with me? I haven’t entirely figured that out yet, but I’m working on it. Maybe it’s the approaching new decade birthday coming up in August? Maybe I’m realizing that if I want to make changes, I’d better start already? Maybe I just need new challenges? It’s probably a bit of all of the above, but I’ll let you know if and when I figure it out.
The first challenge I undertook was the New York Times 30-day Well challenge. It was a short, 10-minute HIIT program, or a relationship activity, or a meditation every day for a month. Friends and I formed a small Facebook group, and we kept each other accountable. Did we always do everything every day? No, but there were days when I put 3 of those HIITs together and did 30 minutes of exercise to make up for the ones I missed. There were also some fun challenges, like creating a date night where you and your partner did something completely new to both of you.
Right in the middle of that started the 21-weekday blog challenge. I wrote about habitual behavior – changing habits, why some habits are valuable, why we need habit in our lives, etc – from my own experiences for a solid month. I did keep up with that for all 30 days – even writing from the waiting room of a surgery center. Phew. I learned a lot about accountability, integrity, and honest writing during that challenge. I certainly got myself more interested in changing my own habits.
So, what’s going on with me? I haven’t entirely figured that out yet, but I’m working on it. Maybe it’s the approaching new decade birthday coming up in August? Maybe I’m realizing that if I want to make changes, I’d better start already? Maybe I just need new challenges? It’s probably a bit of all of the above, but I’ll let you know if and when I figure it out.
The first challenge I undertook was the New York Times 30-day Well challenge. It was a short, 10-minute HIIT program, or a relationship activity, or a meditation every day for a month. Friends and I formed a small Facebook group, and we kept each other accountable. Did we always do everything every day? No, but there were days when I put 3 of those HIITs together and did 30 minutes of exercise to make up for the ones I missed. There were also some fun challenges, like creating a date night where you and your partner did something completely new to both of you.
Right in the middle of that started the 21-weekday blog challenge. I wrote about habitual behavior – changing habits, why some habits are valuable, why we need habit in our lives, etc – from my own experiences for a solid month. I did keep up with that for all 30 days – even writing from the waiting room of a surgery center. Phew. I learned a lot about accountability, integrity, and honest writing during that challenge. I certainly got myself more interested in changing my own habits.
Among the things I have noticed examining my own habits is that my sugar cravings have intensified, almost to the point where I can’t say “no.” I need a serious dietary change, as the pounds are packing on and I’ve been feeling lousy. Suddenly, my gym announced a 30-Day Shape Up Challenge. Before I could talk myself out of it, I signed up. On Monday, I started on The Whole 30, a keto-based diet. No dairy, no sugar (!), no grains, no beans. Low carb, high fat. Oh, my. It’s day 3, and my body is detoxing in the most interesting ways. Yesterday, I woke up with an enormous headache (apparently normal) and brain fog set in big time. I couldn’t remember my cell phone number. I walked into work leaving my trunk open, with my purse in it, for 30 minutes. Thankfully everything was still there! I left my credit card at Dancing Goats coffee. I mean, seriously! I am so not that person. And we won’t even talk about how HANGRY I was by 3:00 pm.
The good news is that I’ve got lots of support – this 30-Day Shape Up challenge is happening through my local gym, FITWIT, and there’s a nutritionist on staff helping us out. I have an accountability partner in my regular twice-a-week work out class who’s going through this as well. I have a dear friend who is an old pro at Whole 30 whose shoulder I can cry on. And Dave is at least pretending to do it with me – he’s just thrilled to have breakfast, lunch and dinner made for him every day. Did I mention that I prepped meals all day on Monday?
I suspect that for the next three or four of these blog posts I’ll be examining my habitual behavior yet again as it applies to the 30-Day Shape Up. Stay tuned for adventures in diet, workout, using Alexander Technique like crazy to do both of those well, and what happens to me along the way.
I suspect that for the next three or four of these blog posts I’ll be examining my habitual behavior yet again as it applies to the 30-Day Shape Up. Stay tuned for adventures in diet, workout, using Alexander Technique like crazy to do both of those well, and what happens to me along the way.
Have you ever undertaken a 30-Day Challenge?
If so, how did that go for you?
What happens to you physically when you think about making changes?
Are you breathing?
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