Thursday, August 23, 2012

Posted by: melissa

The Whole Life Challenge is coming up in a little over three weeks. All of you have received some emails about the challenge and I know you have heard us talking about it in class. This challenge is an opportunity to change your life. It is an extraordinary tool for building. It doesn't fix anything, it only builds new things.

What do you want your life to look like? What excites you, enlivens you? This challenge will have you living a life where you can have it all. You want vibrant health and you want to enjoy all of the exciting things the world offers -- work that rewards and play that rewards. When this is over, your work will be integrated with your play. They will cause and support each other, they will no longer sabotage each other.

Play this game like you want to know, not like you already know. Be great -- Own your perfect days and your breakdown days. Be clear about what works and what doesn't work. See where you can make a difference that lasts longer than the 8 weeks of the challenge. Do that, and you will transform your life more than you imagine. You can have it all. This is where it starts.

Tim from CrossFit High Voltage sent out a great email to his members on "The 7 Stages of the Whole Life Challenge." I'd like to share his stages with you.

1. Denial: I don't need a Challenge, I'm fine. (me: Sure you are... have you SEEN this video? Awesomesauce!)

2. Pain & Guilt: I'm too (insert yours here: busy, tired, perfect) already to take this on. I can't do a Challenge in September - I've only got 4 more weeks to get ready for it, there's no way I can be ready in 4 weeks.

3. Anger & Bargaining: That's not how I already do things! Maybe I'll watch others do the Challenge, and see if they get any results with all this 'regular and moderate exercise, improved nutrition, stretching, and fish oils' sensible approach.

4. Depression: 'Everyone else is going to rock the challenge, but not me...there's NO WAY I can do 8 weeks of this. I always (insert your crutch here), I can't go 8 weeks without it! Ok, I'll register, but I doub't I'll do well. Everyone else is perfect...everyone but me.

5. The Upward Turn: Wait, this is actually pretty cool...everyone else seems pretty stoked about the Challenge too...they're even looking forward to it...what would my life look like if I really took advantage of this awesome opportunity? (me: your life would be even more awesome, of course!)

6. Reconstruction: You're DOING the Challenge (starting with the Prelims on Saturday, September 15 at High Voltage) AND...you're actually living the goals and life that others ENVY. Your friends & family want to register and get in on the awesomeness (and they actually can!). 

7. Acceptance & Hope: You have internalized the process that we've designed to help you live your healthiest life ever. Now, this doesn't mean you're perfect. This doesn't mean you earned a perfect score but are miserable. This means you try hard, cut yourself some slack, and know a ton more about how your body operates, avoid the pitfalls that usually diminish your long term results and kick you off track, and saw some amazing results from the 8 weeks. By now you've no doubt inspired others in your to try to live healthier...now they're not at stage 7...they're maybe at 2 or 3...and that's OK - you were there just a few weeks ago, remember?

What stage are you at?

Sign up for the Whole Life Challenge today. Take that step towards building a healthier life.