getting ready for a 30-day challenge

Posted by Hannahjustbreathe

Edge,

I am on day 22 of my own 30-day challenge! Only eight days to go, and I can already say the last three weeks have been ridiculously rewarding, mentally and physically.

I have a few things, small pearls of wisdom, to share:

1. Yoga will become your part-time job. Considering class is 90 minutes, you show up at least 15 minutes before, and it takes you roughly 15 minutes after class (and sometimes longer on both ends), that’s two-plus hours a day. All total, I’ve spent anywhere between 14 and 18 hours at my yoga studio per week for the last three weeks. That’s a lot of time. And I think, in all honesty, that’s been the hardest part of this challenge—finding and committing the time to do. But don’t worry. Your friends and significant others will understand.

2. No day is easy. I absolutely dreaded going to the studio some days, but the second I got there, the second I laid down my mat and spread out my towel, I was fine. And then once class began, I hardly even remembered that I was there for any reason other than, well, I’m a yogi, and this is my practice.

3. Your body will ache. Without a doubt. But, it’s okay. You’re working through years of gunk, tightness, stress, scar tissue, and more. You’ll recognize the days you need to take it a little easy, and you’ll recognize the days you can go harder. Just listen to your body, breathe, and move on.

4. Your eating habits will change. Strangely enough, I’ve had hardly any appetite while completing this challenge. And what I am hungry for is only cold foods—fruit, yogurt, milk, juice, raw vegetables, etc. I have to force myself to eat a “real” meal when I get home at night after class, because I’m just not hungry. But you do have to eat. I’ve had a few days where my blood sugar and electrolytes were way off, and I suffered bad headaches, sore muscles, and an upset stomach.

5. You’ll want to quit. Of course you will. And that’s okay. It’s called a “challenge” for a reason! But, each time I’ve thought about giving up, I’ve just reminded myself that *I* made the choice to do this, and so the only person I’ll be letting down and disappointing if I don’t finish is myself. Plus, the accomplishment, pride, excitement and relief I’ve felt at the end of every class in this challenge is unparalleled, is the ultimate reward.

Last piece of advice: If you’ve done five classes in a row before, what’s one more? Try six. And then when you get to six, try seven. And then eight. Why not? Your body can do it. It’s your mind that does the kicking and screaming, and you’re in control of that.

Good luck! And keep us posted on your progress!

Hannah

Posted by Eve

First of all congratulations on taking on such a challenge!!

I am doing 6 classes a week for 4 weeks and have just come back from class number 5 of my first week. Just a little challenge to prep my body for doing the Baron Baptiste 40 day challenge which involves meditation, 6 day a week classes and other challenges.

I agree with the above it is definately just getting yourself to the studio from that point on you will be fine.

Good luck!!

Namaste eve

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Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they are yours.

R. Bach