What could be more about my body than being laid up with the flu? I planned for day 34 of 40 of my body challenge to be titled “back in action” because I assumed that all of the days of the challenge had to be in ACTION, thus taking days off and not posting on Sundays (and an occasional Sunday/Monday when my body was so worn out it sent flares).
Well, that thinking helped me:
- stretch this 40 days out to an annoying, un-subscription inspiring, ridonkulously long time (total time elapsed since day one: 46 days);
- practice valuing the days when I (over)worked as the only ones that “counted”; and
- pushed my body past the point of health.
Where else do I do this in my life? More places than not. I push the envelope in ways that are sometimes brilliant, but truly most ways that simply make me tired. My busy-ddiction showing itself left and right.
Here’s what I learned (even though I don’t act on them):
- slow and steady may not win the race, but it may get you there alive; and
- you can’t unlearn how to rest, you may just get flabby rest muscles. Tone up those suckers and lay down–even for a minute.
As if her inspiration could be more on time and en pointe, Danielle LaPorte posted this Merton quote during my flu reasoning,
“Take more time, cover less ground.” – Thomas Merton.
I like the idea and the tone of his statement. But, what does it mean to me and how I might implement it. Ideas?
It really isn’t the end of the world to clear six days to rest and recover from the flu, just imagine what earth shattering reasoning I could do if I took that many days to frolic and create while healthy.
The 40 days of My Body (if you are new to this story, read the intro here) project, is a quest in service to my business, my body and my own path of finishing what I start. I am committed to exercising 6 days/week, keeping a food journal and being more aware of ways I use (and abuse) my body. Going public is extreme, yes, and it’s working! I’m working with a fantastic trainer, Sunny Riggs, to create a program I can sustain over time. She’s amazing. HIRE HER!
I am not alone on my quest. The roll call is at 31 people (including me)! Some are getting organized, others giving up fast food and some are simply breathing! Check out the updates and links below and show your support:
Tanya Geisler–40 days of hatha yoga and radical self-care. Check out her ROCKING tell-all post!
Petra Korn–30 days on her body (supported with love by hubby Nick)
Tia Reddy–yoga and exercise: she found her yoga plan was NOT working and made these adjustments.
Alisa Bonsignore–working out and food consciousness and shares a great Huffington Post article, 10 tips from a Personal Trainer today.
Suzie Powanda–no fast food or beverages. Check out her guest post getting into the nitty gritty of her challenge progress.
Julie Rorrer–training for the Austin marathon in Spring
Emma Alvarez Gibson–some bit of exercise, every day. She says, “micromovements are proving to be very effective! I’m beginning to look for excuses to get more exercise.”
Joyce Black–FINISHED her 21 days without caffeine and doing a general detox, congratulate her! She did a guest post, too!
Carabunga is rocking 40 days of hardcore productivity and rocking a blog about it. She gives a GREAT tutorial on strategic rest!
Paula Trucks-Pape and her husband: 87 Days of exploring their passions
Monica Kingsbury: 30 days of the Candida diet to deal with her sweet tooth
Jack and LisaMarie Rowell: 30 days of extreme health (alkaline diet)
Diane Sherry Case: 3 weeks of walking–she’s up to 20 minutes 4 days/week! (yoga if it rains)
Cindy Morefield: 21 Days of 30 mins/day of cardio exercise. Check out her guest post/video here.
Paula Estes: 30 Days of playing congas while she works in her studio
Sheila Hart is IN: 21 Days of no sugar!
Amy Ahlers: 40 days limiting processed food.)
SouperJenny Team: 40 Day hits the ATL! So far, Meredith is giving up sweets and Jenny is giving up booze!! 7 folks have joined their group. Gooo, Team Body, Mind, Spirit! Watch their update videos here.
- John from San Diego is giving up carbs and working out 3x/week
- Sharon’s giving up all sugar except fruit
- Merrideth giving up all sugar and exercising 4 times a week
- Marcie will journal every day and cut down from 4 to 5 diet sodas a day to one per day
- Tricia from Atlanta will drink a quart of her green juice concoction and exercise 5 to 7 times a week
- Lucero Martinez a restaurant/bar owner will give up all alcohol
- Jenny giving up all alcohol and working out 5 times a week
Ashley White-Stern: 40 days of meditation and says, “a controlled person is a dead person. A controlled person is not necessarily a disciplined person; discipline is totally different. Discipline comes out of awareness; control comes out of fear.”
M Arsenia Brown (aka: @donutdemon) joins with a commitment to 40 days of her body
Cat Sabonis-Chafee is in and says “I will move my ass” for 21 days of daily, considered exercise. She reminded me of a great tool: TAKE A DAY OFF every week and she added in an abs&stretch class today.
Emily-Sarah is joining with body awareness and daily movement. Welcome, Emily-Sarah.
Nicola Warwick kicks off 40 days of food journaling and diet hacking! TODAY! She’s using a super duper diet spreadsheet.
Are you a quester wanting to tell your story? Do it! E-mail me and put your own video or guest post up!
Photo by SuperFantastic and used under a Creative Commons license.
