The Challenges

Here are the Challenges I've set up for myself. With the exception of the first Whole30, which I very inconveniently started mid-month they will all run for a calendar month. 

The Rules:

1) Be flexible! These are the challenges that I set out in September 2014, but life doesn't always follow our schedule. I'm planning on reassessing at the beginning of each month to see if the upcoming challenge is still appropriate and exciting. If not, there are plenty other ways to challenge thyself!

2) Stay in the Moment. This will likely be the most difficult aspect to navigate. Since I have the challenges listed out in advance, how do I resist the urge to do them all at once? If I know wrapping hair in a towel causes breakage, why not stop NOW? Why prolong bad habits that I have the desire to break? I think the goal here will be not to obsess over what's coming, and instead to focus on the challenge at hand. And if I find myself adopting some good behaviors before their time has come... well, there are plenty of other goals I can reach for. I'm glad I decided to Be Flexible!

3) Keep Going: Just because November is over, I hope I don't stop meditating! The same goes for all the changes I'm making. It's important to find time and energy to keep up the practices that make me happy and healthy. Honestly, I worry about this one. I put in an application to get more than 24 hours in my days, but I haven't heard back. 

4) Have fun. I mean, duh. This isn't meant to be torture. It's meant to clear some of the crap out of my life and add some good stuff. If it becomes torturous, it's time to rethink, scale down the goals and eat some ice cream. 

5) Add an occasional beauty challenge. This is primarily a health project, but some of my goals are easier than others. When I have an easy health challenge, I will also add in a bonus beauty challenge.

The Challenges!

September/October 2014: Whole30 Challenge. 
A month of clean eating. No sugar, dairy, alcohol, grains, legumes for 30 days. This is... not easy.

October 2014: Yoga Every Damn Day.
At least 15 minutes. 30 minutes is good. An hour is better.

November 2014: Meditate Daily

December 2014: Oil Pulling 
An easy challenge to help my dental health.
And an easy health challenge calls for an bonus beauty challenge!
Ditch bad beauty habits (washing face in shower, using q-tips, the towel turban)

January 2015: Build Core Strength. 
I have a bulging disc that bothers me off-and-on. It tends to flare when I up my workouts. There are core exercises that a physical therapist has told me to do daily, but UGH, they're boring. But January cares not for your whining. January requires you do them daily.
Bonus beauty challenge! Acquire good beauty habits (body brushing for a start. More to be added as I research)

February 2015: 10 minute miles
Now that I have a super strong core, I'm ready to run! My goal for February is to be regularly running a 10 minute mile. A huge improvement over my past time of 12 minute miles!

March 2015: Whole30 Challenge
I figure after the holidays, some of my bad habits will have returned and a few more pounds might have crept on... perhaps time for another Whole30!

April 2015: Love Thyself
Six months in, I think it will be time to take a break from the changing and improving, and take some time to appreciate. In April I'll focus on being happy with what I have and who I am. I'll read some books about self-love (hehe) and take some time for daily affirmations. Because I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!

May 2015: Work It
I have a sit/stand desk that I love, but honestly, I sit more than is ideal. May is a busy month for me at work, so a challenge that doesn't require a lot of time is ideal. I want to stand for at least four of the eight hours I spend at work. 
Bonus beauty challenge!  Dress to impress. Make the most of the clothes in my closet and feel good about what I put on.

June 2015: Rise and Shine an hour earlier
As the days get longer, I want to seize the day. I am an anti-morningite. a perpetual snoozer. But not in June! The challenge is to rise an hour earlier than usual (for me, this will be 6am) and use the time to do something great. Run a few 10 minute miles. Yoga! Meditating! Or you know, dishes. 

July  2015: Quit my daily coffee habit
It's honestly not much of a treat, and I think it's contributing to reddness in my skin (more on that later). So, daily coffee begone! 
Bonus beauty challenge! Learn new makeup tricks. I want to learn to do a cat-eye with the best of them. 

August 2015: Arm Workouts Galore!
Ah, this one is pure vanity. As the wedding fast approaches, it's time to get serious about these arms. A fluffy white dress can hide some stuff, but the guns will be out, and I want them to look GOOD. 

September 2015: Breathe
This sounds like a year of hard work. My wedding will likely be this month or the next, so it's time to remember to breathe, relax, and enjoy it all.