Accept the Challenge
Sometimes, it takes work to stay on track with fitness goals. I am always looking for ways to stay motivated to get to the finish line. When it comes to wellness, many people identify barriers as the lack of time, energy, and social support. I blame busy schedules as the number one factor that drains our resources, and by the end of the day, we have nothing to give to selfcare. In addition to putting myself first, one of the ways I stay on task is creating a monthly challenge.
Creating a monthly fitness challenge has multiple benefits, including developing healthy habits, improving physical fitness, and staying motivated by achieving goals. A few of the physical fitness challenges I’ve set during the past few months are juice-fasting, eating raw foods, and walking three miles daily. These challenges have not only pushed me physically but also mentally, as I set goals to read ten pages of substantive content daily and to become more aware of my emotional intelligence quotient. One of the best gifts you can give to yourself is to identify your areas of weakness and challenge yourself to make improvements. Here’s why.
Developing Healthy Habits. Some sources state that it takes 21 days to create or break a habit. This concept, known as the 21-day rule, suggests that it takes at least 21 days of consistent behavior to form a new habit or break an old one. When you challenge yourself to do something consistently, it becomes part of your lifestyle and second nature. The first few days may be the most challenging, but if you stick with your plan, you will reap the benefits at the end of the challenge. For example, it is excruciating for me to walk every morning at 3:30 a.m. I wouldn’t say I liked it at first. But after making it through the first few days, I look forward to the quiet morning walk. This daily walking challenge has developed into a healthy habit.
Improving Physical Fitness. As with commencing any workout program, the soreness is a good reason to quit. If you haven’t worked out in a while, when you start, your muscles ache, fatigue sets in, and your mental state weakens. But, if you push through the downside and continue to workout consistently, you will become stronger and more physically fit. Eventually, your body will crave the exercise and feel out of place if you choose not to exercise.
Setting Goals. Setting and achieving goals is a powerful way to boost your self-esteem and motivation. When you challenge yourself, you’re setting a goal to work toward. You become mindful of the parameters you put into place to achieve the goal. For example, when I challenged myself to eat raw foods only for 30 days, I was determined to take all necessary measures to accomplish the goal. I had to create a plan, such as meal prepping for the week, to stay on track. After achieving my 30-day raw foods meal plan, I felt like I was on top of the world, and I was motivated to continue my health journey. The sense of accomplishment from setting and achieving these goals is truly empowering.
Set the challenge, accept the challenge, and change your life in 21 days. Just start with one challenge and build on that. Before you know it, you will be living a healthier life. Remember, these challenges have the power to transform you, inspiring you to take action and make positive changes in your life.