Oh yes… it’s the season… the season of CHANGE… the season of being BOMBARDED by advertisements exploiting your… theoretically weakened condition.   Most people have stuffed themselves over Christmas and now New Years Eve looms in the not so distant future.   The “guilt” weighs heavy… and just like last year, and the year before, etc. we are hearing a lot of talk about making a change *this year* and doing it finally.   Before you get sloshed on champagne and start with the crazy talk, here’s an alternate idea.   Forget resolutions, choose a challenge!    This will be a short – usually 21 to 30 day commitment that is do able, and that will get you on the right foot towards whatever eventual goal you were going to call your “New Years Resolution” anyway.

So many times it seems like people will chose a resolution, but they don’t really have a plan on how to get there.   My idea turns that whole process upside down.   Choose the plan – and guess what, you’ll be on the way to your more nebulous goal of “get healthier” or “lose weight” or “eat better” etc.   At the end of the challenge – think about how you feel etc – and continue on your way – at this point you’ll have more realistic expectations for what you can do.   I hope that you’ll be surprised at your great success and inspired to continue.

I want to hear about your progress – keep a journal, a blog, or even just a daily update on twitter or facebook.   Send me emails if you want.    Because along the way, as well as afterwards, I want to hear from you and how you are doing and how you did on your chosen challenge!

Many of these challenges and programs have groups of people online who are participating and can support each other too!   Feel free to pick your own challenge, but here’s a little list of ones that might suit you – some are ebook purchases, others are free.  Actually speaking of free – you may wish to check around on facebook for a free challenge you can join.  Seems like nearly every month SOMEONE is starting a burpee or kettlebell swing challenge* on there – and when you make that commitment, there’s a group to keep you going!  Also, if you’re already involved with an RKC, or HKC instructor, see if they are planning on starting some kind of challenge for the New Year.

So put down the Moet for a second, let’s click through a few of these:

Free Challenges:

• 100-Per Day Burpee Challenge
• Lisa Shaffer’s 3rd annual 10,000 Kettlebell Swing Challenge
• Marsha’s (Strong is the new Skinny) Strong LOLA 30-day Challenge

Low Cost Challenges:

• Josh Hillis’s 21 Day Kettlebell Swing Challenge (each day structured!)
• Diane of Balanced Bites Fame’s 21 Day Sugar Detox
• Rob Wolf’s 30 Day Paleo Transformation Challenge
• 30 Day Burpee Challenge

Now, some of you may be wondering what I’m going to be doing for my challenge – I’ve actually already started. I’m continuing to build my strength etc. by adapting one of Pavel’s very manly-man workouts to suit my abilities. The workout is structured for 3 times a week and is a 3-week long program. I will be working on mobility on the off days. I’ve also pledged to be more diligent in my qigong practice, which always pays off!

Don’t be shy, tell me what you end up picking – post it here as a comment, or put it out on Facebook, twitter, etc. Tell other people and build up the peer pressure so that you have to follow through.  I know you can do this.

If you’re more of a loner, or want to make up your own challenge, please do so as well – I’d suggest something like choosing one of the workout plans from the program design portion (starts on page 278) of Convict Conditioning and trying it diligently for a month – see how far you progress in terms of skill and strength.  Or maybe the tried and true Rite of Passage from Enter the Kettlebell! Whatever you choose, tell me and hold yourself accountable.

By the way – I am still working on the New Year GiryaGirl.com prize pack – there’s been 2 new items added (they were a surprise to me) and I am waiting on the last few bits to arrive! This prize pack is seriously a glimpse into the “Girya Girl Lifestyle” so stay tuned on how to win it.

*Steer clear of things that sound unrealistic, like that 100 push ups in a row challenge – I have yet to see anything positive come of that thing.  Seriously.