8 Weeks to Wellness is an all encompassing challenge that inspires creative ways to get moving and eat healthy, feeding both the body and mind. I have decided to join up with this group challenge at the barre studio I attend, to try something new and help get myself back on track after a disastrous holiday season.
I was feeling so lazy and lethargic by New Years, I knew I needed to do something. Holiday overeating had really gotten the better of me. It wasn’t as much of a weight gain situation as an icky feeling situation. I just felt “blah.” So when this was presented at the studio a few weeks back I decided to bite the bullet and go in full force.
Challenge essentials a pedometer (Fitbit) and a journal (Vera Bradley)
I am sure you think I jump around from challenge to challenge, interest to interest, and I do! I hate doing the same things all the time. I get bored. Especially if something is not for me (i.e. CrossFit). The only sport I have ever stuck with is running, but sometimes I need to cut my mileage back and do something else to begin to yearn for it again!
In this challenge I am running, doing Pilates, yoga, Pound, and barre method workouts. I like the variety and I know it is what I need to stay on track. The challenge only has a few “rules”:
- Drink 60 ounces of water a day
- Take 10,000 steps a day
- Log your food in my fitness pal and stick to your caloric goals
- Attend 3-5 fitness classes at the studio a week
- A daily meditation and reflection using a journal
I am really excited about this challenge which anyone can really be a part. It is relaxed and nurturing. It is an environment that I thrive best in as a high anxiety person. Also, it is a great to meet new people, all working on a common path of health and wellness. This is a total shift from my half marathons and CrossFit but I feel it is a time I need to take a step back and give my body a break as it felt like it was slowly breaking down.
I have also decided to make sure I read at least one book a month as part of my challenge. I decided to read: “May Cause Miracles: A 40-Day Guidebook of Subtle Shifts for Radical Change and Unlimited Happiness by Gabrielle Berstein.
Questions:
- Have you ever tried to walk 10,000 steps a day? It seems like child’s play, but I have to get on my treadmill and run or walk every night to make up steps!
- Have you ever read of Gabrielle Bernstein’s books? What is your take on them?
Hi Katie! Happy New year! We need to get together next time im home im sure cooper and Asher would play good together! Ive had a fitbit for a few months. Some days I have trouble hitting 10,000 steps but hope to get back into it full force again! Im not crazy about the fitbit app to log your food intake do you know of any other good apps that you can log what you eat?
Yes definitely!!! Let me know when you are home and I will come by or you can come over! I feel like I walked around all day today and I only have 7,000 steps. I was literally walking laps around my classroom non stop! I didn’t use the fitbit app for food because my iphone is too old and isn’t compatible. I use My Fitness Pal and I also like Calorie Count, they are both pretty similar but they are using MFP for the challenge so I am using that one solely right now! Hope all is well! I miss you guys!
I’m a fan of Gabby’s. I think her writing is simple and to the point. I also love the examples she uses! I’m attending her book launch on Thursday and am very interested to see how I feel after that. Good luck on your new challenge! I’d love updates on how you enjoy the book!
Thanks Mairi, this is my first “spiritual-ly” thing so the most basic the better for me. I have to say (probably even though it’ll kill Patty) for part of the challenge we got an astrological reading from this lady and I can’t lie I went in expecting it to be funny but it was like freaky dead on. I am not sure what parts of all of this you are into but I am totally going to pick your brain about it if we get a chance to meet up down the cape this summer if you are home!!
I did the 10,000 steps counting when I first decided to get fit in college. It gave me something manageable to work towards and really got me moving! My fiancé last night told me he’d like to try step counting to get him started too! I think it’s also a great way to refocus your fitness, like you’re doing now!
Have a great day!
It is actually really fun, one of my older colleagues and myself walk around the school in our prep period to help me get it steps! It has really become a fun way to really get to move!
I used to religiously wear a pedometer and get 15 to 20,000 steps a day!! Its so much fun, just like a game
I don’t wear one anymore though because it started to consume my mind… But if you continue to be healthy and not let it affect you mentally, you will be just fine and achieve wellness for sure! 
I can see how it could become obsessive. It is kind of fun and I have gone overboard with it (so far). 20,000 is amazing. That will be my goal for 1 day next week!