Friday, October 31, 2014

Day 31 - LeeRoy MacCloud Pep Talk

Today is the day! You did it!  Make sure you celebrate with your friends and prep for your next month's challenges.

I would love to hear about your success stories, your failures, anything that happened during your month please post your stories below! :)


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 31 below!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Day 30 - Wild Rivers

Life is like a river, constantly moving and changing.  Sometimes even pressing the boundaries it currently flows down or through.  We shouldn't underestimate the power of water and what forces it brings.

Just like we can't (or shouldn't) underestimate life's struggles and changes.  They can be scary at times and both can be very damaging.  However, both can restore and enhance our stagnate lives, so I urge you to not fear change, and don't let change keep you from enhancing your path of life.

Create your challenge, and go after them with the mindset of having your victory and watch your stagnate, boring, life be refreshed like the river after a good hard rain.


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 30 below!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Day 29 - Prep Your Garden

Our lives are like gardens which are either ready to be planted, needing to be watered, de-weeded, or harvested.  Right now, on this day 29 we're gearing up to harvest the fruits and veggies of our hard work.

Victory is knocking on your door and celebration is ready to come in and visit.  This is a very important part of your challenges and is much needed with the people you were fighting along side and who helped you along the way.  Of course, this isn't always possible, but something should be planned in the future to remember this successful month.

Once you have celebrated, or planned your celebration for a later date.  It's time to prep your challenge(s) garden for next month's seed.  Yes, no time to waste!  If you haven't come up with your next month's challenge(s) then take time out today and reflect on something (even if it's something simple) to make a challenge that will improve yourself. :)


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 29 below!

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Day 28 - Be a Champion But No Neck Cracking

You ever wake up in the morning with a sore neck?  You try and twist your neck and you have this painful shooting knives right into your neck every time you turn it.  You feel like you immediately age 20 years and you have to turn your whole body to see around.

Sometimes in our challenges we get twisted around so much it seems too painful to continue, but for those of you who took on this challenge in the month of February.

CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU DID IT!!!

Get out and celebrate! If it's not the weekend then plan to celebrate this weekend with your support group, friends, and/or family.  You really need to do this, it's more important than anything else about this challenge.  Because, after your celebration it will be time to start your new challenge(s) and you need to have that fun break before you dig your heels back into the dirt again.

For the rest of us, we're so very close, don't let that morning stiff neck discourage you from finishing only 2 - 3 days left!!!


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 28 below!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Day 27 - Pizza Overdose

Weeks of torture?  Day's of battling for your victory and you're just a few days before your challenge is over and you take the medal of victory.  Will this mean you start to eat those cookies again, or that chocolate, or cake, or whatever you decided to stop for this month?  Or, are you going to try and continue to abstain from the addiction or delight you had before.

Sure, a little bit is fine as long as you keep your balance.  Though, you have to ask yourself, will you go back to being that individual with that addiction or desire?  Or, are you planning on continuing with this challenge, adding more to it.

When we start to get comfortable where we're at, it's time we re-analyse our situation and see how we can step it up a notch each day, month, year.  After all, it's your challenge, not mine.


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 27 below!

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Day 26 - Focus Off Distractions

Distractions, we all have them, we all have to face them, and we all choose to allow them to change our behavior, attitude, and steer us away from accomplishing our goal(s) our challenge(s).

Revisit your list, or your thoughts when distractions haunt you to try and keep you from completing your goal, or just confuse you in your walk towards a healthier lifestyle, revisit why you're doing this, gear up, and fight back.  Utilize the tools you've been given, rally those friends who have come along side you, get strength from your resources you know you have, and don't give into those distractions no matter how "cute" they may seem.

Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 26 below!

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Day 25 - Sneaky Sweets

Day 25 and I must say, there are them days when you just can't seem to get away from them sweets!!  Those temptations all around you!  It drives you crazy, they sneak up behind you and you might get caught off guard if you're not careful.

It could come in many forms of legit reasons.  Birthday party at work or home, family get together's filled with goodies of all sorts, the playoff games with the chips and soda or beer, even your traditional holiday dinners.  Your challenge must not be ignored, you must stand your ground and withdrawal, run away, or find some other item to focus your attentions on so you can keep from the torture just to the right or left of you.


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 25 below!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Day 24 - Breaking Ground

With every day completed means you're one less day from completing your goal!  You're rising above the fog of life and all it's issues.  You're no longer allowing yourself to fall victim to your addictions!  No more NEGATIVE THINKING!  It's time you break ground and rise above the things that plagued your life before.

Smile knowing you're almost done with your challenge(s) and your reward is the satisfaction that you sought to do it, and you were victorious.  Should you continue to do this challenge beyond this month?  Well, that's a choice only you can make.  After all, it's your challenge(s), not mine.


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 24 below!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Day 23 - Get Down To Business

Okay, enough fancy talk'n, jaw drop'n, mountain jog'n, poop stomp'n talk.  It's time to get down to business.  We've been at this now for 23 days and if you're still struggling like you were on day 1 then maybe you need to refocus and re-examine why you started out doing this in the first place.

Remember, it's not about the challenge(s) it's about a lifestyle change.  You're molding (or remolding) you're lifestyle to be something else.  Sure it's going to be hard, sure it's going to take time and effort, but in the end you'll be happier for doing it.  So stop letting it be so hard and just get down to business and use the tools that have been given to you throughout this journey and GET DOWN TO BUSINESS! :)


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 23 below!

Day 22 - It's Never Too Late

It's never too late to start Challenge.Me.  Whether it's something small or something big, it's never too late to start.  You can talk about doing things all you want, but until you start doing them, it's just talk and it's not getting you anywhere.

Setting these challenge(s) and doing them are only the surface of what really lies beneath.  This is only the starting of something even greater.  You're activating a dynamic lifestyle and this lifestyle is a path to better health, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

It's time to live below the surface of things and get to the root of life.  Sometimes you're going to have to pick up and deal with some smelly stuff, but that comes with life when you're pushing through for a better more profitable lifestyle.  You deal with the good and the bad to better yourself.


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 22 below!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Day 21 - All About Skin

We all have our opinions on what we should look like, we diet to get skinnier, supplement for weight gain, and get pedicures to feel better about ourselves.  Though, these things are all great things to do and have done; we must understand they are only temporary and they will not fill the void inside forever.

It's time you think about and focus on being comfortable with who you are on the inside and let the confidence you get make the outside glow and speak for itself.  Keep up the good work we're on the last week of our challenge(s)!


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 21 below!

Monday, October 20, 2014

Day 20 - Scaling The Mountain

You're reaching the end of your goal, the end of your challenge(s)!!  You're almost there, you're up on the mountain looking down at the trail you have been climbing and you're just about finished.  Depending on the month you're in, you have 8 - 11 days left!!

Allow yourself a smile, a pat on the back, because you're almost finished.  Start thinking about what you might do for your celebration if you haven't already planned it out.  Also, start thinking about what challenge(s) you might start next!  Yes, I am saying that to you.

Or, maybe the next challenge is to continue the current challenge(s) on a more permanent basis.  Don't just settle, keep challenging yourself to bigger and better things!  Who knows, only you can make that choice.  After all, it's your challenge(s), not mine. :)


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 20 below!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Day 19 - Day of Sharing

The 19th day of your challenge(s) and by now you should see change happening all around you. Depending on what type of challenge(s) you decided to take on, will determine the type of outcomes (or fruit from your hard work)

While experiencing your successes on your journey; don't forget to take time out to share them with your family, friends, even strangers.  You never know who you might impact along the way.  This time might seem to be about you, but part of living life to its fullest is sharing and encouraging others to step up with their own challenges.  Connect them to their own successes.

Today, I had the pleasure of sharing my story about going after a healthier lifestyle with about 15-20 people and encourage them to do something in life.

So, a challenge for you today? Seek out, find someone to share your challenge(s) with and your successes you are having.  Dress for success!


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 19 below!

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Day 18 - Moving Along

There are going to be times you're tired, worn out, ready to be done with these challenges of yours.  This should be a sign that means you need to step it up and fight to finish that much more!

Try finding ways to make it a fun thing, or find things you can substitute as rewards for being successful each day. (As long as it doesn't become another addiction of course)

So, step up, beat your chest like an ape, grit your teeth, and step ahead with your fists clenched.  You can finish this, you can do this!


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 18 below!

Friday, October 17, 2014

Day 17 - Never Ending Bridges

There are going to be times in your challenge(s) when it seems like you're on this never ending bridge.  Where's the end?  When will you get to the other side!  We must be patient and not give up knowing sooner or later the bridge will end and you WILL make it to the other side.


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 17 below!

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Day 16 - What's Your Sign

What about those days you face many obstacles?  On your left there's temptation, on your right more temptations, when will this end!!  We face these everyday in life.  Options, we choose whatever option we wish.  You have chosen to obtain from some of these options.  Funny how they seem to stare you in the face now, right?

It's like when you see this fancy car and you like it and can't stop thinking about it.  Then all of a sudden, you start seeing this type of car everywhere you go, on the road, in the parking lot, on the tv during your weekly shows.  Tormenting you until you GIVE IN AND BUY IT!

We have signs in life that give us direction, warnings, and information.  While you go through today's challenge, remember to read the signs, they will give you the information  you need to be successful by either guiding you on the right road, warning you that there's candy, or cookies, or this or that ahead and run away!!

This is your challenge, so find and use all the information you can to be successful.  Remember, you're not alone in this.  There are others, and you aren't meant to do this alone.  Have a team, a support group and your faith in God, if you believe in Him, is the best source of strength.


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 16 below!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Day 15 - Half Way There

Day 15, the half-way mark!  You did it!!  You've completed the first part of your challenge(s) and now it's time to complete it in the second part.  At this point in your challenge(s) you've made a good investment.  This is where you say to yourself, "SELF! I've made an investment and I'm going to see it through.  I'm not going to waste all effort to only quit now."  And this should be true!

If you made it this far, you can complete it.  It's like you've climbed to the top of your mountain, you're looking out over all the land, you see everything now, you see where you started and the hard mountain pass coming up with all it's challenges and difficult obstacles.  Yes, you will have to go back through them again, but this time, THIS TIME, you're not only going DOWN instead of UP, you know they're there.  You KNOW you're going to face those temptations again, you know they're going to come at you full force trying to thwart you from finishing your challenge(s).

Be ready, be prepared, and bring your guns-a-blazzin!  Kill these challenges you've made 15 days prior, and finish strong with a smile on your face, wiping the sweat from your brow.  You did it.


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 15 below!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Day 14 - Two Weeks Down

It's your 2nd weigh in!  Time to assess how you're doing on your challenge.  Up until now you have been grinding away at your challenge(s), some good days, some better days.  Today marks the 2nd week, the first week to check your progress on how much you've improved and re-assess the intensity you need to put on (or take off) to continue to be successful at your challenge(s).

Don't let your circumstances keep you from your goals no matter what.


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 14 below!

Monday, October 13, 2014

Day 13 - Fear Not The Fog

You've almost completed the 2nd week of your challenge.  You've been fighting through so much! It's the 13th day of your challenge.  It's creepy, it's scary, it's foggy all around you and you seem to be all alone in your world, your challenge.

You've been enduring your own attacks from within, those "enemies inside" trying to cause you to give up, quit, and you seem to be all alone in this challenge.

Push through the fog that blinds your views around you.  Call a friend who's been supporting you in this challenge.  Post your concerns on THIS blog and I'll send a shout out to ya.  You're about to complete your second week!  Tomorrow is your 2nd weigh in!  The time you will see how much progress you've made!  One more day! This next week will mark the halfway point!

You're about to push through the last part of the first part and enter into the downhill run to the completion of your goal(s), so don't give up now.  Don't let this 13th freak day scare you into quitting now.

The sunshine will come back out and burn away the fog, and chase away those coyote and wolf howls in your life.  You can do it, and if you're pushing through this challenge and it's getting easier, that's great!  Please, share your experiences below so others that come through this day who may be having trouble still, read your own experiences and challenges.  It will make this time more real to them and more possible to complete.

We're not super humans here, we're every day people who have chosen to take on some challenges in life to be better people and recognize that change is good.



Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 13 below!

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Day 12 - Man of Action

Today is a day of action!  Jump in, go after your challenge, work hard, be diligent, and keep chugging along like a train!!


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 12 below!

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Day 11 - Pass and Review

Are you keeping a journal, diary, blog, pictures, or some kind of record of what and how you're doing?  I highly recommend doing it.  It's important you record your progress every day just like you check your weight every week when you're trying to lose weight.

The day will come when you look back, reflect on your past to see how you're doing, or from where you've come.  This can be the encouragement, the motivator you need to keep pushing forward.

Pump it up, PUMP IT UP!!  Time to inspect your progress and tighten up your challenge.  Work hard, play hard, and smile knowing you've done good.



Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 11 below!

Friday, October 10, 2014

Day 10 - Hanging By A Tree

With arms burning from my morning work out on Day 10, I'm reminded of the choice I've made about being more fit.  In the moment of the burn I lose all my strength and flop to the ground.  At that moment I have a choice to push harder and attempt to do 1 more, 2 more, or lay there and breath heavy saying I can't do it.

I chose to do another one.... and another one, my arms fail me I hit the floor again... so, I push up and hold myself up with my arms shaking frantically... If I can't push, then I'll hold until my arms grow strong enough to push again.

In short?  You can push, you can hold, but don't say you can't and lay there.  If you have that mindset, then you have a 100% chance of failing.  If that's what you want, well... then quit...


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 10 below!

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Day 9 - Breaking The Mold

Day 9, and today is a day to break the mold of complacency.  Change things up in your daily routine to keep your challenge fresh, stimulating, and avoid getting into a pattern.  You get into a static routine and you'll grow weary, bored, and soon it won't be enjoyable but work and pressure.  Your challenge will get harder than it needs to be and to a point you want your challenge to be a fun thing, something with pleasurable rewards or frequent rewards.  That way you're encouraged to keep moving on.

Last night I went out and had some fun and normally when I go watch a movie I have my movie popcorn and soda.  Well, last night I dropped down a size on the popcorn and got lemonade instead.  I was successful in keeping my challenge, yet had an enjoyable evening to boot.  Of course, later on that evening my body reminded me of another challenge I had been following, and that was eating better more healthier foods.  Needless to say, I suffered the next day for the choices I made to have movie popcorn.

We sometimes don't realize the poisons we're putting into our bodies until we stop taking them for a period of time.



Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 9 below!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Day 8 - Stuck In Traffic

Day 8 the second "Monday" of your challenge, the celebration of the weekend has stopped and now it's time to get back down and focus on another week of challenges.  You ever have those days where it seems everything and everyone is against you?

Everyone is saying how much you're changing (for the good) but when you challenge them they have all these excuses and you ask yourself, "hey, why AM I doing this challenge... I want to go back to eating junk food, I want to go back to drinking soda, I want to go back to doing this or that..."

Deep down, you know that's a lie, you don't want to go back, you just are tired of fighting.  Well you're not alone friends, you have to fight for that prize, you have to fight for health, for peace, and everything that's worth fighting for in life requires sacrifice.

Hike up your boots and keep stepping up, keep showing up, keep walking forward and maybe you'll have some hills come your way to make it easier.


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 8 below!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Day 7 - The Weigh In

Day 7 marks the first successful week of your challenge!  This is the day you should choose to "weigh in" and see where you're at, how much progress you have made so you can take that and adjust your level of determination.  This will also be a day you can be encouraged by your progress.

I remember being shocked at the changes each week I had made when I chose to start my first challenge back in April.  The effects of my choice have proven to be a constant reminder when people come in contact with me.  There were weeks that weren't as progressive and even had a few that were digressive.  This will happen, but when you're focused on the goal set and keep pressing on.  Eventually you will make it!  Or, you won't make it but you'll get part way there and that's better than not trying at all.

Don't be afraid to go against the grain in life, don't be afraid to do crazy things that might not look like what everybody else is doing.  Don't worry about having the latest and greatest style clothing, car, or cellphone.  Just be you, and do what you've chosen to do.  Follow through and finish!


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 7 below!

Monday, October 6, 2014

Day 6 - Puffy Eyed Funky Mornings

Day 6 marks your "weekend" fun but you might of woken up with puffy eyes and funky fuzz face feeling.  Looks like you might of done a little bit too much at last night's party eh?

Whether you were good or bad about staying away from those "fun foods" or other habit you've chosen to give up this month, stay on course, don't lose focus, keep that determination strong.

Watch out for those substitutions for your habit-they might not be good substitutions-only a mask over to fill the same dangerous habit.  Before you know it, you'll be swapping one bad habit for another bad habit.  Having people keep you in check are always good positive things to rely on while you do this month challenge.

Always keep an open mind, a teachable heart even by those who may not look like they're in the position to teach you, or correct you.  Be present with what you do, don't let yourself be caught in the habit with your pants down (or puffy eyed bad morning Monday mood)


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 6 below!

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Day 5 - Don't Kick The Dog, Kick The Habit

Day five is like the Friday on your habit's weekend.  It's a day to smile, celebrate, not kick the dog in defeat.  Get up, smile, take that habit by the horns and have a throw down!  You can DO THIS!  Get out and celebrate with some friends, family, or people who support the breaking of your habit or your challenge.  It's important to surround yourself with people who support you and your cause for positive support.

Just like in every relationship in our lives, it's important to be careful who we allow into our lives and speak into us.  We want people who will support us for who we are, our beliefs, faith, passions, and lifestyles.  It's our choice just like we choose to be challenged, or challenge.

Challenge yourself to find good people and to build healthy relationships so when tough times come, which they will, you will have a good support team that will come along side you and fight against your habits and help you make good and healthy changes.

Challenge yourself to:
  • Be picky on your close friendships
  • Seek out wisdom on better eating, not just falling to the victim of the political agenda
  • Know what you believe in and if things are shaky in your faith, it may be time to revisit the beginning of that choice made in the past.
  • Having an open mind to be teachable and willing to learn new things from others, or at least give them the respect of their opinions will help you gain more understanding about life, or about people.
  • If you're afraid to go forward, don't let pride keep you from admitting it, seeking out help, and facing your fears not letting them change your life.

Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 5 below!

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Day 4 - Check Your List Of Fun Distractions

Today should be a day you're starting to feel the positive effects of your challenge.  If you did a physical fast from something, you should start feeling better and maybe even having less of a craving of your item.

Mental fast?  Your mind is getting cleared out and beginning to rebuild, strengthen up...

Spiritual fast?  With me I chose to change up my genre of music, though I do crave listening to the genre I'm fasting from, I've not given in because I'm focused on doing other things to distract me from that particular desire.

Keep.Going.On.!



Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 4 below!

Friday, October 3, 2014

Day 3 - Determined to Be Successful

Today you wake up, take a deep breath, refocus, and remind yourself why you're doing this.  If you find you need to refresh your reasons for why you've made this challenge, now is the time!

Sometimes it helps to see other people's successes, or sometimes it's good to share your successes if this challenge is one of many you have been successful in before.  Feel free to do your own video on YouTube add in the #ChallengeMe and comment on one of the day posts with the video!

I look forward to seeing your successes and being encouraged by you, like I hope I'm encouraging you with mine.



Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 3 below!

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Day 2 - Press On You Can Do It

Day 2!  You've made it another day!  Yes, you're stomach is growling, your tongue is swelling, your brain is hurting, you're starting to panic.  Get those "can't's" OUT of your speaking and out of your mind. Can, Can, CAN like a soup can you can.



Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 2 below!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Day 1 - What Have I Done

What Have I Done???

That might be what's going on in your mind right now.  Are you having second thoughts?  You committed to do this challenge and it seems like everybody got the memo about what you were planning on giving up and then decided to bring that item or items in to offer it to you for free!

Any other day would have been fine, but NOW that you're on this CHALLENGE they BRING IT IN?

Don't give up... You've just begun... Remember to focus on your plan of action and substitutes.  This is just the beginning, it will get easier.  Focus on your thoughts and conversation. Start weeding out any "can't" words and replace them with "can" words even if you don't believe it.  Speak it anyway!!


Be inspired, and inspire others! Leave comments about YOUR day 1 below!