This article was posted by CrystalWind.ca.
The Mindful Fitness Challenge
Written by Leo Babauta
As New Year’s resolutions fade and we realize we need to try something else to get fit … I invite you to try a combination of two things that I’ve found to work really well:
- Mindfulness: As I’ve said many times before, mindfulness is such a powerful and fundamental practice that helps form any habit.
- Mini-challenges: I’ve found that short, 1-week mini-challenges are a hugely motivational way to form a habit like exercise or meditation.
So for February, I’m issuing the Mindful Fitness Challenge, and it will get you in better shape than you’ve been in for awhile!
OK, so how does this challenge work? It’s simple:
- Pick the mini-challenge level just above where you’ve been at consistently — for example, if you don’t exercise at all right now, just pick the “start moving” challenge. If you regularly exercise a few times a week, try the “daily exercise” challenge. If you exercise regularly for 30-60 minutes most days a week, do an advanced challenge. Do each mini-challenge as mindfully as you can.
- If you do that consistently for a week, pick another mini-challenge the following week. Otherwise, stay at your current level and try to get more consistent. Feel free to drop back to the previous level at any time if you feel this new level is too much for you. There’s no shame or ego in dropping to a previous level or staying at your current level. It’s not about the level you’re on, but about practicing wholeheartedly and mindfully.
- Commit to this challenge & do a weekly check-in. Do a post committing to the challenge on the #mindful-fitness channel on Slack (you can do that today!). And then check in each week on Monday, telling us how it went and what you plan to do the next week.
That’s it. Practice each mini-challenge wholeheartedly, not rushing through it. Bring mindfulness to each activity.
I’ve issued 13 mini-challenges, including ones like:
- Start moving
- Play every day
- Go longer
- Do something tough
- Pushup, chinup, running, and kettlebell challenges
- Yoga daily
- Multiple sessions throughout the day
I spell out more details for each mini-challenge in the actual challenge that I’m running in my Sea Change Program, with more than 1,000 other members!
If you join my Sea Change Program (with a 7-day free trial), here’s what you’ll get:
- Articles each week to help with the challenge
- A live video webinar with me on bringing mindfulness to fitness (where you can ask questions)
- A lively community on Slack where you can get accountability for the challenge, join a small accountability team, and get questions answered
I can guarantee you that if you actually use this challenge, attend the webinar, and become a regular in the challenge community on Slack … your life will be changed
Zen Habits is about finding simplicity and mindfulness in the daily chaos of our lives. It’s about clearing the clutter so we can focus on what’s important, create something amazing, find happiness. My name is Leo Babauta. I live in Davis, California with my wife and six kids, where I eat vegan food, write, run, and read. Source
Join the Conversation Now! Comment Below!
Spirit Animal Totem Of The Day!
Crystal Of The Day!
Latest Articles
The Crystal Wind Oracle
Myth & Magic Card Deck!
Details Here!
NEW Expanded
Printed & Boxed!
Now with 58 cards!
CrystalWind.ca is free to use because of
donations from people like you.
Donate Now »
Unlock Your Light: Join Lightworkers Worldwide on CrystalWind.ca!
Follow Us!
Who is Online Now
We have 40396 guests and no members online
Featured This Month
Aries Mythology: Discover the Secrets
The Mythology of Aries First things first, when referring to the mythology ... Read more
Dandelion: The Surprising Power of this Medi…
Reminds you of the abundance life holds. Gender: Masculine Planet: Jupiter E... Read more
Eudialyte: Your Aries Power Stone Revealed!
Eudialyte Birthstone: Aries Planet: Mars Element: Fire Chakra: Heart Eud... Read more
Green Aventurine
The Emotional Balancer Stone Green Aventurine is perhaps the best balancing... Read more
Sun in Aries: Unleash Your Power!
Aries March 21 through April 20 An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for A... Read more
Budding Trees Moon: Medicine Wheel Insights!
Red Hawk - Fire Opal - Dandelion - Yellow March 21 – April 19 The Budding Tr... Read more
The Crystal Wind Oracle Card Deck
The Crystal Wind Oracle™ The Crystal Wind Oracle Myth & Magic Card D... Read more
The Time of No Time: Beltane!
Around the medicine wheel of life we go, from season to season (solstice to ... Read more
Birth Totem Falcon: Are You a Natural Leader…
Birth Totem Falcon Birth dates: March 21 – April 19 Birth Totem is: Falcon... Read more
Bright Beltane Blessings!
The wheel turns to Beltane, also known as Mayday, marking the beginning of S... Read more