Greg and I started the Whole Life Challenge on September 16th. We were invited by a friend whose sense of adventure and ability to drink life like a fine cocktail leads her to travel to the most amazing parts of the earth, ride a motorcycle like a Boss, and belly dance with exotic grace. An invitation from her could not be overlooked. An invitation from her encouraged a huge, “Yes.” We joined her team, the Whoop Ass Sugar Beets. In short, the Whole Life Challenge asks participants to reflect at the end of each day and give yourself a score on 7 Basic Habits. The 7 Habits include: exercise, mobilization, sleep, hydration, reflection, lifestyle, and nutrition. The Challenge lasts eight weeks. We decided to do the Challenge as part of the 1000 mile journey we have been traveling this year.

What Have I Learned In Week One Of The Whole Life Challenge

Planning and Routine Are Critical 

Pre-planning for the Challenge was complicated. Week 1 was complicated, too. The week prior to the Challenge we were finding normal after Hurricane Irma. We were in Washington DC celebrating our anniversary most of Week 1. Our pantry and fridge were not fully stocked with Challenge-friendly food and drink when we arrived home. We have not yet gathered recipes that will be our weekly meals. (Perhaps learning to plan our meals intentionally is part of the big picture/long term lessons that will be part of the Challenge.) Our routine was out of whack, but our mindfulness about each decision made me realize sticking to a routine will make Challenge-friendly decisions easier, and be critical to Challenge success.

When They Say Whole Life Challenge They Mean Whole Life Challenge

The Whole Life Challenge is based on the principle that true health includes eating, sleeping, moving, drinking, and reflecting. I knew this before this week, but following the 7 habits this week emphasized the importance of each. This week I found some life habits were already relatively integrated (mobilization and exercise) into my life, and others were nowhere near where they need to be (nutrition and hydration).

Points Make Performance Front And Center

The 7 Habits are self-reported every night and determine a daily score. The scores are public to your team and determine your overall success across all areas of the challenge. If the scores were not public to the team, or were not used to determine the team’s overall success alongside all teams in the Challenge, I am not sure how motivated I would be by the numbers alone. They help for accountability, and to evaluate individual progress, for sure. But when I am sitting at the table and having to stay away from the Diet Pepsi I so desperately want, something else makes me choose iced tea. (I know the Challenge will help me get a clear idea of my decision making process.)

The Long Haul

8 weeks will be a long time. (It has already been a long week.) My hope is that these 8 weeks will help me to establish positive habits that will carry forward beyond the Challenge. Another hope is that I will feel like a million dollars after 8 weeks of mindfulness boot camp. A final hope is that a successful Challenge will reinforce my belief in myself that I can set a goal and achieve it.