For those doing the Whole30 you should know that when you are making a lifestyle change there are points in time that are common “fail” points, or points in time when people commonly give up or go back to old patterns.  Within the first 30 days, the initial points to be mindful of  hit around day 4-5 and again around day 8-9.  Anyone can make a change for 2-3 days based on sheer willpower or enthusiasm.  It’s the fourth day that it can begin to challenge you and push your buttons.  The “after the honeymoon” phase quickly wears off and it becomes time to do settle in for the long haul.  This early in the 30 days can become exponentially frustrating if you are not diligently planning your meals, shopping effectively, and preparing food in advance.

Many Whole30′ers can make it to the one week mark, however, in a 30 day program, this can be a point when folks begin to feel overwhelmed knowing they still have 3 weeks to go; they just feel they can’t do it.  Doubt creeps in.  Fear tempts you.  All the planning, cooking, cleaning and “chores” associated with your new lifestyle suddenly become less attractive (enter the title from a fantastic Jack Kornfield book, “After the Ecstasy, the Laundry”).  You may begin to question your intentions and motivation for signing up for such a program in the first place.  You may begin to “justify” caving into a temptation or going back to an old habit.

Just know that all this is perfectly normal when it comes to transforming lifestyle habits and patterns.  Our ego-mind rebels to change, even when it’s a change that is good for us… ESPECIALLY when it’s good for us!  Again, this rebellion and temptation stuff is normal and common.  The good news is that if you stick to your plan, embrace the difficulties and just keep moving forward, these temptations will pass.  Once you hit the start of the third week, everything becomes much more simple and, dare I say, EASY!  Making The Whole9 your new lifestyle IS EASY, if you are willing to invest the required work and remain patient.

A tip I may offer to those still working the program:  Through life lessons, yoga/meditation, and competing in ultramarathons, I’ve learned the ability to just remain focused on what is directly in front of me and to not be too concerned with all that still remains ahead.  I learned to focus on the day, the hour, the minute, the breath, or in the case with the Whole30: the day, the meal, the bite.  If you can just stay focused on planning for the week, prepare for the day, and enjoy the meal in front of you, you instantly remove all the drama from the program.  Life becomes simple and much easier to manage.

If you are struggling, reach out to your support network.  Contact one of the PR Fitness staff members.  Post your feelings on our Facebook page and the Whole9/Whole30 Facebook page.  Call a friend.  You can make it the 30 days and BEYOND.  It really isn’t that hard.  Or, as Melissa from the Whole9 says, “Quitting heroin is hard.  Beating cancer is hard.  Drinking your coffee black.  Is.  Not.  Hard!”

Be Well,

Chris

At PR Fitness we are fortunate to have several families that train together, below are just a few recent shots.

Dawn on the box jumps while hubby, Dan, gets busy with the Wall Walk in the background...

Tyler and Jamo (who still trains with us when he's not busy with his full-time gig becoming an Army Ranger...

Kyle and Nicole have been training with a few months now and are seeing fantasic results...

Rick (father), and Britini (daughter), our newest members. Mom, Michelle, has already been training with us and now the rest of the family is getting on board.

Lots of GREAT and EXCITING things coming to PR in 2012.  Be a part of the action!

Though she has only been training with at PR Fitness for a relatively short time, Roxanne is making INCREDIBLE strides in her heath, fitness, and performance. How about a 32" box jump (from a dead stop), at a height of only 4'11"? Keep up the great work Roxy!

If you would like to learn more about the Livingston Fund and organ donation, please click HERE.

The Sunday Crew with Lynn Livingston and her family in the mix.