Because I want to.
Because I want to.
Enough said, right?
We often feel the need to defend, explain, or reason out for others why we choose to do or not do something.
But do we really need to?
Well, no.
But sometimes it can be helpful.
Recently I decided to put myself through Andy Frisella’s 75 Hard challenge.
It’s a challenge that asks its participants to do all of the following every single day for 75 days:
read 10 pages of nonfiction
drink a gallon of water
stick to a food plan with no cheat meals
refrain from drinking alcohol
do two 45-minute workouts a day where one must be outdoors in the elements
take a progress picture
When I saw this challenge, I was intrigued. There are a few things I really love about it.
First, it doesn’t specify the food plan, so it allows you to choose what works best for your body and your goals. But once you choose, you’re asked to commit for 75 full days without cheating.
It asks you to read— you know I love anything that engages the mind along with the body!
Again, it doesn’t tell you what your two 45-minute workouts need to be, or when you need to do them. But it does ask that you breath in some air and brave the elements for at least one of them. Which, like life, asks you to adapt to conditions as you find them and show up anyway.
So, it grabbed my attention and I decided to give it a go.
Immediately, I got some push-back.
Some folks who questioned my motivation and asked me to explain myself.
While my initial reaction to the push-back was, ummmm, a little resistant (*cough*), it occurred to me that this might be one of those moments worth sharing a little.
Essentially, I did this challenge because I wanted to, plain and simple.
I like to challenge myself. I enjoy it.
I like to challenge myself both mentally and physically, and I like to learn and grow as a person.
This was set up pretty ideally for that.
So I did it.
Also, I ask my clients every single day to push themselves, to get uncomfortable so they can grow mentally and physically.
This allowed me to practice what I preach, to stay connected to what I ask of my clients.
This is important to me— nobody likes a hypocrite, right?
And finally, at the end of the day, I did it because I believe.
I believe in me and I believe in you.
I believe we’re capable of living our best lives.
I believe we’re capable of growth and change.
Why?
Because I want to.
I make choices about what I believe and how I behave and where I invest my time and energy.
We are always doing what we want to in one way or another.
What do you want?
I want you to live your best life.
I want you to know what that means for you.
Here’s the thing: every single week, I see the clients I work with doing exactly that.
I see them achieving their best both mentally and physically— getting stronger, smiling more, feeling better and more confident.
With the right guidance, support, and forward moving momentum, there’s no reason you can’t be living your best life. None.
Look. We’re mid-way through January.
Whatever changes you’d like to see in your life this year have likely been decided on.
So let’s get to work.
Each day, each moment, is an opportunity to choose, to begin, to start over, to get back on track if you’ve veered off course.
Life is a never-ending journey of creating and re-creating who we are and how we move through the world and our lives. A never ending journey toward our best selves and our best lives.
There will be days or weeks or even months and years when you may lose sight of your goals or things that are important to you.
Don’t waste time flogging yourself— it never gets anyone anywhere.
Just begin. Course correct.
It’s never too late to begin again.
You are worth it.
Your life and health and well-being are worth it.
The time is now.
Begin.
Or begin again.
Or begin for the 657th time.
You’re not alone. I believe in you.
We can do it together.