FINAL UPDATE: Insanity…Or The New Normal! The 90-Day CrossFit/Paleo Challenge
So, here it is, my final reflections and observations from my 90-day challenge. I can definitely say that this challenge has turned into my “new normal” and is by no means a form of insanity.
In celebration of completing this challenge, I have compiled my own personal “Top 10” list of lessons learned during my journey. Here they are in no particular order:
- Don’t let intimidation stand in your way.
- Achieving goals or completing personal challenges increases self-confidence.
- Not cheating is harder at the end of a challenge than at the beginning. Stay strong!
- Strength comes from within, i.e., strength shows on the inside before it shows on the outside.
- The things you hate become the things you love.
- Don’t be afraid to adjust or modify your goals during a challenge…just change them and recommit.
- Maintain your focus and personal integrity regardless of any negative feedback…the truth is in how you feel, look, and act.
- If it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you.
- It’s about the people you meet and the healthier community we build together.
- Each of us is full of potential (known or unknown), we just have to tap into it and believe in ourselves.
I waited a bit to write these final reflections. I wanted to include my thoughts on how my body responded to my “cheating”, i.e., eating food with virtually zero nutritional value. This included pizza, beer, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, etc. Let’s just say it was less than pleasant. I became lethargic, developed mild headaches, my workouts were slow and less productive, I lost focus and drive, etc.
I admittedly was surprised. I didn’t expect an impact of this caliber, especially concerning my workouts. It was truly remarkable how just a few days of eating poorly had such a dramatic and quick affect on my body, both physically and mentally. I am still trying to get my workout energy back on track after my “cheats”. It is amazing to think what years of poor food choices can do to the human body concerning what just a few days did to mine. However, I have also learned that the damage those years have done can be rectified in a rather short amount of time considering the number of years of abuse. We must all make an effort to improve what I will term our “nutritional lifestyle”. I maintain my goal of increasing my weight and strength to achieve my 180 lb. goal body weight. This is still challenging me. So, as I move forward, I look forward to continuing to educate myself on the optimal way to achieve this goal.
In closing, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time out of their life to read my thoughts and ramblings during this challenge. I hope that I have been able to inspire you to healthier lives and communities, and maybe even to undertake your own challenge to help overcome something that you find intimidating.
So, that is the FINAL update. Below is my baseline information and final stats:
Baseline Information – April 17:
- Age: 41
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 172 lbs. / Goal Weight: 180 lbs.
- Body Fat Percent: 14.3% / Goal Body Fat Percent: 8.0%
- Body Mass Index: 22.7 / Goal Body Mass Index: 25.0
Final Information – July 17
- Current Weight: 170 lbs.
- Current Body Fat Percent: 10.0%
- Current Body Mass Index: 22.1
As I have stated before, I don’t put a lot of emphasis on body weight and body fat. I believe it should be about how you feel and look inside and outside…and I feel great! So, all this may still seem insane to some, but I will confess that this lifestyle has become my new normal.
I’ll leave you with these two inspirational quotes:
“Believe that you CAN and you WILL.” – Author Unknown
“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” – Ronald E. Osborn