Tag Archives: 60-day challenge

a different kind of challenge: 60-Days of RAW

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so, on Tuesday, i had the ultimate NYC girl accident: while walking to the office after a press event, my high heel caught in a pothole and i totally bit it in the street.  unfortunately for me, i have an extra bone in my foot, to which i severely damaged the connective ligaments. OUTCOME: HP in crutches for the next 2 months.

another bummer: no yoga for 2 months. :(

so, rather than eating my feelings through this, i’ve decided to try and stay healthy and embark on a 60-day raw challenge: back to being 90-100% raw for 60 full days. considering i’ve fallen off the raw wagon because it was tiring being a social leper, i’m taking this gimpy opportunity to challenge myself and get back on track!

i’m only on Day 3, but already, i’m noticing a significant lift in my energy levels, my productivity and ability to focus.  it’s truly remarkable just how much of what you eat affects your body.

wish me luck — you’ll likely see more raw posts in the weeks to come!

My Bikram 60-Day Challenge

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In December, I read the O Magazine article (first of two) written by Paige Williams about her 60-day Bikram Yoga Challenge.  Essentially, Paige found herself in a place where many of us have once been and can relate to:

  • She’s 80 pounds overweight, divorced, out of work, and deeply in debt. She needs a physical and spiritual overhaul. Can 60 days in a Bikram hot-yoga studio really undo years of damage?

Well, whenever I’ve felt lost, depressed or hopelessly in despair, it’s usually been when I’ve been delinquent from Bikram.  And as soon as I go back, it’s not like my problems vanish — but I am better able to cope with them, emotionally and mentally.
I must thank Paige for inspiring me: I JUST finished my own 60 Day Challenge today!  Originally, I had started off doing a 30-Day, but after reading her inspiring story, I went for the full 60. (why not, right?)

How did a 60-day differ from a 30-day?  Well, for me:

  • PHYSICALLY.  Of course, anyone who does ANYthing for 30 consecutive days will undoubtedly experience a change in their body.  But to do 60 consecutive days was something different altogether. It’s beyond APPEARANCE — I’ve never felt more physically fit and strong than I ever have in my life.
  • DIET:  I’ve a heightened self-awareness of what I eat, drink and use on my body.  I can more clearly feel a direct correlation between the kinds of foods I eat, and how I feel it in class the next day. Now, I naturally reach for healthier, fresher foods, less red meats, more vegetables…I also try to cook my own food more.
  • FINDING JOY IN THE PAIN.  There are certainly postures that you love, and those that you absolutely hate. Over the course of the 60 days, I became more at peace and was able to easily surrender to ALL the postures — regardless of whether I love or hate it.
  • EXHAUSTION.  Maybe this is something unique to me.  Because I practice in the mornings before I go to work (and live in Astoria), I have to wake up at 5am in order to get to class comfortably.  Sometimes if I have to entertain editors at night, I don’t get home until 10pm.  It just makes for a very long day.

Bikram is a huge time commitment (arrive roughly 30 minutes prior to class + 90 minute class + shower & change = 2.5 hours).  But if you have the luxury of time to do either a 30 OR a 60-day challenge, I highly recommend it!
Not only will it change your practice, but (as Paige Williams shared in her article) it can also help you change your life.  :)
Namaste.
www.bikramyoga.com