How to Survive a Wellness Challenge

By: Jenessa Connor

Today is day one of the 718 Wellness Challenge, and we’re all feeling pretty motivated to kick some ass.

Not to be a downer, but it’s easy to feel superhuman on the first day of anything. You’re in the honeymoon phase, so to speak. You’ve got novelty and excitement on your side. Unfortunately, that’s gonna fade.

If you want to make it all the way to the finish line, you need more than good intentions; you need a plan. Here are a few tips for thriving on the 718 Wellness Challenge.

1. Schedule Everything

We’re all busy, but we make time for what’s most important to us. Find a calendar that works for you (Google, a scheduling app, an old-school planner) and schedule in everything from workouts to mobilization to grocery shopping. Once you’ve made “appointments” with yourself, keep them!

1. Keep a Journal 

Just like WOD-tracking is an essential element of CrossFit, tracking your diet, daily activities and overall progress will help keep you engaged and motivated to stick with the challenge. Include notes about your energy levels and how you slept the night before – you may see a correlation between how you’re feeling and certain foods or activities. And, recording your food and workouts will take the guesswork out of entering your daily points.

1. Meal Plan and Prep 

Designate one day a week (Sunday afternoon works for many people) for meal planning, grocery shopping and meal prep. Stocking up on foods you can prepare in advance and eat throughout the week – ground turkey, roasted vegetables, salad greens – will keep you from eating non-approved foods out of convenience.

1. Get an Accountability Buddy 

The great thing about the 718 Wellness Challenge is that community is built right into it. You’ll be surrounded by people – online and at the box – who are striving toward the same goals. But, it can be helpful to have one or two “accountability buddies” that will keep you honest and on track. Swap phone numbers or email addresses and check in for extra support, advice and recipe ideas.

1. Eat Before You Go

The holiday season is upon us, which means more parties, happy hours and receptions to attend. These kinds of events aren’t known for their paleo-friendly spreads, so it may be a good idea to eat a snack or meal before you go. If your stomach is rumbling, you’re more likely to dig in to the cheese and crackers.

1. Move on from Mistakes 

No one’s perfect. It’s likely that you’ll miss a workout, forget to stretch or eat a cupcake. If that happens, take your deductions and get right back on track. Make sure your next choice is a healthy one. Prepare a challenge-approved meal, sign up for a WOD or do some extra mobility work.

1. Plan Indulgences 

As the name indicates, the 718 Wellness Challenge should be a challenge. By nature, it will shake up your habits and push you outside of your comfort zone. But, it shouldn’t ruin your life. You should still, on occasion, indulge in your favorite treats that aren’t on the approved foods list. The key is to stay away from mindless consumption and only lose points for the foods and beverages you truly love.

You’ve accepted the challenge, but are you ready to own it? Let’s do this, 718!