May
22
2010
40 DAYS
Author: cortnyHave you noticed it’s been about 40 days since I updated the blog for real? Well, yesterday was my 40th day of my 40 days program. Here’s what I did:
- Attended 6 yoga classes a week for 40 days. I did not miss one class, even when traveling. This comes to almost 54 hours of yoga! (Our three Cincy classes were a little shorter than our usual 90 minutes.)
- Attended 5 (out of 6) weekly meetings, plus last night’s party and closing meeting.
- Completed a weekly face-to-face buddy check-in with my 40 days buddy and new friend — I probably never would have gotten to know him without this process.
- Gave up caffeine for 40 days. (This means no decaf or chocolate!) We also chose to give up meat. (This was harder than 54 hours of yoga… I’m drinking a latte right now. :) ) We could give up one or more of the four CATS: Caffeine, Alcohol, Tobacco and Sugar. While I only committed to the caffeine, I had extremely low amounts of Alcohol and Sugar as well. And, no tobacco of course, ever.
- Did meditation for 40 straight days, starting with 5 minutes twice daily and going up to 30 minutes twice daily.
- Successful ate only fruit for three straight days. Only fruit.
- Completed readings and journal questions each week.
Wow, it’s been quite a six weeks! I have also been on a project at the book producer’s during the whole 40 days, so it was a real lesson in budgeting my time and staying organized, as well as will power being around people drinking coffee all day ;). I had to drive an hour each way to work, get home in time for class, eat a healthy diet — I didn’t really have any fast food thanks to the no meat. (Just french fries a couple of times ;) ) It would have been really easy to skip something. Especially since we had to miss a meeting for our trip to Cincy and couldn’t get our certificate of completion anyway. Even though I came close and had weak moments, (very weak moments!) I kept my commitment. With the exception of my husband, I’ve probably never committed to anything that successfully before! It’s a great feeling!
Meanwhile, the last week was a little tough. Mike’s been in Mexico completing Level II teacher training (the next step after our December training.) Not only was it tough having him gone since we went through 40 days together, but it was a little bit of a bubble burst hearing about his amazing experience at level II. Thinking, my level I was nothing like that, and neither was 40 days. But it is what it is, and I’m happy with it.
I look at all the time put in to my health and well-being and am greatful I did that for myself. I’ve really tried to focus the last few years on being really healthy as I get older so I can have a high quality of life. I’m certainly going to go back to eating meat and drinking coffee and having cupcakes, but I’ve also learned a lot of good habits.
Also, after going to the studio for two years, I all of the sudden know a lot of people. Now that Mike’s assisting there, I know the names of all the managers and can chat with them, and I know a ton of other yogis now. Not only the people in my group, but as they acknowledge the 40 days people in class a lot, people just come up to you and talk to you about it. It’s amazing how once you open yourself up to being a part of a group, the group kind of comes to you. I also have been making more acquaintances at the book company, after being in and out of there for two years also. (It doesn’t hurt that I was working on a design project with other people instead of doing paste up, but 40 days has still been inspiring in that way.)
Right now I have things I want to get done before Mike gets home from Mexico. He may have stories to share about his experience, although I remember how difficult it was to put our Level I experience into words. (I am a little jealous that he got to hang out with so many of our Level I friends :) ) Congratulations, Mikey — he finished 40 days too, in addition to Level II.
