The Amazing Jules Personal Growth Challenge

Background

They’re everywhere now. Body transformation challenges. Most are twelve weeks.

Body for Life Challenge

Body Blitz Body Transformation Challenge

Catch Fitness 20 Week Body & Lifestyle Challenge

Ideal Bodies Online

I actually was all set to enter the Catch Fitness one this year but being New Zealand based they decided at the eleventh hour I was not eligible to enter this year. It’s okay though, I don’t need an official challenge. I can create my own. And I will. I am. Now.

What’s different about my challenge then?

It has no end date. Personal growth is a life-long thing. Creating our best body is too. Once we achieve our desired body composition (body fat) goal, we can develop more strength, endurance, fitness, flexibility. The list is endless. Pick a sport and work on getting better at it.

It's not just about the body stuff. It’s about the head stuff as well and the lifestyle stuff. I have recognised ‘performance gaps’ that need serious work to reach the 'standard' (the standard I set for myself).

It’s about me creating my best life. Contrary to some peoples ideas, this isn’t solely about me being a Paramedic, or about me finishing my first (and any subsequent) Ironman triathlons or about me buying a house, finding a partner and having kids. Creating the outcomes we want in my world is a big part of creating our best life. But it has other components too. We’ll explore them as we go along.

It’s about me getting stuff done. Doing what I need to do. Having some public accountability. I am aware of several people (who will remain nameless) who ‘do not believe me anymore’ so I’ll keep quiet and let my results here tell the story of what’s going on in my world.

It’s about commitment. I have a bazillion goals, and even an action plan but do I actually do it? Am I really committed? Actions speak louder than words every time. In my case, it has been inaction that has spoken louder. Not something to brag about.

It’s about me. And no, the whole world is not about me – I’m referring to the process of change. It requires me to ‘do, think, be and create AMAZING’ - no one can do that for me. I am more than capable. I am intelligent. Not uber-intelligent but intelligent enough.

How is this going to work?

While my Challenge may appear to be something I’ve whipped up in five minutes, it isn't. I’ll give you the heads up now that I’ll be making up the rules as I go and giving myself various mini-challenges (assignments if you like) along the way. It – like me – will be a work in progress. So bear with me while I figure what I’ll be doing! The Chief Judge is going to be me. I’m sure I’ll have others around me who will jump up and comment on what I’m doing (or not). I welcome their input and feedback anytime.

Let's start. Now.

Week 1

1. Read Eckhart Tolle for ½ hr, at least 4 days
2. Record food
3. Minimum of 2.5 L water a day
4. Minimum of 1 hour a day studying, learning, immersing self in Ambulance Victoria Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs)
5. 1x 45-60 minute PT session (resistance stuff) OR clinical pilates class
6. Complete 100% of my scheduled triathlon training sessions
7. Do something DIFFERENT – something NEW - something involving OTHER PEOPLE (cannot be a solitary activity)

That will do for now. Don’t want to overwhelm myself. I hope I haven't overwhelmed myself more than I need to! Although I do need to push the accelerator down to the floor as quickly as I can. I keep starting stuff and then activate the ABS as soon as I can. I can’t keep doing that. It’s too risky. (As you know, I’ve been immersed in low-risk driving stuff for the past week). Some of the above is real basic stuff. Non-negotiable stuff. Or what should be non-negotiable stuff by now but clearly isn't.

Some key dates on the horizon

23 Apr My first shift on-road as a Graduate Paramedic

6 May My university graduation. Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic), Pass with Credit. Anyway, you only graduate with a first Bachelors degree once. Just like you only get married for the first time once. You only have your first baby once.

29 May RYL Two Day Program. I really need to put in some serious work between now and then. Otherwise, let's be honest here and say here is little point me even going if I can't create some serious change in one or more areas of my life in 8 weeks. I'm not talking 'lose 10 kg in one week.' That's unrealistic. But give me 8 weeks and that is a reasonable chunk of time. I need to be able to do what I need to do on my own. Start creating my AMAZING body, career, finances, social life. Others cannot help you if ou cannot help yourself first. It's easier for others to help if you're already doing stuff, and being proactive. I want to meet Sue J and EG and others from Craig's site. But I also need to create change. For me. Social stuff is great, but I need to change.