Preview of my first Bikram 30 Day Challenge

Somehow, without thinking, I signed up for the 30-Day Challenge.   

Yes, I know I was already playing with the idea in my mind, teasing it a bit, saying "Oh yeah, maybe, you know, I can swing that...."  

It starts February 1st, in two days.

I've been obsessively googling "Bikram 30 Day Challenge" to scour past blogs for tips, tricks, and what to expect.  I know the basic drill: Every day will be different. There will be break through days and crappy days where I ask 'where'd my practice go?'  That I just need to go, just keep going, don't give up, go no matter how you feel.

And yet.... the Things That Scare Me About the Bikram 30-Day Challenge, such as:

1)  My dominate lazy self convincing my weaker committed self to just skip class, and make up for it…later…

2)  How tired and sore I will feel, which will lead to catching a cold.  Having totally destressed my life now, and adhering to Chinese medical philosophy about wellness, I’ve managed to NOT get sick so far this year.  I know that tired & stressed = sick because of run down immune/defense system.  Will this slew of Bikram classes make me stronger, or sicker?


3)  Stressing about doing Bikram yoga Every. Single. Day.  Again, see #1.  I have far more history of talking myself OUT of going than in sticking to the plan to go to yoga.  I fear my own history, as it were.

4)  Doing double class days to make up for the 2 (maybe 3) day I’ll miss while traveling later in February.  I did scout out a Bikram yoga studio near where I’m going, but it’ll be stressful (see #3) to try to make it to those classes. I have to choose what to commit to - freedom or the stress of getting somewhere on time.

5)  Eating properly  - not too soon, stomach not too full, not eating the wrong things, or not eating enough. So I have to plan my meals everyday, which is something I'm not used to.

6)  Time restrictions that this challenge will pose on my schedule. Which is kind of a joke, since my schedule is about zilch - work at home, for myself, whenever I want, no clients/customers to face or deadlines to meet.  Sometimes I think that people with that 9-5 schedule find it easier just to tack the Bikram class on to the end of it, since they’re already out and about.

7)  This is not a huge fear, but I am a bit intimidated by driving in the winter weather here, enough that the slightest inclement weather keeps me off the roads.  Because of my work situation, all driving errands outside the house are quite low priority (even the grocery store is within walking distance). The weather here is odd compared to what I - girl of the southwestern desert - am used to.  Made worse by the fact that we live on a  bit of a hill, with really curvy and steep, sidewalk-less  streets.  If the weather gets squirrely, like it did a couple of weeks ago, will I choose my yoga commitment or the safety of home? I guess I will let the gods decide on that one, and figure it out when I get there.  

8)  Umm… um….

Really, that's it?  Huh.


What were (are) your fears in facing the 30 Day Challenge? Comment below!