You Play, You Pay and "Resolutionaries"

We all know that we should ring in the New Year by celebrating responsibly, i.e. if you drink and drive, you are an idiot (sorry, did I just use that word...).  Yet, as someone who preaches a "No Excuses" lifestyle, I would also tell you that should you stay up too late (or early as the case may be) and have too much poison (crappy food and booze), than you still need to get your butt outta bed to train on Thursday.  Or, as the post title says, "you play, you pay."  Jody and I are going out to celebrate, yet I will be up and ready to rock the 2 hour Yogathon class at 9am.  And, I already have my personal practice planned for when I get back home.  How 'bout you?  

I would also add that IF you plan to indulge in extra calories and alcoholic beverages, plan ahead -- be sure to train earlier in the day, ideally for at least 1 hour.  Eat clean, fresh, healthful foods throughout the day.  Don't go overboard and totally blow it.  Finally, as stated above, get right back in the saddle on Thursday!

"Resolutionaries" -

Resolutionaries is a word I came up with a long time ago for all the people who would crowd up the gym for a month or so and then vanish.  These were the folks who made their New Years resolutions to "lose weight" and "get in shape" so they would come into the gym with vim and vigor and show up 7 days a week.  Yet, inevetably, by March most of the fresh faces were gone and only the long-time regulars remained.  Among the resolutionaries, the common thread I observed is that most of them came in with no plan, little support, and without the deep inner transformation that needs to occur before a "resolution" can be met.  

If you have been a student of mine for any length of time, you know how I feel about resolutions, especially those made on January 1st -- they stink!  In general, resolutions fail within the first 30 days, and certainly by the 90 day mark very few resolutions are kept. Change is a mindset and a lifestyle not a date you write on your calendar.   Resolutions are a moment by moment choice that can be made at any time and there is no need for setting a special date; it can start right now.  What is required for true change and growth is a change in heart, mind, and spirit and a solid, realistic plan.  After that, it's a matter of discipline of the heart, mind, and spirit and sticking to your plan with "No Excuses".

In many ways, this is why I feel that Project: BTWG® is so successful and touches people on a deeper level.  The Project address the body, the mind, and the spirit.  You have a plan, you have support, you have all the tools needed to make true change rather than a half-baked resolution to Nowheresville.

Last week I selected 35 "New Recruits" to participate in the Winter '09 Project: Bridging the Wellness Gap® and I can guarentee you that on January 19th, when their Project officially starts, they will have a proven plan, and strong support network, and they will be Wellness Revolutionaries, not resolutionaries...

If you are not partaking in the Project, I still encourage you to look at your plan for your personal health, fitness, and well-being.  Do you have a plan?  Do you have a vision?  Do you have support?  And remember, change isn't the future.  Change is now; it's in each moment and in each thought, word, and deed.  Change is a lifestyle.    

After the New Year, I will share how Jody and I plan ahead for the upcoming year and how spending a few minutes each week can help to transform your life and take you in the direction you truly want to go.

Until then -- Peace, and Happy New Year!

Chris

    

Cityoga Schedule this Week

Hey Gang, I am back in town after a little vacation/visit with my family and back up to speed with classes and online work. Here is my Cityoga schedule for the rest of this week:

Tomorrow (Tuesday) - 5:45-7:00pm Yoga for Strength and Endurance

Thursday - 9:00-11:00am Yogathon. Please visit the Cityoga site for details(www.cityoga.biz)

Saturday - 8:00-9:30am - Yoga for Strength and Endurance  

See you on the mat!  

Peace, 

Chris

Red Neck Christmas...

Hey Gang,

Jody, the kids and I are in Vincennes visiting with my family and friends. It's been an awesome couple of days and we still have 2 more to go!

Today I was able to do a 50 minute run around the farm. It's way too warm for this time of year, so it was pretty weird. Plus the rain and thawing made for some muddy fields. Oh well, it made the run more challenging and memorable. Looking forward to a couple more great workouts while on "vacation", including a workout at the gym where I worked during Junior College.

I'm doing my best to keep up with emails and will keep the blog updated and fresh. Also, be sure to head to my online forum. Several of the Project "New Recruits" are getting registered and introducing themselves. I surprised the applicants by making the announcements early, as a "Christmas Gift"! To access my forum, just go to the right column of this blog and click on the link. It easy to register and post if you want to get involved, or just hang out and read what everyone is chatting about.

Peace,
Chris

Merry Christmas!  May your Holidays/Holy-Days be blessed abundantly.

Peace,

Chris, Jody and Family

Class Cancellation

No Tuesday night class at Cityoga.  Sorry I was unable to post this sooner, as I have been on a sssslllloooooooww drive home.  For future reference, if the weather is sketch, be sure to check with Cityoga for class cancellations.  I will do my best to post an cancellations here as well.

Peace,

Chris

Congrats Travis and Lindsey

As if 2008 hasn't been amazingly blessed enough, yesterday, Jody's daughter Lindsey and her fiance Travis were married.  Travis is serving in the U.S. Air Force and is home on leave for the holidays.  The ceremony was beautiful and so was Lindsey.  We are super-proud of both of them and know they will have a long and fruitful life together, especially with their strong spiritual foundation and commitment to the Lord, something that most struggling couples lack.  

Travis' permanent duty assignment is in Dover, Delaware and Lindsey will be joining him there in the spring.  And in case anyone is wondering, Mom (Jody) pulled through pretty well; only a few tears.  It may be another story once Lindsey prepares to move : -)     

I hope to have pictures posted soon.

Peace,

Chris

Project: BTWG Application Process

The application process for the Winter 2009 Project: Bridging the Wellness Gap® is officially closed at this time.  

I have received more applications than I have "New Recruit" slots to fill; the decision making is going to be very difficult.  The essays sent in were not only astounding in number they were equally powerful in their message.  Thoughts, feelings, and emotions ran the gamut from passionate and heart-felt to amusing and humorous.  Each applicant was sincere, open, and often brutally honest; just what I asked for!  

Since launching BTWG last summer, the response has been nearly overwhelming and I can truly feel the wave of excitement, enthusiasm, passion, and community that is building around the Project.  Word about BTWG is getting out and not just in Indy.  I've received words of interest and encouragement from all over the country and the Project blog is getting visitors from all over the world!  

One of the things that inspires me most about the blossoming of the Project is that 100% of the growth has happened through word of mouth, blogs, and emails; no other form of marketing has been utilized.  As I've said before, Project: Bridging the Wellness Gap® is truly a "grass roots wellness movement".

If you were on the fence about applying for this round of BTWG, you can breathe a sigh of relief, you stuck it out long enough to use the deadline as an excuse : -)  Not to worry, for you and those who felt "now" was not the appropriate time to enroll, I'll look forward to getting your application for the Summer '09 Project!

All current applicants will receive further instructions in an upcoming email.  

In Peace,

Chris