Community, Accountability, and a New Year Challenge
Happy New Year, everyone! Is everyone pumped for 2012? Resolutions made and in action yet?
I’m coming at the new year with big plans, the first of which is a brand spankin’ new Challenge. I’ll get to that in a minute, but let me first say a few words about the power of resolutions.
Experts tell us that those who make resolutions are literally ten times more likely to achieve their goals than those who are interested in change but don’t make a specific, concrete commitment. Now that’s reason to resolve. Sure, motivation can and does wane. A little less than half of those who make resolutions are still committed to the journey six months down the road, but there’s plenty we can do to make sure we’re not among those who detour themselves. Among the most effective strategies: making your resolution public (PDF). Announce it to the world. Shout it from the rooftops. Own it. Flaunt it. Do a dance around it on YouTube. Tell the world you’re going to make this happen. Chances are then, you will. And you’ll have a great time doing it.
Now for the 2012 New Year Challenge. Can you imagine us kicking off the new year without something big and bold? In last week’s Grok Throws a Party, I mentioned 2011 was the year of the success story on MDA. So many of you have written to tell me how much you appreciate the Friday posts – how they inspire, encourage, and keep you focused in your Primal journey. It’s the infinite variety of people in these Friday stories – the whole gamut of ages, interests, fitness levels, and life circumstances – that showcase Primal living as an answer for anyone interested in taking health to a whole new level. It’s the emotional detail behind their stories, the struggles they’ve experienced, the better life they’re celebrating. It’s the jaw dropping before and after pictures.
Which brings me to the New Year Challenge… Let me share an email I received this past month from reader Adam.
Hi Mark. Huge fan of the site and all you do. I have an idea I wonder if you’d consider, inspired by the Primal Blueprint Real Life Stories you publish on Fridays. For those of us considering a Primal commitment in the New Year, it might prove inspiring to send our ‘before’ photos to you for publication in one post upon the understanding that you will also publish ‘after’ photos at a later date. This could be either predetermined (3 months or 6 for example), or when each respective person considers themselves ready. Though it’s a somewhat artificial method of motivation, that doesn’t mean it might not provide the final push many of us may need to really go Primal in 2012. I for one find the stories very inspiring, and by having sent the before photo we would be publicly accountable for our results thereafter. While this may not work in every case, I’m pretty sure it could help for many people. I’d be very interested to know if you think it can be incorporated into your plans for the New Year.
Adam, it most certainly can! Here’s the plan….
The 2012 Challenge is “Success Stories in the Making“. Just as Adam described, I want to provide everyone with a platform to formally share their Primal journeys this year and to benefit from the encouragement of MDA members. I’m creating a new page on MDA that will include those “before” pictures (along with updates), and Challenge participants can create a journal to track their progress, share updates, request advice, or enjoy support from one another and the greater MDA community in this special forum.
I want you to join what I know will be one amazing, inspiring, and motivated group of folks here. All you need to do is choose a photo – fully clothed or semi-clothed (no fig leaves, please) – that (figuratively speaking) says “Hello world, this is me! I’m committing to going Primal this year.” Email it to me along with your first name, age, and your personal goal. Make sure the photos are at least 540 pixels wide. A full body shot would be best but isn’t essential. Oh, and please use “In the Making” as the subject line of your email. This will help me organize all submissions.
I’ll reveal the Challenge page next week. Be sure to send your photos and personal goal statements by Saturday, January 7. I’ll publicly announce a request for update photos a few times throughout the year but you can feel free to send updates at any time.
Let me say this. It’s not about who has the most dramatic “reveal” in their photos. It’s not about the biggest weight loss or the greatest muscle gain. Yes, you will lose weight, and you will gain muscle, but going Primal is about reclaiming vitality as a whole. Look back at the Friday Success “after” pictures. Re-read the stories. What always strikes me is the sheer energy and elation that comes through. The photos illustrate inspiring physical changes but they also reveal something deeper, more personal about each person’s achievement.
The Challenge isn’t a competition but a chance to share your story and Primal journey real-time with the MDA community. Putting yourself out there, making your resolution public will, indeed, infuse a sense of accountability, and that reality will work for you in ways that might make you contemplate, even hesitate, for a moment now. Trust me, it will be a communal momentum and a powerful source of drive to tap into.
And let me tell you something about MDA readers (if you haven’t already noticed). I have never witnessed, let alone been a part of, such a positive, supportive health community before this one. Know that when you submit your photo, you have literally hundreds of thousands of people rooting for you. You will have their enthusiasm, their backing, their encouragement along the way. You are among friends here (just check out the Success Story comment boards if you need convincing).
It’s your time! I want you to feel the excitement of making your resolution real, tangible, manifest. You have nothing to lose (except poor health and extra pounds) and so much to gain.
I am so pumped to begin this Challenge with you. I hope everyone today will offer their support to the initiative. Here’s to an amazing 2012, everyone.
Grab a Copy of The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation and Begin Your “Success Story in the Making” Today!
Posted By: Mark Sisson
…tip-toeing quietly away… before anyone notices I have been here…lol
Happy New Year Mark!
Ok, stop shouting at me!
I’ll send the photo tomorrow, I promise!
You’re requesting that we send you nude photos? Are you freaking serious?!?
Just kidding. Happy New Year!
I want to participate, but I don’t have any tangible goals yet. I want to build some muscle definition. I’m not sure what a reasonable goal would be (in terms of # of push-ups or pull-ups (don’t have a bar yet) or squats) when I’m pretty much starting from 0.
How about just progress? If every month you can do MORE of each of those things than you could the month before? That will take commitment and will no doubt produce some awesome results!
GREAT idea, Annette! I went primal without any set goals, but have achieved what I feel are incredible results. Not knowing what goals to set was part of the issue of not setting any for me. But progress IS just as much of a goal as anything else.
I set some more tangible goals, ones I know I can reach. I’m getting a removable pull-up bar and want to be able to do one pull-up by my birthday (mid-June) and 10 regular push-ups. I’ll increase the goals as I reach them, which should happen at least once, maybe twice, before June
I don’t have any specific goals either. I just want to feel awesome. Feel alive. Be full of energy every single day. I want to love life. I know that focusing on eating whole foods, primal foods, will help me do that.
When I first went Primal on April 5, 2010 I felt amazing. Alive. On top of the world. I’ve been on and off since that date but am ready to be on for life. I don’t worry about the little things but I am done chowing down on anything that is not primal.
I’ve never been a goal setter. I just want to LOVE LIFE! Primal helps!
Same here, no specific goals physically. However, I feel the most alive and aware when I’m trail running in the mountains near Tokyo and I’d love to feel that way all of the time. I wonder if that’s possible.
Improving my memory would sure help me pass the native-level Japanese proficiency exam coming this summer. Translating my blog will help me gear up for that if I can just get my motivation up for that.
So ya, rather than physical, I’m shooting for heightened awareness and memory with a side of inner peace (^^)
Tasha, I don’t have a bar either, but started doing assisted squats & pull-ups anyway… To do a pullup, you can sit by an interior door, with a leg on each side with your butt on the floor & hang on to the doorhandle, (one hand on each side of the door.) It’s not perfect, but it is a good start! Works for assisted squats too, by using the door handles as you would a pole. I really wanted to get started & didn’t want an excuse “not to”, so had to get creative & work with what I had available.
Happy New Year! Gotta admit I had a little moment of panic go through me as I read this. I think all the better then to take up the challenge. Ok–here’s my public admission. I’ll be sending in my photo tomorrow once I snap my picture tonight.
Geez, I actually was a little apprehensive about hitting the “submit” button. *grin*
You go girl!!! Good for you!
I feel apprehensive just trying to decide if I am going to join, I think its the photo that does it. I already set up a new years 30 day challenge on my blog but this feels more…public, yikes! Good for you hitting submit!
@Happy Cycle Girl: Everytime I see your avatar photo it looks like your licking cake batter off your fingers… which then makes me think of white cake batter… which I love. No fair.
for every grammargeek about to start twitching, I meant “you’re.” Also, I refuse to give up my elipses abuse.
Marlene,
I guess I have to update that photo. It was actually chocolate icing from a cake! (she writes while blushing)
It’s one of the things I am looking to give up with this new challenge (actually all sugar). Have a look at the picture I’m submitting for said challenge–I am sadly waving goodbye to a container of ice cream.
The cake was easy to give up, it was the frosting that I had a hard time with.
Try coconut milk ice cream instead of regular ice cream.
Raw ice cream works too, and is just absolutely amazing! SOOOO much better than the junk from the grocery store any day!
This is awesome! Thanks!
This is going to be my year. 64 years old. 312 lbs. I’ve been circling this site for months, reading and waiting. I also have been drinking a bottle of wine a day for a year. Tension at home and work is incredible. Nowhere to go but up!
One step, one day at a time. I think this IS going to be your year … and you’re going to love living the primal life. Welcome!!
Hey man, now’s the time! This community is amazing. And let me tell you, my ability to deal with stress as a result of the Primal lifestyle is so much higher than it used to be.
We’re here for you, pulling for you, friend!
Welcome to the Primal Lifestyle, ezestreets! Stick with it and you will absolutely amaze yourself with the progress you’ll make. Not only the progress, but the speed at which it can happen, if you REALLY stick to it. In less than 2 months I dropped 20 pounds of fat and gained 5 pounds of muscle. No mean feat and by no means the best results on here. But for me, the way I feel INSIDE is worth more than anything else. WElcome, friend! We’re all here rooting for you and hoping that 2012 really WILL be your year!
This is the year! We’re all in it together, one day at a time!
2012 will be your best year yet
I’ve begun a 21 Primal Challenge with my sparkpeople Primal Team (we are your fanclub there!) as of TODAY! We are cleaning out our fridges, I just freecycled the LAST of my frozen breaded fish items and all other grain-based treats. I’ll come up with a pic for the forum. My little one is on the adventure with me, since November, and she’s been doing way better, too. She had just had a glorious breakfast of: scrambled eggs, broccolini sauteed with garlic in coconut oil, organic kiwis and orange slices from our produce bin. She asked for huge SECONDS on the broccolini and eggs. This child is transformed from 2 months ago. I love paleo/primal and what it’s doing for us. My actual Resolution is: 2928 in 2012. That’s the number of hours of sleep I plan to score. Primal Joyousness in 2012 to everyone!
Hey, I’m starting the 21-Day Transformation with my parents and one of my friends today too! I’m already pretty Primal, but with all the holiday treats that were around, my 80/20 rule became something like a 60/40 rule! :\ Time to get back in the game.
So here’e some encouragement and companionship as we go forward in 2012 together! Grok on!
good lord I sunk to 20/80 last month. And It Shows!
So I will take my picture tonight & send it in! I WILL get back on track, reclaim what I lost, AND surpass where I was.
That’s my goal
Me too! I remember it was just a short month ago how I didn’t ache, want to sleep all day or feel bloated or a little sick. Darn those processed foods!
I’m back.
Ugh me too! So many brave people, I may have to do this.
Me, too, or is it three? The pix of me on New Year’s Day preparing to Polar Bear plunge into frigid Lake Michigan aren’t horrible, but you can see that I am not the lean machine of days gone by when Primal was the rule instead of the exception. I’m a fellow Sparker, too. Gonna go find that team and join asap!
Hi JoyBeer
from a fellow Sparker
teammate and all!
Yep, we’ve cleaned our fridges, gave the cookies from TJs to co-workers (belated christmas gift from one of my kids at church) and are ready to go for 2012.
I’ve resolved to take full control, stop allowing sabotage from others. I started a food log. I figure if I have to write it down I’ll think twice. also I want to keep track of the fat, protein carb numbers.
As a very big dude just starting out in the primal world (started Nov 22nd)I am so excited to get this started! Everyone around me thinks I’m crazy and now I’ve got a whole tribe to be crazy with! Bring it on I’m super pumped!
Yeesh. It’s rough looking at the picture that I just sent in – so much more the motivation to set the Grokette free of all the extra me! Gotta clean out the fridge of all the holiday freebies and leftovers tonight…
I have TONS of goals…laid out over the entire year, each month is 1 goal down!
And, for the first time in my entire life none of those goals have actually anything to do with either my weight or my health, thanks to 2 years of eating primal
Happy, healthy and successful new year everyone!
this one goal per month is brilliant! i love the idea…
now,about that photo for mark’s challenge – gulp! gotta just do it!
None of them have to do with weight or health! Wow, I want that to be me!
I’ve resolved to have a six pack by June 1st. It will be done.
I’ve tried just about everything since I was 16 to lost the weight, but it just keeps coming back. My father passed last February from a heart attack and poor health. I’m determined not to have that happen to me. So I’m going to commit to the Primal lifestyle as much as I can as my New Years Resolution. I’ve picked up the 21 day transformation and now am starting today. Just cleaned out the fridge and heading to the pantry to de-carb as it where. Lol. Here’s hoping I can get to my birthday in late May with a bikini worthy body.
Very sorry about your father, Jen; I’m still struggling with that loss two years later.
Email sent- I really need to get back on track with eating primal ( holidays- self explanatory- ehh) I need a good challenge and a way to hold myself accountable-
I’m in! Sending photo soon…
good idea mark
I was praying there would be a challenge at the start of the new year!
I’ve been eating 80/20 since just before Thanksgiving. Traveling to family and friend’s houses for nearly two weeks at the end of December wreaked havoc on my brain and eating habits. I feel like I did at the beginning of November. 
I am SUPER motivated to get my brain and body back on tract. I am publicly declaring I am sending in a photo for the challenge. IT”S MY TIME!!!
I didn’t plan on actually doing anything formal but now that I see this I am totally down! I really don’t eat to many processed foods as is but tend to stink at eating a lot of meats. I think this is a great way to get on track stay motivated and get inspired by others!
love this! great idea!
I’m in. I was hoping there would be a challenge just as I’m starting this adventure. I cringed big time sending in those photos, but can’t wait to see the changes. It’s so exciting to be part of this community!
Okay, I’m gonna do it. I’m going to send in the picture. I’ve been on and off since this past summer. One of my coworkers got me into the book, but I’ve had a hard time sticking with it. My goal this year is to pay better attention, which is something I struggle with on a daily basis. So, hopefully this will help.
Great minds think alike. I am starting this journey. Not from scratch, but fully committed for one year. I requested a blog on Dec 10, and I just posted a few minutes ago. I came out here to tell you thanks for the inspiration and to encourage you to consider people in the midst – not already through the storm. Sounds like you already see that value. Glad to hear it! Thanks for all you do. My husband and I are on board!
I’m in too.
For me this community is a daily pleasure, when everyone around me think I am on the road to ruin. Trying to convince my family of young adults who are very healthy that this is the way to go, it’s a bit of an uphill challenge. My goal this year is to get the exercise part going, as I am the queen of plateaus. However, I am happy, have lost 22 pounds since august 2011 and am off half my medications with the hypertension ones to go next visit to my puzzled doctor, so I am stoked. Will find a phot to send before the deadline from down here,
Cheers
Uhm, I can’t get the e-mail link to work. I clicked on it, but nothing happened.
Email:
mark at marksdailyapple dot com
I’m in! How long do we set the goals for? I’m not worried about weight but I’d like to be able to do one full pull-up and a full push-up by the end of the year. Is that too far out?
I guess it depends on where you’re starting from, but I suspect you could smash that goal by the end of the year!!
I’m in! I had already decided to blog this journey for accountability, but this takes it to a whole new level. I’m a bit shy about sending a pic (I just had our 3rd baby, so it’s not pretty), but we’re all friends here, right?
Jen- Wait til you see mine. Very not pretty. I think we’re not the only ones.
I had my third baby two years ago. I still have stretchmarks and extra wobble. It’s all part of nature.
i have 5 children, AND i’m old! so i’ll be wearing a t-shirt! LOL
You have 5 children, too?! Let’s hear it for all us parents who want to be good role models – - and NOT a burden some day from abusing ourselves…
I’m in! I had already decided to blog this journey for accountability, but this takes it to a whole new level. I’m a bit shy about sending a pic (I just had our 3rd baby, so it’s not pretty), but we’re all friends here, right?
Sounds like a great idea! I’m going primal starting today anyway. I’m a little bit worried about staying on the wagon though. Right now I have a month off from work, but once I go back I’m afraid I won’t be able to stick with it. I work on a ship and it’s hard to avoid the non-primal food that is provided.
I used to work on ships a long time ago, just avoid the fried stuff (probably veggie oil, ask the chef), go for the cold meats and salads, eggs and bacon for breakfast, and pig out on roast days, but no gravy, and dodge the roast potatoes as they are usually deep fried. I would talk to the cook/chef as well, maybe he can point out the bits of the menu that fit the plan, and try for the 80/20 as much as possible, you can do it!
Cheers
MDA is the most inspiring website on the planet! Yet I’m too shy to send in my picture. Since I started the primal/paleo diet 7-8 months ago, no grains or beans have crossed my lips. However, I’ve only lost 12 lbs and don’t seem to have gained any more energy than I had before. I’m wondering if it’s too late for me since I started at age 65 and am now 248 lbs on a 5’7″ frame. Any other women of my age group out there with good success. If there are, I will definitely send in my picture.
A lot of women with insulin resistance have to take extra measures to get back into shape. I started off with the more lenient Primal diet approach but found that the only way I can keep it up is eliminating caffeine, dairy and fruit (pretty much anything sugary or starchy in general). They may have some great nutrients in them, but they also jack up your insulin and cortisol levels which completely botches attempts to become more insulin-sensitive. It sounds hard, but believe me: It’s ironically easier to stay on track without them.
Never too late!
I am in the same place – started primal last spring, lost 20 pounds, great energy, great sleep, very active. Then winter came to Montana…dark when I go to work, dark when I get home, cold all the time, no yard work or activities going on. The carb cravings came back, I cheated a bit more over the months, then the holidays, sleep sucks, no energy, plateau on the weight loss, feel like crap. I have been reading about Dr Kruse and the Leptin Reset so I started a couple days ago. Along with a re-commitment to eating Primal I hope to jump start back to how things were this summer. I have about 30 more pounds to lose so there is a ways to go! It’s not to late! It can’t be cuz I’m not done yet! So it isn’t too late for you either! Let’s go!
I’ve been thinking about doing the picture and results thing but just couldn’t bring myself to do it – vanity, ya know? But I’m doing it tomorrow morning – yeah!!! Vanity is a great motivator!