Do Life 12 Week Challenge Week 3 Recap Plus More Info You Probably Never Wanted To Know

Let me start off by saying Week 3 of the challenge was a complete and total disaster for me. Also, a complete failure. Do you know how hard that is for me to admit, the failure part? Probably not, and now that I'm putting it out there, while it is hard, it's also freeing.

I failed at this challenge, as in read it, was not interested in any way, shape or form in trying to get the scavenger hunt (details on the actual challenge coming up) stuff done and was just going to focus on trying to get exercise in and eat healthy. And then...nothing.

I did nothing related to the challenge this past week, although I certainly thought about it and wanted to exercise.

I struggled almost all week to just work and do basic care for myself. Why? Because I have S. A. D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder - details on that here) and it kicked my ass. I knew I wasn't feeling great for a couple weeks, but I don't normally have this much trouble with it in years past so I was confused as to why I was struggling so damn much.

Becoming aware of it later in the week really helped me come to terms with it and get myself into a place where I could combat it. When I know what is bothering me, I can address it, but for days I had no clue why I was so depressed (clinically).

There is a history of depression/mood disorder in my family and I have struggled with various issues over the years. However, I'm now in one of the best places I have ever been in my life, so this hard hitting S. A. D. threw me for a loop. While I haven't had this much trouble with it in years past, this year it cut me off at the knees. But, now that I'm aware I'm taking steps to address it and turn that around. Even just knowing why I was feeling the way I was puts me in a better place. I also bought someone Vitamin D drops and am working on thought/behavior modification practices to combat the S. A. D. (I'm not a fan of taking prescription meds and usually try to do anything I can to avoid it, having been on quite a cocktail of stuff at times in my life, prescribed and not prescribed. This doesn't mean I won't take something if it is necessary, but I prefer holistic treatments as much as possible.)

This coming week I will have more energy and focus due to my efforts at the end of the week and be able to get my work outs in and eat healthy. Sadly, my healthy eating options went out the window this week as well, but I'm more than ready to get back on that train - I feel gross from not eating well.

I wanted to explain all this to keep myself accountable - full disclosure. What a freaking journey this is. My own private war with myself, out here for all the world to see on the internets.


Now, per Ben at Do Life, challenge details:


This week is an old-fashioned scavenger hunt free-for-all!

Keep working your pushups/planks and keep rocking the exercise, but the week is simple. Whoever gets the most challenges done wins the week. Winners tie? Prizes for everyone tied.

Hope you all have a self-timer on your cameras. There are apps for that if you are using smart phone.

[photo proof required for every single item!]
[each item worth one point unless otherwise stated]

Policeman/woman in your town wearing a Do Life shirt (2 points) or holding a homemade Do Life sign (1 point).
You sitting on or standing next to a tricycle with a racing bib on. In public. Bonus points for helmet and sunglasses.
Statue in your town wearing Do Life shirt (2 points) or wearing a Do Life sign around its neck (1 point).
Ballerina pose during your next workout.
The biggest chalk Do Life logo you can make. Outdoor basketball court?
Screenshot of your longest walk/run of the week. (http://mapmyrun.com in case you don't know how to map a run yet. Or any other mapping/GPS device.)
You holding your biggest excuse on a piece of paper while defeating the excuse.
You holding the DVD of AIR FORCE ONE starring HARRISON FORD the BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME. Bonus point for your best Harrison Ford face. GET OFF MY PLANE.
You in grocery store holding a pineapple and a watermelon. At the same time.
Your super healthy grocery list.
You ignoring a warning sign.
You holding a "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob" sign at the local library.
You with 80+year-old. Both giving the peace sign.
$18.87 in change.
Picture of a homemade smoothie. Your hand must be in front of it giving a thumbs up.
Recreate a famous picture/painting.
You wearing seven shirts.
You with as many other people holding Do Life signs. One point for every two people. 16 people = eight points. 100 people = 50 points.
You wrapped in Christmas lights. And them turned on. I'm sorry. I know you JUST put them away.
You in plank or pushup position. Outdoors.
Picture of you finishing your toughest workout of the week. Or a re-enactment of your reaction upon finishing.
Do Life Dog. (open to interpretation.)
You at the most famous location in your town. Wearing Do Life shirt (2 points) holding Do Life sign (one point).
You with an apple on your head with an arrow through it.
You pointing to your city in an actual atlas.
You in a music store rocking out.
Do Life Cat. (open to interpretation.)
You wearing your favorite sport's team's gear. Double peace sign.
You holding a sign with how many minutes you worked out this week.
You with someone named Richard. If your name is Richard, you with someone named Lauren. No cheating! ("they won't know his name is actually Bob...")
You sitting in bleachers cheering on a game that's not being played.
A homemade painting of your biggest goal. No deductions for lack of painting skillz.
A lawyer's business card. Five bonus points if the lawyer's name is Larry.
You standing beside a Ferrari.
Picture of you on a treadmill. (2 points if the time is 30+ minutes and you appear to have actually done the 30 minutes.)
You. In a boat.
You on the top floor of a building.
You high-fiving the grocery store cashier.
You in a top-hat.
You running in a top-hat.
Good luck, guys!

Deadline is Sunday night. I'll have picture-posting guidelines in official submission thread on Saturday evening.

Keep running. Keep rocking. Keep writing down things you did well at the end of the day.



So here's to Week 4 and getting back in the game. I will take any support and motivation I can get. Comments are so welcome and appreciated.