Change Is In The Hair: A Risk-Taking Challenge
Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to the new me… about 5 pounds of hair lighter, and a bit more purple. :)
Why the new ‘do, Amers?
Quite a few reasons actually, blog post:
- I’m sick of “Sweet Amy” hair. I’ve been wanting to get color in my hair for years, and have just been too chicken sh** to go through with it.
- I figured, I’m still in my 2os so I can get away with it… hopefully…
- I’m a year away from my wedding; there’s plenty of time to dye it back!
- I was sick of not taking risks. This next year is going to be all about change, taking hefty, knock-the-wind-outta-you risks, and going all out.
Well, it’s kinda tough for me to write this to you and have the effect I’m looking for, so I figured I’d tell you face-to-face…
Video time!
Don’t forget to comment below with the risk category you’re taking this week!
Here’s the gist of the challenge again for those of you who couldn’t watch the video yet:
Take one risk that makes you want to pee your pants… but jump up and down in excitement at the same time.
Choose from one of these Risk Categories:
Sweat
Do a completely different workout this week than you have ever done before. Take that class you’ve always wanted to take. Go out for a run even if you’ve never run more than the mile in PE. Try some yoga, even if you’re a dude! Challenge your body in a way it’s not used to to start getting super sweet results fast.
Ask
You know that person you exchange smiles with at the gym? Or that “friend” you have at work who’s always giving you subtle hints? That one person you’ve been dying to go out with? ASK THEM OUT. No really, you can do it. It’s just about saying eff it and go for it. What’s the worst that can happen? If they say no, move on to someone else. But what if they say yes? Think of the possibilities! That’s jump-up-and-down-exciting to me.
Create
We’ve all been there, wanting to start something and never getting around to it. A book, an art project, a song, a new skill. This week, swallow whatever ridiculous excuses you’ve been telling yourself and start creating. Just start. Go create. Go make this world a more beautiful place.
Comment below with the risk-taking category you’re gonna tackle this week!
Looking forward to hearing how you’re becoming a risk-taker, too! No hair dye necessary. ;)
See you in the comments!
-Amy
Hi Amy,
Thanks for sharing this tip today. I am actually at one of those life changing moments in life. I am a chef and caterer and have my own business. How ever in order for me to grow and expand I am needing to find myself a permanent kitchen (rather than the per hour leased space i am currently using). I have the opportunity to buy a building at half the originally listed prize due to the bank having taken it over due to unpaid taxes. On top of that I am wanting to have a commercial kitchen built in there. This feels like the scariest step I have ever taken. I certainly have been others in the past but for some reason this seems like the biggest one so far. Maybe that is because all the other things that seemed scary in the past, looking back at them, well they just don’t seem so scary any more.
So….I am certainly peeing my pants with the decisions i am facing now. It would be real easy to just step away from it all and play it safe and decide that it is not meant to be. I know though that taking this step is so out of my comfort zone and is so going to propel me into new and exciting territory and along with it will allow me to be open to many new opportunities.
So this video was a reminder to just get my ducks in a row and just to go for it!
Apart from all that, I wanted to mention that you have a very great and natural video presence. You seem very relaxed in front of the camera. It’s like you should be doing commercials (-:
I did have one question for you, I know you promote health and well being in your videos and newsletters etc, but what is your back ground? Do you have back ground with fitness or mental back ground on mental health etc? The reason I ask is that it just seems so common now a days for any one to call themselves a fitness coach or wellness coach, but so many people have no real education in that field at all other than being self taught. So it would be interesting to hear what your qualifications are?
Thanks for sharing.
Happy Monday to you. Have a great week!
Roman
Hey Roman!
These changes in your life sound amazing! Definitely challenge-worthy!
Thank you for your kind words! My acting experience does help a lot when it comes to doing videos. :)
As far as background, here are my fitness/nutrition credentials:
NASM certified personal trainer
NASM corrective exercise specialist
Precision Nutrition Certified in Sports Nutrition
Equinox certified Tier III personal trainer
Equinox certified in pre/post natal training
Kettlebell Athletics certified
ViPR certified
I am not a mental health professional, and I try to remind people of that as often as I can. My advice should always be taken with a grain of salt because, as I say in most of my posts, every BODY is different. What has worked for me in the past may not work for you. After years with multiple therapists, and a lot of reading on the subject of mental health and how fitness ties into it, I speak purely from my experience working through my own struggles, helping others through theirs, and what the literature and research says on the subject.
If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m happy to address any concerns you may have. :)
I want to create beautiful bicycles. I don’t know much beyond basic maintenance, but I know that’s what I want to do. However, just the thought of beginning makes me feel a little panicky. I am taking this challenge to just begin where I am. Start small, but start. My first creation will be to draw what I want to create with an old bike I already have. Thanks for the challenge. Eek!
Hi Stefanie,
Starting is always the hardest part. They say when it comes to getting out and going for a walk or a run, getting out your front door is the hardest part. Once you are out and about it’s all not so bad anymore. The same is true with starting a project or business. Taking those first steps is the hardest. We often then also spend way too much time second guessing ourselves and the dream we have. The best way to conquer that is to simply take the first step. In your case, just like you said, it is drawing some bicycle ideas. Then let each next step build on to itself. Once you get going, everything gets easier. Well maybe the actions don’t get easier but the decision making certainly does because like that saying “it’s easier to keep something in motion than it is to get it in motion”. Meaning that once you take the first step, once you get the ball rolling, each next step will be a little easier to take.
All the best with your venture. I can’t wait to see some of your designs.
Roman (www.kangaroocatering.com)
Thank you SO much, Roman, for your words of encouragement. I have a lot of fear about doing anything creative. I’ve never thought it was something I was capable of. But my heart is screaming for me to create something, anything. So despite the fear, I will proceed. One baby step at a time. It seems you already have the wheels in motion. I’m sure the next phase will be a great ride. Strap yourself in and GO!
Ooh, create, Stefanie, CREATE! ;)
Roman’s right: the first step is usually the toughest to conquer. Once you take that one step, though, your confidence will build, knowing that you’re already on your way!
You can do this. There are a lot of people out there who want that beautiful bicycle! Don’t keep it from them! :)
Amy, I loved the visual of taking a risk and wanting to pee my pants but also jump up and down with excitement. You have me in a nutshell. I feel like I am at the edge of a cliff over warm, blue waters and I am trying to convince myself that it will be okay to jump. I know it will be okay because thousands of people have jumped before me and they keep saying how thrilling and scary it is, but it was worth it. I’ve played it safe for too long and it is time for that leap. Thank you for always saying the right thing at the right moment. Good luck in all your endeavors as well. You set a good example.
Wow. Thank YOU Stefanie for saying all of that! :)
I’m going to go for create. I have asked myself out of the comfort zone several times the last weeks, but I haven’t been NEARLY as productive as I want to be, and I need to chhhhange that !
Gotta hone my skills and create till I’m blue in the face, sort of, haha.
Seriously, Amy, how are you going to hold everyone here accountable ?
LUV the purple look btw, so stylish !
Mars Dorian recently posted..What a Double D Bra Sized Woman Taught Me About Experimenting Online
Haha! Glad you like the hair, Mars!
I’ll check in to try to keep everyone as accountable as possible, but it really is up to each person to take the reigns! I’ll try to yell and nag as much as I can. ;)
Hi Amy! I loved the video! It’so fun to see a face behind the inspiring words. And I love your hair. I colored my hair red for my 30th high school reunion this past weekend. It was so scary, but I love it! I’m going to accept your challenge in all three categories! I am going to run at least once this week. (I hate running) I know my body needs it because I’ve been teaching classes for so long that I’ve “accomodated” and just can’t lose weight that way. Second, I’m going to ask. I’m going to ask. I’m going to see a Career Advisor and find out about possibly going back to school at 47. And third, I’m going to create a blog. I’ve been meaning to do this forever and I think now is the time. Thank you for all you do. You rock!
Thanks, Jennifer! Really happy to hear that people are loving the videos! And thank you for the hair compliment, too. :)
YES!!! Do it! Sweat, ask and create all in one week! I love all these ideas. So so so happy to have ignited that fire under you! :)
Hey Amy,
Your hair looks hot! Great idea!
i actually didn’t see this entry until Wednesday but had already decided a “sweat” challenge Sunday night. I work in a cubicle 4 days a week and have had a lot of weight and health issues. I have been walking 15-20 minutes before work every day but decided that I was going to take 3 laps around the outside of my building every 2 hours. So far so good I’ve kept at it.
I don’t know if you remember me from the 30 day challenge I’m the one that gave up soda and I’m happy to say that I am approaching 9 weeks soda free and 8 weeks GMO free (or at least I think I am for all the labels and internet that I read. I’m sure GMO is sneaking in somewhere it’s hard to nail down).
I was at a pant size 54 and 56 and today I am thrilled to say I walked in a store and tried on 46′s and they fit perfectly! The smallest size I had in old forgotten pants were 50 so I really had to get something today. All the more reason to “amp it up” and challenge myself to walk more so I can see how small I can get by Spring 2013.
Thank you again for all your inspiring writing! Keep up the great work!
Ryan
Yes, I remember you, Ryan! Those are FREAKING AMAZING results, man! Congratulations!!!
Oh my gosh, I can’t tell you how good that makes me feel to have been a little part of that life change for you! I’m so excited for this new start in your life. You’re opening so many new doors for yourself!
How does walking a 5k in the spring sound as a goal?? I know you can do it!
Thank you for the compliments on the hair! And thank YOU for inspiring me with your awesome results! You’re making it happen, man!
I know I overused exclamation points in this comment, but hey. It’s a shouty, exciting comment! ;)
Thanks for the encouragement Amy! As far as the 5k that would certainly be a challenge to conquer. I am hoping with the weight loss that my asthma gets better and I will be able to participate in some sort of physical challenge come March/April 2013.
Oh and if anyone is wondering why I’ve just been giving pant sizes and not weight it’s quite simple – I don’t own a scale. Maybe I’ll get one soon but plainly stated I was just too fat to have one before.
I think pants size is a much better measure to go by, Ryan! Weight is fickle, and doesn’t necessarily mean that you are going down in size. One of my clients only went down 3 pounds over the last month, but her body fat went down almost 5%! That’s no small feet!
Amy,
I just saw your 5 minute workout video on youtube and I am trying it in a few minutes. You gave me another great idea and saved me a few bucks in the process. I was thinking about purchasing velcro/strap-on weights for my arms to use on my daily walks. Your idea of using the gallon water bottles on your 5 minute workout gave me the idea of walking with a gallon bottle in each hand and lifting as my arms naturally move during the walk. I hope to be able to move into more aerobic style exercises shortly as my aches and pains are going away and and an overall feeling of energy and determination get stronger day by day.
Awesome, Ryan! That’s a good idea! Crazy to think that those weights you’re strapping on used to be the weight you carried around with you all the time, isn’t it? :)