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Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it. Lao Tzu I can't believe another challenge cycle has spun around again. The new timeframe seems to be uncannily aligned with my life's rhythms, to boot. Life is frequently like that.Last challenge I learned much - so very very much - about how love is stronger than fear. It was a lesson I understood intellectually, but had no true grasp on, and I delved in to put the principle into practice.It was as hard as it sounds. At times, I could not imagine how to release the fear, let alone find the love, but it was there, the whole time, waiting for me, whenever I was ready to receive.And now, armed with a new understanding, I can move into practice a step further, finding strength in the softness, in the compassion, in the unity. For we are all one; to injure anyone is to injure myself. I have no enemies other than myself. Unity can heal all divides.This challenge I flow forth as water: welcoming, accepting, unifying, undeniable strength through nurturing and softness. My tools along the journey are simplicity, gratitude, stillness. The sauna and the hot tub, the keyboard and printer are my allies. As a river does not flow in a vacuum, I will lean on my supporters and support others in turn. We will do more, together.

This challenge is inspired by heat conditioning research, see the video below. I tried a weight-loss goal last challenge and well... I learned that doesn't motivate me and I crashed and burned on that goal. I am all about feeling good. I enjoy how I feel after lifting and I enjoy how I feel when I am eating well and have lots of energy. When I am lifting I eat better and sleep better. My shoulder is still sensitive and improving. I am going to be easy with it and not push too hard. I am thinking working out twice a week, once during the week and once during the weekend. Maybe Thursday/Friday and Sat/Sun options. 12 times lifting and 12 sessions in the sauna will be the goal for the challenge. Lifting Goals I am starting back to an empty bar and keep learning about good form. With 5lbs increases my goals are as follows: Squats - 100lbs Bench press - 70lbs Row - 70lbs Dead lift - 70lbs No overhead press - too hard on my shoulder I need a replacement for that. Maybe just dumbbell lifts? All those goals are under my top weights from a year ago before my shoulder issue so I feel comfortable with them. Sauna Currently I can do 20 minutes without any issues. During the week I will do 20-30 minute sessions During the weekend I will work toward 30-60 minute sessions as I build up tolerance. The sauna heat conditioning is new to me. I have used saunas thoughout my life, however this is intense use. I don't normally do well during the hot summer days, luckily we don't get that many in Buffalo So this heat conditioning could be helpful for me. In highschool playing tennis on hot days would ruin me. I get really red and sweaty in temps higher than 80 and nearly pass out. Now if I run into issues I will cut back or stop. I do already add salt to my diet on a daily basis. (Doctors orders when I was in my 20s to help with fainting spells.) Fancy pink Himalayan salt of course! I also take supplements and drink 2-3 bottles of Pellegrino sparkling water and some still water esp when I am working out, BP coffee in the morning and peppermint tea thoughout the day. It is all just an experiment in wellness. It is a better motivator for me than a weigh-loss goal. I think I have given up on those! If I lose weigh ok if not thats ok too. I am feeling better than ever, and I am looking younger and younger. My skin is in great shape, I still get some break out issues when I eat the wrong thing. I get red blotches on my cheeks and sometimes my whole face gets red and itchy. I am interested in the effect of sauna use on my skin. The research about growth hormones and aging is interesting as well. I will admit I love looking so young and people are shocked when they learn how old I am. So I am going to keep going with it, I am naturally young looking and I can make choices to keep looking that way. I have lots of energy, I am in a good place mentally; spiritual development is coming along as well. I like to listen to Ken Wilber, Osho talks and meditate using Holosync and enjoy experimenting with that as well. I am hoping this challenge is clear and simple enough that I can be successful with it. Anything else I do will be icing on the cake. The yoga ball therapy, gratitude statements, yoga, belly dancing, diet changes (always on-going!), skin issues, the black color clothes break-up, etc... those are just extras. Of course my challenges start out with one thing in mind and ends up somewhere different. We will see where this next challenge takes me! Thanks for reading this.

hi. so in 24 hour fitness bonita branch in chula vista california... they have steam room and sauna... so which on is better? which one should i go in first and which is second.. the other is so dry and the other is steamy.. any ideas people? thanks!!!

How often can I use a sauna to sweat off a few lbs with out harming myself? I returned from a vacation 5lbs heavier than I left and when I returned I went to the sauna at my gym. After about an hour of sitting in the sauna, cooling down, taking a cold shower, and repeatinga few times I checked my weight and I was down a total of 2lbs. I really enjoyed my experience with the sauna and want to go again soon, but I am weary of using it too much and getting dehydrated. But I really, really want to do it again soon.