Even though we have done the Body-for-LIFE Challenge several times, I am surprised at what I am still learning. (It was our very first challenge, in 2000, when we became Body-for-LIFE Champions.)

Every other time, starting an “official” challenge each year just involved being a little more focused and “hard core” than we had previously been. But since we were already all-BFL, all-the-time, it wasn’t much of a change.

However, this time it is different.

Looking back, before last week I had really taken some time off. Yes, I followed Body-for-LIFE throughout my pregnancy with Dominic, though I was not able to hit my level 10’s in either cardio or weight training. Besides a few weeks of being EXTREMELY tired, I completed all of my workouts most of the time. While most people were telling me to eat whatever I wanted, I continued to eat pretty good the whole nine months. But I wasn’t nearly as intent as I had been for the previous years.

Since Dominic was born, it has been a year of believing that there will ever again be a normal, a pattern, a schedule. In the last week, when I demanded of myself to get in all of my cardio workouts, all of my workouts, and never to skip a meal (or cheat, for that matter), I have realized that I may never again have a normal schedule. Fitting it all in was going to take some creative thinking and flexibility as well.

Alas, I was able to get it all in with the help of my family.

The family got together. The family talked together. My sister called to say “I’ve got exactly 25 minutes. Do you want me to come watch Dominic so that you can get your workout in?” It was awesome.

I believe Gino’s idea of getting the family together to complete this challenge is going to make a huge difference for all of us. I found help in surprising places. Gino enjoys the friendly competition with others in the family. The entire family is more focused on their health.

From what I can tell, this is a no-lose challenge.

My question for you . . . who is around you that would benefit by joining you for the rest of your 12 weeks? How could you help them? How will they help you? What are you waiting for? Shoot them an email…