I Dare Me

New Year’s Day, 2011. The weather is cold and windy at the Jersey shore.  Lu Ann Cahn is an investigative reporter who covers breaking news investigative stories for NBC 10 news in Philadelphia and a breast cancer survivor. Standing on the beach with dozens of eager members of the Polar Bear Club, Lu Ann prepares herself to dash into the freezing waters of the Atlantic Ocean as a participant in the Annual Polar Bear plunge.  As she strips down into her bathing suit, she questions her judgement and sanity and wonders how in the world she got here.
 
A few months before the Polar Bear Plunge, Lu Ann felt stuck in her life.  She had a successful career, a good family life and was in good health, but felt like she was just treading water. The excitement had gone out of life. She wasn’t growing anymore.   A change was needed.  Lu Ann made a decision that for the next 365 days, she would try at least one new thing every day.  
 
Some of the changes were big like travelling to New Zealand. Some were small like cutting down a Christmas tree or eating a McRib sandwich. Some were uncomfortable like going an entire day without a mirror or not saying anything negative in a day. Some were emotional and rewarding like helping an accused murderer turn himself in to the authorities.   All of the 365 ”firsts” together changed her life.
 
In 2013, Lu Ann published, “I Dare Me, How I rebooted and recharged my life by doing something new every day”, a book of her experiences.  
 
Here are some of the lessons learned from Lu Ann Cahn’s ”I Dare Me” year along with how they can relate to your fitness routine.
 
 
Small Changes
“It’s the smallest changes that eventually change everything.”
Starting a new exercise program or adding more water to your daily nutrition  are small changes that can have significant long-term effects on your health and fitness.  Small changes made over a long period of time will produce enormous results.  Change does not have to be hard or large. Adding 5pounds to an exercise, increasing repetitions or decreasing rest time between exercises every few weeks can add up to large fitness and strength gains.

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