the I AM WORTH IT CHALLENGE #1

[Luvmybabies]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

DAY 7 Tuesday
We Will Succeed

1. Examine your journal entries. Tell what changes in attitudes, feelings, etc. you may have had over the course of the past 7 or 8 days. Tell how this WOE and the feeling of BEING WORTH IT, will help you take control of stay on track. Tell of any insights or AH HA! moments you might have had during the time of this challenge.

I have actually stopped worrying the way I normally do. For instance, this week I actually had a .2 gain and I didn't get upset at all, just chalked it up to eating out a couple of times in the past week and made a decision to not eat out.

I have realized that I truly am doing this for myself, I'm not looking to anyone else to make me feel better about myself, this is all about me. My self esteem has had a major boost.

I need to be happy and healthy to do my best as mom and wife around here, so I really do need to come first - even just for a little time each day.

2. What positive changes are you looking forward to as you continue to make your journey doing Atkins?

I'm looking forward to losing more weight, toning my body, being the healthiest I can be.

I'm looking forward to becoming a more active part of this board, I love it here.

I'm looking forward to buying some new clothes when I am closer to goal!

As with the assignments use your journal and use this thread to post your answers. See, the journaling had a purpose.

Will do, I am so happy that I joined in this challenge - it really has been SO helpful to me.

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

Well, I can say that making the conscious effort of reading through inspiring posts and answering made me more committed to the WOE. I was about to give up before this challenge...and now I am in for the long run! I have started monitoring my food intake more carefully with fitday (I bought the PC version so I can use it when I have no internet connection!).

Thank you for this challenge!

and that is what brings it home for me.

the hours, the planning, the pm's, the time on the board and even the frustrations, has been well worth the effort just to see this post.

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

DAY 7 Tuesday
We Will Succeed

1. Examine your journal entries. Tell what changes in attitudes, feelings, etc. you may have had over the course of the past 7 or 8 days. Tell how this WOE and the feeling of BEING WORTH IT, will help you take control of stay on track. Tell of any insights or AH HA! moments you might have had during the time of this challenge.

i am finding this is a bit hard to put into words. i've typed and deleted and had many passing thoughts. some can be said, some can't.

as i look at my journal entries, the first thing i am thankful for is the notes i wrote to myself. reading those as i bike or weigh, as i do laundry or open the frig have been a good reinforcement for me.
i am always coming to a better understanding that my worth is not based on what anybody thinks of me. maybe this is a process of getting older. maybe it comes with losing weight.

as far as an AH HA! moment, i guess one would be the assignment on day 2. just putting things into words about what i expect from others. it's quite different to actually see it in print. will i continue to expect much? probably so. can i do anything about someone not sticking to a commitment? no. and that is what i must get a grip on. in their lack of commitment, i must not take it personnally and i must not let it have bearing on how i feel about my efforts or my self worth to the board or life outside of the board.

2. What positive changes are you looking forward to as you continue to make your journey doing Atkins?

low carb is just a no brainer to me now. i've done it for so long. my looking forward moments now will continue to be vigilant with my exercise and
continue to see how my body is changing. my body is stonger than it's been in a long long time.

POSITIVE ~ i have not always been the most positive person and this is a struggle for me. i'm much much better than i was before but must commit to stive to always be better.

PLAN ~ some things i can do something about and some things i can't. i will continue to set things in motion that will benefit my success.

LEARN ~ i will continue to learn things about myself. the inner workings of jimmie jo. there's a scary thought! a positive from that is that as i learn, others will reap some of the rewards.

SUCCEED ~ no doubts! i may not accomplish a goal the first time out and i may falter along the way but i will continue my journey, whatever the situation, and be successful at journeys end.

because this is my post and i'm feeling very "deep" this morning, i'm pasting the quotes i used on thursday assignment

BELIEVEinYOURSELFandANYTHINGisPOSSIBLE
Gonna stop talkin' about it and make it happen!
A goal, a love and a dream give you total control over your body and your life.
A goal without a plan is just a wish. -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Only request in my behalf both inward and outward strength...that I may not merely be called a Christian, but really be found to be one." -- St. Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Romans
Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

just look at some of the comments ya'll have made so far:

my ah ha moment was peoples wonderful comments about me in one of the days challenges, that meant so much to me - that i was actually paying it forward,.....
HEY! I guess I'M WORTH IT!! and THAT is a fantabulous feeling

This challenge has renewed my committment to myself and I once again realize in order to be the best mom, wife, sister, grandma - I need to make myself happy and healthy first. I'm back and feeling worthy of being the best I can be for me and it will flow over into all areas of my life.

I have no doubts that I will stay on track--I'm more committed than ever.

I was going through a blah period but now I feel more motivated. I learned that whatever I may be feeling about this diet, my weight, this board, etc that others have or do feel the same and I'm not alone

....even though I'm a newbie, I still can be valuable to fellow board members and an ambassador to the Atkins WOL!

This wol helped me realize that it's o.k. to put ME first. This challenge helped me get back on track once and for all.

I love this board so much and I hope to keep contributing in a positive way. This challenge has helped me to come out of my shell a bit. Something I really needed to do!

I was about to give up before this challenge...and now I am in for the long run!

I have realized that I truly am doing this for myself, I'm not looking to anyone else to make me feel better about myself, this is all about me. My self esteem has had a major boost

my goodness, i feel like a proud parent!

[WindCriesMary]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Monday Assignment ~ 17 June

Sorry I didn't get this done yesterday Ms. Jimmie, I sprained my ankle (grr!) yesterday and spent the day getting therapied and staying elevated. I did get part 2 yesterday, And I'm off to do part one now.

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Monday Assignment ~ 17 June

good girl, mary, i had no doubt that you would be posting.
so sorry about the ankle. ouch!

[WindCriesMary]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment



1. Examine your journal entries. Tell what changes in attitudes, feelings, etc. you may have had over the course of the past 7 or 8 days. Tell how this WOE and the feeling of BEING WORTH IT, will help you take control of stay on track. Tell of any insights or AH HA! moments you might have had during the time of this challenge.

I've realized that paying it forward, and recognizing others' successes has a profoundly positive effect on my outlook, and when my outlook is positive my desire to continue a clean woe increases by a magnitude.

And I had an a-ha moment yesterday when my dh gave me a pat on the rear as he passed by and said how small it was getting and how he would miss it (BLESS his heart!). A vague thought of along the lines of 'well honey, to keep you happy...' floated in my head but was ruthlessly and instantly kicked to the curb by the next thought: 'No! I NEED to lose it, for MY health.' I don't think I've ever been so forceful in my desire and commitment since this challenge!

2. What positive changes are you looking forward to as you continue to make your journey doing Atkins?

I'm looking forward to smaller sizes of course, but also to this wonderful freedom from food. Yes I need it, but I get to choose now, how much and what kind. I get to control the food now and it's a wonderful feeling let me tell ya!

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

ya'll are making it difficult for me. i want to give out your ribbons today! you now how i like giving awards!
i have the power to give them anytime, right?
it's totally at my discrection, right?


i'm just so proud of the posts i've seen and mary, you've added some very positive comments to go along with the others. this one pleases me most.....

I don't think I've ever been so forceful in my desire and commitment since this challenge!

[Adena]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

DAY 7 Tuesday
We Will Succeed

1. Examine your journal entries. Tell what changes in attitudes, feelings, etc. you may have had over the course of the past 7 or 8 days. Tell how this WOE and the feeling of BEING WORTH IT, will help you take control of stay on track. Tell of any insights or AH HA! moments you might have had during the time of this challenge.
I had gotten lazy over the past two months, both about my exericise and food. This challenge helped remind me that I am worth, that Atkins is SO worth the dedication, small sacrifices, and commitment. I was ready to return to induction to get myself back on track (something I've never done before), but this challenge reminded me of how to use ALL the tools at my disposal correctly -- without resorting to more drastic, restrictive measures that could be harder rather than easier to stick to. And paying it forward (in places I don't normally go) is always a great exercise and reminder -- I had practically forgotten those other parts of the board existed!

My ah-hah came as I watched the scale inch down over the past week and my clothes got noticably looser: when I do this program correctly -- it works!! Gee, who woulda thunk it??

2. What positive changes are you looking forward to as you continue to make you journey doing Atkins?

I am looking forward to continuing to make exercise a regular part of my life. I want to keep participating in races and see progress with my weight training. I want to say clean and cheat-free... I've never declared that, but I've learned over the past two months what a slippery slope that can be. Fortunately, I haven't slid too much, but I sure haven't progressed much UP the mountain either, which is the direction I want to go!

[elsy]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

DAY 7 Tuesday
We Will Succeed

1. Examine your journal entries. Tell what changes in attitudes, feelings, etc. you may have had over the course of the past 7 or 8 days. Tell how this WOE and the feeling of BEING WORTH IT, will help you take control of stay on track. Tell of any insights or AH HA! moments you might have had during the time of this challenge.
With no doubt, after reading everyone’s posts every single day, my ah ha moment was when it finally sunk in that I wanted to lose weight for all the wrong reasons. I wanted to do it to please others more than anything else. Thanks to this challenge, I have learned that I will do it for me. That I AM WORTH the effort, the wait, the money I spend on good food, and the new clothes I buy as I change sizes. I learned that this is a lifelong commitment and not a race where I can win a prize, hang it on my wall, and then forget all about it. I already won that race and that prize several times before. Those are the pictures of the slender/healthy me that now sit in my old photo albums. This time my prize will be the person I see in the mirror for the rest of my life. I have finally made peace with myself. Thanks Jimmie for doing this.
2. What positive changes are you looking forward to as you continue to make your journey doing Atkins? I want to learn as much as possible from everyone here. But most importantly, I have learned to plan in advance for different situations and not use the excuse that “I had no choice but to cheat.” That will not be an option anymore. And to be honest, before this challenge, I had already planned to cheat when my sister and her family come to visit on vacation. I was just gonna start all over again once they left. I didn’t know I had a choice, but it’s up to me. Now I do. Thanks everyone.

As with the assignments use your journal and use this thread to post your answers. See, the journaling had a purpose.

[kisstuck]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Monday Assignment ~ 17 June

Done!!

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

i wish ya'll could see the smile that i get on my face when i read your posts.

elsy this line is exactly one of the reasons this challenge came into being........

....and not use the excuse that “I had no choice but to cheat.”

you've now learned that you do have choices and make plans and good decisions when the company comes.

adena, i'm so glad that you got out of journals for awhile. from one ex-hostess to a current one, you need to do that more often.

This challenge helped remind me that I am worth, that Atkins is SO worth the dedication, small sacrifices, and commitment

couldn't have said it better.

[sillygirl]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

1. Examine your journal entries. Tell what changes in attitudes, feelings, etc. you may have had over the course of the past 7 or 8 days. Tell how this WOE and the feeling of BEING WORTH IT, will help you take control of stay on track. Tell of any insights or AH HA! moments you might have had during the time of this challenge.

The thing that dawned on me is that it's all about self sabotage. Eating and food have always been a substitute for something in my life. Eat when I'm happy, eat when I'm sad, eat at a party, eat after a dispute with DH, eat after a bad day at work, eat instead of doing something productive, eat whenever. Food has been a reward or a comfort to my soul.

I don't need to sabotage my body with food. I don't need that kind of comfort anymore. I can eat healthy, exercise and feel really good about myself without extra food for comfort. I know what choices to make so I move forward. I AM WORTH IT!

2. What positive changes are you looking forward to as you continue to make your journey doing Atkins?

I'm looking forward to aging in a slim, healthy body. Eating this way helps my skin, I believe I even glow! I look forward to being a happy person without food. I look forward to living my life without that feeling of OMG I'm so fat I will never lose weight.

Great challenge Ms. Jimmie! It's been an eye opener and self esteem builder!

[LooseShoes]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

We Will Succeed

1. Examine your journal entries. Tell what changes in attitudes, feelings, etc. you may have had over the course of the past 7 or 8 days. Tell how this WOE and the feeling of BEING WORTH IT, will help you take control of stay on track. Tell of any insights or AH HA! moments you might have had during the time of this challenge.
Took a while to examine and read over everything. The notes I posted helped. I am worth the effort-I posted one note that was on a GA t-shirt,"I believe in God and He believes in me."

I am a better mom now. I don't just come home from work sit in front of the TV and eat. I exercise with my daughter. My son sees me taking control and sticking with this. He's even talking about doing the ab workout. I've been taking control of my house and cleaning it up. I've got too much to do to obsess about food.

At the same time, I do plan to stay on this WOE. I don't tend to plan well as a rule, but I'm able to if it's important to me. This WOE IS important to me. I make the effort to exercise even when it's not convenient. I make sure I have legal food available and ready. I make sure I'm drinking my water. I take my vitamins.

The influence and support of this board is invaluable to me. I lurked for months before I posted, and no way would I have stayed doing this WOL without it. I appreciate the long-timers here who have wisdom and help us. I appreciate the honesty of the members who mess up, but get back on track and keep trying. I may just have to find my own saying to inspire others. It helps me to stay on track to encourage others. I'm encouraging myself at the same time. Thank you, Jimmie for thinking this up to help us get re-focused and re-committed. You've got a really big heart.

Those were the insights, now on to changes. I believe this challenge has helped me be more positive about myself. I'm pretty good about encouraging others, but I don't always feel that I'm that great. My Dad used to say, "Brag on yourself, nobody else will." He didn't say that to make me be conceited, I think he saw that I don't see myself as positively as he thought I should. Looking back, I have accomplished a lot. I am worth being looked up to and admired by myself and others. I am special, and I am of great worth!

2. What positive changes are you looking forward to as you continue to make your journey doing Atkins?
I'm looking forward to having a flat stomach. I'm looking forward to coming out of my shell and being more social. I'm looking forward to being stronger and healthier from exercising. I'm looking forward to making this a permanent way of life and eating.

As with the assignments use your journal and use this thread to post your answers. See, the journaling had a purpose.

Aw, Jimmie, you always have a purpose! Thank you so much for the journey this week! You're great!

[Fuschia]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Final Assignment

I know I'm a little more hopeful regarding weight loss, and hopefully (no pun intended) I'm also a little more positive regarding my outlook on life. It may take a while for me to "digest" this challenge and it's effects.

I'm looking forward to being able to buy cute clothes. But I'm also looking forward to better health along with being able to do the between classes run on campus without feeling like I'm dying. I also guess that there is something I'll really like about losing the weight that I won't even know until I look at myself in the mirror one morning and see it. I'll let you guys know about that when it happens.