the I AM WORTH IT CHALLENGE #1

[mrs.davis1021]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Tuesdays Assigmment

DAY 2 Tuesday


1. Make a list of things that you view as positive about yourself. This can be things ranging from nice feet to great hair or the inward things such as a good organizer. Maybe being trustworthy is your stong point. Whatever you view as the postitives, list those things. Post the list here and in your personal journal.

* Im a very loving and giving person. I will always help a friend in need. I like my hair most of the time and I think I have nice lips. Im great at my job.

2. List the positive effects Atkins WOE has had on you. Post this list here and in your personal journal.

* My favorite thing about this WOE is the improvment in my mood and no more mood swings. I think thats probably my husbands favorite thing as well. Obviously I love that Im losing weight and looking better in my clothes. A boost in self confidence comes along with that and it is much needed. Not being a slave to food is also a benefit that I appreciate. Im not constantly thinking about food and feeling guilt over the foods I eat.

3. List 3 negative things about you and a course of action you could take to turn those negatives into postitives. Again, this list should be posted here and in your journal.

* I am much too negative. I need to learn to appreciate the positive things in my life and work to improve the things that make me unhappy rather than just dwelling on them.

I am a very giving person. Yes - in the way that it is a positive thing it is also a negative thing. I give to the point that I drain myself, and end up feeling resentful. I need to set limits for myself and not be afraid to say no.

I have low self esteem and feel unsure of myself alot of the time. This is the thing that I need to work on the hardest. It affects my life and the lives of the people close to my on a daily basis. I feel that this WOE has already begun to improve the way I feel about myself and this great challenge also seems to be something that will help. I need to be less critical of myself.

4, Write out the following and place it in your wallet or purse:
I DON'T NEED OTHER PEOPLES CONFIRMATION TO DETERMINE MY OWN SELF WORTH.

* DONE!

[dreamof145]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

In reply. I was in the hospital three seperate times since doing Atkins. Once I was in for 6 days and the other two were for 4 days each. I did dig into my 'stash' a few times, but found the servings at the hospital were very plentiful and I wasn't very hungry anyways. I spent most of my time medicated and sleeping.

My 'hospital foods' were familiar foods that I eat regularly anyways, but I suggest that if others have foods that are more agreeable with them, to either bring them or see if family members can bring them. I know a few of the people on my floor had people bring foods to them and the hospital staff didn't have a problem with it. I know if you are on restricted items then it wouldn't be allowed.

The main thing is to think ahead, consider what problem areas they might encounter during their stay and try to work it out ahead of time with the dietician. I've found that the dieticians are anxious to please the patients and if you ask, they will help you work out a solution to your concerns. (At least in my case (two different hospitials) they were more than willing to work with me.) Had they not been as cooperative with me, I'm sure my 'stash' would have been different.

Another thing I did that tied into my 'hospital plan' was to plan my meals after I came home. Before I went into the hospital...I had the freezer stacked with meals that I froze so I could have people pop them into the microwave or heat them up without trouble.

[destynie]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Tuesdays Assigmment

DAY 2 Tuesday


1. Make a list of things that you view as positive about yourself.

good dancer, creative, stable, thinker, intellegent, nice eyes, good shape (could be better though lol)

2. List the positive effects Atkins WOE has had on you. Post this list here and in your personal journal.

weight loss (of course), makes me eat at home more and shop and cook more healthy

3. List 3 negative things about you and a course of action you could take to turn those negatives into postitives.

procrastinator - I will try to live for the day more.. live for the present
self confident - well atkins is helping with that day by day
chubby - again... atkins is helping with that

4, Write out the following and place it in your wallet or purse:
I DON'T NEED OTHER PEOPLES CONFIRMATION TO DETERMINE MY OWN SELF WORTH.

DONE

[hopejoy]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Tuesdays Assigmment

Positives: 1)Teeth, hair, personal hygiene 2) creative 3) warm, caring
Positives effects due to Atkins: 1) losing wt 2) hope for the future in avoiding diabetes, heart desease and stroke 3) increased possitive additude and improved mood.
Negatives I can change and how: 1) flabby bellly: ab challenge, yoga, walking, atkins woe. 2) negative thoughts about self and wt: keep checking in with this forum... always helps me to have more possitive additude and thoughts and feel less along in this struggle 3) procrastination: do it now! make lists and prioritize... helps me to remember and focus.

[Atkid]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

Planning ahead is a good thing. The last two long trips I made, one to PA in 2002 and one to MN in 2004 I planned ahead to make sure I had my atkins friendly foods available. In our ice chest I kept cheesesticks, hard boiled eggs, and a couple of Atkins Vanilla shakes. The hardboiled eggs were a nice snack when the others grabbed a bag of chips at the gas station and such. I was able to find porkrinds at most of the service stations if I felt like eating that. We were lucky to find hotels that offered continental breakfasts in the morning that served eggs and sausage so that worked for me. On the days they didn't have eggs available I grabbed either a cheesestick or some of the cream cheese that you can find on the breakfast bar for those who eat the bagels. Anyhow, both my trips were successful as far as my eating and in both instances I came home lighter than when I left. I am headed back to PA in the beginning of August and quite prepared as to what to pack to keep from straying off the WOE!

* Editing to add...I always have an icechest full of water.

[hopejoy]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

I am thinking that tomorrow I will cook up a bunch of eggs and make some deviled eggs, a casserole, or two so that when I am working over the weekend I will have some things already prepared... makes it so much easier. Have to use my time off to the fullest advantage so that when I work 3 days in a row 10 hours shifts I don't feel over tired. Have loved the meals I have been making. Put some stuffed peppers in the freezer today for work meals (each in individual containors)
So oftain not only am I making my dinner, I have to make some thing for the family too. Feel rushed and stressed just trying to get out the door. The crock pot is my friend and I need to use it more especially for my family. Have a great recipe book. need to utilize that more. So easy to tweek recipes and make them atkins friendly.
So much to do all the time have to prioritize and take care of myself.
liz

[CDRAKE1234]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

I hear ya hopejoy, working nights, 3 days in a row, meals can be difficult. Normally my family eats what I eat. That is the easiest thing that I can do to plan my meals. Do you have any suggestions about some low-carb crock pot meals?

[Fatalblue]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

That's great thinking Becky. I never would have thought about being forced to eat non-legal foods in a hospitalization situation. It's a good thing they're so flexible, and you were clever to speak with them ahead of time!

The only times I am confronted with low carb dilemas are when I got out to eat with others, not at restaurants but at their homes. At least at a restaurant there's always something on the menu to eat or you can get them to tweek it and make it low carb. Whenever I'm invited to dinner at a friends house, I always call and ask what they will be serving. I used to feel pretty lame asking this but I found that when I explain how hard I've worked and how long I've come, I think they understand. Usually if there is not suitable food on the menu I bring extra things (potluck style) not just for myself but for everyone to share. Chicken Caesar salads and deviled eggs are usually welcome additions to any meal.

I also plan when I go to a celebration. If there are going to be goodies I bring a low carb dessert with me because I fear that temptation the most. My sweet tooth can be deadly! For my boyfriend's birthday he wanted icecream sundaes. For myself, I made a small batch of low carb vanilla ice cream and low carb whipped cream. I topped it off with some nuts and sliced strawberries.... sooooo good!

Tonight I prepared my snacks for the hike I'm having tomorrow: cheese sticks, jerky, nuts, and an atkins advantage bar (I only use the atkins bars on hikes, they travel well).

[esclottes]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Tuesdays Assigmment

DAY 2 Tuesday


1.Postitives - i'm very patient, I'm a good teacher, positive outlook on life, never give up, love to laugh.

2. positive effects Atkins WOE has had on me- has helped with cravings, helps me not feel so bloated, helps with anxiety, helps me not live my life around food, makes me feel truly full after each meal.

3. List 3 negative things - always tired. hopefully eating and exercising will give me the energy I want. Procastinator-I will try baby steps to get things done. I watch too much TV-I'm trying not to turn it on until 8:00pm.

[Alexa]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

Hello everyone, this is a very thought provoking post.

Becky - it was amazing to have such a flexible dietician and hospital willing to accomodate your food plans. I'd be interested to hear if anyone in the UK has ever tried anything like this, as I imagine it would be harder to do this in a NHS situation.

TNM - sorry to hear you had such trouble with foods, I hope the situation gets easier for you soon.

As for me NOT planning was my big downfall several times, for example going out to eat and not checking the menu first or going on a trip without foods - then I would cheat afterwards because I was out of ketosis, I may as well enjoy foods I'd been missing, right? Anyway once I got serious about not cheating I got into planning big time - I make 2 lunches the day before and take them out and about. When I have been on conferences and the breakfast is literally all illegal I have survived on a stash of nuts, hard boiled eggs, berries, and veggies. Celery and cherry tomatos travel quite well and don't go limp too quickly if you don't have access to a fridge. My relatives and some friends have got used to me showing up with a load of food.

I am worried about going to see a friend in Paris this year because she is a vegetarian who eats very little. I used to be a veggie to, and always used to eat veggie with her. I don't want to tell her about Atkins and I don't know if I'll be able to take lots of food on the Eurostar?! Any thoughts?

Fatalblue - I usually eat out with friends, but am fearful of having to eat at their houses! Your idea to take a legal dish to share is a great idea

One thing I could improve on is storing meals so I don't have to cook dinner from scratch everyday! But, I don't have a freezer, so my options I kind of limited...

Also, we haven't mentioned, but maybe it is coming up is about planning exercise. Do people plan their week of exercise, their day or just do whatever in the gym? Lately I'm thinking a plan for the week would ensure I get everything covered I want to. Also planning when to exercise is important. I know if I leave something for late in the evening I am unlikely to do it, so should plan to get up early and fit it in there instead.

[*Emma*]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

Becky you're so good!! i would never of thought so deeply in to it! sure i would of ate low-carb but bringing things like that! i'll remember if i ever have a hospital stay!!

Fortunately i dont have much in my simple life that needs planning, my hospital stays are rarely over 3 hours, and i always eat a meal before going, if for any reason i would have to stay in i would for sure call family and put my orders in, but i cant see it ever happening!! I always have lil things over the house so i guess i plan somewhat, theres always blocks of cheese in the fridge, along with tinned tuna & salmon, chicken, boiled eggs, sandwich ham etc... oh and tonnes of bottled water!! i always have chilli frozen in the freezer which just needs a quick ding in the microwave, If i'm eating out i check the menu's online first and call to check things that look okay to make sure they are okay...

hmmm so i guess planning has become a part of my life, i didnt really realise i was doing it!!

baarb - how do you cope without a freezer?? oh my!! i dont think i could, i go shopping daily cos im fussy and i have to be in the mood to eat what im in the mood to eat, i just have the freezer stuff there for emergencies, friends giggle at my freezer its full of all different kinds of joints of meat - everything you could think of, and theres prolly one bag of cauli in there lmao, thas it! and considering i'm not the only person who lives here, its pretty good, my housemate will eat whatevers in, he very rarely brings legal stuffs into the house and if he does, it doesnt bother me anymore...

my god im going on arent i? see what happens when i spend 24 hours in bed? haha! my fingers get carried away!

however the "planning" of my legal stashes has come in very handy this week, being that ive just been diagnosed with glandular fever or "mono" to you americany people, i'm having to stay in doors really, dont want to be passing it on!! so i guess thats somewhere where my planning has come in!

TMN sorry to hear about all those foods buggering you up! i hope that can all change/get easier for you!

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

i know some of you are anxious to see the homework for the day. we can continue our discussion about planning and i am sure becky will be here part of this day for more chats, cause i have another question for her


here is part two of your homework assignment.

2. After the discussion, answer the following in this thread and in your journal:
Keeping in mind, that you are committed to getting to goal and you are WORTH IT, and stating the postitive things this WOE has done for you, how would you plan to stay the course for......

• a BBQ with non Atkins food?
• a friends wedding?
• the Thanksgiving or Christmas family dinner?
• a day of overwhelming chores?
• a vacation or as our UK members would state it, a holiday?
• keeping up with your exercise while in unique situations such as hotel stays and days of travel in cars

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

becky, some of us know that you travel with your husband from time to time in his truck. on these days and these drives, how is your WOE planned out? do you have favorite places to stop that you know you can order atkins friendly meals? i am thinking you carry along legal things in the truck, also.

[*Emma*]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

2. After the discussion, answer the following in this thread and in your journal:
Keeping in mind, that you are committed to getting to goal and you are WORTH IT, and stating the postitive things this WOE has done for you, how would you plan to stay the course for......

• a BBQ with non Atkins food?

easy peasy!!! everything without the bun!! and theres always a salad hanging about! i try and stay away from the burgers and sausages though as they usually have fillers in over here, depends where i am, if im at a friends i'll raid the bins for the packages first LOL

• a friends wedding?

Eat before i go, any friend of mine would know i'd need special requirements but in the case that they were too busy with their big day to remember i'd prolly take cheese sticks with me just in case, but theres always meats and veggies up for grabs isnt there

• the Thanksgiving or Christmas family dinner?

been there done the christmas thing, doesnt really bother me!! veggies and turkey! yum yum yum! my family think my WOE is great they know it works for me so i know they'd ensure there was legal stuffs for me to eat, i remember when i did atkins the first time round my bf's family called me for an induction friendly recipe for dessert, thought it was really cool of them!

• a day of overwhelming chores?

my house is full of preplanned stuff so i wouldnt really have to plan anything just for that, theres always stuffs on hand! eat first, take a break in the middle for a snack, and continue!

• a vacation or as our UK members would state it, a holiday?

depends where and how long, i think no matter where you go you can always get meats and veggies and salads, if its short distance then you can baggy up foods, generally i fly over 8 hours i order a "gluten free" meal on the plane, its usually gross though!! and if i remember rightly last time it was full of carrots... but i had eaten a nice meal before i boarded the plane so i was good to pass it, i was peckish towards the end of the flight so i pulled my baggies out of cheese and pepperoni! i was good to go!

• keeping up with your exercise while in unique situations such as hotel stays and days of travel in cars

get out and go for a walk/run!! exercise doesnt have to be in a gym!

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Wednesday's Assignment

emma, you are so far ahead of the game with your answers. the fact that your friends and family know how you eat and are willing to accommodate that is great.

homework assignment for wednesday

2. After the discussion, answer the following in this thread and in your journal:
Keeping in mind, that you are committed to getting to goal and you are WORTH IT, and stating the postitive things this WOE has done for you, how would you plan to stay the course for......

a BBQ with non Atkins food?
many times at a bbq, the cook will have meats that are prepared sauceless (is that a word?) the plan ahead of time would 1. don't go the bbq hungry. if i know there is nothing there i can eat, i eat ahead of time and show up past the desiginated start time for eating. 2. take some things along with you. in fact, you can offer ahead of time, to make something to go with the bbq that would be legal for you.

a friends wedding?
every wedding that i have gone to that has a buffet, there are always veggie trays and meat and cheese trays. the plan i have had from the very beginning of this is i just don't eat the cake. the bride and groom are not going to care if i don't eat the cake. not once have i passed up the cake and had a member of the bridal party jump my case cause i didn't eat the cake.
when i know the reception is very simple and no meal is going to prepared, i don't go hungry. basic and simple.

the Thanksgiving or Christmas family dinner?
this might have been the hardest for me but after my first thanksgiving after staring low carbing, i've learned much better. there is always turkey, ham, a roast, some kind of meat and usually 2 different kinds. this poses no problem.
i've taken dessert to some dinners so i knew there would be something for me.
green bean casseroles are quite often served with this two kinds of meals and i just don't eat the french fried onions. i go for the green beans.

a day of overwhelming chores?
i still have a bit of a problem with this. i get busy and forget to eat. i really need to learn to plan on stopping at a certain time to pause and eat. my middle of the day meal is basically a snack. a little cheese, some leftover meat or pepperoni and a 1/2 cup of dry roasted nuts. planning what to eat is not the problem but the planning of when to eat gets me some time.

a vacation or as our UK members would state it, a holiday?
jack is on board with my woe. he caters to it so when we do get to take some time away, he won't stop at fast food places. he stops at sit down and be waited on establishments, usually buffet. these places have lots of stuff that i won't eat but they always have meats including fish and lots of veggies that are raw and cooked. the plan we use as far as being in the truck has already been stated in the discussion. we have a plug in cooler that we can use for the things that need to be refrigerated and we have coolers for other things like nuts, fired peas and so on.

keeping up with your exercise while in unique situations such as hotel stays and days of travel in cars
since getting so much more into exercise than i ever was, each time we leave for an extended time, my weights, my stab. ball and pump travel with us. when we stop at roadside rests, i walk and so stretching exercises like hamstirng stretches while leaning on the car, bending to touch the ground and so on. while riding in the truck, i've done cheek squeezes, facial exercises and resistant moves for my arms, such as pushing one against the other.

i've been doing this long enough now that now of this really seems like a plan anymore. it's just what i do. it's my WOL. it doesn't seem odd to me to not have wedding cake or take legal foods to a dinner. it second nature to take some exercise equipment with me if we travel for more than a couple of days. our travel eating is just common place now.