the I AM WORTH IT CHALLENGE #1

[jimmie 48]

I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Friday's Assignment

DAY 5 Friday
1. Share with the other Challengers, the positive coments you have received as you have lost weight and increased your exercise. Comment on how those remarks made you feel.

2. Think of how you can be positive when negative remarks are made to you.
State your positive answers to the following:

"Atkins is a fad diet that doesn't work. Why would you choose to do that diet anyway? You know people die from eating no carbs."

"You've never stuck with anything. Why not just eat what you want and be happy?"

"Your exercise is getting you nowhere. I don't see any changes whatsoever."

"Come on, it's the best carrot cake ever made! It's made special from the Carbs-R-Us Bakery. One piece is not going to kill you."

edit
*There will be no homework assignments for the weekend (Saturday and
Sunday). We will resume the challenge on Monday and wrap it up on Tuesday. Participation Awards will be given out on Wednesday to those who complete the daily assigments.

[*Emma*]

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

DAY 5 Friday
1. Share with the other Challengers, the positive coments you have received as you have lost weight and increased your exercise. Comment on how those remarks made you feel.

had quite a few lately, must beginning to show now, as ya know, for people ya see everyday its hard for them to notice... hmm what have i had lately..

"Wow Em, you look great! Atkins again i take it?" LOL
"Geez! how much weight have you lost, you look really stunning Emma"
"you? swimming? whats wrong with you?" heh
my best friend - "omg! i dont know what it is today but i can REALLY tell youve lost weight, you're doing so well"

Of course all the remarks make me feel great, i know how hard it can be for some people to make comments, cos in some ways its like sayin "you look great, you were really fat before" or something along those lines, when my nearest n dearest say stuff it means the world to me, they know how hard i work with this WOE so its nice to get compliments in return,

2. Think of how you can be positive when negative remarks are made to you.
State your positive answers to the following:

"Atkins is a fad diet that doesn't work. Why would you choose to do that diet anyway? You know people die from eating no carbs."

I'm sure they do, however i DO eat carbs, i just eat the healthy ones, where you'll go to macdonalds and eat a full meal, i'll be sat here quite happily eating my steak salad, i choose the right carbs, my body thanks me for it by losing weight.

"You've never stuck with anything. Why not just eat what you want and be happy?"

"I'm happy eating what i want now, i love this "diet" losing weight is just a side effect."


"Your exercise is getting you nowhere. I don't see any changes whatsoever."

"Thats okay cos the changes aren't for anyone but me, i'm full of energy so i know theyre doing me some good."

"Come on, it's the best carrot cake ever made! It's made special from the Carbs-R-Us Bakery. One piece is not going to kill you."

"probably not kill me no, but the affect that would have on my blood sugar levels aint worth it, besides, i dont like carrot cake "

[Alexa]

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

Great assignment Jimmie!

My replies:
1. Share with the other Challengers, the positive coments you have received as you have lost weight and increased your exercise. Comment on how those remarks made you feel.

My BF often says "Are you gorgeous?" And then I say, "Mmm" and he makes me say "I am gorgeous" Lol When he's being more serious he says the difference is amazing and I look like I did when we met, which is great! I feel like my age again and sexier I guess...

My BF's Mum calls me 'Slim Jim' which is nice

My whole family have said various "Wow, you look amazing" which makes me feel so proud and loved.
A friend who never notices anything said "Alexa, you look mini!" which make me feel great and normal and I like I could just forget about being the big girl in the group



2. Think of how you can be positive when negative remarks are made to you.
State your positive answers to the following:

"Atkins is a fad diet that doesn't work. Why would you choose to do that diet anyway? You know people die from eating no carbs."
If I felt patient I'd say about how it's not no carbs, about how it is balanced, about being ketogenic rather than carb-burning, about how I've read around the subject. If they are rude or I'm sick of explaining it I tend to just say 'I'm a grown up, let me worry about it', or 'I won't come running to you when I die of no carbs'. Thankfully, I'm usually patient...


"You've never stuck with anything. Why not just eat what you want and be happy?"

I'd point out I've stuck with plenty but that finding the right 'diet' for you is essential. I've been doing this for 10 months - about 10x longer than anything else! Also I wasn't happy when I ate what I wanted - I was fat, irritable and annoyed at myself.

"Your exercise is getting you nowhere. I don't see any changes whatsoever."

Well I'd be pretty annoyed if someone said this - but if they were a close friend or relo I'd show them my measurements, and tell them about my progress from running 1 min at a time to 30 mins. If it was earlier in my journey I'd tell them it can take 6 months for some exercise to show and that 'geez, thanks for the support' I'd probably wonder why they were so negative, perhaps they need to join me in getting fit rather than sabotaging me!

"Come on, it's the best carrot cake ever made! It's made special from the Carbs-R-Us Bakery. One piece is not going to kill you."

Urghhh, I get this all the time from friends. I tend to say I promised I wouldn't cheat for 169 days and if I go back on that I won't respect myself as much. Also these days I don't want a piece of cake - yeah it will taste good (though not as good as the fantasy!) but I will get a headache, bloated and get off track. Not worth it. Also, I kind of enjoy being restrained whilst everyone else says 'Oh, go on then, I don't usually eat cake' etc and various other excuses.

[Luvmybabies]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Thursday Assignment

DAY 4 Thursday
We looked at some Positive things about ourselves and our WOE and WOL.
We have discussed how to Plan and things we can do to be prepared in certain situations.
Now we're going to Learn from others by looking at their motivation, outlook and success.

Can you think of a member of our board, someone who seems to be always at the top of their game in any situation? They think positive, they seem to plan everything that would influence this WOE and WOL.

Your boardwork for Thursday:

1. Think of a member of the ADBB that you believe is a positive influence. Find one positive post of the member and quote it here. Make sure the post has some "meat" to it and not just a word of Congratulations.

Outback Jess has had a very positive influence on me personally, I chose a quote from my journal - Jess replied to me when I was having a very blah and negative day. It honestly brought tears to my eyes when I read it.

Karen, you are NOT doomed! Listen to me girl friend, this is a long term journey, in the scope of the big picture, you have energy, that's fantastic. Every woman knows the pitfalls of emotions as their TOM comes knocking. We know we have a dip in our feelings, which we have learned to ignore and not listen to, and we know we will retain water, and we know we will probably feel terrible in our skin...so don't "go there" with the thoughts and feelings...
GREAT WHOOSIES are KNOWN to follow periods....I actually exercise my best when I have my period. I also look forward to expecting nothing for about 5 days and then on the other side, I feel a big whooshie and everything is so much better...
I've learned BIG PICTURE...there is so much more going on beside weightloss....
Put those numbers aside for now.
Do you feel better over all?
Do you have energy?
Is your eating under control?
Do you have a sense of hope?
Are your bloodsugar symptoms better, (ck the book pg 131 in my red one)
Are you really in a hopeful place with Atkins?

I am all of these things, not every minute, but generally my overall feeling is postive, even in the midst of loss and grief, I have a healthy feeling due to my bloodsugar being under control, my energy is up. My mood comes and goes and I just let that roll...I've learned at 50, there is alot you just let roll off! Bad moods don't always hold truth in them, because then the sun comes up again and we feel great!
Big PICTURE girlfriend, you are doing so great, don't let your mood control the other things you are having happen...go re-read your early posts, the excitement and amazement of energy!!!! You will love those pictures soon enough, because they will reflect where you were....my pictures were awful to look at in the beginning too. LOOK AT ME THEN and I felt so in control and thin in that black shirt, I was 3 weeks into atkins at that point...LOOK HOW FAT I WAS....Look at me now, the one with me and the dog. My eyes look tired/sad because I've lost my mother, my anchor my house-mate...she is gone, but I've also transformed my body! The pink shirt picture was me at mother's reception from the memorial service, I am in deep shock, but still I had such confidence that day, as I wore that shirt and headed off to a memorial service for Mom....wondering how I would hold up....Underneath I had yet to experience grief and the terrible darkness of it...
But here's the thing it will move through and pass and Atkins is there for me to hold onto all the way through...Eating right and exercising and one day the storm will pass and I will be intack because I refuse to allow my emotions to rule my choices....
You are doing awesome, our bodies often do their own thing, be patient with it!

2. Find 5 positive remarks in the signaures of other members and quote them here.

tmn - If its going to be....its going to be up to me!

msmichelle - "If it was easy, it wouldn't be worth it"

Lacelyn1031 - Its not about what I have to lose...its what I have to Gain!!!

Emma - Don't regret anything that ever made you smile.

ValidRouge - I can have excuses or I can have results, but I cannot have both.


3. Make a post, if you have not already done so, in the What excuse do you have...... thread. Be sure you read the first post so you know what kind of excuses are being asked for.

Done!

As with all the other assignments, record you entries here and in your journals.

[Alexa]

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

Lol, Emma I don't like carrot cake either! Forgot to say that

[julirama723]

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

DAY 5 Friday
1. Share with the other Challengers, the positive coments you have received as you have lost weight and increased your exercise. Comment on how those remarks made you feel.

"You look so young! You look like one of the High Schoolers."--This made me ecstatic; I had felt like my weight was aging me, and to lose the weight was like finding the fountain of youth.

"OH my gosh you're getting skinny!"--True, I had lost about 50 pounds at this point, but I was like, LOOK at me, I'm far from skinny! I think the person was trying to say "ok, we get it, now you can stop losing weight, I don't want you to be thinner that I am!"

"You look FABULOUS. What is your secret?"--I smiled with this one and said there was no secret, it was all due to eating healthy foods and exercising. You should have seen their faces fall. They were hoping it was some magic pill, I guess.

"Do you know how sexy you are?"--This one is from Geoff! He tells me this every single day, multiple times. He also adds that he's always thought I was sexy, and each day, he thinks I can't get any sexier, but yet somehow the next morning I wake up a little bit sexier than before.

"You look like a totally different person!"--You bet I do, and I FEEL like a totally different person!

I haven't had many bad reactions to comments and compliments. I don't usually get offended when someone compliments me now. Back when I weighed 265, I didn't FEEL good, so why would I assume that I conveyed positive feelings about myself? I think most of the comments I get have to do with radiance and confidence and a healthy glow, rather than my actual size. I emanate confidence now, and that's what people react to.

2. Think of how you can be positive when negative remarks are made to you.
State your positive answers to the following:

"Atkins is a fad diet that doesn't work. Why would you choose to do that diet anyway? You know people die from eating no carbs."

Well, it's not a diet--diets are used to lose 5 pounds so you can fit your butt into a dress. This is a way of eating that I'll follow from the rest of my life. And I guess it's a good thing I eat lots of healthy carbs from fruits and veggies everyday, or I guess I'd be dead already, huh?

"You've never stuck with anything. Why not just eat what you want and be happy?"

I am eating what I want, and yes, thank you, I'm extremely happy.

"Your exercise is getting you nowhere. I don't see any changes whatsoever."

May I suggest you get your eyes checked?

"Come on, it's the best carrot cake ever made! It's made special from the Carbs-R-Us Bakery. One piece is not going to kill you."

Yes it will, it will kill me, but the worst part is, I won't actually die until I'm 50, after my diabetes and high blood pressure has gotten the best of me. Who needs carrot cake? That's for old ladies and people on Weight Watchers. I think I'll just eat my chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce after I finish my filet mignon and butternut puree. Would you like another glass of malbec?

[Luvmybabies]

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

DAY 5 Friday
1. Share with the other Challengers, the positive coments you have received as you have lost weight and increased your exercise. Comment on how those remarks made you feel.
"Wow, I can see a big difference in your face - how much have you lost?!"
"What happened to you, you have so much energy lately!"

2. Think of how you can be positive when negative remarks are made to you.
State your positive answers to the following:

"Atkins is a fad diet that doesn't work. Why would you choose to do that diet anyway? You know people die from eating no carbs."

I didn't chose to do a diet, I chose to change my way of eating for good - I'm not on a diet, just simply made a lifestyle change that is allowing me to lose weight and feel great.

"You've never stuck with anything. Why not just eat what you want and be happy?"

When I was eating what I wanted to or what was convenient I was always sick, certainly not something to be happy about. I am however quite happy now!

"Your exercise is getting you nowhere. I don't see any changes whatsoever."

I can feel the changes - I have lots of energy, I am losing inches. Besides, I'm not exercising so that other people can see changes, I'm doing it for me.

"Come on, it's the best carrot cake ever made! It's made special from the Carbs-R-Us Bakery. One piece is not going to kill you."

No, it wouldn't kill me but I have no desire to be sick to my stomach later and feel horrible tomorrow because I ate it. I'll just stick with my own food, thanks.

[jimmie 48]

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

DAY 5 Friday
1. Share with the other Challengers, the positive coments you have received as you have lost weight and increased your exercise. Comment on how those remarks made you feel.

it has been awhile since i got compliments other than the ones here when the new pic was posted. i've been at virtually the same weight for some time now and the folks here didn't know me when i was fat. but, my sister brought clothes the other day and said;
"i'm too fat for this, i'll always be too fat for this but i think it would look great on you"

comments of the past have been along the lines of
"how much weight have you lost now? you look so tiny"
"oh i wish i could lose weight like you've done, you look so good"

my husband is my biggest supporter. he still comments things like:
"i am amazed at you all the time" (this came when i climbed to the summit of mount everest)
"dang, you're bony!" (i accept this as a compliment cause it means the fat isn't there anymore. lol

of course, the comments made me feel good and it gave me the pat on the back that was needed to keep doing what i was doing. when jack compliments me now, it really gives me a boost. we don't see so much of the changes anymore but he notices the commitment to keep working on things.


2. Think of how you can be positive when negative remarks are made to you.
State your positive answers to the following:

"Atkins is a fad diet that doesn't work. Why would you choose to do that diet anyway? You know people die from eating no carbs."
do you know how long atkins has been around? my gosh i did atkins back in 1975 and lived to tell about it. yes i got fat again but that was because i chose to not make it my way of life. you are misinformed by the media or whoever because atkins is not a no carb diet. the carbs i choose to eat are healthy carbs like what's in veggies, fruits and whole grains

"You've never stuck with anything. Why not just eat what you want and be happy?"
i have to try and in that there is success. the failure would be to never try and perhaps end up on meds for high blood pressure and a host of other diseased that afflict the overweight people of this nation. i've been eating what i want. how do you think i got fat? and look at me... am i happy being 50 pounds overweight? no, i'm not.

"Your exercise is getting you nowhere. I don't see any changes whatsoever."
maybe you don't see the changes because my shirt and pants are covering my waist and thighs but i am making changes and my body is stronger. do you know that before i started working out that my left arm hurt every time i raised it? look at this (raising arm without whincing). i owe that to working out. by the way, i've biked over 1000 miles and climbed 11,000 flights of stairs in the past year. what did you say you do to keep fit? i think i missed that.

"Come on, it's the best carrot cake ever made! It's made special from the Carbs-R-Us Bakery. One piece is not going to kill you."
no thanks! i use to get migraines all the time and since i've cut out eating cakes and sugary treats, i rarely have a headache. tell ya what, you just wrap up the piece i won't eat and take it home. you can have it for your midnight snack. how about trying this cheesecake desert i made?

[jimmie 48]

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

what a good day to be here! i am loving these answers! some are serious and some making me laugh and smile. i'm trying to picture you guys standing firmly planted while you say these things to people.

good job to everyone!

[tmn]

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

"Your exercise is getting you nowhere. I don't see any changes whatsoever."

May I suggest you get your eyes checked?

LOL!!

[steffee]

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

Can I join in? Been reading this challenge over the past few days, it's fantastic, by the way...

DAY 5 Friday
1. Share with the other Challengers, the positive coments you have received as you have lost weight and increased your exercise. Comment on how those remarks made you feel.

My boyfriend, being the saint he is, and my grandmother are the only people who have noticed. My boyfriend tells me every day I've lost a lot of weight and my whole body shape has changed and that he's proud of me. He makes me blush, but I guess I'm happy and feel lucky to have him supporting me.

2. Think of how you can be positive when negative remarks are made to you.
State your positive answers to the following:

"Atkins is a fad diet that doesn't work. Why would you choose to do that diet anyway? You know people die from eating no carbs."

"People die from obesity and all the health problems it causes, not from losing weight. How can a diet that fills me with energy and is so nutritious and unprocessed be a fad diet? Bread etc is processed and contains no nutrients, and it's aim is to fill you up, how ridiculous does it sound to eat that?"

I argue about this daily. I live with three overweight friends and they're all against the Atkins Diet. One is a severe Type II diabetic and he insists WeightWatchers (only treble the portions) works best for him. Another, eats a salad every day (and nothing else) with 4oz of cheese, tons of sugary dressing and three cheese covered bread rolls, and maybe some pasta. She says, repeatedly: "you need to eat a balanced diet".

"You've never stuck with anything. Why not just eat what you want and be happy?"

I don't really get this about dieting, but I do about other things. I too, would say "I AM eating what I want. I truly love this diet, I don't feel deprived whatsoever on it."

"Your exercise is getting you nowhere. I don't see any changes whatsoever."

"Yeah, ok. You're jealous." Well maybe I wouldn't quite say those words.

"Come on, it's the best carrot cake ever made! It's made special from the Carbs-R-Us Bakery. One piece is not going to kill you."

I am faced with this every day. I say "of course not, but it doesn't tempt me whatsoever, there are no nutrients and low fat junk just doesn't satisfy me, I'd prefer something full fat and nutritious".

Okay so maybe those answers weren't exactly positive. Hmmm.

[Adena]

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

DAY 5 Friday
1. Share with the other Challengers, the positive coments you have received as you have lost weight and increased your exercise. Comment on how those remarks made you feel.

had quite a few lately, must beginning to show now, as ya know, for people ya see everyday its hard for them to notice... hmm what have i had lately..

"You are the incredible shrinking woman!"
"OMG, Adena, you look amazing! Drew, look at her -- would you even recognize her?" (Said to my 15 year old cousin who replied, "yeah -- you look a lot better." LOL)
"Unbelievable -- you are beautiful."
"Have you lost more weight? You look great. What are you doing??"

All of these made me feel wonderful, of course. The second one, from my uncle, was especially rewarding for me b/c he's a very fit, hip, cool, successful guy, and I admire him a lot.


2. Think of how you can be positive when negative remarks are made to you.
State your positive answers to the following:

"Atkins is a fad diet that doesn't work. Why would you choose to do that diet anyway? You know people die from eating no carbs."

I eat carbs all the time -- I just choose healthy ones. I do this "diet" because I've never been more successful at losing weight, nor have I ever felt better. It's easy to stick to b/c with all the crap out of my system, I rarely even want it.

"You've never stuck with anything. Why not just eat what you want and be happy?"

I'm much happier now than any food can make me.

"Your exercise is getting you nowhere. I don't see any changes whatsoever."

Well, I see and feel changes, and that's what's most important. (Like Julie, I might also recommend a visit to the opthomoligist.)

"Come on, it's the best carrot cake ever made! It's made special from the Carbs-R-Us Bakery. One piece is not going to kill you."

You know, as much as I used to love carrot cake, it's just not worth it to me anymore.
__________________

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge ~ Thursday Assignment

again, i am pleased to see the answers being offered for this assignments.

challengers who have not logged thursdays homework are as follows:
destynie
I_WILL_Lose_Weight
Carbaholic
cutecourters
ninaloy87
Lady_Hawke
SilencedMind
CDRAKE1234
I_Luv_Pugs
Brenda80-2lose
PinkLady260
mrs.davis1021
willlose40
universaltravelr
Kittie
imashrinkydink
Maccabee
hopejoy
Horsenpuggy
guekjian
esclottes
funkychickenchica
Kerith

wow, i'll recheck that. that's alot of challengers that have not posted. i'll make changes if need be.

[jimmie 48]

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

Can I join in? Been reading this challenge over the past few days, it's fantastic, by the way...

steffee, thanks so much for the kudos for our challenge!

[sillygirl]

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

1. Share with the other Challengers, the positive coments you have received as you have lost weight and increased your exercise. Comment on how those remarks made you feel.
It's been so long since I lost the bulk of my weight (since about 1995) so, since I've been part of this board most people don't notice too much, or tell me I look the same. Most people, except DH. He notices every single pound lost and never a pound gained! My girlfriend recently reminded me, when I was complaining about slight gain, that I used to have an innertube around my middle when I sat down! Thankfully, that's gone so she reminded me of that too. It always feels great when I get a positive remark, and keeps me on plan.


2. Think of how you can be positive when negative remarks are made to you.
State your positive answers to the following:

"Atkins is a fad diet that doesn't work. Why would you choose to do that diet anyway? You know people die from eating no carbs."
I would ask them if they have read the book, have tried it or are going by what they hear around them? Atkins is not a fad diet, and anyone who knows, would know that! I might ask them if they are aware of how bad corn syrup is, and that practically everything they eat has corn syrup in it. I would ask if they were aware that corn syrup is far worse for you than even plain sugar! I would definitly comment that before they start flapping about it, make sure they had the facts right. Personally, I don't argue unless I know I'm right!

"You've never stuck with anything. Why not just eat what you want and be happy?"
I would say that is completely not true. I stick with everything I set my mind for.

"Your exercise is getting you nowhere. I don't see any changes whatsoever."
I'd say, "feel my calf/butt muscles"! Or, perhaps I'd challenge them to an arm wrestle! I'd say, you may not see it, but I know I'm exercising and that keeps me healthy.

"Come on, it's the best carrot cake ever made! It's made special from the Carbs-R-Us Bakery. One piece is not going to kill you."
I'd say that I hate carrot cake too! I'd remind them that yeah, one piece won't kill me, but that I choose not to eat it. Sometimes that even guilts someone else into not eating it as well!