I Am Worth It Challenge II

[ValidRouge]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

December 19
Looking Ahead - Commitment In Action
Homework/Board Work
1. The first focus of making a plan is to identify things that will jeopardize your commitment to yourself. This could be a hospital stay, vacation, relatives that know nothing about Atkins or are ill informed, or simple a restaurant. List at least 2 in each category:
Events: Dinner parties, Christmas Meals
Places: Hospitals, Travel(Hotels)
People: my In-laws, my best friend


2. Write out alternative actions that will help you stay committed when you are faced with these temptations.

Events: Eat beforehand, or take a dish to share

Places: Take food with me. Tuna in packets, mayo in packets, Jicama, celery, carrots, etc. Food that doesn’t necessarily have to be refrigerated. Always have food in the freezer that is ready to grab and go.

People: Have an “escape” planned in advance. Get up and go take a walk. Have mom or sis call and have an “emergency” that way I don’t have to stay there for long periods of time.

3. Put your plan into action. Practice what you will say to people you know might try to get you off plan. Say it till you feel comfortable saying, being self assured and confident.

For the most part, everyone knows that I am committed to this WOE. I don’t frequently get people who try to pressure me otherwise. I am very resolute and firm about how I eat. I can handle it in short amounts of time, where I tend to have problems are those situations where HOURS are spent socializing and ‘grazing’ on food. I need to get up and MOVE, rather than sit there and be tormented by the food and the pressure.

[MorningGlory]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

December 19
Looking Ahead - Commitment In Action
Homework/Board Work
1. The first focus of making a plan is to identify things that will jeopardize your commitment to yourself. This could be a hospital stay, vacation, relatives that know nothing about Atkins or are ill informed, or simple a restaurant. List at least 2 in each category:
Events:
Christmas/New Year's parties!

Places:
Someone's house - I can control what I order in a restaurant, but if I'm at someone's house for dinner, I don't feel comfortable doing that. Unless it's a serve yourself dinner, then I can skip what I don't want. But what if they're serving Lasagne and that's it??

A catered lunch at work - Tis the season...however I've been doing ok so far. Ok, I did have a little nibble of chocolate the other day. But then I ate a LOT from the veggie tray!

People:
Relatives, because they'll roll their eyes at me and go on and on ad naseum about how stupid I'm being. (do I sound bitter? This falls under "you can't pick your family, but you can pick your friends").
Hmmm...can't really think of any other people that would jeopardize my w.o.e. ! I guess if I ended up in the hospital (), then I'd have to eat that horrible gruel!

2. Write out alternative actions that will help you stay committed when you are faced with these temptations.
If I'm going to a party, then I will make sure I have a very committed Atkins day first, complete with exercise and water. THEN, when I get to the party I'll be feeling quite satisfied and will only nibble on the meat and cheese trays, in moderation! Or I'll just drink vodka all night....mwaa haa haa.
As for the dinner at someone's house....I don't have a clue. Put some lasagne on your plate and either feed it to their dog, or dump it in a houseplant? How about if I took a very small portion of lasagne, and then had a much bigger portion of salad? Or, be a grownup and when accepting the dinner invite, say "I should probably let you know that I do have an intolerance to pasta, so could I request that we have something other than that?". And then she'd say, "An intolerance to pasta?! What the h*ll?" so I'd have to say, "Well I get all bloated and uncomfortable and be doubled over in pain and pass really loud gas. Is that really what you want at your dinner party?" Yah, that'll work! (I'm not being sarcastic here...I think a tamed down version of that will work!)
A catered lunch at work: I've already faced this one! I ate a lot of veggies, had a chocolate - bad, yes, but I have forgiven myself and moved on. I ate the little rolled up meats, and some awesome cheese, and then drank a lot of water so I looked like I was doing something! The people I work with are all so impressed with my weight loss that they totally understand and support me in that respect, so this isn't too hard for me to handle.

3. Put your plan into action. Practice what you will say to people you know might try to get you off plan. Say it till you feel comfortable saying, being self assured and confident
I'm working on this one!

[MorningGlory]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

Ooops! I missed a lesson! I'll be back later to post it. I want to watch Biggest Loser first!

[Claudiabi]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

December 19
Looking Ahead - Commitment In Action
Homework/Board Work
1. The first focus of making a plan is to identify things that will jeopardize your commitment to yourself. This could be a hospital stay, vacation, relatives that know nothing about Atkins or are ill informed, or simple a restaurant. List at least 2 in each category:

Events:
1) Not graduating in March
2) I have to travel to Latin America for a congress and having to deal with some really awful people (I've worked with them before, they are my former co-workers , and I want to make it clear.... not all latinos are like this).

Places:
1)Since I have to travel...I'm so scared because the food in Latin AMerica is fabulous...,
2)Going to the Izacaya (Japanese bar) It is a custom here to go as a group along with the teachers. I love the food...but having drinks terrify me!

People:
1) My boyfriends family likes to feed me a lot of starchy...latino food, and the Grandma...she insists on feeding me like there is no tomorrow. I usually keep saying no...until my BF tell her to stop. It makes me feel really bad.

2)People (co-workers back when I believed they were my friends) who looked at me like they dont believe Im dieting...so they used to sabotage the whole thing by saying you are not fat, giving food, ordering drinks and so on. A lot of times...they managed to suceed.

2. Write out alternative actions that will help you stay committed when you are faced with these temptations.
1)For starters learn to say no...I've managed these last few months...It's hard but I managed.
2)Tell my BF familly that Im on a medication and Dr. controlled diet...maybe that way the grandma will leave me alone!LOL
3)Not to go out under any circumstance with my former colleagues..It's not healthy for me...emotionally and of course diet wise.

3. Put your plan into action. Practice what you will say to people you know might try to get you off plan. Say it till you feel comfortable saying, being self assured and confident

1)Like I said....Im on a medication and Dr. controlled diet..
2)I'm sorry but I have a family reunion to go to...I cannot go out with you guys!
3)IM sorry I have to prepare a lot of things for the conference!

Of course Im my mind Ill be saying "IN YOUR FACE"..LOL

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

my goodness, you have been busy in here. there is no extra credit for getting tomorrows assignment done early, you realize that, right?

because of your posting, i don't think i can respond to each and every one and i won't even be able to read them all tonight.

ya'll have done incredible and i'm looking forward to sifting through the posts.
have i said how proud i am of all of you that signed up and stayed committed?

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

mg. some of your post tickles me with the lasagna problem. the first thing i thought of was dig through the noodles to get the cheeses and sauce and meat. if you time it right, you could scrap the gooey goodness where it came out from the noodle and that just might work.
if you told the hostess you had an intolerance to pasta, i'd leave it at that. you don't need to explain further. the less said, the better. and yes, eat up on the salad.

-----------------
claudia, wow. that's what comes to mind. it's going to take some creative planning but i think you have a head start on it.

[Claudiabi]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

yes I guess my situation is kinda peculiar...since I'm always on a schedule...It might come somehow easier to　plan. But first I must deal with the emotional attachment I have with food and people!

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

this is from post number #217 by decreaseself

We were taught to under-commit and over-deliver. I used it in my business life and it overflowed into my personal life. Even today,

what a good thing you have posted, decrease. i have found this to work nicely for me here on the board. it is a way i have found to not over extend and allow myself the time i need. it avoids rush jobs which are stressful to me.

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

glenda's post #218

i know those words, "One Day At A Time"
i think you must be an incredibly stong woman. i'm seeing you and some others in a whole new light. i'm beginning to think we are more committed than we even thought. i'm seeing it in all parts of your life as well as in the lives of the other challengers.

[daione]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

December 18
Looking Back
Homework/Board Work

• a time when you were completely committed to a project, cause or life event. Relate to the group what struggles you had and what you did to stay the course. How did you feel when you met the obligation?

There have been serveral events in my life that I was preservarnce about. Going for my education to get my GED so I could go to college. Going for the job I wanted. My face was set and my mind was made up. Once my mind is made up about a situation usuasslly nothing gets in my way. If I fall I get right back up and go for it again. I dont let little things or failurs stop me. But the falling can wear on you ... but I felt like every one else is getting it or doing it so why can't I?

• Have you ever over committed? How did this affect your challenges, woe, etc.

Yes I have over committed and it rakes havock on everything. The desire is there but knowing your limits can some times be challengeing. I am a person that likes to please people so that sometimes I committ before thinking what is at stake. I am also an excessive person ... thus my weight problems. I overeat, I overwork, I over read ... Learning to have bounderaries is my challenge.

Virtually everyone has a problem now and then with slow losses, no losses or even gains. We are human. Dr. Atkins knew this but he also used the word “occasionally” in reference to eating off plan, many times in the DANDR. “Occasionally” should never be confused with every other day or be the scapegoat come Friday. Keeping this in mind, answer this question (as it applies):

1. If you are committed, why do you find yourself continually battling cravings, falling off the wagon, giving in and giving up?
Instead of using my strengths i give in to my cravings and fall off the wagon. I am still trying to be cheat free and all though I have not been on plan like Dr. A states this is the longest time I have ever stayed with one diet and lost this much weight. I am focused on not giving up at this point. Usually I bing or have a bad day and eat a off plan i throw in the towel. The difference now and then is that I actually feel the differnce in my self. I don't like "Fat" Daina. Just the 20 odd pounds that I have lost have made me feel like a totally differnt person. I like what I see more now in the mirrior the reaction of people too me and how I think mentally and as a person. I will get this right. i will get through induction and on to OWL. Atkins is my way of life for life. It is a life change that I am determined to live. I can't allow myself the luxury of giving up if i fall I will examine why, learn from it and go on.

Right now my mental is block is I can't seem to get past of not having something sweet. But I have read some of these post and relaize tht the 14 days is for 14 days and not my whole life. But I know that until I get that down going on is not an option. I have a good amount of weight to lose ... so I am looking at induction for a while. I just got to get creative which is kind of hard to get started in. I don't like cooking .... i made a chicken breast last night ... it was gross, kind of made me made so I kind of came off plan. But I won't let that stop me. It is work to get this woe right, and being single and no children I sometimes get in my mind that i can do what I want. But my health depends on it and so i have to stop using any thing as an excuss.

Really that is what it is - excusess.
I continue to battle cravings because that is what they are battles. I know that this way does work and eventually with time, committement and practice this way of life will no longer be a battle but like good thing it takes work and time.

[MorningGlory]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

this is from post number #217 by Morningglory



what a good thing you have posted, mg. i have found this to work nicely for me here on the board. it is a way i have found to not over extend and allow myself the time i need. it avoids rush jobs which are stressful to me.

Nope, not MG....that post was by Decreasingself!

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

sillygirls post #219

i can imagine the feeling you had when your dad was in the hospital. a bittersweet moment. proud the hospital was there, sad that it had to be used in such a personal way.

i feel much like you do as the word "cheat", i've often wished it was one of those filtered words. it's like a cancer that spreads throughout the board. we've see this happen . by not cheating, by planning and staying the course, this can and does get to be second nature.

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

mg, can you tell i'm tired?
i'll fix that and maybe call it a night for posting.

thanks for the heads up.

[daione]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

Reference a time when you were completely committed to a project, cause or life event. Relate to the group what struggles you had and what you did to stay the course. How did you feel when you met the obligation?

There has been 4 major commitments in my life other than marriage
*The 1st being of course school, I promised my mom and dad that I would finish school if I did nothing else.......of course it wasnt too hard when your mom tells you, "the day you drop out of school is the day you pack your things and move out", they were big proponents of "tough Love"
*The 2nd being the 90 days I commited myself to treatment for, if you read my introduction I mentioned briefly that I use to use drugs, well the truth is I used and abused drugs for 10 years or so and getting clean and staying clean has been a commitment that I am still keeping every day of my life. Its not always been easy but it is an accomplishment that I am proud of and I never joke myself or let my guard down thinking it doesnt have a hold on me anymore because I know it can creep up when I am at my weakest.
*The most recent commitments are ongoing too, losing the extra weight and getting healthy by quitting smoking are proving to be the hardest and Im sure will be the most rewarding.

Have you ever over committed? How did this affect your challenges, woe, etc?

Some people might day that I am overcommited right now trying to lose weight and quit smoking..........I havent been at either very long, but so far I am happy with my progress. I went back to the doctor today for the 1st time since I started Atkins and Ive lost 6 pounds. Yeah for me!

If you are committed, why do you find yourself continually battling cravings, falling off the wagon, giving in and giving up?
Again I havent been on Atkins long so this hasnt really become an issue for me yet. I do know to expect them and am prepared......today while waiting on a prescription to be filled I was browsing the sugar free gum hoping to find something suitable, well of course they keep that right next to all the other candy and goodies in the store, I must have looked for 20 minutes trying to find ANYTHING that fell into the "induction friendly" category. Finally I said to myself "your just torturing yourself, get out of this section" and I went and waited in the pharmacy.

Thank you for sharing.

[jimmie 48]

Re: I Am Worth It Challenge II

sunny's post #220

first, let me say that you are incredible. you have just blown me away with that post.

i am just about speechless and will only say this. i don't want to ever see another post by anyone where they are saying they can't do anything because of this or that or whatever. if i do, i am sending them directly to that post.