2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

[jimmie 48]

I AM WORTH IT CHALLENGE
focusing on your
PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE.

We all have a history. Concerning food choices, our history is not a pretty picture. Individually, we've let ourselves get 20, 30, 50 and 100+ pounds overweight. We got lazy, we got sedentary, we quit moving. Our appearance might have gotten shabby. Our clothing was probably drab and colorless, not to mention big. We may have gotten comfy just staying away from others. Feelings of low self worth probably were a part of our everyday life.

The 2008 I AM WORTH IT CHALLENGE will let you focus on where you were, where you are and where you want to be at the end of 2009.

You will only have one assignment for this challenge. An essay will be required that addresses the 3 points of the challenge.... PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE. There are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers but I am calling you to be honest with yourself.

CHALLENGE SIGN UP AND CHALLENGE DATES
DECEMBER 13 THRU 21

AWARD DATE
DECEMBER 22

~~~~ CHALLENGE RULES ~~~~

If you want to be a part of this challenge, sign up in this thread. A simple " I'm in" will do. Once you are signed up, you may begin on your essay. Your essay must be turned in, meaning posted to this thread, no later than midnight, Eastern Standard Time, December 21. You can sign up as late as December 21 but your essay will still be due by midnight EST December 21.

The following items must be included in your essay:
1. Why you became overweight? Be as specific as you feel comfortable sharing.
2. What event and/or thoughts led you to start a weight loss journey? Include any information you would like to share about the first time you read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. such as inspiration, ease of this woe, etc.
3. Have you been committed since your journey began? If not, what caused you to veer off track?
4. Taking a good hard look at your present self, are you happy with your progress?
5. Are you doing what needs to be done, to insure your future is the final destination that you invisioned for yourself?

[jimmie 48]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

i'm absolutely in

[DLS]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

I'm in!

Great challenge!

[Lisa]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

I'm in!

Great timing...of course!


#4..."have you ever been committed..."---I know you mean dedication, but I just could help of thinking white, padded walls and people in white coats sound kind of a nice vacation, too

[jimmie 48]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

thanks for joining me, girls!

I'm in!

Great timing...of course!


#4..."have you ever been committed..."---I know you mean dedication, but I just could help of thinking white, padded walls and people in white coats sound kind of a nice vacation, too

lisa, that's what i meant... padded cell, tight fittting lovely white wrap around coats. LOL LOL it happens after about 3 or 4 years of being here. LOL

lets just think 'spa'.

[liv]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

I'm in and committed
I was here last December and I really wish I had joined the challenge. It would have been fun to look back on those thoughts now.

[jimmie 48]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

I'm in and committed
I was here last December and I really wish I had joined the challenge. It would have been fun to look back on those thoughts now.

thanks for joining us, liv! i agree, it's kinda interesting to sift back through things and see what, where and how we were doing. i've been surprised at some of the things i've looked back on.

[Velcrocat]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

I'm in too. At least I'm going to give it a try.

[jimmie 48]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

I'm in too. At least I'm going to give it a try.

i am sure your 'try' will just perfect. thanks for joining us!

[Texas Gal]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

I'm in. cj

[jimmie 48]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

I'm in. cj

great to see you joining, cj! you've been a member for over 2 years but you must have lurked and read alot with only 4 posts. i'm so glad you chose to be a part of this

i sure am looking forward to reading all the essays.

[FLdoodette]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

What a great Challenge to end the year! I'm in

[jimmie 48]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

What a great Challenge to end the year! I'm in

see, there is method in my madness, norah.

[Debie]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

I am in

[FLdoodette]

Re: 2008 I Am Worth It Challenge

I AM WORTH IT CHALLENGE

focusing on your
PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE.

(OK, Jimmie Jo ... no time like the present!)

The following items must be included in your essay:
1. Why you became overweight? Be as specific as you feel comfortable sharing. I could blame genetics (my mother was morbidly obese). I could blame hormones (Menopause ****). I could blame a sluggish middle-aged metabolism. But the simple truth is I just let myself go. Ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it. Stopped my walking routine. Bought a computer and melted into it! I fully embraced a bunch of bad habits. I made choices. Bad ones.

2. What event and/or thoughts led you to start a weight loss journey? Include any information you would like to share about the first time you read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. such as inspiration, ease of this woe, etc. Of course, I knew about Dr. Atkins, but as an avowed Carb-Head, I never thought I could do it (which should've been the tip-off: CARB-HEAD!). But finally, last summer, I just got sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. Achy everwhere, especially my knees. No energy. I looked, and felt, OLD. Then I had an epiphany: Only I could change things. So I did. I declared last Aug. 1 as D-Day (Diet Day), stocked my pantry with low-carb goodies, and the next day, joined this Board! Without ADBB, I have no doubt that I would not have stuck with the program. Joining a gym in September got me into an exercise routine, but this Board is what keeps me motivated. Great peeps here!

3. Have you been committed since your journey began? If not, what caused you to veer off track? Wish I could report I've been a model Atkineer, but that would be a lie ... I've had slips. Momentary slips (like the Thanksgiving Day Stuffing Debacle), but slips nonetheless. I was going great guns until I saw my doc in early November and he had a fit when he found out I was doing Atkins. Numbers don't lie, doc ... they were all (weight, lipid profile) much improved! But that was a blow to my confidence. With or without his backing, I've chosen to soldier on, however !

4. Taking a good hard look at your present self, are you happy with your progress? Yes, I am very happy with my progress. Down 34 lbs. and a good number of inches; increased muscle; increased energy; no more achy knees! I am a happy camper. I realize losing the weight is probably the easy part; that maintenance is where the real work and commitment come in. But I'm psyched !


5. Are you doing what needs to be done, to insure your future is the final destination that you invisioned for yourself? I've replaced bad habits with good ones, and have no desire to return to my wicked, wicked ways. Not saying I'll never have another slip ... that's unrealistic. But I know I feel (and look) so much better living this way ... I can't fathom not sticking with it. All hail Atkins!