Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

[cleochatra]

Hello hello!

Every week we will start a new thread on Sunday with a new assignment to keep posts from being buried and to keep the original thread from becoming 5,000 pages long (even though we could publish a book and then we'd all be realllly wealthy!).

Elsie will post our new totals here to this thread (thanks Elsie!)

This week, your assignment is:

1. to discuss what the toughest obstacle(s) you will have to face the rest of this month will be. I want you to really delve into the issue.

2. Then I want you to discuss how you will take an active role in overcoming the obstacle(s) to continue on your road to success!

3. Also, I need to know, if you have are from a foreign nation (well foreign to the US), what holidays will you be celebrating from here until December 31? Wannabe reminded me that Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving October 10, as an example.

[cleochatra]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

..Continuing conversation from the other thread here...

Gabs! Congratulations on your 6 pound loss! I've no doubt whatsoever that you'll reach goal by December 31!

Hi womanpraised! I saw you post a general menu guideline, and it looked good to me! I can assure you that no one pm's anyone here behind one another's backs! This is a sisterhood, and if there are q's, we ask you...not each other. We have to keep an open and upfront relationship goin g, or else there's nothing for us to invest in each other!

Way to go on the lap swimming! I think you rock!

[cleochatra]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

Effie-- I knew you would kick fanny when I asked you about why you kept the habit! And you already fomented a strategy! And you even realized it wasn't the pizza you missed but the habit! Your brain sensors remember and register the pizza memories as pleasure, but it's a false memory. You are now creating new and happy habits, the likes of which your brain is going to reward!

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!

So, I guess I'll just keep on being prepared. (Crap, when I put it like that, it all seems so easy!)

LOL! I love you, girl!

jsj-- I am not going to let you fail in this way of eating, and I refuse to let you give up on yourself. You are special, and you deserve to look hot on December 31!

Yes, I admit I pm'd you. sometimes I wonder if I'm being too much of a hardarse on you guys and so I tried a different strategy this time. I never want to chase anyone off or give the impression that I'm superior to you in any way. I'm here, too, and I'm struggling, too. So it's never my intention to hurt anyone, belittle anyone or to kick your butt unless you want it kicked!

{{{jsj}}} Regarding your marriage, I know it has to feel very frustrating to be 'trapped', but you can make the best of it to some extent. Do you get to go for walks with your little honeybun babe? Have you thought about volunteering in the community and taking your son along?

You know, getting out and helping others makes you special to others because you care enough about them that they will return the love to you, ten-fold. Adding to this, being out and doing for others takes the focus off of you.

I want you to get out there and find a way you can actively volunteer in your community. Another option is to join a MOMs Club, where you can meet other moms your age!

Stop being a prisoner in your own heck and get out there! The world is waiting for you!

I think you hold onto the weight because you use it. You feel sorry for yourself for being overweight, so of course you have no power. Your husband doesn't love you because you don't deserve it because you're fat. You can't leave or make the marriage better because you are overweight. You are missing out on life because you use fat as the shield which holds you down. That stops today.

YOU are responsible for you. Not your fat.

A lot of the time, places you can volunteer will, in fact, eventually have job openings. Keep this in mind. Also, there is WIC in many states, and there is no shame in using welfare to get on your feet. Do what you have to do for your child and for yourself.

How is it that I believe in you more than you do?! Let's go and kick some boody, girl!

[cleochatra]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

Life can be rough without the unconditional love of a mother. I understand that. My parents got divorced when I was 10 and we moved in with my grandparents. Even though my mother was there with us, my grandmother was the one who raised us. She made us (myself and my 2 sisters) feel like we were second class citizens. They had money so they would eat really good food and we would eat baloney and hot dogs. We were told that children were meant to be seen and not heard. When the other grandchildren came for a visit, they were showered with love and gifts...not us. I barely remember my mother being there with us 'cause she never interferred with her mother.

These kinds of experiences will either break you or make you stronger. Sadly, the experience broke my older sister's spirit. She had a nervous breakdown and never recovered from it. For me, the experience made me a very strong person. I put all of my efforts into my school work so that I could become independent and not have to rely on anyone.

We always have a choice in deciding how life's experiences will shape our future....no matter what the circumstances are. Don't ever forget that. Although things may look bleek right now, don't forget that your circumstances can change at a moment's notice. Stay strong and never give up.

{{{Wannabe}}} I'm sorry that you had those bad experiences, but it made you into a pretty remarkable woman. I love your advice, too!

[cleochatra]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

I also want to talk about a strategy I realized which has REALLY helped me the last 2 days.

It's been really tough lately for me to keep exercising and eating right, because of my prior habits on this way of eating. Just the other day, by chance, I said to myself, "What if this was the last 2 weeks before the end of the challenge? Would I work harder? Would I exercise everyday? Would I be more stringent in my eating habits than ever?"

A light bulb illuminated as I realized that if it were, in fact, the last 2 weeks of this challenge, o the things I'd do to get to goal at that last minute!

It was then and there I decided that I was going to treat every day as though it was within those last two weeks of December. Since then, I've not only exercised everyday, but I've stepped it up a bit. I now drink all my water. I eat every meal with meticulous preparation to ensure that each one of those 'fictional' last 2 weeks will yield me the greatest results and that I will hit goal by December 31!

Too many times have I sought after a goal, just to goof around for three months and then put in the effort the last 2 weeks. This time around, I don't want any regrets. I don't want to look back and say, "If only I'd exercised that week, I'd be down five more pounds!" I don't want any regrets this time around.

For me, every day is going to be one of those days I'd realize in those last couple of weeks in December where each and every one of us are going to work harder than ever to achieve those goals we have set for ourselves!

And what a difference it has made already.

To whit... I think that so many of us are the hurry-up-and-wait-until-the-last-minute society. McD's says we can drive through the window if we're running late. We can rent through Netflix because we just don't have the time. Everyone promises us time, and says, "Go ahead! Wait until the lasy minute... Fed EX and Kinkos are even there for us!"

Because of this, and because of the way we were trained to be, we tend to goof around, not realizing that in such things as exercise and following a pragmatic eating regimen, it is essential these things be done everyday.

We don't stop watering and fertilizing the apple tree for three months and then expect it to put forth fruit just because we gave it two weeks of water and fertilizer in the end.

Why should we expect fruit from our bodies through lack of daily care?

Therefore, the "last 2 weeks" theory, an epipheny for me, really has changed my way of thinking. New parameters are being set, and my paradigm has been shifted from the Kinko's drive-through girl, to the one who is nourishing that apple tree everyday, knowing that in the end, I will have the fruits of hitting goal as my reward!

[Elsie150]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

For our updateyness,

cleochatra 259/229/199/30 pounds to go until New Years!
shashee 192/ 192/ 169/23 pounds to go until New Years!
wannabthintoo 219/204.5/167/37.5 pounds to go until New Years!
rybread 155.5/ 154/ 145/9 pounds to go until New Years!
iwillbethin 167/ 164/ 135/29 pounds to go until New Years!
lots2lose 209/209/160/40 pounds to goal until New Years!
sharon62 189/189/170/19 pounds to go until New Years!
chixrule 55 pounds to lose/47.5 pounds/47.5 pounds to go until New Years!
effie 191/187.5/169/18.5 pounds until New Years!
ztachick 201/200/155/45 pounds to go until New Years!
NewMein2005 51 pounds/48.5/48.5 pounds to go until New Years!
kkat55 266/265/220/45 pounds to go until New Years!
msgrand 160/148/130/18 pounds to go until New Years!
cruisergal 208/201.5/165/36.5 pounds to go until New Years!
chrisnap 196/196/160/36 pounds to go until New Years!
womanpraised 274/266/210/55 pounds to go until New Years!
Zarabelle 40 pounds to lose/26.5/26.5 pounds to go until New Year's!
ajakol 199/197/167/30 pounds to go until New Year's!
LisaM 213/211.5/195/16.5 pounds to go until New Year's!
Splandrea 233/230.5/199/31.5 pounds to go until New Year's!
dynaglider 237/ 237/215/22 pounds to go until New Year's!
twg 213/210/183/27 pounds to go until New Year's!
jsj0305 188.6/171.2/120/51.2 pounds to go until New Year's!
jaria 240/229/199/30 pounds to go until New Year's!
Mishi 231/230.5/199/31.5 pounds to go until New Year's!
Elsie150 237/218/199/19 pounds to go until New Year's!
Gabs275 279/273/244/29 pounds to go until New Year's!
suzyhomemaker 141/139/116/23 pounds to go until New Year's!
sugarfreeone 175/173.5/155/18.5 pounds to go until New Year's Eve!
TNGIRL 234/232/199/33 pounds to go
172.9 pounds lost total!

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

Thanks Elsie...Hey, where in Canada are you?

[Elsie150]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

Assignment answers:
1. The toughest thing I will face this month will be that DD is joining Violin in the next town on Wednesdays and that means I have to 1) Leave the house which I hate doing and 2) be organized(one of my weakest points in life) as it will mean leaving at about 2:10 - 5:30 3) Being hungry...and the kids being hungry..as I am usually already eating supper by 5.

And both kids are joining skating which is Tues and Thurs in town the other direction which means 1) Leave the house which I hate doing and 2) be organized(one of my weakest points in life) 3) Have something in mind for supper

2. I will take an active role in solving these obstacles by 1) Leaving the house anyway as it is good for me to get out. 2) Get organized with their stuff and STAY organized. 3) Preplan my suppers (maybe look into MacDonald's for Wed suppers) and pack snacks for kids and I that can be eaten in the car when I am driving...guess that lets a salad out...LOL! Hmmm...maybe if I ate my lunch a little later it will work. I am a bit worried about it.

3) I'm from Canada. Thanksgiving and Halloween and Christmas....I am actually not worried about any of those...weird huh?

[Elsie150]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

Cleo..I am a big time procrasinator...another one of my weakest points. SIGH!

wanna...I am in British Columbia..in the Okanagan.

[Lisa M]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

1. Toughest obsticals....like, Elsie, I'm running the girls to soccer practice & games, along with being in school full time myself. Dinner, exercise, and getting meals in on time...still obsessing about meal times.

2. Solving obsticals....my crock pot is my friend for dinners on soccer practice & game nights. I will walk during the practice events and be prepared with snacks & water for soccer nights. I need to quit obsessing with meal times and focus on just planning the night before and have left overs ready at will.

3. Holidays...U.S. holidays including 4 birthdays to contend with...mine included.

Thanks, Cleo!!

No change in weight....scales in the garage...all alone.

[Effie]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

This week, your assignment is:

1. to discuss what the toughest obstacle(s) you will have to face the rest of this month will be. I want you to really delve into the issue.

2. Then I want you to discuss how you will take an active role in overcoming the obstacle(s) to continue on your road to success!

3. Also, I need to know, if you have are from a foreign nation (well foreign to the US), what holidays will you be celebrating from here until December 31? Wannabe reminded me that Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving October 10, as an example.

1. I don't have any "new" obstacles, just the everyday thing of drinking 8 diet cokes and caving in to easy carb laden meals or snacks because I'm underprepared. Mainly this is due to my work schedule. I started my job 3 months ago, but still haven't adjusted to my new schedule. I rarely bring lunch to work, and by the time I get home at 7-8 pm, I'm way too tired & hungry to cook a good meal.

2. The easiest way to overcome these obstacles is to just be prepared (which I already discovered in a previous post). I think I should menu plan for the entire week, and actually prepare those menus. I should have Atkins friendly meals pre-prepared so if I do get home at 8pm, I can just nuke a plate and not be tempted to pick up a chicken parmesan sub on my way home. The diet coke habit got really bad in the past 2 months. When I think of giving it up, I get really anxious and irritable. I've thought about making a deal with myself that I can have 1 diet coke for every 5,000 steps walked (if I wear my pedometer), or that I can have a diet coke, but only after I've had a big glass of water. I should pick one of those and actually do it!

3. I have no kids, so Halloween should be easy to avoid. Thanksgiving and Christmas are really easy to stay low-carb. As of right now, I'm not stressed at all about the holidays.

[cleochatra]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

Note:

A New 6-week exercise challenge is going to begin in a week.

Exercise is not optional on Atkins, especially if we plan to hit goal by New Year's Eve!


Sign up now!

It's at the Exercise Challenges Forum...

[jsj0305]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

THanks you guys for all of your advice. My hubby and I decided to go to play some miniture golf and we had a blast! We talked and he didn't realize that he was pulling away and not supporting me. He said that I was doing so good that he almost felt stupid saying good job, if I already knew i was doing great. talk about miscommunication!! While we were there, I said we should go into the batting cages and boy did i kick butt!! I forgot how good i was at sports and how much fun i had playing softball and basketball!! Tonight sure was an eye opener and I'm glad I went. MY whole life, I've been strong, I guess I just didn't want to be...I just wanted to be lazy. I guess that just doesn't work for me. I can't stop being who I am. Time to get back to ME.... and yes cleo, I WILL look hot on new years.. who knows...if me and my husband don't work out...i wanna look good in disney world for me!! I can't be skinny just for a man!!! I can't believe how crazy i've been!! I can't keep doing everything for everyone else! I'm worth in dang it!! Thanks for helping me see that.
1. to discuss what the toughest obstacle(s) you will have to face the rest of this month will be. I want you to really delve into the issue.
I guess just restarting and staying with it, for real this time. Getting all of the cravings out of my system will be difficult, but i can do this, i've done it before.

2. Then I want you to discuss how you will take an active role in overcoming the obstacle(s) to continue on your road to success!
JUst stay away from all the crappy foods that got me here in the first place.


3. Also, I need to know, if you have are from a foreign nation (well foreign to the US), what holidays will you be celebrating from here until December 31? Wannabe reminded me that Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving October 10, as an example.
__________________

[Elsie150]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

"We talked " Good news..keep the lines open for a successful marriage.
"I can't be skinny just for a man!!! " Even better news! You have saved yourself a lot of grief learning that at 19..remember it!!
"I'm worth in dang it!!" The best news!! Carry that with you ....if you believe you are worth it then others will see it and treat you accordingly. But if you treat yourself like you are not worthy then why should anyone else!

Way to go on the break through. Now stay true to the plan and it will work for you!

[ChixRule]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge for the week of Sept. 18-24

Hey everyone! This has been an awesome weekend! I'm finishing up my 1st week of re-induction and I have more energy than I've had in months. I made it thru my first cheat-free weekend in a LONG time. AND I actually exercised 4 days last week. Okay, I know for alot of you, that's not a big deal, but considering the fact that for 8 months, I didn't exercise at all.. and for the past month I've been doing 3 days a week... so anyway.. I'm committing to 5 days per week.

I'm working on planning my menu for the week. I went grocery shopping today and spent a small fortune. But now I have no excuse for not having food to prepare for the week!

I'll get back to you on the weekly assignment.