3rdDecember

A contest with Mom

My mom and I agreed at Thanksgiving to have a sort of contest for Christmas.  Whoever loses the most weight by the time we celebrate Christmas at her house has to do a certain chore/favor for the other one.  My mom is slightly taller and heavier than me, but she is very discouraged with her appearance and weight.  She wants to start again (she’s tried many things, many times), so I was hoping we could help each other.  I don’t want to make her feel guilty or whatever.  I’m just hoping to encourage her that she can do it, even though there are moments when I’m not sure if I can.  Anyway, how do I help encourage/motivate her without driving her crazy with checking-in?  I also want to win, but hope it doesn’t discourage her if she loses.  She’s had enough dissappointment with weight issues.  She works hard (a nurse) and makes “convenient” food choices.  She and my dad love a good Chinese Buffet…okay so do I…but it’s part of their lifestyle.  To top it off, somehow my dad is losing weight and down to a new low and he often eats horribly.  I guess what my parents do with their weight is their choice, but my mom and I are very good friends and I know she wants this.  Oh well.  Enough about that.  I’ll let you know how I’m doing with it and I hope for the same success for her! 

2 Comments

grabthebull says 3rd December @ 14:16

Hmm… Every few days, you could send her a text or email with your latest idea for your winning chore/favor. Like… “So, mom, I was thinking… I think, when I win, I want you to clean my gutters.” Or… “Mom, I can’t wait til you come over to strip my floors. The new stain is going to look so nice!” How do you think she’ll like that? That would definitely motivate my mom!

kt
http://3fatchicks.com/diet-blogs/grabthebull/

brseay says 3rd December @ 18:51

I have been in contests like this, too, and I know how hard it is to be encouraging yet not a nag. I have finally realized for me, though, that competition isn’t very effective unless I’m winning. Completely childish but honest. What I’m going to suggest to our regular group this time is that each person sets a goal, it could be pounds lost, working out a certain number of days, etc. They put up money as a wager and if they make their goal then they get their money back. If they don’t, it goes into a kitty to be shared by all of those who made their goal. That way, we can all encourage each other w/o feeling like we’re “helping the competition” and I can still feel good about myself even if I’m not moving as quickly as someone else.


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