"Every-Day" 21-Day Challenge -- Countdown to change!!
Okay, everyone, as is the tradition, I start a new thread when I personally start a new challenge.
Below is a short explanation of how this challenge works so all you newcomers can take a look and decide if you're game or not! I hope you are! Hop aboard and enjoy the ride. We've got a great bunch of supportive people, so I hope you'll give us a try. A lot of people try for a while and then disappear.. I hope some of you will keep trying. There is NO shame in starting over. Remember, it's not over till you give up. And our motto around here is:
NEVER GIVE UP!!...Just start OVER!! EXPLANATION AND RULES:
It works like this: you decide you'll do something for 21 days straight, every single day, so keep it doable. Then you count ....one through 21.....and if you flub it, you MUST go back to zero and start over again. Everyone will be on different days. You can start anytime. At the beginning of the challenge you declare what level it is -- Level 1, 2, or 3. Level 1 means you feel it's a relatively easy challenge for you and means you only give yourself ONE pause day (see explanation of pause days below). Level 2 would give you two pause days and so on...
And taking NO pause days is what I'm going to call "aceing a challenge," as in "I'm aiming on aceing this one!" Yowzah!!
With a pause day you pause in your counting and continue the next day with the number you left off with. Pause days are NOT substitutes for days, i.e. Day 12 -- Day 13 -- Pause Day -- Day 14..... I suggest taking a pause day late in the game (better to go back to Day 1 early on) if you need a break or screw up when you're well into the challenge, meaning, when you're on Day 15 or something like that.
In any case, the trick is to keep going. The momentum builds and it's great incentive to stick to your guns, cause if you don't.........back to START you go. And the really great thing about this challenge is that you are forming new habits that will wipe out the old! AND, you get to do it with a great bunch of really supportive people to whom you are accountable! THREAD GUIDELINES:
In the interest of maintaining structure, a sense of solidarity and facilitating support I ask anyone who wishes to join this thread to please strive to follow the following guidelines while participating in this challenge and in posting.
1. Although this is a fabulous support group, the focus is to be on your CHALLENGE/S and/or other people's challenge/s AND weight loss, whether your challenge is about it or not. Please keep the challenge a priority, although we welcome chattiness! This means tell us what day you're on when you post and it's a good idea to make regular mention of just what your challenge is. This an action-based thread. Our members are ON a challenge, RESTARTING a challenge, or just in between and looking to start up again REAL SOON. We also welcome posts from admirers, encouragers, and old friends!
2. Please refrain from posting food logs or recipes, except where you are really looking for help and advice on your eating. If journaling is your challenge, please keep the journaling off the thread and in a notebook or blog and just tell us if you've done what you set out to do. We have ALL types of dieters here, low-carb, high-carb, low-fat, high-fat, vegetarians, meat-lovers...please use simple mentions if you have something you want to share and then links and/or private messages to do so.
3. Please do NOT go into glowing accounts of any slipups, food indulgences or binges, what we here call "food porn." Simple mentions are fine, but use of smilies etc. as substitutes where possible is encouraged.
4. Please keep this a secular thread. Of course, passing references to your beliefs, a bit of introduction about your beliefs, brief faith-related words of encouragement are fine.
5. Please show support, support, support! This is key. You can waffle on about yourself but please, at least occasionally,come up and look around at others and what they are doing and MENTION it with words of encouragement and/or praise or sympathy. We understand "busy," poor computer connections, and bouts of self-pity and life problems where the focus turns to "me" and dealing with those problems, but these should be temporary, not a habit! ('cept in the computer case.)
In conclusion, let me say, the above are just that, GUIDELINES. Please realize that these guidelines have been added in an attempt to keep this a supportive and beneficial thread, at the LEAST, to those who need it MOST, those for whom weight loss is the hardest and, more often than not, the most crucial as well as for those who still, perhaps despite great success, know all too well that the road they walk will always be a slippery one.
The guidelines are also meant to cultivate an atmosphere of consideration and concern for ALL, not individually, but AS A GROUP.
Well, all's said. Please join us!!
Last edited by redballoon; 09-29-2007 at 07:33 AM.
Day 3 - Count calories!!!! - good - level 3
Day 3 - follow exercise plan - good - level 3
I am going to try really hard to keep count of my calories tomorrow, but it will be hard. I've got to make a run up to Yellowstone again to bring my husband some supplies and of course get his dirty laundry. ugh! I'm probably going to just stay overnight and come back on Monday morning so we can visit and he can see our littlest one who doesn't understand why daddy isn't here.
Red - I know what you're saying and I sure wish I had the answers. I feel the same way quite often and don't understand the self-sabotage. I remember how great I felt about myself and life in general last year when I reached my low weight and what do I do? I gain back 15 lb. The best I can do, is work on finding my motivation again and refuse to give up. I don't care if I'm ever "skinny". I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I want to keep up with my kids and be able to do all the active things in life that I would shy away from when I was so big. Stay with us! Don't give up! We're all struggling along with you.
Shy - Day 13 Yay!! Good job. Sounds like you're doing such a nice thing by baking all that bread. That's so great!
OK, this is it, the start of getting serious again. I don't know what to really declare. I want to make all the tough things challenges, but fear I'll sabotage myself. Yeah, dj, I really don't understand it. I don't know if I just start feeling cocky or what, if I just go into some sort of la-la land where there are no consequences to my actions, kind of like so many areas in my life, or what. I think that may be it. So, I'm going to start forcing myself to be really conscious about my goals and reminding myself about what I am aiming for and that, yes, the plane is going to leave, with or without me on it!! That's an analogy that may work and a dream I often have, that I have a plane to catch but am not at all prepared, am miles away and can't find my passport etc. Maybe this is the connection!
OK, so on top of all the other things I will be doing to get the weight off and KEEP IT OFF I will be
1) carrying around a notebook that has my goals written down in it and I will be required to make an entry in it every day telling myself of why I am doing this, what exactly I am doing etc.
2) I will keep a food log and estimate calories. The idea is to steer away from refined sugar and processed foods and to not drink except occasionally. These parts are not challenges or too strict, just guidelines.
3) I will do my crunches in some form or another, usually 10 sets of 20, front, diagonal, sides.
4) I will do a bit of stretching every day
The last two are just to keep feeling physical when I start creeping away from it, especially in busy times where I can't get to the gym. Of course, I am going to be doing more but it won't be challenges.
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dj -- Thanks for the words. Yeah, you're the same as me. Yeah, I don't want to be skinny. I see enough of that around me. I just want to be healthy, leanish, strong and vibrant and optimistic and full of energy! I will stay with you and likewise to you, "Stay with us!!" It's because of you and some of the old (as in familiar) faces that I stay I think. Good luck to you too!
Shy -- Just who are you making all that bread for?!?! Do you work in an old folks' home? You're an angel. I'm sure you make so many people happy. Too, I guess with bread you aren't tempted to eat the raw dough either, like when baking sweets, so you're not likely to sabotage yourself. Great going on your challenge. You're nearly over the hump!
Last edited by redballoon; 09-29-2007 at 09:34 PM.
Thought I would pop on and say Hi!
I also wanted to lend my support to red since she is an old friend from long ago. You can do it red!
I have always been impressed by your ability to dust yourself and get back on that horse. Hang in there!
Of course she can do it. She's bounced back so many times. Sometimes just to get up there and try your darnedest is the key. Lets face it, if you succeed for 5 days or 7 days or 21 days just look at how much better you were than last time or think of what you might have done if you hadn't tried at all.
Go Red.
Well, I just did the stretching so I'm calling it a clear on all challenges:
GOAL REMINDER Challenge -- Day 1 completed, 3 pauses left
FOOD LOG Challenge -- Day 1 completed, 3 pauses left
CRUNCHES Challenge -- Day 1 completed, 3 pauses left
STRETCHING Challenge -- Day 1 completed, 3 pauses left
Wow, all these old faces turning up! Great!!
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Crime girl -- I hope you'll give a challenge a whirl. Thanks for the kind words. You've got to wonder why I have such a hard time staying on that horse though, eh?
Shad -- How goes it? Wonderful to see you too!! Yeah, I'm a bouncer...it goes with the padding I suppose. But, no, you're right, I'd be humongous, absolutely if I just let things go naturally. I'd be sloshed on the brew every night, I'd never move a limb except to raise the beer mug to mine, I'd eat enough for three every day...oh, wait, I do that already. Nah, I hear ya. I'm going to give it a knock again! You bet. But I only do it because I can't let you all down.
Hi everyone!
Shy, I have trouble getting enough protien too. I try to shoot for 30% of calories. Eat more beans! Great job reaching day 14! Entering the home stretch!
Well I have thought of 2 challenges to start with, that I should be able to do while I'm away. One is reduce coffee to 1 mug a day. I had herbal tea the other day and had a nasty headache by the end of the day. I don't like to be that chemically dependent! The other is crunches. And I'm going to throw in the no beer. We'll only be gone 6 days, I think I can get back home with 2 pauses allowed.
You guys are so right about being serious this time. I've already screwed up my pound a week goal BIG TIME. Oct has to be 2 pounds a week! Which is with in reach. I can do it! And the great feeling that comes with success! I need to feel it!
Day 4 - Count calories!!!! - good - level 3
Day 5 - Count calories!!!! - pause - 2 pauses left
Day 4 - follow exercise plan - good - level 3
Day 5 - follow exercise plan - pause - 2 pauses left
My weekend was busy. Instead of having to drive back to Yellowstone though, my husband was actually given 1 1/2 days off and drove home. It was so nice to NOT to have to drive back to the park. As much fun as Yellowstone can be, it's been getting a little old going back and forth. Anyway, having him come home was nice, but kept me busy with all his laundry, getting food ready to go back, etc..... I'll be back on track today!
Hi Apple! - Guess we all need to get serious together huh? I'm impressed that you're doing the coffee thing. I keep thinking about, but have not gotten up the nerve to do more than think about it. I love my coffee! Since I quit smoking, it's my last big vice, (other than a glass of wine in the evenings).
Hope you feel better Shy!
DJ- I can't say enough how I am SO proud of you for quitting the smoking! From what I hear, that's pretty tough to do. So yeah, keep up with the coffee!
I think I'm going to waffle a little on the coffee challenge anyway. Instead of 1 cup, it's just going to be less than the usual 3 cups. I need space for a social cup if it comes up. Which it has. Well, one social cup yesterday, and one "I have half an hour to myself so I'm sitting down with a latte and a book". So there!
So challenges:
Less coffee: Day 1, 2 pauses left
Crunches ay 1, 2 pauses left
No Beer: Restart
I did get to the gym today for the first ime in forever. It felt good.
Last edited by Apple Blossom; 10-02-2007 at 04:50 PM.
GOAL REMINDER Challenge -- Day 3 completed, 3 pauses left
FOOD LOG Challenge -- Day 3 completed, 3 pauses left
CRUNCHES Challenge -- Day 3 completed, 3 pauses left
STRETCHING Challenge -- Day 3 completed, 3 pauses left
Day 6 - Count calories!!!! - pause - 2 pauses left
Day 6 - follow exercise plan - pause - 2 pauses left
Made it through yesterday and today is looking good so far.
Shy - Glad to hear you're getting better!
Apple - Thanks. Yes, the quitting smoking was difficult, but I did it and am NOT going back. (Besides it helps me justify that coffee.) Actually they keep coming up with studies that show that coffee has some good qualities too! Enjoy that 1 or 2 cups a day!
Red - Good job on keeping up those challenges while busy! Hope to hear from you soon.
I definitely want to join in on this challenge! I feel like being accountable to someone other than myself will help keep me on track & God knows I can use all the support and advice I can get! So, here are my goals - please let me know if I'm doing/posting this wrong.
Day 1 (I guess technically tomorrow is day 1)
Challenge 1 -> Level 3 - Stick to my exercise plan (which means cardio at least 30 minutes 6 days a week) & Sculpting/Yoga or Pilates 6 days a week, so I'm basically doing about an hour workout 6 days a week.
Challenge 2 -> Level 2 - Maintain my food & exercise journal (meaning tracking everything I eat & do).
I'd like to add sticking to my meal plan as a challenge, but I think I'll wait until the next go 'round for that - since I just started it, I'm not sure of it yet - I'm not ready to set myself up for failure. My goal for that is just to simply learn the plan and be comfortable with it at this point. OH, by the way...I'm doing the Body for Life program
Have a great night guys, I look forward to getting to know you!
"Every-Day" 21-Day Challenge -- Countdown to change!!
And the really great thing about this challenge is that you are forming new habits that will wipe out the old! AND, you get to do it with a great bunch of really supportive people to whom you are accountable! 
This means tell us what day you're on when you post and it's a good idea to make regular mention of just what your challenge is. This an action-based thread. Our members are ON a challenge, RESTARTING a challenge, or just in between and looking to start up again REAL SOON. 
We also welcome posts from admirers, encouragers, and old friends!
etc. as substitutes where possible is encouraged. 
You bet! Will be in with the declaration. Stay tuned!! 
Nah, I hear ya. I'm going to give it a knock again! You bet. But I only do it because I can't let you all down. 
I don't like to be that chemically dependent! The other is crunches. And I'm going to throw in the no beer. We'll only be gone 6 days, I think I can get back home with 2 pauses allowed. 
