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Old 08-23-2008, 10:01 PM   #1  
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Exclamation "Every-Day" 21-Day Challenge -- Simple addition spells success!!

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; 08-24-2008 at 12:26 AM.
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Old 08-23-2008, 10:06 PM   #2  
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Smile moving on down the line....


Heh there. I just realized I hadn't started a new thread when I finished my no sugar challenge! ((((cheer))). So here you are!!!
Let's make it work!!!
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Old 08-23-2008, 10:18 PM   #3  
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oh fun! I like starting new things
And congrats again on your no sugar Challenge!

I'm going to think about a new challenge to start and jump on on it tomorrow
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Old 08-24-2008, 12:18 AM   #4  
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Wink the art of rationalization...

Good to see you, faux! And thanks for the congrats! I'm going to just ignore my two-day binge. I mean, heck, it was kinda fun and as long as I get right back on track (and then some!!) my body should just take it! Yeah!

By the way, were you in between challenges? I think so, right?

Anyhow, for anyone who wants a quick look back at recent posts, here's the last thread. You'll have to click on the last page.
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=147007

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Old 08-24-2008, 12:36 AM   #5  
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Red - congrats on finishing your challenge!

Hi All

I'm totally nuts. I went away for the weekend to a friend's house to avoid hosting my in-laws (my DH is away - remember? he wanted my in-laws to come WHILE HE WAS AWAY- AARGH) The only way I could get out of it was by not being here. Sheesh - I need to learn to be more assertive.

On Friday I was totally stressed - I don't usually work on Fridays and it's my day to sleep, but I had to go to work and then get home and deal with all the kids and go to my friend's house (no CAR!!) and I was sooooo stressed out that I ate 3 chocolate bars!!! Okay - they were mini ones - but I haven't touched that kind of stuff for 12 weeks! And it was all downhill from there.. Overate Friday night, had junk this morning, Heck - I need some support. I'm so frustrated. I thought while my DH was away -I'd have some time to get the house together and maybe even a day or 2 to myself in the morning - to just laze around. I need a break so badly. And when he's here - he's unemployed and always in the house and makes me nuts. But my schedule at work is so hectic for these days while he's gone that there's no chance for anything of the sort.
Sorry for the vent - hope today is better......

Challenges:
1 - talk to each of the kids every day (not just orders...) - 3 pauses
2 - do 1 nice thing a day for me - 3 pauses
3 - eat in control - 3 pauses

let's see how is goes.
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Old 08-24-2008, 01:32 AM   #6  
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Cool


miriam -- From where I stand (dangerously close to the edge of the train platform) your little binge looks harmless. Three mini bars is but a tiny fraction of what I vacuumed into my mouth over the past two days.
Still, I feel for you!! Things, as you surely know, RARELY go to plan. It sounds like you are very upset about that and turning to junk to compensate. Sounds VERY familiar! My advice in these situations is to figuratively cut the ties between expectations and reality. Just tune out the frustrating thoughts of "not fair!" like you would the cry of a baby (on a good day) and take deep breaths and kind of pleasantly zombie out. Is there any chance you can take off work and GO somewhere and just zone out? I would try to, to help you get some distance. Your home situation does not sound too good. Is there anything you can do to get your husband's help? You say it's hard for you to be assertive but maybe you can sit down and discuss how you feel. Or write a letter to your husband in which you suggest some ways to alleviate what you're feeling. Well, I don't know. All I can say is I wish you some breathing space!

***************
Just bringing this over from the old thread....

Where I stand on Sunday (not including Sunday)

NEW CHALLENGES:

Stay tuned....

CHALLENGES:

No booze 4 days completed/no pauses allowed (started Aug. 20)
No smoking 4 days completed/no pauses allowed (started Aug. 20)

***************
No alcohol current straight 5 days/longest straight thus far June 28-August 3 = 36 days
No sugar current straight 0 days/longest straight was 39 days (July 1-Aug. 9)
No cigs current straight 4 days/longest straight was 38 days straight July 1-Aug. 8
No processed foods current straight 0 day/longest straight 40 days (July 1-Aug.10)


Last edited by redballoon; 08-24-2008 at 08:46 AM.
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Old 08-24-2008, 09:08 AM   #7  
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Wink another day down...


Heh all. I hope more people find us over here! I had an excellent day today. That was easy though, relatively, as I stayed home all day. BUT, I then decided to go to the gym and that involves a 50-min walk. I got over halfway and decided to turn away and go home. I turned around, walked a few steps and stopped to read some sign (and contemplate...) THEN, I turned back direction gym and got there!! Did some weights and ab work. Hurrah!! It was weird. I had felt REALLY bad, thus the intention to turn around and go home, but after I pushed on I got this second wind. It was truly bizarre. Walking home was harder but I listened to my Cantonese language tapes and learned how to say things like, "I want something to eat," and "Where do you want to go eat?" Time passed quickly!
Well, back to the uncertainly and anxiety of the office tomorrow......

And voila! Below are yet more new challenges!!! Call me megared!

******************
Where I stand on Sunday (including Sunday)

NEW CHALLENGES:

No sugar 1 day completed/undecided on pauses
Vegetable juice 1 day completed/3 pauses
Food and exercise journal 0 days complete/no pauses

CHALLENGES:

No booze 5 days completed/no pauses allowed (started Aug. 20)
No smoking 5 days completed/no pauses allowed (started Aug. 20)

***************
No alcohol current straight 6 days/longest straight thus far June 28-August 3 = 36 days
No sugar current straight 1 days/longest straight was 39 days (July 1-Aug. 9)
No cigs current straight 5 days/longest straight was 38 days straight July 1-Aug. 8
No processed foods current straight 1 day/longest straight 40 days (July 1-Aug.10)


Last edited by redballoon; 08-24-2008 at 07:04 PM.
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Old 08-24-2008, 10:48 AM   #8  
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Smile Hello, hello! Starting Day 1 tomorrow

I just thought I'd like to pop in and introduce myself, list my goals. I'm starting South Beach tomorrow, so I thought I'd use the 21-Day thing to support it (and vice-versa).

I'm 53, struggling with weight off and on from the time I was about 12. Not always overweight, even if I thought I was. I joined 3FC in 2000, I think, as Babette, at 231. In that time, I've gotten down to about 195 and bounced up as high as 256. I've reached the point where I'm ready to shed my fat cocoon and live life large, if in a smaller body.

I'm going to call this a Level 2. Hope to ace it but ... stuff happens. But, as Fearless Leader RB points out, when it does, we just start over. Or pause, if we've got that option.

Here's my plan of attack:
  • [*]
  • [*]
  • [*]
  • [*]
  • [*]
  • [*]
  • [*]
  • [*]

Redballoon, I think I know you from some long-ago thread, don't I? Were you in Germany then?

K, Challengers, let's take this day and ace it!

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Old 08-24-2008, 11:04 AM   #9  
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I want to use this challenge to start something new. I just can't think of something new that I'm ready to do... hehe

I will have a plan by tonite. I need tos tart fresh because I had too many challenges last time and I had to throw this one out. I will have it figured out by tonite!! hehe
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Old 08-24-2008, 11:26 AM   #10  
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Hi Red! Welcome Mirabella!

Miriam: I've been having that kinda of couple of days as well. Stressed again all of a sudden, wanting to eat everything bad for me, not feeling like exercising. My DH is having a very stressful time of it with a business deal gone bad and possible lawsuit on his (our) head, and I just want to forget about this "silly" project of mine and go stuff my face.

But, I won't. What is my saving grace, truly, is my trainer. If I didn't have a standing appointment with her, I'd probably fall off the wagon. I met with her Friday, but did nothing Saturday. I wanted a burger and fries and thick shake at this local drive-in so badly it was very hard to resist, But I convinced DH to go to a local vegetarian restaurant and I had a BocaBurger and organic potatoes wedges which I shared with DH and just an iced tea, and I felt satisfied!!

It didn't stop me from coming home and making scones and inhaling 3 of them. This was after I had yogurt and fruit in an attempt to stop me doing that.

Anyway, I ate a little more off plan yesterday, but actually feel better today and more committed to this. I won't give up!

Challenges:

Exercise everyday, even just a walk: 3 pauses (I'm just starting over on this one)
No alcohol: Day 4 (3 pauses--leaving for Vegas in 3 days!)

Food journal not a challenge, so I will substitute:

No processed food: 3 pauses----for me, this means nothing out of a package that sits on a shelf, with preservatives. No granola bars, sugar free mints, 100 calorie packs, reduced fat Wheat Thins, even no rice cakes. And no frozen treats. This does not include the yogurt, or the whole grain organic bread I buy, or cans of stuff I use to make dinners, etc. I will know what I mean. Basically junk food. I am trying to wean myself off of all of that. I need to eat fruit or baby carrots if I want to snack.

This one could be a tough one

Last edited by modcat44; 08-24-2008 at 11:27 AM.
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Old 08-24-2008, 09:37 PM   #11  
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OK, I have finally figured out my challenges:

1) No snacks after dinner (i've been doing okay with that but wanna make it be written down so i'm totally accountable) 2 pauses

2) Work everyday on the 100 pushup challenge 3 pauses

3) Drink 2 cups of water before, during and after every meal and snack. 2 pauses
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Old 08-25-2008, 08:04 AM   #12  
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fauxtini -- Your challenges sound great! I like the "work every day" pushup one. Putting in the effort and working toward a goal is what it's all about. Good luck!

Mod -- Hope your day was a little less stressed. Ooh, sounds tough, but NO, your project is far from "silly!!!!" My gosh, it's about YOU!!! Stuffing solves NOTHING. Remember it!! What a good idea to have a trainer. And your eating save is incredible. Be careful not to tempt us with too much description. That is, on the stuff you resisted. Yes, I think your challenges are tough and a LOT like mine! You can do it. Power to you!

Arabella -- Welcome back!! Yes, of course you know me. We used to do this thread together back when YOU were starting them and before you Amarantha (sp?) You got tired of it and I took over or something like that. No, I've been in Tokyo the whole time, but used to live in Munich. Good memory. Well, though you "bounced back up" you're looking good, still far under your high and not that far from your low. Good work and it looks like you're determined again. Best of luck!!

Others?! How are we? Apple, Fish, miriam, ilani, CB, marti?? Come on down!!




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Old 08-25-2008, 11:51 AM   #13  
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Haha can't even start day 1 yet - I'm a mess
I odn't know how things are going to change, I really don't.
I'm going away tomorrow for 3 days to my sister's house with my kids and parents, DH and stepkids are back on Friday - school starts on Monday, If I can make it to Monday - believe me - I've won every challenge in the book
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Old 08-25-2008, 02:29 PM   #14  
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Well, with out going too deep into it, I'm restarting today.
Good thing we have a new thread and a fresh start.
30 min exercise
No beer
still looking for one more diet related challenge.....
Hi everyone!

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Old 08-25-2008, 02:59 PM   #15  
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I'm updating and finalizing my challenges:

OK, I have finally figured out my challenges:

1) No snacks after dinner (i've been doing okay with that but wanna make it be written down so i'm totally accountable) 2 pauses

2) Work everyday on either the 100 pushup challenge or the couch to 5k challenge or both! 3 pauses

3) Drink 2 cups of water before, during and after every meal and snack. 2 pauses


SO far so good! I have completed both of my workout challenges and drank the right amount of water with each meal. so far so good!!
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