Have you ever noticed that the tools needed to repair ourselves on the outside are plentiful and readily available? They come in the form of diets, exercise equipment, menu plans, gyms, diet aids, gadgets, specialized shoes and clothing – you name it. We can’t hide our weight from others and that too becomes a motivator. But feelings of regret, hopelessness, fear, humiliation, anger, self ridicule and belittlement are so much easier to hide; to pretend they don’t exist. The tools we need to fix those areas of our lives aren’t so readily available. So, we put on happy faces and pretend that we don’t mentally and emotionally attack ourselves with words we’d never dream of uttering to someone else.
Most people will be starting the new year with weight-loss challenges. I propose a different kind of challenge for the year 2011:
Hate-Loss Challenge:
It’s been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit. During the whole month of January, 2011, I am vowing to make a resolution to have pride in myself – no matter what size I am, each and every day. January will be the month that I set in motion a healthy habit to rid my vocabulary of words that aim to destroy my self-esteem.
Rules: There is only one rule: At least once a day you must attempt to use one or more of these words in your vocabulary about yourself – and mean it: strong, courageous, beautiful/handsome, better, unique, remarkable, confident, conditioned, fascinating, pleasing. I encourage you to say the words out loud. Listen to how they sound as they are defining you!
Extra credit: mind-blowing, wicked-hot, awe-inspiring, sexy, sensational.
Off Limits: Words you can not use: failure, undeserving, incompetent, lazy, no-good, fat, unattractive, sloppy, defeated, unworthy.
One Final Thought: It’s OK to be angry. It’s OK to have off-days; just don’t let those feelings consume you. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and never, ever let your weight define you.
I invite you to take part in this challenge with me. You are welcome to post the following badge to your blog until the end of January, 2011. Grab the code from my sidebar.
Have pride? Grab the Peacock!
Love it. I'm in.
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I'm in!
What a lovely idea!!!
I'm in though I *have* to use the word "Fat" it's in my blogname!
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What a great idea! Count me in!
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Everyone needs to take the challenge. I think we all belittle ourselves about the things we don't like about us.
I am so very in. I try to be as positive as possible and if I am "hard on myself" I say I am just being honest, but I would never be like that with others I love, so why myself? Thank you for posting.
Desiree, SO glad you are on board with me – I need the support! You are right, there are things I say to myself that I'd never in a million years say to another person. Thank you for commenting today.
wow that sounds so easy reading it, but I am sitting here and struggling with this…. can I do it?? ………………. ahhhhh
ok, ok, ok. I will TRY this. Once a day every day!!! OMG!!! I think I will make a card and keep it in my car and look at it every day to remind me
great idea
Yay, Karla!! I am going to need as much help as I can get on this one. This has been a challenge I've considered for way too long and I'm determined to change my attitude about myself in 2011. Thanks for the support – much appreciated
Clever idea! But no more challenges for me:(
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Karen, I completely understand, and not everyone needs to do this kind of challenge, luckily. If I commit to too many things, I end up getting more stressed. It's already easy enough to spread ourselves to thin this time of year. This is a challenge I need in a serious way. I've got to change my attitude about myself and I need to be held accountable!
I'm in! (Although I do reserve the right to use the word 'sloppy'. It's quicker to say than 'a disorganized mess'. I don't consider either to be a sign of poor character,so I should be okay.
)
May I suggest that people say these positive words OUT LOUD? It helps to hear them, even if we're saying them ourselves. And yes, people may look at you funny when you call yourself a rockstar, but they (generally) won't call you on it.
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Smart, Cammy! I've changed the rules to include that; you are right – if we hear these words, we're more apt to believe them. Thank you!
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Great idea! I am in!
I am in on this one! Thanks for the challenge Ellen.
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OK, I was looking for my new habit to create next month. Since I am working on the interior before tackling the exterior, I will jump on board! This one makes me nervous, though. While I am working hard to combat my own negative thoughts, it is going to hard to verbalize OUT LOUD, what is good about me. I have hawk sized butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it!
I'm in. I had already planned to take the rest of the year off and start again on January 1st. This is just what I need to give me a positive attitude about myself and motivate me to not give up. It will be hard, but I can do it. Thanks!
I'm in. I'm working on my daily affirmations for 2011, so this will fit right in. Thank you for doing this, Ellen.
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Thank you, Roxie
I'm so glad that you are on board. I'm counting on you to keep me in check, and I'll do the same for you!
I definitely want to support you in this. I'm pretty consistent with giving myself some serious props, but it took me a long time to get there and I would love to sport that pink badge of honor on my blog. PRIDE!
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I think this is a truly great idea. I am posting a link later in the week to support you in this effort.
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Vickie, thanks so much for your support on this one. Greatly appreciated!
Love this! I'm in!
Count me in! I know I really need to do this.
I'm in, too. I haven't blogged often this fall but that's another change that's coming in January. http://altopower.wordpress.com
I'm in! I hate that I allow my size to define who I am and dictate my out look on life. It's one of the reasons I'm depressed. Just one reason
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oooooh! I want in on this too! I just clicked over from the badge on FAB*s blog. I hope it’s not too late to join!
What an awesome idea! I’m in also. This is such an inspiring way to start the new year and begin to like ourselves again. Thank you!
I’m in and look forward to going over others blogs as well. Heres to opening myself up to happiness regardless of the weight…. 31 yrs have literally slipped past my life.
Hmm, no pride, no self esteem, negativity and anxiety about the future. As a woman living with bi-polar this is exactly the type of challenge I need!
I hope you have an amazing 2011!
Mimi
So many “Anne’s”
It’s like an “Anne Convention!”
I’m in, too.
No use hating.
Thought I’d joined this but my comment must not have went through. I’d like to join you guys.
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I would like to join
I love this.
I’m in
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This sounds great! I’m in…
This is such a lovely idea. I’ve started a blog today to track my progress to a healthy happy weight and feeling confident about my body. I have put your “badge” on it to remind me to be positive about myself and my weight loss.
Thanks
A
http://alisonsweightlossblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/resolutions.html
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