First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you who agreed to participate in The Hate-Loss Challenge of 2011. There is strength in numbers, and I’m very excited about such an outstanding group. So far I am aware of 10 people who have committed by posting on the comments section of my Challenge page (which you can link to at the beginning of this post or via my sidebar. If you are hearing about this for the first time today and would like to participate, just leave a comment on my challenge page letting me know that you’re in, get the badge from there as well and add it to your blog if you have one.
If you are unsure as to whether or not you need or want to participate, answer this question:
As you are trying to lose or maintain your weight, do you often belittle yourself in the process, beat yourself up by using words like lazy, stupid, unattractive, failure?
If you answered yes, then I encourage you to join us. What happens to a person who spends all of her time trying to achieve a strong and conditioned body while allowing her mind to fill itself with negative, belittling thoughts? She becomes a thin person who still thinks she’s all of those things. Thoughts like that rarely disappear just because the weight does. It takes conscious effort to rid yourself of negative thoughts. Trust me, I have experience in this area.
This is how the schedule will run: The official start of the challenge is January 1st, 2011 and will run until January 31, 2011. Sometime before January, print out a copy of the challenge and keep it in a place where you will see it every day: on your bathroom mirror, in your car, in your purse, on your nightstand. When you say the words, I strongly encourage you to say them out loud. It is important to listen to the words which are describing you coming out of your own mouth, and it validates the word(s) you are saying.
I will put up a reminder post on Wednesday afternoons encouraging everyone that’s participating to comment on their blog the following day (Thursday) as to how their challenge is going for the week; if you would be so kind, come back here and let others know so that he/she can link back to your blog and read your progress.
You do not need to run a blog to participate. I plan on posting my thoughts on how things are going every Thursday during the month of January, so you are welcome to post your progress under that post.
Sixteen days, everyone!
I so love the concept of this and as you even stated too, it doesn't exactly work for me to do it on my blog since it's only really half-mine. But Ellen, I'm in for participating in the comments section on Thursdays. Sounds like an excellent plan.
Michele, I am so excited that you've decided to join in – thank you, thank you!!
I "grabbed the peacock" for my blog and practicing until we officially start. I never realized how many times in a day that I put myself down. Looking in the mirror (which is something I hardly do anyways) and saying good things about myself is self-empowering. I love it.
FM, you are hilarious. I am especially glad that you are on board with this because this is a hard one to do by myself. It holds me accountable if I have to 'report' about it and I know if I slip, you'll give me a swift kick in the behind!
I have actually been reading the challenge this week, since I have been feeling horrible! I have posted a copy on my desk at the office and will also post one at home, maybe even put a copy in my purse.
Ellen I love your idea!!!
Steph, that means the world to me. So hard you're having a difficult time right now, but this group of ours (which seems to be growing – yay!) is going to be a huge support network, I can just feel it. Thinking about you, so hang in there
As a boy, I find it quite difficult to get my head around things which doesn't involve food, football or TV, so let me get this straight:
On a daily basis, for a month, the idea is to say positive words to ourselves either in our heads, out loud, on our blogs etc and kick the negative words to the curb?
My recent post Weigh Day – Week 9
OK Tim, I've been giving this some thought. I think you need a slightly modified version IF you want to participate. The challenge is basically to encourage positive thinking. If you find that you talk about yourself in a negative way then the purpose of this challenge is to change your attitude about yourself. So, instead of words describing yourself in a negative way, you could use words that describe your great qualities. You say these positive words to describe yourself each day, and then blog about the experience every Thursday. That being said and from knowing you as well as I do (ha) here are words that I think accurately describe you – oh, and I've taken the liberty of going to a British slang website to help me out:
funny, brill, clever, uplifting, cool, supportive, ace, fab, rocking, successful, solid
OFF limit words: thick as two short planks, dipstick, toss-pot, arse, dill….well, you get the point. Hope that helps. I certainly feel more educated! lol
Ellen, I think milk came out of my nose after you made me laugh at those words!
Count me in! I think the challenge is fantastic. I know a lot of of people will benefit from this and will have a great fun time doing it too!
My recent post Weigh Day – Week 9
I didn't even know what the hell I was typing there on some of those words! So glad you understood it (lol) and glad you're in. It will be good to have a guy's perspective on this kind of thing – thanks, Tim
I still think this is a good idea. And I want your hair color.
My recent post Simple Joys
Cammy, you just made my day with that compliment. See why you are so needed for this challenge? Too bad I just can't pay you to say nice things to me and then I can skimp out of doing it myself (I know, I know….that wouldn't teach me anything!)
what a great challenge, can't wait to read all about it!
My recent post Recipe for Insanity!
Thanks for stopping by, Syl! I'm sure there will be plenty of good, bad and ugly to read (although we're not supposed to use the word 'ugly' so forget that last part) lol
Not even January and I am TRYING to be "good to myself!" It's a challenge, how said is that, to be nice to ME. I have just let ME go and she is so mad right now! I am looking forward to becoming friends with me again. Thanks Ellen!
My recent post Just because
This is EXACTLY what I wanted/needed to hear, Desiree! So glad you are doing this with me!!
Hi! I came here via Vicky's blog and boy, am I glad I did!
Totally count me in… I'm going through a very tough time right now and I need to work on my mental attitude.
I'm adding you to my Google Reader right away.
My recent post You&8217ll never walk alone