I have fallen off the proverbial wagon way too often lately, so today I am jumping onto a new wagon instead – the Hot 100 bandwagon. There are 100 days left in 2010 and I intend to make the most of them.
I was hesitant to join in. Let’s face it, I did not do at all well on my last two challenges. But I really need to kick myself in the “you know where” and this might be just the thing. And really, it’s not like I can do worse than I have been already. So there’s no where to go but up (translated into the scale going down) at this point.
So thanks to South Beach Steve for hosting (is that the right word?) the challenge (which you can read more about here) and to some of my blog friends who have already posted about joining in, because that gave me the little push I needed. Okay, I needed a big push. (Thanks Tish.) But regardless, I’m on board and ready to go.
The challenge officially starts on September 23rd. Unfortunately, I will be traveling this weekend so that will already throw a bit of a wrench in my plans. And I am struggling to come up with the goals I want to set. At least three. With weekly updates. Sometimes I hate rules! Can you read my reluctance between the lines? Am I just resisting because I know it will be a challenge? (No pun intended there.) Okay Karen, enough of this already. It’s only 100 days and you know you need to finish the year off right. You can do this. Self-pep-talk here.
Okay. I’m in. And committed. My goals for the next 100 days are:
- No over-snacking. This means that I will not snack unless I am physically hungry. I am allowing myself one small exception with an after-dinner pudding cup if I want it.
- No refined carbs or sugars. I am going to give myself a pass on this one for the rare occasions that we go out to dinner with friends (less than once a month). I am being realistic here, not trying to make excuses.
- I will make a conscious effort to drink more water or water-equivalent beverages. I know this is not a very specific goal; I’m working on refining it.
I’m going to relax/modify my goals for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas. (Yes, we celebrate both.) I don’t know what that will mean yet, but I have plenty of time to think about it. I want to find the balance where I can enjoy a holiday and the special foods that come with it without going on a wild and crazy overeating binge.
I am not quite sure how I will fit the challenge updates in with my regular blogging. Maybe as a whole post; maybe as a footnote; maybe as an extra post. Pretty much I am still thinking this through, but I am on board and optimistic, as much as I am vacillating and indecisive. So tomorrow the countdown begins. 2011, here I come!
Waisting Time 
Yay! Come on over here, there’s a seat next to me. I think you have good, realistic goals–you can (and will) do this.
Thanks for dragging me along, kicking as screaming as I was:)
Best news I’ve had this morning! Great goals and I am personally in favor of the extra post for challenge updates. Yes, I’m whining – I really miss your more frequent posts. It’s going to be a great challenge.
You are so sweet:) I guess it will all depend on how much I have to say about the thing as it goes along.
Hooray! Sounds like you’ve got some great work to do lady! I’m glad you’ve gotten the push you needed. I hope it all goes really really really well!
Okay is this a hint from the universe…2nd post in a row about the challenge…must think about this one…
Karen, very achievable goals!!!! Good for you. Like you, I hate “rules” & like to do my own thing….
WE celebrate both too & whatever else we feel like making up! 🙂
Go for it Karen. You may surprise yourself!
I don’t know if you are reading my column, but the one up today is appropriate. Good luck with your goals, Karen!
Good luck sweetie on your challenge. You go get it done!
Kudos to you for finding an extra “oomph” from the Hot 100!
I’ve been seeing this challenge many places and thinking… There is nothing special for me about the last 100 days of the year. This is the rest of my life, and I need internal motivation, not challenge after challenge, after challenge, to continue to eat healthy (which I haven’t been doing very much the past 2 weeks – travel, blech.) So, I’m just going to keep plodding along ’til I hit goal, then plod along forever.
But you are plodding so well:) Part of my issue is I think maybe I need to reevaluate what has not been working for me, and why not. Sigh. But if I can get some momentum going, I will feel better all around.
I wish you success (not luck)! Success is yours for the taking.
And through the holidays (I do both as well), I always like to say that it’s okay to celebrate, but keep the size of the celebration relative to the size of the moment!
These are some of the most realistic and balanced goals I’ve seen yet! (Although, yeah, that water goal could use some parameters. :)) You’re combining the push of a challenge with life’s normal events, which sets you up nicely to achieve your goals in good health and style. In fact, I predict 97.82% challenge success for you. (Reaching out to your math-y self, there.)
Once again you have me laughing out loud:) Yep, I need to work on the water goal. Three extra glasses so far today!
Way to go! You can do this!! 🙂
AND I think I’m going to join in too.
The more the merrier!!
I hope this challenge helps you accomplish those goals. I’m looking forward to following your next 100 days. Go get’em!
Good for you for joining! I’m so proud of you! Nothing like a little challange for motivation. 😀 YOU CAN DO IT!
WOO HOO! I’m so glad you’re in! It’s going to be great, and this year we’ll end the year right!!!
These are very achievable goals! You can do this!
Your goals sound very doable (and not too specific which is where I always get hung up). haven’t jumped on that wagon yet, but I hate to see y’all leaving without me.
Come on along for the ride! I think he actually gave until next week to post about it.
I’m doing a “FOCUS 100 Days” on my blog also – I think it’s a great way to focus on a bit of time and make some good changes! Way to go!
D
I’m still debating on this-not quite sure how the posting rules are supposed to go…
Congrats on taking the plunge!
Polar’s Mom
http://www.polarspage.blogspot.com
Well, as you can see, I debated and debated myself. And part of my hang up was the posting about it. And reporting back in on Steve’s blog. But my thinking is that I am doing it for my own motivation so will post and update in a way that works for me:)
I hear ya.. I read your post, and had it in the back of my mind to do the challenge, but those past two challenges didn’t end so well for me. So I understand your hesitation!
I don’t think every goal needs to be super specific. Things like “Consciously drink more water” and “Stop snacking when I’m not hungry” are great goals. Just the fact that you’re deciding “Theere are 100 days left in 2010 – I’m going to make the most of them!” is great.
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do great. 🙂
It certainly is weird to think of the year as almost over, but it is, huh? I think I’m going to jump on this bandwagon as well… definitely some things I need to re-commit myself to for my own sake.
I think your goals are realistic. You might consider Sean Anderson’s plan for holidays-just budget 1000 more calories for Thanksgiving or whatever. That is what I am going to do for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and Day! I am banking on it actually. Stay strong, Karen.
ACK! Not ready for 2011!!!!
good luck to you, Karen, i know you’re gonna do awesome!! (no refined sugars, does that mean no breads, store-bought sauces, and stuff? just curious :))
For me it means nothing like candy or ice cream or cookies, but fruits, with natural sugars, are fine. I do read labels for many store bought foods, and when possible I go with lower sugar options. But some stuff with sugar is fine with me – like ketchup:) And I’ll have non-sugar added things like the pudding or yogurt but they have natural sugars from milk.
So, basically, sweets, I guess.
Oh shoot, are you serious? There are only 100 days left in 2010? It was just New Year’s!
I don’t mean to ignore the real topic of your post (because I know you can do it) but it kind of shocked me. This must be why I saw some store employees putting up a CHRISTMAS TREE today! Yes, on September 22nd!
I found your blog through some site I found that listed health-related blogs by area and looked for any in KS since that’s where I’m from (Wichita to be exact). I subscribed but haven’t really read much of your posts since then b/c my life exploded into busy insanity and I regretfully deleted most the emails I got letting me know there was a new post. This one caught my attention, though, b/c I joined Steve’s Hot 100 too! So now I have an excuse to take some time out of my day to tune into your blog for reals. You set some great goals and they are doable–let’s rock this challenge together!
I can’t believe it’s getting so close to the end of the year! YIKES! That means i’m closer to graduation, boards, moving, and back into the real world!!!! WHOA. I’m totally gonna do the challenge, thanks for sharing!
They say the third time is the charm! I hope this one is the right motivator for you. I am in the same spot. The summer did not move me forward much toward my weight loss goal, so I am with you in making the best of the rest of the year.
I know you can do it! 🙂
You know your potential rough spots ahead, so, as my son’s baseball coach says when his players go up to bat: “Have a plan!” You’ll do well!
I like your list of commitments. This post of yours is about commitment, a commitment you are making to yourself to achieve the goal you have set for yourself; specically his challenge.
So when you succeed in this challenge, how will you reward yourself?
You know I never think about rewarding myself like that. Feeling good will probably be reward enough. Hmmm. Maybe I should rethink that.
Great job Karen! And just think – a new challenge may be just what motivates you!
I love your goals and the realistic plans you have. That’s how to stay in this for the long haul, I believe.
Thank you so much for all your support. I keep saying it, but it’s just so true and means so much.
I’m going to check out the 100 day challenge now.
And I thank YOU for telling me:) It is nice to know that someone appreciates it. For me, the best part of blogging is the community and the support and friendship, and that goes both ways, I think.
hows the wagon so far?
Im not one to have any CAN NOT HAVES but I do know—for me—that processed white wreaks havoc.
one everything from my jeans fitting to my MOOD.
Let’s rise up the challenge! I’m doing it too, so excited!
Can you please help me figure out how to post the icon deal on my blog and sidebar?!? I spent 30 minutes tiringly and i can’t figure it out 😦
Oh I wish I could – but you are on blogger so I don’t know how you do that. For me, I copy the image URL and add it to a widget in my sidebar. If you can’t do it the same, ask one of the participants who is on blogger. I am sure that any would be happy to help:
I just wanted to pop by and say hi. I got your name off the Hot 100 Challenge list and I wish you the best of luck on your weight loss goals. I hope you don’t mind me adding you as one of my favorite blogs. Good luck.
http://neverthskinnygirl.blogspot.com
Karen, I am glad you joined in! I hope the reluctance soon leaves and you enjoy every minute of it!
I got someone with blogger to help me out! Thanks for your advice 🙂
Hi Karen, the Hot 100 community is a GREAT one – and it is going to be SO TOTALLY INSPIRING, sticking to your goals is going to be easy with all the support. Good luck, let’s make it a STUNNING way to end this year!