Hi,

I wanted to share this with everyone since it seems to be working to keep me on track and motivated.

I'm in a moms club here and one of our members did a challenge with her friends at the Y. It's an honor-system type challenge and doesn't involve weightloss, specifically, but most certainly will keep you on your WOE and exercise program! Here's how it works:

For a specified period of time, each member of the challenge will work towards completing the following things, and earn points accordingly:

1. Having 10 minutes of quiet time (meditating, prayer, journaling, whatever) = 2 points/day.

2. Following an eating program (Atkins or whatever) = 5 points/day.

3. 40 min of exercise 5 days per week = 5 points per day.

4. Drinking a minimum of 64 ounces of water per day = 5 points/day.

5. Not eating 3 hours before bed = 3 points per day.

They all pitched in $100 to a pot, and the winner gets 75% of the money and 2nd place gets 25%.

Now, being a bunch of SAHM's, we couldn't afford $100, so we're doing $20 each. Plus we made the exercise points scaleable (10 min = 1 point, 20 min = 2, 30 min = 3 and 40 min = 5).

We're doing our "Wellness Challenge" from March 1 - May 31. Winners will be awarded June 1, just in time to buy new summer clothes.

Now, as I said, weightloss isn't counted in the challenge, but by doing that, and not specifying an eating plan, you can include everyone (people still stuck on counting calories, low fat, Atkins, whatever) as well as people who don't necessarily need to lose weight, but would like the obvious benefits from doing each of the daily "chores."

It really has kept me motivated to get up and exercise, as well as not cheat on this WOE. I guess knowing I'll have to report to my friends on why I didn't earn all my points one day is motivation enough. And I know that by doing these things I will see results.

OK, I've rambled on enough. I'm just so excited about this that I wanted to share with you all. Though maybe you would want to do this with a bunch of your local friends.

Mada

Summer Challenge Stats:
204/204/174 by 6/21

Overall Stats:
215/204/160-140 (size 8-10)
Re-re-started LC 1/5/04

"Self delusion is pulling in your stomach when you step on the scales." - Paul Sweeney

Wow Mada,

That sounds like a great way to stay motivated and keep things interesting at the same time.

Libby

174/142/138