Monday's Fit Tip Mania: Don't Go to BYU Conferences

Fit Tip of the Day: Steer clear of any conference that has you sitting for 10 hours a day and eating CRAP. Plain. Simple.

Sitting + Eating all day long = WEIGHT GAIN

What to Do if you find yourself in that situation: Eat Less. Work Out.

Stay tuned for next weeks more inspiring fit tip. Luv, Erin

Monday's Fit Tip Mania...on Tuesday

A day late? Of course. Isn't that how life is sometimes. I figured since I didn't get around to posting yesterday, that could be my inspiration for today. Today, I am an on the ball blog poster.

Fitness goals always lingering in the back of your mind? Are you putting it off till . . .? Yeah, I've been there. I've thought, I'll start my fitness routine on Monday. And then sure enough, Monday rolls around and its 'not such a good day' and I end up waiting until the next Monday.

I say, why set that starting time at all? NO, I don't mean throw in the towel all together, I mean just become what you want to be.

Remember, you are who you are right now. Cheesy, corny...who gives a flip. It works for me. I am not the couch potato, m&m eating, Pepsi guzzling gal I was yesterday. Today I am the in shape, healthy eating, fun mom I want to be. (Sure, I may still be downing the diet Peppsi, and not look like the in shape mommy because of my actions from yesterday...but I can fake it.) As the greatest saying in the world goes,

Fake it Till You Make It

Shake off the chains of who you were yesterday and the day before that and be who you want to be today. Pretty soon, being who you want to be will show through!

ASK THE AUDIENCE: WHO are YOU today?

Monday's Fit Tip Mania...The BEattitudes

BE-Attitude- Be Forgiving.

I have heard this a thousand times over. "I'll start to eat good, but then I'll have one bad day and that ruins me." Why is that? To be pointedly honest, I am the queen of this. Guilt. Frustration. Defeat. These are all emotions that hold us back from our goals. And because of this, a minor slip up (or a major one) can send us reeling off track from our goals. So much so that it can point us in the opposite direction. Have you ever set off to lose weight, only to end up gaining a few pounds? It isn't unheard of . . . no, in fact it happens quite often.

How do you get past that cycle? Simple (well, simply enough said) BE FORGIVING. You have to get over those times that you've let yourself down. Minute by minute this needs to be done. Don't procrastinate that forgiveness to the next day. Too many times I hear, "OK, I slipped up today, I'll start again on Monday." That is what the evil Fat Goddess wants you to hear. Kick that Chunk Butt Fat Perpetrator that sits whispering no good nothings on your shoulder TO THE CURB. If you want to reach those goals, feel great for the summer, look rockin' in a pair of capri's, then FORGIVENESS now, for that brownie you just downed will keep you from eating the rest of the pan.

You need to tell yourself. "Oh, well I slipped up, I am just jumping back on track RIGHT NOW!"

ASK THE AUDIENCE: What do you do when you have a big slip up?

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN: in the trenches

What week are we on? Can you believe we started this the beginning of January? If you are anything like me and my attention deficit ways, then I am sure you have had your ups and downs.
For some, this is the easiest time to stay on track...they've already fought past the first few weeks of committing to a making lifestyle changes, and now they are on a roll.

Or, you could be the other end of he stick where every day seems to steam roll you before you are even past breakfast...is this whole healthy lifestyle change a little too daunting?

FEAR NOT! I like to remind myself that each day is a new day...and when that doesn't work, I try other things to pick up my mood.

1. Go on a walk - the best thing to fight the winter blues is to get out side and get moving...even if the sky is cloudy and gray. Just the crisp air and the rush of endorphins can help you get on track.

2. Eat a grapefruit - why? well besides the fact that they taste great...they are packed with fiber. There is nothing like getting the whole 'system' moving to make you feel a little better.

3. Call your buddy - I have a certain buddy that I like to call for motivation when I'm lacking it. Sometimes she is doing just as bad and we commiserate together...and sometimes she has the awesomest pep talk. But, either way, it's always just what I need.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: What do you do to get past a lull? A Plateau? A Down Day...week...month?

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN: Reality Check

Did anyone out there happen to catch last week's episode of THE BIGGEST LOSER? To sum it up, Joelle, (who in real life is probably a very nice woman) spent the entire week moseying around the gym, and making excuses about her obvious decrease in workouts. She ended the week with a 0 pound weight loss, and was then kicked off the ranch with her not-so-best friend.

I sat on my couch, eating popcorn, and booing Joelle for her lack of ownership in the 0 pound weight loss fiasco. Come on Joelle? Are you really that surprised you didn't lose anything? You practically couldn't get of your rear the entire week.

EPIPHANY: And then it hit me...uh, what exactly had I been doing all week? My kids were sick, I was about to get sick any day so of course I couldn't work out. And tomorrow, when I go to weigh in at my friendly WW meeting, I'm probably going to be the spittin' image of Joelle living in her alternate reality bubble...UGH!

WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING? (right now, is when we all sit back and realize making excuses never helps us get anywhere...then some of you click off my blog because your happy excuse making...and the rest read on, maybe a little hopeful) Today is the day to take some ownership.

Mark's always hating on me because I love to say, "You either do it or you don't...there is no TRY." So, to be blunt, I didn't do it last week. I dropped the ball on my own GREAT SLIM DOWN. But, no worries, I'm no depressed blob of sucked out motivation...NO WAY, today I'm owning up to my slack off week and I'm getting right back on it.

REALITY CHECK: OWN IT! Own up to the success you've had or the failure...then move on, and DO better.

Fit tip of the week: For an at home kick butt workout, you could do this
Or for a little bit of money, buy P90X.

P90X is the best at home workout you can buy. Because there are quite a few different 1 hour - 90 minute workouts that come in the package, you almost never hit boredom. Also, the workouts are pretty intense, so you can knock down the intensity level to something you can manage, and as you increase strength, you'll have something to work to.

Get on it, work it out at home and OWN IT! (This blog is in no way affiliated with p90x...I'm just an X junkie)

ASK THE AUDIENCE: What have you been up to? Are you doing it or not? ohhh, and by the way, I loved all the tips people gave last week. Post a physical activity tip this week to help me beat the winter blahs.

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN: Monday's Fit Tip

WEEK 4: If you haven't jumped on board yet, that's ok, whenever you are ready just join in. This party train is for anyone at anytime. Start adding your points up and start finding little successes every day. And when you have an 'off' day (because really, we all do) keep moving on and do better the next day (this applies to when you have an off week too...and I know I have had those too).

PRIZES: If you have found little rewards to help motivate yourself along the way, that is excellent. If you need a little something more in way of an external reward then I met this awesome gal Jenny who teaches a great zumba class at the rec center that I work at (rambling...I know...I'm getting to it), well this awesome lady wrote a cook book. And, she has added it as a prize. So now for your effort, energy, points earned and lifestyle changed you have the chance of winning a family photography package from me (check it out here) or you can win an awesome cook book from Jenny (check it out here).

TIP: (This tip is spurned off of my own horribly disastrous week). A week and 1/2 ago I was so excited that I was already down 5 pounds. So excited that, I BOMBED last week. Really, I am talking all out bombed..probably gained back all that I lost. Have you ever had a freakishly bad, you wanna hide in a hole, type of week like that? UGH...IT SUCKS! So my tip for today is to start fresh. I know that if I berate myself and feel like a giant sludgy poop, that I will never move on and recommit. So drop the guilt, and start fresh. Today can be the first day of your better life, the first day of making healthier choices...it will be for me at least.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: How did your week go? Do you have any tips for success or great low cal recipes? Please please share and help me out...I really would like to have a good week.

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN: house order

It is week 3 of THE GREAT SLIM DOWN, and time to really pack on the points. I am totally pumped up about stay on track, and getting more rewards. I have had a few crazy days, but I am not giving up. If anything, I am starting off stronger today, and you can too!

For this week we are adding another point option.

Clean your Home for 30 minutes - This can include anything from dejunking a room (and placing those articles aside so you can throw a raging yardsale in April), or vacuuming, dishes, and dusting. You decide what needs the most attention in your home and work on it. You will be burning the extra calories and getting your home in order. This week every time you clean, organize, or dejunk for 30 minutes you earn 1 more point. That's 1 more point towards success.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: Overall, how was your week last week? What is your goal for this week?

MY GOAL: Be healthy on Friday and Saturday! (I tend to get stir crazy on those days and head straight for the junk food isle)

TIP TO REACH GOALS: Buy the 5 pound bag of baby carrots at Costco, and when you feel a munchy monster coming on, snack on them.

WEEK 2: The Great Slim Down

So I am dying to know, HOW DID YOU DO?
Are you avoiding me and this question, or have you been checking my blog every hour waiting patiently for this post so you can share how you rocked it?
Either way, I want to hear how you did.

ME:
Monday - good, Tuesday - good, Wednesday - good, Thursday - ok, Friday - VERY VERY BAD, Saturday - bad, Sunday - who cares anymore.

There you have it, I admit it, I totally bit the dust on Friday. If it was there to eat, then I ate it. But I am going to tell you right now, I don't feel bad at all. Why? Well because the whole point of THE GREAT SLIM DOWN is to make a lifestyle change. I am not interested in dropping a few pounds, just to gain them back when I am no longer starving myself. This is not about unhealthy choices. THE GREAT SLIM DOWN is about being a better version of myself. It is about being healthier and happier.

MONDAY'S FIT TIP:
My one goal for this week is to do better than last week. Even if I bomb out 2 days this week, at least it is better than last week. Each week I simply want to make better choices than the week before. That is my quest for this week!

ASK THE AUDIENCE: How did you do last week, and what is your goal for this week?

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN Q & A

Here's the answer to your deepest questions:

Question: What do you mean by 'no sugar'?

Answer: This one is for you to decide. I personally spent 3 months a couple years ago totally off of sugar. I made all my own bread, and ate oatmeal for breakfast. I only ate fruit with natural sugars in them. Personally, I don't intend on being that extreme for the great slim down; however, if that floats your boat, GO FOR IT. Either way, you can interpret it to mean: NO CANDY, COOKIES, CAKES OR JUNK!

Question: What is the prize? What do I get out of this?

Answer: This is up to you! I want you to choose your first goal mark and then reward yourself when you make it. I am going to be totally candid and honest here. I am 5' 6" and I currently weigh 151. I normally weigh about 135. I feel good anywhere between 135 and 140. I have set my first month goal to drop 7 pounds. By the end of January, my goal is to be 144. When I reach that first goal I am going to buy myself a sweet awesome new pair of SHOES! (I love shoes more than any other thing I could put on my body)

So, not only will you get a rockin' awesome body, you will also get your own reward...

However, for those of you who need more of a substantial reward, I am offering a grand prize reward of FREE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION (a $225 value). The overall winner at the end of 12 weeks gets the prize.

Question: How will you pick the overall winner?

Answer: Easy, you will post comments along the way and track your success! The person with the greatest success in points earned and weight lost will be my winner! If it is a close call, I have a back up team of fitness professionals who will decide.

Question: What do I get if I live out of state?

Answer: If you pay for the travel, you will get the great photography session for you and all your family. Or you can simply use the offer for whenever you have the time to come to Utah.

Question: Do you have an easy Excel Spreadsheet I can use to track my points?

Answer: OF COURSE! A great wonderful reader, Faith, created one and sent it to me. If you would like your own personal copy, please email me and I will send it to you. My email is erinsummerill(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Question: Does shoveling snow count for 30 minutes of cardio?

Answer: If you worked up a sweat, exerted yourself and kept a consistent pace for 30 minutes, SURE!

If you have any questions that I left unanswered, please email me and I will get them answered.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: How did you do yesterday? Was it easier than you thought it would be or harder...or are you just not participating, but want to comment on the blog?

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN IS HERE!!!

I'm 30, it's a new year, I am no longer pregnant, I have 16 pounds to drop. Do you know what I am getting at? This is it. This is the YEAR OF THE GREAT SLIM DOWN. Are you in or are you out? Here me out first before you make your final decision. If you jump on this band wagon, join my party, ride this train (are you getting my point yet?) IF YOU ARE IN IT TO WIN IT, then not only will you look great for the new year, but you will feel better too. Did you know that just 10 extra pounds on your frame will have you feeling more tired quicker, and less energy all around. That only goes to say that if you have more than 10 extra pounds to dismiss, then think of the benefits you will gain when you have dropped the weight.
Here is the Challenge: Earn as many points a day as you can by following the simple rules to earn points. Total up your points each week and report it to me, a friend, a spouse or just anyone...accountability is a MUST! Then check back here every week for GET FIT TIPS and stories sent in from others on how they were successful...and you can send in your advice and story too!

1. There are a set of 12 given tasks that earn points. If you complete one, then you get a point for that day for that task. You can earn as many points a day as you want, or as little as you want, providing you complete the tasks that earn points.
2. You cannot earn double points for the same item in one day.
3. You cannot make up points for an item if you miss it one day and double it the next, doubling up on one item does not get you double points (*this excludes weight loss points).
4. Go at the challenge with friends or alone, either way, I will be your number one supporter! So feel free to email me questions or your daily epiphanies at erinsummerill{at}hotmail{dot}com.
5. You can wait to calculate your weight loss points till the end of the week, or the end of the month. Weight Loss is the only points that you can earn as many points as possible. If you lose 6 pounds in a month, you earn 12 points for that month for weight loss. I would caution you to NOT weigh yourself everyday as you might have emotional ups and downs that might affect your fitness goals.

Email me for a great EXCEL spread sheet to track your points! I have an awesome friend who created it and it will work perfect for tracking points! erinsummerill(at)hotmail(dot)com

MONDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL MONDAY POINTS:

TUESDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL TUESDAY POINTS:

WEDNESDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL WEDNESDAY POINTS:

THURSDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL THURSDAY POINTS:

FRIDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL FRIDAY POINTS:

SATURDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL SATURDAY POINTS:

SUNDAY FREE DAY!!!

Get Fit AGAIN?!?

It has been a month since we renewed our fitness vows and endeavored to take on a greater fitness challenge. Did you make it? How well did you do? Ups, Downs?

I obviously have been a little less talkative than normal. While you have most likely been working yourself into a skinny frenzy, I have actually been putting on the pounds. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have INCREASED in size. Particularly in my mid region, but I have noticed a dramatic change in my rear cushion. If you didn't pick up on my vague and utterly random posts about 2 months ago, I am Baby Hauling, Prego, Knocked Up, Bun in the Oven, a backwards camel, swallowed too many watermelon seeds, in other words, I am Pregnant.

Not that this one fact should overshadow the great quest of my blog: Complete physical, mental and spiritual Fitness, balanced with a healthy grasp of the oddities of life; but, (and yes it is becoming a BIG 'but') I do feel sad to say I that this is the last fitness challenge of the summer. The next great fitness challenge will commence November of this year and it will be a challenge to beat all challenge, because lets face it, when I am back in the game, I love a good competition.

Lets get down to business. Did you sink or swim, pass or (not pass), GET FIT OR FORGET ABOUT IT? I want to hear how you did, how well you preformed, what worked for you and what didn't. Spill your guts on whatever is on your mind and if you are chosen to be my ULTIMATE GET FIT WINNER, you could be the grand winner of a full family photography photo shoot!

Post your guts and glory in the thoughts below. Happy writing and winning!

FRIDAY'S FABULOUS 5 FIT TIPS!

*on a side note, if you have been wondering where I have been, see the posts below*

Need a great way to jump start your weekend? Follow these Five Fabulous tips for Friday to kick your Fitness plan into weekend shape!

1. Feel the Weekend Breeze. Get out there and take a sunset walk tonight. Not only will you love the fresh smell of spring's outdoors, but you will rev up your calorie burning system to help beat the weekend bulge.

2. Eat PANCAKES! Hooray for wholewheat healthy pancakes. Here is a recipe I have developed to help me through those weekends where the kids want piles of pancakes loaded with syrup. I make these healthy pancakes, and the kids are always asking for more! Click the link below to find out about this rockin' recipe!

Whole Wheat Pancakes

3. Go Yardsaling. The best way to not munch, graze or snack all day is to get busy. When I have my sights on yardsaling, nothing else can detract from that laser beam of thought. Save some money, and save a few calories too!

4. Buy Shoes...ok, maybe this tip wont appeal to you, but it certainly works for me. How does a new outfit make you feel? Great! I love the way a new pair of shoes hug my worn out feet and transform me from tired haggard housewife to 'EAT YOUR HEART OUT EVERYONE ELSE...BUT ERIN'. When you feel good about yourself you tend to make better choices for yourself too, but more importantly, you will be busy shopping all day that you wont have time to raid the fridge 20 times a day...and you will get the mall walking workout!

5. Beautify your Yard...No one likes to call this yard work, but come on, Spring has sprung and your yard is begging for a good weeding, planting and fertilizing. Not only will you be in the running for the city yard beautification award, but you will be burning calories!

May 1: GET FIT CHALLENGE

Are you still reeling from the last challenge? Were you successful or were you left feeling unsatisfied? This is the month to kick butt...your own, that is. The weather is warming up and the summer styles are hitting the stores. It is time to GET FIT!

Rules:
1. You earn points each day for the tasks you accomplish. If you don't complete a task in one day, you cannot finish it the next day and count points for the first day and the next day. So choose wisely and EARN, EARN, EARN!

2. You can earn multiple points on weight loss and exercise! For each pound you lose, you earn 2 points, for each 1/2 hour of cardio you complete you earn 1 point...thus, for each hour of cardio you complete, you earn 2 points.

3. You get a free day! SUNDAY...free to relax and enjoy without managing points.

4. If you have any other questions on the rules...simply email me! See contact info above.

Everyday you earn one point for the following:

Finish eating at 7:30 pm
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Clean your home for 1 hour
Read a story to your children/read alone for 30 min

You can earn multiple points for the following (for every 30 min. of cardio give youself one point, 1 hour = 2 points):
30 min cardio
20 min toning

Count points for weight loss only once a week. Total your weekly points and add in your weight loss points. Remember to give yourself 2 points for every pound you drop. HOWEVER if you gain, then you must add 2 points back for every pound you gain.
Weight loss (2pt)

SO, are you in? Reply in the thoughts to let me know if your in for this month's challenge. If you are new to blogger, you simply need to click on the thoughts link below to leave a comment...then follow the directions on the box that pops up.

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Congratulations to all of you who participated in our first month long GET FIT CHALLENGE. I hope that you saw great results, and you changed a few unhealthy habits...I know I did. Thanks to this challenge I kicked my Diet Pepsi addiction and I worked out almost every day!

Here are the list of winners in the categories that they were chosen. Winners in the first two categories were chosen randomly, and the winner in the third category was chosen through a committee (my husband and I). For the sake of privacy, I did only mention first names and initials of last name, or your posting name. If you are on this list, please see my contact information above, email me your home contact information, and I will send out your winnings in the next week.

Personal Blog Mention:

Cecilia C.

Comments Posted on this Blog:

Cahokia

Points Achieved:

Bobbi J.
Leslie P.
Aubrie I.
Camille D.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Check back to see when we will start the next GET FIT CHALLENGE! (May 1st)

CALL FOR POINTS!!!

Hello Get Fit Challenge Contestants. Today is the day you have been working for all month. Now is your time to shine! In the thoughts section of this post, please enter your points.

You need to enter your weekly totals(since the last two days of the month were Sunday (a free day, and Monday a regular day, those days won't count in your totals), your monthly total, a challenge you faced, and how you overcame it, and if you lost weight, your total weight loss. See example below.

example.

Ida B. Dawinner

week 1: 38 points -- 0 points weight loss
week 2: 42 points + 4 points weight loss (2 pounds)
week 3: 56 points + 2 points weight loss (1 pound)
week 4: 36 points + 2 points weight loss (1 pound)

Monthly Total: 172 points + 8 points weight loss = 180

Challenge: I really struggled with eating Easter candy; I ate so much that I lost no weight the first week even though I was doing all my cardio and toning! I over came that challenge by throwing all the Easter candy away and mocking others who I saw eating it.

Total Weight Loss: I lost 4 pounds this month!!!

Enter your totals like the example above. You have one week to enter and the winners will be chosen a week from today.

GET FIT CHALLENGE: The Final Countdown

(4th quarter pep talk) Are you still in the game? This is the final quarter. Can you go the distance? We have had some ups and downs, but this game is still within reach. We can take and we must! So get out there, play hard, and don't let them (the bad temptation team) score all those points against you. Remember Zac Effron's coined phrase, "Keep your head in the game!" (coach slaps you on the but) Now get out there and play it like you mean it. BRING IT HOME!

FACTS: This is the last week of Month 1's challenge. One week from today, there will be a call for points post on this blog. Within 1 week, you will need to submit your points for each week of the challenge, your total points for the month, and one success story of how you beat the odds or played the best GET FIT CHALLENGE you could.

FEELINGS: You might be feeling discouraged or down because you 'downed' handfuls of Easter candy in one sitting, or you might be feeling overwhelmed with the options of points everyday. Remember, the intention of this Get Fit Challenge, is it make 'goal achieving' bite size and manageable. Each day you have the chance to take control of your actions and be rewarded! Remember, "We are all in this Together" (another High School Musical moment).
Even if you have felt defeat for the last 3 weeks, Take charge this week and find your success!

FUN: Have fun and set your sights high this week. This is the final week of month 1's challenge. See how high you can score and make a game out of it! Then, in the thoughts below, share your success and the way you achieved it!

GET FIT CHALLENGE: TIP OF THE DAY!!!

Tip of the day:

Be 'PICKY' (do you get my photo pun?!?)

This Challenge is designed to help you feel successful and to encourage you to choose the most points daily. So, be very picky when it comes to what you do with your day. Don't squander your points on a meaningless piece of candy or one can of soda. BE PICKY, and pick the best possible choice.

My 6 year old son learned this statement last year from his kindergarten teacher. He likes it so much, he says it right before he walks out the door to school everyday:

To be the best that I can be the Choice will always be up to me! (say it, and then BE PICKY about the choices you choose everyday!)

Have a FIT TIP that has worked for you? Share it in the comments

Have a trial that has gotten you down? Share it in the comments

Anything random to share? Share it in the comments

Monday's FIT TIP MANIA:

GET FIT WEEK 3: 2 TO TRIUMPH!!!

My theme for this week is TWO TO TRIUMPH. This week is a pivotal week. Now that we are into the third week of the GET FIT CHALLENGE, it is common to see set backs and even get off track. Well Slammin' Sista's and Blastin' It Bro's we are not going to take a risk falling into the crap shoot. No! We are going to face this challenge head on. I have read through your comments and have been utterly inspired by your dedication despite adversity. After reading each comment I thought, what would I do in that situation? Ideally, I would do the following.

If I were having a tough time with a certain task, I would try to face it head on. I would focus my daily goals around that one particular daily task. Honestly, of the two weeks that have passed, I have only earned a 'No Sugar' point ONCE! (oh, please don't turn away disgusted...I really did try hard, but sugar is my nemesis) So I decided that I just need more incentive, I need something that will really tip my scales towards earning that point. Get ready, here it is:

THIS WEEK ONLY, choose the task that is the biggest challenge for you. (obviously mine is 'No Sugar') For everyday you complete that task you earn 2 POINTS instead of 1! You may only do this for one task, and it must be the same task everyday. You may not choose a different task to earn double on each day. You must choose at the beginning of each week which task you want to earn double for each day, and then each day keep track of your progress like normal. Give yourself 1 point for each of the tasks you have completed, but for the chosen task of the week, give yourself 2 POINTS for each day you SUCCEED!!!

EXAMPLE: This week I choose to earn 2 POINTS everyday that I choose 'No Sugar'.

Today's a new day! CHOOSE 2 TO TRIUMPH!!!

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!?

I know, I shouldn't be saying WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? I should be saying, WHERE HAVE I BEEN? To make a long story short, I had one of those crap hitting the fans type of weeks and on top of that, my computer has not been connecting to the Internet! Blast my devil computer in my time of need. It is only this week that I realize that I use the blogging cycle (i.e. you read my blog, I stalk yours 3-4 times a day...everyday) as free daily therapy. Needless to say, without my trusting blogging community a fingertips length away, this week was a crap shoot. Which made me realize today, how FREAKING AWESOME you guys are. I read my last post about "Teddy the Destroyer" and loved, laughed and cried about your posts. What great advice you have to share. Thanks so much. I truly feel at my wits end with my little BEAR! So thanks to your advice, I am trying to laugh more, take destruction in stride and see it as him expressing his creativity. Teddy the Destroyer is now Teddy the Tenacious!

GET FIT UPDATE:
I cannot lie, my own challenge quest was about as successful as my crap shoot week. But, that is the glory of the contest. You can have a bomb of a day and just start over the next day. Everyday you are free to earn as many points as you can. So, shrug off the feelings of defeat or guilt and realize today is a new day! Everyday is a new day. You are today who you want to be and not the defeat you felt yesterday. I believe in you, so share your stories with me. How did you do this week? Success or Trial? Post a comment and share your story with all the other contestants. Remember: Instead of Crap Shoots, Shoot for the Stars!

Need a Reason to GET FIT?

In addition to the already fabulous prizes, I am adding a few more prizes, thanks to a wonderful reader of this blog!

3 day hotel package: you choose from a variety of destinations

5 day hotel package: choose from even more destinations


When you are taking a vacation, finding somewhere to stay is half the trouble. Now, with these great incentives, you won't have to search for somewhere to stay. These hotel packages are 4-5 star ideal locations throughout the United States (ex. Honolulu and Anaheim).

These free prizes are another reason to GET FIT! So if you haven't joined yet, now is the time. Click here to join the GET FIT CHALLENGE. And remember to check back regularly for updates and inspiration....or just for a good laugh.