Monday Check-In

Good morning, you beautiful successful strong gorgeous powerful confident sexy ladies you! :)  HALFWAY!  Today marks the end of the first three weeks of the challenge and the beginning of the second three weeks of the challenge.  How have you done the last week?  Share both this last week's progress and the total progress for the last three weeks.  Measurements today, too, which should be the first time measuring since the first day of the challenge (you can scoop up a $2 floppy white tape measurer at any fabric store like JoAnn's).  In MFP, you can customize all the body areas you measure, so instead of their typical 3 or 4 default areas, I've added like 10 because gosh darn it I'm going to see progress somewhere and LOVE it :)  Also share with us your feelings thus far about the challenge and what you've learned about yourself.  Did you know you could do such hard things when you started?!?  It's amazing to feel that sensation that for once in your life, you're the one in charge of your body; you are not the victim of your body's whims and demands.  And let me also say that Nicole did AMAZING in her half marathon on Saturday!  She didn't walk any of it.  She cruised along at such a phenomenal pace that I couldn't believe it!  My new best ever halfie time.  And Valerie finished a full 22 minutes ahead of us WHILE pushing a baby stroller.  I can't believe how incredibly talented, determined, motivated, and accomplished my friends are.  I loved it!  You should both be extremely proud of yourselves :)  So share share share share- I can't wait to hear all the phenomenal progress and things my other friends are up to!!!!!!!!

This also marks the beginning of Side-Challenge #2!  For those of you who wish to participate, I'll do a little prize at the end for each of you.  It's a bit involved, but very personal and I can't wait to do it myself this week.  The idea for this comes from Dale Smith Thomas, a (female) speaker I heard a year and a half ago at a luncheon in Milwaukee for my work.  I get her motivational emails each Monday and this is an idea she shared this summer.  The Side-Challenge #2 will be to make a "Creation Box."  According to Dale, "Start a 'Creation Box' - find a box that you can keep on your desk or in your home. Fill it with visual images of your goals and dreams. Photos from magazines, phrases, and ideas. Keep adding to your creation box."  So that's your first of a few tasks in this side-challenge.  Today and tomorrow, pick up or find at home a box, pail, jar, or anything else you can think of to be your new "creation box."  Decorate it if you want.  Make it something special for you. 

Do you have a 'skinny' picture of you from years past that you want to get back to?  Put it in the box!  Do you have a favorite quote/mantra/scripture that motivates you? Write/Print it out and put it in the box!  Do you have a vacation you are going to treat yourself to when you hit your goal- maybe a beach, a cruise, a waterpark, etc? Print out a picture and put it in the box!  Do you have sports or activities you're going to be able to run and do without losing breath easily? Print out a picture and put it in the box!  Are you working out to live a longer and healthier life with your kids?  Print out a picture of them and put it in the box!  In the past, some of you ladies have talked about the real you being hidden inside your current body and you're working to bring it out.  Well what does that "real you" inside there look like, feel like, dream like, aspire to, play like, love like?  Try and capture that in pictures, phrases, ideas, and put it in the box!

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, there will be something else for you to put in the box that I'll describe then.  I am SO excited for this one!  On Friday, email me a picture of your creation box/jar/pail and describe one or two things in it.  On Saturday, I'll post your pictures & thoughts for us all to be motivated by :)