LINKY for INITIAL EVE 2 EASTER UPDATE: Closes midnight New Year's Eve. Don't miss the deadline. Include all needed info in your update. OFF WE GO!

"A goal is a dream with a deadline" ~~Napoleon Hill

Note: GO BY THIS PAIRiNG, cause some folks kinda messed up the links and I'm trying to sort it out. Have patience. If I've paired you below, go by that pairing. Sorry for the bit of mayhem. PEOPLE, please put the right info in the first time!!!! . Ahem.
You may not know who your buddy is until the challenge entries are all in (ie, by Sunday). You can edit your initial post with the buddy info. If that is problematic, just add it to your midweek update. Later... Buddies so far:~~~ 1/2: Casey and Julie ~~ 3/4: Bluezy and lv2~~ 5/6: Eaba and Nanette~~ 7/8: Debby and UpInTheCosmos~~ 9/10:  Jenny and Betty~~11/12: Jordan and Mir~~ 13/14: Karen and Bethany~~ 15/16: Megan and Jillian~~~ the last two linkies, I'm waiting on, but should pari up...17/18: Angela and Jo

One Slot Open for the Challenge--SLOT TAKEN, and how to make sure you get a particular buddy...

Due to a private and specific reason, one of the challengers had to bow out today. I have one slot open. Let me know.

If no one takes it, then I will go buddyless and we will proceed as normal.

If you want in, I need to know, ideally, by today, but by tomorrow is great.

Comment here to request the slot. Later...

ETA: Okay, Bethany, Karen's daughter, has the slot.

If you guys wanna buddy up, remember to link up in matching slots (1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, etc).

This isn't hard to do: email your url to your wannabe-buddy, and let them enter you and them when paired slots are available (the first pair of 1/2 or the last of17/18, would be easiest). I make linkies so they can be edited (I think you can delete if you make a mistake, too). So, if you WANT a PARTICULAR buddy, plan it out with that buddy. Once you leave the link in and it closes, that's it. Your buddy is set. :D

Thanks, all. I hope that does it for the drop-outs and all 18 of us are now gonna be ready-steady to go. Still waiting to hear from...um, I forget, like 3 challengers?

Still Waiting To Get Emails from THREE Challengers..See why I needed an even number of challengers? And...the initial linky goes up soon...

The linky should be up tonight. If it doesn't work, I'll fiddle with it. :)

As of 9:54 pm (right now), I am still waiting for the info emails from 3 Challengers. Don't forget about that, ladies. See previous post if you missed that.

Any last hour questions, post them here.

The Buddy System will be simple: In the first linky update, you will be paired with a buddy based on how you link up. 1 is buddy with 2. 3 with 4. 5 with 6. 7 with 8, etc.

This is why I needed an even number of challengers.

This is why you cannot quit. If you quit, you abandon your buddy. You leave a challenger BUDDYLESS. So, you're now totally accountable to stick it out for the sake of that person. Not just the group or me. THAT particular person.

If there is a person you want to be buddies with (like your sister or a particular blogging pal), make sure you link up pretty simultaneously in that numerical pattern. If you are the 9th link in the initial update, then your buddy is number 10 (the person after of you). If you're number 12, your buddy is number 11 (the person ahead of you).

Make note of the person who is your buddy, go to their blog, make contact, exchange emails (and any other info you want) and BECOME A SUPPORT DUO/TEAM! Do not let your buddy get disheartened or quit. Be accountable. Be an encourager par excellence for them.

As of 9:55 pm, I have heard from the following, 3 more to go:

I have received info emails from:

Karen O
Nanette N
UpInTheCosmos
Bluezy
Eaba
Betty
Casey
Jordan
Jillian
Jenny
Jo
Angela
Bethany
Toby

18 Challengers Accepted. Please do your prep work for initial post/challenge

Please look at blogroll to the right to see your fellow challengers.  It's possible I'll make an exception for 2 more entrants (I want an even number in the challenge, so if I did accept challengers it would have to be TWO more, not one.)

You will have one buddy in this challenge. Your buddy will be revealed when you do the initial linky this weekend. The link will go up soon, and you will need to update by the deadline. DO NOT MISS DEADLINES.

Your buddy will be the person you will most closely support, keep track of, and help with those times you need someone else to speak for you (should your computer crash, etc). You will need to exchange emails, phone numbers-- if you so desire--and who will have your back as needed. If your buddy is having a lot of trouble with the challenge, it will be up to you to alert others to come and support. They are to do the same for YOU.

I will also need your email before the challenge starts. Please send it to me before 12/31/11. I need your first name or moniker (what I can address you as), your blog url (makes life easy for me), and whatever else you want to add. :)

Reach me at my gmail account that has the name of my original weight loss blog. The address is : onceuponadiet

(Yes, I'm not typing out the address proper as that will get me spammed.)

I have received info emails from:

Karen O
Nanette N
UpInTheCosmos
Bluezy
Eaba
Betty
Casey
Jordan
Jillian
Jenny
Jo
Angela
Bethany
Toby

waiting on 3 more as of 9:53 pm Thursday...

Once I get all your emails, I'll delete the info above on my addy. Note down my addy for future reference, K? Now, send me an intro email so I have your email address for any necessary group mails. I have how to reach me at my blog (see sidebar right, scroll down). Do not spam me. Do not send me humorous emails. Do not add me to any email lists. THANKS.

You will be responsible for having a weekly update and a url for that update entered into the linky. There are ways to make a url ahead of time on Blogger (you create a post, get a preview, copy the url, and then schedule it for a future date. This way, you can give your buddy a url for the update linky if you are out of town of puter-disabled. You can always ENTER the actual post update info LATER, but the url has to be a real one for the linky. Got it? If not, ask in the comments. If you plan to go on vacation or have issues, make sure your BUDDY gets the url for your scheduled updates/future updates, so they can enter it/them in the linkies for you. COORDINATE THIS between you two.

Okay, keep an eye out for the first update linky. I will make another post to clarify again what needs to be in there.  For now, do your prep work. Have all the items I specified previously you'd need--scale, tape measure, pictures of outfit, books, etc--and be ready to give a good, solid, goal-oriented, comprehensive first post with your weight, waist measure, book titles (links to where folks can buy, read about book is nice, too), etc.

Welcome to the challenge. I will need your support and help as much as you need the support and help of your fellow challengers. Do not let me or yourself or each other down by slacking on support, missing updates, or quitting. This is, naturally, an individualized endeavor, but it's also a group effort. You are not alone, and you should not act as if your being in or out is not important. IT IS.

Now, on we go...

THE RULES/ELEMENTS of the Challenge and a CALL FOR REQUESTS for few remaining slots

Bluezy's Fabulous Challenge Art /Badge. :D
THANKS, Bluezy!!!!

In case you didn't recheck the previous post, I've added a few challengers. We're up to 10 as of 6pm on 12/23.   I plan to enjoy my holiday with hubby and family, so I don't expect to do much bloggy-wise until after Tuesday (hubby has a couple of days off post Xmas).


I rather like the rules I added to the  previous post, so that's how it will be. I only need to add the refinements, details, and I'll do that after Christmas. Pretty much: Those in the previous post will be the rules.

I added a briefer recap of the rules/elements to a list on the left sidebar. Peruse it. Recheck it for additions prior to the start of the challenge on 12/31/11.

I will give more info about the buddy system I plan to implement to keep us accountable and not missing deadline linkies. :D For now, know that this will be a more rigorous challenge than the previous because of that, but it will still be about YOUR goals and measures--you set them, not me. I just keep you accountable. That's all.

We are up to 10 challengers as of right now. I added some folks who were consistent from the CDCC, and who I believe will profit healthfully from the E2E. People I believe will respect the rules and stick it out to the end.

I won't allow more than, maybe 18. 20 absolute tops. I'd prefer we kept it down to 14-18. I do believe fewer--but more committed--challengers means we can support each other better, get to know each other better, and thereby give better targeted support. It's a hard journey--be it maintenance, losing, relosing, toning up, getting over binge issues or other eating issues. It's hard. We need to have each other's backs.

Okay...this is the post for you to add a comment if you wish to make a request to join the E2E, that is, if you haven't been added to the blogroll at right. 

Know this: I give priority to folks who've stuck out challenges (sans quitting), who have optimistic blogs that help others, who are consistent bloggers with accountability and honesty. I adore people who are supportive. If you are a negative nelly, a bummer, a sporadic and inconsistent blogger, and have quit challenges--I am not the challenge leader for you. Really, you'll just irk me and I'll holler at you.

Make sure your blog is working. Make sure you can comment. If you have issues with Blogger, open a free blog on Wordpress or another host and make sure you are able to participate. Blogger had glitches in the last challenge, and it was frustrating for some. Fix that issue before 12/31, yes?

If you want someone who is 100% on your side to win your battles, who will be really honest and kick ya in the butt (kinda tactfully sometimes), who won't be happy if you give up on yourself, and who expects you to be totally genuine, even if you're struggling, who will never make fun of your efforts, who wants you to be your best--I'm here.

If I have a slot open and I don't know you, I will check your blog to see if you're 1. a consistent blogger, 2. an honest blogger, 3. are really working on issues, even if not making much progress yet. If you don't have a blog, forget it. Don't ask to join, K?

Angela Pea is the co-lead for this (see blogroll for her blog), so if I'm not around for some reason, head to her blog and ask her a commenty question as needed. I am pretty good about responding, but hey, stuff happens. I can be reached by leaving a comment here or on my Happy Weight After blog (comments go to email, unless they're spammy).

FEEL FREE TO GRAB THE BADGE THAT OPENED THIS POST FOR YOUR BLOG. I know it's kinda lame, but a visual artiste, I am not. I'm a wordsmith, not a picturesmith. :D  Use it or not. Create a better one! ETA: Bluezy created a badge way more creative and artistic and attractive than mine. Feel free to grab that, too.

All right. Post your questions, requests. INCLUDE YOUR BLOG URL with your request.

Happy holidays to all. I wish you much joy with your loved ones. Be well...and I'll see y'all soon.

Eve To Easter Challenge 2012....

Now creating a blog for the upcoming challenge,which will kick off New Year's Eve and run through April 8, Easter 2012.

Note: Feel free to comment and ask questions here. BUT...until I put up the rules post with a call for requests for entry for remaining slots, don't request to be added. THIS IS FOR INFO and assorted comments. Do not request to join yet.

Okay, some preliminary stuff....but the final rules will mirror this very closely, so pay attention. (I will update this as I think/refine, so may wanna recheck it.)

~~~

I chose the name because of the holiday/dates (New Year's EVE, Easter), and because of the images of Eve (the women tempted by a food item, hah) and Easter (the day of rebirth, transformation, change, overcoming a major obstacle, victory, glory).

Fits. We're out to change. We're out to overcome our weaknesses/temptations and emerge victorious, changed, new, fresh, alive.

The rules/particulars will be up soon. Challengers will be selected for the final roster before NY Eve, naturally. I've already scheduled a post for this blog with the initial linky. It will publish on Dec 29. Challengers will have until midnight 12/31/11, Eastern Time, to add their links. Got that? Good.

The current challengers (preselected):

Mir (challenge lead)
Angela Pea (co-lead)
Julie
Betty
UpintheCosmos
Karen (Sunshine)
Beth (Obesity Strike)
Jo (sowwy  ; )  )
Jordan (toujours...)
Megan (reinventing..)


If you're in the blogroll in the sidebar to the right, it's cause you're IN. I will add folks bit by bit, so check that blogroll to see if you're in. I'll try to remember to add to the list above, but that's not the indicator. BLOGROLL..k? If you are not there, you're not in.

If I added you by mistake or you want out, just post a comment and I'll update as needed. As the challenge progresses, I'll try to keep it updated (ie, if someone misses a linky, they get removed, as I assume that means you are no longer in--unless I get an email/comment with an explanation. Just like the previous challenge. Accountability counts.)

There will be anywhere from 2 to 10 more slots. I'm still undecided on ultimate size. Will depend on requests, I suppose. I choose the challengers. If you quit on one of my previous challenges, I won't select ya, so don't ask. If you had trouble updating/linking on time and following the rules in my previous challenge, this may not be for you, cause I will get cranky if you pull the same crap again on me.

I'm looking for folks who will stick it out and commit to the 14 weeks...good, bad, or midling results. STICK IT OUT.

Because life happens, I do need a co-lead who will be there to take up slack, be cheerleader, post encouragements, and, should something happen to me, keep it going. I will also include a buddy system so that there will be deeper support and a way to get update linkies in should a challenger be on vacation, have computer/internet issues, etc.
~~~

FOR THIS CHALLENGE YOU WILL NEED (none will be negotiable):


A blog. (I added this due to a comment, just to be really, really clear). You will have to do TWO weekly blog posts ON YOUR OWN BLOG for the challenge. 1. The official weekly update that you link up. 2. One other post that doesn't require a linky, but is a midweek self-check. If you're having trouble--or doing great and celebrating--or tweak--or want to ask your readers for support---do it. One by Sunday. One closer to mid-week. Use one to report on what your book is doing for you, maybe give a quote or tip from the book. Prove you're doing the bookwork in one of these updates. So....TWO UPDATES a week on the blog you use for the challenge. Minimum. (Feel free to post daily if that keeps your mojo up.) Ok?

A scale for weekly weigh-ins and a tape measure for weekly to monthly measures (am undecided on the frequency, but prolly weekly of at least a waist measurement).

A camera phone or digital camera to upload the required before/after pics.

A dress, top, pair of jeans, or other item of clothing that doesn't fit or doesn't fit RIGHT, that you want to fit into/fit perfectly into.

You will need to set goals.

You will need to acquire at least ONE book to read to help you work on your issues)--the issue(s) that keep you from getting control of eating/exercising/emotions/temptations. Work on the issue. You will need to READ the book and work on the issue and report on it. Book title (or tentative titles) must be included in the INITIAL CHALLENGE GOALS and starting weigh-in/measure post.

A guiding quote.  If you're a Christian, maybe a Bible verse. If you're another religion, maybe a holy proverb or scripture to give you a vision. If you're non-religious, maybe a philosophical statement or proverb from some classic work that can be your "vision statement". If none of those work for you, create your own vision/guiding/hope statement. Use it to focus on your updates. Don't ever lose heart. I got this idea from my years of praying for a "word" of the year. In the past, I've gotten words from the Lord like "change" and "courage". I'm gonna start praying for my 2012 word or verse. So, I hope it's one that really motivates me. :D   Find your guiding/vision statement/philosophical principle/affirmation. USE IT in every update, if you can or wish to. Believe it.

~~~~

Think NOW about what it is you want to focus on. If you're maintaining your weight but want to tone up...you'll need to figure out how to measure that. Maybe with a tape measure (leaner, smaller, same weight) or with pictures of muscles toning or with some fancy doohickey to measure body fat. Or you may track your exercise routine. BUT YOU MUST HAVE MEASURABLE factors. If it's exercise, are you using heavier weights every other week or doing more walking minutes weekly or walking faster or adding more days of exercise. It must be something you can track.

Weight, inches, energy level, days without binges, glasses of water, hours of reading/issue work, calories eaten, hours slept, time meditating for calm/praying for strength, sessions of therapy, meetings with dietitian, minutes of X or hours of Y...whatever...trackable! You don't know if you're improving or not without some measure, right?


Tangible is good. Outfit. Tape measure.
Visual is good. Scale, photos.
Written is good: food journal, exercise journal, journal of issues-work, charts, grids....


Whatever helps you focus and measure and know you're changing. It's good!

If your issues are emotional and too personal to talk about on a blog, at least mention the book and issue and what YOU CAN mention...that might help others to help you, too. If it's spiritual, talk about the book and how it may help others with that issue.

If you come to decide that your book selection sucks, feel free to change it midstream, but you must have ONE FIRMLY SELECTED AND OBTAINED by end of week one.

Any goal/book/quote changes should be mentioned as an alteration and duly updated, but it's fine to change your mind about what you need to/want to do. Just make it measurable and something your can work on within challenge parameters.

The item of clothing must be obtained for a before photo (may simply be of item of clothing if it doesn't fit at all.) That photo must be in the initial update. Take advantage of post Christmas sales if you have to, or dig into your closet for something old from a leaner you or borrow it, but get it. 

First update will be due by end of New Year's Eve. If you have a lot of parties planned, well, suck it up and post earlier. The link will open Dec 29. But that's it. New Year's Eve. No update, you're out of the challenge before it begins!

Details of rules will follow. This will give you a clue about what's ahead so you can start pondering what you plan to focus on and firm up those measureable goals.