You Guys RULE! -- Our One Week Anniversary!

Ok, so I might have stated this in my very first post - this whole blog world is a bit new to me...but I must tell you - I LOVE IT so far! Your kind, funny, and thoughtful posts are really making this a most enjoyable process...so thank you! And please...keep writing!

I wanted share some thoughts that are inspired by some of what's been posted...

The iLose It For Good Community Challenge - from what I can tell we have 13 signed up so far and I promised if we can get 20 - I am joining in and taking a taste of my own medicine...I have no doubt you will hold me to my promise!
If you want to enroll in the challenge and truly begin changing your life from the inside out go to: http://diet.ivillage.com/plans/ilose/0,,9wjzpfjm,00.html

And I want us to think about this... a lot of people may look at the challenge as a way to just drop some weight. I'd like to offer up something deeper...it's important that when we try to shift our body shape and size that we do so lovingly and with as much grace as we can muster.

I think all of us have been on diets before where we jump in with a vigorous and punishing attitude and when we falter a slight bit in our 'plan' we berate ourselves mercilessly or give up on ourselves completely. Yes, you may be holding on to some extra weight. And yes, you may be frustrated with how that makes you feel but could we also look at this challenge as an opportunity to change our bodies (inside and out) differently than we have before?

Can we look at this challenge as a way to get to know ourselves better? To explore our 'bad habits' and to gently talk to the negative voice in your head that doesn't know how to turn off the overeating or self-loathing? Can we use this challenge to help us gain confidence in our goal setting skills? Can we support each other to not speak so horrendously about our bodies once we've had a child and instead really challenge each other to look at the bigger pictures in our lives so that we don't lose focus on our blessings and gifts?

That's the kind of challenge I'd like to see. There are enough diets and weight loss plans out there in the world that tell you the quickest and 'easiest' way to lose weight. I am more interested in changing the mind sets, beliefs, and patterns that hold us in a thought that our lives will suddenly begin 5 pounds from now. That allows us to believe that thinness is a pre-requisite for happiness.

Our lives are now. Not 5, 10, or 50 pounds from now.

And lastly, I wanted to share with you this killer quote that will become my mantra throughout the challenge:

" Forget the clock and take the compass. The direction you are headed is more important than the time it takes to get there."

Love,
Jess

Comments

Thank you Jess for asking the right questions about why I want to lose weight. I am excited to do the challenge with everyone and I am mostly excited about the new relationship I want to build with me and my heath. I have tried every fad diet out there now i am going to try doing some work on who I am so that I won't keep making the same mistakes.

Love your blog and I signed up for the challenge!

I totally agree with your statement in regards to using this challenge as an opportunity to get to know myself better.

I've chosen to eat myself two pant sizes up and haven't cared what other people thought about it. I've also been telling myself I didn't really care either, however, I'm realizing I'm really DO care. I'm not happy that I keep telling myself I "deserve" to eat whatever I want in whatever portions I want and live my sedentary lifestyle.

I feel like I'm at a turning point, and it's time for a mental shift. I want to explore why I've been trying to convice myself that I deserve to live an unhealthy lifestyle, when I really know I'm deserving of and would be much happier to be living a healthier lifestyle. If I lose a few pounds along the way GREAT!

I've signed up because for some reason with all the diets and exercise programs I've tried, I am still an emotional, overeater. I eat very healthy - sad thing is I just overeat and lose willpower easily. I'm not managing the daily stresses of life well and I believe this is a large part of the problem. I have a great exercise regimen and have utilized a personal trainer - and I am still miserably about 30 pounds overweight. Pretty much like Oprah, my weight yo'yo's up and down. I can't seem to keep it down over an extended period. I'm giving your program and challenge a try. I haven't given up my goal of being healthy and slim at age 54.

Jess, thanks for the uplifting blog! As a nurse, I decided to be a role model instead of do what I say, not what I do type person! I have come a long way already but need a new inspiration point. Will be moving to LA in the next week and I am going to spread the love not the weight!! Rhonda

woo hoo - go Cheryl!!
Very well put!

What great advice! It is definitely important to remember to enjoy today - after all, it is a present!

I joined up for the challenge too and I'm already starting to make changes today. (Starting early can't hurt :-)

Thanks for a great blog!

Like Betty I eat too much of the healthy foods. I have a hiatial hernia that is VERY bad - and I will need surgery after the first of the year. I have tried at the diets, lost, gained, lost, gained. I need motivation to keep me on the path.

I have a full-time and several part-time jobs. I am a tad over 60 and very active until this past year - due to the hernia.

I am looking forward to participating.

Do you ever come to Chicago? I would love to have you meet a few of us for lunch. Your probably too busy...but we would love to meet you in person.

Thanks for all you do Jess:)

I'm currently three months into a nine-month study abroad in Cairo. I keep blaming it on the food, but it's not just the food. It's my own self-sabotage and I have no idea why I do it! Needless to say, self-esteem is at a new low while self-loathing seems to climb to new heights. I joined the challenge. I don't remember ever being so disgusted with myself.

Just joined...and I'm thrilled to be doing this with an online group. I'm a college faculty member and a coach and need some serious encouragement--I'm 5'4" and hovering between 158 lbs and 162 lbs...at 32 years old!

I'm kinda "stuck" on the last online routine I tried--the "Change One Community Challenge" off of iVillage from a few years back. Though it worked for me (dropped 16 lbs!!), I've completely hit that wall...it's just not working anymore and I'm rather defeated. I still walk, wear a pedometer (when I remember), and do the health foods, but I'm stagnant.

I hope that, with the enthusiasm I'm already reading, you guys will re-charge me. I'm already making changes and adjustments so that the new year makes me a new me.

Let's get going!!!

:)

Jess,

It was very early in the morning, and I was freakishly jet lagged, but I think we appeared on The Today Show together.

Me: Red-eyed and bushy tailed.

You: Some hairdresser had ruined your gorgeous hair but the Grrl Geniuses of hair and make-up there had you restored to your actual glory in no time flat.

You were there to talk about people's butts, I can't even remember what I was talking about.

Anyway, if I'm wrong, don't hold it against me. I'm the author of the Grrl Genius blog here and I'm happy to say welcome to the neighborhood.

I like your stuff!

GG - you are right!!
I do remember you - and yes my hair that day looked like I was getting ready to sing my lounge act in Vegas!

Thanks for popping into our new community here. The women here are amazing and we hope you come visit often - and we'll send folks your way as well. To check out GG's blog go to
http://grrlgenius.ivillage.com/love/

:)

Jess,

Well I'm glad that you ARE the person that I remembered from that show, and that I'm not losing brain cells quite as fast as I feared.

I've given you a shout out on the comments section of my blog, and hopefully that will send some Grrl Geniuses your way here.

When we spoke that morning (so very frigging early) I thought that our philosophies of "loving oneself no matter what" were totally in synch, and I'm glad to see that iVillage gets it too and has given you a home here.

It's a fantastic community of smart, literate, bold women that show up on iVillage, it's been a true delight for me, and I know it will be for you and your readers as well.

Cathryn

Why is it that we consistently sabotage ourselves? Women are so quick to give of themselves to others but not to themselves. Why do I reach for another handful/slice/etc.. of something knowing that it is a negative choice and do it anyways? This is the cycle I am looking forward to figuring out and breaking. It seems to be a common theme amongst many women.

I signed up for the challenge a week ago and am counting down the days until it starts! I have struggled with my weight my entire life, and since moving to Chicago a little less than 8 months ago, I have lost about 17 pounds. I still have a ways to go, so I am excited about the resources that will be available for challenge participants.

I'm always on the hunt for good reading material and articles on fitness/weight loss, and I feel like I have struck a gold mine with this blog. Real women, all over, feel the same way that I do! It's an amazing revelation.

I have loved every post that I have read so far and I look forward to additional ones to come. Thank you for being the voice of reason (love yourself) in a world obsessed with skinny frames (makes you hate yourself).

Let's get excited, ladies! :)

I just joined in the UK. I'm really hoping to find support and encouragement as my hubby and friends are stick thin and eat what they want which leaves me pretty much batteling the bulge by myself. cant wait to start these blogs are already helping me!!