THE LAST POST...from Mir...with a preview to the next challenge....

Now that we're done with updates, weigh-ins, and announcing prize recipients, heh, I can mention this:

Since UpInTheCosmos and Jo were the runners-up as most supportive/enlightening in the votes, they also get a free pass to be in the next challenge if THEY so wish.

(Betty and Julie and Angela got free passes, as mentioned in a previous post).

But, ladies, ya want to check the rules when I post them. I'll speak about that challenge--or whatever I call it--on my regular blog, 2 Years 2 Happy Weight After.

ETA: Visit the EVE 2 EASTER 2012 Challenge blog  for more info.

It will require more of challengers than this one (in terms of time, updates, etc). But be similar in many ways. I'm still figuring out some particulars.

I'd like to use this post for some feedback--is there something you'd LIKE to see in the next challenge that might be motivating/useful. I may NOT use it. I may. But feedback is good, right?

So, including me and the slots I'll take for Julie, Betty, Angela (co-piloting again, unless she changes her mind), Karen, and one mebbe for Beth (not sure if she'll want to), and two optionals for Jo and UpintheCosmos...that's already 8 in (more or less).

As I wanted to keep the number smaller, that leaves at least 4 and up to 6 more spots (maybe up to 10 more, if I stretch it to 18). This challenge ended with 17 check-ins (well, maybe 19, I think a couple checked in the comments). So, that wasn't an unmanageable number....no more than 20 seems good.

Once I put up the blog and post announcing the particulars of the next challenge (Jan to April 2012), if the rules agree with y'all, then ask to be added. If not, I understand. If you were named above, you get an automatic okay to be in if you ask. Others will go on the "up for consideration" list.

I will not accept anyone who dropped out of one of the challenges I hosted (Slimmer this Summer, CDCC). Yep. That's the way that sugar-free cookie crumbles.

I will probably ask for folks to be dedicated cheerleaders/checkers--letting us know if someone is having issues and need extra support. I won't have time to visit all the blogs every week, and don't plan to. But if we divvy up the overseeing, everyone should get checked and no one should lack for support. That's my desire.

Think "buddy system". You don't have to support EVERYONE, but you will need to dedicatedly choose to support SOME. If you weren't supportive in THIS challenge, you won't get in to the next one. Sorry. I only want folks who'll have the backs of the rest of us, at some points, in some way, with some consistency. If you have the time/energy to support all challengers weekly, may God heap blessings upon you. Go for it. :D

If you missed check-in deadlines without really good cause or telling me in advance (ie, vacations, hospitalizations, family issues, etc, all good reasons to forget/delay), you will not get one of the few slots left.  I will have a longer window to check in next challenge, on my whim, cause hey, I'm rolling that way, so if you're chronically unpunctual--choose to make your weigh-in and updates EARLIER, not later. Fridays or Thursdays, not Saturdays or Sundays. It's a safety zone, yes?

Prepare to take pics. Several.

Prepare to read.

Prepare to buy, find, borrow and item of clothing.

Prepare to have a scale (that works, no excuses) and a tape measure.

Prepare to dream and set goals again.

You don't have to lose weight.  You will need to eat well and move to either slim down, maintain, buff up, or get better habits. Your choice.

That was the preview. Hope I didn't spook ya off.

Again, it's about support and change--the change YOU want--and not quitting and dealing with the internal, too. If you can't do that, don't join. I'd rather have very few folks and very committed folks.

Blessings on you all, no matter your journey. Later...

And the winners are...

Thanks to those who voted. And here is the result:

For most supportive: Betty


For most enlightening: Julie

:)

Congrats to you both for being so helpful to the others. I appreciate your great energy and good will.

Betty, you and Julie need to email each other to arrange the jewelry particulars.

Julie, you get to me about the prize. I'm flexible. :D

I'm out the door to Pilates, and may well add more thoughts to this post later.

THANKS, ALL!

LINKY UP FOR THE FINAL UPDATE: Please make your last update helpful, comprehensive, and include a pic of you and your challenge dress/clothing item.

TO ALL CHALLENGERS: Please Put Your Nominations for the Prizes in the Comments of this Post!

Okay, it's the last week. Keep your mojo going. No giving up!

In light of the dwindling days left in this challenge, it's time to get the nominations in for the two finale prizes: 1. most supportive and 2. most enlightening blogs during challenge.

Each of you need to post a comment under this post with two names, one for each of the prize categories. Your comment should look thusly:

For most supportive, I nominate ____________________ <(name & blog url goes there).
For most enlighteninng blogs, I nominate _______________<name and blog url goes there.

Name and blog url for each nominee (and name is whatever their online handle is, doesn't have to be a full name, of course.)

And that's that. The challenger in each category with the most votes wins. If there's a tie, I hit a random generator to choose a winner. Simple.

I am not eligible for my own prize. Julie is not eligible for her own prize. Keep that in mind. :)

The most supportive blogger gets a custom piece of jewelry handmade by Julie. It can match your CDCC outfit, if you so wish. (See the November post where I describe prizes and link to a pic of her handiwork for an example.)

The most enlightening blogger gets the prize I'm giving as long as they are within the area to quality for Amazon Prime shipping (that's the condition I put on it previously.) Again, to see what my prize is, read this post.  I'm willing to consider an alternate book (no more than 20 bucks) as an alternate to the one I listed in that linked post, as long as it related to your weight loss issues/goals/needs. And qualifies for amazon prime. If you are a Kindle reader, I will offer a gift certificate so you can obtain the book for your Kindle. (Or however Amazon handles those transactions.)

If you think one person was both--you can nominate one person for both.

And that's it. Nominate away!

LINKY IS NOW UP for Update #13, the penultimate update. I'd like to see all 20 challengers link up BEFORE the deadline. Thanks.

What to Do When Your Behind Hurts...

I thought about cutting and pasting my entire post here, but I'm not feeling it today, and yes, my rear end still hurts today. AND my quads.

Read the rest of the story here.

Peek into 2012 Challenge: Yeah, gonna keep it to maybe 12 or 14 in 2012

I looked back on this challenge and decided that 30 was way too many, and 20 is also a lot of folks to keep track of. I think I now want to keep the challenge in 2012 to 12 or 14 tops motivated folks who'll stick out 14 weeks, no matter the outcome.

So, yeah, 12 to 14 challengers. Hopefully, no drop outs.

I think this will help us all be able to support each other MORE, as we're less spread out. Might even include an emailing portion, though that's the least of my interests. :)

There are a few people I will give an automatic in if they want in all due to their active and supportive status during THIS challenge: Julie and Betty and Angela, for three. You guys commented a lot on people's blogs. You checked in and were accountable. You wrote encouraging posts. You worked on issues. Angela co-led with me--and I'd love to have you assist with the next one, too, if you're willing. Julie offered a prize made with her own hands. Betty is a total newcomer, as far as I know, to me and to challengers, but she's been zipping along, doing great and being a cheerleader.

I also appreciate the good attitude and general positive notes you've added. And Angela's needed kick-in-the-hiney posts. Hey, I like cheery folks. :)

You were, imo, total assets. You guys want in, you're in.

Others in this challenge have been terrific, too, and I thank all of you who consistently cheered us and encouraged us and comisserated with us when weeks sucked. If it weren't for the different kind of "vision" that I have for the 2012 challenge, I'd say, "Come on in, EVERYONE." But it likely won't be for everyone. It might be just what some of us need, though. :)

I already have  two other slots requested and approved from folks who weren't in CDCC. That's five . With me, that's six. So, basically, half of the slots are gone.

If I see a lot of interest, I'd probably stretch the challenger roster to, maybe 16 or 18, but the truth is, I think it will be more valuable for the challengers if it's a smaller group that's willing to put more energy into each other's success.

And maybe it's not even a challenge. After all, I'm not asking for breakneck pace, huge losses, total overhauls--though anyone who wants to try for that, God bless you. I've got your back!  It's about focusing on 14 weeks of making progress, however you define that health/weight/fitness progress. As long as it's measurable via multiple methods--scale, tape measure, fat calipers, BMI doohickey, muscle-to-fat ratio, dress size, medications no longer needed, flexibility--that's it. Just asking for measurability. Goals are motivating when MEASURABLE. Specific. Trackable.

Okay, so that's where I'm at now. Not long after CDCC ends, I'll start a new blog for the 2012 challenges and post the rules. It will be more demanding than this challenge in terms of accountability. I will likely leave a longer check in window (maybe 3 days, instead of 1.5 to 2). But I will be stricter in terms of late check-in.

Like this challenge, barring vacations, emergencies, laptop failure, or power outtage, etc, if you don't check in within the window, you will be OUT.  I will set up a system for check-ins for those who will be out of town, having procedures, etc. Everyone will have to check in, and I will have more than just a scale for check-in, so that vacationers and others will have a way to be accountable when the scale is not at hand. Hint: Yes, buy a tape measure. Keep it around. :D

It takes a lot of time and energy for me to set this up and stay on top of it. And I have. So, I hope that I will continue to be able to be dependable in this way for the challengers. I want to be encouraged and encourage and make progress with you! But since this DOES take energy, I need to make it smaller and more stringent.

Still, even if only 6 or 8 want in, I'm doing it. We six or eight will see April 2012...stronger, leaner, and hopefully wiser and more "in the groove" with our health.

And that's that for now. Have a great Tuesday, and dream beautiful dreams for yourself. Dreams you can realize day by day....