Wednesday, November 6, 2013

What Does the Challenge Mean to You?

I was going to reply to Jennifer's question on the original post but then I thought it might be a good stand-alone post as many of you may be wondering the same thing. Here is Jennifer's question:

Is there partial credit? I'm being serious. If I can chug down half the water, do I get half points? Also, it's 5 points for 3 veggies/2 fruits. If I can eat 4 out of 5, do I get 4 points for the day? Just want to clarify and certainly don't want to cheat :)

So what do you think, ladies?

It has been interesting to watch this blog come to life the past few days. So many ideas, so many comments, lots of support, successes and concerns. And while I started this challenge with the purpose of moving toward a healthier body, I'm beginning to realize that it goes a little further than that -- at least for me.

As I've read your comments, it seems like most of us have struggled with these choices for a lot longer than we would care to admit. So first I want to say how good it is to know I'm not alone. And while I know I will always struggle with these choices, this time feels a little different. My motivation feels stronger, simply because I know I'm not alone.

After 8 weeks I don't want to say, "Whew! I'm glad that's over!" Instead, I want this to be the beginning of something permanent. And I sense that many of you feel the same way.

So is keeping track of credits earned important? Yes. Does it add a sense of competition and motivation to do well? Yes. But in the end I don't believe that a bunch of points recorded on a tracking sheet is what will be remembered. How you decide to keep track is up to you.

There will be a recognized "winner" at our Challenge Celebration in January -- and I plan to be right at the top of the list. But when this is "over," the takeaway for me will be a greater understanding of who I am and gratitude for 24 women with whom I never knew I had so much in common.

Another favorite Anne quote that sums up my feelings about the next 8 weeks : "I've done my best, and I begin to understand what is meant by 'the joy of strife'. Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing."

I would just add, ..."and getting up and trying again."

Heather


3 comments:

  1. Jason and I were discussing the same thing this morning about credits. Are credits earned daily or weekly,(hopefully not like college where if you always show up to class and do your best to participate but just are a horrible test taker because you second guess yourself on every answer you receive no credit- sorry, quick flashback to Calculus) Do I get 5 credits at the end of the week if I had no more then 3 sweets during the week. Or do I get 5 credits everyday I don't eat a sweet, and no credit on the day I do have a sweet? Here I am back to second guessing myself in what my answer should be.

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  2. I can understand how the sweets category is a little confusing. My purpose behind it was to allow sweets in moderation. I know whenever I tell myself I can't have something, it just makes the craving stronger. A strict interpretation would be that at the end of the week, if you enjoy no more than 3 sweets you earn 5 credits. For each sweet you have over the 3 you subtract 5 credits. But, again, it's up to you to define what sweets mean. Just as a side note, Harvey decided he's going to try the challenge as well, but his absolute favorite time of the day is when he gets to enjoy 2 of my yummy chocolate chip cookies at lunchtime -- and he is not willing to give that up. So he has decided that he gets 1 point on those days when he holds himself only to the 2 cookies and nothing else. :)

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  3. I like the flexibility of the challenge and I think partial points can be a good thing. My husband taught math and he always gave partial credit if students showed their work. His philosophy was 'if you try, you will be rewarded for your effort.' Yesterday I didn't quite get through my water. I got close though. And now I think I'll go back and give myself one point for what I DID do.

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