Cheat free star challenge!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Jody gave me this idea and it is just what I have been looking for! I have had a difficult time staying focussed. A classic case of a yo-yo dieter. Jody shared the cheat free star idea with me and I readily accepted the challenge. It is a 100 day challenge to stay withing my points/weight watchers program. Each day I get to go in and change it to reflect my continued progress. Yesterday was day 1, so today I get to proudly add it to my signature! Jody set down some rules for me, and I love it, because it is a way I can maintain my program, but yet allow a treat. If anyone else wants it, help yourself, it will be a great challenge for me! THANK YOU JODY!!!:D

[wovenwonder]

I am so PROUD of you Vija for making the commitment to this challenge! :D

I found this star being used on a low carb message board site and I thought it would be a perfect incentive for Vija! She does well for a week or so then lapses again -- and feels bad. Vija does well with visual rewards so I thought this would be PERFECT!

Here are the rules I set up for her.....

For each cheat free day she will get to exchange her star in for the new one to show how many consecutive days she has gone cheat free. Notice that I said 'consecutive days'. If she blows it she has to give up her star and start at day one. I really believe that when she considers blowing it -- she will be thinking of what she will have to give up and will reconsider.

A succesful day for Vija will be staying within her WW alloted points. She may use her earned banked points and excersize points BUT she may NOT borrow from the bank. If she hasn't earned it first she may not use it.

She may however have one 'point free' food every two weeks. This means that she may have one special celebration food item every two weeks and does not have to count it in her points -- this will NOT be considered a cheat. We have worked this in to the 'program' for her. BUT she must do this sensibly. For example if she choses to have popcorn at the movies --- she will chose a small popcorn - NOT the large refillable tub!:eek: - Vija has agreed that this will give her something that she can plan and look forward to without feeling cheated. This is only once every TWO weeks. If she doesn't use the 'free item' for the period then she will just consider it a bonus in her journey and move on. No carrying over unused treats from period to period.;)

I am excited for Vija and really hoping that this 100 day challenge will be a BIG jumpstart to her success!
:D

Vija is welcoming anyone that wants to join this 'cheat free star challenge' with her. Many people have already gone numerous days cheat free --- congratulations! BUT, you only 'earn' these 'cheat free' stars for the consecutive days you have gone cheat free since you agree to accept this challenge with Vija.:D

[glo]

Way cool can I do it too???
We can do it to the Alex Atkins challenge
I would love this!!!!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Glo, help yourself! I am glad to share it with everyone, if it helps someone else, then that is wonderful!

[wovenwonder]

Anyone else that wants to join in can feel free to. Vija said that she will gladly 'share' the star if it will help others to stay on track!

Just use sense and adapt it to your program.

If you want me to customize some details for your program just PM me and I will gladly do so.

I also believe this visual reward that gives recognition for 'every days' success could be helpful to many!

Here is the address for the day one cheat free star -
http://www.pinecrestdesigns.com/star/01.jpg

This would be earned the morning after the first cheat free day. Vija gets a head start on us though --- as this plan was suggested first as a personal way for me to help her. To change the number as you earn more cheat free days you just change the 01 to 02 to 03, etc.
:D

[glo]

Cool thanks :)

[Beanie]

Great star, Vija!! I love the colors on it too!! Way to go and I am sure that number will go up higher and higher as the weeks go on!! :):)

[nativetxn]

A very creative and motivational tool.

Exercising is my problem, I haven't had any refined carbs since 1/9/3, cheating isn't an issue for em. Getting up my big rear end and moving around is <i>my</i> problem.

PrincessV you sound even more determined today that you did yesterday. Sounds like you friend Jody has found a way to help keep you focused.

It's helpful people like Jody who make WISH such a <b>magical</b> place :)

Katholyn

[Kimnicki]

What a great idea! Vija, I'm am so much like you when it comes to dieting. I get on a roll for about a week or two and then I cheat or slip and absolutely beat myself up about it. I find it hard to get back on track. I'm going to try this challange too! It may be just what I need!!!

Good luck to you!~!!!:bounce: :Pinkbounc

[mickeyfan1]

I love this idea. So often when we cheat, be it eating, lack of exercize, or what have you, we don't see the consequenses in front of us. I like the fact that if VIja looks at the star, the number will encourage her, rather than discourage. Just think, if she goes 26 days and decides, today is the day I gotta have that 7 ounce hershey bar, and looks at that number 26, it will be like, "Hey, you already didn't do that for 26 days, isn't that great? You can go one more day, and then one more, and one more!" I gotta figure out how to use it myself. I too need to get my fat butt in gear. I have no excuse for not doing some excercize, I have a pool (as someone recently pointed out) and I can use a kick board, I have a tread mill, sheesh, what's stopping me?


Vija, you and Jody have come up with a winner!

[ohMom]

i really really should be doing this too, but i must honestly say 100 days seems like an awful lot...............Vija you are such an inspiration. i really really need to do this too, watch for that star to appear in my sig, hopefully on friday!

i will follow Vija's rules, I like them. I have learned that I need a "cheat" every now and then and two weeks would be a good time frame for me too. so that bonus food item, can be anytime in each two week period? just so i'm clear, or do i have to survive two weeks first and then incorporate a bonus? a food items is a good way to measure a cheat b/c my cheat moments have recently become cheat days!!!

oh jody, you are such a motivational angel :)

[RaySharpton]

Jody,this is a most excellent idea. I'm on my 26th day of the Atkin's Diet. I would like to do this, too. It will be a great incentive for me, too.

God bless you, best wishes, and encouragement, RaySharpton:)

[KathiWithAnI]

Ok.. I LOVE the star.. so I'm going to join the party and use it for my walking... every day I walk earns my a new number-- and yep, if I skip a day, I'll lose my numbers and I DON"T want to do that! So a minimum of 2 miles EVERY day..... then maybe a one day break at the 2 week mark.. sound good???

So I walked 4 miles today. Thursday AM earns me a star!! :)

Kathi

[tiggerlover]

What a great motivational tool, Vija. Congratulations to you for taking the challenge.

That would be too big of a challenge for me, I have trouble making it cheat-free for one week, no less 100 days.
GREAT FOR YOU!!!!! I am so happy for you.

[Sue & Co.]

This is a great idea. Having started yesterday as day 1 once I read the post, this is really a test post to see if I have managed to get the star to appear (I am a technical incompetent).

Sue

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks for the support guys! It is exactly what I needed, because I have no doubt I would have eaten too much on both days, and now I did day 2 and on to day 3! YIPEEE! Thanks Jody!

Glad to see that others are joining in on this, this will be fun to see how far we can go!

KathiWithAnI, I see you have made your plan and have day 1 done! good for you! And your plan for the 2 week "break" is just perfect!

Sue & Co., I see it on your post, You were very technically competent!!!

Come on everyone, Join the party and add a star, trust me if I can do this, anyone can, I have finally found what I needed, THanks again Jody, You are the best!!!!!!!

[wovenwonder]

Originally posted by ohMom

i will follow Vija's rules, I like them. I have learned that I need a "cheat" every now and then and two weeks would be a good time frame for me too. so that bonus food item, can be anytime in each two week period? just so i'm clear, or do i have to survive two weeks first and then incorporate a bonus?

You can have your 'free' food item [it is NOT a cheat in this program;) ] once every two week period. So the first two weeks of the month you can have one free item and the last two weeks of the month you can have one free item. You can choose the days that work best for YOU!:D Just remember to be sensible about it!

[ohiominnie]

I'm in! :)
Only my "rules" are a bit different. I don't count points or carbs or calories. My "rules" are ONLY to eat when I'm hungry (actual stomach growl) and ONLY eat until I'm satisfied (not stuffed, miserable, undoing jeans, refluxing full) :)
If I can do that for today, I'll grab my star tomorrow!

[kejoda]

So can this be used for exercise? I'm getting good about eating right but lousy on the exercise.

[wovenwonder]

Originally posted by kejoda
So can this be used for exercise? I'm getting good about eating right but lousy on the exercise.

Feel free to use it for excersize too! If it will keep you motivated then GO FOR IT!
:D

[kejoda]

Thanks Jodi. I might need one of those whips also.:p

[disneyeveryyear]

I am on day 17 of Atkins and have been cheat free for 16 days.

Does this count or do I need to post Day #1 for yesterday and work from there?

I think this will help me a lot because I am extremely goal oriented and seeing this will be great.

[wovenwonder]

Originally posted by disneyeveryyear
I am on day 17 of Atkins and have been cheat free for 16 days.

Does this count or do I need to post Day #1 for yesterday and work from there?

I think this will help me a lot because I am extremely goal oriented and seeing this will be great.

Day One only starts for the first day cheat free since you agreed to participate in this 'star challenge' with Vija.
:D

[disneyeveryyear]

Okay,

But in my head I will always be adding another 15 days:p .

Now, how do I change my clippie in the morning because today was day 2?

[KathiWithAnI]

Vija.. Thanks!
It's funny howm uch these little clippees get to mean to us... I didn't get home from teaching until 10PM tonight and was so tired.. I thought just forget it... then the thought of having to give up my star ( and not finishing the Alex challenge) got me off my tail and away I walked!!!

SO I'm still "in" on the Alex challenge and I get my day 2 star for weds and thurs!!!!!

The ALex challenge is a great short term challenge and that's also helping put me into the right frame of mind to stick with the long term star challenge!!

YEAH!!!!! to all of us!!!!!
Kathi

to disneyeveryyear:
go into user cp and look at your signature... when you see the part of the star "address" that says /01.jpg change it to /02.jpg and so on for each day.... Hope I made that clear-- it's really late and I'm really tired!

[Jiminy102]

Ok Vija and Jody!!!! My dinner for work is over so I am in!!!!! As of NOW!!!!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Jiminy102, glad to have you aboard!!!!!

I am so glad that those who decided to go for it are doing so well. It will be very exciting to see the numbers creep up, and the other numbers creep down!!!!;) Day 3 down for me!

[ohiominnie]

Woo hoo! My first star! :)
I'm feeling good. I actually made it to Curves 4 days this week. Didn't snack when I wasn't hungry. And finally, FINALLY the scale is starting to move (not enough for a bigger clippy yet....but at least it's DOWNWARD movement on the scale!)

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement and fun visual reminders to keep me on track!

[jimmytammy]

OK, I am accepting this challenge. Thanks for the motivation to stay within points. I usually don't have that problem, so I am also going to add to my challenge that I eat at least one fruit item a day. That is where I have a problem, I'm not a big fruit lover, so that will be a challenge, but I know I can do it because of all the help from this board.

I can't wait until I can pick up my "star" tomorrow.

I have one quick question, I noticed in someone's post that their star was smaller, how do you make that happen? I would like the smaller version. Thanks for your help and inspiration!:D

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I have no idea how to make it smaller, but look what I found??? Just on a whim, I went in to see what happens after 100 days....

I WANT THIS STAR!!!!!

http://www.pinecrestdesigns.com/star/101.jpg

[KathiWithAnI]

I made mine smaller this way: ( this is the actual code as I have it in my signature, except you need to put < at the beginning and > at the end, but if I did that here you wouldn't see my code LOL)

img width="100" height="100" src="http://www.pinecrestdesigns.com/star/02.jpg"

See where I inserted the width and height part? Just change those numbers, bigger for bigger and smaller numbers for a smaller image

Hope that helps :)
Kathi

[wovenwonder]

Originally posted by PRINCESS VIJA
I have no idea how to make it smaller, but look what I found??? Just on a whim, I went in to see what happens after 100 days....

I WANT THIS STAR!!!!!

http://www.pinecrestdesigns.com/star/101.jpg


And you WILL GET IT VIJA! I have faith in you sweetie!
:D

[jimmytammy]

KathiWithAnI-Thanks, I will give that a try tomorrow when I can get my star.

PRINCESS VIJA-You will get that great star and hopefully a lot of us will be joining you.

[Jomrog]

Good luck to all of you super "stars". I will be checking those clippies & making sure they don't creep back down. This is a wonderful incentive.

[TennesseeTink]

Thank you Vija for referring me to this thread. The star is a great idea! Especially if I can figure out how to change the days. I'm new here and am SOOO impressed with how creative you all are!

I'm also on WW and will stick to Vija's rules (I'll have to print them off so I can remember them - after I turned 40 I lost at least half my memory!:confused: ) You are all sooooo smart!

[Wagamama]

question...
can i do the cheat free star challenge for excercise?

[PRINCESS VIJA]

TennesseeTink,
Happy to hear that this will be fun for you too! It has been a challenge, but one that I have embraced, and I am very excited about it! to change the days, go into your user cp and edit options....
Here is day 1
pinecrestdesigns.com/star/01.jpg

then on day 2 just change the 01 to 02

pinecrestdesigns.com/star/02.jpg

of course minus the colors, I just did that to highlight the area to be changed.


Wagamama,
Please use this challenge for exercise!!! A couple of people are doing it for that as well. It should be very exciting seeing the numbers creep up!! (and the numbers on the scale creep down!;) )

[Wagamama]

wow!! thanks for the quick response!! I'm going to start tomorrow!!

[MontyMontyMOnty]

Thanks so much!
Yesterday was cheat free day one--so with any luck, my new star will show up here......

Day one and counting--thanks!
Samantha:Pinkbounc

[DVC Daisy]

:o Oh boy do I need this star! I have had the worst weekend (food-wise) imaginable. What is up with that? Why or why in the heck did I eat "regularly"? Totally went off of the Atkins bandwagon. Why? I have no idea.

My weekend was super busy so when I had not eaten lunch at 3:00 and my family drove to fast food I ordered a burger - WITH BUN! Yikes. It seemed to go from there. No sugar, no super bad food, just bread & pizza crust. Oh my.

So, I am going to try out the stars. Maybe that will help :bounce:

My star challange will be to stay within Atkins guidelines, with one "free food" every 2 weeks. I like that. Only ONE free food :o

So basically, I get my star if I stay on Atkins. Yippee....

Thanks for sharing this star challenge! :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[CdnDisneyNut]

I will start but I wll wait until after my vacation. Off to Europe in 5 days.

[KathiWithAnI]

Pilates and walking today.. I think I'm gonna die!

But that makes day 6 for walking YIPPEE!!!!
Kathi

[PRINCESS VIJA]

DVC Daisy,
that sounds like you have a great plan. that one free food every 2 weeks really made a difference for me! and look, now I have gone 7 days. I am so excited. I can't wait to make it to 100 and beyond!

CdnDisneyNut,
I'll be watching for you! Off to Europe?!!!! Have a great time! I am so jealous!



KathiWithAnI,
WAY TO GO!!! 6 days, doesn't that feel great??? And your body is loving every minute of it!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I am so proud of myself. These 7 days really have flown by fast. I can't believe how with just a little planning, how easy it truly is. It is still hard to get over the "habit" of eating when I shouldn't, but the power of the star keeps me in line. I think getting past that mindset willl be the hardest part for me. But slowly I see changes in my mindset that are helping me get to where I want to go!

[mowsie dreamer]

Vija you are doing great!!! :D :D :D I just love seeing the numbers on your star grow higher and higher! Keep up the good work!:D

[wovenwonder]

Originally posted by PRINCESS VIJA
I am so proud of myself. These 7 days really have flown by fast. I can't believe how with just a little planning, how easy it truly is. It is still hard to get over the "habit" of eating when I shouldn't, but the power of the star keeps me in line. I think getting past that mindset willl be the hardest part for me. But slowly I see changes in my mindset that are helping me get to where I want to go!

That attitude is what is going to get you to lose this weight FINALLY and become healthier! I knew that you had it in you Vija. Isn't it terrific that we found a 'visual' to help you along! As this number gets higher, and higher it will be even 'harder' for you to cheat because you will know that you will lose it all. You've had so many 'day ones' since I've known you but never a 'visual' of all of the days that you lost. This way you can see what you have accomplished and what you would have to lose by having the old attitude --- of what the heck, I'll cheat and tomorrow will just be day one again. That 'cheat food' won't look near as good when you know you'd have to give up that star that you've work so hard for.

WAY TO GO GIRL!:D

[DVC Daisy]

PRINCESS VIJA -thanks for the encouragement!

You are my hero - 7 days is GREAT!

I love this star challenge, I could not wait to get my first star today :bounce: How cool is that?

I did try the beginning of the Pilates DVC yesterday (basic) - I can feel it today :o Seems like it will be a good workout. How brutal is the 20 min workout? Maybe I will try that today. I am thinking that that combined with walking would be great!

Thanks for the encouragement - this board is great.

[TennesseeTink]

Originally posted by PRINCESS VIJA
I am so proud of myself. These 7 days really have flown by fast.

Way to go Vija! You're doing a great job. Your success is encouraging to so many others! We can all come up alongside you and together replace bad eating habits with good ones!

Brava!! :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[robinb]

I just picked up my first star today! I'm doing the "Week in the Zone" trying to learn how to eat Zone meals. Today is day 2 :).

[DiznEeyore]

Is it too late (and have I been too AWOL) to join in on this?

I've been lurking and not posting because I haven't been counting my points and frankly, I was having a bad attitude and not *wanting* to count my points. Fortunately I didn't go crazy and gain but our house is now packed and "realtor-ready" and I have the energy and need to get back on track. Our trip to WDW is 137 days away and the 100-day challenge would really help me prepare.

So, Vija and everyone, is it too late for me, or can I jump in??

[robinb]

DiznEeyore,

If I just jumped in yesterday, you can jump in today! It's a personal 100 days whatever that means to you. Good luck on your house! I don't think I'll ever move because I could never get my house "Realtor Ready"!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

DiznEeyore,

Absolutely you can join! This star is for anyone who wants to work for it. It has done wonders for me, and I am so proud of myself, but yet, I am so much more excited that it has made a difference for so many others. Together we will make it to our goals!!!

[DiznEeyore]

OK, then, I will do it! :) This will be a change for me, as I just looked at my WW journal and haven't done it faithfully since (gulp!) May 22!! :o

[robinb]

Well ... today is day number one then :).

[DiznEeyore]

Robin & Everyone:

OK, I did it! I made it through Day 1! There's no turning back now! :teeth:

[PRINCESS VIJA]

DiznEeyore,
congrats on day 1! That was truly my hardest day. keep going, your doing great!

[jimmytammy]

I keep forgetting to change my star. I have been staying OP and it's not that I don't like seeing the number change, just keep forgetting. I'm going to figure out someway to set something to remind me to change it. Thanks again for the incentive.

[DVC Daisy]

Jimmytammy,

I hear ya! I am exactly the same way and I forget to change my star :rolleyes: Then I see one in a post and I think, "oh yeah I need to change mine" and of course get distracted with another post.

I love this cheat free challenge however. It is working really well for me.

Everyone seems to be doing great and keep changing their numbers higher. Great challenge Vija, thanks for sharing it.

[mowsie dreamer]

Hi guys! :D After my pity party last night, I have been picked up, dusted off and set back in the wagon! Now, I'm going to take Jody's suggestion and join Vija and the rest of you in this challenge!

It's been really great seeing everyone's numbers mount on their stars (Vija--you're the man! Ummmmm.. make that WOman!):D I think this is just what I need to get back on track. So here goes! I'm hoping to add my star clippie tomorrow!

[wovenwonder]

Originally posted by mowsie dreamer
Hi guys! :D After my pity party last night, I have been picked up, dusted off and set back in the wagon! Now, I'm going to take Jody's suggestion and join Vija and the rest of you in this challenge!

It's been really great seeing everyone's numbers mount on their stars (Vija--you're the man! Ummmmm.. make that WOman!):D I think this is just what I need to get back on track. So here goes! I'm hoping to add my star clippie tomorrow!

YIPEEEEE for YOU!
I know you can do it. Making the commitment is the biggest step!
:D

[d.kurz]

Wow....100 days....that's a looong time. But 'ya know what? I think I'm gonna try it!

I am loving this board and keep wondering why I did not come here a long time ago! Gonna add the star clippie tomorrow.

[mowsie dreamer]

Yaaaaay, I've got company in starting the challenge! Dorothy, I'm glad it's you! I can't wait to see your new star clippie tomorrow!