So, for some of us out in the blogosphere, this is the last few days of Roni’s New Year Dietbet. DietBet is kind of a cool motivational thing where we all pay in a few bucks (in this case $20) and we work together to lose 4% of our body weight in a month. And the site is social – everyone in a particular game can post and communicate and support each other, and all of the people who lose the 4% share the pot at the end.
I thought it sounded awesome. For one, I happen to be a person who is extremely motivated by money. It’s just true. I’m an entrepreneur. I’m always thinking about how I can develop and expand and meet some need with my business yes because I love what I do, but also? Mama’s got to pay some bills.
But also I liked the idea of it because, like with so many others, my habits start getting a little sloppy around Halloween, and by New Year’s Eve I’m ready for an overhaul. And it’s not even so much the candy or treats or food. This year especially, I was just run ragged keeping up with my schedule. I love our busy and our chaos, but as we slid into the last few months of the year, we relied pretty heavily on a lot of processed foods (I kind of have a frozen pizza hook up. And, like the GOOD frozen pizzas, too!) and quick decisions and hungry shopping and meals on the go. When I took my week off over the holidays, I indulged in lots of rich food and no movement. Which I feel like I desperately needed. But looking into 2013 and my January schedule – teaching 63 classes plus mothering and wifing and dog loving – I knew I had to get back to basics in the kitchen.
So I joined and I got started and I worked hard this month and re-made some necessary changes and I think the idea ROCKS. But? I don’t think I’m going to finish. I’m pretty sure I’m going to skip the final weigh in.
The thing is, DietBet has already done what I needed it to do. I’ve refocused our eating and meal planning. There were ZERO fast food stops and my freezer still holds almost all of the frozen pizzas we started out with. I cooked about 110% more than I did in December (thank the lawd for Pinterest) and both my eating and my grocery shopping were much more mindful. My teaching and workouts were fueled in a much more nutritious way, and just yesterday a student pointed out a couple of areas on my body that look smaller.
I did a weigh in about halfway through the month and had gotten halfway to goal. I already know I lost weight this month. So, say I get on the scale Wednesday and I don’t hit The Number. Should I then feel like I ‘lost’?
I’m excited for all of the people who are hitting their numbers and counting their cash. And I really like the idea of it all. But I’m pretty sure that no matter what the scale would say on Wednesday, I’ve already won.
How have you guys done with your January healthy living goals?
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I think its a pretty good concept too but for me trying to lose 14 lbs (4% for me) in 28 days in a healthy way is really a stretch. I could do it if I resorted to drastic measures but thats not what my journey is all about and I refuse to do it. For me slow and steady is winning the race, might take me longer than everyone else but thats ok, this is my race.
Also I do think its a great way to get people motivated again!
I am also doing the DietBet and it really motivated me and provided the much-needed kick in the ass I needed. I was seriously slacking in the eating and being more active departments especially after the holidays. I refocused on tracking my food via Weight Watchers and working out (even if it is Just Dance 4 with my sons!). I loved the support of Roni’s DietBet and the accountability aspect. I weighed in weekly to keep myself on track and surpassed my 4 percent goal. However anything can change in two to three days, right? So knock on wood!
Sidenote: You rock for teaching 63 classes–holy moly!
Feel the exact. same. way. Regardless of the final weigh in I’ve been more aware and healthy. You go wit your badself. Keep being fucking awesome.
My goals were to get away from eating out constantly where the girl at the prepared foods counter in the grocery knew my name and the cashier asked why I changed the chocolate I was buying. Also I was desperately dehydrated.
Now I’m cooking and actually eating breakfast and not just McDonalds Oatmeal. I’m loving water and tea and I’m working out at the gym. I’m happy with me.
You are a rock star Sue!
You are awesome regardless of the results. I know my weight loss hasn’t been as fast as I need it to be, so I couldn’t join this. However, I do think it is super motivating and great for people who win
My goals were to try out the “hard” classes that terrify me to no end. I have, and they are not so scary anymore
I joined in the bet but knew when I did it, I wouldn’t make the 4%…not that I am a doubting tomanista, I knew 4% wouldn’t be a healthy loss for me (like what Alan said) But I wanted to feel part of a movement, a plan so I already made it…I lost well over 4% of my limiting thoughts this month! WOO HOO. I spent the time building foundations. Back to the kitchen, organizing, planning, cooking and signed up for Yoga next month! Its slow and steady for me too and well worth a $20 investment
One of my big goals was to give up diet soda, and I’ve done it. Had the last one on January 1, and nothing since. Not even missing it. I saw the Diet Bet and did the math. Didn’t think it was realistic for me to take on that much in a month, especially if I was going to be working on other goals at the same time. And as it turned out, I came down with The Crud halfway through the month, which stalled my weight loss efforts. But I do have $20 in my pocket.
Is it a good thing or a bad thing that when I called in my order to Hibachi 101 today the lady said… ” It will be ready in 10-15 minutes.”. I said…”Wait! Don’t you want my name?”. She said, “It’s Joy, right?”
. Because if not, apparently I’m in a heap of trouble!
So the question is… If one has to do take out, this is the way to go, right?
And Sue, you’re totally rockin’ it! Pinterest won’t lead you astray.
I couldn’t agree more!
I signed up for the DietBet and then I realized I’m doing the Whole30 this month and I can’t weigh in ALL month.
I’m going in to my final weigh-in blind – and I don’t care.
So far this year everything I’ve eaten has been mindful, has been thought out, has been good for my body. I’ve drank nothing but water this entire month. I feel good, my body feels good, my mind feels good.
I’m going to submit my final weigh-in, but no matter what it is I’ve already won.
Interesting perspective on not doing the final weigh in. I am wary of “inflexible pounds lost” goals because sometimes you don’t have control over the scale, or trying to have too much control can be unhealthy. But, using the challenge to get motivated without focusing too much on the numbers sounds like a healthy balance.
Ugh. Good for you. Is it too late/early to make February my overhaul month??
I think you’re gonna recoup your original investment AND THEN SOME!
I love finding yummy recipes on pintrest! I was cooking them almost every day for a few months, but it got too $$ so I’m back to making up my own recipes as i go, but i still love to browse.
This is such a great idea. To get together with some friends to lose weight is brilliant. There’s incentive ( $$$ ) and you can lean on your friends for support while you are shedding the pounds. Thanks for the idea.
That is a really neat idea. Guess I saw this too late to try this, and I really want to be at a place next New Year’s where there is nothing more to lose.:)