Looking To The Future

I snuck over the ten thousand mark on my site counter this morning! Thank you to everyone who reads my blog! I know that I often say it, but I really value everybody who comes by, checks in, comments, follows, etc. This journey would not be nearly the success that it has been without the knowledge that this supportive online community seems to steadily have my back. Thank you all so much!!!

I have been mulling over an idea for some time now, and I think that the best thing to do is just toss it out into the open and see how people respond. I would like to do an online challenge!

The Looking to the Future Christmas Challenge is designed to encourage weight loss bloggers to work on meeting their individual goals through the holiday season. The main focus of this online event is to weigh less at the finish of the challenge than at the start. There are no upper or lower limits on how much a person taking part should try to lose; everyone should set a goal that they feel comfortable striving for and which they believe to be realistic. If an individual who wishes to participate is not currently attempting to lose weight, they are welcome to offer an alternative objective to take part in this fun contest. Meeting the final goal is not mandatory although it is always nice to feel pride for completing a particular undertaking, so trying your best is encouraged!

The challenge will run a little longer than a month from Saturday, November 21st through Saturday, December 26th. Participants should be prepared to weigh themselves on the start and finish dates, although it is suggested that they also check their weights on the Saturdays in between to help them stay on track. To assist people with staying focused, those taking part should check in weekly by leaving comments on the contest related posts which will appear on this blog. This activity is meant to provide motivation for individuals to get through this hectic time with a sense of purpose, a feeling of pride, and a little less weight. I do hope that some of you out there will join me!

For myself, I am setting my goal at ten pounds. It is a nice round number and I am confident that I can achieve it, plus it does not allow me to slack off too much during the holidays. There is a little breathing room, since I do not expect perfection from myself, but I believe it will still keep me pushing forward on a fairly regular basis. So, based on whatever this Saturday’s weigh-in shows, I am committing to being ten pounds lighter come Boxing Day.

I would also like to note one final, fun thing: there are two bonuses for those who decide to join up. First, anyone who comments on their progress on the weekly check-in posts will receive one entry per post for a draw to win a small, simple homemade dream catcher, and those who reach their goal will receive five additional entries for this prize. I haven’t actually created this particular craft project yet, but I will attempt to do so in the next week and I will post a photo when I have completed it. The winner will be randomly drawn from a hat, have their name posted on December 27th, and be given until midnight of December 31st to send me their postal address so that I can mail them their dream catcher (if we hit 2010 without the prize being claimed, a redrawing will take place). Secondly, anyone who decides to participate gets to post this on their blog – if they wish to, of course – to show off their dedication to getting through the holidays with a sense of pride and happiness for all they will accomplish!
So, if you are interested please let me know what your goal is and feel free to display the Looking to the Future Christmas Challenge badge on your site. And if you aren’t interested and just want to leave a comment, as usual, I am honoured! Good luck, everyone!