Wednesday, April 3, 2013

First Wednesday Blog Discussion

Tell us a little about yourself:  Where you live, Why you joined the challenge, What you hope to get out of it, etc.

Guess I get to go first!

I live in NC, and I am the mother of 4 beautiful and busy kids.  I did a challenge similar to this last fall with Erin and loved the changes I saw in my life.  
These things that are important in my life -- Like exercise, reading scriptures, spending quality time with family, and getting little things done around the house -- they are sometimes the hardest things to do!

I often blame this on growing up as a twin, but I REALLY do better when I have buddies to do things with.  I clean more when I am on the phone, talking to someone, I'll exercise if I have a friend, and I eat better when I gather my family around and make a good meal.

This challenge allows me to work with my family and friends to become a better mom, wife, and person.  A little competition doesn't hurt, either!  

In the end, I hope to keep the habits I create!  I hope I stay strong and happy so that my kids look back one day and remember a happy, loving and productive mom.

When you respond to this blog, please remember to check the little box that allows you to see everyone else's responses!

18 comments:

  1. I agree with Heather's comments about doing things together with someone. No fun doing most things alone. Ed.

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  2. I wanted to challenge myself for many reasons, but mostly because it scared me. For too long, I've been comfortable to sit back and do only what was in my comfort zone. It's time to change my life, get physically active (and lose this baby pudge), break bad habits, make good habits, and reach out more to those around me. I want to be a good mom and setting a good example is a good start (even for an almost 3 month old). To set that example, I need to be better a little at a time now so that when he is older, I don't have to try to change when things are more chaotic. What have I got to lose but weight, bad habits, laziness, no more sleep than already do with an infant, and anything else that might weigh me down. I've got this, you all have got this. We can do it together! That's what I will tell myself when I just don't want to move or feel like I'm too small to get it done on my own. We have a wonderful support system in our family and friends. I for one need to take advantage of it and help myself set and reach my goals.

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  3. (Hah! I beat Erin to the comments. That alone has to be worth at least one point...)

    Most of you know I purposely don't share much on the Interwebs, and that won't change here. I saw the positive impacts a prior similar challenge had on my just-got-a-year-older wife, and figured it wouldn't hurt me. Having some level of accountability helps, too, and maybe a little competition.

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  4. This is my 3rd challenge and I'm excited to be doing it with family! Scott is right - the prior challenges I did brought many positive changes to my life and helped me to get the things I truly care about done! There's something about making goals and marking a "1" in a box that others can see that motivates me!

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  5. I keep myself so busy, that I find the things that are most important are not always put first. I hope this challenge helps me to put the simpler, yet more important things as a priority.

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  6. I'm from NC and live in Knightdale. I am a person who loves to set and keep goals and every year I do a similar challenge just between myself and a friend. When I saw an opportunity to not only make some great improvements in my life but to be able to do it with family by my side I jumped at the chance. I know that any time we are working to improve ourselves in any way it benefits not only us but our family and I can use all the blessings I can get!

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  7. (This is on behalf of Cindy) -I guess I should say I'm a North Carolinian now since I have spent more than half my life as a "Tarheel." Some years, though, (like when I have to button my coat in the winter) I think I don't live quite far enough south. I had never heard of this type of organized challenge and thought it was great that you invited extended family. Although I held back initially, I knew participating in the BetterUChallenge would be nothing but beneficial. Add to that a chance to "bond" with Christy more through it and, well, why would I be so foolish as to NOT participate! :-D This also comes at a great time to get myself back into the joyful habit of walking which I struggled with through our winter (though it was mild, it had too many "have to button your coat days!" Thanks again! Cindy

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  8. I live in New Jersey - home of the worst drivers on the planet. But I have the most caring and understanding hubby in the world and have the cutest 14 month old daughter in the world. I joined the challenge because my mother told me I had to. OK, just kidding. She certainly did not tell me I had to but thankfully encouraged me to do so even though I was sure I don't have the energy for it with the bun in the oven taking over my body. I really joined because I always like a little competition and I hoped it would help to focus on my family more and see the positive in myself as well as those around me. Not to mention the fact that I have always been REALLY bad at actually setting goals and sticking to them so I'm hoping the accountability element will help me out.

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  9. (Wade's posting, he's unable to post on his account at the moment)

    I currently live in the arctic tundra of New Jersey. I hear that there are places where things grow and the wind doesn't freeze your eyeballs, but those are just rumors. I joined mainly so that I wouldn't get an endless litany of grief from my other half. It also helped kick me in the patuti (sp?) to go back to the gym.

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  10. If you all see this, I'm finally in!
    (And won't have to bother sweet Heather again!) :-)

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  11. I see it! By the way sweet Heather, Wade can't get in either.

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  12. The 5-minute home enrichment
    Is one I'm so glad you require!
    I looked for things I have avoided
    And can now see the top of my dryer! :-)

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  13. I live in San Marcos, California. I first heard about this kind of challenge last year when visiting Don and Linda in Yuma. Linda told about her kids doing it. I wanted to do it then so I was really excited that when you suggested it. This will motivate me to do the things I should be doing and also provide opportunity for me to connect and share with all of you even though I am so far away. I appreciate your encouragement and support. Thanks everyone!

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  14. I live in Raleigh with my wife Emily and 16 month old son Thomas. We are here for me to pursue a PhD in Statistics at NC State University. Heather told me about a similar challenge that she did last year and I immediately wanted to be a part of something like that. I find that exercising every day is pretty easy since I already do that but all of the other aspects of the challenge are things that I definitely don't do every day. I like how there is a point system to keep track of things so I can see trends or patterns in why I miss some of the tasks. I hope that this challenge will help me develop better habits - especially when it comes to finding ways to serve others and spend meaningful time with my family.

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  15. I live in Wake Forest with my goodlooking husband and 3 amazing kids. I stay at home and at times forget to take care of myself and my goals/needs. So I am hoping by doing this challenge to better myself and that will help me be a better mother and wife.

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  16. I live in Raleigh, North Carolina with my husband Brad, and my baby Thomas. I am a stay-at-home mother, and I like the idea of having a checklist to help me feel like I have accomplished things during the day. It also provides me with structure, and helps me to remember that the life of being a mother, although it is unpredictable, there are things that are in my control such as whether or not I exercise, do spiritual reading, pray, and etc. Joining this challenge has helped me to see all the good things that I am doing, as well as the room for improvement. I am also hoping to develop better habits so that I can set a good example for my children

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  17. I live in good ol' Durty Durham, NC with my wife Amy and our almost-3-month old son, Aaron. They are my biggest reason for doing the challenge, because I have been trying to come up with consistent things that I can do to be a better husband and father. This has been bringing the stress for the better part of a year, so this way I have a structured system, and group support (and accountability) are good motivators. Even in the physical goals, I have been trying to get back in the gym and on the bike to lose weight so that I feel better and am happier with myself, but also so that I will be ready to teach Aaron how to ride a bike and hike and kayak and play sports when he is big enough, and be able to keep up with him so that slow ol' dad isn't holding him back.

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