New Years Challenge! Anyone game????

So, I was thinking that it might be fun to put out a challenge for the group. Here's my proposal...
Lets pick just ONE thing to really focus on, that we want to change, begin, quit, or whatever, and share it here with each other. We will then have each other to hold us accountable, encourage us, ask us how we are doing on it, and give ideas to help each other along.. Any one wanna do this?

Here's mine. (True confessions time...)  Some of you are aware of this, but many of the newer people aren't..

After my wls, I reverted back to smoking. Something I never intended to do, or wanted to do , but it happened. I have to admit honestly here, that I HATE smoking. I don't enjoy it in the least, I can't stand the taste or smell of it, and I know it will kill me and is slowly. On top of all of this, I have my tummy tuck and such coming up on Feb 8th. Healing is very impaired by smoking and i do not want any avoidable complications added to the already long healing process from this surgery. I want to live long enough to enjoy th benefits of my wls and my tt. So.. I AM quitting. I trie this once before a few months back, but my heart really wasn't in it. This time it is, and I AM going to succeed. This will not be easy, I have smoked since i was 14 years old and am now 43. That 29 very long years of addiction I am going to bust through. So, it would be great to have you all behind me in this, rooting me on when it gets tough, and I know it will. So...when I hit the bed Dec 31st, which is the day after tomorrow, I am not picking up a cigarette again.

I too, want to stand behind you all in whatever your top priority is for this new Year. I am not calling it a resolution. Those are too easy to give up on. Taken too lightly i think. This is MY MISSION! What is yours?????? How can i help support you in it?

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I am here to help and support you Patrece.  You know that I want you to be the healthiest person you can be.  Name the need and I will be there. 

I will consider the challenge and come back later with my idea of what I need/want help with.  I'm sure I can come up with something that my buddies will help me stay accountable.  I want this to mean something to myself and need a bit to consider my answer.

Thank you Kathy! I know you do want me to be healthy and smoke free. Thanks for your support!

Wise woman to take your time and really consider this. I truly think this can be beneficial to many of us, if we use it as a tool to help us succeed and take it seriously.

Mine was an easy one to identify, as it is something I have to do, and I know will be quite difficult. AND it is important to me to succeed at this, and I know the Buddies here will care and help me through this.

Hugs! Will wait to see what you post.

Patrece, I am with you all the way.   I quit 23 years ago.  I quit cold turkey after getting really sick.   I had a very bad infection in my lungs.  I tried the patch, but it made my skin sore. so i just used one, then layed it all down.
 Took alot of praying and alot of hard work.
I put the money i used for smoking in a jar, when i had enough  I bought me something that i  really wanted, but wouldn't buy because of the money.   Reward your self often.
Lots of Luck.  Love ya

Thank you Annie Lou! I considered using the patch or an inhaler to help me, but then I figure I end up with 2 seperate habits to fight. First quitting the smokes...then quitting the patches. NOPE...think it is best to just make a clean break of it all.

Glad you wre able to break the habit.. I can do this.. now I will be both a LOSER and a QUITTER! Who ever thought that combo could be a good one?? LOL
Love ya toooooo! Thanks again!

Patrece, this (quit smoking) is something I need to do too, but I will be honest with you and myself: I don't believe I can do it this year because I am not mentally and psychologically committed to it, and my 35 year addiction is too strong. However, I will be here for YOU, support you wholeheartedly in your effort in every way possible.

I've been thinking long and hard what my own goal or MISSION should be for this year, after my WLS, and I have come up with the two most important things I absolutely MUST do, want to do and am determined to do:

1. Get off of my butt and start MOVING again! Partly due to the tetraparesis and partly due to the excess weight, I've been wheelchair bound for several years.  This can't go on!! I am DETERMINED to get up and STAY up and DO as much as my other nemesis, MS, will allow me to do. I want to prepare a good meal for hubby and brother - who lives with us - without help. I want to be able to get out of my house on my own. I used to be a passionate walker. I know I will never be able to do as much walking as I once did, but the 100 meters from my house to the super market and back again is MY Everest this year!

2. Break off my addiction to sugar and fat (mostly chocolate and chips). This is not only a wi****'s a MUST if I hope to lose weight and keep it off for the rest of my life! If only I could find something that would make these foods DISGUSTING for me, I would take it without a second thought! I HATE these foods, not for the taste, but for what they DO to me, but I'm addicted and it will take all my willpower and then some to keep them away from my lips!

Please help me achieve my goals everyone... I am DESPERATE!

Amalia

amalia..I think most all of us can relate to that feeling of desperacy. I can assure I can. And know that I will do all in my power to support and encourage you along the path to better health and achieving your goals and a healthy weight.

You are an inpiration Amalia! Faced with the challenges you are  and not giving up is a wonderful trait! You are strong lady! And you will beat the sugar and fat, and I pray that you will make it up to the top of YOUR Mt. Everest! Start small and gradually build from there and praise yourself for every single accomplishment you achieve, even if it is one step further than yesterday, or one less indulgence in your favorite unhealthy foods.

Thanks for your support and encouragement in my Mission! It is greatly appreciated my friend!
Big hugs to you. Sorry I mised you in chat last evening.

By the way...when is your surgery scheduled for? Or are you still waiting on a date? I'm sorry i cannot recall.

I am with you I quit smoking after I seen how it had made my grandfather suffer from lung cancer my challenge to myself is to get to my goal weight and to stay with and exercise program bascially not to give up if the weight loss is going slower than expected ... i think i can do this with everyones help i am so glad that i have found this group everyone have a great new years

Patrece, I am a former smoker and I want you to know that you have my support. I had did it cold turkey and quit about  2 1/2 years ago. I have to admit that it's hard and I still have a craving for it every now and then but I know I can't stand the taste or smell so it's stopped me from giving into temptation. We are all here to give you support and I know you can do this! You are an inspiration and deserve to have a healthy smoke-free life.

For me my challenge this year is to really start moving. I have done more exercise since I had my surgery than I have in the past years but I need to step it up and be comitted to a routine. I need to concentrate on trying to get it in 3-4 days a week instead of just here and there. So my New Year's focus will be on getting out and exercising with various methods. Since I got a bike for Christmas I should start using it...just need a baby seat attached.

talk to you soon,
Susan

patrece, good luck to you. i will have your back on this, with followup inquiries.  my mission is to exercise 3-4 days a week.   i am sort of afraid to though, because of the weight loss that goes with it. maybe i will get to a point of building muscles and i will gain some weight. who knows?!? vick