Thursday 9 August 2012

A Worthy LadyLike Challenge

I've been inspired to share a challenge with you from Abby at Back At Square Zero.  Abby noticed a quote in this month's Fitness magazine
"Women try to one-up each other when it comes to weight, looks and clothes.  Men compete over money and salary." 
This quote really struck home with me, as I know that I have had particularly unhealthy friendships in the past where the focus has been "who is the skinniest", "who has the nicest clothes" and "who is the prettiest".  All these comparisons only serve one purpose: to bring us down!

I've written previously on why I utterly loathe going to the gym - precisely for this reason.  I'm constantly comparing myself to others and in turn feeling like an utter failure!  In addition to affecting my confidence - I found myself judging others!  I don't know what it is that makes us compare ourselves with others in this way, but we definitely need to focus more on the positives, rather than the negatives!  For me, the gym environment breeds these thoughts in my head, which is why I avoid it!

Instead of competing against each other, we need to encourage each other!  This is one of the reasons why I love the blogging community SO much - because it enables me to interact with others in a positive way! 

Abby has posted a challenge this week and I wanted to share it with all of you.  The challenge is:
  1. Compliment a stranger – You can do this in person (while running errands, at the gym, etc.) or leave a note (on a dinner check, a post-it stuck to a mirror, etc.).
  2. Compliment a friend – Call them up, send a letter, or do it in person.
  3. Compliment yourself – Sit down and think – What is it that I do well? What do I love about myself? Then say it out loud and remind yourself of it on a regular.
Abby suggests we do all three by the end of the week (so, end of Sunday) and then reflect on how it made us feel - focusing on lifting others (and ourselves) up instead of putting each other down.  I think this is such a worthy challenge and as Abby says - what a wonderful world this would be if everyone lived like this!

So this is my challenge to myself and to all reading this post!


I hope everyone has a fantastic rest of the week and enjoy the remainder of the Olympics!

4 comments:

  1. What a wonderful idea Mary! I'm in. By the way, I noticed you changed your "after" pic at the top of your blog and you look so fit! (I seriously was going to compliment you on it even before I started reading this post!)

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    1. Thank you so much, Laura! I think Abby's idea is fantastic - a very good way to focus our minds on the positive and to think of others before ourselves.

      The pic was literally just taken yesterday, but this is why I think it's such a good idea to take lots of photos - because there aren't that many pounds that have been lost since the last photo - but the difference is definitely noticeable =D

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing. I am having so much fun complimenting and sending letters.
    Number 3 is the hardest for me. I have found I beat myself up about things more than I should.
    P.S.- I agree with Laura. You're new picture looks amazing! Not that you didn't look fabulous before, but WoW! I can totally see the change.

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    1. Thanks Abby! This whole exercise has been a real blessing. I complimented a girl at church this morning on her dress, and ended up chatting with her for ages and making a new friend! It's amazing what happens in your own mind when you're focusing on the positive - both for yourself and others!

      Thanks so much for your comments about my picture too! I'm really starting to feel a major difference now, which is fantastic! Makes all the effort totally worth it!

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