The iCiNG Transformation Challenge Starts On Sunday!
[ 26 January 2009 ]
You asked for it, you got it! The second annual (wow!) iCiNG Transformation Challenge starts at the end of the week — on Sunday 1st February, & will run for 28 days.
GET PUMPED, BABY!
For those of you who weren’t here for it last year, the iCiNG Transformation Challenge is an opportunity to achieve something you’ve wanted to do for a while but as yet, haven’t quite managed to hit out of the park. Last year, my personal challenge was to exercise in some form every day & eat 100% raw. Other people changed bad habits, revamped relationships, made steps towards doing more fulfilling work, transitioned their diet, worked on artistic projects, stopped smoking or taking drugs, etc. There is no limit as to what you can or can’t do within the challenge — it’s totally up to you.
Last year it was a raging success, with over 1500 participants from all over the world. There’s something really powerful about feeling like you’re not the only person making change in their life, & having a group of people around you who you know you can discuss it with! Sometimes when we decide to alter something in our lifestyle, our friends, families & lovers aren’t supportive. They feel threatened or they don’t have all the information or are obstructed by issues of their own, & so they resist us making those changes. That can make it really difficult to change our patterns & behaviour, because ultimately we all want to be liked — especially by people who are close to us. The iTC is wonderful for this very reason because we’re all in it together, & we all want everyone else in the group to do well. It’s a good way to make friendships & form bonds, too!
Essentially what happens is that I provide an area on iCiNG where we can all discuss our progress & give one another support. I think it’s good to check in on a daily basis & talk about our various challenges. It helps keep you engaged & excited about your transformation. I’ll be acting as head cheerleader, cheering you all on, pom-poms & all, posting daily inspiration, ideas & encouragement, as well as articles that I think will be relevant to what you’re going through.
I set up an iCiNG Transformation Challenge mailing list last year, which was really useful for a lot of people, but this year, I’m going to do it all out loud, in public. As cool as it is to get an email every day about the iTC, there was no way for anyone to search it or find it unless you were already in on it. I think this kind of thing should be in the public arena, so that anyone who wants to start their own challenge at a later date has everything at their fingertips. (You can still get iTC updates that way simply by subscribing to iCiNG via email!)
Okay, so you have six or seven days to organise yourself for your own personal challenge. Have a think about what you’d like to make happen next month, & how you can prepare for that. If you have no idea where to begin, raw food coach Karen Knowler has a great PDF on 13 great ways to improve your life — it’s really valuable for everyone, & you can download it for free here!
So whatever you want to do, start doing some research. Then begin to gather resources or whatever it is you think you’ll need in order to support you in your journey… & we’ll reconvene on Sunday! YAY! Are you excited?! I am!
When you know what you want to achieve, come back here & let us know what your intentions for the month are! Then we can start discussing & brainstorming it all! This will also help give me ideas about what sort of articles would help you most!
I’ll leave you with these words from the new American president (!!!), Barack Obama, which I think are perfectly appropriate!
Love letters & feather headdresses,
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ooh, great idea!
Good timing too, as this is around the time everyone’s new year’s resolutions tend to fizzle out…
I already decided in the new year that I will keep my apartment clean and maintain my distinction average at uni, so I guess I’ve just gotta work out some more specific steps to make that happen!
(also, I’m still doing some of the things that I started doing in last year’s challenge! yay!)
this is really exciting! i just got out of my first relationship (4 years!) so now i am truly single for the very first time in my adult life. scary, but i think this challenge is coming at the perfect time.
i am totally down!
I want to start a raw food diet (I’ve wanted to for the longest time, but never got around to it). I’ve also been dealing with an…unorthodox addiction that I’d like to rid myself of once and for all. The steps necessary to accomplish these goals are still in the infancy stages, but this time, I’m very serious about changing my lifestyle and certain aspects of my personality for the better. I’m tired of being complacent.
2009 is mine, ha ha.
I am SO in. And you can check on my progress in person at the end of the month!!
SO READY TO ROCK THIS
+)
Thank you Gala xo
Last year I watched from the sidelines as I was too shy to participate, not this year :) I have something that I want to complete during ITC that might possibly change my entire career and enable me to do what I really love!
The timing for this couldn’t be more appropriate for me. I’m definitely in need of some major reassessment. I have been considering transitioning into the raw from my current vegan diet, and a 28-day trial sounds like an ideal place to start. I’m in a rather difficult place right now, and I need to try to find some ways to put more focus on taking care of myself…
Ok Ok Ok wah hoo I’m ready
I am in sales and everyday for 28 days I want to contact 5 people oh and detox my toxic body so yes I’m in yeah
Woot! :D
Awesome, I shall think of something to change!! Love the ginger girls photo (I’m so predictable, I always comment on pictures of ginger girls cough Did someone say narcissist?).
i saw this and got so stoked hahaha.
:) wow that was funny. but really this is awesome. last year was a huge success for me. looks like i need to set some goals.
Oh yes! I’ve been hoping you’d do another one of these for a while now, I managed to miss the start last year and never really got into it after that.
This uear I’m in all the way! I’m going to continue cutting out more “bad” things from my diet, try and improve my sleeping pattern and stick to my studying schedule.
Excellent stuff… art and exercise will be mine… time to do some thinking! x
Ah excellent timing!! There are 2 things I want to work on, I was planning on doing these anyway but I think this challenge will just give me that extra bit of motivation I need.
Ok, my things:
-Prepare for auditions. I have about 7 auditions for musicschools coming up, I am planning on kicking it as professional singer haha! And for those auditions, there is a lot of theory I need to learn and a lot of recording and songwriting I need to do. So, part one of my challenge is being completely focused on music.
-Exercise regularly. I’ve been working on my eating pattern for about 3 weeks now and it’s going very well. I’ve ‘deleted’ sugar and dairy out of my diet and I try to eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies which is going verrry well! So next to this I want to exercise more frequently. I want to exercise about 4 or 5 times a week. Obviously this goal is not as important as the aforementioned but it is definitely something I want to work on.
I’m reaaallly excited for this!!
xx
YAY! I’m so in love with this idea! Gala Darling, every time I begin to lose faith, there you are again to inspire me. Thank thank thank you. R-r-r-raw power it is for me, and running, riding or yoga everyday. Bring it baby :) Yay!!!!!
ohhh my gosh i am so excited for this! i’m going to give some serious thought to what i’m going to do today and write it all down in my diary in preparation. excitement!!
Thanks for this, Gala! Yay!
Last year I worked on improving my eating habits, and I started giving them a kick up the ass again around 10 days ago, starting my own mini individual TC. So far it’s been great – sparked a bunch of insights about why I eat what I do, and started me considering giving up junk food permanently (except on friends’ birthdays and the like).
For this iTC, though, I think I’ll concentrate on my work (and procrastination!) habits. I’ve been having a lot of trouble focusing on my PhD recently, and want to take a more positive, fun approach to it – so that I get more done while I’m working on it, and have the time and energy to go out and live the exciting life I want to lead when I’m not working. Will think more about my plan of attack on this in the next week. :)
I am definitely in this year- had an international move around the time of the last one and it was a bit too difficult to get into it. But not this year.
My goals will resolve around writing for at least half an hour a day and doing at least 5× 30 min exercise sessions a week (one or two of which will be hooping!)
Yay!
Ooh, I’d like to join in…but I’m not sure what to do for my month. Hmm. Ideas?
alright, i’m in.
i have two things i need to do this year.
1. get my business off the ground
2. learn german
:)
this is so great gala! yey for your bright ideas. I’m sure this can help me (as in ALOT!) with my reviews for my upcoming board exam on march. I only got a month to fully prepare for it. Thanks gala!
Eeeeeeeeeee! Excitement! Now to figure out what I want to do…
Ok, i’m ready for the challenge….
I would like to gain a little more self confidence please and maybe start asking boys out!
Any ideas where to start?
As per your recommendation, Gala, I’m thinking I’ll try taking up hula hooping, for exercise & fun. Now I just need to get my hands on a hoop… & clear out some space in my bedroom…
I’m really excited about this, but I have no idea what to do!
I’m already trying to eat well because I have a little boy growing inside me, and I can’t really do too much exercise with him in there, lol.
I’m adrift!
Wahoo, just the kick that I need! I AM PUMPED, BABY! =)
Three goals for me:
1) Eating patterns completely where I want them to be – I’m very unhappy with my weight right now, and this is the main area that needs to be addressed. When I previously lost weight (which I have subsequently gained back), I became dangerously controlling and obsessive about any food that I ate.
So this time, I want to focus on eating healthy, fresh and unprocessed foods, and listening to when my body tells me that I’m hungry – not when a diet plan tells me eat. It will harder this way, but it is necessary – I need a permanent solution, not a temporary fix like last time.
A month of really getting back in touch with what my body needs, and feeding it the best possible fuel will be a great launchpad for healthy, long-term habits. (Forming these habits is my main goal, and weight loss is secondary for me, although I hope that they go hand in hand.)
2) Maintain my enthusiasm for exercise. Getting fit was my big summer goal, and it’s going well so far, but I want to consciously focus on keeping myself motivated, and not let momentum slip – I want it to truly be a daily habit by the end of the month. I also want focus on adding variety to my current routine.
3) Read more. I have a big stack of Penguin Classics (Lolita is at the top of the pile, Gala!), as well as some philosophy texts in French (eek!) sitting on my beside cabinet just waiting to be devoured, so I plan to reduce my daily internet time, and replace it with reading. Half a hour a day will be a good start I think, but I hope I’ll fit in at least an hour by the end of the month. (The reduced internet time will be just as beneficial, I think! Trading a bad habit for a good one!)
So, I hope that I’ll be healthier and more educated by the end of February! Except I may unofficially start tomorrow – just writing out what I want to achieve has already given me a boost. =)
Thanks Gala!
P.S. Gala, do you have your own goal for the challenge this year?
Eeek, what a novel! At least I feel committed now that I’ve written it all out!
YOU MINDREADER YOU!
PERFECT TIMING!
Funnily enough all my resolutions for 2009 began last year on the first of december(my birthday) but this week started fizzling out.
I know staying away from processed foods makes me happy, less anxious and keeps my body full of energy!
I also know I love to exercise- especially pilates and walking and that it really pays off!
And I’ve done all those things… until this week!
IM READY!
Plus Karen Knowler’s pdf was amazing!
I want to start cooking real meals from scratch and build up a repetoire, and generally that side of my persona. I’m going to try to do it almost every day for… now on. I bought a lot of discount cook books two days ago, so this should be easy.
I want to go to the gym everyday or most days for now on. Just pedaling on the bike, doesn’t have to be a big intense thing that might get difficult or that i might give up later.
I want to talk to more people and make more friends. Just blab away (which is how I see it). The goal, really, is getting a boyfriend in the end somehow. Thats something thats been very difficult for me due to introversion.
I’ve in the midst of a transformation generally, so I guess I need to keep up what i’ve been doing and PLAN for the future. I have to figure out what research i’m going to do and where and i’ve definitely put that off. Gotta get on it.
I wrote all that so people could get ideas, hopefully :)
I’m jumping on the RAW bandwagon too! I’ve been reading so much about it and I want the benefits – gorgeous skin, gorgeous hair, needing less sleep, energy…I gotta get me summa that!
Ooh, I’m so excited! Off to make plans right now :D
i am most definetly (i can never spell that word…) doing the iTC this year. i think i’m going to try to excercise every day… and since it starts right after exams, i’ll be less stressed out and i will be able to focus on it! yay, excellent timing Gala!
Oh i love you Gala, you come just in the time where i was wondering if i could manage to challenge myself to get over the mountains i have been hiding on.
For all your girls who missed last years iTC, it was hard working but it made me stronger and througout the year i had something to proudly look back to and get strength from. Don’t give yourself high goals that are hard to reach, even simple ones like ‘reply my email everyday’ can be a hard one to follow, hmm yes!
And the best thing is that other people around you will feel your efforts and you somehow will inspire them too.
Good luck !
This is fabulous.
I’m sick of myself at the moment, so time to change things around. Bring it on!
Yay! So exciting – definitely joining in. Off to craft my personal challenge… It may have something to do with my new hulahoop which should be arriving this week. Perfect timing :-)
Amy
xx
Hey Gala, This is perfect timing, Ive been reading iCing for about 2 weeks & you have filled me with so much motivation to improve my life, I have suffered from depression for years but I am trying to improve my diet and excerise to help combat it. I would love it if you could do an article about artificial sweetners & additives in foods & their effects.
Thanks for the inspiration & keep up the good work!
xxx
Wow how amazing..my life was SO different last time I took part in this..
I have a list (typical virgo!) of stuff that needs doing, lifewise so I’m gonna have a scan through that and see what I think needs doing most urgently..
I’ll tell y’all my decision later =]
Yay! Was hoping you’d do tyhis again Gala. I lurked lasty year as everyone achieved success but I didn’t join in.
This year however I will!
I plan to improve my general health with excerise, healthier eating and taking better care of of myself mentally!
Bring it on!
Yay! This should certainly be an annual thing! I already have a few ideas of what to do.
Will there be an email list again?
Ok…I’m totally in. I am going to change my fitness habits this time I swear. I already have my hula-hoop!
I saw this last year sometime in the middle of February, so too late to join, but I think I’ll give it a go this year, especially with the whole group mentality vs. individual thinking.
I’m going to get in shape for spring so my boy and I can go running with the dog. Today I took the stairs instead of the elevator and I feel good :)
And I’m getting a hula hoop sometime in the near future (tonight, possibly)
I’m dying to do the raw food thing, but I just don’t think it’ll be possible for me. First of all, money is an issue. I don’t think I could afford to go out and buy a ton of special food. Also, I’m in Scotland and it’s Winter, which means I’m currently so freezing that I’d sell my soul for some heat. So eating nothing but cold meals all the time doesn’t sound too great. I don’t really know a lot about it though, can you have anything warm?
eeeh I’m super excited. I tried the ICing challenge last year but only really lasted for a week but in that week I discovered the energy raw shakes give you. I just found out that my adrenals are pretty much shot so I think my goal will be to re-introduce whole foods and certain supplements into my diet to get the energy flowing.
Wow, what great timing — I ordered my hoop a couple of days ago and it should get here just in time! I’m going to take this as a sign that I am destined to be a hoop dancer, haha.
Love the idea! I don’t feel I’m ready for any changes at this moment, though. No ideas. I’ll participate the next time.
Good luck to everyone!
Thanks, it will be very helpful!
And I’m fowarding this to my friend who’s trying to stop smoking! :D
I’m SO ready for this. I need a change from my boooring routine of eating chips on the couch.
I’m going to:
-Start hooping (Must get hoop first)
-Do yoga 5x a week.
-Stop being so shy.
-Dress in a way that reflects my personality.
Perfect timing! I was disappointed when I didn’t participate last year and I had been using some of the posts from the previous transformation challenge to help me with my resolutions so this is so exciting!!!
So my goals are:
- continuing to work on french as a second language (as in doing my book work on a daily basis!) After taking it all the way through elementry and high school I realized how little I remembered, so I decided to start taking it again through my university!
- excersising for 30 mins to an hour everyday, I hate the gym…I mean hate, hate, hate it! But I love running outside. Unfortunately it’s too cold here right now (it was -47 degrees celcius this morning!) So my goal is to find the motivation to get my excersise in other ways.
- eating raw, simply put. Cut out all junk foods and processed foods and alcohol as well!
- stop sleeping in and start enjoying the mornings.
- bringing my uni average up
So ready to start this! I’m getting my self organized right now. Thanks for the inspiration Gala! You are truly fabulous!
LOVES IT!
My Goals:
1) Vegan diet, mostly raw
2) Gym everyday
3) Study, Study, Study
4)Give gratitude and do community service
At the end of this challenge, I will treat myself to a makeover.
Hooray! I’m so down with this. And that Obama quote is perfect.
Thanks Gala! I just found out you linked to me (my Wahoo! PDF). Hope all is wonderful with you…
HELLS YES!
All I did was read your article about starting another Transformation Challenge and I have already managed an EASY hour on my exercise bike (very hard for a usual relatively heavy smoker). I can’t wait!
I want to eat healthier, exercise more, and cut down/stop smoking….. and from this become fitter and lose weight the healthy way =)
Gala, you’re amazing. I recently discovered your blog through Twitter – and ever since I did, your positive energy has been leaking through the screen and into my daily life. I don’t think I’ve ever really been quite so impacted by someone I’ve found online before (especially someone I’ve never really personally spoken to).
2009 has been a year of change for me already, without my having planned it that way. Since the very moment this year started, I have been evolving. And I like it. I’m (slowly but surely) coming out of a very rough period in my life, and now is the time for some positivity — warranted or not.
I’m not sure what my goals will be yet. One of them will be to get better at hooping everyday. I’ve already begun that goal, but this challenge will help me stay on task. I’m not going to over inundate myself with things since my life still needs a little sewing at the seams otherwise, but I think 1 more goal will suffice. Perhaps I’ll figure it out later today while I’m Lightcasting. :)
xo!
Hmm. I wonder what I can do this time around.
Perhaps an exercise challenge.. that’s the thing I never really do regularly and it would be a wonderful habit to make.
I completely missed the iTC last year, so I’m really excited to get to participate this time around! I have two things that I really want to do:
- Learn French
- Get back in shape via hooping
Woo! I’m really excited!!!
Lots of love.
XOXO
I’m in too! I’ve been around for a while (I don’t even know how did I get here, but I can state it has been one of the greatests coincidences of my life!), and I am in a fully Darling mood! Also, this also comes in perfect time for me, because I am a bit down with my goals (when I feel I can’t cope with all I come back here and relax! Then it all goes the right way again…), which are…
1. Reorganize my time: I must balance studying and doing other things I like (say painting, reading, dancing…)
1.1. Study! I need to improve a bit my average, but over all, get motivated!
2. Start a wealthy diet (at least more wealthy than it is now). Absolutely quit meat.
I’ll think of more… THANKS Gala! :D
iTC!!! Yay!! I’m in the middle of my 30 day exercise trial and the iTC will be excellent motivation to stay put.
I want to commit to writing everyday, keep exercising and letting my wounds heal (physical and emotional).
I can’t wait!
Oh gosh, I’m so excited for this, it could not have come at a better time!!!
I have four goals for February:
1. Eat better—more raw, less greasy, fatty meat.
2. Exercise regularly—at least every second day.
3. Less procrastination—get a calendar, get my work done ahead of time so I worry less.
4. Be less shy—stop caring what people think!
PERFECT TIMING.
I’ve been going through some major transformations recently (largely due to iCiNG inspiration!), everything from style to personal relationships. This past week has been kind of a “make amends” week where I’ve tried to tie up loose ends and say things to people I’ve been meaning to say for awhile. I think by February 1st I will have let go of a lot of things that have kept me from achieving my goals until now, and be prepared for the challenge.
My goals will probably include:
-eating better and finding fun ways to exercise
-getting up earlier
-make time for creative projects, like finally fleshing out my website or organizing a show!
Eeek! So sudden!!
I’m going to start hooping(!) and generally excercising more and loose this damn weight!
Then I’ll look at how I can..er..not put it back on again!!
And it would be nice to find a new hobbie or something.
There’s also more snooker (I know! What a nerd!) coming my way this month so although I won’ty be out excercising, I can be hooping! Yay!
Good luck to everyone! Now to research more!
Oh, yay! Perfect timing! I can’t wait :)
Fantastic!
I am going to GET MY BLOG ON, as I’ve been planning and dithering about for a year and it is finally time to get my act together.
- write every day
- eat wellll!
and, by the end of the challenge, i’ll have found a flat for next year!
Woohoo! Count on me!
besitos ;)
w00t!
OK 28 days … i have 3 challenges for myself:
1. get my sleeping patterns back to sensible, so I don’t fall asleep in class or at work
2. save money this month instead of spending
3. spend more time reading coursebooks instead of aimless websurfing
4. put some time into things like painting my nails, to make myself look better & so feel better!
That’s probably more than enough for one month.
So …. in preparation, tonight I am going to go to sleep early. Really I am. Yeah. ... One step at a time!!!
xxxx
Wow, this is my first Transformation Challenge! I’m super exited about it but I have no idea what I’ll do!
Oh well, five days to ponder.
yay!
1.) hoop for at least 10 minutes a day (once i get started, i can’t stop!)
2.) gym at least 3 times per week
3.) no wheat! (i want to go raw, but i’m having a hard time, so this will be a good start.)
My plans for the transformation month are:
* to break my sugar addiction- I eat very well except for the damn sugar so I need to completely eliminate it from my diet.
* to really work on getting the career I want- I am applying to graduate school, but I’d like to get a job now that is closer to what I want. I need to focus all my energy on that and focus all of my intention on getting into the graduate program I want.
D: I just got dumped after a 2 years relationship, so I’m clearly having a rough time…I guess this is a good time to start doing something different! Though I still don’t know what could I choose…
~To go swimming every other day
~Study Japanese everyday (am going to Japan soooooooooooon}
Hooray! This is perfect timing. I just started a Steve Pavlina-style 30 Day Trial today, so I’ll just tie the two together! I’m challenging myself to food journal honestly every day for 30 days, and to utilize the tools in Steve’s Self-Discipline series of blogs (which are going to be super helpful in this situation, me thinks!)
I am totally going to stop slouching! Finally!
I’m excited!
I think my challenge will be to go to the gym/excercise at least 3 times a week. Also to start developing a good study and homework routine w/out so much online procrastination. I think I’ll have to think on it some more but I’m pretty sure those will be my 2 biggest goals.
I was so happy with my results last challenge; I lost a good amount of weight, dropped some bad habits and gained a lot of self confidence! This time around I’m starting in a better place because I’m happy with the way I eat now (although I do indulge quite often these days, but I’m okay with that!). BUT I never really caught on to excersizing which is what I want to do this time around! And yes, I have a hola hoop (I’ve been practicing) and a bicycle and I’m buying some yoga tapes this week! Other than that I’m going to glue my eyes to soulgarden and expand my mind. And clean my room and sort through my wardrobe! And concentrate on my career/edgucation. SO MUCH TO DO, but I’m really excited!
I was thinking of making a dress for the summer with the sewing machine I got as an Xmas gift. Also, I need to touch up on my German! It’s simply abtrocious! :)
Yipee! I’m in…so what to choose…hm so many areas for improvement!
Great picture :)
Wicked, count me in. i am very excited and this is just the inspiration i need to kick off two thousand and divine the right way!
my challenges will be – eat healthy, live healthy (cut out the sugar and caffeine, no more dairy products cause i am allergic but can’t forgo chocolate, exercise more) – cut the junk (organise my filing/bills, get rid of excess things, tidy up more) – explore (my thoughts, develop my art more, travel the country, learn, listen and think)
Wonderful timing indeed.
University has got me feeling overwhelmed, not to mention physically beat due to greasy cafeteria food >
Yay! I’m excited I can participate this time!
I’ve come up with a few.
1 – More exercise. I need to do more than walk dogs!
2 – No more smoking. Adding to that, more water, more plant-based foods if not straight up plants etc.
3 – I’m going to start a gratitude journal, a blog, AND I’m going to send out at least three hand-written letters each week of this coming up month.
4 – Setting goals for the YEAR.
I’m really excited about this. Wondrous timing. And the ebook is excellent!
I was part of the last iCT challenge. I challenged myself to get in shape, and I got a personal trainer. This time I have a broken ankle, so I’m pretty limited with what I can do. That doesn’t mean I won’t participate, because I totally will!!
My goals:
- Learn to knit, and knit at least one scarf.
- Draw draw draw!! I love drawing, but I definitely don’t do it enough.
- Exercise! This means mostly core and upper body exercises.
I’m excited! The ideas that come to mind immediately for my own transformation involve staying on top of my schoolwork (especially research projects that involve lots of steps in order to complete), creating a piece of art every single day, no matter how small, and making the effort to dress myself in a way that makes me feel utterly fabulous, always!
Ooh, exciting! I did iTC last year and I can’t wait to start planning for this year – I already have so many ideas. And how amazing is that Karen Knowler PDF? It pretty much highlights everything that has been on my mind these past few weeks. :)
I’ve never did iTC but this year I am! My goal is to amp up my creativity on my new blog, Makeup For Always!
I want to be a pro Makeup Artist & I think this blog will be instrumental in my learning & be just plain fun!
Perfect timing for me!
My mum, My younger brother and i have just signed a family contract to eat healthy, exercise and get fit starting today, so that could be my challenge to stick to that.
We signed the contract together so that we would all be doing the same thing and have each other as support.
As far as exercise goes, we wrote in the contract that we must do at least 30mins exercise together every day.. and as much as we want alone. But that 30 mins together will make sure that if one or even two of us aren’t feeling up to it, at least there will be someone there to motivate us.
We are also going to try and cut down on things that are holding us back personally:
mum: cut down on smoking.
brother: cut down on video games.
myself:stop being lazy and keep bedroom and wardrobe immaculately clean.. (harder than you might think, especially when you have as many clothes as i do :/ )
iTC will be an awesome reason to stick to it.
Gala you are fabulous. xx
Gala, I’m so excited you’re doing this again! I’ll spend the next few days brainstorming- I want to come up with some good stuff to change in my life for February. This is going to happen!
WOOOT! this time around, i swear i’ll stick by it. :D
Thanks sweetheart Gala! This comes at just the right time – I’ve been making lifestyle changes this month (such a good little Virgo), actually inspired by what I did during the icing challenge last year, but I’m still aching for more of an overhaul. Now lookee here, not only is it lightcasting day, and Chinese New Year, but time to use those things to jump-start icing challenge #2!
1) To get my sleeping patterns right for Uni
2) Start hooping
3) Finish off a story that I’ve started.
- I need to finish Uni within the next year. Not out of ambition, but because my classes are being cancelled after that. But Goddammit, I want to do it! – study russian every day – heal my wounds – keep my flat clean – write more
I missed last years but am going to join in this year. I wanna cut sum of the bad foods outta my diet, n afta splitin up with my ex just wanna have sum time 2 become me again nt be in a couple x
I really need to get my energy levels and general health under control! This will include: – Getting OFF the energy drinks. – Getting to the doctor instead of putting it off. – Exercise everyday. – Take away only on Fat Fridays :) – Getting out of the social smoking habbit… and i’m ashamed to say the social drug taking.
There are so many more things I want to acheive but I think this is to be my main focus. I also want to get my budget sorted to save money!
I wanted to try to narrow things down, and have perhaps one main goal and one smaller side goal possibly related, but I just can’t. Maybe as I go through the month with the following four goals, as certain ones take precedence and others I kind of lag on, I can just be ok with that. Know that they are things I can come back to and tackle later.
1 – Take major strides toward starting my own business. Get the creative juices flowing, get the technical aspects worked out, set goals for budgets and income and pull out all the stops to make sure I can start trying to achieve them.
2 – Sort of in the same vein… get my studio set up so I can make art regularly.
3 – Go to yoga a few times a week, and check out other yoga studios aside from my grungy gym to see if they’re worth the extra $$$.
4 – Make some more Brooklyn friends who have similar interests to me. Many of my friends I’ve made from long ago or through friends or the BF… how is it that I have so few who like to do the same things that I do? It baffles the mind.
Onward!!
Yea! I’ve been looking forward to this! Last year, I started incorporating raw foods into my diet, and I haven’t looked back. I’m still enjoying eating this way. Last year, I also started loosing weight. I’ve lost quite a bit, but I’ve more to go. Now, I want to incorporate more exercise into my life, but exercise that will help tone my body rather then just burn fat. I specifically want to tone my upper arms.
I think I’ll work on building better relationships this month. Coincedentally, I sent a belated birthday gift to a former friend today (Who I sort of fucked things up with), and I’m setting off to court a very beautiful girl on Wednesday.
Second goal- A thousand words of poetry or fiction per day.
Third goal- Put full effort into schoolwork.
Can’t waaaait!
I’m in.
I’ve become sedentary and inactive. My goal is to be high-energy and active.
I will set specific goals before the 1st
Ah I’m so in! I’ve been needing motivation to get back on track with my exercising and eating habits. It’ll help me get on track for when the snow melts and I can start running again. Yay!
Yes! So going to be a part of this! I’ve already taken the first steps to change by moving out of my parents’ house, but I’m worried I’m just going to fall into a rut and not really achieve anything. No more!
1. Write at least one thousand words a day! And no, I can’t write two thousand one day and none the next; no trying to get out of it!
2. Be more physically active! I’m going to take up hooping, skipping and yoga/pilates for starters, mixed with a bit of weight-training to strengthen and tone!
3. Be more socially active! I need to reconnect with some people, and now would be a perfect opportunity to do it. I don’t want to be someone who takes her friends for granted.
4. Experiment more with fashion! None of this going the safe route (i.e. black) every day, it’s time to shake it up with bright colours and flirty clothes!
And maybe try learning a bit of Japanese before my course begins this year…
Can’t wait! I want to get started right away!
xoxo
i have a few things I’ve been thinking i need to get into order recently,
1- planning my week ahead of time, work, food, outfits, fitness, etc which will flow onto to…
2- going to the gym 4 times a week, 2 times with my personal trainer which i am doing at the moment and 2 times of my own accord which are the times that i usually talk myself out of going.
3- eat breakfast EVERY day, since a always have more energy when i do. bring snacks and lunch to work instead of buying unhealthy things from the cafe.
4- save as much as possible for traveling in the second half of the year hopefully #1 helps with this as i can leave my wallet at home.
I remember last years iCiNG Challenge really got me motivated so am very excited about it being an annual event!
I think this is a fantastic idea! and i want to participate but I feel like all of my new year’s resolutions are under control.
i don’t know if my endeavour, my current goal can be reached by this transformation challenge, although i would like input, feedback and help.
i’m madly in love with this guy and you can put whatever you want into that phrase (he’s all i think about day and night, i go to the places where he used to go in order to bump into him. i cry sometimes. he’s all i talk about). we both screwed up unintentionally and hurt each other. in the simplest of terms, he doesn’t trust me right now but his words and actions (he couldn’t look me in the eye when he told me of how much i hurt him. “i just wish it didn’t happen.” he invited back to his apartment that night and we cuddled on the couch) prove to me that he’s not over me, he’s just scared that i would hurt him again.
i’ve taken advice from friends when they told me not to contact him and just give him time and space- but i guess my transformation “goal” would be to regain his trust…
I’m such a lurkerzoid, but i’m popping out from between the typefont because i’m just like everyone else. I need to make a change, and i want to make it happen.
So, i’m going to research my little butt off and :
1. STOP PROCRASTINATING,
2. GET MOTIVATED to achieve:
3. PRODUCTIVITY.
“I really wanna lose 3 pounds”
Actually, I really have to lose about 15 kilos. I just moved house (and state!) and decided to change all my bad habits, but so far it’s not really working out the way I’d hoped in that regard. My PCOS and depression have been getting worse, and I can’t fit in to more than half my clothes. It SUCKS! This is totally the kick in the butt I need! I will eat well, exercise in some form everyday, and generally be awesome! Woo!!
Also, I can’t find it now, but some said that they wanted to handwrite letters, I really love that idea. In fact, I might write one tonight.
I’m so excited for this! I will have to think of something good to do and make a real organized plan.
YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! Transformation here we come!
Mine will revolve around:
* Self Image * Health * Career
details to follow…
Woo-hoo! Can’t wait to get started!
(PS: maybe it could be quarterly event – 4 transformations a year WOW! – or am I just too excited?!)
This honestly could not have come at a better time. I’m moving on February 1st to Baton Rouge, Louisiana from Orlando, Florida and I am ready for bigger and better changes since I will be starting “new.”
Some of the things I want to accomplish:
1. Start marathon training
2. Add some other form of exercise to supplement marathon training
3. Completely revamp my eating habits to include more veggies, fruit, whole grains and water
4. Take vitamins every day
5. Take the time to explore the my new “home”
6. Read more, be on-line less
This year I am going to go to the Metro area more often (DC, Baltimore, rockville, that noise), do some sort of photography project (not 365) and grow my hair long! (Maybe work out too, we’ll see!)
Actually, I could do with this.
I need to:
- do some yoga (even if it’s just sun salutes) 5 days/week
- moisturise my torso daily in an effort to ward off stretch marks
- drink 2 litres of water/day (and not right before bed) for the same reason as above
- practise for March’s fan dance performance at least twice/week
This has come at the best time because today was my first day back at school and I’m feeling completely swamped by all the paperwork we have to do! Plus I’m taking 2 online courses, which are very easy to forget about. So my two goals are 1)to not get behind on my classwork, to do a little bit every week so I’m not rushing around at the last minute trying to get it done and 2) to cut out white everything from my diet and to stop eating processed foods. I’ve started this already by making pretty much everything on my own with wheat flour (including bread, pancakes, etc.), but sometimes I find that when I’m at work or I’m out those bad things sneak onto my plate.
I hope that you will all be able to help me reach my goals! And I suggest that you read In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. He’s brilliant, and it would be worth it to read for everyone else who has new diet plans.
I’m going to continue exercising every day, which I’ve been doing for almost a week, & probably do the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred video thing every day.
Eating healthy definitely needs to be a priority too, as does getting the work done to get my business running. Will have a think about more specific goals for those.
Oh…I’m so excited about this! I can’t wait. I just have to pick something to concentrate on. There are so many different things I could do!!
Im very excited about the iTC!!! I want to do some sort of exercise everyday, as well as meditate daily as well. Im so geeked to know that I will not be alone in my journey of improvement. :)
OKAY! ALRIGHT! BRING IT ON!
The timing of this could not be more prefect. Next Monday I start back at school & I’ve been crazy panicked about dealing with my work load. That’s what I’m going to focus on. Getting my work done, on time, while not getting lacks on the other areas of my life. I want to feel in control this year.
I WILL feel in control this year!
Hooray for the iCiNG community being awesome!!!!
My challenge is the 365 Project on Flickr where you take a self-portrait every day for a year. I really want to do this so that I can get creative, have fun, and learn some things about myself. I started today with your help! Thanks.
The first is my birthday- a good day to start something I say! I am in…not sure what transformation I will take in this 09 icing transformation…off to think about it! Good luck, and break a leg to everyone!
the only thing that irritates me about quotes from poli’s is that obama didn’t write that – a speech writer did – he’s the dude that should be quoted – it’s from his heart the words came from – obama is just the mouth piece.
I am in like Flynn! I just gotta think of what it is I want to accomplish in February.
HECK YES I’M IN!!!!!!
My original New Year’s resolution was “avoid unfortunate encounters with ceiling fans,” but I think I can top that.
Here are my goals for the Transformation Challenge:
1) Make exercise a daily part of my routine (exercise other than prancing around to Queen songs in my room)
2) Eeeaaaasssee up on eating so much sugar
3) Make writing part of my daily routine again, be it mass e-mails to my friends, my LiveJournal, or my personal travel journal. I want to document my life as I’m living it!
4) Love life. Y’know, as in have one. And to believe that I’m worthy of one.
5) Procrastinate less so I’ll worry less
6) Be less harsh on myself. Instead of just paying lip service, I gotta really commit to replacing my familiar habits of self-loathing and negative self-talk with positive self-talk. I’m quite tall (6’2), and let strangers’ comments about it really get to me. I use self-deprecating humour to help me through my day. That type of humour is fine for just laughing at yourself, but I was using it to simultaneously hide and perpetuate these negative feelings about myself. As silly as it is to admit, I have to start thinking of myself as rare, beautiful and ethereal, rather than fundamentally flawed, ugly and inferior.
7) Wear sunscreen like it’s my job
Ummm…so I guess I have goal #3 covered for today!
I’m really excited for this! Thanks for always being our cheerleader, Gala!
What a great idea! I have already started posting weekly goals on sundays,but it will feel even more significant with a community to share it with.
I am most often inspired by other people’s accomplishments/goals and think this may be the correct forum to light a bit of inpirational fire!
I’m so pumped to be participating in this & will totally be spending this week thinking of some really solid & challenging goals for it!!
1. remember my body is my instrument (I’m a singer) and treat it as such! I wouldn’t mistreat a cello and expect it to perform well and I need to treat my voice/body/self the same way.
2. yoga dvd 2x/week.
for reals yo.
3. be a badass and fearless musician and really feel/communicate my songs. challenge myself to be a dynamic and expressive performer and identify with the emotions in the music. BADASS AND FEARLESS, people!
I am currently challenging myself to do pushups each day as well (started before iTC but hey, let’s add it anyway.)
Oh so excited!!! Is it Feb 1 yet???? I can’t wait! I am going to balance my life, mainly through taking better care of myself and nurturing my relationships with my family and my boyfriend… Not stressing over school and work to the point I turn into a big stress blob no one wants to talk to.
ooh… have to think about this one! But I’m so in!
I can’t wait to do the iTC! I’ve got a couple of things in mind…
1) Start that fabulous daily routine!
2) Cut refined sugars out of my diet.
3) Cardio, three times a week.
1. Half an hour of Swahili lessons every day. I’m going to be living in Africa in a few months and I have a great teach yourself kit, but I’m majorly behind right now. I figure if I do half an hour every day, I’ll have the basics down pat in no time!
2. Drink 2L water every day. Pretty self explanatory.
3. Exercise at least four times a week. I’m so, so unfit right now. Hockey season starts soon and I’d rather not pass out on the field!
4. Have a job by the end of February. I really need the money if I want to make a dream come true by June. So far no one wants to hire me, but I need to not give up hope. :]
Im in, going to work out everyday, and tbh so far I have managed this, apart from weekends, also going to try and be a bit more adventurous with my hair and image.
Okay here’s my contributions to the proceedings…
1) Work on my confidence levels and stop worrying what others think of me so damn much.
2) Leave the part-time work I’m in and find someone who does appreciate what I’m doing, rather than taking me for granted.
3) Start eating more healthily; I’m going back to vegetarian again. I was for six months last year and looked, as well as felt better.
4) Start exercising. I want to lose weight. I’m not exactly a gym bunny, but hooping looks like it has a lot of potential…
What a wonderful idea! I’ve been making some huge changes in my life (hooray for the first steps toward a complete overhaul on Jan. 1, 2009!), and this is such a motivating, concrete way to put some specifics into action.
Bring on the metamorphosis!
I’m so glad you’ve picked now to do this, just when I need it the most.
My transformation is probably the hardest for me. Ever. Ever. Responsibility.
I’ve already lost credit for one of my classes this semester because I didn’t do hardly any homework. When my mom finds out I have to take summer school, she’s going to kill me.
So I’m resolving to figure out a way to actually care about my homework… get it done, stop procrastinating, being responsible.
I’m actually scared. Good sign, right?
HMM. Reasonable goal time!
1. Stop thinking about douchey exboyfriend. Have fun with new boyfriend.
2. Stop being so bulimic. YEAHHH.
3. Eat more raw vegetables. Or cooked vegetables. Steer away from cooked meat and bad snacks. Have breakfast, not supper.
4. Try hard in school!
5. Get a job. Haaa.
6. Get abs back via exercise, lose three lbs? HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, OKAY?
In general, ditch my old, sad, sugar and insecurity filled lifestyle for something more fun and productive and healthy. Mmm, big goals.
Great. I just moved, rid my life of bad flatmates/friends/excess junk and I am ready for some changes.
1. I will write for at least an hour every day.
2. I will cook yummy food every day. This includes making a point to cook something for my new flatmates once a week. This will also involve really sticking to my healthy diet. No more baking pies!!!
3. I will do my exercise tape every other day. (It would be every day, but frankly, I did it yesterday and I am so sore that it would be crazy to do it every day).
4. My new flat and room are neat and clean and in perfect order. I will make a point to keep it that way.
a) Spend 15 minutes in the morning and in the evening tidying.
b) set out my clothes every evening for work the next day.
5. Be a better girlfriend.I’m going to work on listening better and being more supportive.
6. Will only buy necessities. No more clothes shopping, ect for a month. Only food! Hopefully I can extend this and save money.
:)
-Cut WAY BACK on sugar…I really like it too much.
-Blog everyday though the work-week.
-Keep exercising!
-Finally get license.
1. Go for a walk at least twice a week. I always feel good after I go for a walk but I don’t do it enough.
2. Cut back on sugary foods especially at night.
3. Write more. Someone gave me a journal as a gift and I am going to use it.
4. Stop complaining. I just moved and things here aren’t going the way I want them to. I’m sure my fiance is tired of hearing me complain.
I’m excited. I found this blog when I was looking for New Year’s resolution ideas. I have already started a 30 day challenge but it will continue ‘till the end of February. I challenge myself to work out in some way, shape or form EVERY DAY. as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be skinnier or more tone. I thought about it, now in to my 20’s, when am I actually going make that happen??? NOW! Reading everyone’s challenges is definitely inspiring!
I’m in! I need to change somethings around here…
This is good timing for me. The final date for application to my university courses is the end of March, but it is suggested they be in for nearer the beginning of the month. So I’m challenging myself to not only have a sparkling application but as it’s an art & design course, I’ll need to sort my portfolio, which involves attempting life drawing which I’m appalling at. My overall aim is to get accepted!
I couldn’t pass up the oportunity to get in on all the inspiring, positive energy this time, especialy since I have something I’m really ready to work towards that is officially ‘starting’ next month.
I’m entering anorexia recovery day program at my local hospital! I’ve been inpatient multiple times and was finaly given an ultimatum by my treatment team that it was time to join the ‘day program’ or face yet another readmission. I decided I need to stop letting my eating disorder control my life and so as of next week I’ll officially be a member of the program.
My goal for this month? To Survive! My goal is to begin gaining weight (which is innevitable because of the meal plan I’ll be on) but rather than blandly accepting the weight I want to EMBRACE it! I want to LOVE getting healthy and mostly I want to LOVE myself! While loving one’s self after being a slave to a nasty eating disorder for over a year is a lofty goal, there’s no better time than the present for me to start trying!
Kara — That’s awesome, well done. I don’t know if you’ve seen these, but they might be useful to you. galadarling.com/article/eating & galadarling.com/article/eft
My two challenges are part of a larger goal of becoming a more beautiful person, inside and out:
1. Stop gossip and complaining. I want to become a better listener. I want to be one of those people who makes you feel like you’re the only one in the room, you know?
2. Continue to monitor what I’m consuming, and how it makes me feel. I want to have more energy and better skin, and I know that what I eat plays a HUGE role in this. Also, I want to start exercising on a regular basis, instead of in binges.
Also, along with being a better listener, I am also going to be more open to people, and attempt to wear my heart on my sleeve every now and then, on recommendation of my seesta!
Kara, you and I can be iTC buddies. I’m also getting over my issues with food/eating and I’m trying to gain weight. Whilst I was never admitted into a hospital or even officially acknowledged by doctors as being anorexic or bulimic, I was still on the low end of the eating disorders spectrum. This is terribly hard for me to admit, since I was always one of around 3 girls in my social circle who WASN’T plagued with an eating disorder. However, nerves, stress, and pressure [alas, heartbreak also] can do crazy things to a girl, and I’m ready to be done with it. I want to ENJOY food again.
I lost almost 11 pounds over the last few months, which is a pretty big deal for me- I’m a tiny girl. I want to get up to around 135-137, which is higher than what I was before the weight loss, but seriously where I want to be. Hello, curves, I say!
Also, I hella miss my boobs. And my ass.
And being a burlesque performer, you KINDA need those. :D
Love,
Kate
Yay Gala this has come at the best time for me too!
Im in a long distance relationship and it can get hard sometimes tryin to balance out seing him and also my friends at home. So i want to work on that.. time management… and also my relationship with him in general.
Upskilling.. Ive been looking at studying part time at night school or thru the open polytech for a while..still undecided on what to study.. need to get onto this asap!
Job.. its horrible, but with the current conditions in the economy its not the best time to move on.. have to learn to grin and bear it and keep and eye out for new opportunities that are out there.
Health/Fitness… Eat more healthy and exercise…I spend alot of time on the road traveling to see my bf and always take the easy food options when im late and feeling layz.. must sort something out to stop this habit.
Yay im excited to start this!! It feels good to write this down, some things in my list seem so easy.. but sometimes when youre in a pattern being layz and taking the easy options seem more appealing. Time for change! Yay!!
Definitely in. ITC Goals:
1.) Make an effort each day to do healthy things for physical/mental/emotional/spiritual health: e.g. eating healthier, fresher foods (predominantly veg.), exercising, writing journal entries, meditation/yoga/EFT, keeping life organized, sleeping, planning nice treats for self, and avoiding overly perfectionistic tendencies in favor of positive self-acceptance.
2.) Figure out things I enjoy doing on my own and figure out plan for upcoming year. In a weird transition state right now where I think I have an idea where I’m going but have been depending a bit too much on others and ideas of what I “should” do recently to be 100% sure. So…I guess one of my ITC goals is reassessing what my goals actually are.
I may be able to be more specific with some time to think over everything…hopefully, we’ll see.
perfect timing.. thanks! .. i was diagnosed with depression during a difficult marriage, and decided to get divorced.. have been a tad bit angry at my ex for obvious medical reasons.. including weight loss as i see some of the posts refer to.. so for the challenge id like to instill that respect for all things good again.. to eating properly and letting go of past hurts and to really living in the present.. thank you so much for your inspirational words .. really excited !! (and you may know, getting excited is even something to get excited about..;)...)
I want to be different to the person I was last year when I decided to take part in the iTC challenge.
Having no confidence, I’ve been withdrawing myself back from life, missing out on all the beautiful things that life gives me.
I want to change that.
There are a few things I would like to accomplish for this year’s iTC challenge, and one imparticular is to improve my self confidence.
In that, I will be a happier person. I won’t control how I view myself by relying on others opinions of myself.
I am going to learn to love myself.
Thankyou Gala for you amazing positive attitude. You truely are an inspiration.
x.
Yay im excited mines going to be to to start exercising again im going backpacking in may and want to be looking fit and healthy !!
Having a transformation challenge buddy isn’t such a bad idea!
I’m going to work on a couple nervous habits (hello, stop touching your face!) that will help me cultivate an outward self that totally complements my inner awesome. I think revamping what I eat and getting more exercise than I do (hey, I do yoga in the morning… and I walk places….) will definitely help the skin thing, as will not touching it (and if it’s beautifully blemish free, I won’t feel the need to touch it).
@quahnita – Bebe, it only gets better after that; from experience. Pinky swear.
Kids, we’re all going to ROCK this challenge! Yay, everybody!
Five cheers for Gala! I’m so excited!! I am still finalising my list but I will be ready by Sunday! You’re the best Gala xoxo
hey gala! i LOVE your blog…not only is it inspirational, but you make unconventionality and nonconformism look promising and appealing:)))) some of the topics that you discuss here are so eerily timely too!
i just wanted to say that [and this is the first time i’m actually leaving a comment!] i am totallyy psyched up about the changes that i seek to create for myself:) i’m well on my way to a complete image make-over, and have made my academic plans for the next few years in advance! for the former, i’m working out religiously and i’ve completely revamped my diet too :D as for the latter, i’ve done all the groundwork and i’m just waiting for uni to re-start again:)
wish you all the luck in whatever you do this year…and keep up the fabulous work! :D:D:D
p.s: the quote at the end was perfect:D
I’m psyched! Yay!
My official list is under revision, but it will include:
- abstaining from beef and pork. I’ve wanted to try this, I don’t eat them much anyhow, but I’ve never sat down and said “no more eating large animals”. it’s important to me. – getting a job – seizing the moment, not being shy about handing my resume to people or looking anyone in the eye or saying what I want. – sleeping EVERY NIGHT
Okay, I decided. I’m going to do the same as last year — exercise every day & 100% raw. AAAARGH. The concept terrifies me so I know it’s the right choice. Dear god. I am psyching myself up now. Phewwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Crazy, I joined a gym yesterday BEFORE reading this and now it will take on another level of motivation/meaning. Yessssssss!
I seriously took most of my minutes since this was posted planning and finalizing my goals, but they are ready now!
- Wash my face everyday with cleanser – Eat 2 pieces of fruit a day – one liter of water a day. – Go to pilates and kickboxing and yoga with the girls from my floor and my itc buddy! – go vegetarian 2 days a week (big challenge for me!) – NO SODA (HUGE challenge!) – recite my 2009 Manifesto every time i’m on my way to the gym.
I’m also reading Steve Pavlina’s Self-Discipline blogs and they are SO helpful guys! fo sho.I want to (finally) move out of my hometown and to NYC to pursue a new career in some level of the fashion industry! I’ll keep blogging, of course!
Great for the start of the year :‘D
I want to USE MY CREATIVITY. Sure, I can draw and I take decent photos.. But I’m so lazy! I want to come up with new ideas and creations more often. At least one drawing/piece of art and one photograph a week.
Oh this is going to be difficult as I’ve already started so many monumental challenges this year…but I want to do more!
I just have to work out what it will be…
Well…I’ve already managed to accomplish one of my goals. The job? I was tired of being messed around. So I rang my employer (I’m a part-time teacher) and told them I didn’t think it was worth continuing with the classes I was teaching, due to attendance figures. I also added that no-one had been in touch with me, regarding certain issues I’d had, despite my trying to get in touch repeatedly with them. I made this clear politely that this wasn’t very fair and I wasn’t going to countenance being treated like this in the future.
End result? I got what I wanted. The classes are being pulled. It’s soul destroying when you only get three or four turning up. I’m worth better than that. It’s scary, but I know I’ve done the right thing, because I feel it in my gut. I’ve ignored my gut feelings for too long and it’s always been to my detriment. Well, no more. I’m feeling quite powerful at the moment and I really rather like it…
I’d love to see an article on being more creative, or another article on motivation… being an artist (and I know I’m not the only one on here) it’s hard to balance the necessary hours of work with the flashes of inspiration… My transformation challenge will involve working a certain number of hours per week on my art (and also exercising more). But whenever I make myself a daily schedule to work on something I feel like I’m boxing myself in and being uncreative… any suggestions??
I think I’ll be participating this round. :)
I’m in.
1. Live clutter free.
2. Everyday do something worth talking about.
3. Learn Chinese.
4. Treat my body with respect.
5. Have no regrets.
My resolution this year is to live the fairytale. So, I’m going to use this as an opportunity to really commit to it.
and I need to save money – I want to go to pittsburgh and london this summer, and I’m moving to Vancouver in september. I’m gunna need the cashmoney!
This comes at the perfect time for me too! I’ve just started on an ayurvedic treatment programme and it’s going to mean some MAJOR changes in my diet and lifestyle – so the ITC is a great time to try it out and see how I go.
So my challenge will be sticking to the things my doctor recommends, including:
- waking up between 6.30 and 7am – doing daily exercises and massage – eating and drinking all the compulsory daily things – making sure all the water I drink is warm/hot – no caffeine or red meat… as well as doing my best to cut out all of the foods on the extensive list I’ve been recommended not to eat! – doing an ayurvedic detox
I think the hardest part will be cutting out the things I’m not meant to eat, as that includes quite a few things that I usually eat a lot of. I’m going to have to be a lot more organised and motivated about my eating, because any kind of convenience food is pretty much out the window.
The other big challenge will be nurturing my relationship through this. I live with my boyfriend and we’ve always done shopping and cooking together, which won’t be as easy now, and I know he’ll need a lot of support to get used to that.
But knowing there are so many other people out there making big changes in their lives really does make it fell less daunting! Thanks Gala :o) And good luck to everyone!
COUNT ME IN GALA!!!!!!!
I’ll aim to eat healthy and excercise three times a week for all of february.
Oh yess!
I’ve already started the excercising part, been goign to the gym regularly for two weeks now, but I need to eat healthy or I’ll get no where.
Thanks Gala!
I’m in!
aaaah this is exactly what i neeed!!!! i would like to….
1) go for a run every morning before school
2) eat COMPLETELY healthy during the week (free rein on weekends)
and3) keep up to date/ahead of ALL my school work for year 12!!!!!
i want 2 start nooooow!! hurry up sunday =)
lots of love and luck to everyone xx
Couldn’t be timed better!
I’ve been trying to start better habits and it’s not working, but i think this is going to kick start me into it.
1. Work out regularly (at least 4 times a week)
2. Eat healthier!
3. Write. Something, anything, but write.
Thank you!
I’m excited!
I started a workout/eating routine this month that got a little derailed, so I want to pick up again full force! I’m hoping to drop at least six pounds this month. This will include strength training 4x a week, cardio 3+ times a week, and tae kwon do class 2-4x a week. as for eating, keeping to a regular meal/snack routine that involves balance and focus on nutrition.
I also want to brush up on my french and spanish speaking skills.
1. Work out everyday
2. Write more often
3. Be better organized with school/no procrastinating
4. Eating better
5. Work on my business
6. Making more friends
I’m sure I can think of so many more
i am definitely definitely definitely doing this!!
i want to exercise every day, eat healthy, and hope to lose 10lbs by the end of these days. i would be so, so proud of myself as this is something i’ve been trying to do forever.
My ITC: I will get a sewing machine and finally learn to properly sew! I already have a ridiculous amount of clothes languishing in the back of my closet awaiting a hem here or a dart there … that influx of “new” stuff also ought to help me curb my buying urges for a while. Not to mention I’ll be building up the basics for future fun with vintage patterns, thrift-store DIYs and all sorts of one-of-a-kind creations!
Sign me up!!!! :)
365 Days of 1 hour of (Holosync) meditation on wakin’ up! :)
+ other splendidness. :)
to the greatest year of our lives!
-bri
Its so exciting to hear so many people wanting to go raw, try raw – I’m feeling the joy!
So I’d love to join in, but my 28 days are to implement one new thing every day that I’ve been learning along my journey of discovery.
I’m in!! This year I want to exercise more often and go vegan! I used to be vegetarian, but somewhere along the way, I stopped. I’ve always wanted to go back and try veganism. I think this will be the right time to start!
I’m going to tag along this time!
My goal is to create a new stream of income! Ive been kind of hemming and hawing about it for a while and making kind of making vague plans and goals but this is exactly what I need to kick my ass into gear!
I have a few ideas and maybe I’ll try them all..
Basically, my goal is to make any amount of money (a new way) by the end if 28 days, and if I achieve that goal, my next goal will be to make a set amount of money which is slightly more than I think I can do, by any means possible.
Uh, if that makes any sense. : )
I’m excited but also a little scared, but that’s probably a good sign!
Good luck everybody!
have just quit smoking and I sense that now is a great time for change… count me in!!!
This year my goal is: Walk my dogs. Oh I’m such a lazy person to do that, and really breaks my heart because they really enjoy that time. Usually I take them out twice a week, but I know they need to go out everyday…
This is soo right where I am right now. I started 2009 of so well this is just one more thing to make it even more fabulous. There’s already a world of difference in terms of my health from where I was a year ago but why stop there? I’m going to:
1. Keep not eating sugar or sketchy sugar substitutes
2. Become even more anal about no gluten. and stop eating rice too.
3. Find tasty vegetarian sources of protein that are easy to prepare.
3. Cut back on dairy, especially cheese (this is going to be sooo difficult)
4. Really work on getting over my insecurities and become more emotionally stable.
5. Meditate more.
6. Exercise more (maybe while listening to inspiring podcasts)
7. Love the universe a even more everyday.
yay!! i wanted to do the last one, but i only started reading iCing after it ended. :(
i guess my challange would be to stop worrying so much about what other people think of me and just do what makes me happy. (within reason, of course.) dress how i want, listen to the music i like, ect.
oh, and to be healthier, i guess.
I want to be more healthy and more self confident! I’ve been in a really bad place over the past year and have only just started to come out of there. I think the iTC is just what I need to do to help get back to my old happy, healthy, confident self!! xoxox
Alright, so after reading some other girls’ plans and goals for the month, I was able to form mine into a more coherent whole. I have 5 main goals and if I can complete at least 3 and be well on my way with the others, I’ll be totally satisfied.
1.) I have been working on my eating and exercise habits for the last three months or so and I need to get back in gear and kick it up a notch!
1a.)More raw shtuff, better stocked pantry/fridge so I don’t run out of breakfast smoothie ingredients mid-week, lol.
1b.)Continue going to the gym/pool at least 2x per week, perhaps work up to three.
2.)I need to work on rehabilitating my shoulder/back more fully and get my TMJ and foot condition (Eee…surgery, at least it’s minor) taken care of.
3.)Hoop until my hips/sides are more used to it and I don’t get as many hoopin’ bruises!
4.)Simplify my living space to really take advantage of the benefits associated with minimalist surroundings.
4a.)Go through all my rooms and de-stuff them.
4b.)Paint bedroom, laundry and living room, finish laundry room closet.
5.)Prepare for college in fall.
5a.)Get all of the initial paperwork filled out for the TAA program.
5b.)Make an appointment to visit the campus and apply/register/finish TAA papers. The deadline to have the registration complete is March 1st, so this challenge came at a great time!
WOO! Here I go!
-Blue
1. Cut out chocolate and cakes, for 28 days, will do me the world of good.
2. A certain person is making me upset at the moment. Trying not to let that affect me.
3. Do some fun excersie at least twice a week (even maybe hooping :D)
4. To move on from the past
I AM SO READY FOR THIS!
This challenge came at a perfect time. My intentions are:
1. To use EFT whenever and if ever I feel down;
2. Manifest my dreams (a la Gala and the Universe!);
3. Start seriously working on starting my own blog and see if it will work.
Can’t waaaaait!
My goals are all about regaining that pin-point focus I used to have on my goals. In order to achieve that, I believe that I need to do the following:
1. Log how I am spending my time.
2. Severely cut down the time I spend on the Internet (less than an hour a day should do it)
3. Go alcohol-free for the month
4. Try to eat raw again whenever possible – this will mean planning my meals better and not relying on take out.
Koi
OOOH I’m pumped!
I’m going to do a fashion sketch per day.
I really want my creative juices to flow
and I really want to push myself into completing things
rather than just stopping halfway through.
C :
Okay, longtime reader, first time writer/official participant. In the past I’ve been really good at planning that whole new life – and living it for about five days. But now I’ll do my best too keep to my tasks for (at least) these 28 days, and they will be:
1. Keep refining my eating habits, meaning better planning so I don’t end up eating fast carbohydrate just ‘cause I don’t have anything else at home.
2. Exercising more; Spend more time with the skip rope (which the hoop-craze inspired me to start with ^^). And do more yoga. (I’ve been skipping free yoga classes at my school – crazy!)
3. Start saving money, mainly for the school trip in may.
4. Get into that “love yourself”-thing, by staying positive and trying to recognize the slumps before I get to deep in. Perhaps start working with the “13 wondrous ways” when I need to keep busy.
5. Keep a journal during the challenge, recording what I do, what I eat and how I feel. Just so I can remember what worked and what didn’t.
Oh gosh that seemed like a lot.
i’m going to do a few things too:
1. i’m going to eat more healthily. i’m already vegan but i rely pretty heavily on potatoes and toast in the winter. i’ll try to edge in more fresh fruit especially.
2. i’m going to follow ‘the artist’s way’ by julia cameron and work on my blocks. it’s a twelve week course which i hope to follow through on. i might try to combine this with EFT... some part of me is very resistant towards that, even though i managed to quit smoking using it last year.
3. i’m going to try to do one exercise dvd a day.
i keep freaking out about this and being certain that i don’t have time, but… i’m going to try.
thanks gala! you are super.
good luck everyone x
i only watched the ITC last year but this year im jumping in! my goal? to live february as i wish i lived most of my life. this consists of a lot of little goals (brushing my teeth more often, more schoolwork, less coffee) but the overall is to see how I feel when I live one month the best I can! thanks for getting this together Gala
I saw iTC last year, but like Lenny, I’m joining this year! I’ve got three goals: drink more water, exercise in some way every day and get more sleep! I’m pretty excited about this. Thanks Gala! :)
i love your blog gala!
my goal is to turn my artistic ideas into reality before i forget them!
I’m starting this late, but I’m definitely joining in.
I want to:
1) Start a blog
2) Make art
3) See myself as more attractive
Great challenge! A friend alerted me to it and I think it is just a fabulous idea.
My items of focus for the next month are:
1.) Drink four 16-ounce bottles of water per day. I drink way too much coffee and tea and need to up the WATER intake.
2.) Journal each day about the same question. I think my question will focus on what I really enjoy and want to do leisurely in life. That is something I’d like to explore.
Thanks for orchestrating this!