Challenge to Become a Phenomenal Woman, Week Three!

[Skinnymocah]

Wanna go from So-so to Sexy? From BLAH to Bombshell?? Phrumpy to PHENOMENAL?

Join our Challenge to ‘Become A Phenomenal Woman’!

Join us in a new 9 week challenge designed to dust off the winter grays and propel us into Sexy Spring! Do you fall into the the ‘cute’, ‘pretty’, ‘attractive’ or even ‘beautiful’ categories but haven’t quite got the ‘sexy’ thing down yet? Maybe you just can’t find the time to devote to a personal beauty and style regimen. Maybe you just need a little help from friends who can offer some good recommendations. Maybe your self esteem needs a collagen injection. Well, place yourself at spot #1 on your ‘To Do’ list… spend the next nine weeks with us as we explore personal inner beauty !

Note: **This is NOT a WOE/Exercise challenge. If you want to use diet and exercise as a part of your transformation goals, you are welcome to track those goals as part of your program but we will not be focusing on those aspects solely in this challenge.**

From April to June, we will be focusing on topics of personal growth and life changing self revelation. We will be developing our own personal regimen and putting it to work! As you work your body with diet and exercise, work your mind and self esteem as well, and as you grow and propel yourself forward, you assist those around you in self growth!

The point of this challenge is to realize that we can be (and are) sexy at ANY size, from 2-32! If you need accountability, camaraderie, friendship, an ear to listen, or just a group of friends to take this journey with you, I hope you’ll join us here for the next 9 weeks.

Here are some topics I thought would be important to cover and focus on weekly:

Week 1: April 3-9: Step One in Confidence Building--- Pamper Yourself!
An ‘It Works!’ Session where we share tips and tricks in beauty and style and implement them into a personal regimen.

Week 2: April 10-16: Attitude- the corner stone of self confidence
Sexyness is 99% attitude—how do you gather the self confidence to let your sexy self shine through?

Week 3: April 17-23: Shyness and Social Phobia
Release Yourself From the Prison of ‘What Others Think’

Week 4: April 24-30: Developing Positive Personal Relationships
Eliminating negative and toxic connections, rebuilding and cherishing relationships that empower you!

Week 5: May 1-7: Body Image, Body Acceptance
Excerpts taken from AboutFace.com, a website dedicated to making changes in how women are portrayed in media and tips on fighting back.

Week 6: May 8-14: Assertive vs. B*tchy; Accommodating vs. Doormat:
Being your Confident Best in a man’s world

Week 7: May 15-21:Open Floor- What’s on your mind?
Loose discussions, reflection, bring up your own topics!

Week 8: May 22-28: Personal Action Plan— Where will you go from here?
How will your personal regimen/affirmations change after this challenge is complete? What goals have your set for yourself for your next personal challenge?

Week 9: May 29-June 3: Realization of your Goals and Unveiling
We will welcome transformation photos and testimonials of your 9 week journey. Use your confidence and what you’ve learned to inspire others!


There are 9 weeks to June, make them count… be You, only BETTER!


PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou


Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.

I say
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

[Skinnymocah]

Wow, week three already. I feel so much differently now than I did three weeks ago. I honestly do. A recognizable shift in thinking about myself. I no longer stand in the mirror and pick at what's wrong. I see me and I see me lookin' goooooooood! I am eating good and feeling great and having SO MUCH FUN being a girl and investigating all the ways to get soft and smooth skin and pamper the inside of me as well!

I hope everyone is reaping the benefits of introspection-- even if you aren't posting, but are lurking, this is the most important work you'll ever do. You'll thank you for it later!

So, this week we're focusing on Shyness and Social Phobia: Releasing yourself from the Prison of What OTHERS Think

How many times have you gone to do something, wear something, SAY something and have thought 'no, because people will think I'm a moron, or an idiot, or that I'm ugly or that I shouldn't wear that with these hips'? How much of yourself and your nature have you held back, in deference to other people because you don't want them to think something about you?

Now, I think there is a difference between social poise and not being yourself in public... there is a happy medium, I believe, between being the YOU that you were born to be and still being a sociable human being.

I hope that this week we'll uncover what makes us hide what we hide, what makes us burrow things deep down on the inside, and what we can do to combat it. I truly believe that once we are released from that prison, a free and personally and socially confident person will emerge, who will rock the socks off of those around us!

As gentylwind said a few weeks ago 'sexy is in the eye of the beholder.' You won't always turn an eye (that's my personal fear, that I'll think I look great but that others will see me and go 'oh my gawd, WHY did she wear THAT!?' )but as long as you turn YOURS, that's what counts. Stepping outside of that fear of what other people will think about my personal regimen, my new confident attitude and my new hot and sexy look can and will be freeing! I'm looking forward to my parole !

[Skinnymocah]

Hey Lizz,

I know you're a fellow Gilligan O Malley fan. I was at Target the other night (one of my most fave stores) and I saw this set that was SO pretty. I haven't bought dainty unders since November so I got this bra:




and these, which I had never worn before but OMG!!!!!!!! How comfy are these ????




They look fantastic and I felt SO pretty in them!

[OldSchoolGirl]

Week three already? How can that be? I'll move my post from the other thread to here.

Hello Beautiful women!!!!!

I just wanted to drop in and give a little good news. Today was my official four week weigh in and I have lost 21 pounds in 28 days. Yay! I haven't done a darn thing to make myself look or feel beautiful, though.

Moke, I have always been a fancy bra and panty lover. My girlfriends (in the white panty everyday crowd) have always asked me why I waste my money on those since no one ever sees them but me. It makes me feel sexy, darnit!!! lol One of my weight loss goals is to hit goal, throw away every single bra/panty/and sock that I own and buy ALL NEW!!! I can't wait!

Also, I KNOW I just posted a post about blackheads somewhere. What happened to it? Grrrrrr.

I repeat, can anyone offer any suggestions about how to get rid of blackheads? Mine are terrible on my nose and under the corners of my bottom lip. I've tried Biore strips but those only make my pores huge and more makeup and gunk gets in them. Can anyone help?

[Skinnymocah]

Hmmm. I thought there was some sort of scrub for blackheads. Hopefully one of our experts will log in and give us some info.

Christy, I'm SO HAPPY FOR YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! You're doing it ! You're DOING IIIITTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Go Christy! Go Christy! Go, Go, Go Christy!

[OldSchoolGirl]

Thank you Cheerleader Moke! =)

It feels really good to feel like I'm gaining some kind of control over my life again. I'd forgotten how good this feels. I'm sitting here in my fancy panties and my Biore nose and face strips and looking like hell, but feeling great! LOL

Last night my boyfriend's Mom gave me about ten pairs of size 18/20 dress pants that will be perfect for school. Now I just have to lose about 40 more pounds to fit into them! I'm going to do it, though. I took three huge garbage bags of clothes to the clothes closet yesterday and God already replaced some of the fat clothes with some skinnier clothes! Yay!!!

[OldSchoolGirl]

Something interesting, my skinny boyfriend would never tell me how much he weighed. Last night my back was bothering me so he offered to walk on my back. I told him my sister did it when she weighed 135, he said, "Well, I outweigh her by 20 pounds." That means I'm a 300 pound Momma dating a 155 pound man! LOL Oh gosh, I always thought that maybe I could weigh less than him by ONE pound someday. It's not looking good for the home team now!

[Skinnymocah]

Yesterday I spent the day with some GREAT women from our board. They were telling me how their husband's never saw them as fat, ever. Never treated them any differently, whether they were a size 32 or 22 or 12. You are so blessed to have that man in your life!

[hereslizz]

So the boy shorts are comfy? I had ONE pair and they were up my ass Carmen Electra style. So I should try another eh? That is a really pretty set.

[Skinnymocah]

These crawled a little bit but not uncomfortably so. I got the same size I always wear and was a little concerned about that factor but these are stretchy and Oh! So! Comfy!

Gilligan O Malley will be a millionaire off of me!

[dimepiece1]

Hi guys! Mind if I join ya? I think this is just the place i need to be. That poem is one of my favorites and I have never really felt it was talking about me until now. So here I am

[kris_t_2004]

I'm going to begin ridding myself of some of my social phobia by starting to post. I always want to but then decide, not to do it. It's basically the same thing I do IRL.

MOKE love that set ! One of my goal presents to myself is all new CUTE undies !

[LibraEssence]

It's hard to believe that it's week 3 already. I'm feeling better and better with each passing day.
I had a great Saturday with my BF yesterday, He works a lot of hours, so we only get to see each other for a day and a half each week. He gave me wild flowers yesterday He said he remembered that I had said I wanted to get fresh flowers twice a month and he took it upon himself to get them this time. This is a major accomplishment for him...lol. He rarely thinks/remembers things like that. So I feel he's progressing as well.

OSG...I have a problem with blackheads and I've noticed that since I've been giving myself the aspirin facial (I mix in a little moisturizer as well) 2 or 3 times a week in the eveings before bed and scrub scrub. They have become non-existant. I make the paste and just work it in really good all over, it's a great inexpensive scrub...and your skin will feel Marvelous!

Moke, the bra and panty set is to cute
How many times have you gone to do something, wear something, SAY something and have thought 'no, because people will think I'm a moron, or an idiot, or that I'm ugly or that I shouldn't wear that with these hips'? How much of yourself and your nature have you held back, in deference to other people because you don't want them to think something about you?
I copied and pasted parted of your first post because it really got me thinking. I beat myself up internally about this almost everyday. So I am determined to overcome this self-doubting dialogue this week.

[dimepiece1]

Social Phobia... Hmmm? I have an issue with speaking in public and also wondering what other people think. I am not sure why but i do. I really hate that I missed last week's topic on attitude. With all the drama going on around here mine has been really foul.

Moke: The bra and panty set is very pretty. I have lots of them. My mom instilled in me that you can never have too many bras and panties. Especially pretty ones I bought a swimsuit and it is the first one I have had since high school. I am a little nervous about wearing it in public but since we have a pool in the back I will try it there first.

[Skinnymocah]

Dimepiece, on my way in, I discovered that our pool is open ! I saw a swimsuit at Target (I, too, have not had one since lord knows when) and I am going to go back tomorrow and get it.

I'm not sure what to do with my hair. Maybe I just won't submerge my hair. I have a bonded weave so it's not like I can was chlorine out of my hair. It'll wash the weave out too. Plus I dunno what the chlorine will do to it.

[essence]

i know i am trying to join this group late. but wow, i need this group, i have so much on plate these days and i have been feeling not awful, but unplease with my self, my clothes have gotten tighter, all my 6 are tight and i am miserable, insteaaaad of being happy that I am in school during well and don't have the time to excercise and be fit, at least i though, but guess what this week i bought me a new treadmill and every day i will walk 2 miles on it and so far for a week, i have done, that and i feel wonderful, but i want to love me at any size, I am tired being defined by the scale and my clothes.
Hope to get to know you all!!

[Skinnymocah]

Dee! Hello gorgeous! You are welcome anytime, anytime!

[muffles]

This challenge is getting harder every week. The first week was fun, pampering ourselves, then last week it got harder with attitude. All week I thought about it, but couldn't get a grip on it really and now this!
Like Kris said, this is why I find it so hard to post ...and I do it in real life. I'm not sure why, but I seem to have become more shy and awkward with the years not less.
Part of it might be the sahm thing. Nothing worse than making social chitchat at a party and answering I'm a stay at home mum, when they ask what do you do. You can practically see their eyes glaze over. I know that I am doing a really important job, but when I see myself through their eyes , it seems so insignificant.

[dimepiece1]

Originally Posted by muffles

This challenge is getting harder every week. The first week was fun, pampering ourselves, then last week it got harder with attitude. All week I thought about it, but couldn't get a grip on it really and now this!
Like Kris said, this is why I find it so hard to post ...and I do it in real life. I'm not sure why, but I seem to have become more shy and awkward with the years not less.
Part of it might be the sahm thing. Nothing worse than making social chitchat at a party and answering I'm a stay at home mum, when they ask what do you do. You can practically see their eyes glaze over. I know that I am doing a really important job, but when I see myself through their eyes , it seems so insignificant.

Muffles as one SAHM to another. Honey we are the life pf the party. People always are surprised when I tell them I am a SAHM. We are smart women and are gaining life experience. I draw on who I was before my kids and what I learned and changed into since. What we do is important and is not any less interesting . This challenge is supposed to help us be better women. Not for the others in our lives but for us

[Skinnymocah]

Muffles, at least you're opening your mind to think about it. Challenges are designed to stretch you, to pull out the things that seem to stick out and take care of them. I hope this will be a good experience for you. SAHM's do important work daily, and it's not work you get a break from!

Of course, continue to pamper yourself daily-- do something good for you, just for you, everyday.

[hereslizz]

Really? I always beam with pride saying I'm a stay-at-home mom.

Part of being at home though.....well I wouldn't call it social phobia because I'm not. And I'm not shy. But I have a problem trying to initiate conversation....I hate those akward lulls in conversations. You talk to me first and I'll fill you in with any details you want. Otherwise *wallflower* and I never used to be like this.

[dimepiece1]

Originally Posted by Skinnymocah

Dimepiece, on my way in, I discovered that our pool is open ! I saw a swimsuit at Target (I, too, have not had one since lord knows when) and I am going to go back tomorrow and get it.

I'm not sure what to do with my hair. Maybe I just won't submerge my hair. I have a bonded weave so it's not like I can was chlorine out of my hair. It'll wash the weave out too. Plus I dunno what the chlorine will do to it.

Moke: Here is the swimsuit I bought from Ebay. There are caps that you can buy that keep all the water out. I have one and so does dd. We both where are hair braided. I get them at walmart. I just have to find out the brand name for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

[Nancy Pancy]

Hey Everyone! I am home from PA and it's nice to see the kidlets again. Dogs are happy to see me and I always find myself missing Paul way too much after I drive home.

Week Three, huh? I guess my social phobia would be to know when to keep the big trap shut. I have constant foot in mouth issues. I always, always, always speak before I think, darn it all!

Moke, great undies! I too love the Target, cepting my unders drawer is over flowing, love pretty under things. I would try a bathing cap for your locks in the pool.

Christie, 21 lb in 28 days? You Rawk Woman! You are on track and doing it. WTG! Your DBF sounds like a wonderful man! Enjoy him.

Steph, it's wonderful your Man got you flowers this week. I love receiving flowers, they just brighten the room, don't they?

Muffels, Dimepiece and Lizz - I was a stay at home Mom for 10 yrs. I am very proud for having done this. Hold your heads up ladies, you are doing to best for your children!

Welcome Dee and Chris! Look forward to getting to know you better.

[Mootzee]

Okay, I'm back from Virginia. Whew! That's a long drive. I'm just glad that my car is very comfy so long trips don't bother me much.

Shyness... if you met me in person, you wouldn't think of me as shy but I am to a certain extent. I've learned to MAKE myself overcome it in certain situations. There are still certain social events that will have me stepping back and observing but eventually I'll force myself to start coming forward. Here's something that I always remember... on those personality tests, I end up being somewhere in the middle... I'm either an extroverted introvert or an introverted extrovert.

What Others Think... there was something that happened to me just yesterday that fits this to a "T". I was at this great book fair in VA (www.gvbookfair.com) and I was browsing books on sexuality and relationships. A lady started coming closer and I suddenly felt the urge to stop looking because I didn't want her thinking I was some sort of weirdo for thumbing through these types of books. I stopped and said to myself, "What does it matter what she thinks? It isn't likely that she will ever see you again in her life, so browse if you want and who gives a cr@p!" So I held my chin up, looked her right in the eye and said "hello" as she passed by. That was a victory for me because in some strange way I worry more about people judging me by the books that I read than for what my views and opinions are on certain subjects, such as politics and religion.

I will have to remember to do that more often...

[hereslizz]

MOKE! you naughty naughty girl. I just HAD to go to Target today. I bought some boyshorts. They are cute. I bought a shelf bra cami that matches. And then i bought some other stuff I don't need I wanted to look at a strapless bra but two stick figures were hogging the rack. If I had boobs like theirs I would let 'em fly free

I hope your Sunday night pamper session is relaxing.

See you ladies in the morn!