Need to be Held Accountable

calindi

Hello, my name is Cate, and I'm addicted to biting my nails.

Seriously, though, BF and I once again spoke about getting engaged and married this weekend, and I know it's coming fairly soon (at least in the next 6 months).  So I want to stop biting my nails!  Will you ladies help me?  Check in on me once in awhile to make sure I'm behaving myself?  I feel like I'll be better about it if I have to report to you guys and feel the shame of failure if I destroy them yet again.

And while we're at it, anyone else need to be held accountable for something?  Diet, exercise?

Elle1036

I need to be held accountable for doing my P90X everyday.  I've been good so far, except that I skipped yesterday because I spend 9 hours in the car.

I'm sure you've tried this already, but when I was trying to grow my nails out, I painted them with colored polish (nothing too bold, just a light pink).  When I had the urge to pick at my nails (I've always picked them off rather than biting them), I would scratch at the polish instead.  It didn't look that great to have chipped up polish all the time, but my nails got longer than they've ever been before.

AbigailMS

My name is Abigail. I also bite my nails and have been stopping periodically for the past 2 months. I fell off the wagon 2 nights ago...my poor fingers look terrible. My parents have been trying to get me to stop since they successfully broke me of picking my nose...I was 5. I really want to stop as well.

SenoritaCupcake

A month from this day I’m gonna make you post a pic of your hands.

 

They better be ring worthy… or else…..

*insert ominous music here*

 

Edit: You too Abigail

marleylikeair

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_need-held-accountable?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:a80cba14-6c82-4f0f-b7bd-93cc5af3ca0ePost:d413f3c9-2154-4fb6-8849-205d182bbbf1">Re: Need to be Held Accountable</a>:
[QUOTE]A month from this day I’m gonna make you post a pic of your hands.   They better be ring worthy… or else….. *insert ominous music here*   Edit: You too Abigail
Posted by SenoritaCupcake[/QUOTE]

Haha, Cupcake, I <3 you.

ETA: This is a good idea! Let's check in with each other on the 24th of each month and see how everyone's doing!

I need to be held accountable for not letting negativity take over my brain and suck out my productivity. Also for treating my life like I'm in charge of it. For short, Marley's Asskicking Project, or MAP.

loves2shop4shoes

I bite my nails too.  I have done so for as long as I can remember.  If you want, we could try to stop biting together.

jemmini6

My sister used to use this cayenne clear nail polish.  Basically, you put it on yournails and it's so spicy that if you try to bit theme, your mouth burns.  It worked for her for a while, but then she just stopped painting her nails with it, so she started biting again.  It might be worth a try for you though, you just have to make sure you keep it on.

bethsmiles

I bite my nails too. I stopped for awhile but I do when I'm stressed out so when school started again I started biting my nails again. You could get fake ones put on, then you pretty much can't bite your nails and it gets you out of the habit for when you take them off.

I've done the colored nail polish trick too.

niknik15

How I stopped was by not biting one nail at a time. I started with my pinky then would add another finger every week.

AbigailMS

yeah my parents used to put cayenne pepper under my nails...I just treated it as an additional snack. I was a rather difficult child...and that's putting it nicely.

Edit: NikNik, this is funny, because at one time I stopped by only biting one nail. like I would pick my pointer finger and only bite that nail, so I would have decently long nails...except my poor pointer finger which had almost no nail at all. lol

cu97tiger

Loves2shop and Calindi - I'm a nail-biter, too. I used to just get fake nails to cover them up, but about 8 months ago I said 'Goshdarnit I'm 34 years old, i should be able to stop this.' It's a day-to-day battle, but a couple things have helped: 1) a product called Control-It! that I found on ebay. It cost $10. I put it on my fingernails every day. It tastes gross, so when I'm mindlessly chewing my nails, I get that first taste and know to stop. 2) manicures

I fell off the wagon last week while on vacation (lots of reading by the fire meant lots of biting off my nails). I went to my nail salon this weekend and got a manicure even though half my nails are crazy short. As elle said, it just makes another layer to get through.

Let's all do this together!

calindi

I've been biting my nails as long as I can remember.  I've stopped, sometimes for a few months, but I always have started again.

Pepper polish doesn't work - I'll bite right through it.  The only thing that really works is regular manicures.  Apparently there's this polish that is hardened by UV light so it's as hard as a fake nail, but not damaging (like the glue from the fake nails) and it just coats your real nail like polish.  I totally want to do that, but it's more expensive - which I can justify since I'll only need a manicure once a month.  But I need to grow them out a bit to do that manicure in the first place, so I guess I need a normal mani first.

My nails were long and beautiful when we went to Europe, for pictures and in the off chance that he'd ask me there (I doubted it severely, but just in case).  Then on our flight back, the couple behind us had just gotten engaged and were being totally obnoxious (like reflecting the light from the window with her diamond on the ceiling over my head and writing down a minute-by-minute account of their whole trip... out loud).  And so I bit all my nails off in frustration and annoyance.

SenoritaCupcake

That’s it, on Feb 24^th I’m making all you biotches post pics of your hands. I’m making a list.

 

Marley,

 

There’s a book I really want you to read called “Why I wore lipstick to my mastectomy.” If you can’t find it I’ll send it to you. I thought of you a lot during the first few chapters, I think it would really help with your ass-kicking.

sparkles88

I bite my nails, too! One time a family member told me that no man would ever want to marry me because I bite my nails. I think there was probably a more effective way of getting me to stop than by telling me that. I really do want to stop now though.

I really think Elle's suggestion is a good one. One other thing I've heard to do, Cate, is give yourself a reward after you've achieved a certain length of time of not biting them. For example, you can treat yourself to a manicure after not biting them for a month.

marleylikeair

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_need-held-accountable?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:a80cba14-6c82-4f0f-b7bd-93cc5af3ca0ePost:84ba659d-4270-482f-88d2-f023b228c71b">Re: Need to be Held Accountable</a>:
[QUOTE]I've been biting my nails as long as I can remember.  I've stopped, sometimes for a few months, but I always have started again. Pepper polish doesn't work - I'll bite right through it.  The only thing that really works is regular manicures.  Apparently there's this polish that is hardened by UV light so it's as hard as a fake nail, but not damaging (like the glue from the fake nails) and it just coats your real nail like polish.  I totally want to do that, but it's more expensive - which I can justify since I'll only need a manicure once a month.  But I need to grow them out a bit to do that manicure in the first place, so I guess I need a normal mani first. My nails were long and beautiful when we went to Europe, for pictures and in the off chance that he'd ask me there (I doubted it severely, but just in case).  <strong>Then on our flight back, the couple behind us had just gotten engaged and were being totally obnoxious (like reflecting the light from the window with her diamond on the ceiling over my head and writing down a minute-by-minute account of their whole trip... out loud).</strong>  And so I bit all my nails off in frustration and annoyance.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

I would have been irritated by that, too. Barf.

Hazel_B

Is it possible to make me not be a slacker? I have so much stuff that I need to do, but all I want to do is curl up with a book, or BF and a movie.

Wrkn925

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_need-held-accountable?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:a80cba14-6c82-4f0f-b7bd-93cc5af3ca0ePost:66c6e95f-5b3c-46bb-b60e-edb1371fddc6">Re: Need to be Held Accountable</a>:
[QUOTE]My name is Abigail. I also bite my nails and have been stopping periodically for the past 2 months. I fell off the wagon 2 nights ago...my poor fingers look terrible. My parents have been trying to get me to stop since they successfully broke me of <strong>picking my nose</strong>...I was 5. I really want to stop as well.
Posted by AbigailMS[/QUOTE]


Is this a bad thing?

MLekathLEEN

Cate- I was just going to suggest a shallac manicure. FMIL got me one before Christmas and I loved my nails. It is expensive for three people so she bought the equipment and polish to do it at home. It takes a few test runs but I've been doing m own every two weeks or so. I haven't been over since before Florida, so my nails need some TLC right now. However, they are the longest they've been in awhile. The polish is easy to take off too, just soak them in pure acetone for about 10 minutes and it peels off.
I'm not a habitual nail biter but I do bite them sometimes. I did catch myself trying to bite them when I actually went in for the manicure. The fact that it's much more expensive than a normal one also kept me from biting them.

heyimbren

Cate, that's called BioGel, right? I've heard it's really good.

I haven't bit mine in over a month  now, so they're all pretty. I'm bribing myself with a manicure in the near future. And any time I think of biting my nails, I think to myself "Remember how it feels to crunch a nail right off? Ew, that's so gross. I hate that feeling." It works.

trebmal

I need to take myself to the gym. 
We joined on Dec. 28th and I've been "maybe" 5 times.  I need to go, I'm heavier than I've ever been before and I hate it. 
I cried last weekend when none of my dresses fit me when getting ready for BF's company holiday party yet, I have been to the gym (which is 3 blocks away from our house) ONE stinking time since then. 
WTH is wrong with me?  What will motivate me? 
I feel like I look horrible and I know I am not my normal self, but BF says, "you look great, I love you, don't change a thing". 
I'm not looking to lose 50+ pounds at all, but I am not a tall girl and I don't want to get to a point where I feel like losing the weight is a lost cause. 
I am NOT making excuses but I feel like I'm under scrutiny when I go because I go alone (recently moved back to my hometown area and don't really know anyone, all of my friends are in my hometown 30 minutes away and are married with kids so not available to be a gym buddy) and I feel like I look ridiculous.  BF joined with me but has had MAJOR drama at work so by the time he is done with his 10+ hour days he's wiped out, which I don't blame him for. 
Anyways, any help appreciated and I'd be more than happy to reciprocate.
THANKS. :O)

trebmal

PS Cate, SOOO happy that you and BF talked about it.  That's always a warm fuzzy feeling...

cu97tiger

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_need-held-accountable?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:a80cba14-6c82-4f0f-b7bd-93cc5af3ca0ePost:1c29dcea-5192-47ad-8db0-20e23a4b55aa">Re: Need to be Held Accountable</a>:
[QUOTE]I bite my nails, too! One time a family member told me that no man would ever want to marry me because I bite my nails. I think there was probably a more effective way of getting me to stop than by telling me that. I really do want to stop now though. I really think Elle's suggestion is a good one. One other thing I've heard to do, Cate, is give yourself a reward after you've achieved a certain length of time of not biting them. For example, you can <strong>treat yourself to a manicure after not biting them for a month</strong>.
Posted by sparkles88[/QUOTE]

Cate - if you're anything like me, you deserve an award for not biting them for 2-3 days. One thing that might help is to determine when you bite them. Is it when you're nervous? Excited? Bored? My habit is boredom... so if I'm reading anything, watching tv, etc. that leaves my hands free. So the pepper stuff works for me because it's a huge light-bulb saying 'don't do this!' You might need something different, but if you know what triggers it, that could help you figure out a way to avoid the situation altogether.

Though no amount of planning can avoid obnoxious, newly-engaged couples like on your plane.

(Off topic - my BF and I went to Spain in 2009 and I was hoping he would propose then, and I was thinking we'd get married in October 2010. He didn't (which was fine) but a month later my girlfriend from college and her BF went to Spain... and got engaged... and got married in October 2010. Ouch)

calindi

trebmal, hang in there!  It's hard when you know you want to lose weight but feel it's overwhelming.  Don't look at it for the end goal - just one day at a time.  Make short term goals, like what can you do THIS WEEK?  Can you go twice this week?  Good, go!

Also, find something you enjoy.  If you feel uncomfortable at the gym, look into a dance class or yoga.  Swim.  Whatever works for you!


Bren - I actually like biting my nails.  I find it oddly soothing.  I'm weird like that.

cu79tiger - you're absolutely right, 2 days would be a good start!

heyimbren

Cate, I used to like it but now I keep telling myself that I don't. It takes willpower, but it works for me. It does take some convincing for me.

trebmal

calindi, you rock.  that's all.  oh yeah, and thank you for that, but mostly, you just rock! :O)

CASK85

I could never be a nail biter. The number of gross, germy, nasty things (that don't necessarily look nasty) that I or anyone touches in a given day is more than enough to deter me. Door handles? Sign for a delivery and use that guy's pen? Drinking fountains? Think about the grossness under your nails - even if you wash your hands regularly, are your nails really clean? gag. 

SenoritaCupcake

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_need-held-accountable?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:a80cba14-6c82-4f0f-b7bd-93cc5af3ca0ePost:a936055d-6d00-44e6-9b65-dfbc02432764">Re: Need to be Held Accountable</a>:
[QUOTE]I could never be a nail biter. The number of gross, germy, nasty things (that don't necessarily look nasty) that I or anyone touches in a given day is more than enough to deter me. Door handles? Sign for a delivery and use that guy's pen? Drinking fountains? Think about the grossness under your nails - even if you wash your hands regularly, are your nails really clean? gag. 
Posted by cschiano[/QUOTE]

Good point. It's actually against the rules for hospital employees to have nails longer than just a 1/4 of an inch because of the copious amount of bacteria that congregate under there.

bsidebella

I need to be held accountable for not going to the gym as often as I told myself I would. Meh. St. Lucia in 25 days, I need to work my ass off and stop letting FI convince me into going to IHOP.

I'm telling you nail biting ladies, I was a staunch nail biter for 20 years and the only thing that successfully broke me was the UV gel manicures.

luvdncn90

I could share some really nasty things that live under your nails that will make you never want to bite them again. I learned all about the gross things and diseases that survive and thrive under your nails a few weeks back in school, and let me tell you, I stopped biting for good after that. I was pretty much scared shitless of all the gross nail diseases I've seen. Yuck.

cu97tiger

While I agree there are some gross bacteria around the nail area... if I haven't gotten sick from them in the first 35 years of my life, they just aren't enough of a deterrent for me. I know they SHOULD be, but they aren't.

[Deleted User]

Cate, maybe posting before and after pics will help.  If you have your bitten nails as your desktop, and go a while without biting your nails, you will be reminded of your results every time you get on your computer.  The satisfaction of seeing a picture of your non bitten nails vs. bitten nails may help you resist urges to bite...at least while on the computer.