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February 06 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 36It's hard to admit how much I have allowed "life" to get in the way of my keeping up with this journey that I have committed to. A sick child, a new car.......busy, busy, busy. And, my weigh-in reflected where I have placed my weight loss journey on my list of priorities. I will post our last two weigh-in results tomorrow but, for now, I just have to stop myself and re-prioritize everything that I have going on. On last night's episode of Biggest Loser, Jackie was right on the money with something she said during the update of her progress at the end of the show. She said that she has a lot more to give to others when she is taking care of herself. How right she is - I need to learn from her example. I am now exactly one week away from "D-day" (my 40th birthday) and it's a very good time to reflect on the changes I need to make in my life. This week I am going to commit to refocusing myself on my weight loss goals and what I need to do to acheive them. January 30 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 29I can't believe it's been a week since my last blog, but the creepy crud has hit our household and I was the last to get it. Being sick has it's advantages, though. When I weighed in this morning, I was optomistic that there would at least be a small loss, but without any exercise to speak of, I didn't expect more than a pound or two. I was so happy to see that I had lost 3.6 pounds, which brings my total to almost 12 pounds for the month of January. Even though I haven't been as diligent as I would like in keeping up with our space, one thing that has helped me during so many times that I have felt discourages is the wonderful, encouraging comments from others who have felt the sames things that I am feeling. I am so grateful for everyone who has offered encouragement and I hope to stay healthy so that I can take the time to return the favor. I can already see so many benefits from taking this journey. I know that I already feel better and I am optomistic because I know that it will only get better. I see the benefits for my friends and family because of positive choices we are making. I see the same positive steps being taken by other family members and, together, we are all setting an example for the other important people in our lives - especially our children. I hope that everyone is having a great week and that I get a chance to check in with people as the week progresses. Good luck, everyone! January 23 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 22Usually I have a lot to say by the time I sit down to do a blog. The results I saw on the scale today, however, have caused me to feel so discouraged that I don't really know what to say. I have planned to reward myself for every ten pounds lost. For my first ten pounds, I was planning on a long, hot, uninterupted bubble bath. After my weigh-in last week, I thought I would be guaranteed to go past that first ten pound mark - I was less than a pound away. I even bought myself some fancy bath lotion - something I never splurge on. I almost cried when I saw that I had actually gained about a pound and a half. Sure, I had a few moments of weakness this last week where I could have made better choices, but I didn't go completely overboard. I would have understood if I only lost a pound or two instead of my usual 4+, but a gain was completely unexpected. My first thought was to give up, but I very quickly reminded myself of all of the other people who have already written blogs about going through this very same thing - including my sister who is also participating in the contest - and I remembered the positive choices I've seen people make. So, I decided that I can do it too. I can choose to learn from this week and go forward with good choices instead of giving up and regretting this missed opportunity. I also had support from my sister and my husband immediately after I shared my results with them. The support makes so much difference. I am very happy for Joe this week, though. He had good results on the scale and I'm glad for that. Anyway, I plan to work harder this week and be much more careful about my food choices. We'll see what happens next week! January 22 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 20One of the things that I will absolutely not miss about being overweight is being treated differently because of it. I know that I have addressed this issue in previous blogs, but I had another experience today that - painfully - reminded me that it happens. I had a conversation - or tried to, anyway - with someone who plays a very important part in my daughter's life. Because of the role that this person has in my daughter's life, it is very important to me that I also have a good relationship with this person. I have wondered why this person seems to treat me differently than others I have seen her interact with, and I have finally realized that the only thing I have in common with other people she has shown indifference toward, is my weight. This person has never been outright rude to me, but there is a definite difference between how friendly she is towards other people and myself and, through some observations I was able to make today, I finally had to face the truth as to why there is a difference. Sure, it's easy to say that people who judge me because of my outward appearance are just showing their ignorance, but the bottom line is that it hurts. It hurt my feelings today when my attempts at making conversation were barely tolerated or when I saw this person and her thin friends whispering to each other as they stared in my direction. And, while I won't miss being treated this way after I lose the weight, I know that it will be virtually impossible for me to forget some of my experiences as a fat person - I will always wonder if people I meet as a thin person would have liked me the way I look now. Reality checks are painful sometimes, but I am going to choose to look at this experience - and how it made me feel - as further incentive to continue this journey and do whatever I have to so that I will succeed. January 20 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 18I would like to emphasize again how tough weekends are. I blew it tonight and I feel terrible about it - especially when I compare how I feel right now to how I felt at this time last night after making good choices. The food wasn't worth it. I didn't go on an all out binge, but we went to a friend's house for dinner. This friend is a size 6 and can afford to eat things that I should be avoiding right now. I'm not a big sweets person - I know that makes me a little abnormal. No, my weaknesses are breads and things like that. When we entered the house, we were immediately hit with the inviting smell of homemade spaghetti sauce, meatballs, butter-laden garlic bread - you name it. There was also a cheese and cracker appetizer plate sitting on the counter that seemed to have my name written all over it. I did pretty well with the portions during dinner - except for an extra helping of garlic bread - and I had already volunteered to bring the dessert so that I could control the fat and calorie content of what could have been a disasterous temptation. Where I blew it was with that cheese and cracker tray. I probably didn't blow it enough to make a huge difference on the scale, but where my poor choices have already made a difference is with how I feel about myself right now. How can food have such a powerful effect on us? What is it about certain foods that make it seem impossible to resist them? I'll be the first to admit that I am an emotional eater but, comparitively speaking, we currently have much less stress than we've had in a very long time so I am not experiencing the level of stress that it usually takes to send me running for the comfort food. I suppose that if I fully understood the reasons behind my eating patterns I could write a book about it, make millions and single-handedly solve the obesity epidemic happening here in America. As it stands, however, I have no idea why I overeat sometimes. I am just grateful that I am able to control my food choices most of the time these days and that I am making progress. January 19 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 17Weekends are tough! We have barely begun this weekend and we had to already face our first unexpected temptation with food. We were out with friends when it was suggested that we go to a local restaurant known for their delicious - and extremely fattening - milkshakes. That's in addition to their mouthwatering burgers and one of my all time weaknesses - french fries. So, while our friends sat there and ate all the things that I so desperately wanted to.........Joe and I stuck to our eating plan! He had a salad and diet soda and I had a cup of vegetable soup and a diet soda. While I am proud of the choices we made - especially in the midst of such strong temptation - I am not going to lie and say that it was easy. I really had to keep reminding myself that the food isn't worth it - not even the cookie dough shakes. As hard as it was, I have to admit that we were still able to thoroughly enjoy ourselves by concentrating on the conversation with our friends rather than what we were missing out on. The whole experience helped to give me even more confidence in our ability to stay committed to the changes we are making so that we can live more healthy, productive lives. And, once again, one of the best things about tonight was that we were able to show our daughter yet another example of the type of choices we should be making. Every second that I had to white-knuckle it tonight in order to not give in to temptation was worth it so that I could feel the way that I do right now - proud of both Joe and I and confident that we will succeed in this journey! January 17 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 16The weekend is almost here and I am starting to get a little anxious. I always worry about the weekends because it's so much harder to adhere to any type of schedule. Planning ahead is getting easier as time goes on and we do keep each other in check when unexpected events take place, but it's always more of a challenge than weekdays. Some added incentive at this point, however, is that the results I am seeing on the scale remind me that it's all worth it. This weekend we have a lot of things to accomplish but I think we can plan around meal times so that we don't find ourselves in unexpected territory. There isn't anything that we have to do this weekend that is more important than our commitment to a healthier lifestyle - we just need to keep reminding ourselves of that. We can do it! Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 15It just so happens that today is exactly four weeks before "D-day". For those of you who don't know what I am talking about, I am referring to my 40th birthday. One of my reasons for joining this challenge is that I want to be in better shape for my 40's than I was for my 30's. I didn't really become seriously overweight until I became pregnant with our daughter - she was born when I was 31. It wasn't that I ate any healthier before that and I am not going to blame the weight gain on my increasing age. The truth is that before marriage and a child, I was much more active. I was one of those lucky people who could live on fast food and sodas and not gain much weight. When I think back to what my life was like in order to be able to eat like that and not have it be so obvious to the world, I feel fortunate to not have that life anymore. The schedule I kept would kill me now. When I was in high school, I discovered the wonders of exercise. The only problem was that I lacked the good judgement to keep my exercise schedule to a healthy balance. I remember going to at least one - sometimes two - advanced aerobics classes A DAY! If any of you out there are willing to admit that you remember the 80's, you know that 80's aerobics was intense. On top of those classes, I ran 2 - 3 miles on most days and taught TaeKwon-Do at my father's gym. Many times on the weekends I would spend an entire day bicycling or hiking with friends. I grew up in Colorado where opportunities like that were all around me. Then, you can add to all of that activity school and a job. Whew!
Then came the military. On an impulse - remember, I was a teenager - I joined the Air Force when I was nineteen. I left for basic training weighing 120 pounds. Now, for any of you who have served in the military, you know that drill instructors are paid to belittle you. There was one drill instructor in particular who knew exactly where to hurt us girls. She focused her insults towards us on our looks. For me, she decided that "fatso" was going to be my nickname for the duration of basic training. She would scream her pet name at me in front of our squad constantly and humiliate me in the chow hall by loudly analyzing what I had on my plate at every meal. Did I mention that I only weighed 120 pounds? That was the first time I really thought about how important it was to me how my body looked. It became an obsession after that.
After the military came long hours at work, which cut down on the amount of time that I could excessively exercise. Instead, I started experimenting with dangerous eating plans and sometimes even starving myself. Since there were always quite a few other women in places that I worked, I never lacked company in my quest to stay thin. How sad it all was.
So, you see - while it may seem strange that I would say that I'm glad to not still be that thin person who could eat almost anything, in almost any quantity, that I wanted - you can probably understand why I would never want to go back to the ridiculously unhealthy choices I was making. I still haven't reached a point where I can honestly say that I am grateful for being fat (I'm not crazy!), I have come to a place where I am grateful for the lessons that I have learned and how they make me a better person who makes better choices. I have learned that my health is a gift and I should treat it with respect. I have also learned to be be accepting of others no matter what their outward appearance may be. I am ashamed to think of some of the judgemental thoughts that used to cross my mind whenever I saw someone who was overweight. I thank God that I can now see how wrong I was.
On a lighter note - pun intended - I am thrilled with my weigh-in results today. I was a little more than worried about what I was going to see on the scale because I have struggled so much with my exercising commitment, so I was feeling like I won the lottery when I saw that I had lost over 5 pounds! Today is a very good day!
Good luck to everyone for the rest of the week! We can do it! January 15 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 14I love Tuesday nights! Every week I look forward to watching the Biggest Loser because, inevitably, there will be someone who I relate to, or someone who inspires me and I always learn something. This week, their weigh-in was an amazing come back from last week. It gives me hope that mine will also be good tomorrow. I also watched so many of the contestants push themselves beyond what they thought they could do and I can look to them as an example. I especially love Betty Sue's drive when it comes to exercising long after she wanted to stop. If all of those people can do it, so can I. I still can't honestly say that I am looking forward to our weigh-in tomorrow, but at least I'm not dreading it. I know that - good or bad - next week is another week and there is no excuse to give up.
I know that I have said this before, but I really appreciate all of the support that we receive from our new friends that we have met on this journey. I sincerely hope that the end of this contest does not mean the end of our connections to each other. I would love to see this community that we have all created continue on until we have all successfully reached the goals that we have set for ourselves and beyond. We can do it!!!!!! January 14 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 13Yesterday I mentioned in my blog that I like the fact that the nutritional tips from the Biggest Loser don't require the usual "all or nothing" attitude that most diets do. I realized today, however, that I am still stuck in that attitude when it comes to exercise. I've really been struggling with consistancy with my work-outs and I now see that it is mostly because I am such a perfectionist that if I can't do it perfect, I don't do it at all. In my head I have visions of myself working out for hours each day and keeping up with the pace of the contestants on the Biggest Loser. While logic tells me that is unrealistic, I am finding myself discouraged if I don't meet that unrealistic expectation. Consequently, if I have 30 minutes to exercise, I am less willing to use that 30 minutes wisely because I feel like I'm not doing it "right" if I don't exercise for an hour or more. The good news is that, since knowing is half the battle, I am already on my way to overcoming my perfectionism so that I can be as consistant with my exercise as I have been with my food.
I am really looking forward to tomorrow night's episode of Biggest Loser. Since our weigh-ins fall on Wednesday mornings, watching Biggest Loser the night before provides a boost in our motivation and reminds us why we are on this journey. Have a great day, everyone! January 13 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 12Well, another week is beginning - a chance to renew our commitment to this journey. It's been a good week, but I can see some areas for improvement - which I fully intend to do. I'm going to be much more consistant with my exercise and I am going to faithfully write down every bite that goes into my mouth. I always have more success when I hold myself accountable that way.
This is also a chance to give ourselves credit for things done right. There was the day that our schedule found us unexpectedly facing a dinner out at a place that could have been disasterous for us. Instead we chose to eat small portions of something on the menu that worked best for our eating plan. Then there was today when all three of us really wanted something sweet. Some people would probably say that the best choice would have been to not eat anything sugar-laden, but we felt like denying ourselves completely was not the answer for us. So, instead, we chose to get one treat and divide it into thirds so that all three of us could have a small taste. I have to say - the most amazing thing happened! We were all SATISFIED! Can you imagine only eating one third of what is considered to be a normal serving of one of our favorite indulgences and not feeling cheated?
I has been a wonderful experience to see that making good choices doesn't have to be the end of enjoying food. We don't have to ban ourselves from the world of carbs, processed foods, fat or sweets in order to be healthy. It's all about balance and doing what is best to insure that this is a lifestyle that we can adapt to forever. If we are miserable, we won't stick to it. During one of the commercials for the last episode of the Biggest Loser, Bob said that it's okay to have dessert - ONCE a week. That's so much different than the "all or nothing" attitude of many weight-loss programs. This is something I can live with! January 12 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 11This was another one of those days where we can be proud of the choices we made - regardless of our situations. It was a busy day and we unexpectedly found ourselves away from home at dinnertime. At a moment's notice we had to decide how we were going to stay true to our commitment to healthier eating without the advantage of being able to plan in advance. It came down to be careful with our portions and reminding each other that some of our favorite, less healthy foods aren't worth the consequences. The best part is that it provided an opportunity for us to set a good example for our daughter.
It was also a blessing to come home and log onto our space to find some supportive contacts from some of our new friends that joined us on this journey. We are so grateful for other people involved in this challenge and how encouraging people have been. I guess we all wouldn't be very effective as far as game playing is concerned because, instead of worry about strategy and how are spaces stack up to others, we are all supporting each other - sharing ideas and thoughts and offering encouragement on the way. This journey is so much more enjoyable with all of you to share it with! Thank you! January 11 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 10Ten days! That's how long we've been making good choices with our food. It's actually been a lot easier than I thought it would be. It makes a world of difference when you have your family making the commitment with you, I think. I have to confess, however, that I am having a really hard time hitting my stride with the exercise part of our new lifestyle. I could list a hundred excuses with only one of them being mildly acceptable - I have a health issue that I am dealing with that would make exercise more of a challenge than it normally would be - but the bottom line is that I committed to our "no excuses" motto when we started this thing and I need to find a way to adhere to that. I have plenty of time, we've moved most of our exercise equipment into our living room and I know it's something I need to do. So, what's my problem?
Anyway, I just wanted to write a short blog to make it publicly known that I am struggling with this aspect of our commitment to a healthy lifestyle so that it may serve as the little added incentive I need to overcome this difficulty I am having with being consistant. I know I have mentioned it before, but Joe is a type 1 diabetic and he also has a heart condition. Because of his condition, he has taken his need for healthier choices very seriously. That's why he lost the 60 pounds that he has already lost. The reality of his health condition and what it means for not only him, but for our entire family, makes us very aware of how precious our health is. I truly have no excuse to not adapt a healthier lifestyle because I know so much about how we can't take our health for granted. I know that being overweight puts my health in danger and I want to be around for a very long time to be part of all of the wonderful things that I know God has in store for our family. I know that I can do this. No excuses! January 10 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 9I didn't realize how much I have been looking forward to getting on our space each day to see who has visited and to check in with others until our internet crashed this morning. I had to go all day without the benefit of checking in and it drove me crazy. Joe was joking about how he thought I might start showing signs of withdrawal if it didn't get fixed today. I just think that it is such a blessing to have so many people connecting with each other and trying to reach the same goal. It makes a huge difference to me each day to see what others are doing to be successful in this journey and knowing that I can do it too.
In an earlier blog, I listed several things that I won't miss when I am no longer fat. I've also been thinking about some things that I am looking forward to when I am thin. One of the number one things that I am looking forward to is getting to shop in the "normal" section of the clothing stores where the clothes are actually current fashions. I vaguely remember getting to do that and enjoying it. I've only been really overweight for the last nine years and during that entire time, the "fat fashions" have not changed one bit. While I am able to walk past the smaller sizes and see the changes from year to year, the plus section always has the same stuff. They do change the colors for the different seasons, but there's not much fun in exchanging a pink tent for a black one when summer turns to fall or black elastic pants for white ones when spring comes. Six months from now I hope to only wear big, oversized shirts for pajamas!
I'm also really, really looking forward to having more energy to keep up with my daughter. She's so patient with how quickly I wear down and she never complains when I just sit and watch her play at the park when I know she would rather have me playing with her. I cannot express what it will mean to me to be a better, more active mother when this journey is through.
What are some things that all of you are looking forward to? I would love to hear about them! January 09 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 8We had our weigh-in today and I am pretty pleased with the results. I have had a health issue that has kept me from working out for the most part, so I was afraid that the good eating choices wouldn't be enough to make a difference on the scale. I'm hoping to step up the activity - big time - this week and have another good weigh-in next week.
Now that I am almost done with the frustrating task of setting up our space, I have had more time to look at other peoples' spaces. I have really enjoyed seeing the positive results that so many people have experienced so far. It's also been a lot of fun to see the different ideas that people have had for their spaces. Also, for those of us who are new to this space thing, it's a huge benefit to be able to look to others for examples of what to do. The frustration of trying to figure all of this out is enough to drive someone to eat!
 January 08 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 7Okay, so I wasn't afraid of our upcoming weigh-in tomorrow morning until I saw Biggest Loser tonight. Is everyone else as shocked as we were? It was hard not to cry with every contestant who got up on that scale and had disappointing results. Their reactions hit WAY too close to home for me. In the past, if I didn't get the results on the scale that I was hoping for after starting a diet, I would use it as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted to and completely blow whatever progress I might have made. Sound familiar? This time, however, I know that no matter what numbers I see on the scale tomorrow morning, I have lots of people to look to for encouragement and inspiration. Being connected in this "community" that we have all created - thanks to the contest - has been such a blessing. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading other people's spaces and seeing the differences and similarities in our journeys. No matter what I am facing on this journey or how I am feeling, I know that there are others sharing this journey with me that have "been there, done that".
I know that many of us have picked either today or tomorrow for our weekly weigh-ins, so I would like to wish everyone luck. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of my good choices this week and getting to share what I hope to be good news on our space. Hopefully, my weight loss meter will finally get to move off of the zero mark!
Regardless of what the scale says tomorrow, I would like to publicly make a commitment to myself to increase my level of activity, drink more water and be more strict with my food journal. I haven't done anything to blow my diet or anything like that, but I can definitely see where much improvement could be made! Until tomorrow..... January 07 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 6
As we near our weigh in day, I'm finding myself more excited than I usually am when faced with the scale. I feel really good about my choices this week. I know I have some things that I can improve on, but my motivation is still high and I am really, truly enjoying being part of this contest. As I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, we made a drastic move and converted half of our small living room into an exercise area - using equipment that had been gathering dust in our storage building. Although I haven't used it as much as I would have liked to, having it there has been a constant reminder that we need to, as a family, be more active. Our daughter loves the new arrangement, as evidenced by the following picture:
Yes, there's Joe making good use of the equipment too! I am just so grateful for the influence that I know we are having on our children. On my sister's space (see Tom and Shelly on our friends list) she mentions a very cool story about my niece and nephew turning down cookies because they have too much sugar. The choices that my sister and her husband are making and the way that they are communicating with their children about their new lifestyle is already having an impact! How cool is that? As I look forward to our weigh in on Wednesday without my usual sense of dread, I have been thinking about what I won't miss about being heavy. Here are some of the things that I thought of. See if any of you can relate!
I won't miss having to wear elastic waistbands I won't miss stuffing myself into theatre seats I won't miss the difference in the treatment I receive from sales clerks I won't miss having a flight of stairs feel like the Boston Marathon I won't miss avoiding bathing suit season like the plague I won't miss people staring into my shopping cart at the grocery store to see what fattening things I might have in there I won't miss shopping for clothes that come in sizes that include the letter X I won't miss my annual New Year's resolution to lose weight I won't miss being the largest person in the room I won't miss having to worry about whether or not I will fit into various spaces I won't miss the urge to scowl at every thin woman who walks past me I absolutely won't miss not having any pictures of me in our photo albums - it's like I haven't existed in any of our photo-worthy occasions since I've been fat
I guess the bottom line is that I won't miss anything about being fat. I would love to hear from any of you that have anything that you could add to the list. Keep up the great work, everybody and I'll catch you after Biggest Loser tomorrow night!
Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 5 (Marcy)Staying motivated -
We're almost a week into this experience and, although I still feel very motivated right now, I am trying to plan for when the time comes that the initial excitement wears off and motivation is harder to find. I've been thinking of both positive and negative reinforcements to keep my motivation high. The positive reinforcements include rewards for reaching certain goals and visualizing how I will feel when I reach specific milestones. The negative reinforcements are just memories that I try to keep fresh in my mind of times that my weight has caused embarrassment or pain to either myself or my family.
Lets talk about the positive stuff first. While my first inclination is to celebrate success with a nice dinner at my favorite restaurant - hence the reason I need to be in this challenge - I know that I need to find non-food rewards for reaching my goals. I also realize that, with the LARGE amount of weight I have to lose, I need to break my goals down into smaller, more easily attainable ones. For instance, I have decided that for every ten pounds I lose, I am going to treat myself to a nice, long bubblebath. I know that all of you mothers out there can relate to the fact that we don't take time to do things like that for ourselves. Another treat that I have in mind for myself is that if I continue to make good, healthy choices between now and "D-day" (That would be my 40th birthday coming up in less than six weeks, for those of you who didn't catch our first blog.), I am planning a short weekend trip for myself and my family down to Hilton Head, SC to see a dear friend of ours. Especially on our budget, taking trips like that are considered too much of a luxury to justify most of the time, but I have given myself something to do in order to feel like I have earned it.
As for the negative reinforcements, I'm sure everyone entering this challenge has "defining moments" where their weight was the source of painful reality checks. One of mine was a time when we took our daughter and niece to an amusement park and I had to be asked to get off the ride - in front of about 100 people - because the safety bars wouldn't engage with my large body blocking them. While the poor kid running the ride tried to be as kind as possible as he escorted me off the ride, the look of embarrassment on the kids' faces is not something easily forgotten. Another "defining moment" was when we ran into an old friend of mine - someone I actually dated for quite awhile when I was younger - and he had no idea who this fat woman standing in front of him was. My list of those kind of moments could go on and on, but I am saving this couple of especially painful ones in the front of my mind for the times that the craving for something I shouldn't have becomes overwhelming. I want to always remember that the food ISN'T worth it!!!!!
The other thing that I am finding incredibly motivating is the feeling of being "connected" to so many people who are on this same journey. I have really enjoyed looking at the websites of others who are trying to make the same lifestyle changes that I am. To know that there are so many others who are facing the same obstacles and who have come from so many different backgrounds, and yet have so much in common is amazing. I appreciate every person who has offered to share this journey with me and I look forward to continuing to go forward with all of you! I am especially excited to be joined by my sister and her husband in this experience (check out Shelly and Tom on our list of friends). My sister has overcome unimaginable obstacles with her health and I am so proud of the steps that she and her husband are taking toward a healthier lifestyle. We can do it! January 06 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 6 (Joe)
Well Hello World! This is Joe entering my first blog update in this lifestyle-changing contest. As Marcy already stated, I have lost already 60 pounds eating less (most of the time) and working out 4-5 times a day with co-workers and what a difference it has made for me. I remember when the weight first started coming off. I was sitting on the down in a chair and I felt a lump on right lower side of my chest. I FREAKED! I panicked and asked Marcy what it could be...she laughed and told me it was my rib cage! I guess that is what you get for covering it up so much. I still have more weight to go and with watching the transformation of all the contestants with there strong muscles and ripped abs, I realize it is not just losing the weight buy also adding muscle and toning up. I have always been in shape. Round is a shape but I would be much happier with what a stronger chest and smaller waist will do for me. Hmmm...I think an upside down triangle is a better shape for me.
Now on to this point in my life. With Marcy wanting to do this weight loss challenge and wanting me to do it with her, I was happy to change the house around to make the living room an exercise gym too. OK, I will be honest that I said NO when she brought it up before but I see a spark in my wife and a desire to make a change in her life AND helping us go along with her too. I will support her in all she does here. I might ever do it without grumbling and complaining.
We sat down tonight eating our dinner and Marcy looked up some of the things I likED to eat. I add emphasis to the end of liked because after what she told me, I too must let go of the super sized breakfast burrito I used to enjoy. I did not realize the fat that was in that! 47 grams! I was ill just thinking about it. We were both a listening to some of the interviews with the winning twins of season four and one of them said he no linger had the option of foods that were not good for him. He said it is no longer a in his food choices to now eat white bread. I see that I too must do this to keep my ticker going so I can be here to bug Marcy!!
Well, thanks for reading and I will write more soon! Good luck to all!
Joe January 05 Biggest Loser Couples Million Pound Match Up - Day 4Desperate times call for drastic measures! Joe and I decided to show our total commitment to healthy choices by turning half of our living room into a workout area.
We have some nice equipment that has been where a lot of other people put their excercise equipment - in storage. We decided that it would be much easier to adhere to our "no excuses" motto if we have to walk past the equipment when going from the living room to the kitchen. To fully appreciate what a huge deal this is, you have to understand that we are currently living in a small - let me emphasize SMALL - mobile home, while we wait to build a home. We have had to get rid of most of our furniture because of the lack of room. The only things that we keep in the mobile home are things that we consider to be absolute necessities or things that are extremely important to us. Our new lifestyle is obviously very important to us!
We decided to take such drastic measures because we are on such a tight budget and we live so far out in the country that a gym membership is not realistic for us right now. We were inspired by the episodes on Biggest Loser last season where Jillian was using large tires on a beach in the middle of nowhere to train her team. Her attitude of using what you have available obviously works because her team kicked butt in the finale! If they can do it - so can we!
In addition to our new exercise arrangement, we are using tips and advice from Biggest Loser Club to stay motivated. I am keeping a food journal and we are encouraging each other to keep making good, healthy choices. Our daughter is enjoying our new lifestyle and I feel really good about setting a better example for her. |
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