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March 22 Time to move it up a notch!It is time to get this weight off! I joined Weight Watchers this morning. I have been at a stand still now for 3 weeks or better and I don't like it. Now instead if tracking calories alone I will be tracking the types of food groups, water, etc.. Hopefully this is going to help tremendously as I believe that my problem has been too little food or not enough of the right types of foods. Wish me luck because Tara and I have a contest going with my sister and niece in Canada...if we beat them they pay to come to New Hampshire to visit us and if we lose we pay to go to Canada. We also decided that if we tie up the contest we will meet in Montreal Canada for a few days and everybody pays. Personally it is a win win no matter what way it goes but I would still rather they lose so that they can come to New Hampshire for Tara's graduation in May. I know that we can do it! Denise March 20 Good Intensions!My husband cooks for me because he gets home from work 3 hrs before me. Usually he is quite considerate of what he serves but this week with a fridge full of good vegetables, etc. he served macaroni and cheese along with pasta, sauce and sausage. No vegetables unless you count the tomatoes in the sauce. I know I looked slightly angry but tried not to show it. He willingly cooks every week day and I don't want to appear ungrateful. Maybe I need to pre cook the veggies the night before so they can be added easily. Tonight was vegetarian lasagna, not bad. In fact the taste was fantastic. I guess I'll just have to ignore those not so good meals and just eat less. As a result I am still stuck at 178. No gain, no loss. A better week is in store. I was glad to hear so many are sticking with our spaces, blogging and challenging each other. Have a great week! Denise March 18 Who is still with us?OK, the ones going to California should have been chosen by now, so lets find out who wants to continue blogging, commenting and in general sharing our ups and downs. This week I have lost nothing again, however I have not gained. If this coming week doesn't show improvement I may just join Weight Watchers and see if that helps. So lets here from everyone out there. I will be waiting to see your names show up in comments. Denise March 17 Yep, I am sick... AGAIN!So I have been told that the first year working in an elementary school getting sick is like second nature... well, unfortunately this seems to be true for me! I have been sick 5 times this year so far and normally I get sick ONCE per year... I hate feeling cruddy!!! The last time it was STREP this time I have many symptoms of PNEUMONIA... What is going on here!??? Although I would like something to make me feel better, I am hoping the doctor tells me it is just a cold and that there is nothing she can give me and to just get rest... Whatever!
I have an appointment in 45 minutes at the doctor's office where my mother works. For once though I am not dreading getting on the scale for them. Usually, I tell them what I weigh (minus 10 lbs, haha) but today I do not mind... but watch now that I say that they probably wont even ask me to get on the darn scale!!! oh well, we'll see!
The weight is still coming off... tomorrow is weigh in for my mom and I. Go figure that the challenge has ended and so far I have lost 4 pounds this week... that is the most weight I have lost in one weigh in since starting a healthy lifestyle... And I am proud to say that it has NOTHING to do with being sick... I have still been able to eat my calories and keep it all down... I even ate when I wasn't hungry hoping that because I am sick my body needs more nutrients than it would normally!
~Tara March 14 Favorite food!On Biggest Loser Bob had stated that after weigh in he lets his team have a high calorie day and even said the word "macaroni and cheese". Since this is my absolute favorite I told my husband that next Tuesday he could make this delectible dish for us as that would be after weigh in. Sooooo...he made it last night! Guess he can't tell Thursday from Tuesday or he just couldn't get the thought from his mind. Either way I had seconds and pray it won't hurt me. I guess more workouts are in the works for me and of course lots of fruits and veggies today. Thanks for listening. Denise March 13 The buy of a century...So TJMAXX is the best store in the whole world... I went there to just poke around and see what kind of deals there were... well Graduation is in May so I need a dress. Through poking around the dresses, I FOUND ONE... and only one in only one size so I figured what the heck I'll try it! So as I was walking to the dressing room I happened to glance down at the price tag of this CALVIN KLIEN DRESS... and woah was i suprised I mean even for TJ MAXX this price was crazy... the price was $ 5 dollars... At this point I said I don't care if it fits or not for five dollars I will make it fit! Well, as I turn the corner into the dressing room and fit an empty room... the dress fit perfectly! OMG it is beautiful!!!!! I cannot be any happier and it is 2 sizes smaller than I started out in this challenge! I am so happy!!!!
Here's the FIVE DOLLAR DRESS!!!
Still Here!We are still here and going strong. I took yesterday off and had a glass of wine after dinner. I drink so seldom that that makes me very dizzy and mellow so obviously no workout yesterday. Oh well, I will go from work (I have a workout bag packed and in the care for such moments). I even have an "Extend" bar for blood sugars. One of the diabetes educators that I know through work gave it to me to try as it is supposed to help control blood sugars for 9 hours. One of my problems has been that I must eat before going to the gym or my blood sugars may go too low. I will try her bar today and order more should this prove to be beneficial and since she is an educator I'd bet she knows what she is talking about. Yeh! OK, how many of you are driving youselves nuts wondering who gets to go to California? I didn't know how badly I wanted the trip until the deadline. Now I wonder how long before the winners know and of course realization hit that if we are not contacted...we do not get to go. Well, we ARE winners in the fact that we have begun taking care of our bodies and minds. I really do feel great about all of this! Denise March 11 Final Official Blog!Well it all ends in a few hours, so this will be my last blog before the bewitching hour. I was really hopeful for 1 more pound but failed by 2/10ths of a pound. Guaranteed to be down tomorrow morning. Oh well, 10 pounds is good and I am happy to have that weight off. Prior to this challenge I had lost 10 lbs for my daughters wedding so I am down 20 lbs. since last summer. Clothes that I have not worn in a few years are being pulled from the depths of my closet, it is like having a new wardrobe because only one person that I work with has ever seen them and she gets excited for me because she also knows how long it has been. The thoughts that I have about the future are all good and I am looking forward to staying in touch through our Windows Live Spaces Like the contestants this journey has only just begun. Best wishes to all! Denise March 10 This is not the end...This is not the end... this is only the beginning! As I sit here and think about this challenge and what my goals are, no one can ever understand how good this has been for me. In JUNE 2007, not too long ago, I realized that I only had 2 months until my wedding (and as suprising as that is, IT DID NOT motivate me enough to lose the weight). After my wedding, knowing I had my internship coming up, I still was not motivated to lose the weight. I was unhappy, unhealthy, and just plain tired all the time! I needed something BIG to happen I just wasn't sure what! As I was searching the NBC to find out when the Biggest Loser was starting for the next season... a commercial came on the TV, it was about this challenge called THE MILLION POUND MATCHUP! Immediately my mother and I went to the website and all we could find was when it started. So we waited, and waited, and WAITED until JANUARY 2ND, 2008. During The Biggest Loser on 1-2-08 my mother and I registered for this challenge! I began making this website and FINALLY I had that something BIG to jumpstart my healthy weight loss journey. I am not exactly sure why THIS time I have stuck to a healthy diet or workout routine... maybe it is the love of the show, THE BIGGEST LOSER, maybe because of all of the SUPPORT we have gotten from so many fellow challenge members, or maybe it was just the RIGHT TIME for us! All I know is, this is NOT the end, this is only the beginning. This has been and will continue to be a lifestyle change (one that was long needed and desperately wanted). I look forward to all that I want to do A.K.A Hiking, and all that has prevented me from doing so many outdoor activities. REST ASSURE, my journey does not end with this challenge, NOR with my weight loss it will continue for my entire life, MY FUTURE CHILDREN will not know (feel) what it means to be overweight and unhealthy.
To everyone here doing this challenge, my mother and I challenge you to keep this going, continue to blog your ups and downs, continue to record your weight loss and food diaries and workouts. We are here to support one another so DO NOT LET GO. YOU HAVE WORKED TOO HARD to GIVE UP! Jillian and Bob would be appauled to see any of us give up! Rise above and stand up for yourselves and for each other, our partners need us too!!!
~Tara Long and short of it!The challenge is nearly over but not the weight loss and healthy lifestyle. This has been the jump start that I needed. Since beginning this journey I have improved my blood sugars tremendously and all asthmatic symptoms have disappeared, my blood pressure readings have improved, even my sleep is improving. All of this is in 3+ months, just think what I will be able to tell about at the end of a year. I work in a medical office so you can believe I get all the support that one could hope for. We have a picture of an extremely obese cat on the wall and under this picture are the words "IT IS ALL RELATIVE". The changes I have encountered have proven this theory without a doubt. Long story short I need to continue this challenge for the HEALTH of it. Best of luck to all in the final hours of this challenge.
Denise
PS: I do not get winded going up 3 flights of stairs anymore either.
March 09 Hunger and a goodbye...Have you ever felt as if your stomach was a bottomless pit, that no matter what you ate of how much you were STILL hungry. Well, last night was one of those nights for me. I would eat and still feel hungry, so I would snack a little bit more and STILL FEEL HUNGRY! My saving grace was choosing healthier snacks and then going to bed, I figured if I were sleeping I couldn't feel hungry. I do not know what was going on with my body yesturday! Anyways, when all was said and done I only went over on my calories by maybe 200 calories, so I am hoping it will do me good and kick my metabolism into high gear.
My eating fit last night has only given me more motivation to get to the gym today... so after this blog that is what I am doing!
The best thing I have done for myself is stick to this challenge and set attainable goals.
A little tidbit of information about me:
I am a shopaholic, No matter what my size was or weight I drowned myself in shopping for clothing, shoes, purses, etc... to make myself feel better. But when it came to clothing, it had the opposite affect on me. I would leave feeling worse and end up in the shoe department because no matter my size my shoe size never changed. Well, recently I have had to say goodbye to many BEAUTIFUL ARTICLES OF CLOTHING! Goodbye to multiple pairs of $50-$80 jeans, goodbye to beautiful tops that my mother likes to take, and goodbye to, dress pants that I bought for work. Saying goodbye to my clothes gives me mixed emotions... I say SAYONARA to the sizes but a shaky goodbye to the money I have spent and the comfort of some of these clothes... to looking on the brighter side of things and TO A BETTER AND NEWER ME...
~Tara March 07 Realizations!Well everyone, this contest is almost over but not nearly over for many of us. Yesterday I ate...just a little junk, well maybe a little more but I like coming to this place admitting what I have done and just get on with getting healthy. Just gotta do it somethimes and that was one of those days. I have learned that when the pressure builds at work I am far more apt to say yes to the junk and the pressure isn't necessarily on me. Peoples moods are altered by pressure and we all feel it in some way. Yesterday was that way and I caved in to some of the goodies, I did not however eat the way I would have a few months ago under the same situation and that is success on a smaller scale. A few of you responded that you want to keep these sites updated and keep in touch and I am hoping many more will. I plan on keeping it alive as long as we need it. Maybe some of us will even meet some day in person. One never knows what the future brings but we all know slimmer, healthier bodies is a definite for those of us in the challenge. I thank Biggest Loser for bringing such insight and motivation. Gook luck to all of you in our final days of THIS challenge! Denise March 04 Good IntentionsWell I went to bed last night totally ready for working out today forgetting that I had a doctors appointment at 7 am. Then tonight I wound up cleaning as workers are coming to work on our bathroom tomorrow. I logged housework cuz that must count for something. Oh well, tomorrow is a newer and better day. Denise A tribute to goals...Dear Goals,
When I first met you, I thought I knew what you were right away... a number on a scale. But through our relationship I have learned that you are much more to me than just a number on a scale, you are an ever maleable friend. The magic number I thought you once were was 115 and although you are still 115, I have found more personality than I had ever dreamed I would. I found a weekly number, a daily intake of water and calories, as well as a longer time on a particular cardio machine or extra rep for strength training. Recently, I found out that there is even more to your friendship (as if you haven't done enough). Well Goals, you have yet unvailed another name for yourself, Flexability. Yes, Flexability! I now wake up everyday with an eager mind that wants to strreeeeetttch and stretch and STRETCH! I do this (thinking of you of course) with another friend, named Pilates. I promise you I am not cheating on you, only widening my horizons and believe me, Goals, you compliment each other very nicely. I believe in you more now than I ever had before, KUDOS Goals you are a great friend.
Goals, I am always here to set you up and believe in you until once again, you show more colors and more personalities.
Until then I remain your number 1 supporter and friend,
~Tara March 02 Down 2 lbs so far!OK, finally I am down 2 pounds this week with 2 days left before weigh in. I logged a 2 mile Walk away the pounds yesterday that I did not do (guess I will remove it) but I will more than make up for it today. I already did the 2 mile walk and Tara and I are going to the gym later today for another mile ++. Today we are especially motivated, 2 lbs each definately helps but also the insight we have been getting from Jillians site. Yesterday she explained what it takes to lose more than a pound a week, I just hope I can accomplish the 2 hours of workout during the weekdays. Guess it is time to go to the gym early in the morning because that is the only way I can get 2 hours in as I get home from work at 6 PM, dinner is usally done by 7 PM (but not the dishes) and I am in bed by 9 PM on most nights. Of course Tuesday is one of my later nights but I am watching Biggest Loser. Denise March 01 Some Days are Just Hard!Some days are just plain hard. My coworkers decided on a brunch day yesterday and trust me when I say the only healthy food there was brought by myself. The temptations were tremendous...and the smells from the kitchen...need I say more. I would mention them but why make all out there suffer thinking of those delicious items. Even the eggs were made with CREAM but I ate a little egg and a little potato (creamed with cheese of course), probably more than I should have, and then filled up on the fruit, yogurt and granola that I took. This temptation made me think about how much I would have eaten in days gone by and hope to never go back to that place. I also know there will be days when I will be weaker than yesterday but can only hope what I am learning and practicing will persevere. Hope everyone is having a great week!. Denise February 28 Personal TRIUMPHS!!!I have been more committed to this challenge than any other diet attemps, workout attempts, or goal setting attemps! I have made great strides for myself throughout all of this and we have made some good friends inside and outside of this challenge because of our motivation to finish something we started. Some personal triumphs throughout this challenge for me have been getting off the couch and getting to the gym, when I type(say) this it seems now such a small thing (BUT IT IS HUGE FOR ME). Another triumph I have faced is what I am doing at the gym... before this challenge I was just jumping on a cardio machine and 'quick starting' it without putting in a lot of effort. BUT NOW, on the eliptical I choose the HILL INTERVAL TRAINING, on the treadmill I walk for 3 minutes, run for 3, walk for 4, run for 5 and so on..., on the stairmaster (BOY DOES THIS KICK MY ROYAL...etc.) I start on level 2 for a warmup and then kick it into gear at level 5 then 6, 7 and then back down again! One of my friends even joined me at the gym today for her first time in years and said I kicked her BUTT from her just following what I was doing! I have never been the one with the endurance, or drive to finish any kind of workout... KUDOS!
The final triumph I have made for myself would have to be feeling better about myself and not caring what others think about my looks... At the gym, I feel like nobody is there to judge or snicker, We are all there to become fit and healthy! It is not about looking like a bikini model straight out of the Victoria's Secret Catalog... it is about having the self confidence to wear one and feel comfortable about it. Although I am not there yet, I have changed one of my goals from "becoming a size 3" to feeling confident and comfortable in whatever size I may be in when I can wear a bikini and not feel like WOAAAHHH NO WAY!
So I say toast to feeling better about one's self and forget about SIZES!!!
~Tara I Did It!On 2/24 I blogged that I thought the 170's would be hit prior to weigh in. Well, I did not make the weight in but finally got there this morning...yeh! I just don't seem to lose more that 1 pound a week but I know that this is the way to permanantly get it off and keep it off so I am happy. As long as my weight is going in the right direction I am doing OK. I hope the rest of you struggling for bigger losses can look at any loss as a positive. Keep up the great job! Denise February 27 Winter Wonderland!The scenery was spectacular last night while Tara and I were driving home from our workout. It truly was a winter wonderland. The snow sat on the pine trees just as you would see in a wintery christmas picture and the snow and ice made the other trees completely white. I only wish that it had been daylight so that I could have posted pictures but although it is still pretty out there it is nothing like last night. Hope you can all imagine what that might have looked like. This was one of the few times that make me truly appreciate winter...just to look at though! LOL. Well, more on weight loss later. Denise February 26 Discovery!!!I have made a discovery... This week I allowed myself to eat out, eat cookies, eat basically whatever I wanted BUT made sure I STUCK WITHIN MY ALLOWED CALORIES for each day... well it backfired so to speak... I didn't lose anything! I am not overly happy with myself BUT I didn't gain so that is a plus... starting today I plan to eat well as well as stick to my calories without the greasy, salty, chocolatey FOODS!
~ Tara |
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