With only 25 days in the challenge left, I want to tell all of you that everyone here is an inspiration to someone else. We all have the power to encourage, inspire, motivate and challenge eachother. We all know someone from these sites that have reached out to give us that little extra push we needed, to say, "you are not alone", to tell us to push forward and don't ever give up. There have been days in my journey, even hours and minutes that I just felt like giving up. It's when I log on here that I find exactly what I need at that moment in my life. Whether it's a message someone left me, or a blog on someone's site that seems like it was meant for me. Whatever the case, this site has meant so much more to me than just a contest. It's been a journey from mundane and ordinary, unhealthy and toxic lifestyle to a freeing experience that has been a privilege to be a part of. This is my new life. It's a second chance for all of us to embrace what we have experienced on the way... to love life again, to love ourselves again...and for some, to love ourelves, truly for the first time in our lives. To look at that person in the mirror and to feel things that you neer thought you could anymore. The success of knowing you did this, you made your life healthier. To feel an attitude of gratitude to God for all that he has freely given to you, the health, knoweldge, friendships, support, words of encouragement, healing, a multitude of gifts have been bestowed upon each and everyone of us each day... THIS day, because after all... this day is all we have right now, at this moment. So, welcome it with arms wide open, embrace all that you have achieved and know that we are all changed through this experience even if you haven't lost any weight, you are changed. You now have the knowledge to make better choices. You know what you need to do, what works and what doesn't. I do hope that none of us thinks that this is just about losing pounds. It's not. It's about being there for our kids, our loved ones, eachother. It's about finding who you are and making you the very best that you can be while you are on this earth, because it's only for a while... make the most of it. I have made mistakes on this journey, I don't think one of us hasn't, that's what makes us human, but the milestones I have made far outweigh the negatives. My children are active in my journey and my husbands. They want to workout with us, they are always asking if this or that is healthy, my son told me the other day that a little debbie brownie is not a good choice for me and that he doesn't want them anymore because he wants to eat good too. These little moments, they're gems. The things we teach today, is the life they will lead tommorow. I am sooo tired of talking about how fat and out of shape I am. I am only teaching them that I don't love me, and that if they want to be happy they have to llok a certain way. That is not the message I have been trying to convey, I have never said that or believed that, but the media, magazines and our self image, they link all this together and get that they aren't good enough. My son has asked if he was too fat. He's 8 and a bean pole. If anything he's under weight. I love my children and they have a genuine love for me and their dad. If they can love us, then why can't we love ourselves? I am learning. I have found things about my body that I now like. I am also learning to like the things about my body that haven't changed yet. I am learning to like me now, this day so that when the improvements come, it just makes the work a little sweeter. After 3-11-08 it's not over either. This is just the beginning for us. I enjoy being active now. I'm not tired like I was before. When I try on clothes now, even if it is the same size I have been, I look at myself differet. I like who I see first, not just what I see. I have focused on being featured on the biggest oser every tuesday, and want to be on the finale. I still do, but I have found a level of comfort in my skin that I have not had in a while. It just motivates me even more to be my healthiest. You are not here by acciden You all have made a promise to yourselves and to your partner to live a better life, to be healther, happier, active. What have you done today to make you feel proud???

Mike weighed in at 233.1 and I weighed in at 189.0 for a loss of 5 pounds this week. We're getting back on track. The kids have been sick last week and this week, so workouts have been pretty much taking place at home. I can see definite chnges in both of us with regards to our bodies and our habits. We're starting to make permanet decisions that have and will be lasting ones for us and our families.

Well, last week's weigh in, I was discouraged and frustrated. I couldn't understand why I had gained weight when I worked out harder, more often and longer and ate core without using points. I got so frustrated that on thursday night I ate food that wasn't on core, but on flex and friday did the same. On saturday I stepped on the scale and I was back down to the week before's weight of 189.6. On sunday I weighed in at 189.0 and I lost another 4.5 inches this past week, in one week! That's a total of 11.5 inches. The thing that tells me that the workouts are working is that it took me one month to lose 6.5 inches(1-3 to 2-2) (just basically dieting and cardio, with basic weight training) and one week of stepping up everything and adding all those crunches with weights at the gym and 212 at home, no weights) and I lost 4.5 in. Needless to say I guess I wasn't eating enough because I added extra food and the weight just came off. So I went back to flex on saturday. Thank you to those who sent words of encouragement and education. Everyone have a great week!

I am sooo frustrated. I have stepped up my workouts. I go to the gym daily and sometimes twice a day. I do weight training three times a week, I have added the swiss ball and the bosu to my crunches, I now do 100 reps on the abdominal machine at the gym with 50 pound weights, I've upped my weights every time I work out to where it is almost impossible for me to lift them without screaming after two. I have switched to core, I don't use my activity points, or weekly 35. I am sticking to my 1200 calories only. With the core I actually use less than 1200 cal. The point to this is I have gained weight this week! I told all of you that I'm out of the 190's for good and here I am back again, at 191.0. That's 1.4 pound increase from last week. Actually that's better than what it did say all week, On saturday I switched to the core and up until yesterday it automatically said up to 198 pounds fluctuating all week. I was so depressed. I still am disappointed, what happend? The only things I can think of is: I keep switching from flex to core every week, back and forth. I have upped my activity alot. I thought with weight watchers that as long as you eat your daily points, you don't have to eat your weekly points or activity points. I figured if I worked out and not ate extra, my fat reserves would be forced to burn the stored fat, that's how(or so I thought) you get the stored fat off of you. That's what I've read in several books. Soes anyone have any insight into this? I know 1.4 gain is not much to whine over, but I really needed to see under 189.6 this week to make it real to me that I can fo this. Because as I have said before, within the past year I have seen 189.6 exactly, before but not under it in almost 5 years. I guess it's psychological, but I think everyone has that one number or size they initially need to se so they can believe that they can and will change for the better and for their health. This makes me want to eat anything and everything. I almost ordered pizza about an hour ago, I still want it. Not one but two(I always have done this since I have been married) and there's just two adults and two small kids.(I know, I know) However, I told my husband that I was going to make what I bought at the store instead. Steak, baked potato and corn with a salad. That comes to a grand total of 5 points for my husband and 0 for me.(core) This sounds better to him than pizza, but I wanted a stuffed crust pizza and a pan pizza from pizza hut. I know, cheese in a crust....no no. I have checked the points and they would've ranged from 7-9 points a slice, I already had my mind made up I was going to eat 3-4+ pieces. I guess I am an emotional eater. Nonetheless, I didn't. I have my dinner baking right now. I am going to eat and then groan and moan while watching grey's anatomy and then go to bed wanting pizza. It's a step up because I would usually give in and get the pizza, eat it, then feel bad and say what's the use and eat the rest. If anyone can tell me about using the activity points(if I have to ) or what they think happend this week please comment. Until next weigh in....good luck and keep up the good work.

We are starting to see results not just in the scale but in other ways too. I have seen it with my flexiblity and on the eliptical, as well as with my weight training. Mike is feeling alot better, more active and just a more positive outlook on life as well. I have noticed that he has remarked to the kids that there will be no more junk food in the house. That was a wow moment for me because I just went to the store and bought what he asked for last week, he added some things to his points allowance, now he doesn't want them. I am thinking of going back on core, that's more like the biggest loser plan. It just allows me to eat more natural foods without worrying about going over my points and fills me up since I have been working out about two times a day and not taking my activity points. Today I bought a large t-shirt, for exercise. I like baggy shirts xlarge, my friend said the large was fine and that it would be loose in no time. I finally feel like this is a lifestyle change that I / we can live with and be happy about.

Well, here it is, weigh in #4. We're feeling great this week. Michelle is under 190 this week, that was her goal. I am happy that I lost 2.2 pounds, I thought it would have been more, but maybe next week. Michelle and I are having fun inventing ways to keep eachother motivated. We have a weekly competition to see who loses more weight. We also have a ultimate weight contest goal to see who loses more weight at the end. It's pretty much neck in neck, although I have a slight edge:0). She is at the gym (her second home for the last two weeks.) She says that even though she can't tell a differnce yet in her weight, she can tell she's making progress because she can work out longer and has more flexibility than before. I can feel that I've lost weight, I can breathe easier, but that's about it so far. Until, next week....-Mike-

Yesterday I did the eliptical and improved my time. Tonight the family went to the gym togther. The kids and MY hubby and I walk/ran a mile. I went on to do my stretching which I need to improve on. Mike and the kids went to play in the blocks. Mike is such a big kid, it's so much fun to watch him play and forget that he's an adult. I think we all need that. I went to play with them and got winded very quick. I am progressing, I have to keep reminding myself. My legs still ache constantly, I am hoping that this will subside. Tommorow I am lifting weights. I think I will increase them because I am more sore doing the eliptical and running(it's more like a slow jog) than I am doing leg presses and etc. My muscles are getting fatigued doing the weights because My legs shake so bad and try to buckle midway through the regimen. How is everyone else out there doing? Great I hope. I have been very impressed, motivated and inspired by so many of your sites out there. I think we all need that sometimes, to let you know that this is not impossible and that we have to keep going and not give up because this is our lives, your lives and it's all we have. So with that said, everyone have a great week, tune in to the biggest loser tommorow night, and keep working toward your goals.

I thought I'd be better at this running thing. I have had shin splints in the past and I don't really know alot about that, I just know they hurt so bad you don't even want to walk much less run. I have heard that the more I weight train and exercise that I can strengthen the muscle and the pain will go away. I hope this is true because I want to run a race. Beyond that my cardio strength is not good. I get out of breath fairly quick. That will get better I know that. So, that is why the running goal is not coming along too quickly, but I am doing it. As I get stronger and lighter I know that everything else will follow and fall into place. I am determined to meet my goals. I will meet my goals. I am working on getting my weight out of the 190's for good. I have been battling with those same ten pounds for a year now. The lowest I hae come to in the past four years since the pregnancy and birth of my second child was 189. That has been in the last year when I started weight watchers. I would get to that point and stop attending meetings, then stop following the plan because I was still losing and I got cocky with it and thought, oh I can do this without meetings, support, the plan, the exercise. Yeah. I have to see this through for my health, for my family and for my life. So, I have been working on my walking and running. I only count my walking and running miles that I actually run on the track and the miles I walk on the track and the treadmill, not step or regular daily activities. Until next time, everybody have a great weekend, and keep up the good work!

Mike played racquetball with me today, and didn't even bread a sweat, much less huff and puff like I was. He played with the kids, running around chasing them, just being a kid himself. Last night he went to the clubhouse and rode the bike 7 and a half miles. He's doing great with the food plan. I don't want to call it a diet, because it's a lifestyle change for both of us. We are becoming more active and loving it. Mike has to watch what he does a torn ACL and sometimes just walking triggers pain. I am so proud of him for even taking this step toward better health for himself, and his family.

The other day I was on the eliptical and just to get to 5 minutes was burning in my legs, I was about to cry. All I could think about was Jillian standing there in front of me yelling, "don't you dare quit, you take it to 5, don't give in!" I did my 5 the other day and my thigh hurt me for two days, more than actually doing my weight training. Tonight I went back challenging myself to do 6 minutes. I still was hurting, I got to six and I was ready to quit, when I looked down and I thought, " gotta go to a mile", so I pushed through, then I swa Jillian in my mind, I could hear her saying," now take it to 10 minutes," I thought, "OH, I can't." Then I remembered what my grandma always used to tell me when I would say I can't. She would say " you can't means you won't." I have always found everytime I said I can't, I pushed through it and I did. Needless to say I did my 10, then I noticed the calories said 70. I wanted to go to 100. Then I'll quit. I Imagined again Jillian saying that she was proud of me, because I was in pain. Then I had to close my eyes to get through, and my mind shifted to myself. I could see myself standing in front of me saying I'm proud of you, I thought, I'm proud of me. That's really what it's about. You have to do it for yourself in the end. Ultimately I did the eliptical for 32 minutes, went 2.13 miles, burned 210 calories(more because that's based on 150 lb user, I have 41 on top of that.) I know that's not that long, that far, or that many calories or that fast, but it's a big thing for me. Tommorow I plan to push beyond that.

Today was our third week weigh in. Mike is doing great with his eating and writing it down. I am doing well also. We are starting to feel a difference, just waiting to see one. He is starting to get the flu though.we are collectively down over 17 pounds now! Next week I am going to be out of the 190's for good!!! Hey, it's a small goal, but a goal nonetheless. Tonight for dinner we had Ham, green beans and potatoes. Just three points per serving. MMMM good. Keep up the good work everybody!

I decided to step up my game this week. I want to be the best I can be. So I went to the gym this morning and tried to play racquetball. Tried is the key word here. First, let me say that I don't know the first thing about racquetball, but it seemed fun. It was. I was to say the least out of breath in less than five minutes, more like two. After about ten minutes I thought to myself, "I hope nobody's laughing at me chase after this little ball." Then I thought I don't care, I'll get better or it'll kill me, whichever comes first will be fine. Well, I survived. I feel more energized than just doing regular cardio. I'm tired, but it's a good tired. My friend and I are going back at 6:00 tonight, so needless to say I'll sleep good tonight, sore but good. The show was good last night. Shout outs to gayle and stephanie who was on there, very cool. I hated to see the pink team go, thought it would be the purple team, twists and turns each week.   Racqeutball is a good way to get out frustrations...just one thing to remember, when you hit that ball with all your might...it will come back at you the same way!!! lol. Have a great rest of the week everyone, tommorow is weigh in day for us, so come back and see us change.

Well, we made it into week # #! Sorry I haven't updated since friday. I have been sick. I have the flu I think. On an upside, every morning I have been jumping on the scale just to see if I'm still making progress and even though the numbers change throughout the day, every morning they are lower than the day before. That just shows me that even though some days it looks like I've gained weight, I really haven't. It boosts my confidence to keep me going too. I know this sounds petty, but it's still early in the game and I need that reassurance that I am moving in the right direction. I can't tolerate sugar like I used to, I guess that's a good thing. We watched a movie friday night,(Shrek 3) and the kids had some junior mints, I ate two and I could feel my blood sugar rise. That's when I got sick. I felt awful. I got the shakes and felt sick. I told Mike that I think I was getting sick anyway, but that I believe that my body's not tolerating sugar like it did before. Sure I had ww cakes and sugar free pudding (choc), but it's not the real stuff and it reacts to your system differently. I take it as a good thing, because I don't need that garbage anymore. Once in a while is fine, but at this stage I'd rather not be able to tolerate it so I can get used to not having it. It was just too sugary. I hope everyone out there had a great second week. Have a great week # 3!

I think I've known all along that I had a food addiction, I just told myself that "I just want it and it's not going to make a difference this little bit". It didn't matter what it wwas, a piece of candy,pizza,pop,etc. that little bit wasn't going to make me gain weight. Yeah, right. I went for so ling telling people that I can eat all I want and not gain weight. I know, I know, I want to smack me too. But it was true, key word hereis was. I was thin or up until I got pregnant with my first child in 1998. Even after children I ate what I wanted and I didn't lose(I wasn't trying, only complaining)but I didn't gain either. This was up until I started weight watchers last year(not faithfully) but I was losing 2-3 pounds a week and not really after a while doing the diet but still lost weight, gain and lose each week until I lost ten pounds and stopped going to weigh ins. So after that I gained my ten pounds back and then started again. so, when I started this I weighed 200.2lbs, that is 2.2 lbs more than when I started at ww last year. I realize after starting this endeavor that I may have a problem with my relationship to food. Alot of the time it's not that I'm hungry, even though I have that constant nagging feeling in my stomach that I associate with hunger, it's the taste of the food that I want. I realized it last night after my blog when I grabbed a serving of combos(I have my snacks premesured in bags so I know how much calories,points there are)so, I ate them, then I wanted a sugar free pudding, then I had to stop myself and go to bed because I was stuffed and santed another bag of combos and a pop. The point value I wanted to eat was 10, what I actually ate was 4, that may not seem like alot but, I had eaten my 24 and borrowed 11 plus the four. My husband had less than that. and he weighs more and is allowed more points than me. So here I am admitting that I may have a problem. Today I had oatmeal, soup and yes, a pop. I have  12 points left today, that's 600 calories for dinner and a snack. I feel bad because I commented on some of your sites saying to take it one step at a time and that I don't crave or need pop anymore. I don't need it, I just really wanted it. I don't know if it's because of the food choices  I made that I wanted it(salty or sweet), I just know I need to get back on track. Last week I ate natural and didn't want this stuff. Hmmmm..... Maybe there is something to it.

Well, here we are again, a new week, new chances and challenges. I have been trying to post  a music player on this site to motivate us and hopefully you as well as entertain everyone while you are visiting our site. I have been at this for hours, I can't figure out how to get it here. I push copy and paste, but I am computer illiterate. Whare does it go after that? I've checked folders, my computer, here, etc. hmmmm... On a different note, we have changed our plan a little to accomodate some snacks. It seems to work for him, but I seem to keep going over my 1200 calories for the day. For the past two days I have (unknowingly) used exactly 1750 calories both days. I figured this out after I totaled up my food journal. Also, I have eaten the same number of foods also. I didn't do it on purpose, although I have heard or read somewhere that we eat roughly the number of pounds of food daily regardless of calories. That makes sense considering if you're eating and not counting(maybe you intake more calories for example) and then you watch your calorie intake, you lose weight on fewer calories and seem to not be hungry because you upped your fruits and veggies. I am doing better with my soda consumption. Some days I drink one, somedays none. It just depends on mood and if I really want it and hae not eaten any other sweets. I hope this week goes better with the pounds than last week. I was adding ground flax seed to my yogurt and I didn't think it had any points because of the fiber....wrong! It has 10 grams of fat per 2tbsp, but it is the good fat. So it adds 3 points per serving, and I am supposed to add good oils or fats daily. It's not in oil form, butI am not frying anything and it does have the fiber. It adds some substance to the yogurt for added satisfaction, for me anyway. We didn't work out today, but I'm going to in the morning and Mike's going to tommorow evening after work. Yesterday Mike's calorie intake was 1750 and today was 2150. He's supposed to have 2150 calories or 43 points a day, more with exercise, up to 200 extra or 4 points extra a day. He's supposed to take in 2150 to maintain his weight loss and not put his body in survival mode by eating less. On thursday is our next weigh in, we will see if this change has helped us or not. Until next time...Good luck everyone!

I think I always knew it. Watching t.v. and mindless eating for me go hand in hand. I know I'm not alone. For the past week I've done pretty good. Last night was kind of funny and then kind of an eye opener. I was reading my Biggest Loser book, trying to see the differences between that regimen and others. I was hungry and had a bowl of chili next to me. (it followed both Biggest Loser and Weight Watcher guidelines. The point is that it was so good, before I knew it, I was feeling quite full and still contiued to eat. My husband said."it's ok, you said you don't have to measure it out, so eat all you want." (he's new to this) I told him that when you don't have to count, (core plan w.w.) you still have to pay attention to your body, because you can gain weight doing that. (it's still the calorie principal) I explained that on the flex plan w.w. and B.L. you have to count points, and or portions. And that when you do that, it still is less than what is on the core. (it should be equal, but like I said, he's new to this so his body has to adjust) So, I think it's a good thing that when I eat, I'm always thinking about my satiety level and portions. I'm doing better with pop and other things, I don't seem to want them, sometimes it seems like habit just to grab them without thinking. Tonight is our first weigh-in, so hopefully the scale will show how well I've done or where I need to readjust. Until then, everyone have a great day and good luck.

Well, I worked out yesterday (Michelle). I weight trained for two hours, that's how long it takes to do all the areas. I have been eating good. Fruits, veggies, grains and protein. I did well until today. I had appointments all day and by the time I got out, I was starving. That's when the thought of chipotle came to my mind. I tried to rationalize it by thinking, "I'll just exercise longer tonight and burn the 1900 calories. It sounded better in my mind. Hmmm... has anyone else had this problem while on this challenge? I have been really good, I am trying to give up pop, and have done so, so far. I have been having really bad headaches because of it. I figure that after the fifth day, the caffiene should be out of my system. Is anyone else out there having a hard time giving something up or withdraws from a certain food?

My husband Mike and I live in Maineville, Ohio. He is 31 years old and I am 33 years old. We are entering this contest to get healthy and fit. We think we will/should win because We have the desire, the motivation and the willpower to go all the way in our weight-loss and fitness journey. We plan to implement fitness and dietary needs much like on the show. We are determined to get healthy and regain our once slim bodies along the way. Mike's goals are to lose his belly while gaining muscle. He wants to have boundless energy while playing with his kids. My goals are to lose overall weight, toning my body, getting into shape so I can become a nutitionist/personal trainer for others. I want to play with my children without needing a break, much less a nap. We are sugaraholics. We love soda, candy,sweets, overly processed food. This will be a true test to our willpower and will show how determined we are to win the 2008 biggest loser million pound match up challenge, and also our lives back.

In the opening essay I put down our current weights and ultimate goals. I do realize that they are most likely not going to be met safely in that short amount of time.  The rule of thumb is that a safe and permanet amount of fat loss is between 1-3 lbs a week. With that being said, by March it should be between 12-36 lbs. Now muscle weighs more than fat, but it is leaner (yeah!). We do want to do well in this challenge, however the most important thing is that we achieve permanent lasting weight-loss (fat-loss) results and develop a leaner, healthier body.

Mike Goals: By 3-1-08

To lose between 20-30 lbs of fat and gain muscle. To lose my stomach. And be healthier.

Body Measurements:

Mike: Neck 18 in

         Arms Left 14 3/4 right 14 in

         Chest 46 3/4

          Waist 47 in

           hips 45 in

          Thighs Left 25 Right 25

         Calves Left 17 Right 17 1/4

Michelle's goals:By 3-1-08

My goal is to lose 12-24lbs of fat and to develop long lean muscle. To flatten my stomach. To start running, to increase my flexibility, I can only touch my knees.

Our fitness plan:

Body Measurements:

Michelle: Neck 14 1/2

              Arms Left 11 1/2 Right 12 1/2

              Chest 45 in

              Waist 43 in

              Hips 46 in

              Thighs Left 24 1/2 Right 26 1/2

              Calves Left 16 1/2 Right 16 1/2

               

We know it's going to be difficult to train together with two children and his work schedule. We are going to hit the Ymca and we also have a workout room at our apartment complex. I would love to train for a race. Right now I am not able to run, I get shin splints, but I do know that if I start out slowly, I can strengthen my muscles and stretch them until they do not hurt. We will be doing 3 days a week weight training and six days of cardio to start out with. The seventh day may just be a family walk around the lake which is 2.5 miles. I guess this just depends on the results it brings and maybe there will be days we work out twice and exercise every day.

 

Our nutrition plan:

We are going to abandon the pop(soda) and pick up the water bottle. I am stocking the refrigerator with fruits and veggies. The pantry with whole grains, We are replacing our 3-5 days a week red meat with chicken breast, lean turkey breast, wild caught fish (this is new to me), nuts, beans(legumes). This is easier said than done, believe me I have tried this before. We will be having six smaller meals a day.

We will have photos loaded soon.

 

 

My husband and I have decided to enter the 2008 Biggest Loser Million Pound Match-up contest for motivation to get healthy not only for ourselves, but for eachother and our two wonderful children. At this point, My husband, Mike weighs 248 pounds on his 5ft 10.5 inch frame. His goal weight is 185lbs. Which he was at in 1998. My current weight is 200.2 lbs on my 5 ft 6.5 inch frame. My goal weight is between 128-130 lbs. Which I was at in 1998 before I became pregnant with my first child. This is not just a contest for us. We are unhealthy and obese. Last January I had a body composition test and the results were: I WAS 191LBS frame: small. Body fat 42.5% Fat weight 81.2lbs Lean weight 109.8lbs 46% water BMI 30.7.  I had high cholesterol, am at risk for diabetes(it runs in both sides of my family) and heart disease runs on both sides of our families.  My husband wants to be here for our kids and family. We can't play with them without taking breaks. I want to become a nutritionist and personal trainer. I want to help people get healthy that are at risk themselves. That is my dream. It is my passion. I love to learn about fitness and nutrition. It's the motivation and self confidence that I lack. I can help others with healthy choices, but when it comes to me...I seem to put myself on the back burner. It is time for us to get in the best physical shape of our lives.