I may be small...but I'm scrappy!

So, last night Cameron and I WERE going to do Dance Dance Revolution but instead, we ended up Wrestling! It was so fun. And what a work out. I think Cameron was quite surprised by my amazing speed and agility. I like to think that I won half the rounds, but I suppose it was more like...I got the upper hand as some point during half the rounds, and ALMOST pinned him a couple times. I can thank Eric for my knowledge of how to squirm out of a tough spot because of all the 3 on 1 rounds that us sisters would have with Eric when we lived in St. Louis. good times. So anywho, if you want to do a different sort of excercise and really get your competitive spirit up, I highly recommend a wrestling match! Brew HAHA!

Lack of results update

So...did anyone notice that Cameron DIDN"T update the bar chart after the last weigh in. Yeah....sorry about that. promise he'll be on time for the final weigh in!

Official Proposal for the Next Round

Okay, this is how I'd like to do the next round, everyone feel free to suggest changes or do your very own proposal.

We can do it April 1 -- July 1

Everyone contributes $25, and Dad has offered an extra $100 again, so we'll have a pretty good prize even if there's just a few of us.

Every 10 minutes of exercise = 1 point

Every percentage point of weight loss = 25 points

Person with the most points wins.

This makes it so that a week's worth of exercise is worth about the same as a week's worth of weight loss. (very approximate of course.) If you do one or the other (exercise or lose), you still get points. If you do both, you get even more points.

Rules on the definition of exercise:
1. You have to do at LEAST 10 minutes together for it to count.

2. It has to be real exercise. Warming up and cooling down for a few minutes each count, but stretching doesn't. If you're doing something in your everyday life that gets your heartrate up, that's great, but it doesn't count, unless it's truly exercisy. Like taking your kids for a real walk counts, as long as you're not going at toddler pace. Cleaning the house fast doesn't count. If you're not sure if something you do regularly should count, tell everyone what it is and we can all vote on it.

3. Everyone needs to be very honest and vigilant about keeping track of your time. No guessing. When in doubt, round down.



A couple more things:

I kinda want to make the blog un-private. If we set it so that it's not searchable, I don't think anyone would stumble on it. I don't care to have anyone else reading it, but I really don't like signing in every time, and not having it on my bloglines.

I'd be happy to calculate points for everyone, so you can just enter your weight and exercise time each week.

So I know we have me, mom and mer for sure, anyone else? Let's hurry and figure this out so we can get started!

Show Off

So I don't know about anyone else, but I was really fat over Christmas, and now I look a lot better. I am a little embarassed about the fact that so many people got those Christmas cards and got to see for themselves my wondrous post-volunteer state..... SO I was thinking that what MUST be done to rectify this, is the next time we are all together, like for Cherise's wedding or family reunion or whatever, we need to do a RETAKE and send out the sepsy picture of all of us and our new fabulous bodies to everyone who got the one at Christmas, and announce our total collective weight loss as a family. We need to publicize our sweet success, and I think its okay for us to "be a braagger" maybe just this one time. Anyone agree with me? Cuz I know everyone will be super hot and healthy by this summer!!

Next Round

Alright! Since there is some interest in a Round 2, when are we going to start it? April 1 to July 1...another 3 months?

What new rules or suggestions will we have?

I'm definitely ready! So let's figure this out!

Week 12 Weigh-In

Dad -152 3 lb weight loss

Mom - 190.5. a little up from the big trip and holiday but just wait till next week!!

Christine- 194 .8 gain

Jana- 128 .5 loss

Cameron - 196 .8 lb Weight loss Total 28.2 Lb weight Loss.

Kimi - 114 lbs, 2lb loss, total loss 11 lbs? haha I lost track.

Bryce- 198

Jason- 181 0 loss/gain

Meredith -170.4 0.4lb gain, 18lb total loss

Annette - 124.2 1.8 lb gain. Total 5 Lb weight loss.

Thanks

Hey everyone,
Thanks for your love this week. It's been really nice to know everyone has been thinking about me and praying for me. I've definitely felt it. Today was a pretty good day, so I know that every day won't be hard. I guess it's a good thing I was only 7 weeks, because I think the earlier it is the easier it is. Though it's still extra hard when, like tonight, Emma prays for a brother or sister and tells me she really wants one. Ah, so do I, Emma! But I CAN get pregnant! And I WILL again! After I win the Biggest Loser contest! It's back to running next week....
And Cameron thought he had it made....
Love you all!
Jana
(Obviously posted on here b/c it's private)

Next Round!

So who's thinking of coming back for another round? I am for sure!

Any ideas for making it more interesting next time? What about doing points for a couple other things along with weight loss, like maybe exercise time and resting heartrate decrease.

Also, when do we want to start the next round? Could we maybe wait till I get back from vacation? :)
Christine

***************
From MoM
I am IN for sure! I really love having all of your exuberant winning losing spirits to help me out. It's been great to lose 20lbs and get "Stwong" as Dad says, at the gym. I really enjoy the machines I work on there and it makes me feel great.After talking to Christine and then to Dad, Jeff and Jana, we've come up with a few more ideas to make the next round fun (and profitable) and it can involve non-losers too with some challenges that will be helpful for everyone. We will post our ideas presently. so we can be ready to plunge in soon.
March 23, 2008 7:37 PM

Week 11 Weigh In

Dad -155 up 4. What can I say? Airport food? Too much sitting? Faulty scales? Gluttony?

Mom - 190 this is on Meredith's scale and it's 1.5 up. I think Dad and I have been very munchie on this little vacation! And NO exercising! Next week will be better!

Christine- 193.2 - .4 loss, total 13.4

Eric - I'm out. I give up. There's no use at this point. Maybe next round.

Jana - 128.5 1 lb weight loss

Cameron - 196.8 1.8 lb Weight loss Total 27.4 Lb weight Loss.

Kimi - 116 lbs, 3 lb gain. total loss 9 lbs

Bryce- 198

Jason- 181- 1.4 loss

Meredith -170 0.8lb gain; 18.4lb total loss

Annette - 122.4 0.0 loss/gain. Total 6.8 Lb weight loss.

Week 10 Weigh-In

Dad - 151

Mom - 189.5 What can I say? I'm wasting away to nothing. 10%? That's 20.5 lbs so 1/2 lb more and I get my moolah back!! Yea for Jana and Jeff and Emma! A new family begins!

Christine - 193.6 Yesterday's weight since I'm at Mom's castle.

Eric - Out of town until Thursday evening. But you can count his weight from last week, because it hasn't changed at all...I promise. (last week: 225.0 1 lb gain; 2.6lb total loss)

Jana - 129.5--1.5 lb weight loss, total 16 lbs weight loss--Hey, 10% (actually, just barely under 11%)!! And I reached my original goal of 130! But now that I've achieved my ULTIMATE GOAL OF ALL TIME (at least the last 5 years), I shall turn around and gain it all back!!! MWAHAHAHA! Do I still get my $20 for losing 10% if I gain it back? :) HOLY CRAP I AM SO EXCITED!!

Cameron - 198.6 1 lb Weight loss Total 25.6 Lb weight Loss.

Kimi - 113 1 lb loss, total loss 12 lbs

Bryce- 198

Jason - 182.4 1 lb loss, total .8 loss

Meredith - 169.2 1.6 lb loss; 19.2 lb total loss I think I might be at 10%! Woohoo. (But yes, I know a lot of that was related to pregnancy)

Annette - 122.4 1 Lb weight loss. Total 6.8 Lb weight loss Hey, there are only 20 more days of the competition, Jana, I'll bet you'll do just fine weight wise. And if not, I certainly vote to give you your prize for the 10%. Way To GO! I'm so excited for you!

The Toddler Diet

So I decided to try something new. Yesterday I decided that I think my main problem is portion control, and while I was doing weight watchers, that is one of the main things you learn to control while on the program.

Anyway, yesterday while getting the boys their lunch, I decided to try a new "diet". What I'm going to do is basically eat exactly what the boys eat. The same foods at the same portions. I figured that I don't feed them as much as I feed myself, so that's gotta be some portion control for ya! So I started with their lunch, having 4 fish sticks with 1 Tbsp ketchup, 1/2 cup applesauce, and 1/2 cup mac-n-cheese. I tell you what, I was actually FULL after that!

So call me crazy, but we'll see where this goes! I'm thinking it might actually work. I think it's a little like weight watchers because I'll be eating smaller portions, I'll still get to eat what I want, and I'll be getting more fruits and veggies (because I always give the boys those, and rarely do I eat them myself!) But I won't have to get hung up on counting POINTS.

Yesssss.

I have had 3 different people tell me this week how great I'm looking! Wow!
Also, I'm more than halfway to my ultimate goal! I've lost 35 lbs, only 29 to go!


A couple quotes for everybody:

*Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.*
- Winston Churchill

*Never eat anything you can't lift.*
-Miss Piggy

I'll get my own now!
HEY! It's so generous of you to share your real secret! I need to catch up with you. That will be so awesome for me!! So I will now get my own Button Gear and add it to my Round Toit which I have been waiting for years to use. I could really use both! Hmmm, this will take a lot of cognitive thinking to use them together......
MoM

Results for this week

The results have been posted!

Click Here to see them now.

CL

Round Toit

So, I must admit that I am quite proud that i have now reached my goal weight! The sad part is, I now see that I can still do better. Since I know everyone is wondering, I thought I'd share my success story.

With diet and exercise you always hear them talked about together. I've never really done either one and when this challenge came about, I didn't even know where to start with either one. I had always thought that I'd just pull out my "round toit" sometime and the diet and exercise would just come naturally. Well, up until January 1, it never really worked. I was losing faith in my "round toit." Most people I talk to are in the same boat, they get excited and they decide to get a "round toit", but it just doesn't work out in the end.

Well, for the competition this year I sold my "round toit" on craigslist, and I upgraded to a "button gear" and that has made ALL THE DIFFERENCE! Now when it comes time to make a choice, I look down at my "button gear" and I remember why I'm doing this and what it's all about. I remember that I'm in this for the money, and my wife really wants a vacation to the beach - I kill two birds with one challenge doing this! Not only can we afford to go, but I'll look good doing it... I put my "button gear" on at just the right time.

Since I've had so much luck with it, and I've reached my goal, I now feel it's time to share my "button gear" with you! There is still one month to go, and this thing is far from over - so if you're relying on your "round toit" to get you to your goal, maybe it's time for an upgrade.

It worked for me!

CL

Week 9 Weigh-In

Dad - 151 I'm wasting away.

Mom - 190.5 3 lb weight loss. Total 19 lb weight loss. I am shocked! One more and it will be 20. Cameron, here I come!

Christine - 194.4 2.8 loss, total 12.2

Eric - 225.0 1 lb gain; 2.6lb total loss

Jana - 131 1.5 lb weight loss; total 14.5 lb weight loss Next week I'll probably hit 10% and my original goal weight of 130!!!

Cameron - 199.6 4 lb Weight loss Total 24.6 Lb weight Loss. Goal weight has been met! I had to work my tail off this week since Jana was threatening to overtake me.

Kimi - 113 1 lb loss, total loss 12 lbs

Bryce- 200 O loss this week

Jason - 182.4 1 lb loss, total .8 loss

Meredith - 170.8 0.4 lb gain; 17.6 lb total loss

Annette - 123.4 1.4 Lb weight loss. Total 5.8 Lb weight loss

My big news

Guess what??!! I am Down a true whole size! Maybe even more. Yesterday I put on my blue dress from Jana's wedding and my yellow one from Annette's and Eric's and they fit wonderfully! Even loose around the tummy! THAT'S the amazing part! Jen, I'm sure I can wear the dark red one from your wedding too! I even wore the blue one to church. Dad was visiting the ward so he was on the stand and smiled happily when he saw me come in. AAaaahhh, sweet weight loss! OH, AND on Saturday I had to pull out my smaller pants I had put out in the garage because my current ones were practically falling off. They fit very nicely and even a little loose so maybe a smaller size is quickly on it's way! Woohoo! I attribute the smaller leg and buttness to the machines I am doing at the gym. 11 of them! It's fun! Makes me feel buff. Good luck to everyone on the weigh-in tomorrow! Oh, and Dad brought me 2 dozen red roses because I have been working so hard. Isn't that so sweet?

Mix it up!

A lot of us are kinda stuck right now! Don't forget that it's totally normal for your weight loss to slow down after a while. The key is to not give up, and remember that just keeping the weight off is an accomplishment in itself.

My exercise tip of the day: Mix it up! The best way to keep your body in burning mode is to not continue doing the same exerise all the time. 3 weeks is the longest you want to keep doing the same thing. Doing slightly different things every day is a good idea too. Like, if you go for walks, go up a really steep hill one day, walk extra fast the next. Then after a couple weeks quit walking and start biking or something.

Also, make sure you're exercising at the optimum time of day. Different people have different opinions as to what time of day is best in general, but in my opinion the best time is the time that you can do the most. For me, for instance, even though I'm really tired from my day, I can get a much better workout in the evenings than the morning. Jason found that the best time for him was mid-morning, so he actually works his work schedule around that. So try out different times of day and see what works for you!

What's everyone doing for exercise right now anyway?