DONE and DONE

So, last day today. Is everyone starving themselves to get the last few ounces/pounds off their oh so skinny bodies? I know I am being very careful especially on this last day. Yikes, hope we are ready for this. Its been tough but good right? I think this is the first time I have EVER stuck to something for more than a month. Can't say I haven't cheated or skipped exercising throughout this a couple times but I'm pretty proud of myself (and Chris) for sticking to it and working hard.

Good luck to everyone on the weigh in! May we all stuff our faces full after tomorrow! Just kidding, this is supposed to be a lifestyle change people! Ha ha. Congrats to everyone making it to the end!

Where is Everyone?

Last post was Feb 10th????? Come on people!!! Lets get with the program. Biggest Loser is almost over!
Saw Chris at the play. Holy cow. Fllllaaattt tummy! He and Shanna look marvelous! Jeff is loooking relaly hot as well. Bob continues to silently pull ahead and pretend that he is indifferent.
Two more weeks you guys! We can do this!
Nay

Friendly Friends

Hey old pals, I am not a blogger, and must confess that this is only the second time I have come to this page to check things out--the first time being during the first week of the competition. I just wanted to offer a word of congratulations for all who are working so hard and for the progress you are making--this is hard work, and it stinks! However, it is quite gratifying to step on the scale and not have to listen to it whimper, and sigh with relief when I get off!

Beyond the initial plunge of 5 or 6 pounds in the first week, I have not been making the precipitous drop that I anticipated making, and have had a plateau or two to deal with but we are persevering and making progress, and that is the whole reason we are doing this in the first place, eh? As of this morning I am down about 15 pounds or so, and I need about 4 more to meet my 10% mark. My primary goal is to deprive the real biggest loser of my contribution, and to be able to tie my shoes without having to hold my breath! It sounds like we are all on our way to meeting our goals! Yeah us!

On those inevitable frustrating days and weeks, just remember the lesson of the tortoise and the hare--slow and steady wins the race. Flub ups and cheats are inevitable, but not the end of the world. just get back up on the horse and try try again (to mix a few metaphors). Keep up the good work friends, and fight the good fight. Remember--we are not simply trying to find a new low point from which to yo-yo back up. We are doing this as the beginning of making new lifestyle choices. There is no point to struggling through all of this if we are simply going to give in to the natural man and reinflate after the end of the competition. Slim on!

Finally!

I have officially hit 10 lbs as of today. I'm a slow, slow loser compared to some of you, but I am still here and I am losing, even if slowly. Actually, I guess I'm not really losing slowly, since 8 of those pounds have been in the last 12 days. I guess I've taken longer to gain momentum. And the best news of all - that *$%# plateau is history!

ALLLLMOST there

I am only a few pounds away from my ten percent mark. Hanging on by my teeth. Today I weighed 198.2.
I have not weighed in at that for over seven years!
Keep going
Keep going
Keep going

Nay

Yummy

So the weightloss plan is going A-Okay for the Purdies! This week so far has been our best one yet. I feel like eating right, even more than our exercise is the cause of us feeling so good and losing weight. Not to say exercise isn't important, it sure is. Jillian Michaels is showing us what is up!

So we have added a TON of veggies to our meals. They are so yummy! I found this recipe and loved it. Chris didn't like it so much, said it was too much like baby food ha ha. For those of you with a more "refined" taste, give it a shot!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

2 TBS of butter (you can totally cut this out)

1.5 stalks of celery chopped

1/2 yellow onion chopped

10-12 baby carrots chopped

4 small potatoes cubed

1 butternut squash--peeled seeded and cubed

32 ounces of chicken broth or stalk (low sodium works)

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Melt butter and cook the veggies for 5 mins, or until they are lightly brown. Pour enough stock/broth to cover the vegetables. Bring everything to a boil, cover and simmer on low for 40 mins or until all the veggies are tender. Transfer the mix to a blender and blend until smooth. Return to pot and add the remaining stock/broth until you get the desired consistancy. Add salt and pepper to taste.

I'm still here!

I have been MIA for a few days, but I have not been slacking off! I wasn't able to run my half marathon last weekend - but get this! NOT becuase of my running injury - because of a flat tire on the way to Wisconsin the night before! Is that ridiculous or what? At any rate, now I am resting and healing my running muscles and focusing on cycling and weight lifting for a week or two. I have found a half marathon in April I plan to do.

I have also spent the last week or so reevaluating my diet. I have decided the Weight Watchers thing - which has been my go-to diet for the last 10 years and not entirely successful except for the one time after I had Dani - is not working for me. I just cannot break this &*#$ plateau! So I researched diet plans and decided to go with something totally different from any diet I've done before. I started Atkins this week. No sugar and no carbs, except for veggies. The no-sugar is what is good for me -- on my very first day, I had a showdown with a brownie frosted with chocolate-chip cookie dough. Man, it was rough! But I found that "just say no" was a better strategy for me than my old Weight Watchers "I can have this if I account for the points and adjust the rest of my eating for the day" because inevitably, just a half of a brownie turns into 3 or 4 brownies! So, I'm sticking with this for the time being. I hear that after two weeks off sugar, the cravings go away. I sure hope so, because I spent about 2 hours fantasizing about Cadbury Creme Eggs today!