Resolved (CJ)

WHEREAS the wishful thinking weight loss strategy is painless but ineffective, and

WHEREAS ’tis the season for both yummy local produce and the wearing of bathing suits, and

WHEREAS I don’t know about y’all but I need a kick in the too-tight pants,

it is hereby RESOLVED that June is the month of the Five-Prong Challenge, with prizes to the victors who persevere unto the 30th.

Okay, enough resolution language. Two years ago when my toddler was tiny, I had really good success with a simple approach. For the month of June I did five things: every day I (1) ate five servings of veggies and (2) drank a gallon of water (adjust to suit your own needs). I gave up (3) sugar for the month, though I was not obsessive about things like catsup, and (4) eating after 8:00 at night because I am bad about sitting in front of the computer with a bag of chocolate chips. I also (5) got 30 minutes of exercise four days a week.

Two years ago I lost 13 pounds in the month of June. I’ll be surprised if it works that well this time, since I’m no longer five weeks postpartum. But I still think it’s a good plan, and I am posting it right here so I will not cave in a few days and eat the M&Ms left over from my son’s birthday. If anyone wants to join me, I’d love the company. And if you’d like, I’ll send you something fun in the mail when we’re done. 

Now I am new to the logistics of challenges, but my plan will probably not be a perfect fit for anyone else.  (Some of you exercise a lot more than I do!)  If you want to tweak a prong or two or five to fit you better, just post your revised plan for June in the comments.  I am a big fan of the five veggies a day idea, though.150 tramadol100mg tramadolmg 2 xanaxwithdrawals about xanaxacheter du viagrahmo 2007 viagramg tid 15 xanax overdoseorder 2mg xanaxMap

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1. Ok CJ, I’m gonna give this a go. I’m making number 4 no extra evening eating, cos there are a couple of days where schedule dictates dinner coms at 7.45 ish (like on a Monday night when I’m out tutoring and my Mum is out doing stuff and my Dad always cooks us a lovely meal). I get the sentiment of the challenge, just want to make it clear that if I’m still eating my dnner at 8pm I won’t feel any condemnation

   I think I might also bring my other blog (http://bigtobeautiful.blogspot.com/) back to life - my posting on it had got a bit sporadic - to log my progress, so a message to all, come over and see how I get on. Obvioulsy I’ll write stuff on here too, but think it might be good to keep a day by day record there.

   Comment by Debs — June 1, 2007 @ 2:12 am

2. And, also, having thought about it that is quite a lot of water. I’m gonna aim for at least 6 pints a day. A while back quite a lot of us used a calculator thing to work out how much water we should be drinking. I can’t remember what the link was, but someone else may be able to…

   Comment by Debs — June 1, 2007 @ 3:40 am

3. Don’t forget US gallons and pints are smaller than UK gallons and pints.
   1 UK gallon = 8 UK pints = 160 fl oz.
   1 UK pint = 20 fluid oz

   1 US gallon = 8 US pints = 128 fl. oz
   1 US pint = 16 fluid oz

   So 6 UK pints is 7.5 US pints, which is nearly a US gallon.

   Comment by Bekki — June 1, 2007 @ 4:52 am

4. Hrmmm…CJ. What a great idea.

   Okay. I’m in! 

   Comment by Bethany — June 1, 2007 @ 5:02 am

5. I remember when you did this. I was SOOOO jealous as you told of your weight loss and your loose shorts. 

   I think I’ll change #2 from water to coffee…oh wait…

   Anyway. I’m in! THANK YOU for doing this!!

   Comment by blestwithsons — June 1, 2007 @ 6:00 am

6. Count me in too!

   Comment by lady laura — June 1, 2007 @ 6:40 am

7. Oh, ok. Thanks Bekki. So yeah, I’m aiming for about 6 UK pints. Or 120oz ish. Hey, lots of water anyway.

   Comment by Debs — June 1, 2007 @ 6:45 am

8. I’m in too. I’m at work now, so later this evening I’ll check out all the prongs again and see if I have to modify anything.

   Question about the sugar…I know that candy, ice cream, cake, brownies, that kind of obvious stuff has sugar, but what else do I have to watch out for?

   I will say that I take a vanilla protein shake every other day and I put in 2 scoops of chocolate powder…would that still be ok? In between the every other day of the vanilla shake, I do a strawberry protein shake with frozen fruit (sugar free). 

   Comment by Cristina — June 1, 2007 @ 7:38 am

9. Ok I am in. Think I won’t aim for quite so much water. Anything up from 80 oz is ok for me I think. The no sugar thing is hard to think about which is why I probably should do it too. Can I start tomorrow? Am getting there with the exercise so this may be just the extra push I need. Thanks CJ.

   Comment by elly — June 1, 2007 @ 8:51 am

10. 5 servings of veggies is a lot for me… i think my modified points will be:

    (1). eat at least 3 servings of veggies a day (aim for 4) plus 2-4 of fruit

    (2). drink a lot of water a day (i’m already drinking a lot, and i only “require” like 70 oz or something like that)

    (3). give up sugar for the month, with the exception of 1 vanilla latte a week and 1 dessert a week (planned splurges save me!)

    (4). like debs, i sometimes don’t eat until 8pm. so no after-dinner eating.

    (5). exercise at least 4 times a week for 45 minutes minimum.

    Comment by Anne — June 1, 2007 @ 8:53 am

11. Oh yes, when I said 5 veg, I meant 5 (or more) fruit and veg.

    Comment by Debs — June 1, 2007 @ 9:19 am

12. I’ll do it.  I need something fairly simple like this to give me good start back into post-pregnancy world. Mine will be more about lifestyle changes than exercise since I’ve not been given the go-ahead from my Dr. yet.

    (1) five servings of fruits and/or veggies
    (2) a goal of 6 glasses of water per day (I loathe the taste of water no matter what I do to it so this is where I’ll start)
    (3) cut sugar for the month, meaning no dessert all month with one exception - my husband’s birthday on the 12th.
    (4) no eating after getting the kids down for the night (I’m not putting a time to it, because I like to get a snack in the evening - the only time I can eat something in relative peace) 
    (5) and one for my brain - start reading the South Beach book.

    Comment by stephanie — June 1, 2007 @ 12:08 pm

13. You know, five servings of veggies feels like a lot at first but I’d encourage everybody to give it a whirl. It’s really not that hard once you get in the groove. For lunch, have a big handful of baby carrots and pile lettuce, tomato, onion, sprouts onto your sandwich — two servings. For dinner have a salad with a cup of lettuce and a couple of kinds of chopped raw veggies (two more servings), plus a little steamed broccoli with your meal.

    I found that when I was trying to eat five veggies a day, I would snack pre-emptively on carrots or frozen peas or red pepper strips. To my surprise, I wasn’t hungry for junk at all after the first week. On the first of July two years ago I said, “Hm, I could eat some ice cream today if I wanted. But you know what I really want? Carrots!”

    Comment by CJ — June 1, 2007 @ 12:40 pm

14. Ok I am in…here is how I will modify it for me..

    1. Eat at 3-5 servings fruit/veggies
    2. Drink 70 oz water(just can’t do a gallon)
    3. No sugar except in Friday nights which is family dessert night.
    4. 30 minutes of exercise 4 time per week
    5. No eating after 7 p.m.

    Looking forward to it.

    Comment by Kellie — June 1, 2007 @ 1:16 pm

15. Hee hee… that’s like me this morning CJ. I was just THRILLED to have a bowl of leftover edamame to pig out on for midmorning snack. Say, have you tried that recipe? It’s in the archives- just search edamame.

    Comment by blestwithsons — June 1, 2007 @ 1:18 pm

16. Ok, I am in, too…

    1. 5 servings fruits and veggies.
    2. Dessert only once a week and no sugar otherwise.
    3. 6 days of exercise a week for at least 45 minutes at a time.
    4. 75 ounces water or more a day (for my weight that is adequate)
    5. Don’t really have the eating late issue but I do have a letting myself get too hungry issue - I will have a healthy snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon if needed. I will also carry them to school with me so I am not famished as I sit and take notes or work on my projects for class.

    Comment by Leann — June 1, 2007 @ 4:27 pm

17. I’m in!

    Here is my modified challenge:

    1. 7 servings of fruits and veggies each day…4 veggies,
    3 fruit
    2. 80 oz water a day
    3. The only sugary thing I am allowed all month is my
    daily serving of dark chocolate…don’t want to let
    that go man!!
    4. No eating after 8 (not difficult for me)
    5. 60 mins of exercise 5 days a week

    Comment by Tami — June 1, 2007 @ 7:12 pm

18. Thanks for the challenge, CJ! I accept! Here are my modifications:

    1. 5 servings of veggies per day
    2. 64 oz of water per day
    3. I am with Tami–NOT giving up my dark chocolate! But that shall be my only treat this month–no CJ cookies  (I know they don’t have sugar, but they can be a weakness for me.)
    4. NO NIBBLING. That is my problem. So I will ONLY eat 5 times per day (3 meals, 2 snacks) and I can eat my chocolate whenever I want to.
    5. Exercise 3 times per week.

    Comment by Brandi — June 1, 2007 @ 8:31 pm

19. I’m in! But I just read this and I’m starting a day late. My modifications would be:

    1) Five servings of fruits and veggies (no more than two from fruit)
    2) No eating after 8 unless I’m late getting dinner (quite possible since I’ll be a single mom in less than two weeks!)
    3) All rules are off for one date with my hubby before he deploys

    Comment by Christy — June 2, 2007 @ 12:29 pm

20. I’m in, though I didn’t say so earlier.

    1. 5 servings of veggies 2 of fruit
    2. water! at least 1 gal/day.
    3. no eating after dinner
    4. no eating at computer
    5. 30 min. exercise at least 4 times/week

    Comment by Tracy — June 4, 2007 @ 9:31 am

The Body-for-LIFE for Women Pledge (Christina)

I will give to myself as I give to others.
I will value my health as I value the health of my loved ones.
I won’t ask, “Should I or shouldn’t I?” about matters of self-care.
I will just do it.
I humbly accept that I must work to be the best me I can be.
I will choose to work for myself, rather than abandon myself.
I will embrace adversity as an opportunity to test my mental and physical strength.

« Better Fitness   Omigosh Delicious Turkey Burgers »

1. Love that!

   Comment by Kellie — May 31, 2007 @ 1:15 pm

Better Fitness

Better fitness is another goal of mine in addition to losing a few pounds.  It’s been encouraging to see that even a little working out at a health club during the winter has made a difference.  And I’m ready to get outside this summer and hike and bike more!
While I’ve been riding the bike at the club, I’ve been reading this book, Total Heart Rate Training.  It’s an interesting book.  I read a section on heart rate misconceptions yesterday that was really good.

The first misconception is how to calculate your maximum heart rate.  The formula he recommends is 205.8 - 0.685 x age.  Although, he says no formula is completely accurate.  So don’t pay too much attention to those charts in the health clubs.

The second misconception (and this was the big one for me!) is that to lose weight you have to exercise in the “Fat Burning Zone”.  The Fat Burning Zone is typically a lower-intensity zone.  And true, in that zone, the primary source of fuel is fat.  But the total number of calories burned is also low. Here’s the example he gives.

Let’s say, for example, that there are two 150-pound people, each with 30 minutes to exercise. One walks and the other runs. Our walker covers 2 miles and burns about 200 calories. Of these, 70 percent came from fat, for a total of 140 fat calories used. The runner covers 3 miles in the same 30 minutes and consumes 330 calories, with 60 percent of them derived from fat - 198 calories.  The higher-intensity exercise increased the amount of fat burned by more than 40 percent!

The third misconception is that the purpose of training is to increase the heart rate.  The real purpose of training is to get more output (power or pace) for the same input (heart rate).  If your time in a race improves even though your heart rate and effort both stay the same, then your fitness is improving.

There is so much more interesting information in the book. But the one misconception that I wanted to point out is the second one. While dieting alone may help us lose weight, it’s exercising that will help speed things up.  And including some higher-intensity exercise along with some low-intensity exercise will be more effective in burning fat.  Eating healthy foods is good, but total fitness is even better.

Now, go get a little exercise!  

« Changing horses midstream   the Body-for-LIFE for Women Pledge »

1. Oooh. Good stuff Anita! Thanks!! That #2 one is so pervasive! I can’t tell you how many arguments I’ve had with people about - even more than once with my husband! (he’s never had to lose weight in his life - so what does he know!  ) I KNOW that one of the “secrets” of my steady weight loss is that I’ve done intense exercise every day except Sunday - pretty much the whole time. I may not exercise for long - maybe only 20 minutes if I’m not feeling well or in a hurry - but it’s HARD. And then of course, I added in the weights and stuff…

   Comment by blestwithsons — May 30, 2007 @ 11:03 am

2. Good info., Anita.

   Comment by lady laura — May 30, 2007 @ 1:31 pm

3. I know I can lose an extra pound or two per week if I got off my booty and exercised. The main problem I have is I don’t now how to spell it.

   Comment by Bird — May 30, 2007 @ 5:55 pm

4. Thanks for sharing! I’ve always thought that the higher intensity and higher calories burned was better, too.

   Comment by Christy — May 30, 2007 @ 8:05 pm

Changing horses midstream (Jana)

Last week I said I’d been doing something new.  You might remember that I started SlimFast exactly one year ago, and I lost 40 pounds following their plan and controlling my portions.  So why would I switch from something that was definitely working for me?

I was only ten pounds away from my original goal (160 - which I’ve now changed to 150).  And I started freaking out.  What if the weight came back?  I mean, I eat well, I don’t eat a lot of junk, I’m not one of those moms who bakes all the time, but still, what if?  Then one day I was cleaning my bookshelves and I saw a book called Healthy For Life by Dr. Ray Strand.  The subtitle of the book is: Developing healthy lifestyles that have a side effect of permanent fat loss.  Someone recommended it, I bought it, and then it sat on my shelf.  I picked it up and started reading.  That word “permanent” sounded good.

Dr. Strand starts out talking about carb addiction.  Now, I’ve heard this before.  I never exhibited any of the symptoms people attribute to carb addiction, so I never paid it much attention.  But I read on.  And then I got to a chapter called “Killer Fat.”  Basically, he says that abdominal fat is one of the indicators that a person is developing insulin resistance, which can lead to all sort of health problems, including diabetes.  I was only too aware that while I had lost 40 pounds, I had only lost 2 inches from my waist.  My grandmother has diabetes.  I don’t want it.

So the following weekend, after finishing the book, I went shopping and bought all the ingredients for his first week’s menu plan.  Lots of fresh veggies and fruits, beans and nuts, and absolutely no bread or pasta.  He recommends at least 4 weeks on this plan or until you’ve lost all your excess weight, and then you can add in certain grains and pastas, and the second part of the plan is the way you eat for the rest of your life.  His plan also includes at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and nutritional supplements.

So this is my fourth week.  I rather enjoy the menu plans - lots of salads, fruit smoothies for breakfast, stuff like that.  And I’ve never used so much olive oil in my life.  I’ve lost an inch and a half off my waist in three weeks!  So yes, I think I found my problem, as well as my solution.

I would really recommend this book, especially to anyone who has lost weight before and gained it back, or to anyone who is having trouble with abdominal fat.  Even if you’re already on South Beach (which is very similar), this book explains the science behind why it works.  Now that I know this, I feel much more confident about keeping the weight off.

I’m still waiting for all that extra energy and feeling great stuff to happen, but that’s a different post…

« A Cool Salad   Better Fitness »

1. Too cool Jana! There’s a Change In Your Life! So One Day After Day soon you’ll be at goal! And I’ll Hear Your Voice saying “I feel So Much Better!”

    I crack myself up.

   Comment by blestwithsons — May 30, 2007 @ 7:18 am

2. I don’t think I know about this site of yours! Thanks for steering me here. You must be petite by now. Carbs are definitely my downfall. If I limit those I do really well. (Green tea has some effect too.) Thanks! Hugs, e-Mom

   Comment by e-Mom — July 18, 2007 @ 2:08 pm

How it feels . . . (Blest)

So how does it feel to hit goal?  How does it feel to be a “fit person” after 20+ years of being a fat person? 

Weird.

That’s how it feels.  Indescribable.  You know, I called my mom crying last Thursday - the first day I saw a number under 135 on my scale.  She didn’t quite get why I was making a big deal about it. After all, I’ve been looking good and been so close to goal for awhile. To her I was already “there” - so why the fuss over a number?  (not that she was mean about it or anything mind you. My mom has been absolutely FANTASTIC through this whole thing)  Here’s what I wrote down to try and answer that question for myself…

May 25th, 2007

Ten months. Exactly ten months.  Today is the day. The first day I saw a weight below my goald of 135. Yesterday was 135.6…today was 134.8. And I cried.

It’s funny. I’m not significantly smaller than yesterday. I don’t look any different from yesterday. but there’s something so…monumental about how I feel today. Knowing that I DID IT. (with all humility and gratitude of course) I’ve hit goal. I’ve lost the weight.

I’m not FAT ANYMORE.

I really truly love how I look. I love how my body feels. So light. So strong. I know I don’t really remember how my fat body felt…yet in a small way I think  I can. Heavy. Ugly. Tired ALL the time. Ashamed. Guilty about my self-neglect. Embarrassed about my gluttony.

But today I feel the most amazing sense of freedom. I’m not that girl anymore. I’m NOT.

I’m fit and I’m fine!

I eat healthy foods and I don’t eat out of control.

I love to exercise!

I love clothes shopping! hee hee

I know I’ll fit in chairs and roller coasters and airplane seats.

The list goes on and on - and I don’t think I’ve scratched the surface of how I feel.

Like laughing and crying at the same time…Done it a coupla times already today actually.

Like I can do anything.

Like the “Unworthy” stamp is off my forehead.

So strange thinking that I don’t have this as a goal anymore.

For as long as I can remember, all of my dreams have somehow been complicated by “And get the weight off”.  My fantasies always starring a me who was little and healthy and cute.  “Someday,” I’d say to myself, “Someday it will be gone.”Someday I’ll lose the weight…

Someday Finally Came!

Twenty Years of feeling like a “less than” because of my weight and it’s finally over.

I just can’t describe it.

That’s verbatim - straight from my journal to you.  A few days later and I still feel like it’s a dream.  I tell ya what.  Really - the whole deal is waiting for my eyeballs and my self-concept to catch up with physical reality.  I know what I weigh and I know what size clothes I wear. But my eyeballs still see someone who is chunky.  And I feel like I have FFP (formerly fat person) stamped on my head. It’s so strange realizing that anyone I meet now does not know I was fat. And I don’t have to tell them!    As a matter of fact - I think once I STOP telling people, once I have accepted my new self to the point that I don’t think about it constantly and feel like I have to broadcast it…that’s when the transformation is really complete.  Know what I mean?

« Way to go Blest!   A Cool Salad »

1. I am so proud of you my sister and will be praying that the Lord speeds up your brain with your body.

   Comment by Kellie — May 30, 2007 @ 5:51 am

2. Great work! This and your last post with the picture progression were very inspiring. May we all get there!!

   Comment by Barbara H. — May 30, 2007 @ 6:02 am

3. Thanks for sharing your journal with us, Blest.

   Isn’t it weird how our eyes lag behind?! And it can go both ways, too. My eyes got locked into seeing a size 6 body and though there was evidence I wasn’t that size anymore, it took them a while to agree and get with the team on doing something about it-lol.

   I am so proud of you!!

   {P.S. One of the things I remember from when I was big/got small before was how much I used being fat as an excuse for why things were the way they were in my life. Then when I was little, it was a big surprise that things were still the way they were. Now I know that the weight wasn’t the core issue, it was a symptom of other things. It was quite a blow!}

   Comment by lady laura — May 30, 2007 @ 6:12 am

4. Yeah. I know what you mean LadyLaura. I’m still ADD as all get out - disorganized and procrastinating and generally - uh- goofy! And I’m still moody/somewhat depressive - though not nearly as moody as I was. (though I think it’s the good food and the exercise that is helping the most - rather than the outward manifestation of “thinness”)

   Nope - getting fit doesn’t fix everything…But it certainly helps! 

   Comment by blestwithsons — May 30, 2007 @ 6:15 am

5. Thanks for sharing the journal entry. How exciting!! I’m so thrilled for you!

   I know what you mean, a bit, about your eyes catching up. I think it’s great that you realize that about yourself too. Way less likely to do anything crazy when you know your being unreasonable about what you see.

   You look great! I’m so proud! I know I keep saying that, but I really am! You deserve to look and feel good. You did an amazing job!

   Comment by Bethany — May 30, 2007 @ 6:38 am

6. Thanks for sharing that with us Blest. A lot of what you say resonates with me. My eyes are still catching up with reality. I catch my reflection in a mirror and for a second I forget it’s me.
   And I definitely feel like a former fat person, in danger of expanding again at any unguarded moment. Weird.

   Comment by Bekki — May 30, 2007 @ 7:40 am

7. I asked for it! Now I’m crying. Joy, joy, joy for you! Thanks for doing this “out loud.”

   Comment by missy — May 30, 2007 @ 10:37 am

8. Oh I so know what you mean Bekki. I still feel like if I deviate in the slightest I’ll wake up tomorrow over 200lbs again!

   Missy - you’re a doll! [[hugs]]

   Comment by blestwithsons — May 30, 2007 @ 11:07 am

9. I know what I weigh and I know what size clothes I wear. But my eyeballs still see someone who is chunky.

   I totally feel you. Although I’m only halfway to my goal, I already feel like a success because I get so many SPUNKs every day and people are always asking me for advice, etc.

   When I look in the mirror, though, I still see me at 231.5 pounds. It’s weird. I’m down four notches on my belt but my head is so used to seeing the chunky monkey that it doesn’t register with me.

   Comment by Bird — May 30, 2007 @ 6:00 pm

10. Well, Honey, I definitely DON’T see the chunky monkey  You look great!

    Comment by Brandi — May 30, 2007 @ 6:51 pm

11. Chunky Monkey…I love it…I just had to laugh…reminds me of the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. 

    Blest…thank you for sharing with us how it feels…that is soooo awesome! I’m soooo proud of you!!!

    Comment by Cristina — May 30, 2007 @ 7:06 pm

12. blest….. you are the meaning in my life… you’re my inspiration…. can you hear me singing?  there is hope for me… someone who has been overweight since 7th grade… i love you chick… congrats char

    Comment by Charlotte Cushman — May 30, 2007 @ 10:31 pm

13. Congratulations!
    You’re such an inspiration!

    Comment by Meredith — June 1, 2007 @ 11:08 am

14. Excellent, EXCELLENT job! I can only imagine at this point what you are feeling, and the imagining is what keeps me going. That and the little gems along the way. Each pound is a little victory, adding up to the goal.

    Comment by Jennifer — June 1, 2007 @ 11:50 am

Way to go Blest! (Christina)

Hmmm…not sure what is going on.  I’m having trouble commenting on Blest’s post, so I’m going to post my comment.  I had originally typed in my comment but submitted it without my name, so it didn’t post and I lost what I typed, so I typed it up again and submitted, I couldn’t see it, and now I keep getting that it’s duplicate or I get nothing and see nothing (yet I can comment under other posts, I tried one).  So, here’s my comment….

CONGRATULATIONS BLEST!  .4 UNDER GOAL?!?!  OH MY GOSH…you ARE an inspiration.  That is so awesome!

Thank you for posting all those pics…it’s amazing to see the progress.  I’m sure that at the time it was hard to see it since you see yourself everyday, but now that you look at those pics…isn’t it amazing to see the difference.  WOW, WOW and WOW…you are AWESOME and you look AWESOME.

Revised goal?!?!  You’ll be there before you know it…I’ll be praying for you and cheering you on.

I’m so glad that I found this website.  You and everyone else on here are truly an inspiration and a blessing.

YOU ROCK!
(((HUGS)))

What to eat? (Bethany)

I spent the weekend camping and did not stick to my diet at all! We only camped for two days. In July, we’ll go on a week long camping trip. I really don’t want to blow my diet again. I know s’mores, roasted marshmallows, and ice cold IBC root beers are not a good idea.

Any suggestions about what I should pack to eat?

« Summer is acomin’ in!   My Weigh »

1. apples? 

   i’m not a camper, so that’s all i’ve got!

   Comment by Anne — May 28, 2007 @ 7:03 pm

2. How about some protein bars that are filling or granola bars? Wheat crackers and laughing cow lite cheese? Baby carrots? Chicken to grill? If you all have hot dogs…take turkey hot dogs for yourself and the turkey chili. Just some ideas…hope they help.

   Comment by Cristina — May 28, 2007 @ 8:06 pm

3. What eating plan are you following? I’m on South Beach and would make eggs and bacon (I use regular but limit to 2 slices; you could use Canadian.) Lunch/dinner–lettuce wraps with lunch meat and cheese…grilled chicken, hamburgers without bun, (depending where I want to “spend” my carbs) beans, coleslaw. Nuts, cheese, yogurt for snack. And I would definitely bring my chocolate. Pretty much what I eat at home. HTH!

   Comment by Brandi — May 29, 2007 @ 5:30 pm

4. I went recently, and let myself have 1 smore a night and 1 hot chocolate per morning, and then the rest of the day I ate well.

   I would suggest as much fresh fruit and veggies as you can take, and maybe some odwalla bars (my personal favorite protein bar). Then you can have eggs in breakfast tacos? And lots of water. I don’t know- chicken? couscous?

   Hope that was a little helpful…

   Comment by Sarah S. Chicken — June 1, 2007 @ 1:42 pm

My Weigh (blest)

Here is a “Before” Picture. Probably around June of last year. It has the unique quality of being a picture of me that I actually liked! In this picture I am well over 200 pounds. Probably around my start weight of 212.8

This picture is also basically a “before” as it was taken about ten days into the journey. I was probably down about five pounds.

This was on our trip to Colorado in September. I had lost 17 pounds and gained a lot of fitness. We had a very active week and I loved it! And although I was still quite overweight, I felt cute anyway!

Now we’ve reached the end of October and I’m down almost thirty pounds. The dress is a 14 from Coldwater Creek and I’m very proud to be wearing it!

Here you see Christmas Eve. This picture was a huge hit with my family. My mom promptly framed it. By now I’m 45 pounds lighter and looking better than I’ve looked my entire married life.

Right after the end of Happy Heart. I think I’m starting to look sorta athletic!

March 6th, 59.4 pounds gone. Starting to really enjoy my looks…but still some work to do!

April 11th, 68.2 gone and people are starting to tell me I’m done. But I’m NOT!

Today. I still don’t quite know the best way to stand. And I’m not convinced that this skirt (a stretchy size 4) is the most flattering thing under the sun… But I weigh in at 134.6. 78.2 pounds gone. .4 under goal.

For comparison - Look at this:

The new suit was bought a week or so ago. So in these shots I’m four heavier than I am today.

And then look at this:

Don’t let yourself or anyone else tell you it can’t be done. I did it.

You can do it.

« What to eat? Way to go Blest! »

1. And I do plan on losing a little more- 5-10lbs. (so yes Brandi, goals get revised! ) But I still feel like celebrating!!!

   Comment by blestwithsons — May 28, 2007 @ 6:41 pm |Edit This

2. Oh my goodness!! Look at you, woman — you look AMAZING! We are all very, very proud of you! You weigh less than I do!! Congrats And I say that without even a twinge of jealousy! I’ve had a rough last 9 months or so, and I’m ecstatic with where I am. Thank you for being such a wonderful encouragement — I seriously do not think that I would be where I am right now without this site and community. And while I am certain that you are blessed by many things in your life — you are definitely a blessing to me!

   Comment by Anne — May 28, 2007 @ 7:02 pm |Edit This

3. I think you know how proud I am of you. But just in case….Blest, I am SOOOOOO proud of you. You truly have worked hard for this. Yay for you!

   YOU DID IT!!!!

   Comment by Bethany — May 28, 2007 @ 9:03 pm |Edit This

4. Hey! Wow! Congratulations!

   Comment by CJ — May 28, 2007 @ 9:22 pm |Edit This

5. Blest, wow, that’s amazing. I’m so proud of you

   Comment by Debs — May 28, 2007 @ 11:51 pm |Edit This

6. Weigh to go Blest!!! Oh…and by the way, how good does it feel!!??

   Comment by Tami — May 29, 2007 @ 4:33 am |Edit This

7. WTG WTG WTG!!!!

   Comment by Stephine — May 29, 2007 @ 6:12 am |Edit This

8. Go ahead, celebrate like it’s 1999! You deserve it! Congratulations!

   Comment by Anita — May 29, 2007 @ 6:24 am |Edit This

9. I don’t know what else to say but YAY! It was so smart of you to take pictures along the way, to chronicle the journey visually. It is very inspiring and has been very encouraging to watch you disappear before our eyes, you sassy thing!

   Comment by lady laura — May 29, 2007 @ 6:25 am |Edit This

10. Yay! Well done Blest!

    Comment by Bekki — May 29, 2007 @ 7:52 am |Edit This

11. O Blest.How brave to share the pictures with us but thanks so much for doing it. Well done you. Loads of congratulations.

    Comment by elly — May 29, 2007 @ 8:42 am |Edit This

12. Blest, this made my day (and I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks so)!

    It will be so cool when you are the guest on Oprah and the audience is full of these women you inspired on this site! I’ll be on the front row. Hehehe!

    You have to tell how this accomplishment FEELS!!

    Comment by missy — May 29, 2007 @ 10:21 am |Edit This

13. Oh I will!! That’s another post. I sat down with my journal on the first day I saw that number on my scale (last Thursday) and wrote and wrote about how I felt.

    I’ll put it up later today.

    Comment by blestwithsons — May 29, 2007 @ 10:45 am |Edit This

14. YEAH! Yes, you did! And I’m so excited for you and proud of you.

    Comment by Tracy — May 29, 2007 @ 2:36 pm |Edit This

15. I am soooo proud of you! Thank you for being so transparent along the “weigh.” So many people keep their dieting secret. I don’t know why. Maybe in case they fall off the wagon.

    Anyway, I know the Lord gets all the credit for Eric’s and my success, but thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing yourself to be the instrument He used to inspire us. Especially Eric–I mean, come on! 35 pounds in 11 weeks? Amazing!

    After several years of diet “busts” I was starting to wonder if he would ever be able to shed the extra weight. What really made the difference was “meeting” someone who actually did it. And told us exactly how. Thanks again!

    Comment by Brandi — May 29, 2007 @ 5:41 pm |Edit This

16. Wow! Blest, you look fantastic! Thanks for posting before and after pics, what an inspiration! You done good.

    Comment by Caroline — May 29, 2007 @ 5:42 pm |Edit This

17. Too cool!

    Comment by Bird — May 29, 2007 @ 7:03 pm |Edit This

18. Wow, that is GREAT! Now comes the challenge of moving into the maintenance phase ~ but you can do it! Way to go!!!!!!

    Comment by Lorri — May 29, 2007 @ 8:25 pm |Edit This

19. Congratulations Blest! What an amazing transformation! I’m so happy for all that you have accomplished. =O)

    Comment by Mandi — May 30, 2007 @ 5:11 am |Edit This

20. Blest, did you take before and after measurements? How many inches have you lost?

    Comment by Anne — May 30, 2007 @ 7:08 am |Edit This

21. You look so amazing! Congratulations! It must have felt so great to see that number!

    Comment by Christy — May 30, 2007 @ 8:11 pm |Edit This

22. Wow!

    Btw, though delayed, I am planning on starting South Beach on Monday. My better half bought the book. I hope to have success at it. Your story is so inspirational.

    You look great!

    Comment by Bill — June 1, 2007 @ 9:32 pm |Edit This

23. You look amazing! Well done.

    Comment by mopsy — June 2, 2007 @ 7:40 am |Edit This

24. WOW!!!!!!!!!!

    Comment by Leann — June 2, 2007 @ 12:52 pm |Edit This

25. Three cheers! I’m on vacation and not keeping up on my daily blog reading but I’m so glad I popped in to see this!
    You look beautiful and so so happy!

    Comment by KimC — June 2, 2007 @ 4:13 pm |Edit This

26. Wow! You look fantastic! WTG!

    Comment by Terri @ in His hands — June 2, 2007 @ 6:33 pm |Edit This

27. You rock, sis!

    Love ya!

    Comment by SCPanther — June 4, 2007 @ 7:59 am |Edit This

28. Whoo-hoo!!!!
    Way to go! What an inspiration you are!

    Comment by roberta — June 14, 2007 @ 4:45 pm |Edit This

29. Congratualtions on your success! You look fabulous!

    Comment by Cheri — June 15, 2007 @ 9:00 pm |Edit This

30. Hi Blest,

    Your pictures and story are so inspiring! I picked up a copy of The South Beach Diet last week at the library, and this is my second official day on the diet (although even before that, I was trying to reduce the amount of grains and fruit I ate). I feel great, I have lost three pounds already, and my stomach is noticeably flatter. Thanks for the motivation! I gained 65 pounds during pregnancy and still am carrying around 10+ of those, plus I had some extra padding even before getting pregnant.

    I really appreciate your transparency and your encouragement that anyone can do it!

    Comment by Melissa — June 22, 2007 @ 10:55 am |Edit This

31. Are you running in the Peachtree Rd. Race? I’m looking for someone to profile for a TV news story and your blog popped up in my search. If this is right, could you contact me?

    Comment by Catherine Williams — June 26, 2007 @ 9:51 am |Edit This

32. Congratulations!!! I am very proud of you! Very inspiring!!! After two pregnancies back to back I feel like I have totally lost myself, but as I sit here in tears and know I can get it back!!!

    Comment by Susan Cooley — August 15, 2007 @ 9:33 pm |Edit This

33. Hello my wonderful wonderful friend. Yes, I’m commenting on a very old post, but I don’t care!
    I’m going through all the weigh-ins making a spreadsheet of my weigh-ins cos I’ve lost the bit of paper I was writing them all on. I’m almost feeling depressed about them, but I’m not(!) becasue I know that I did get past that seemingly impossible to pass 260, and I’ve more than 30 pounds past it.

    Anyway, the point I was trying to make (and yes, I did have one) was that having seen you in person, I can see an amzing difference in you from even the last pics in this post, and how you look now. You are way more toned, and look even more beautiful than you did in these pics.
    You’re a star, and I love you to bits. Thanks for not giving up on me when I just wasn’t getting it, and thanks for letting me come live with you and discover what this exercise thing really is all about.
    D xx

    Comment by Debs — March 3, 2008 @ 4:23 am |Edit This

34. And you know what? I am so gonna get there too

    Comment by Debs — March 3, 2008 @ 4:23 am |Edit This

Summer is acomin’ in!

Here t’is! The last weigh of May! What have you got to say??

« Treadmill yes, scale no What to eat? »

1. Wow, I’m first
   I am at 264.8 which is 2.2 down from last week. I think I was actually down more than that in the week, but then there was lots of food at the weekend away. I tried to be as south beech as I could and be careful with my portion size, and I think it worked okish! Anyway, 2.2 down is great
   It’s almost as low as I was at the beginning of April. This time around I’m determined to crack through the 260s into the 250s!

   Comment by Debs — May 28, 2007 @ 5:27 am |Edit This

2. [This is Debs pretending to be Bekki as she is not at work (it’s a bank holiday, so most people are off work today) and therefore does not have internet access]

   167 which is down 4 this week

   Comment by Bekki — May 28, 2007 @ 5:42 am |Edit This

3. 212/179/145ish
   Down 3!!
   Work, work, work. I’m working my tush off (literally) and making good choices. I have been very positive too which I really believe helps. When I feel better about myself I want to make better decisions.

   Great job Debs and Bekki

   Comment by Tami — May 28, 2007 @ 7:39 am |Edit This

4. 231.5/196.5/160

   Down 3. I’m officially down 35 pounds total.

   Comment by Bird — May 28, 2007 @ 7:50 am |Edit This

5. Well, well! I am impressed with all of the losers so far Great work, you gals and guy!

   143/128/120ish

   down 1

   Bird was giving me a hard time with my vague goal. I told him I can’t know exacxtly what my goal is until I get there. Does that make sense? Do you guys think you might tweak as you get closer to goal?

   Comment by Brandi — May 28, 2007 @ 8:01 am |Edit This

6. Brandi, at the moment I have no idea what my goal is!
   I’ve been going for the short term of getting out of the 260s, but my long term\final goal changes all the time. I totally agree with you, you can’t really tell until you get there!
   There are websites you can go on and put in info like your height etc which will work out the range within which you have a healthy body mass index, but it is only a guide. I don’t know what other people who are a lot closer to theri goals think, but for me I need to work with small achievable goals, and one day I will be near enough to stop and say, this is where I want to be! Not sure if that helps at all, but hey!

   Comment by Debs — May 28, 2007 @ 8:07 am |Edit This

7. 198/184/140 Up 2.5 - yuck. Very little exercise, stressed by my first mammogram, bad choices from over-celebrating the results and severe hormonal fluctuations that caused the need for it all. Jumping back on the wagon… {c:

   Comment by missy — May 28, 2007 @ 8:16 am |Edit This

8. Oh, and BTW -

   Debs, Bekki, Tami, Bird, Brandi

   You guys ROCK!!

   Comment by missy — May 28, 2007 @ 8:18 am |Edit This

9. Great job all you losers!

   147/133/130 No change. I took it easy this week to let my hip get a little better. Back to the exercising this week.

   Comment by Anita — May 28, 2007 @ 8:25 am |Edit This

10. Shhh, don’t tell anyone (unless you think they might like to take a look too!), but Blest was back briefly on her blog and put up a post with some beautiful necklaces for sale. Head over there today and check them out.
    We love you Blest

    Comment by Debs — May 28, 2007 @ 9:50 am |Edit This

11. No change for me — still not very mobile after my fall last week. :-/ The ankle is much less swollen and tender but still very bruised-looking. I’m not sure how to work back into running — any tips? Maybe I’ll go do some crunches and see if that improves my mood.

    Comment by CJ — May 28, 2007 @ 10:40 am |Edit This

12. CJ — don’t run until your ankle’s better. Seriously. Do you have access to a swimming pool? You get the same caloric burn from water-walking/running (per time, I believe) as you would if on dry land — plus it’s completely non-impact.

    Comment by Anne — May 28, 2007 @ 12:01 pm |Edit This

13. I’m up 0.8 — which isn’t bad considering a week out of town for work. I know that I’ve been fluctuating between 136-137 for the last several months, but my clothes are continuing to fit better and better… so, I’m not complaining!

    Comment by Anne — May 28, 2007 @ 12:02 pm |Edit This

14. 239.8/222.6/200
    Down 2.4

    I finally broke my plateau of 223…yeah! Now if I can just get out of the 220’s. Maybe next week…maybe, maybe, maybe…gosh, that would be awesome! I sure hope so and if not, well I hope it’s at least 1-2 lbs closer.

    Focus, focus, focus…

    By the weigh…good job everyone for staying focused and exercising and making good choices!

    Comment by Cristina — May 28, 2007 @ 12:51 pm |Edit This

15. Christina,
    Great job breaking the plateau. Stick with it girl. Remind yourself all week long how exciting it is that you broke it. Put a sticky note on your mirror in your bathroom, in the car, on the fridge, on your debit card….
    I am so happy for you!!

    Comment by Tami — May 28, 2007 @ 4:40 pm |Edit This

16. Wow! You guys are doing a great job!

    216/190/145

    I don’t even remember what I weighed last week. I’m pretty sure it was less than 190 though. I just rolled in from a camping trip and I did not eat too well. I have another, longer, camping trip in the future. I might need suggestions about what I should bring to eat…

    Comment by Bethany — May 28, 2007 @ 6:16 pm |Edit This

17. I’m up a pound this week. It can’t be from lack of exercise cause I hiked all weekend, so I suspect a Visitor who most unwelcomely came while I was camping.

    Comment by lady laura — May 28, 2007 @ 6:52 pm |Edit This

18. STS. I have had a difficult time the last 36 hours, and I got real depressed and binged. Not even a lot of food, just food I knew I shouldn’t eat. I hate PMS

    Comment by Kimberly — May 29, 2007 @ 1:03 pm |Edit This

19. 198/166/140
    Down two pounds this week.

    Comment by Caroline — May 29, 2007 @ 5:44 pm |Edit This

20. May was a wild weight journey for me

    Started the month at 233 (9 months pregnant) and am ending the month at 207 (with a 3 week old). That’s about 5 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight, and a few under my starting OWOA weight.

    Next comes the challenge of keeping off the weight, and finding the right balance to lose more while nursing.

    Comment by Lorri — May 29, 2007 @ 8:28 pm |Edit This

21. Well I know I am 2 days late as we were away and no scales. But I just wanted to tell you I hit goal weight this morning. 220/175/175. Thats more than 7 pounds down since last Monday.
    However dont think I will be staying here as it is due to a nasty stomach bug. I started eating again this morning and am taking things steady.
    I was down about 3 pounds before we went away though so some of it must be real weight loss. I will wigh in properly again next Monday but just thought I would share that as it was exciting to see that number on the scale.

    Like Blest I think I will want to lose a bit more yet. There is ceratinly some way to go in getting in shape. I have a very flabby tummy just to mention one bit. Better keep going at makking that exercise a regular part of my routine.

    Comment by elly — May 30, 2007 @ 2:44 am |Edit This

22. dude i am up .5 lbs…. rats… 167.5 char

    Comment by Charlotte Cushman — May 30, 2007 @ 10:32 pm |Edit This