Week 5 Challenge

At the end of this weeks challenge we are going to add up your TOTAL POINTS and whoever has the most by next Wednesday at 11:59pm MST wins the first prize (provided by me). I will then be asking for volunteers to be in charge of the weekly challenges, and they will be the ones providing the incentive/prize on a weekly basis for the remainder of the competition. That way, some of you will be able to come up with challenges that fit your preference and lifestyle. Got it? The only catch for this first winner is that they have to be in charge of week 6 challenge. Ok? (Just in case I don't get any volunteers right away). So, feel free to email me if you'd like to be a Weekly Challenge Host and we'll schedule you for one of the 7 remaining weeks. And GOOD LUCK!


WEEK 5 CHALLENGE

Pretty simple:
For every 30 minutes of exercise you log from 11-26 to 11-2, you get 1 point. Ready, set, go!

Also, all the past weekly challenges apply for this week, you can do them again, or for the first time to get the points. Just remember to comment on  the W5C post and specify which points you have TOTAL and why. The points should be racking up at this point! Get the point?

Grilled Chicken Salad

I love Cafe Rio salads, but they can be too large and take a day's worth of calories by themself. Here is what I do sometimes when I have that Cafe Rio craving:

1 whole wheat flour tortilla (these can be easily made with ground whole wheat, you can also make it whatever size you like, but try to stay reasonable)

Black beans (or pinto beans if you prefer)
Steamed rice
Romaine lettuce
Grilled chicken breast (approx. 4 oz)
Diced tomatoes
Slight sprinkle of cheddar or parmesan cheese

I really love the Cafe Rio house dressing, but again, the calories are enormous. If you have to have dressing in order to eat a salad, have it on the side and dip your fork in the dressing. That way, you still get the taste, but actually use very little, so the calories don't add up too quickly.

I know it's not exactly the same, but it is still tasty for significantly less cost and calories.

Enjoy,

Daryl

Some recipes in the last week or so:

You can't always avoid "the can" while eating whole foods. When purchasing canned items like beans or meat, make sure there are minimal additives (or none) like salt, oil, sugar, etc... Also, for clarification, eating whole foods does not mean they have to be eaten raw. It means YOU do the cooking. This puts you in charge of Quality Control.

Not all of these are 100% whole...

Tuna Salad
Greens (dark green mix, spinach, etc.)
White albacore tuna
Black beans
Chopped tomatoes & green onions
Sliced avocados
Mandarin oranges
Dressing of choice

Cauliflower Soup


Good Morning Sunshine Smoothie
1 mango
2 carrots
1-2 slices pineapple
1 cup berries
1-2 cups greens (kale or spinach)
3 oz. frozen concentrate 100% juice
1 TB agave nectar
1 cup water
1-2 cups ice


Winter Squash Soup


Chicken Salad


Orangy Smoothie
1 orange
2 carrots
1 banana
frozen peaches
flax meal
orange juice concentrate
1 cup water
1 cup ice


Curried lentil & spinach soup


Lunch!
Eggs or Whole grain bread grilled cheese topped (or stuffed) with:
tomatoes
avocados
turkey breast
sprouts
spinach
red onions
possibilities are endless...


Tortilla Soup (add some beans!)

Hot Breakfast Oats
cooked steel-cut oatmeal or 9-grain mix
handful toasted nuts and milled flaxseed
soy milk and a glob of yogurt
frozen berries
1 Tb agave nectar

HI

Just wanted to write a little about myself, I know this is late. But I am doing this competition just to get back to my previous size. The first year of marriage has been good to me. Glad to see all of you are excited and doing so much good. Exercise is alot of fun. I will admit that it is hard to keep up on things with the Holidays though. Again glad to be apart. Your friend Bryce P.

Weigh-In Time! & Weekly Challenge totals...

BRBL’s, we are approaching our fourth week in the competition. This means next Wednesday is our 2^nd official weigh-in at my house. (If you are going out of town for Thx, come weigh-in on Tuesday or when you can.) So far, all of you have lost weight and are doing really well! Aren’t you proud? I personally did horrible this week; I ate twice as much and still felt starving! Grrr… I hope you all did better than me!

Please send me your weigh-in number today, along with your point total from the weekly challenges. We’ll be changing the challenges around a little bit starting week 5 for better motivation to participate. This means I’ll be looking for the point leader at the end of this week for the first official prize! If you don’t send me your points, you aren’t eligible for the prize…

 

Week 4 Challenge: It all starts with what you put in that cart!

This week’s challenge has to do with the choices you make AT THE GROCERY STORE, and before you bring food home that you shouldn’t be consuming. Take a good look at your cupboards, your fridge and pantry. What percentage of the food in your house are whole foods or food in its original form? I’m talking about fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains; not canned, processed, packaged, quick-cooking, instant, or  in other words, nutrient-stripped. When you fill your diet with the right things, it leaves no room for the wrong things.

  

WEEK 4 CHALLENGE

1 point- On your next trip to the grocery store (even in prepping for Thanksgiving), make sure at least half of your cart is produce (raw fruits and vegetables), and at least ¾ of you cart is whole foods (food you could just as easily pick off the ground, bush, tree, or animal).

1 point- Read this short article on the benefits of eating whole foods, or one of your choosing (must provide link). Make sure you check out this fabulous list of the best whole foods you can consume for optimal nutrition!  (Print it out and slap it on your fridge!)

1 point- Post/submit your favorite recipe using only whole foods on the blog (or to me).

 

What motivates me:

People.

When I see the 90-yr old man swimming laps, steady as a machine, day after day, in the lane next to me.
When I see a mother helping her developmentally disabled daughter to swim and exercise.
When I meet middle-aged men and women taking swimming lessons for the first time in their life.
When I run next to the 70yr old widow on the track or the 80-yr old farmer, walking in his wranglers when the weather is bad.
When I meet diabetics or chronic-illness sufferers making positive steps to improve their lives.
Honestly? If these people can do it, then surely I can find it in me to do it too.
I'm not talking about being an Olympic athlete, or trying to up anyone, but if neighbor JoeSchmoe can run a marathon, there is no good reason why I could not do it either.
All you guys are totally inspiring to me! 




Music
Who doesn't appreciate a good tune? When the going gets tough, as far as exercise is concerned, an upbeat song can do wonders to finish out that stride you didn't think was in you.


Results
Baggy pants? Yes, please! When I realize I can lift more, run faster, bike longer, stretch farther...it feels too good to give up.  Hard work and managing your will power/discipline always pays off. I know that if I can only get to the first step, I can surely get to the second, and so on. Seeing your body and mind beginning to change for the better is a huge step in enjoying a better lifestyle altogether. Then, once you've reached your initial goal, it's amazing to see that  there is never a limit to bettering yourself.

Feeling Good GREAT!
After being 200+ pounds during pregnancy along with flu-like symptoms for 5 months, and not really feeling there was anything I could do about it, I vouched I would never let myself get that way if my womb was empty. Every step I took felt like my hips were splitting and my body would cave in on itself (or maybe explode?) at any moment; it was literally suffocating.  I can't tell you what pregnancy has taught me as far as empathy goes for the chronic pain so many people suffer either by lifestyle choice or disease. It's easier for some than others to maintain or turn-around, but making the right choices is almost always hard to do.
Eating healthy, nutritious food, and pushing your body to make new limits feels amazing: energy, stamina, postive thinking, new limits, better task efficiency, the list is endless...  Everyone on earth deserves to make the opportunity for themselves to feel amazing. It takes effort, and time, and will, but if you want it bad enough, you can have it.  And in the end, it is always worth it--for your family, your community and yourself. When you are your best self, you are a better instrument in the hands of the Lord.

Uphill both ways in a snow storm

 Confession:
I thought I was strong enough to bake cookies and rolls for a neighbor on Friday. WRONG. After they sat on the counter cooling for an hour, I broke down and ate 4 pumpkin cookies and enough rolls to make me SICK. Shameful. But I assure you, I will not be so stupid again.("No [baked goods] for you!") I certainly won't be surprised if I actually gain this week. Meh.

Punishment for the crime:
I figured I'd better run rain or shine on Saturday to make up for about a thousand calories I O.D.ed on. Unfortunately it was neither rain OR shine but a full blown icy snow storm. I was feeling pretty dang hardcore around mile 3 and 4 when the wind/snow was blowing so hard it started tripping my feet and blowing off my beanie, not to mention only being able to see a few inches in front of me. That may have been the first time I've run several miles with my head down and eyes actually closed! But thanks to you all, there is no way I would have finished 5 miles on a day like today. No. Way. Period. And you know what, I actually felt pretty good, go figure!

I had some pretty sweet hives to show for it too.
Yep. I'm pretty much loving this competition. Thanks guys!

Jourdan 

Guess how many times I used the word "pretty." 3 POINTS
joking.

More Motivational Quotes From a Mean SOB

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious."

"Winning is not everything, but wanting to win is."

"The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price."

"Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit."

"Once you agree upon the price you and your family must pay for success, it enables you to ignore the minor hurts, the opponent's pressure, and the temporary failures."

And my favorite Coach Lombardi quote:

"Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser."

I love motivational quotes from famous coaches! Maybe it's just the sports guy in me coming through, but let's keep doing it! I can't believe how far we've come in so short a time!

Daryl

TV as motivation.

I am not a fan of running outside. In the winter it's too cold, and in the summer it's too hot. My knees take a beating on the pavement, and I can't stop if I feel too much pain (maybe a blessing of outdoor running?) I enjoy the alternative by running on my shock absorbing treadmill, and doing so in my climate controlled house. I used to hate running, and laugh at my Jr. High PE teacher when he said we were going to do a "fun run." After I lost my first 50 lbs on Weight Watchers just from changing my eating habits, my weight loss slowed. I decided to give exercise a try. I started running on a treadmill, and found it to be not so bad. I put on a TV show, or a movie, and went for my run. As I began to enjoy running, I figured I got myself into some of my problems with weight from sitting in front of the TV for hours as a kid, so I might as well use the mental state of TV and movies to solve the problem. When your mind is preoccupied by a show you enjoy, there is less thinking about any pain involved with working out. Some people can't watch comedies, because laughing throws off their groove.

The moral of the story is that for me, keeping my mind somewhat off the exercise by watching TV and movies has been a big motivation to keep exercising. Right now I'm trying to avoid watching any of my favorite shows unless I'm on my treadmill or elliptical. So don't let yours be an expensive clothes hanger, and don't let it collect dust. Put it in front of a TV and workouts will be as entertaining as they are beneficial!

Motivation!

Motivation is my enemy! My biggest problem with trying to be fit and healthy is my lacking motivation. But here are somethings that have helped me in my quest!

Motivated to eat healthy- This my biggest problem. But I just try to remember what it took for me to lose just one pound. And I also try to remember that when I eat poorly, I am unhappy. When I eat healthy foods, I have more energy and a positive self image.

Motivation to workout- Sometimes, if I am really not feeling it that day, and don't want to exercise because I am too tired (or lazy) I just put on my workout clothes and just wear them around the house until I say to myself..."well I already have the clothes on...might as well just do it". So basically I trick myself into working out :) Sometimes it works better then other times. The other thing that really gets me motivated to workout is some good music! I love music and I love my I-pod! The only thing that gets me through a hard workout is some music. But when I am not feeling it that day, I put on a good workout song that gets me pumped! That seems to really help. Or another great thing that I think of when I am running and just feel like I can't run anymore is Rick and Dick Hoyt. If you want to be inspired, watch these videos from youtube
Dick and Rick Hoyt
I can only imagine
and remember that you can do anything you put your mind to.

Kels

Week 3 Challenge: Stretch & Motivate!

I have a new favor for all of you. Keeping track of all your numbers requires a lot of work and time on my part (I know, I signed up for it) but now I would like you to keep track of your own POINTS.  Please email your TOTAL POINTAGE , from the weekly challenges, when you send in your weekly weigh-in number. But remember, you only get the point if you come back and comment on the specific WC. By the way, those challenges are good until the end of the competition. If you ever complete them, go back and comment and you will get the point.

Also, for those sending pictures, please type out the number on your scale in your email as well, just to make sure I know, you know. You know?


WEEK 3 CHALLENGE:

1 POINT- Learn about the amazing benefits of daily stretching and being limber. Read this article, or an article of your choosing (must provide link) on the benefits of stretching.

1 POINT- Stretch for 15 minutes, daily.

1 POINT- What motivates you to eat right? What is your motivation for, or during exercise? Write a post about your motivational strategies, and inspire the rest of us!


You guys are doing awesome!

Motivational Quotes from the Master

"I tell the players, 'I'm sorry that you got hurt, but there's not a thing I can do about it.' You've got to go forward. That's the only thing I know.

"We didn't show a great deal of toughness. We were tired out there and we have to get into better shape."

"I would think it would be something that would be worthwhile for him."

"Size doesn't make any difference. Heart is what makes a difference."

Let's keep trucking on this journey of ours!!!

Daryl

Grocery Goodies

Hey you Lehians!


Today at Walmart I found:

Mangoes- 30 cents EACH (I bought 12 for $3.60)

Avacados- 33 cents EACH (I bought 12 for $4.00)


Go and make yourself some rockin' mango-guac and have yourself a party! Actually, let them sit out and ripen for a few days, and THEN dance your self skinny!


(My fridge currently has about $100 worth of produce in it and makes my heart happy [literally] every time I open it. Don't ever feel like it's a waste to use your food budget on FRESH QUALITY FOODS!)

Welcome to the Race

Hi, my name is Elisabeth and my husband Michael and I have joined the Bull River Biggest Loser and at least one of us plans on winning. I think the competition aspect of the biggest loser will be a good motivator for me. Like many of you, I have been overweight for a long time. I think I gained about 100 pounds in just three years as a teenager! But I know that I can do this because I have three little ones who need their mom for a very long time to come. I also want to lose weight to look sexier, feel healthier, fit into some really cute clothes, have an easier pregnancy and delivery with future children, and just to conquer this long-time weight issue. I have a great plan that I'm using to help me in my journey. I log all of my food, water, exercise, and thoughts onto startyourdiet.com which has some excellent resources for losing weight. I love the all the different graphs and charts the program creates that I can see patterns in my eating, mood, progress, and exercise. And for any of you who want to join, it only costs $30 for the whole year!

My weight loss goal is to be 140 pounds which I believe I last weighed when I was eleven. It will probably take about ten months to reach this goal. I have incorporated 45 minutes of daily cardio and weight training and Michael and I have added pilates or yoga into a light evening routine. I feel good and excited about losing weight most of the time, but I still struggle with emotional eating. I feel the need to eat almost instantly when my children misbehave. I have decided to start journaling to work through that difficulty. Other than that, I am also a closet eater and even sneak food in my own house. I don't know who I think I'm hiding food from, but I'm the only one who cares. So the fix to that problem is that I just can't ever have those trigger foods in my house. Okay, now I'm rambling.

So with this weight loss I look forward to several things: I can't wait to have enough energy in my day not to feel the need for a nap, I'm excited to look super hot, I hope to avoid any comments from my kids about my size, and I really want the money for a new laptop and camera. I wish each of you luck and strength in your new endeavour.

Update

Hey BRBL'S,

I hope you are all doing well and challenging yourselves to eat better and move more!

Several of our teammates have dropped out of the competition due to becoming pregnant (yay!), and other various reasons. So, I wanted to let you all know that we are down to 17 people (none of whom dropped out had paid yet), which brings our Grand Prize down to $425.

I hope this doesn't detour any of you in your goals to a healthier lifestyle and becoming the overall BIGGEST LOSER!

Thanks for all the intro's, they're awesome!

Jourdan

Diet Blues!

Alright people- the first week was great! I was so motivated, it was fun, exciting, and new...but now it's not so fun...not so exciting or new...and I am not motivated to exercise, especially outside in the rain! I need encouragement! Anyone have any suggestions?

-Kelsey

Introductions...Kirsten Shafer

Hello Everyone,

I am sorry I am so late in adding a post. I can be computer illiterate at times.

I turned 40 this year and that has been a big incentive to get serious about being healthy.

12 years ago I was diagnosed with Aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have struggled with exercising ever since due to the pain and fatigue I can get sometimes. About 8 years ago I was really good about what I ate and that I exercised 30minutes every day. I reached my goal weight and kept it off for a little while. But I became lazy and the pounds crept back (and then some).

So, this time I am focusing more on my eating habits. I bought the book "The South Beach Diet Supercharged" and I am working that program. I feel it is the best for me due to my addiction to sugar. I really needed something to help me get that under control.

As for exercising, I am still struggling with it but I am trying to work back up to 30 minutes daily. Some days I do well, other days I don't.

As for me, I am a Registered Nurse. I work Part-Time in the Operating Room at Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, UT. I have 2 beautiful teen daughters (14 and 12) and 1 great husband of 17 years (I can't believe it's been that long). We met at BYU, moved to New Mexico for 12 years, and have lived here for three years. I enjoy learning new things, chocolate, and travel.

If I win, I will use the money to fly to Phoenix and go clothes shopping with a good friend who knows how to shop!!!

Hang in there Everyone....The healthy habits and weight loss are the true prize!

Kirsten

Here is a work out I have been saving because "one day" I planned on doing it...no time better than now I guess! Get ready Kelsey...we are doing this 3 times a week : )

http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100244530&page=2

Meet Michael B.

My name is Michael Bishop.  I have been overweight for most of my life.  I struggled in my teen years to lose weight, and never found much success.  When my family was living in Michigan in 2005 I started Weight Watchers.  My mother-in-law paid for me to for the first 4 month pass, and I stuck with it.  For the first time in my life I was seeing results.  I lost my first 60 lbs just by changing my eating habits and following the points system.  Then I added exercise, and worked up to running 1 hour a day!  Finally in spring 2006 I got to my goal weight range and weighed in at 188 lbs!  The picture I posted is one of me shortly after obtaining my goal weight when I went to China with my family for a couple of weeks.  I had a new suit and a tuxedo with vests and matching bowties all tailor made for me and my new body.  I had so much more energy and people couldn't believe the change.  I even kept it a secret from my parents, and surprised them when I visited Utah that year.
 
Sometimes life happens, and priorities shift.  I let my weight slip down in my list of priorities, and I am not where I want to be.  My tailor made suit and tuxedo don't fit me anymore. I had to buy a bigger suit, bigger pants, and put several newer shirts to the back of my closet that were too tight.  I want to get back to that goal weight.  My goals for the BRBL are to be able to be back in my China suit by the end of the competition and to go back to Weight Watchers as a life-time member before next summer.  As an extra motivator I have a picture of a laptop computer on my fridge.  Our laptop computer just died beyond my expertise to repair.  If I win the competition I will have the money to replace the laptop with a newer one.  Until then, I'll burn some extra calories walking downstairs to use the desktop computer. I'm glad we all have this support for the next few months! We can all see great changes in our lives.  I did it once, and I want to get there again!

Meet Kjirsten B.

Hello, my name is Kjirsten and I live with my husband, Aaron, and our 3 year old son, Mason, in Battle Ground, WA. I decided to join BRBL because I realized for about the past year I have been in complete denial about my weight gain. I keep looking at pictures of myself and think "Wow I look really fat in that picture, but I'm not THAT big". Unfortunately its EVERY picture, and its been consistently getting worse. Worst of all Aaron is on the skinny side, so in pictures I always look like I could snap him in half.

Another motivation for me is that we are trying for another baby, and it occurred to me that if I get pregnant at this weight I'm in huge trouble! I want to make sure I am at a healthy weight before I get pregnant, so it doesn't spiral out of control!

My mom and sister also joined BRBL, so we SHOULD be motivating each other : ) I also went to Costco and stalked up on fruits and veggies for this weeks challenge-and then made a bet with my husband that I will actually eat them...if I win the bet I get new work-out clothes!

Good luck to everyone!

Kjirsten

Meet Ke!$ey!

Hi everyone! My name is Kelsey. I am 20 years old and I don't have any children so I don't have a good excuse for being over weight! I have always struggled with my weight, especially during my middle school days. In high school, I grew a few inches and lost about 25 pounds on weight watchers. I loved to cook and eat healthy foods and exercise. Most girls gain the "freshman 10" their freshman year of college...well I managed to gain the "senior 20" in high school and then going off to college didn't help any. I stopped eating healthy and stopped exercising. I have been looking for motivation and when my mom told me about this I knew it was game time! Of course, I am in this to win (especially when I just took my car into the shop and it cost me $500 to fix it and I had to use my school savings) but also because I want to be healthy. I have noticed that without exercise everyday, I am fatigued. This last week, I have had more energy and have felt better about myself. My whole attitude about life is better! I am excited for what is to come in the next 12 weeks! Good luck to you all!

Week 2 Challenge

1 point - Eat 5 fruits and/or vegetables every day this week.

1 point- Exercise every day in your original plan, and add 1 more day and/or 60 minutes extra by next Wednesday.

1 point - Introduce yourself on this blog.

Remember to come back and comment on this post so I can total your points!


Also, if you want to submit ideas for the weekly challenges, please email me.

Meet Amy L.

Hi All!  I am Amy and the mommy to 6 (yes that is 6) great kids. I have been blaming my weight on being pregnant with twins, being on bed rest and nursing.  Now my sweet babies are almost 14 mos. old and I am no longer nursing or pregnant and so I don't have anymore excuses except that I love chocolate and hate the whole "have to get used to exercise" ordeal.  For most of my adult life I have been addicted to exercise.  After my fourth child was born I had to take a break because of a long and complicated recovery from a c-section and that turned into a four year break.  Four years later I finally lost the weight.  Then a year after that I found out I was having twins.  So, I had convinced myself, I was not meant to be skinny ever again.  I have five words for that "WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP!!"  I have been talking myself into being okay with an unhealthy lifestyle.  I love competition!  So now I am talking myself into being fantastically okay with being healthy and happy.  Wow!  What a concept huh? LOL! 

About the picture, some of you who know my family will notice that it is not a current one.  I chose an older picture because this was the last time I was overweight, (before the twins).  I also chose one from Disneyland because it is a good reminder of how exhausted I was from all the walking we did.  My whole body hurt.  The next time I go to Disneyland, I want to be able to walk and run without pain.  I want to be able to keep up with my kids.  I also had no choice but to pick an older picture because I don't like pictures to be taken of me.  This little assignment has made me realize that if you went off of pictures alone, I am missing from my family.  One would think my children had no mother and my husband was single.  How did he get all those kids?

I feel like this a great way for me to get back into the exercise addiction.  I know I will not reach my ultimate goal by the end of the 12 weeks.  But, this will be a good jump start to a new lifestyle.  I know I can do this, I have done it before, and this time "NO EXCUSES!"  I know you all can hold me to that.  As far as the competition goes, I am so in it to win it!

Meet Dwain L.

Hello, I am Dwain; I am the father of 6 and married to the most wonderful woman in the world. I am a relaxed guy that takes the world as is. Things are what they are don’t worry things will be alright. This kind of attitude is good, but not good for ones health. I started to notice the weight gain about the time my wife was 5 months pregnant with our first child. My wife lost the weight after birth and I gained.  I continued to gain until our 4th child was about 3. Our family went to the zoo and they had an animal scale you could step on and compare your weight with one of the zoo animals, I stepped up on to the scale and…I was too heavy for it. This particular zoo did not have any elephants and I was heavier than any of the animals they had at the zoo at this time. I decided I needed to change my life style and loose some weight. Over the years I have had many reasons for doing something like this and just needed a little help to push me forward, like my wife paying 50 bucks so both of us could do this together.  So..Ditto to everyone else that has posted reasons as to why they decided to join the BRBL. I have no more excuses, so get to work and may the best man or woman win.

Meet Jenny P.!

Hello to all of my fellow contestants.  My reason for joining this contest is simple, I've had enough of this life filled with aches and pains.  I want to chase my kids, to run up stairs and to do a cartwheel.  Most of all I want to continue what I started last December.  I've been working out @ RAGE gym here in Lehi.  I've had a personal trainer helping me and following certain food guidelines that the owner of the gym has given to me.  From Dec.08 - Aug. 09 I lost 42lbs. and 35 inches.  From then on I've been in a rut.  I lost my mojo and was praying something would help me get remotivated again.  I heard about the contest and knew this was my answer.  So Jourdan for what it's worth, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to be a part of the contest.  Thank you for all your time you have put in and will put in as our host.  You rock!

As for my goal(s) for the next t 12 weeks and beyond is as follows:  1- take it one day @ a time, one hour at a time is more like it.  I'm a very emotional eater; happy, sad, angry, frustration, and stress.  I have to tell myself that all the sacrifices I make now are worth the life long rewards I'll gain.  This is way more than just being the biggest loser (not that I'm not in it to win it) this is about being in controll of my life and being free from this bondage I've kept myself in for most of my life.  As far as the #'s go for the final weigh-in, I don't want to focus on the #, because it stresses me out.  So lets just say that I want to lose enough for people to say to me, wow Jen have you been losing weight? Why yes, yes I have, thank you for noticing.  I also have a dress that's a size smaller that I plan on wearing for Christmas.  As for a longer term goal, my friend and I are planning to run the Lehi Round-up 5K run in June 2010.  I look forward to seeing everyones progress and sincerely wish all of you the best of luck.    

Jen-Jen 

Meet Dana and Shelbi!

The reason we are joining BRBL is to help regain our health, happiness, and sexthy figures :)! we plan to work out 5 days a week and revise our eating habbits. We've both been through the up's and down's of diets and need to have a permanent solution.
our 12 week goal is to be down to our original weights from high school! GAME ON!!!

Goals for the next 12 weeks & FOREVER!!!

Hi team this is Jackie-

I am a mother of 3 beautiful children, and with everyone one of my pregnancies, I kept on 10 extra pounds (30lbs). I have tried for months to loose the weight and would loose some, then lack the motivation to keep going. That is why I have joined the BRBL so that I can be serious about losing weight and have a great support system to help me. I would love to be back down to my pre-pregnancy weight where I was before I had my 3 kids. I want to me a HOT MAMA!!!
MY GOALS
Exercise every day, and eating better. I have cut out sugar and have cut back on portions. I have changed the way I eat, and am more aware of the calories, and fat.
Most importantly, I want to feel good about myself when I look in the mirror and feel great in my clothes. Doing the BRBL has jump started me in the right direction for a healthy and great future. The competition is on!!! I want it more then anything...

Meet Julie D.!

I am Julie and I am an overweight person. Admission is the first step to recovery, right? I decided to join this competition because my good friend told me I could do it and then played the "Eye of the Tiger" for me. I am so glad I did because if not, I would still be at the same place I was last week and not going anywhere good. I want to find my face again. It has gotten lost somewhere in pregnancy and emotional weight. I really look at this like I am finally doing something just for me. I appreciate the motivation of competition. I think it is just what I needed. My 12 week goal is to be a contender. I also realize that at 12 weeks I will not be at my goal weight. This means that this I have to do this for real and for the long run. That's my biggest goal to make it to 12 weeks and then keep on keepin on past the competition~ and then go on a Disney Cruise for my 40th birthday. Good luck to you all. ( I mean that sincerely and not with a twinkle in my eye)

Here's to Losing Myself!!

Team Daryl reporting for duty:



I have to say Jourdan, you must have weighed yourself while holding Flora, because I have a hard time believing that number! Anyway, if you really do hit your goal, than I am toast in this competition. But I see this event as a great way to get back in control of myself. I used to have this super-fast metabolism and could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. As I have aged, I can no longer eat this way, although I haven't really changed. Soon, 220 became 230, then 240 and finally 250ish. So thank you, Jourdan, for finally getting me to take action!

My other reason for joining BRBL:

Another reason for joining BRBL is for my body to feel good again. My knees have been giving me trouble the last couple of years and I have already had my right knee scoped. I believe a big reason is that I am carrying some extra weight and my joints can't take the pounding with the extra poundage! I also would like to be able to play basketball the way I did 7 or 8 years ago. That was back when I could still dunk easily! Now it is a struggle. Also, I always blamed my out of shape status on the cancer I had 8 years ago. It was kind of depressing to try and play ball after my treatments were finished and not have a lost of energy. Instead of pushing through it and getting my wind back, I just kind of maintained, playing ball a couple of times a week. This past summer, I went to Cedar City and played in the Utah Summer Games 30+ division. I was impressed with the competition and want to return and perform better. In order to play 6 high-intensity games in 3 days, I have to be better conditioned. Finally, I am always game for a competition and play to win, so if I have to look like Stephen Ward to win this thing, I am willing to try. Remember, I graduated High School at 185 lbs!

My Goals for the next 12 weeks and beyond......

I already explained my plan of attack previously in a comment, but I really view this as a way to change my lifestyle. I won't commit to never eating sugar again, because I really enjoy desserts, however, I do believe in moderation. My biggest thing is eating smaller portions, because I no longer have that 18-year old metabolism. I have already made a couple of changes by only taking about half of what I dished up in the past. Also, I have began using smaller plates, which helps out a lot, as well as only 1 smaller sized dessert.

For exercising, I plan on playing basketball approximately 4 hours per week. I also plan on lifting weights in order to become stronger for city league season. I am tired of players my weight or less doing a good job of pushing me around because I need to convert this flab into muscle. Also, losing my wind has made me a worse shooter because I lose my legs too quickly. Abby plans on having me do yoga with her about 2 hours per week, and I need some cardio (bike or elliptical) to help out the knees. I have never been a runner, and prefer to have playing basketball be all the running I do. I don't think the knees would take the pounding on pavement, but I am willing to try a 5K (Definitely no marathons, iron-man, etc...)

I am really excited about these eating changes persisting on through the rest of my life. Especially as my boys get older, they will consume so much food that I need to cut back for the sake of the budget. Here's to 34 pounds and making myself a svelte 220!!!

Goals for the next 12 weeks and beyond!

Hey Team! Jourdan here.

 {My three reasons for all this crazy business}

I have to say, I think I have gotten myself way in over my head with all this Biggest Loser stuff. But I am nonetheless excited to be your host for the next 12 weeks and share in our journey of weightloss and commiting ourselves to a healthier lifestyle. My hope is that everyone of you reaches your goal, that you all inspire and motivate each other along the way and that you learn to pack your life with healthy[er] habits that make you feel amazing. Live long and prosper!

My reason for joining BRBL: 
One word: pregnancy. My world turns upside-down when my womb is full. Not only am I roughly 60lbs heavier while With Child, but I am cranky, tired, emotional, and basically every out-of-control adjective you can think of. This includes my eating habits, among many other things (just forget about exercising, because my body feels like it's literally falling apart). So, now that I am roughly 13 weeks postpartum and feeling 250% times better, I am more than ready to take back control of my life, as it was, and make some improvements along the way!

Goals, including my Plan-of-Attack:
I usually like to concentrate on how I feel, and how my clothes fit; I try to stay off the scale, but I'm not going to lie when I say I want to see some low numbers there, once and for all. My main goal for the next 12 weeks is to find a way to control my diet without feeling like it's controlling me, and to bump up my exercising without feeling like it's draining my energy and forcing me to take a daily 3 hour nap. I want to be as lean as possible for racing purposes while increasing my strength to weight ratio; I'm no natural athlete, but would like to take about a minute and a half off my previous years running pace. I also do not want to do anything too extreme that I will not be able to keep up past January, burn me out or cause me to stop lactating (sorry guys!). It would be very nice as well to throw out the range of 6 sizes that adorn my closet and just stick to one (preferably small) size for at least one full year.

Here are a few things on my list:

• No sugar, at all, for 12 weeks. This includes all desserts, ice cream, cookies, cake, candy, pies, breakfast cereals, syrups, diet shakes, soda, stir-in drinks, etc. This also includes chemical sweetener replacements: Splenda, Aspartame, etc... My three exceptions are: low-sugar/high-fruit jam, low-sugar/natural yogurt, and agave nectar to sweeten my morning hot cereal. (I haven't had a drop since last Wednesday![pat on back])  Nice try in tempting me though, Julie!
  

• At least one raw green salad, daily (Though I really do love salads, I haven't quite gotten there yet...I am a fruit lover). 

• Keep a water-bottle near at all times.
  

• Whole grains always, if at all possible. 

• No fast-food. Period. 

• Exercise Mon-Sat. Keep current schedule, except pump up the intensity: (Run 3x's weekly, Strength Training/Weight Lifting 2-3x's weekly, Spin class/Bike ride 1-2 X's weekly, Swim laps 1-2X's weekly, Yoga 2-3 times weekly; all at 60minute  intervals totaling at least 8 hours weekly or more. All subject to change depending on race training requirements.)
  

• Bump up the running mileage. Train for and race in St. George's Half Marathon, January 23rd.  Long term? Do I dare say? A sub 3:30 marathon and a half ironman in August 2010. Yikes.

I figure  these 7 mini-goals will at very least get me going strong into the new year, if not help me reach my goal of 15+% body weight loss. My plan is to go from Postpartum Frumpty Dumpty to Lean N' Speedy by January 20th. I'd say that's definitely easier said than done! But here I go...

                                                                                                                                                        





Now it's time for everyone to meet their teammates and size up the competition!
Please post (or email it to me so I can post it) your introduction and include the following:

1. A picture (so we can put a face to your name)
2. Your reason for joining BRBL.
3. Your 12 week goal(s) and/or beyond.

It doesn't have to be lengthy, just let us all know who you are and why you're here. Thanks!

Jourdan

Encouragement

Hi everyone-
I just thought I would share a great quote that I love, to motivate you all.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."
Stay positive and keep working hard to meet your goals. We all can do it..
It will all be worth it in the end.
Jackie Neff