Day Eight...

First off ~ Happy belated Birthday to Paula! I forgot. I knew it was coming up last week - but then in my menopausal stupor - forgot about it yesterday.

Maybe we can get together for a weigh in/birthday celebration. Minus the cake of course. Maybe get together and walk - meet at a park? Let me know...

All the ideas posted so far are great. Susie's right about the exercise and the endorphin thing kicking in. It's getting motivated to start that's hard. I'm definitely walking as much as I can this week. The weather is supposed to be nice!

I did good all day yesterday (I actually couldn't eat all my allotted calories at breakfast.) I made cream of wheat and added raisins. Doing the "slow-eating method...I was full 2/3 of the way through so I tossed it out.

I have to get ready for work so I can't write more. I'll check back later to see how you're all doing. Any pounds lost yet? Drink LOTS of water! It helps in many ways.

Day Seven....

Mary...had to laugh at your last comment. Made me think of this pic!

It's day 7 - that's one whole week. Anyone lost any weight? Or are you all trying to get the motivation juices flowing? I'm down one pound. Not much...but it's a start. I've been reading up on all kinds of different ways to shed the blubber and I'm convinced that the only way to really do it - is to incorporate lifestyle changes that we can live with. Now and always. Other wise we'll just put it all back on and then some when all is said and done. And at that rate - we really WILL look like these pictures I've been posting.

Here's what I've come up with or my plan:

Breakfast - 400 calories

Lunch - 400 calories

Dinner - 500-600 calories

Snacks - 200 calories total

1500 calories - 1600 calories daily total (which seems like a lot when you're trying to diet -but studies show that eating too little backfires. Not only does it set you up for cravings because you'll feel deprived (and ultimately binge) but it slows down your metabolism.

Eating a good breakfast is the key. Which is hard for me because it's the easiest meal to skip. I'm not usually hungry in the morning and I've always figured by skipping, I'm saving calories I can eat another time. Obviously (see my ass) that doesn't work. And (again studies prove this) not eating breakfast sets you up for being ravenous at later meals and you actually consume more calories than you would have. Also - a piece of toast and coffee doesn't constitute a good breakfast.

Along with the calorie intake schedule I'm making sure those calories include fruit at least twice daily and veggies twice daily. I know...Wegman's says strive for five....but that's striving for me. I've also incorporated whole grains as much as I can. Anything that's a bread type thing - HAS to be 100% whole wheat. Pasta, bread, tortilla shells, pitas... (but it has to 100% - there's a lot of fakes out there.) Whole grains are really good for your heart and we have heart disease in our family. (Mom & Dad both had heart issues as well as Uncle Roger, Aunt June & Papa.) My Dr. told me with our history we need to be vigilant.

Finally I'm going to walk at least 3x week and lift weights 3x a week. The gym at Pearce is open and FREE if anyone wants to go there with me. I'm not sure about the hours though. I'll check.

So there's my plan. I've been sidestepping this weight issue for too long. When I see pictures of myself I want to puke. That fat person is not who I am and yet I've been letting it define me.

We are going to all look hot for that wedding. (Don't worry - Nicky - you'll be the hottest because you're the star of the show that day!) We'll be your awesome sidekicks!

So - let's get this show on the road and plan a weigh in/activity day. Let's post some losses here! if you have a loss - let me know and I'll post it in the side bar.

Day Six....

Okay - this is it! We have EXACTLY 10 weeks to nail this down. There are now 8 of us! Who's going to be the oinker at the wedding? (me probably...I have the most to lose) but in terms of whose going to show up with a loss big enough for the others to notice? That should be ALL OF US!

I'm sending out a daily reminder (going to bug the crap out of all of you) until you start leaving comments.

There was a re-run of the "I Can Make You Thin" show that I missed Sunday (because of Easter). Did anyone see it? It was weird...about this tapping thing that's supposed to make you stop eating emotionally.

Suggestion for this week - smaller plate. It's an oldie but goodie. I'm going to do it all week and see if it helps.

By the way - the person who comments the least here has to wear a pig nose at the wedding.

Day Five....

Nicky has suggested a de-tox (see her comment.) Here is a good article about it. At this point - I'm not going to knock anything that anyone wants to try. Whatever kick starts you and gets you motivated is what you need to do. I'm going to pass on the de-tox though. But I am trying to eat lots more fruit (which I have a hard time doing) and I must say that "things" are running smoothly in that department.

I'm going to send a reminder e-mail everyday with a link to the website to make it easier to touch base and comment (ahem...) I'm going to assume that those who aren't checking in are feasting on bon-bons and milkshakes daily.

I've been sick - so not eating as much anyway the past few days....can't taste anything so why bother.

Debbie LeRoy just joined Weight Watchers so let's not let her show us up at the wedding!

Day Four....

Is that US in the picture? Phew...it was just bad dream.....

Last night the show I mentioned wasn't on! Not sure why - it was listed in the TV guide. Instead there was a marathon of Kate & Nate Plus Eight (that show about the lady with 8 kids...) Crap.

You guys need to check in daily with a comment. It only takes a minute. Just bookmark the site in your favorites and visit once a day. Comment if you've lost anything. If you've had a binge or a victory (saying no to the jelly beans) anything! It's the accountability that's gonna make this work for us.

So here's a little thing to get you going on the comment thing....

Name 3 things you HATE about being overweight. I'm sure there are LOTS - but just name three. These will be your motivators. (Susie - I'm counting on you for comic relief here!)

Here are my three -

I have a closet full of clothes I can't fit into...

I'm embarrassed when I run into people that haven't seen me in a while...

My gut sticks out farther than my boobs....

Another thing....Terri gave me the stuff for the Weight Watcher's Core Plan. It is pretty easy. If you want me to post it here - I can.

We have just over 10 weeks to do this. That's 2 pounds a week (translated = 7,000 calories less each than we're eating now per week OR 1000 calories less each day!) Walking 30 minutes a day will burn between 180-220 calories depending on your weight. Check out the Calorie Burner Calculator on the side bar or click on the name here. That means if you walk each day - you need to consume about 8oo less calories each day too.

I'm keeping a journal so I know what goes into my pie hole each day. Yesterday I did real good until I got home from school. I thought I had cleaned Austin's basket out of anything good - but there was a dark chocolate bunny hiding under the grass. He's not there anymore. I'm wearing him on my ass.

Day Three....

Okay ....If we're going to do this together....we need to all check in daily with a comment and let each other know how we're doing! It's the accountability factor that's going to make this work!

Yesterday I did great most of the day and then I found Austin's Easter basket. Not a good thing. We didn't get him much candy - but Mike's mom did! (She gave him TWO baskets!!) Luckily is was mostly stuff I can't stand. Anything worth eating is gone now.

Tonight (at 10:00 on TLC) the show "I can make you thin" is on. It' s usually on Sunday nights at 9:00 but the re-run is on Wednesdays. That's' where I learned the eating slow trick. It's a cool show. Very motivating so far. It's on for 6 (?) weeks. This is show #2.

Anyone lost and weight yet?

Day Two....

Here's the diet tip for today - EAT SLOWLY! Sounds too easy, I know. But try this for one meal today. Put your fork down between EVERY bite. All the way down. Chew each bite at least 20 times. (Okay...hard to do with ice cream - but that's not a meal anyway!)

Don't have anything in front of you to distract you. As in - don't READ anything while you're eating. I know - that's hard for us Grants...we have to read whether it's going in or coming out. But just try this!

We spend so much time thinking about what we're going to eat - and then when it comes time to eat it - we slam it down before we've even had time to taste it - let alone enjoy it. That's why we overeat. If you eat slower and really enjoy each bite - you won't be grabbing for seconds.

You know the book..."Why French Women Don't get Fat...." and the concept of the Weigh Down Workshop - Eat what you want - only when you're hungry - savor it - stop when you're full.

Okay - we're still waiting on Susie & Paula here. Mary's in and Rachel too.

Let's do this!

Let's Get Started!

Okay ladies...last night we were all talking about losing weight for the wedding this June. A do-able regime would net us each about a 15-20 pound loss if we stick to it. Between now (as in TODAY) and June 6th - we have 75 days - that is a little over 10 weeks. Can we do it? YES WE CAN!

After talking to Nicky - we decided that creating a blog where we can all check in and hold each other accountable would be the way to go. I'll post a daily blurb with ideas, suggestions, stats...and everyone can post their own ideas, comments, stats etc. Simply hit "comment" and go for it! To read comments - hit the "comment" button if it list that any were posted.

Let's all really try to make this happen!

I for one need to lose a heck of a lot more than 20 - but hey - this will be a start!

Are you all in?