Time to Expand

I've decided to start a new blog. One for my fitness goals. And because I love people to join in everything I do, I open this to you and challenge you to come blog with me.

This new blog, The Bloggest Loser, is for any fitness goal we may have. My biggest one right now is preparing for the 1/2 marathon in January. I'm planning that my training for that will help me when The Bloggest Loser, Season 2 begins on September 5. I plan to track my progress as I train and that way I can get a better idea of how I'm doing.

So, the idea is to choose a fitness goal and track it there. The goals can be anything: drink more water for a week, go walking three days for a week, lose/gain weight in a healthy way. Anyone, no matter their stage in life, should be able to join. I really pigeon holed myself with the last Bloggest Loser, so this time I want to make it a more general forum.

The new blog's purposes:
1. Track my training.
2. Track fitness goals of anyone wanting to participate.
3. Keep The Bloggest Loser alive and running.

Come check it out. It could be kind of fun.

And So It Goes.... Again

Well, the Bloggest Loser is done. Fess Up Fridays ended about four months ago. And I gained weight over the summer.

It's time to start things up again.

This week I made a few goals and have actually stuck by them.

1. I've walked around our neighborhood every morning, despite the 100* heat that makes me sweat like a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest. Especially when that contest is in August in Arizona.

2. I cut out refined sugar this week. No chocolate, candy, cupcakes, brownies, ice cream, all the things I crave. But I've stuck to it. It's just as hard today as it was Sunday when I began. I'm hoping it gets easier, but until it does I'm very conscious of this goal. Very. Next week's focus is simple carbs. Heaven help me and every person I come in contact with. We're all in for a bumpy ride.

I'm thinking of starting up The Bloggest Loser again on September 5, when every kid going back to school should be there and there will be no excuses. Let me know if you want in. Any preferences this time? I'll consider everyone and everything.

Oh, and I'm planning to run in a race in January. It's called London's Run. It was established for a girl here in Queen Creek named London who passed away in 2005 from leukemia. The run was set up to help her family after her death. Every year they do the race again and donate proceeds to local children's charities. When I read that and saw the amount of the entrance fees I decided it would be worth doing. I'm not sure if I'm going to go for the 10k or the 1/2 marathon. Early entrance fees are due by December, so I'll train for a few months and decide at that time. If I weren't typing, I'd be rubbing my hands together in anticipation. I'm gonna do this, dang it.

The Bloggest Loser -- Finale

I don't know that the beginning of this post needs to be filled with the same type of fluff the BL season finale has, so I'll get right to the good news.

And the winner is........

Carina lost 7.27% of her body weight since she joined our competition! Holy cow, Carina!! You are my hero! Despite your stresses of life (and you've had some stress, my friend!) and the unruliness of summer, you've done well and inspired me to find my inner strength. You're amazing and I'd love to see some pictures of you and your chiseled body!! :)

I appreciate everyone for stopping by and playing along. I know not everyone was able to stay focused for the entire time we competed, but I'm grateful for the love and support. I hope everyone was able to get something out of the last several weeks: a complete goal, a realization, a plan for a new goal.

Here's what I've learned: I crave routine. I have little to no will power, although my heart is always in the right place. So, to counteract my lack of restraint, I need to force myself into a no-fail situation. I know my weaknesses even better now, no matter how much I'd love to deny that I have weaknesses. I am really looking forward to next week because the kids go back to school (I know, it's so soon!) and I can create a new schedule and routine. This will be good for me and maybe I can finally catch those goals that keep running away from me.

So, congratulations, Carina!! You totally rock!

And let me know..... anyone up for another competition once more of the general population has children in school?

(It won't hurt my feelings if you say no.)

(And I'm only partly kidding about a new competition.)

The Bloggest Loser -- Final Weigh In

Okay, all. Here it is. Nearly the finale.

Carina took the prize two weeks ago with her 2% weight loss. Great job, Carina!!

So, for the last time (for this competition, at least) find your percentage. Remember to use your beginning weight to see how much you've lost throughout the competition. Be sure to post it as soon as you can and we'll post our Bloggest Loser finale results by Wednesday. Why Wednesday? I don't know. Maybe it's because I like to spell the word "Wednesday". You have to spell it phonetically... Wed-nes-day.

I think it's past my bedtime.

And thanks for playing with me!!

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Thirteen

I know, I know. I'm late again. But it's been a long week already.

Cindy won last week with a 2% loss. Good job, Cindy!!

I found a little happiness in a 1.83% loss this week. Hooray!! Thank you, everyone for your candid honesty and support. You all rock and I'm kind of sad that this is coming to an end. I hate the fight to lose the weight, but I love looking forward to hearing from everyone.

I don't know that I'll get to post next week, so the next time we weigh in will be for the final weigh in on July 31. How much more can you lose in the next ten days? Feeling confident? Need a pick-me-up?

For now, weigh in here. And be ready for a final, July 31 PARTY!!

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Twelve

Last week saw two winners tied at 1% each: Mindy and Carina. So glad we've got a few more people in here with us.

We only have a couple of weeks left. Three, to be exact. Are you hanging in there?

I've hit a few realities this weekend. I'm late posting this (obviously) and it's because I haven't been into this at all. In fact, if I weren't hosting this competition, I'd have quit a long time ago. My heart has not been into losing weight, therefore I have lost no weight. I've actually gained five pounds since we began this. I don't know exactly why I'm struggling with this so much, but it's surrounded by excuses: It's too hot, I don't have time, My kids need me, My husband needs me, My family is in town, The bad food I bought the other day needs to be eaten and not wasted. It's everyone's fault but mine!!! I know that I'm not going to win our competition, but I sure am facing a lot of my obstacles and trying to learn how to overcome them. It hasn't worked yet, but maybe I still have some hope. Maybe I can figure out what I need. I don't need a huge body make over. I just want to slim down about 20 lbs so when I gain a little holiday weight I don't have to worry that I'm back in the overweight category. Or at risk for diabetes like both of my parents. Or look like the fat, mean ogre-mom I've become a few too many times lately.

So, post your weight lost, but if you can, please post something you've learned about yourself during this experience. Does a certain routine work better? A certain exercise? A certain diet? A certain hobby or habit? I could really use some inspiration. Let me know what's working for you. And that this competition hasn't been a waste of time!!!

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Eleven

Cindy won last week. Go, Cindy. Just imagine what can happen once you're allowed to exercise.

I'm sick. And it was Matt's birthday week. I did not complete very many of my goals. My head is currently so stuffy that I don't know that it's safe for me to write this, but I'm already late getting it posted. Anyway, I'm stable. My plateau is safe. The goose egg is secure.

So, do I dare, with my current state of mind, try to tell a little about the few who have stayed constant with me through this journey? Of course. Who am I to back down from a challenge? Everyone who's still in this is tough. You can all handle what I may or may not say about you. (I would throw out a crazy kind of laugh here, but I'd start sneezing or something and ruin the effect.)

Okay....

Amy. You can read her blog at Larsons Are Lucky. Amy and I met at Adams State in Colorado when we were both Theatre students. We didn't really know each other before we worked together on Good Night, Desdemona Good Morning, Juliet. I remember finding it surprising that we had been theatre majors together for a year and hadn't met. Not only because our department was small, but because we were the only two active Mormons in the department. It's funny how we Mormons gravitate to each other, no matter where we are. Amy and I were friends from the time we worked on Desdemona on. We were both pregnant during our time in school and took turns nursing our little babies in the Green Room. We lost touch for a while after college, seeing each other only occasionally in Walmart, but Facebook brought us back together. I like Amy. She has two beautiful little girls and is the busy wife of a trucker.

Carina. I lost Carina for a while, but the magic of Facebook brought us back together again too. Carina and I have been friends for a long time. I think our friendship really blossomed senior year of high school when we both served on the Seminary Council for our Released Time Seminary classes. We had so many great spiritual moments. I will always remember those first few weeks, especially, when we bonded and came together. Carina is such a meek person. I don't know if everyone understands the incredible compliment I mean that as. Meekness is Power under Control. This is what Carina is. She is a person of such strength, but she does everything with such love and kindness. I don't think there's a mean bone in her body (to use a bad cliche, but I mean it). She has five children and obviously adores them very much.

Cindy. Cindy has been my BFF since about 1992. Right? Cindy, if that's wrong, remember I'm sick. For Cindy's wedding each of her friends were asked to create a quilt square signifying some aspect of our friendship. Would it surprise anyone if I were to say my quilt square has a movie quote on it? I chose my first real memory of her. One day in 8th grade Cindy came bouncing over to me in our PE class. I sat in the back of the last row because we sat alphabetically. Cindy asked me, "Shelly, what's your last name?" I said, "I can't tell you that." "Why not?" I told her, "Because you're a straaaanger." That's a direct quote from Home Alone and Cindy played right into my 14-year-old-overly-dramatic hands. Cindy and I have never lost touch. She's an incredible friend that has been with me through junior high, high school, college, singlehood, young marrieds, childlessness, childbirth, ups, downs, the worst times of my life, and the best. I'm getting mushy and I know she doesn't care for that, but I love her and (except for Josh) she's the best friend I've ever had. She has four beautiful little boys -- although I've got to go see Number Four for myself. And she's the epitome of the term "Domestic Goddess."

We only have a month left of our competition. Think we can do any good? Calculate your weight loss and leave a comment. If you want to join us for the last few weeks, do it. I have a lot of weight to lose to reach my goal, so if you're just starting, you won't be far behind. At all.

So, tell me your percentage lost, your highs, your lows, your favorite color, your favorite imaginary creature. Whatever you need to get off your chest. And hopefully I'll be feeling better soon and back to my exercise regime. Hopefully.

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Ten

Last week's winner for the most weight lost was Carina with 1.41% lost. Congrats, Carina! You've had a really steady loss each week. That's great!!

My story is stuck in my rut. I don't know why I do this. I think my head has decided that I'm fine the way I am. I'm thinner than I used to be, which is good. And I have no major health risks or concerns, which is also good. It's just my vanity I'm trying to appease. If I can't get past this hump, then I guess that means I'm not a very vain person after all. Yeah, tell my ego that.

I did really well a few weeks ago when I wrote out my goals for the week. I'm going to try that again.

1. Do not eat after I put the kids to bed.

2. No candy or sugary snacks.

3. Exercise five days.

4. Drink three to four jugs of water.

5. Go on a bike ride every night possible.

6. Read my scriptures and Ensign everyday.

I have been loving going on family bike rides with the kids. Josh has been at work most of the nights we've gone, but it's still been nice to get out and ride around our neighborhood a little bit. The only trouble is that we have to go at night because otherwise it's over 100 degrees, but we can't go too late because the kids have to go to bed. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to leave the kids and just go alone so I have to cater to their schedules. It's tricky, but I like going.

So, calculate your loss for the week. I had troubles with the old calculator again, so it's the newer one. Let me know how your week went. Also, my friend Amy asked me to talk a little about all the contestants. So, even if you didn't lose any weight, leave a comment. I'll try to think of something nice to say about you. ;)

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Nine

Last week's winner was Mindy in her weight loss. Congrats, Min!

We are going to extend the competition to the 31st of July. That gives us all another five weeks to accomplish our goals. Whew. Let's do this, People!!

I'm late with this week's post because Abby was baptized on Saturday and we've had a wonderful time with so many of our family members here visiting. It's been awesome. But, I've overeaten and slacked on my exercise this week. Time to get back up and going. Tomorrow will be fun to reintroduce my muscles to those exercises they so desperately do NOT want to do. It's a good thing I'm mean like that and like to make things do something they don't want to. I get pleasure out of it. So, HA, Muscles. I'll make you nice and miserable tomorrow!

Do you ever eat too much and then think, "I'll start eating better tomorrow and it will confuse my body and I'll just dump a whole bunch of weight really fast!"? I may be the only one that thinks that. I'm still waiting for the huge dump of weight, though.

With summer in full swing, what are the activities you are doing that are helping you lose weight? Any seasonal ideas you'd like to share that we can all do? And remember to tell me how you've been doing. What's your weight loss for the week? Mine was nothing. But then, I've got a great amount of catch up to do and maybe I'll do better this week. Here's the calculator. It's a different website than usual because our usual one wasn't working. Don't know if it's gone for good or what. But, do your thing and leave your comment!

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Eight

Per Amy's request, here are the standings of our weight loss to date:

Cindy: 6.8%

Carina: 3.18%

Amy: 2.13%

Shelly: 0.63%

No one else posted their halfway mark, but remember, you can join us at any time! And if you're joining us silently from the sidelines, hope you're doing well!

This week I lost one pound for 0.64% loss. Not much, but I'm doing so much better for myself and my routine. I really want to lose more weight, but I'm really happy at how well I did this week. I exercised five times this week, rarely (if at all) ate anything after 8pm, watched my food intake, and along with all that, I read my scriptures every morning. The scriptures may not help me lose weight, but they helped me feel good about myself and sometimes that's all you need.

I've decided to continue focusing more on my attitude than my numbers. Do I feel good? If yes, I need to stay on top of what I'm doing so I don't lose my happiness. If no, what am I missing? Or, what am I doing that I need to cut back on. The healthiest thing I need right now is attitude. Once that is in place, everything else will get there too.

So, how'd you do? Any inspiration you've gained this week? Go here for the calculator.

Our poll this week is to see if anyone wants to extend our contest by a week or more. Please let me know if you want some more time. I'm up for it. Majority will rule.

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Seven

Okay, technically, it's Week 7, but we're doing our mid-point check in this week. So, use your beginning weight from the start of this competition (no matter which week you joined) and see how far you've come in the last seven weeks. Go here for the calculator.

I'm not happy with my weight loss for the past several weeks. I'm at a whopping 0.63% loss. But, considering all of my yo-yo-ing, I guess it's not too bad. Plus with all that no-kitchen-to-cook-in and no-exercise-except-the-self-forcing-to-pack-and-move, I'm just glad I'm not back to my mega-fatty state.

It's time to re-focus and do this thing. I'm going to commit to five days of exercise next week. I will not eat after 8pm. I will try to get 8 hours of sleep each night. Everyday I will drink at least two full drink-things I got from the hospital when Millie was born. Of course, this will all be in effect as of tomorrow, so for now I'll continue to eat my gummy bears.

I've been waiting for Josh to be home before I watched the Biggest Loser finale. He's been working since the episode was uploaded on the internet. Now he's home over the weekend, so we'll have to watch it. I thought I read somewhere that Mike won. If you need to let out your feelings about the episode, I understand. Hopefully I'll get to watch it soon, so.... you know what? Do it. Talk about it. Share your feelings. Get it off your chest! And while you're at it tell me how it's been going for you. Just do it. And then get off your butt and exercise!!

And then come to my house and take away my gummy bears. Please.

The Bloggest Loser -- On Hold

This week's Bloggest Loser is on hold. For several reasons. First, I still haven't had a chance to watch the finale. Second, I have a lot of blog updating to do on the house. Third, I have a lot of unpacking still to do and that means I didn't get to eat well or exercise, so I'm being selfish on that one.

I hope you understand and will play with me next week. We'll do that halfway point check-in next weekend.

Good luck!

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Five

Last week's big weight loss winners were Cindy at 2.51% (go, Cindy!) and Carina hit a milestone with her 1.56% loss. Awesome job!

Calculate your loss and see how you did. Remember that next week is our midpoint weigh-in and we'll get our up-to-date weight loss. This week, however, use your weight from last week as your Start Weight. And it's not too late to join in if you want to play but haven't been posting.

I was pleasantly surprised when I LOST WEIGHT this week!! Hooray!! I've been painting and cleaning up a storm and had a 1.86% loss. Finally!!!! My secret this week wasn't exercising, although I was very busy. I did try to eat lesser portions and I did both the Slim Fast and Subway diets. I really don't know if that helped me, but it was much better than grabbing donuts and burgers all week long. I've got another week of transitions before I can start to settle down. We are hoping to fill a moving truck tomorrow. If I can get the house cleared out and packed. The worst part of moving 15 minutes away is knowing you don't have to pack everything perfectly securely, therefore you don't really pack at all. That makes the transfer to the new house a bit more difficult. Ugh. Enough about that.

This Tuesday is the finale of Biggest Loser. Oh, poor Daris. He and Koli are vying for the final position for the final three. His gain of 2 lbs hit home so much!! He went home for a month, trained for his marathon, broke the record of time to complete the marathon, and then justified his overeating with the excuse that he's exercising so he'll be okay to eat late at night and doubling his calories in those late hours of the day. How well I know this trap! Josh works nights and I spend several of them alone after the girls have gone to bed. My entertainment consists of TV and Facebook. I'm usually not tired enough for bed, so in my boredom I eat. And I inevitably double my calories for the day. I just identified with him so much! I rarely vote for reality TV, but I exhausted all my votes for Daris. I really hope that month of reality didn't end it for him. But, if he does lose the vote, he should be in good standing for the At Home Prize.

So, tell me. How'd you do? What's your weight loss for the week? Good things? Tough things? Highlights from the week?

Oh, and I'm running out of ideas for polls. Are they worth doing each week? Do you have a question you'd like to ask the group?

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Four

Last week's weigh-in saw two winners: Cindy lost 2.45% with the birth of little Tommy. I love you, Cindy, but ya kinda cheated. Tara came in second with a loss of 1.72%. There wasn't a secret baby born with that, was there?

So, go ahead and calculate to see how you did this week.

I don't know why I'm hosting this competition. I keep sucking. No loss this week. I'm at a Goose Egg for the second time in four weeks. At least I didn't gain again. As I sat there painting this week I thought to myself, "Why am I expecting myself to lose weight when I don't have time to exercise or make healthy food?" This suuuuuuuucks. If I can finish the painting soon (like tomorrow) then I can get back on track and kick everyone's butts. Make way for the Come Back Kid!! You know, if I just literally ran to Home Depot every time I need something from there, I'd be completing a marathon with each errand. I'd get nothing done at the house since I'd be gone for most of the day, but I'd get my run in.

We've got our Final Four on The Biggest Loser. Any complaints? I'm good with it. Like I said before, I really am rooting for Daris, but he doesn't have much left to lose. I'd also like to see what Michael can do during this last bit of competition. I can't imagine losing 200 lbs and still being obese. I just want to see him succeed. And I'm looking forward to seeing how much Shay will win during the season finale. Remember that last season she was told she'd get $1000 for every pound lost between last season's finale and this season's. And according to the previews for this week's episode, someone comes back to the ranch from their month at home and gains 2 lbs. Who could it be?????

Now tell me. What was your weight loss percentage? Any good news this week? Any challenges you need to vent about? As Frasier Crane would say, "I'm listening..." (Yes, I know I'm a dork.)

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Three

Josh's weight loss of 1.08% was the winner of last week's competition. Good job, Baby!



Calculate your weight loss. Remember to use your current weight from last week as your start weight this week. And be prepared to tell me about your week!



This week was one of the toughest I've had.



Despite the wonderful news that our house has finally closed, my body has revolted against me. It's as if all the stress I've been feeling about everything lately has just hit me like a ton of bricks. And because of that, I now weigh as much as a ton of bricks. I had a 4 lb weight gain this week. I'm pretty sure most of that is water, which better give me a wickedly good weight loss for next week. Well, that and my new devotion to being healthy. I had to find some new motivation, so I dug this photo out.



This is me, May 2006. I know it's from four years ago, but when you're a fatty, it's hard to find any pictures of you. Somehow, the bigger you are, the better you become at avoiding the camera. I stayed this size until January 2008 when I began working out. It's hard to tell, but I was about 196 lbs. So, in the last year and a half I have lost 18.37% of my weight. Unfortunately, I've been at a plateau for about a year. A YEAR! I'm considering doing something drastic -- I might actually use a diet plan. Or join a gym. Or {gulp} find a hobby that will allow me to focus on myself so I don't have to feel like food is the only thing I can give myself.



On with the show. I love make-over week on BL. It is my favorite week of the season. Everyone looked so great and they looked so happy. I especially loved watching Mike and Daris. I think Daris is my pick to win. I really hope he does. Every week I root for him more and more. And what about Sam leaving? Did anyone guess he was the one that Stephanie was talking about when she left? I didn't. But, I can't help but wonder about why Koli went to Ashley about Stephanie playing the game against Ashley's mom, Sherry. (I feel like I'm talking about a soap opera.) That really bugged me that he did that, since it seemed to come out of nowhere. Now I can't help but wonder if Koli was trying to protect Sam by getting his love interest off the ranch so he would focus on the game and not her. Hmm. Anyway, almost to the Final Four. Who do you pick to win it?



So tell me how you did this week. Better than me, I hope. Anything that's working particularly well? Anything you've realized has to be done differently?

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Two

Last week Josh won the week in weight loss percentage. We've got to be careful, girls. His body can drop pounds like nobody's business. He'll win if we let him. (It's okay if you win, Honey. I love you.)

So, ----> check your percentage for this week. Remember your original weight because you'll need that for future weigh ins, but for now your Start Weight will be your Current Weight from last week and your Current Weight this week will be whatever you weighed in at this weekend. Get it?

I lost nothing this week. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Zip.

I'd be upset, but I'm still trying to recover from this week!! I ate better (except for yesterday's trip to the Chinese Buffet -- oh, but it was good) and I exercised. But my stress level was so high, I don't know if I could have lost any weight without a Bob or Jillian to be here and kick my butt. And without a second me to take care of everything that needed to be done.

"Let me e'splain. No. There is too much. Let me sum up." (Name that movie.) Emma had a huge research paper and project due yesterday. The teacher told us Monday. 3rd grade + Research Project = MAJOR PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT. She also had rehearsals for the talent show auditions that were also yesterday. Dad came to town. (The secret is out..... he got a job in Ajo, AZ, for the Border Patrol. He reports May 10, and Mom and Dad got a contract on their house in Great Falls last night. Things are happening fast for them.) Dad came to town a day earlier than I expected, so I was out running around with kids when he got into town and things just seemed to go downhill from there.

Friday was not your typical "Freaky Friday." It was "Freakin' Friday." It started around midnight when Dad finally got home from being stranded in the desert for a couple of hours. Then we slept. Then we all woke up and discovered that the game board Emma had made for her project had gotten into some water and was ruined. Then I fixed it from scratch in 17 minutes. The girls were late for school. As I checked them in we discovered that we had forgotten all the game pieces for her project. The second I parked in the school parking lot for the second time that morning I realized the girls had forgotten their lunches. I went home and tried to do school with Matt before the girls' lunch periods, but he didn't want to, so he sat in time out for about 20 minutes. The mortgage people called wanting more info and said closing will hopefully be next Wednesday. We finally did a little school. I took the girls their lunches. I got back and finished school with Matt. Then we waited for Dad, his buddy Ron, and Jabon to fix Dad's truck. We went to lunch. We went to Emma's audition (she rocked, btw). We went to the store. We went to Tara's house for dinner. I began making guacamole. I went to take a pit out of an avocado and chopped into the tip of my finger. It bled. Tara fixed me. I nearly fainted. A few times. We had dinner. Finally, we played some Rockband.

So, yesterday wasn't the best day. It pretty much summed up the way I've been feeling all week. If I can get through this weekend better than I did last weekend, I may actually have a good start to next week.

On to The Biggest Loser. I just love this show. I was so moved by the stories of the people in Texas at the 5k. Both of my parents have Type II Diabetes. I know I'm at risk. Ironically, they were living in Texas when they were both diagnosed. And at the weigh in, I actually was feeling so bad for the underdogs: Daris, Mike, and Ashley. It's not that I wanted Yellow or Grey to go home, I just wanted the individuals to do really well. I wanted Daris to win the challenge since he was working so hard by himself. We'll see what next week brings, eh?

Now tell me. How'd you do? Don't forget your weight loss percentage and tell me how your week went. Inquiring minds want to know!

Bloggest Loser -- Week 1

Okay, people.





It was our first week of our weight loss competition. Holy cow, could I have had any more temptations thrown at me than I did this week? (BTW, we are most likely delayed in the closing for our house because of the confusion of my maiden/married names. We were promised we wouldn't be charged the usual per diems for closing extensions. We should be signing the papers by next Friday.)



My eating was horrible. My exercising was sporadic. My stress level was HIGH and I justified the poor eating and little time exercising. I had a 1.38% weight loss this week.



So, inspire me. First, go here -----> calculate weight loss.



Next, leave your comment with your percentage weight loss. And, as always, add whatever other comments you have. What were your highs and lows?

Also, to keep it fair, I think we need to have our percentages turned in for the week by Monday evening so we're not getting too far into the week. And, remember, remember, remember this first weight you are entering. It will be the weight we'll use at our halfway check-in and our final weigh in.

Now, to some fun stuff. If you're watching The Biggest Loser, what are some of your calls for the Final Four? I'm not decided on this one yet. But, I love Sam and Koli. Also, I can't wait for make over week. I'd love to see Daris with a new 'do. I really like him too. And, I missed the first half of this last episode due to a DVR issue, but I did tune in soon enough to cry with O'Neal. Really, it's amazing how watching someone else's struggles can put your own into perspective. Do you think Vicky was the right one to vote off? I think she didn't get a chance to really "get" it, but I didn't want Sunshine to go.

And be sure to vote in the poll about exercise. We'll see if I can think of enough things for us to vote on each week.

One final thought (from Josh's cousin's Facebook status):

"I wish I was as thin as I was when I thought I was fat."