How's Everyone doing??

Well we are a little over half way through with this challenge and I was wondering how we were all doing? I am losing weight but def not half of what I want. Looks like I need to step it up!

I have lost about 5 lbs total.... yep that's it. But I am just glad its going down and not up. Post your updates and let us know what's going on! Love you all! -Ara

First Weigh IN

Well Dad and I weighed in this morning.

Dad lost 3 pounds and I lost 1 pound.

Yes, I was a little depressed, but it didn't last long.

I am determined to loose more this next week.

Then it will be hard to loose since I will be down and out for a while.

I will order my wet suit soon!! LOL

Praying you all had success too!

Love to all, Mom (and Dad)

I hope you all are ready!!!

I hope you all are ready to get this weight loss fun going! You should already have your chart made, found your scale and tape measure and put it all in a well-seen area. You should also have done your first weigh-in today.

Make sure you record your first weight and inch measurements on your chart and start thinking about what your goal is going to be.

Here is a weight calculator that you may find helpful... http://myweightlosscalculator.com/

It seems a little complicated to me but you can at least hit the 'measure your metabolism' link and it will help you know what kind of calories you are probably burning right now and how you can change it in the future to meet your goal.

Remember you are in charge of your own weight loss plan.... try new things and keep track of what your doing and share with us what works!

Personally I have decided to plan to lose about 2 lbs a week so my goal is to lose 26 lbs. Leave a comment and let us know your goal!!!

New Challenge to start us off in the right direction!

I have an idea.... lets get back to losing weight and getting fit!

Here's my challenge:

Week 1: Find your scale, Measuring tape, and make a chart

This week (starting today) find your scale and dust it off. I know my scale is looking kind of shabby since the whole pregnancy thing. I got the joy of weighing in at every doctors visit so I avoided weighing in at home at all costs!
Find a measuring tape! Not the hard metal kind for construction.. you need the vinyl kind that will wrap around your arms, waist and hips! Put this measuring tape in the same location as your scale. (the measuring tape is a great addition to the scale because some weeks you can see inches come off even when the pounds aren't!)

These both should be in a place where you cannot ignore them... thinking about putting mine in the kitchen! A great reminder when I'm in a snacking mood!

Lastly, make a chart. You will need to start on Monday, September 19th. You will weigh every single Monday for 3 months. So on Monday you will fill in your current weight and then you will figure out a goal for 3 months and fill that in.... next Monday I will make another post on how to make a healthy realistic goal for yourself. You will need to reply to that post saying what your goal is. You don't have to say your weight number... just say something like "my goal is to lose 30 lbs" and then each Monday you will tell us how much you lost (or gained :P) that week. You will also need to post something you are trying that seems to be working for you, such as "eating more veggies" or "walking at night". You are in charge of your own weight loss, but maybe charting it all together will help us try new things and get us all moving in the right direction!

OK - so let me know what you think and if you're up for this challenge! The people who reach their goal at the end of this challenge get to throw water balloons at the people who didn't during Christmas vacation (and the losers have to buy the water balloons and fill them up)!

Love you all, Ara D.

PS....Mom, let me know if Dad wants to join this challenge! You guys can post together if you want (but you have to do your own separate charts!)

Bad Example

I want to apologize to all three of my sweet girls, my husband and to anyone else reading this blog. I have been a very bad example. I seem to start out with a bang and then I let life, stress, work, and almost anything else get in my way of progress.

I am the best at making excuses and "starting over".

No excuses this time - I am a bad health example for my 3 daughters.

My New Years resolution is to purge purge purge - not only weight, but stuff in my life. Stuff around the house, cluttered closets, furniture and schedules. I plan to go to the gym at least 3 times per week to at least walk and I plan to cut way down on all the food and snacks that I eat. I love food, but I am old enough now that the food I eat just stays with me and makes me bigger and unhealthier!

I am going to be a YaYa in May and I want to be able to enjoy every minute of that grandchild's life and others to come in future years. I am a young 54, but I need to change my eating habits and start moving more, so I can stay that way. I also want to be a better (on the way to GOOD) health example for my beautiful 3 daughters. PaPa and I both need to eat better and exercise so we can grow old together and enjoy the later years of life that God will bless us with.

The Fall challenge is still on - we will still weigh in on Dec. 19th and the most weight lost or maintained will still get their bonus. So in 8 days, girls, we all step on the scales and send a text to Mommy. The winner will be surprised at Christmas.

Looking forward to Christmas and New Years with my beautiful family and friends!

Looking forward to the 2011 New Year with the additional blessings from God of the arrival of our 1st Grandchild and a new way of living life - with less stuff and weight.

Love and prayers, Mom

Well Hello

So i finally figured out my password. i have been reading the blog and everything! I am so proud of everyone and how we are pressing each other to do better.

Up here in colllege im doing great! I am trying to eat right but mostly im focusing on porchens and how much i eat. I work out almost evey day but one day to let my body rest and then if i have a huge test to study for!!! I have also learned that when i dont work out i get really cranky or really down, but when i work out im at a cofertabul level to study and consontrate and be relaxed to deal with stressful situations i might come across.

Today at the Rec i came across a Judo matches going on and it made me miss how hard wrestling pushed me and so i pushed myself really hard at the gym today :)

I also am having to learn how to balance everything that i want to do and who i want to be, so that could be another reason why im down or feel bad about myself.

i feel really incarged reading all of your updates and im so proud of my family taking the first steps to haveing a helthy long life!!! :)

love always
Emma

Birthday Weekend Splurge

It was worth it, but not it is time to get back to the schedule.
Over the GREAT birthday weekend, I ate the food I wanted, at meal time. I didn't really snack much AND we did a lot of walking, site-seeing, and riding Segways!! When I tried on a pair of dress pants this morning for work, they fit better than they had in the past. I know that I didn't loose any weight celebrating in San Antonio, but I don't think I gained any either.

Starting tomorrow, Oct. 8, I plan to get back on schedule. I am also going to begin my own challenge. For 2 weeks I plan to eat very few carbohydrates. I know that My body craves the carbs, but I am going to fight against those cravings for 2 weeks in hopes of seeing success in weight loss. Then I will slowing add them back into my meals, but at a minimum. I know that a balanced diet is the only way to eat and stay healthy.

I am not asking for any of my girls to do this challenge with me, because DiAnn and my grandbaby need the carbs now, Carlyn needs the energy carbs provide to keep up her hectic schedule, and Emmalee is too active to cut out the carbs - her body needs them to help keep up her energy to study and exercise too. Just keep eating healthy and pray that I can fight the cravings.

Love you all, Mom