A letter from my future

This week's homework from the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans is to write a letter from my future self - January 2011, to my current self about all of the accomplishments and pitfalls that I experienced in 2010. I've never done anything quite like this but here it goes......

Dear Beautiful Me,

You have always been beautiful even when the weight you carried both physically and mentally covered it up. I am so proud of you for shedding all of the extra baggage you were carrying in 2010. You were consistent with diet and exercise for the entire year and that is quite an accomplishment given your proclivity to on again off again exercise and healthy living. Adding strength training to your exercise routine has given you great muscle tone and definition, you look better in this new decade of your life than you did 20 years ago! The road was not always easy but you stuck it out despite a few setbacks, don't worry this happens to everyone but pick yourself up because you can do this!

Professionally, 2010 was quite a roller coaster. You took chances and were proactive about going after things that you were interested in doing. Although not every effort was successful, you kept in mind the saying that your mother told you repeatedly growing up: "Nothing beats a failure but a try!" Good for you for leaving your comfort zone, because you did opportunities that you never expected presented themselves.

On the home front you finally got around to doing some painting in the house. Although you were still unsure of the "vision" after two and half years you just painted utilizing the knowledge that changing the color is probably the easiest thing you can do if you don't like it. Your son has been thriving staying at home with you full time and kudos to you for finally spending a night away from him with your husband. A big accomplishment after such a long time!

Finally, you have inspired me to continue living the best life ever! You've taken charge of your health and by doing so have extended your life. You set a fine example for your family and friends but most importantly for yourself. Remember this during the difficult times and know that that they are only brief speed bumps in your journey. Again, I am beaming with pride - you've lost 50+ pounds, look and feel great and 2010 was just a snapshot of what the future holds for you.

I love you.

Me (the 2011 version)

Active for Life - A fundraiser for The March of Dimes

On January 8th I attended the "Active for Life" party hosted by Nancy O'Dell. Nancy invited her friends to try out EA SPORTS Active and they also autographed limited edition laser etched Nintendo Wii's. All of the EA SPORTS Active packages are currently being auctioned on CharityBuzz.org. The proceeds from the auction will go to the March of Dimes, an organization with the following mission:

Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.

I am so happy that I was able to part of this event, I fully support The March of Dimes. Many of my friends had premature babies and benefitted from the work and services of The March of Dimes. I've posted a video and some photos from the event. If you have been considering purchasing a Wii and EA SPORTS Active, why not place a bid on one of these special editions? The auction will be open until February 10th, 2010. Good Luck!

Operation Weight Loss Week 9 - The incredible shrinking woman

HALF-WAY!

I've made it to the halfway mark!

I've lost 25 pounds since November 23, 2009!

25 Pounds!

*Doing the happy dance!*

Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans - Monday Project

You may have noticed that every Friday I post about something pertaining to my weight loss. I am participating in the Monday Project with the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans in the 7 week Rethink Your Shrink Challenge. We are all challenging ourselves with these posts in different areas - the first week I discussed my pitfalls and triumphs in weight loss, last week I made a motivation poster and this week we are tasked with listing 5 reasons we rock.

Funny enough, this is the most difficult assignment for me because I really don't take the time to think about such things. I don't think many of us do, especially mothers. We are constantly thinking about the needs of our family, friends and many times put ourselves last and of course are our own worst critics. Today, I am going to make a list that I can look back and reflect on when times are difficult, not only during my journey to healthy living but in life in general. It will be a reminder for me that regardless of how many obstacles get in the way, I know I can accomplish everything I put my mind to.

5 Reasons I Rock!

1. During the last Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans Challenge I won the Biggest Shrinker Award for losing the most weight. It was my first time participating in a Challenge with the Sisters and I was shocked that I actually won. Honestly, I didn't even know such an award existed but I proudly display my badge today!

2. Although I publicly announced my intention to lose weight last year on numerous occasions with limited success, I decided to participate in the EA SPORTS Active 6 week Challenge. They say the third time is a charm and apparently it stuck because I am succeeding this time!

3. I have been consistent about chronicling my journey to healthy living, not only on my blog but on twitter, facebook and YouTube. The public accountability helps me but I also know that it motivates other people. I love inspiring others.

4. Although I am carrying some extra weight, after a spinning class at my gym the instructor said that I am an athlete. I know that if I keep working my inner athlete will no longer be hiding under these layers of fat.

5. Finaly, I am happy because I am setting a good example for my son. Although he is only 2.5 years old he now understands that exercise is part of our life everyday and if I miss a workout he is quick to remind me that we need to "exercise."

6. (one extra for good measure) Although it took me a long time to get to this point, I am so entrenched in exercising and healthy living that I can't imagine life without it. My gym is right next to a wonderful ice cream shop and for a couple of years I frequented that shop and ignored the gym (that I was paying for). Today, I am proud to say that stopping at the store is the very last thing on my mind. Instead of picking up high fat, high calorie ice cream, if I have a craving I substitute it with a low calorie version that I enjoy.

Although this was a challenging exercise I think that it was wonderful exercise to do. I encourage you to join the Sisterhood this challenge is been great!

The News

I have great news. I am one of four mom bloggers that are writing for the SC Johnson website. January is fitness month and since I am on this journey to healthy living of course I focused on fitness. If you have a chance, please stop by and read my latest posts by clicking HERE.

In other news, I am in February's issue of Parents Magazine. I am named as one of ten Power Moms in the blogosphere. I am so honored to be in such great company - Dooce of course, but more importantly my friends Isabel of AlphaMom, Jyl of Mom it Forward, Stefonia of City Mama and Kristen and Liz of Cool Mom Picks! You can check out the entire list HERE.

And finally have to tell you about tonight's Twitter party. Leah of Bookieboo will announce the newest Mamavation moms. I am excited for the women and of course as a Sister I will be supporting them!

That is all the news that is fit to print! I am now off to a spinning class. I love to spin!

Operation Weight Loss - Week 8

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Originally uploaded by rj_ross.rm

I have great news today! I just returned from my weekly Jenny Craig visit and I am down another 2 pounds! What does that mean? It means that I have officially lost 20 pounds! Whoo Hooo! I am so excited by this news. Next week my big goal is to be in the 170s I am almost there and I know I can do it.

By combining exercise and following the Jenny Craig meal plan I have consistently lost between 1-2 pounds a week. This is a healthy level of weight loss and I plan on maintaining it. I cannot wait until I reach the halfway mark only about 5 more pounds before I meet that goal. I wanted to show you a photo of a meal that I eat because I know folks are probably wondering if I actually eat.

As I've mentioned in the past, I eat more than I ever ate before I was on the road to healthy living. This photo is one of the dinners that I enjoy, teriyaki salmon and I added the brocalli. Generally I will eat a bag of frozen vegetables with my dinner. It fills me up and tastes delicious with a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning. I also mentioned that I don't deny myself, I eat things that I enjoy but just low-calorie versions.

Staying on track with my diet and exercise will help me reach my goals - losing a total of 50 pounds, being fit and fab by my birthday next month and fitting into a pair of pants that I've had for ten years (a size 9 juniors).

What are your goals for your health journey?

Motivation

This is my motivation wall. I know it is a bit difficult to read but if you click the image you can see it in detail. Not that you need to, my writing looks like a child's but it gets the message across. In glittery writing is this quote:

"The road to enlightenment is not an easy one, if you only walk on good days the journey is that much longer" - Buddist Monk

A friend of mine posted this quote on my facebook page on Wednesday when my status read "I got my exercise in but it was a struggle." I have been posting about my workouts on facebook and twitter for the last 6 weeks or so. Most people are encouraged by my posts but I realized that I don't talk about the difficulty I sometimes have with getting motivated to move my body. I am not hyped about exercising everyday but usually I do it. I think it is important to be transparent about my efforts, to help others but also to help myself remember all that I overcome on this journey to living a healthy life.

I am on taking a journey to healthy living that is not easy. If it were easy I would have been living my best life a long time ago. I've had many starts and stops, always with the best intentions. And now, I find myself enjoying exercise and looking forward to it. But not everyday. Some days it is a serious challenge to get up and exercise. But I have this quote to remind me that the road is not easy but it is worth the work, skipping exercise will only keep me further from my goals.

On a daily basis I will read that quote and remember what I am working for - my health and my family.

On my motivation wall I also posted photos of myself from my first week and my sixth week of healthy living. I plan on posting another photo to mark my 12th week. I will keep posting photos until I reach my goal. It is difficult to read but my photo will go between the words on the right. On top it says " You - In Shape" and on the bottom it says "Success Story." This is my goal. I want to be featured in Shape magazine for my weight loss and I also want to be featured in The Atlanta Journal Constitution. I've posted the address to send my photos and story in the paper on the board so that I don't forget it. And I have the email address for Shape magazine written down.

This is my motivation wall. On the days when I am struggling I will look at my motivation board. It will push me. I will be able to see where I've been and I will also be able to see where I am going.

My motivation board. Hopefully it will push me to "just do it."

Operation Weight Loss Week 7 - The incredible shrinking woman

This weekend I had the amazing opportunity to meet with the team of folks that participated in the EA SPORTS Active 6 week challenge. We had a wonderful time and I indulged. Yup, I believe in everything in moderation and I ate and drank and enjoyed! I was a celebration after all. I watched my portion sizes and also exercised. The morning before I left I completed my Challenge workout and the following day I walked on the treadmill for an hour. On Saturday the entire team hiked Runyon Canyon Park. The 4.5 mile hike was challenging and the views were stunning. I am now a big fan of hiking and once the weather breaks I will be outside and walking challenging trails!

(me at the peak of Runyon Canyon)

Despite my indulgences, I am happy to report that I did not gain any weight. I maintained my weight loss and I am ecstatic about that. It just goes to show that you can enjoy food and good drink without causing yourself harm. When I traveled I took Jenny Craig tuna salad lunches for my flights and that helped tremendously. I did not have to worry about making healthy food choices from limited options in flight or in the airport because I took my food with me. That was extremely convenient!

This week, I am focusing on continuing to exercise and eating healthy. I don't have anything special planned but this past weekend proved to me that I am able to make great choices, know my portion sizes and can enjoy life without feeling like I am denying myself. And, I will get right back on my plan and hopefully next week I will have some weight loss to report.

Here is my vlog for this week, take a listen - I talk about a wonderful beverage I imbibed in Beverly Hills.

Disclosure: My airfare, lodging and food while in Los Angeles were paid for by EA SPORTS Active. I also receive a discount on Jenny Craig food.

When Cancer Hits Home

On Thursday while I was in Los Angeles I received an email asking for prayers. My good friend Jennae of Green Your Decor was rushing her daughter to the hospital in Atlanta (an hour away from her home) by ambulance. Her pediatrician suspected that her sweet four year old daughter might have leukemia.

She was right.

They are currently at the Aflac Center for Blood Diseases at Children's Hospital. And of course they are being treated but unfortunately the family does not have health insurance. The matter of money should be the last thing on their mind, ensuring that her daughter gets healthy is paramount.

It is my hope that the blogging community can come together to raise funds for the family. All parents fear for their health of their children and when the word cancer comes into play it is scary indeed.

Please pray for the family and if you are able please make a donation to help them with the hospital costs.

Click here to help! And also, if you could help spread the word it would be greatly appreciated!

Reflections of a Fat Girl Getting Slim - Project Me

I haven't always been fat. For most of my life I've been a curvy chick by the time I was 14, my measurements were 36-26-36. As I got older I maintained a coke bottle shape and my healthy weight was around 150 pounds. During high school I stayed active and played sports in addition to my more "academic" extracurricular activities because I knew that exercise was important for me. I also had a great aunt that was heavy and since I inherited her curves, I was constantly reminded by my mother and her sister that I could one day look like Aunt Helen if I wasn't careful.

In college I was not as active but stayed within 10 pounds of my healthy weight. Senior year I saw my body changing and I took a swim class to stay in shape. It wasn't until I graduated from college that I took a careful look at myself and decided that I needed to be consistent with my diet and exercise. I was introduced to step aerobics and never looked back. Initially I worked out at home but as much as I loved Jane Fonda, doing the same routine because boring after a month. I started attending classes during grad school and eventually worked out twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. I cleansed my system by fasting and soon I became a fitness maven. I joined a classic gym, started working out there and because fitness was my life asked to become an instructor. I soon taught classes 3 times a week and was paid for doing the thing that I loved.

Once I completed my Master's program and life became hectic I would cycle between going to the gym and taking time off but I was always careful not to get too big before doing something about my weight. When I moved to South Africa it became clear that I was noticeably heavier than most of my friends and as soon as I able to I joined a gym and began exercising. As is often the case when one moves to a foreign country my diet changed (I ate great food but in considerably smaller portions than we eat here in the US) and the pounds started falling off. All of my friends wanted to know my secret but it was simple - eating good food and exercise.

After two years, I returned to the States, lived the single life and again vacillated between exercise and months of laziness. When I my husband and I decided to marry I hit the gym to look great in my wedding dress and settled into married life. Cooking, eating and romance during that first year led to a 35 pound weight gain. My husband didn't mind and I soon was pregnant so dieting was not on the agenda. After the birth of my son I quickly lost the pregnancy weight but was still 35 pounds overweight. I continued to eat and soon I gained back all of the weight I lost. And I remained that way for about a year.

At the beginning of 2008 I decided to do something and get back in the saddle and exercise. I joined a gym, starting taking spinning classes and loved it. However, an injury prevented me from continuing to spin and rather than find something else to do I just lazed around and didn't do anything. At the end of 2008, I had enough and decided to do something. I partnered with Modern Mom and led the Modern Mom Challenge for 12 weeks. Although I was motivated (kinda), I still did not have the fire that I needed to consistently exercise. At the end of the challenge I was not lighter but I was more aware. I like to think of this period as the "preparation" stage. Soon after the end of the Challenge I was asked to participate in the EA SPORTS Active Challenge, here was a chance to redeem myself! I did the 30 days, lost 10 pounds and was ecstatic. But when sickness hit and I couldn't exercise for a month my routine was broken. For four or five months I was inactive and being sedentary, eating ice cream and rich treats I gained back the 10 pounds I lost, plus 2 more.

Luckily, I was asked to participated in the EA SPORTS Active More Workouts 6 Week Challenge and I accepted. But this time something inside of me clicked. I am nearing forty and I know that my maintaining my health is vital, not only for me but for my family. I also realized that although I was "comfortable" at 200 pounds, I wasn't myself but had become complacent about my situation. This time around I attacked my workouts with vigor, adding 30 minutes of step to my challenge workouts and even working out on rest days amped things up !

My success over the past six weeks (CLICK HERE TO SEE MY BEFORE AND AFTER) has been about a change in my mindset - it took me almost two years to leave the "preparation" stage but now that I have taken "action" I will no longer look back. Failure is not an option. 2010 is the year that I will be fit and fabulous. I have 30 more pounds or so until I reach my goal, I hope you are ready to take this ride with me

Operation Weight Loss Week 6 - The incredible shrinking woman

Week 1

Week 6

I can't believe that it has been six weeks since I started this journey to lose weight. The time has gone by pretty quickly, I suppose taking on this type of task over the holidays will do that. In any event, I suppose from the title of my post you can guess that I've lost weight again this week. 1.9 pounds to be exact!

This brings my total weight loss to *********drumroll********

19.2 Pounds!!!!!!

I only have about 6 more pounds before I make it to my halfway mark. Exciting news for sure! I know many people are wondering what I have been doing to lose the weight. Well, I moved from a sedentary lifestyle to exercising 4-6 times per week, in at least 30-60 minute increments. I aim for 60 minutes but there are times that I can only fit in my challenge workout for the day.

I have been following the Jenny Craig 1500 calorie food plan. I can't even call it a diet because I am eating more food than I ever used to eat. Once I hit my halfway mark I will start incorporating my own meals - now that is a milestone that I look forward to. I have to honestly say that I rarely find myself hungry and in the event that I am hungry Jenny Craig has taught me about volumizing my food. There is an entire list of foods that I can add to daily intake. Some of the foods are free foods (most vegetables fit in that category), others are limited free foods and surprising things like candy, cool whip, and other sweet confections are on that list. Although Jenny does have some supberb snacks, I like to mix it up a little and my new fave is Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches. These delicious confections are only 140 calories and 1.4 grams of fat.

I love eating some of my favorite treats while maintaining a healthy lifestyle! It is so funny that now I rarely crave sweets but if I do I choose the low-fat, low calorie options. There was a time in the not so distant past when I would eat an entire box of ice cream in one or two sittings. Gluttony is a sin, I know. And I was very guilty of it.

This is a new day for me, a new lifestyle and I am totally committed. I started my second 6 week Challenge with EA SPORTS Active More Workouts. When I do my step aerobics workout I've increased the difficulty by adding an additional riser to my step. I have had the same Jane Fonda step for almost 20 years and it is still working for me - I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

This weekend I will be visiting sunny California to hang out with the other 11 participants in the six week challenge. We will actually be doing a live broadcast on UStream at 7 PM EST on Saturday click HERE if you want to tune it to hear from other folks using More Workouts.

And of course, I did a vlog this week to chronicle my journey - Watch me shrink!

ETA: I said 1.6 pounds but actually, I am down 1.9 pounds. 1.9 pounds!

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of EA More Workouts to participate in the 6 week challenge and I also receive a discount on food from Jenny Craig. All of the opinions are my own.

All right Mr. Demille, I'm Ready for my closeup

This famous movie quote is from the film, Sunset Boulevard. I always think of it as the line of a Diva, I can only guess Norma Desmond was a diva because I haven't actually seen the film. I have seen this clip from the film and I venture to guess that Norma indeed was a Diva, with a capital D.

I am quoting Norma because way back in October I was cast for a commercial for EA SPORTS Active that highlighted experiences of actual users of the fitness game. Seven or eight of us were flown out to California in style, filmed and departed with the knowledge that there was no guarantee that we'd make it into the final cut.

Well, I am happy to say that I indeed made the final cut and the commercial has been playing on cable channels all over the place! But tonight, everyone will be able to see it because the spot will air during the premiere of The Biggest Loser tonight at 8:00pm E.S.T. This is really exciting for me and although I have seen it on cable, seeing it on network television is an entirely different animal.

So, if you are around or near a television set at 8 pm tonight - check me out! And if you can't make it? Well, here is the commercial from the EA SPORTS Active website. Who knew that because of blogging I would be on television?

P.S. - this was filmed before I lost the 17 pounds, I wonder if they will do a follow-up?

ETA: Well, looks like The Biggest Loser premiere is not on this evening. So, no network debut tonight but I will keep you posted and let you know when it does come on!

EA SPORTS Active