Biggest Loser--WEEK 2 RESULTS

The dreaded week 2.

Was more dreadful for some, less dreadful for others.

Here are this weeks results:

1. Mandy

start: 177.8

end: 173.4

% lost: 2.47%

2. Nataleen:

start: 180.6

end: 176.2

% lost: 2.43%

3. Adam

start: 333

end: 328

% lost: 1.5%

4. Dana

start: 244.5

end: 241

% lost: 1.43%

5. Eric

start: 300

end: 296

% lost: 1.33%

6. Taryn

start: 196.2

end: 194

% lost: 1.12%

7. Sarah

start: 240.8

end: 238.2

% lost: 1.07%

8. Porter

start: 245

end: 243.5

% lost: 1.02%

9. Lindsey

start: 215

end: 213

% lost: .93%

10. Jackie

start: 163

end: 162.3

% lost: .42%

11. Breckyn

start: 238

end: 237.5

% lost: .21%

12. Danielle

start: 277.4

end: 276.6

% lost: .028%

13. Greg

start: 219.4

end: 219

% lost: .018%

14. Troy

start: 193.8

end: 197

% lost: +1.65%

Biggest Loser--WEEK 1 RANKINGS

Who's below the yellow line this week?

WEEK 1--RANKINGS

1. Eric (309)—300 lbs: 2.91%

2. Troy (199.2)—193.8: 2.71%

3. Lindsay (220)—215: 2.27%

4. Sarah (246.2)—240.8: 2.19%

5. Nataleen (184.4)--180.6: 2.06%

6. Greg (222)—219.4: 1.35%

7. Taryn (198.4)—196.2: 1.1%

8. Breckyn (240)—238: 0.83%

9. Porter (247)—245: 0.81%

10. Mandy (178.6)—177.8: 0.45%

11. Adam (334)—333: 0.299%

12. Dana (244)—244.5: +0.2%

13. Jackie (162.2)—163: +0.49%

BIGGEST LOSER BLOG VERSION

Meet the 14 BRAVE people who are tired of how they look and feel and are DOING something to change their lives.

This contest will run for the next 4 months, ending on May 15th.

The contestant who has lost the highest percentage of body weight at that time will win over $200!

Without further ado, let me introduce our contestants!

Danielle (last minute add-in)

starting weight: 277.4

Adam

starting weight: 334

Dana

starting weight: 244

Troy

starting weight:199.2

Taryn

starting weight:198.4

Sarah

starting weight: 246.2

Porter

starting weight: 247

Mandy

starting weight: 178.6

Jackie

starting weight: 162.2

Greg

starting weight: 222

Eric

starting weight: 309

Breckyn

starting weight: 240

Lindsay---picture forthcoming

starting weight: 220

Nataleen

starting weight: 184.4

Who do you think is gonna win?

**this blog is in no way affiliated with Biggest Loser **

I Have a Dream...

Double posts?

I know, what will you even do with yourself Allyson?

This, however, needs to be posted.

As I was driving Livy home from dance last night we started talking about "Civil Rights Day" also known as "Martin Luther King Jr. Day".

She was telling me everything she knows about it. His famous speech, black people having to go on one bus, white people on another, segregated schools, etc.

I said to her, "Isn't that crazy that they were treated like that? Now we can all be together."

Without skipping a beat she said, "Yeah, 'cause like Daddy Shane is black and he's with us."

I'm so glad I was up front driving and she couldn't see my face because THAT was really funny.

You know what they say. Once you go black..... :)

Love you Shaney.

Simply The Best

I have a problem. (I think I start a lot of sentences that way)

I want to do everything.

But my problem goes beyond that.

I want to be the best at everything.

It's a stressful life because, as you all know, I am not the best at anything.

This breeds angst.

I want to be the best wife. (I'm not)

I want to be the best mom. (I'm so not)

I want to be the best trainer. (Again, not)

I want to be the best triathlete. (not)

I want to be the best tennis player. (obviously not. Even though I only started to learn tennis a little while ago, and most of my training has come from You Tube, I still have visions of grandeur. I frequently miss shots when playing against Shane because I'm caught up in a daydream of myself at Wimbledon, amazing the entire world by the fact that I'm the first stay at home mom ever to pick up tennis as a hobby and make it all the way to the finals. :) I don't know why my brain works like this, it just does.)

I want to be the best cake maker. (not)

I want to be the best listener. (ummm, Shane? yeah, I'm not)

I want to be the best dancer. (super not. Dang So You Think You Can Dance makes me really wish I could dance.)

I want to be the best sewer, blogger, friend, daughter, sister, runner, swimmer, softball player, racquetball player, singer, actor, piano player, photographer, guitar player, teacher, and on and on and on.

Many of these things I've never even tried, but I want to.

And of course if I do try them, I'll want to be the best at them.

So here's the problem, the real problem......trying to be the best at everything really zaps you.

Why can't I just pick one thing and stick with it?

Why can't I be happy just doing my best even if it's not the best?

Why can't I revel in mediocrity?

Why oh why does being "the best" matter?

My First Fondant Cake...oh, and Livy turned 7! :)

Ta Da! Okay, I know it's nothing special, but learning how to do fondant is an accomplishment in and of itself for me. I've never really liked cooking, but I've discovered I really do enjoy "creating" through baking. You Tube has taught me a lot lately....from how to hit a forehand ground stroke in tennis (I'm getting pretty good), to how to make a fondant cake. I'm so glad people broadcast themselves. :)

I've started looking forward to getting to do a fun cake for my kids' birthday. Again, I'm no professional, but Olivia told me today, "That's the most beautiful cake I've ever seen!"

It's for her, from me, and that makes it special for both of us.

Here she is with her cousins.

Here she is being given the appropriate attention for her liking.

Getting ready to make a wish. (she wouldn't tell me, but I always have to ask. :))

Happy birthday Olivia.

Biggest Loser--You Want In?

Biggest Loser is one of the coolest shows ever.

There is real motivation and real change because it is a very real experience.

There are so many people that could benefit from that show and only a handful of people that will ever actually get to go on it. So I've been trying to think of a way to bring it closer to home and my sister keeps saying she wants to do one, so here's what I've come up with.

BIGGEST LOSER BLOG VERSION

(this is just for fun, not affiliated with the real Biggest Loser in any way)

Who Can Be a Contestant?: Anybody. If you live in Arizona it's better, but even if you live out of state, you can be in. You don't have to know me. So tell friends or family that might be interested.

What Does It Cost?: $20. I'm not getting anything out of this, I'm just hosting it. So everybody puts $20 in the pot and the Biggest Loser wins the pot. The more people in, the bigger the pot. Bring your $20 to the first weigh in, or if you are out of state you will need to mail it in.

When Does It Start?: We will be starting on January 16th with the first weigh in. (decide quickly)

When Does It End?: May 15th.

How Does It Work?: If you live in AZ we will take pictures (girls in sports bras, guys with shirts off) on January 16th and do our first weigh in. If you live out of state you will need to email me your pictures and weight, taken that day. This is scary, I know. But it is one of the things that will contribute most to your change. No more hiding. I will then post all the contestant pictures and their starting weight on my blog.

Weekly Weigh In's: You will need to submit your weight once a week. Weigh on the same scale at the same time each week. Depending on how many contestants we have I may post the stats weekly or monthly on the blog.

The Finale, May 15th: Everyone will submit their final weight and pictures that day and a winner will be determined from the highest percentage of body fat lost.

So if you're tired of feeling the way you feel or aren't happy with the way you look you might want to hop on board. Plus I know some place that you can find really great workouts. :)

Real change requires real effort and real experience.

Make it real.

sheROX 2010--Are you in?

Last year at this time I started a little group of women on training for their very first triathlon. It was the Danskin sheROX triathlon at Tempe Town Lake, and it was awesome! I have to say it was and still is my favorite triathlon.

Here is my top ten list of why this triathlon was/is so great:

1. Open water swim. I thought I would hate this. I was even a little nervous about it. Turns out there was nothing to be nervous about, the lake water wasn't nearly as disgusting as I thought it would be and it is SOOOOOO much better than a pool swim where you are on top of people (or underneath) all the time. Plus it just made the experience so much more real. Loved it.

2. Blaring music and big crowd. Nothing makes you feel more cool than getting out of your open water swim as Justin Timberlake's Sexxy Back blasts over the speakers and a huge crowd of people cheer you on as you run to transition. Super cool. Totally felt like a rock star. :)

3. Packet Pick-up. This is what you do the night before the race. You go pick up your race number and a bag of goodies, usually energy bar samples, drink mixes and other such things. We also got our caps, looked at the course, and got a glimpse of the transition area. It was especially fun because all us ladies went together. Way fun.

4. The Race Course. While the bike course was definitely harder than others I have done, due to some hills, it is definitely my favorite because it's interesting. You get to go over the Mill Avenue bridge, there's water all around, and big airplanes flying overhead because the airport is very close. It's a fun ride, run and swim. Great course.

5. It's All About the Women. I'm not usually the "girl power" type. It's never really been my thing. But there is something so empowering about this huge group of all women getting together, in every different shape, size and fitness level you can think of, and doing their best to complete this race. And even though it's a competition there is kindness and camaraderie all around. I loved this aspect of the triathlon. Girls rule! :)

6. Medals. When you cross the finish line at this triathlon they immediately place a medal around your neck. Not all triathlons do this. Some only give medals to the first 3 or 5 places. Not this one....everyone that finishes gets a medal put around their neck. And they should. To complete this triathlon is a great feat. When you finish they recognize your accomplishment.

7. Organization. This is by far the most well organized triathlon I have ever participated in. This might not seem like too big of a deal, but when you've been in several highly unorganized race events, then you start to appreciate how very important this aspect is. The course is clearly defined, there are plenty of people to help and answer questions, and everyone seems like they know what they are doing. Very good.

8. Friendly Volunteers. Again, unless you have had the opposite experience, you don't realize how important this is. This is a large event which requires a lot of people to keep it running. It's easy for these people to get stressed and start yelling at participants. I've had this happen at several other events, but not any at this one. All the volunteers were very friendly, helpful and informative. It makes your whole experience better.

9. Family Support. There was a large amount of family support out for this and the nice thing about this triathlon is that there is plenty of room for all that family support. Lots of good places to watch from and even a little water park play area for the kids to play while their mom shows everyone what she's made of. Having family and friends there to cheer you on is the best! ***plus we had a sweet after party!***

10. Crossing the Finish Line. This was BY FAR the best part of this triathlon. Not me crossing, I mean watching all three of my sisters and my cousin cross the finish line. And every single one of them did it. All the way. Even Allyson who got 2, yes 2, flat tires. Can I be a proud mama of my own sisters and cousin? I sure felt like it. I know where they all started. I know what they all sacrificed to get there. I know how hard it was--and therefore how sweet it was to complete it.

And you know what? They are going to do it again! (at least my sister's are--how 'bout you Wendy?)

If you've ever wanted to do something like this, do it.

Crossing that finish line will make every moment of training and sacrifice worth it.

Quit watching other people accomplish things.

It's your turn.