Final month of our Challenge

This is the final month of DI's "New You Challenge". I would really like to keep this group going, but it's been difficult to say the least. I had imagined 20 FIRED UP members all pulling for and supporting each other. Most of those that signed up for the Challenge seemed to have lost interest within the first month.

What's the problem???? Hmmm, excuses I’ve used in the past ? #1 – I’m busy...too busy to go to the gym today. #2 - Losing weight is HARD to do. #3 -Eating downstairs is very convenient..especially on Wing day. "I've totally screwed up my diet so there's no need to continue." #4 - "I'll start that tomorrow", or since it's the middle of the week, "I'll wait until Monday and start fresh". Sound familiar?

We all need motivation and the thought of taking home the $100 pot should be at least some motivation? Not enough? How about feeling good about yourself? Knowing that you're doing something for YOU and your health...TODAY! Aren't you worth it?

I know that most of you are aware of this, but it doesn't hurt to hear it again. The health problems associated with being overweight are numerous. It's not just a cosmetic problem. It's a health hazard. Someone who is 40% overweight is twice as likely to die prematurely as is an average-weight person. This is because obesity has been linked to several serious medical conditions, including: Heart disease and stroke, High blood pressure, Diabetes, Cancer, Gallbladder disease and gallstones, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea (when a person stops breathing for a short time during sleep) and asthma.

Doctors generally agree that the more obese a person is the more likely he or she is to have health problems. People who are 20% or more overweight can gain significant health benefits from losing weight. Many obesity experts believe that people who are less than 20% above their healthy weight should still try to lose weight if they have a family history of any of the medical conditions mentioned above.

I'm sure you noticed the cost of our medical benefits have gone up considerably? It's all relative!

The DI New You was created to help you work towards a healthier lifestyle. It's a choice you have to make. It's not something you can do in January and forget it for the rest of the year - until you can make that New Year's resolution...one more time.

I've been there and done that! I wasn't what some may consider obese, but to me...I felt like I was. When I reached 178 pounds, I said that's it! I'm miserable and I WILL do something about it. Most of my teenage years I weighed less than 100 pounds. Even after having 2 children...I was able to lose the weight and keep it off. Then I hit 30, then 40 and it's been a struggle. Now I'm headed towards 50! I was trying everything to lose weight. I was at the gym every day. I went thru 3 boot camps the Galleria Athletic Club. I had no idea what I was doing wrong. Why can't I lose the weight???

My daughter told me about a program created by a doctor in Newnan. The "Healthy Lifestyle Program". I used her as my "guinea pig" for about a month. When I saw how well she did...I went for it! Once on the program I was so excited to start seeing results SO quickly, I was telling everyone about it. I got the looks...like "why are you telling ME this??" or an unenthusiastic..."GREAT" and the "Yeah, yeah, good for you"

I just want you to know, the only reason I was telling everyone that would listen (and a few that probably weren't), wasn't that I was getting a commission for referrals or that I thought you needed my help...it was that I had tried EVERYTHING up to that point to lose weight...so I thought. I had absolutely no idea how many calories I was consuming during each meal until I started keeping track of it in a journal. I was limited to 1,000 calories a day...that's it...3 meals a day and no snacking! Sounds tough, but when you eat the right things in the right portions....it's really not. A portion of chicken isn't half a bird...it's 3 or 4 oz. I was told to weigh and measure everything. If you guess...your portions will get bigger and bigger.

Once I figured out that it wasn't rocket science...the pounds and inches began to come off. YES! I was excited and I still am about this program. I had something exciting to share, so yes, I was sharing/telling everyone! Those of you that were victim to my ravings....please forgive me for my enthusiasm. I started this program in late June of last year. I had reached my goal in January 2009. At that point, I had lost 48 pounds! I met my goal weight of 130 - From a size 14 to a 4! Excited? Well...YES I AM!! Since January, I managed to lose a few more pounds for a total of 53, (125 lbs.) where I am currently. I'm keeping the weight off and I'll keep the healthy lifestyle I worked so hard to achieve. It seems to work for me anyway.

This entry is meant to motivate...not to brag or offend anyone. I just want you to know that I have been where you may be right now. Frustrated, disgusted, miserable, tired... YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!! As Nike says...JUST DO IT! One day at a time and I've said before...NEVER BE TOO BUSY FOR YOU!