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August 12 Wanna Play?!? So....I think we need a little wager to stir things up! I'm putting $20 in my paypal account to send the person who loses the biggest percentage of body weight by next Tuesday. To make things more interesting, the loser will have to sing to a camera, with passion and enthusiasm, the song of the group's choice...and post it on their page and YouTube! If you want to play, post a comment to this blog, with your current weight, the amount you are willing to give to the winner, and the song you would like the loser to sing! Because I have trust issues, I will be requiring a photo of your weights posted to your page  Get to losin' !!! Jen *****My vote for the loser song choice. Here's a link if you want to brush up on the lyrics! Video Clip - Hopelessly Devoted To You August 05 For all the homicidal maniacs in Capri pants...
This is an actual
letter from an Austin woman sent to American company Proctor and Gamble
regarding their feminine products. She really gets rolling after the first
paragraph. It's PC Magazine's 2007 editors' choice for best
webmail-award-winning letter. July 29 I have to apologize....I flaked!!! I completely flaked out!! I haven't been on here in a few months. Honestly, I wanted to put it off until I could come back strong. Here's how my come back blog was supposed to go: "Wow guys, I'm sorry it's been so long!! I've missed everyone, but I haven't had time to blog in forever. Have I got news for you. I was shopping at the Gap, and this model scout came up to me and offered me a job modeling swimsuits in exotic locations. I have spent the summer in amazing cities all over the world. While I'm on location, I never see the inside of a gym, I have to keep in shape by doing things like rock climbing, scuba diving, sky diving, and dancing with super hot men. I just wanted to thank all of you, there is no way I would have these opportunities, without all of your support to help me lose the weight....." See, that would have been a great way to come back! Instead, I've been gaining and losing the same 10 lbs over and over. Just embarrassing!! Especially facing all of the people I bragged to, about how hot I was going to be by the summer. Summer is almost over, and I'm just borderline cute !  Also, I took this community for granted. No one else in the world gives a crap about what I've eaten, how much I've exercised, or my emotional progress. I MISS YOU GUYS....  The Good Stuff: 1. I have become an official artist - I am painting LIVE at various events around our fair city, with dancers and a band! Crazy Huh! I really couldn't have done that a year ago - Progress! 2. I will begin training with Isabeau Miller from the Biggest Loser, starting this Friday!!! I will document my daily routine, so you can tag along if you want. She was trained by Jillian, so I'm sure it won't be easy!!! 3. I'm not sure if this is good, or just plain crazy, but I have 7 jobs right now. I just started a web designing company. I'm the creative director at my church. I process appraisals for an appraisal company. I sell new homes on the weekend. I am doing faux finishing and interior decorating in new homes. And, finally the performing art group that I'm in LIVEWIREZ!! Sheesh, ok, so I do have kind of an excuse why I haven't been on here, but no more!!! I, Jennifer, promise to blog at least once a week, and post my weight, and tell embarrassing stories, and whatever it takes to get this weight off, so help me God!! Love ya!! Jenny Lou Here's a pic from the last event. We did a black light performance. That's my painting called "Fire Dancer" April 11 Megan got "Best In Show" I have to brag on Megan. She entered her first photography contest. Here's what she wrote on her myspace page: I just got back from today's show... I am so excited and honored to have been a part of this... I went into this really justing wanting to gain some exposure, see what it's like to be a part of a photography show, and simply... get my feet wet, lol... never did I think I would walk away with an actual award. The craziest thing... I won BEST IN SHOW! I am honored, humbled, grateful, and dumbfounded all at once... I am grateful to the Lord for giving me such a fulfilling future doing something I love and am evidentally good at, lol... I was among 34 photographers, 108 unique photographs, all of the photographers are professionals and some have been doing this for 40 years... to think the "newbie" won the show... a definite testimony that Our God is a GREAT God, and faithful to meet us when we step out in what he has laid before us... Thanks for everyones support, encouraging words, and help picking my photos... guess you want to know which photo won, huh?! Well here's a pick the Lubbock newspaper took at the show... April 06 My son rocks! My son, Briley, had a difficult month at school. They started the Presidents' Physical Fitness Challenge at his school. They had to run a mile, do sit-ups, push-ups, and chin-ups. They paired Briley with the school bully, who is constantly making fun of his weight. Also, to make matters worse, the entire class had to sit and watch him, while they waited their turn. He was humiliated, he couldn't do a single sit-up, chin-up, or push-up. His friends got up and ran the last 5 laps with him to help him get through the mile. His coach was yelling at him, saying that he could do better than that, and the bully started calling him "The Big Zero" the rest of the week. He wanted to change schools and was really down on himself for the last few weeks. I was furious at the way they handled the tests, but I was also torn, because he is pre-diabetic and losing 20 lbs will eliminate his risk of developing the disease. I know that he has to get healthier or it will only get worse. I decided that I needed to join a gym that offers classes for kids and allows them to use the equipment. I joined one and went for a week alone, then he wanted to come with me the next week. I went into my class and he stayed behind to play on the gym's wii. I thought, well at least it's a move in the right direction. I came out of my class an hour later and he was on the elliptical, working his butt off. I couldn't believe it!! He had the choice of playing a video game, or doing a fun activity. Instead, he got on the hardest dang machine out there. And on a level 6! For an hour!! Now he wants to go with me every day, so this is huge! Also, after he worked out, he said that he wanted to start eating healthier....What? I would never have thought that would come out of his mouth! He loves fast food and hates anything else. Here's the cool part.....He had to take all of the tests over again to see if he had improved. He was worried and wanted to skip school. I told him that he had to go to school, but I would give him a note to opt out of the tests. I told him that he could use the note, if he wanted to use it, but he would feel so much better about himself, if he overcame the fear and tried it again. So, he took the note to school with him. After school, I picked him up and he was beaming ear to ear. He didn't use the note and he did better on every test. He even ran the mile in a minute less than before. He said he just kept a steady pace and he didn't feel like he was going to throw up that time. I am so proud of him!! I think it shows great maturity to have an out and not take it!!! I LOVE YOU BRILEY.....YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION!! Love you guys! Jen April 01 My near death experience...1st, HI everyone!!! How have you all been? Sorry I took a major vacation from here, I've missed you all though...
I figured I'd better get on here and tell everyone of my "near death experience". LOL...
Well, I met this girl on myspace, a friend of a photographer friend... she's into photography and wanted some pointers, so I decided to take her with me shooting one day. We drove about 30 miles outside of town to this little river area... In order to get to where we were wanting to shoot, we walked about 1/2 mile in the sand, I felt like I was sinking the entire time! Boy was it a workout trying to just walk, lol... well we got the riverbank and started looking around for different shots when all of the sudden she tells me to look across the river... she say's "Oh no, look! there's a bear right accross the river" I look up and there's this huge black thing just starting at us, mind you... the river is narrow and shallow!!!!! I take a picture of it and zoom in so I can see exactly what we're dealing with and YUP, looks just like a bear... So my heart just drops, I'm planning my funeral at this moment. I tell her walk this way, DONT run, and to just turn and come on... at least I thought I told her that, maybe I just thought it. Because......... before you know it I am running as fast as I can for my life!! sinking in the sand, I swear it was slow motion like in the movies... then I hear "DON"T LEAVE ME!" lol... I turn and realize she's wayyyy behind me and 4'11" or something like that, so she's got little legs, lol... I have my eyes on this guy up ahead who is trying to get his truck out of the sand, I'm thinking "if I can just get ot him I can jump in his truck". To the left of this is a TP and some guy sitting in his wheelchair and a couple guys off ot the side, and no I was NOT on drugs.. there was a TP! lol...
So I get to the guy with the truck, hoping and praying he speaks english and can help us... I show him the picture and zoom in and I say " Is this a bear?" he asks me where i took this, so now I'm freaking out, it's DEFINITELY a bear... I tell him "over there" and zoom in more... eventually Brittany catches up and we think we're going to die.. the guy then informs me "it's a bull" LOL.... I am so out of it, I say, "are they dangerous?"
IT"S A COW!!!!! lol.... I was running for my life from a cow! A COW!!!!! Yes, laugh all you want, go ahead! But when you take this big city girl and stick her out in the middle of nowhere, I will run from a chicken, LOL...
and just to make the story better, I have a slideshow that goes along with it, lol... that's what you get when a photographer is about to die, pictures to go along with it!
Enjoy everyone at the expense of my city-girl ignorance... hahahahahahahhahaha
Here are some pics of our day out...
Megan
  March 21 We're Ba-a-a-a-a-ck! Hey everybody! Spring Break is almost over and we are back in action. We are still here, just in case you were wondering. I have really missed blogging! I worked out almost every day this week and I'm eating way better than I have in a while. My waist has gone down 2 more inches in two weeks! Yay!! We have a lot to catch up on...I'm going to hit the sack now and I'll blog again tomorrow. Megan is going to tell you about her near death experience last week.....crazy!! Love  Love Love!!!Jen March 11 Thanks for the ride!We just posted our last video of the contest. This community has helped us make tons of progress over the last few months. I love that we have been able to meet people from all over, that we never would have had the chance to get to know. Also, the same people had such an effect on us. On the days that I wanted to just quit, I was able to come here for advice, inspiration, and mostly to not feel so alone in the battle. We would love to win the contest, but I'm rooting for all of my friends to win. So many put their heart and soul into this, I just hope everyone is rewarded with at least killer bodies! If we won, it would affect so many other people. I plan on finishing a degree in Psychology and starting a business as a life coach for teenagers. I especially want to help teens with self esteem issues, weight, and addiction problems. I don't feel like I can do this until I have my own life under control, including my weight. So, having a personal trainer would make a huge difference for us. Thanks to everyone who supported us, we have learned so much through this experience! We Love You All! JenMarch 10 What an awesome journey this has been!!!
This is my story... Once upon a time there was a confident, motivated, girl the world couldn't stop... then her world stopped. I crawled into my shell and hid behind baggy clothes, assuming no one could see me if I existed in t-shirts and jeans and never smiled, I could blend in and be 'nothing special.' Then I realized I was still visible, so I learned to stay close to my 'safe place', I learned to stay home... I learned to build walls so high that no one could climb them and get in, where no one could see what was on the other side. But the sad part, my life changed around me, but never within me, I was a still a 'shell' of a person. Completely unhappy, denying my own reality... that I could change the way I felt about myself if I could change the way I lived. I've felt helpless like the world was against me and it was everyone else's faults, how could I take the blame for ending up like this, it must have been the way I've been treated. With each passing emotion; happy, sad, frustrated, angry, scared, fulfilled, and on... came the urge to eat, with every emotion there was a food to match. Self control was for others, I had none... and never would or could have any. If only I didn't look in the mirror and only allowed myself to see 'so much' than maybe I could deny what I'd become... if I shop the big girls stores, chances are I'm one of the "small" ones in there... I was only a 16. These are the thoughts, the irrational thinking that got me through another day. I don't want to be this person any longer, I want to BREAK out of my shell, re-introduce myself to the world and finally live up to the potential that I have been given, show the world what I truly do have to offer. I. My husband. My children. We all deserve to move on in our lives, mommy needs to love herself again in order to truly love anyone else. In my suffering, they have suffered. All the sunny days my girls could have been at the playground playing but because of my limitations, they were stuck in the house not understanding why they couldn't be a part of the world. I have honestly only ever brought my girls to the playground 10 times, my oldest is 3. 10 times... I'm ashamed of what I've taken from her by not allowing her to live because I was afraid of who I was. Having the opportunity to join the Biggest Loser Million Pound Match-Up has been amazing... I've been a part of a community of 'strangers' who are setting out for the very same reasons as Jennifer and I, to regain their hope, their lives, and find themselves again. I am grateful for this experience and plan to continue to reach out to the friends I have made. I have lost a little over 11 lbs, and while that may not seem like much... I have clothes that haven't fit me in almost 2 years, fitting... I feel so much better and it has jump started my journey! I have joined a gym and am attending regularly now, I am eating healthy, making sure my family gets proper nutrition and making strides to change our lifestyle for the better. My oldest has enrolled in pre-school and I have even been a part of her parades, parties, etc... I would have NEVER put myself in a situation like that before out of fear of being judged, being the FAT one in the group. I have learned that I am worth more, and no matter what anyone thinks of me, my family deserves MY best in life in everything! I have a long way to go... 85lbs to get to my goal weight, but I KNOW I can do it! I still need help and support, but I am hoping and trusting that this awesome group of people are still going to be here when the challenge ends, they're still moving forward with their lives and want to give and receive the encouragement just as much as the rest of us. I can come out of my house now... as a matter of fact, I am actually going to be in a production at church and have a solo part all to my own. This is HUGE! but in order to move forward I continue to allow these doors to open, to find myself in each and every one. I am confident, motivated and the world WILL NOT stop me! You will hear from me and see me again... I have yet to make my mark! Thank you MSN and Biggest Loser for allowing me to join you on this ride and 're-discover' who I was created to be. I will never be the same! ***I think we deserve a chance to win this... We have worked hard; emotionally, physically, and we've tried really hard to connect with others on here, we've made some GREAT friends in return. It's been more than just a contest, it's truly changed our outlook on who we are. We are getting out of the house more than we have ever in our entire friendship. It's awesome to finally live! We are getting out to the gym together and are determined to be the best we can be for our children and our families, history will not repeat itself... not if we can help it! Thank you all for being a part of this with us, we hope you stick around!!! Love all of you losers, ;) Here's to shrinking da' booty, don't stop til' it's hot ! We have the attention span of a toddler... This
is a video of us trying to do a Turbo Jam workout. It takes a minute for me to set up the camera, literally, so just skip ahead about 60 sec. Notice how long we
can stay focused, about as long as a toddler can! Also, what are we doing compared to
what the Turbo Jam people are doing. Not seeing the shrinkage in da booty area in this video! March 07 Amazing what a few words can do... I'm pretty bummed.  I
got all dressed in my feel good outfit, my high heels, did my hair
and makeup. Felt like a million bucks, the world was in my pocket. I'm
in control of my body! Nothing is going to stop me now (picture
Mary Tyler Moore in her opening, if I had a hat I would have thrown it
in the air) THEN....I ran into a member of my family who I hadn't seen
in a few years or about 40 lbs ago. She said "I didn't even recognize
you, you're so big!" EXCUSE ME!! SO RUDE!!  
I think I gained 600 lbs in one minute. I swear I could feel every roll
on my body start to grow and I seemed to be swelling up everywhere! I hate that it
got to me, but it did. It's amazing to me the power
words have over you. Also, my son had the flu AGAIN last weekend! I haven't been able to get to the gym, but I'm trying to workout at home. I'm eating about one meal a day, because my work is so hectic. So, my weight didn't change this week. I wanted to just say screw this, it's never
going to work. Well, instead of doing what I would normally do, run to the fridge, I checked out some of our friends site. I can see huge differences in everyone. I started thinking about it, and I know if she had seen me a few months
ago, she would have seen a difference in me. Anyway...I'm so grateful to this community on days like this, it gets you focused and right back on track again. Thanks everyone for letting us have a glimpse into your lives, it has made all the difference in the world!JenMarch 03 I'm tired, but I am just about finshed building my website!This past week has been pretty good for me... I've been a lot more active and getting out with the family more than usual. I was eating great balanced meals, low cal, and everything until yesterday! We ended up eating chinese fod for lunch, SO BAD FOR ME, and pizza for dinner! ARGH... but I'm back to eating good, I promise. I really just ate that junk out of convenience because we were out and I wasn't able to cook. It's been a crazy week, I've been working on my business stuff, I'm a photographer and I'm just getting started... so I've spent every night working on my website and writing release forms, proofing pictures, etc... but I've lined up 3 shoots in the past few days and I have even advertised yet, so that's gotta be good! I don't mean to make the blog about my business, but it's all I can really think about right now... it's pretty consuming to build the ground work for a new company. I'm exhausted and can't wait to get a good nights rest... I'm pretty tired, so forgive me for being a total bore...
Have an awesome week everyone.
Megan
March 01 Show Megan Some LoveMegan developed a website for her photography business and it is now ready for your viewing pleasure. She has an amazing eye and has just started taking pictures about 5 months ago. Can you imagine what she will be able to do in a few years! Blows my mind!! Click on the link below and check it out....... February 25 We're too sexy for these clothes!! Meg and I took photos last night of ourselves in outfits that are about 10 pounds away from fitting us. I was actually just going to hold the jeans up to me, because a month ago I couldn't get them past my knees! I couldn't breath in them, but they are on! AAAHHH!! So we are stoked or geeked, as Joi says . We are both fitting into clothes that we haven't worn in a few years!! We are joining a gym together, so this is going to make all the difference in the world. We've been working out on our own and it's dang hard to motivate yourself all the time. By the way, who do you think is more comfortable in front of the camera. Megan or me? I'll give you a hint...Megan is a photographer! Don't judge her skills by my photos, you have to have a willing subject! If you go through her pictures fast, it looks like she's dancing.  DANCIN' ....DANCIN'....YAY...SHE'S A DANCIN' MACHINE!!February 24 FINALLY!!!!!!!!! Da' booty is shrinking!!!I feel like I've been doing this and getting nowhere, BUT.... my last weigh-in, before all the sickness and misery, I weighed in at 229.5!!! That's a 4.9 lb loss! I have not been below 230 since before I had my baby girl, heck before I got pregnant with my baby girl... she's now 8 months! And in the midst of the throwing up, yes..., I weighed myself, lol! Oh don't judge me, you know you've ALL done it, lol... SO I weighed myself, knowing it was obviously NOT weight loss that was earned, nor would it stick around, but I saw 227 for the 1st time in forever. It was for a moment, pure bliss! I am only 2 lbs away, so I can and will be there next week, assuming I am disciplined! I am trying hard, I really am... However, my husband who's 6'2" and 180lbs, which is heavy for him, decides tomorrow would be a good day to make creme brulee... ah, NO! I keep telling him, "work with me, would ya?!" He does these things without realizing what a temptation it is for me, but when we have friends over, he likes to show off his 'cooking skills'... how about those salad skills buddy?! Huh?! lol.. guess our company wouldn't be impressed with lettuce, right... It's up to me to be disciplined and say, "no, thank you"... but for a chubby chick on a diet, this is a tough thing to do.
But on another note, I am very excted because I am actually going to SEE Jennifer for the 1st time in almost 2 weeks... we're going to do a FABULOUS video blog, workout montage, and shrink da' booty's, all at the same time! I have been going through 'jen withdrawal' ... I'm even leaving my guests a little earlier so I can hang out with her... how hospitable, right? I know... but they're cool and they'll understand. We've got "business" to attend to! MILLION POUND MATCH-UP BUSINESS!!!
Well I'm tired and my bed is screaming my name... night night losers...
Keep an eye out for our next 'crazy "Soul Sistas" video'...
P.S. I can now fit into 2, yes 2, pairs of pants that were wayyy too tight for me, and they're much cuter than what I've been wearing! Yeah me!
Megan February 20 Gained it back! My schedule has been crazy and everyone is finally over the flu. I ate perfectly all week, but never got back into my workout routine. My reward......4 extra pounds!!! Working out is really the key. I can maintain my weight eating right, but I don't lose a thing if I don't workout. My energy level is back up, and I'm ready to get back in the game. I'm going for a 5 pound weight loss this week. February 17 Need Ideas for Helping My SonHi Guys! I can't seem to get the events page to work. Anyone else having trouble inviting guests? Quote Need Ideas for Helping My Son February 16 Comfortably Numb Hey guys! I've been working some crazy hours and my son and I have been battling the flu, again! I've only been able to workout a couple of times this week. If I don't workout, it feels like I didn't brush my teeth all day. Working out is starting to feel like a habit now, so that's progress. We are going to kick it into high gear for the next few weeks. There is no way we are going to end this contest having only lost 14 pounds between us! We are going to be posting a workout montage this week, should be interesting! We are also posting the "before" photos of us, each day will be more embarrassing and revealing than the first, so check in and have a good laugh! The food thing is still my biggest problem. I am only losing a little, because I am taking in as many calories as I burn off. It's not like I'm shoving piles of food into my mouth, but my schedule's so crazy that I snack all day instead of eat regular meals. I have all of these good intentions, to cook healthy meals. In reality, I only have 10 minutes to cook and eat. I grab a sandwich here, a handful of crackers there, a cereal bar, or a coffee for a meal. I only slept about 6 hours between Tuesday and Friday, so it felt like one long hellish crazy day. I didn't even know how to log the calories. I felt like I needed to get in control of my eating, so I blogged about my mom in "Letting Go". This is always a hard time of the year for me, and I end up gaining weight. I wanted to take control this year. It helped to talk about it. I had a crazy reaction though, while I was typing it out. I starting shaking all over and felt dizzy. I went immediately to the fridge and started rummaging through it to find something to eat! I couldn't believe what I was doing. It was like a need for a quick fix, something to calm me down. I guess I usually do it mindlessly and can't pinpoint it to any particular emotion. But, this was obvious! I have a big problem with food. I'm pretty even tempered, I thought it was just my personality. But, it could be that I'm just burying all of my real emotions under food. I started thinking about it and I guess I go through life kind of numb. I'm a generally happy person, but that's it. I don't feel real pain, joy, sadness....well any extreme emotion. Well, I'm being kind of a bummer right now, it just helps to get it all out. This week I'm going to try to tap into what I'm feeling, maybe that will help me control the food. It's kind of weird that I don't even know how to begin! This is something I should have learned as a toddler....This is happy , This is sad , This is grumpy, This is mad .....Thanks for listening and your support. It helps! JenFebruary 14 STEP AWAY FROM THE CANDY!!!..Today is Valentine's day and I have forbid my husband from buying me candy... this year I opt not to devour an entire box of chocolate and feel guilty for the following 2 weeks, and no Jennifer, I promise not to show up to your house with candy for you! Last year we bought eachother candy and it never made it to eachothers houses, we ate it, yup that's right we ate the candy we bought for eachother, confessed it to eachother, and then we called it even! How sad, huh?! lol.. that is how weak we are, we cannot have sweets in the house... if I buy anything, they're gone the 1st day! I bought my mom a bag of lindt chocolates with caramel in them for this Valentines... I ended up opening the bag and taking just 2 out, one for me and one for my 3-year-old hadley. I ate BOTH!!! I figured hey, she has a little heart-shaped box I bought her with 3 chocolates in it. Then I ate 1 1/2 of her chocolates... my husband was around the corner and I didn't offer him a thing! So pathetic, right?!... I am weak, very very weak........ so, I think I've had my share, lol... NO MORE CANDY FOR ME! This year my mindset HAS to be different, I am hoping for a nice healthy dinner out and a movie... heck, I'll just be happy to get out! Nothing too crazy and financially draining... I've never been a HUGE fan of Valentine's day, it just so commercialized and puts a ton of pressure on men to "top" last years. I'd rather my husband spontaneously be romantic and bring me flowers. Valentines day, it's just expected... He's actually out of town today working and we're going to celebrate and go out tomorrow night! so, no biggie... MUAH to my hard-working honey! Jennifer and I plan on working on the page today. She's coming over and we're going to work out, take some pictures and video... hopefully we'll have something interesting to post soon! We've spent a lot of time talking about what it would be like to go on the Biggest Loser. There are casting calls in Dallas and I'm tempted to go... some people have had direct calls about auditioning. I guess I'm torn on what I would actually do if I had that opportunity! I have a little one at home, 8 months in a few days and a 3 year old. I know if I had the chance, it would drastically change my life and give me a 2nd chance... I want more than anything to be healthy for me and my family... we deserve that much! And I try to do it on my own, but I keep failing... I know getting and staying healthy is a life-long challenge and goal, it's just so hard. I see the people on the biggest loser and how they change practically overnight, Bob and Jillian are amazing trainers, teachers, and motivators... and I think, I want that, I would give anything for the chance to be happy with myself and my life again... for my girls, for my husband and for myself... and then comes the "how would I leave my girls for that long? I would have to, if given the chance... how could I not do it for them? I'm not writing this because I've been asked to the show, but it's always been a thought in the back of my mind... my husband has actually told me for the last 3 years he wishes I could go to the ranch and work with Bob or Jillian, he would support me 100%... I never thought it could actually happen. Now there's casting calls and they're only 6 hours away... so NOW, it's actually a thought that's not so distant. I think about it all the time, what would it be like... who knows, I guess I just want God's will for my life and whatever happens, happens... Happy Valentines' Day everyone... stay away from the candy and give your friends and family lots of love! Megan p.s. I did have a little chocolate, but here's my 'alternative' to my usual box of chocolates!!! yummy bananas and strawberries with a little bit of chocolate drizzled over the top! my daughter couldn't wait to dig in, she snatched one while I was taking the picture! |
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