Mark: Abducted by evil, Biggest Loser, super duper bad work out Aliens!

Current weight: 224 lbs. I think that is back down a bit and headed in the right direction. The good old "24 hour flu diet" does wonders.

Feels like I have been abducted by aliens, because I am hardly around. 3 weeks of school left and being down to the wire has made me hit the books even harder. So, I will tune in next week (briefly) and hopefully report 222 lbs. Have to set a goal, right?

Mark, out!

My DOW closed up, once again.

I am at 227. So, I best be fixin my prob. Stay tuned. my goal for next week is 224.

Mark says: Top 5 Reasons To Stick with Biggest Loser

So, I have gained another pound. I am at 225. But I am re-invested and the next couple of weeks are important for getting back in the grove. I will not give up and the following are a the top 5 reasons I have to hang in there. enjoy!

#5-I don’t want to drive everywhere alone (these Obama cars have no gut room I swear!)

#4-A 'Party Barge' has more than one person in it. (Obama makes boats now?)


#3-When I'm out fighting crime, I hate having to clarify that I am IronMan and not the Stay-Puff-Marshmallow-Man.

#2-This is the only extra weight I want to carry around.

#1-Each Halloween, I get tired of explaining that I am Venom and NOT Shelob!

Shari Weighs in

I am on for the recommitment to the blog site!

I am down to 196.4 lbs this week. I have lost 2 lbs and am loving life until I get my teeth done! Hope to see you all soon.

Intervention! Revival! Recommit! Repent!

I have recently noticed a falling a way at the BL2009 blog. I regret to inform you that I am part of that fray as well. I have gained a few pounds back (3) I am at 224 and rising. And I didn't want to report that. Like not blogging about it keeps the pounds off. Ha! This is where I always arrive, and then I slowly gain it all back plus more. Not this time! I call for a re-commitment from the group. For my growing tummy's sake, lets get back into this! Next Monday is the official coming back day. All is forgiven, let us continue our journey. There is no need to start over, we are well on our way, lets keep the Oct 4th end date in our sights and press on. I have a dream, a dream of responsible eaters and weight losers! A dream of judging a plate by the content of its character and not by the calories it brings. A dream of a balanced life of liberty and the pursuit of exercise to enjoy life and liberty (until Obama takes it away next week). A dream of endless fruits and vegetables and lean meats with spice. A dream of a world free from the bondage of High Fructose Corn Syrup and MSG, small waist bands and thinner ankles, fewer chins and more chin-ups, less rolls and more Rollerblades and... and... Is that Rocky Road in my freezer?

I am weighing in....LOOK OUT!

Hi everyone,

This week was horrible but I managed to maintain my previous weight so I weigh in at 198 lbs.

Brighter side of news, I have started an aerobic dance class that is 5 days a week, yippee! I hope, kind of worried. I think it should be good anyways and help me continue to be active. I totally suck with that on my own. It's not that I don't like working out it just that I hate getting sweaty! Lame I know but it was the best I could come up with on short notice.

I shall return

Okay guys, I am taking a short sabbatical. I will return next week, hopefully with my head in the game again!

Eric...where have you been???

Well, I have been around (rounder and rounder)...oops, I digress.
No, I have been working on diet, excercise...working, working, doing more work...doing calling, working, diet, excersice, lots of work, young men's secretary stuff...
Ok...so I've been a little busy to write. Of course, so have all of you...so I really have NO exscuse, but whatever.
BUT!!!! I have great news...as of today, I have officially lost a total of 11 lbs since May 4th.
It has been steady and seemed slow, but I am seeing results. Go me!!!
As of today I am 306lbs.
Wahooo!!!
Ok, gotta go...work to do...
I will try to be more consistent on the blogging thing...sorry?!?!?!
Thanks,
Eric

Shari Weighing in....

Ok. So I have lost a whole .4 lbs! I know not as much of a applause for that, but I can work with it. At least it is negative right?!

198 lbs

I'm counting it a victory

Yeah, this last week had some elements of stress, not to mention some unwise food choices! The fact that I maintained my weight from last week feels like a total victory. I did discover that, after limiting my sugar intake to 15 grams for the past few weeks, everytime I overdid the sweet dessert thing, I woke up the next morning feeling like my body had been poisoned. Hmm, what could that mean? I do better when I just have a small piece of really good dark chocolate once in awhile.

John also maintained this week.

I did get the info I need to get signed up at Gold's gym. So I will do that this week and it should help out. So, here's to a good week ahead.

So I am just going along, trying to eat my 15 gram sugar limit per day, and THIS happens! Goodness gracious, how exactly does one navigate a roadblock like this? It's not like you can ignore it, or pretend it isn't there. I suppose there is enough will power somewhere in the world to manage this kind of a problem, but I haven't located it yet. Oh sure, I could have stayed home, but then I would have missed out on a fun time with Sydney and Erika, and that is not an acceptable option either, not when one is a Grandma. So, all I am saying is--TROUBLE!

Shari Weighs in......

I have been super naughty this week, but still managed to lose 2 lbs.
I was shocked! The grand total is......drum roll please.......

198 lbs
35.1 BMI

Me again!

Hi all, Sue weighing in. No loss this week, but an inch off my waist. So I will take it. But I think we are joining Golds Gym this week. I need a little help.

Good news--John lost 1 pound. Slow and steady, right!?

Mark is doing great--let's all have a good week.

Mark Weighs: Proud yet not so proud!

Original Stats: 24o.5 lbs // waist 47" // BMI: 35.7

Current Weight: 221 lbs.

Waist: 43 inches

BMI: 32.6 (obese)

Previous week:

Weight: 226 lbs

Waist: 44.5 inches

BMI: 33.4 (obese)

Loss for the week: 5 lbs

Lost so far: 19.5 lbs. = 8% of my body weight.

Commentary: Looks like I found the winning combination. I am losing both inches and pounds and feeling good all around. I have found a very simple workout schedule that takes all the thinking out of the equation. I will share that secret next week. I am glad to be down to 220 but not glad to be 220. 220 is still very bad for me, so that explains the picture. Happy to be losing, just need to keep going!

Shari Weighs in

200 lbs
35.4 BMI

I was really excited to lose 5 lbs thanks to Sis B. and the sugar emails. But sadly I went up 4 last week so that leaves me with just a 1 lb loss. Sad days. Sorry about the late updates. Computers are preciously taken with all the planning for weddings. Got to love Provo! Hope to kick butt next week!

Mark weighs in: STUCK!

Original Stats: 24o.5 lbs // waist 47" // BMI: 35.7

Current Weight: 226 lbs.

Waist: 44.5 inches

BMI: 33.4 (obese)

Previous week:

Weight: 226 lbs

Waist: 44.5 inches

BMI: 33.4 (obese)

Loss for the week: ZERO! lbs AGAIN!!

Lost so far: 14.5 lbs. = 6% of my body weight.

Commentary: Seems I do great all week and then friday night comes and for one reason or another I eat the wrong things. Like dutch oven potatoes, s`mores, chocolate chip cookies, BBQ-potatochips, corn chips. the only thing I haven't had is a real soda with sugar. I abuse diet soda like an alchoholic abuses near beer. this was all at the father-and-sons camp out for my brother's ward. I followed suit for breakfast having bacon, eggs (wich are okay) and buttermilk pancakes with pure high fructose corn syrup laced with artificial maple flavoring. I guess I shouldn't be so dissapointed because I haven't gained any weight back, but I feel I have wasted two weeks because I have made no progress. Oh, well. Right back at it! Now, I am trying to plan ahead for the dietary land mines, I guess the next one is the Alaska Bostons are comming down soon and that means family togetherness wich equals FOOD and usually lots of it.

Hi, it's Sue!

Hi, it's me! I am down to 202, this week was a pound and a half loss, plus 1 inch off my hips. I didn't get to walk last week, I pulled something in my foot and it complained about any extra walking. So this is another week, although a busy one, but I will try to do some walking. I also need to navigate Sierra's birthday--but it is always something! Hope everyone has a good eating week!

As for John, he is still maintaining.

Shari Weighs in

Oh boy, not so pleasant a sight. I just cannot go out of my element and expect to be good.

I gained 4 lbs

Weight- 205 lbs

A little late

Hey, Mom here. It's a little late, can't remember my password to log on to our new computer, had to go back to the laptop. Anyhow, it was an odd week. I didn't lose pounds, but I did lose 3 inches off my waist! It doesn't make sense, but I'll take it! Hope this is a good week for all of us!

Mark weighs in - I broke even.

Original Stats: 24o.5 lbs // waist 47" // BMI: 35.7

Current:
Weight: 226 lbs.
Waist: 44.5 inches (around belly button)
BMI: 33.4 (obese)

Previous week:
Weight: 226 lbs
Waist: 44.5 inches (around belly button)
BMI: 33.4 (obese)

Loss for the week: ZERO! lbs
Lost so far: 14.5 lbs. = 6% of my body weight.

Commentary: For the kind of week I had, I feel I dodged a bullet by breaking even. I really thought I was going to gain a few back this week. I let the stress of school (projects and exams) get to me and wednesday and thursday were very bad days. Water under the bridge. Let it go man, just let it go.

Sorry, Shari finally weighs in

Weight- 207
BMI 36.1

Hmmm... I think I kinda forgot the point of the biggest loser! I'm going backwards. I will do better this week. Soda and routines are definitely my down fall!

Hope everyone did good.

Ohhh...Forgot to say!!

Hey I almost forgot...

I had to buy some new cargo shorts for the summer. (blew out my old ones)

AND THEY ARE A SIZE SMALLER!!!!

Waaaaahoooooooo!

Anyway, thought I'd share!

Bye,

Eric

Sorry...Better Late than Never...

Current:
Weight: 312 lbs.
BMI: 43 (morbidly obese)

Wow...lost 1 lb. However, I have been NOT drinking soda but just once in a great while.

I have also been finding a great lemonade substitute...Amy bought me those Crystal light packets that you can pour into a H2O bottle. Not as totally organic and healthy as the stevia, but it's working for me.

I feel great...I wish that I could get more weight off...but that will come. Right now, I have been working out an average of 5 days/week for 4 weeks now. (I had started before the contest.)

I feel pumped, inspired and a little tired. ^_^

Anyway ---> GOOD LUCK ALL!!!!

Mom checking in!

Okay, it's Monday!
Start Weight 210.5
Today 203.5
Lost this week 3 pounds
Total lost 7 pounds

My waist and hip measurements are the same, but since SparkPeople tracks it, you will be glad to know that I have lost 1/2 inch off my neck! My neck, it's not like I couldn't stand to lose it somewhere, or several somewheres, else!
3% of my body weight!

And for Dad
Start Weight 220
Today 215.5
Total lost 4.5 pounds

I really like doing it this way. You can go on those online blogs, but I don't care about those people all that much! Better to do it with people whose progress matters to me.

Goal for the week--WALK! It didn't happen for me last week, but I am going to try again this week! I want to keep up the downward spiral! Mark, good job, and I love the graphics! Waiting to hear from the rest of the gang!

Mark weighs in: I'm still in a recession!

Original Stats: 24o.5 lbs // waist 47" // BMI: 35.7

Current:

Weight: 226 lbs.

Waist: 44.5 inches (around belly button)

BMI: 33.4 (obese)

Previous week:

Weight: 229.5 lbs

Waist: 45.5 inches (around belly button)

BMI: 33.9 (obese)

Loss for the week: 3.5 lbs

Lost so far: 14.5 lbs. = 6% of my body weight.

Commentary:

Looks like I am down to a normal weight loss number this week. it was taking me a lot of effort (bad eating) to maintain that 240.5 I had going. Now, I am in the trenches where every pound seems to hang on for dear life. I am glad to be below 230. I have been stuck at 230 for years. In the past I would gain 10 lbs or lose 10 lbs, then I would level off at 230. Thanks everyone for your encouraging words. I am having a great time being in the same boat with you all, lets keep rowing!

Made it home--Shari

Okay so being home watching the biggest loser on TIVO, one of the losers was 64-years-old. He looked like he was 80. Jerry has nothing on Elder B! He shocked me. So being home, I am starting to sabotage my good dieting. But I'm going to stop that and get out for a power walk tomorrow morning. I hope everyone is doing fabulous!

Super Lo-carb Lemonade! (Great soda replacement)

This is the best find yet, thanks to Ma Boston. This lemonade tastes so good and it keeps the soda craving away. Stevia is a plant that is sweet and has no calories or side effects like splenda, et all. Right now, Fresh and Easy has it for $5.99. small bottle, white powder, it comes with its own 25mg scoop too! I made some this morning and drank it with my lunch. when I was finished with my lunch I wanted more lemonade, so I went to the soda station and swiped some lemon wedges and ice and water, and mixed in a stevia packet that I had in pocket and ta-da! perpetual lemonade! Happy Drinking!

Ok, I'm In! - Amy

Alright, now that my week of sabotage and weakness are behind me, I think I'm ready to get going - altho for the record, I did NOT gain last week.

Here's the yucky stats,

Weight 231.0
BMI 36.2

Attitude - surprisingly unmotivated...especially since I started this whole thing!

I did start the Women's Challenge that I posted on the tool bar so that's a little extra motivation for my exercise. Eric is setting a great example and is turning into quite the gym rat - good for him!

Everybody else - great job last week!!

Shari Weighs in

Current:

Weight: 200 lbs
BMI: 35.3

So I have lost an inch around my chest. How I don't weigh less I'm blaming on building muscle (hopefully!) But a pound is a pound and I'm still going strong. Mark I'm super jealous! Seriously Weigh to go!

As for Dad---

Just heard from John--2 pounds lost! Yay!

Mom's check in

Okay guys, I lost 4.5 pounds, about 2% of my body weight. It was a pretty good week, I think I managed to deal with the cheesecake thing ok. Last week was South Beach Phase I, but I am going to tweak a few things this week. I took measurements and put them in SparkPeople, so I will be able to post my progress there as well. I think it is interesting that we each have our own thing as far as changing our food habits goes. Here's to another successful week!

Eric's...hmm that spandex looks sexy...^_^

Photo of Eric in Gym...running! Ha!

Current:

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 313 lbs.

BMI: 43 (morbidly obese)

Previous:

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 317

BMI: 43 (morbidly obese)

Lost so far:4 lbs. = 1.26% of my body weight.

Feeling good. I feel like maybe the going to the gym thing is maybe getting to be more of a habit?...well, we'll see. But, I do feel like it was a productive week. Now, I need to work on the eating thing. Going to be much more diligent this week with portions and carbs. But, one great accomplishment for this week...I GAVE UP SODA!!! For me, that's huge. I even drank water at the movie theatre instead of soda. The toughest is finding alternatives when your out...but it can be done.

Good luck to all and congratulations on any success that was had!!

Mark weighs in! (not wearing those goofy spandex-sorry)

0600 am 5-11-2009

Current:
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 229.5 lbs.
Waist: 45.5 inches
BMI: 33.9 (obese)

Previous:
Height: 5'9"

Weight: 24o.5lbs
Waist: 47 inches (around belly button)
BMI: 35.7 (obese)

Lost so far:
11 lbs. = 5% of my body weight.

I have to run off now, no time for notes, I'll chime in later.
"SCALE YOUR FEAR, DO NOT FEAR THE SCALE"- The Sphynx said that

Oh yay it works Shari is on!

I finally figured it out. Wow, for being of the computer generation I really missed the memos! Okay time to start my stats now.

Weight- 201 lbs
Height- 5'3"
BMI- 35.6
Age- 22
Sex- Female

I think my biggest challenge this week has been not to eat 3 hours before I go to bed. I hate work. I never think about making food for work because I would need to start right after lunch and remember to take it. Grrr... I will be better. Only next week I will be headed to Kansas. If I can make it through next week without ruining my good week this week. I will definitely be the biggest loser!!! Now I'm off to see if there are any good deals on lean cuisine meals!

Okay! It's like Wednesday already!

So, why am I still about the same size as I was way back on Monday? I mean really, I have been dedicated for not 1, not 2, but for 3 whole days now. What gives? Its been a long week and it hasn't even been a week yet. I guess Michael McClain sung it best "hold on, hold on, the weight will be gone! Just hold on! hold on!" I think that's my mutated version of his really nice song. TTFN - I'll check in on Monday night.

Check this out - From Amy

(I think we need to put our names in the title line so we don't get confused - or maybe I'm the only one...)

Anyway, check out the link on the side bar for the Woman's Challenge that is starting on May 10 - might be useful. Guys, don't be afraid to check it out - it has good stuff on there!

What do you think?

Ok, I have a question for you. If you click on the Jorge Cruise site on the right side of the screen, then have them send you the info on losing belly fat, they will send you a download. I did, and read it, and find it very interesting. I was wondering if my partners in this venture would read it and let me know what you think. Doable? Unrealistic? And most of all, would it work? Things I am wondering about.

How to post

I think all I need is your email address to invite you to bcome an author. The invitation will prompt you to either use your existing google account or to create one then you can post as your self. it is simple. So, my email is mark_howard67@cox.net so, send me your email adress and I'll send you an invite.
thanks,

OK so far!

Well, Dad and I are into the first real day. I weighed in at 210.5, and Dad at 220. Surprisingly, my chocolate cravings have not been as bad as I expected, hope that lasts! We will try to get a walk in tonight, that is better than nothing, right?! As for visualizing, I am just visualizing that my clothes will fit again!

Oops, I keep posting under the name of the last contributor! I will have to have Mark give me a tutorial. And somewhere I saw a question from Shari asking how to post. She will get a tutorial after I get one! Mom

CAUTION - New Blogger

Well, I've jumped into the fray and am now "blogging". <>

I'm also jumping in and giving my stats so that I can join in being a "LOOOOSSSSEEERRRR"!!!

My stats are that I'm 317lbs and I'm working out every day, eating ok and using Sparkpeople to track it all.

Really excited about this "thing" we're doing and hope to look half as good as Jason Stratham aka. Mark Howard... hehehe :)

Visualize world peas!

I read somewhere that to help in the journey that is weight loss, that it is good to visualize the new you. So, I am posting an image, that I hope I turn out to be. Soon I will post some of my early college photos to show you where I have been. In the meantime I think or hope that I will turn out similar to Jason Stathom (we are the same age). He has no hair, like me so I'll just have to trim down and tone up, then not shave for a week and ta-da! Here's to visualizations. I invite others to do the same.

Almost ready!

Hi, Mom here! I will officially start tomorrow, today is my "prep for the diet" day. See you tomorrow!

Count me in!

It is close enough to monday morning, not like I will lose any overnight- unless I take that "lose while you sleep pill" ha! ha!

Age: 35

Height: 5'9"

weight: 24o.5lbs

waist: 47 inches (around belly button)

BMI: 35.7 (obese)

Goal (I'm really dreaming here): 180lbs.That means I need to lose 62 lbs. That means that I need to lose just shy of 4 lbs a week (not realistic for this competition). So I will settle on half my goal, I pledge to lose 30 lbs by the end of this competition.

Let The Games Begin!!