Biggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge

Today marks day #1 of the Biggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge at work.  I am horrified and embarrassed at my true weight, so participating in a challenge where the actual weight is emailed out to all the participants made me sort of want to cry.....but I figure.....I HAVE TO do something....so participating with most of my favorite coworkers is probably a good idea.

The contest was $50 to participate and there will be two categories that will win money.....1--the most weight lost & 2--highest % lost.  Last year, the same person won both.  I would LOVE to have the money, but honestly, I'd love to lose the weight even more.  We will have 3 weigh ins....the initial one (today), a mid-point weigh in, and then the final weigh in.

My personal goal is to lose 30-35lbs by July....so if I havent hit my goal by the end of the weight loss challenge (April 18) I will keep going.  I realize this is a do-able plan, but it will not be easy.  I understand that if I want this to be weight that comes off and stays off then I need to treat this as a lifestyle change and not just a diet.  I'm trying to tell myself that I'm creating new habits, and it's more about feeling good and being healthy.  I'm trying to be positive about this, but the truth is that I'm scared.  I want this really bad.....and I want to be successful.....but I know how hard it is, and I know that my PCOS and crazy hormonal issues dont help my efforts at all. 

Today was actually a great success.  I'm WAY under the calories that I allotted for today, and I went to my first Zumba class.  It was really fun, and I certainly plan to go back.  I thought about my sisters the whole time.  It would be RIDICULOUSLY FUN if we lived close enough to take a class like this together. Kristi dances like a black girl anyway and she would for sure tear it up.  Karin has dance experience from cheerleading and just being musical.....so she would love it too.  I....well.....I have a ghetto booty like a black girl......that should count for something.....right?  :-)  Seriously, I totally enjoyed it, and felt like I was actually pretty good at it.   It is only a 45 minute class, and it goes by quickly b/c it's just fun.  My knee started to hurt a little bit, but it was mostly when I was twisting, so that is something I can modify. 

I will try to update every couple weeks on the weight loss challenge.  Hopefully the more people that know, the more encouraged I will feel and the more accountable I will be to sticking to the plan.  If I'm being honest, I believe that there are some people in my inner circle that doubt me, and dont expect me to be successful.  That actually just pisses me off and makes me sad....but now I want to prove them wrong....so I guess it's extra incentive.

Please say some prayers for my discipline, attitude, stamina, dedication, and success in this effort.  I'm tired of feeling the way I do, and being self conscious.  I know God did not put me here to feel that way about His creation (me)....so I need to get this resolved.  Thanks in advance for your prayers and encouragement.

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."  2 Timothy 1:7