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Well, this journey is almost over. Just a couple more days to the Final weigh-in. I've got to tell you, I'm all over the emotional highway on this one.
HAPPY - I'm so happy that I was able to be a part of this. I'm a happy about the weight I lost. I'm happy about new friends I've made. I'm happy that I've been able improve my health. Oddly, happiness leads to...
FEAR – What happens on Friday morning? I’ve been here before. I’ve had the weight loss and when the plan was over I gained it back. In fact, knowing that history makes it even scarier! However, this time it feels different. This time it was harder work and it wasn’t a “magic formula” it was hard work and sacrifice. This time I feel more directly responsible for my success and (I’m going to burn the boats behind me) so I don’t think I want to go back. Plus I don’t want to let down the other people at WOAI and the LOSERS that helped me get there. And that Leads to….
SADNESS – I will truly miss the relationships that this has created. I’ve gotten to meet and befriend some terrific people.
I’m very impressed with the dedication to this by the folks at WOAI. Everyone at the station, (and I mean everyone) has been tremendously supportive. I suppose even Cyberbob’s “Beer Diet” was an attempt to reach out and help.
The sponsors have been great. Spectrum has been wonderful. Heather has gone above and beyond he call of duty to help us get achieve our goals. Melanie is an incredibly dedicated trainer who puts up with my BS. She’s been available at a moment’s notice throughout the competition. It’s no wonder the blue team has both finalists. And everyone at Spectrum Bandera Pointe got caught up in our success, too. They are great cheerleaders!
Even Charlie and the gang at Foot Solutions have been great. Besides the terrific shoes, they encouraged us when we started and throughout the contest.
Finally,the other contestants. Every one of them is a gem. They have brightened and enriched my life and I don’t know how to thank them. If you’ll let me I’ll elaborate in a separate blog. I’m worried that these relationships will change once the contest is over. I certainly hope they won’t.
EXCITED – This contest has not only improved by health and appearance (I know that’s debatable) but it’s increased my self-esteem. I look forward to seeing what else I can do.
So, you can see, I’m an emotional wreck. But I suppose…no, I know…it’s a great place to be.
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Since I was eliminated from the show, life hit me hard. My son's grades had dropped, behavior was horrid and my health was in jeaopardy. Part of the reason my sons school and behavior was affected was because I was at the gym right after work every day. My son was doing his homework in the daycare at Spectrum and by the time we got home, I got him fed, bathed and in bed it was almost 9:00 or 9:30. So you can imagine the strain he went through just in lack of sleep. So of course, where did we have time for me to look over his homework to make sure it done right or help him? Now we are struggling to get his grades back up!
Selfishly, I placed all of the attention and focus I had in to losing this weight. Not only for me, but for my son, my health, and everything in between. I thought if I worked hard and won the whole thing, maybe I could continue with whatever prize is given since I am on such a tight budget. Not to mention the glory I would give myself for doing a job well done. I have learned that sometimes, you have to sacrifice everything for your children. Even the things you do for them!
Last week when Leslie and Shelly asked me if I had been following the program, I could have lied and said yes but honestly I havent been. I have still been eating as healthy as I can on the budget I can afford. It's hard when you have roommates that expect you to pitch in for groceries and then you have to go back out and buy special stuff for you. Gets REALLY expensive!
I didnt tell a lot of people this but a couple of weeks ago I found 3 lumps in my left breast. Most of you know that I am a 5 year breast cancer survivor. That hit me like a ton of bricks. I found myself emtionally eating and didnt even care! I stopped going to the gym because of not only time and my son but because I couldnt think about anything but the fact that I may have to go through that tough journey all over again. I even picked smoking back up!  This has been a pretty touchy subject for me and it is something I usually dont share much about my experience because it is so private but I felt like maybe this will help others. I am glad to say that the lumps were benign and thank God I will not have to deal with that again!
I am as back on track as I can afford at this point. I am trying to make it to the gym as often as possible or take a walk if I cant. I am trying to find the healthiest way to eat off of what groceries were bought and I am really trying to not let the stresses of my life bring me down. No matter what the outcome of next weeks finale may bring, I have so many reasons to continue. My boyfriend and I have finally decided to move in together so I will be the one in charge of grocery shopping and have an added income! My boys will be eating healthy with me whether they like it or not! He and I have also discussed getting married next year so I have motivation to look beautiful on my wedding day. My wonderful cousin in West Palm Beach, Florida has offered to keep my son for 6 weeks this summer so I can save some money in daycare. (Shout out KIM-BA-LY!!!) LOL I am going to lose my mind without him, however, this will give me more time to focus on hitting the gym as hard as I can! I will not have anything stopping me from exercising. So there are some good news in the horizon!
I know I have said it 152 times but thank you so very much to EVERYONE involved with this wonderful opportunity. You truly have changed the lives of 9 AMAZING people and I have made some friends for life. For that, I can never repay but I will continue to show everyone that cares about me the skinner side of me!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK TO ALL THE LOSERS INVOLVED! I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU!
Love, Michelle
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 WOW! You both have done an amazing job these last 12 weeks and you have done it on your own! It is good to know that our blogs have helped keep you motivated and encouraged. I am so happy that you will have the opportunity to meet with Heather and get some ideas on how to fine tune your diets. I am also excited that I may now get to see you in the gym when you use your new memberships to Spectrum.
 Again, congratulations on your hard work and your excellent results. It was my pleasure to meet you both today.
Chris I hope your wife had a great birthday and your surprise was welcomed.
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WOW!!!! One more week and we get to see Who Wins the SA Living WOAI Biggest Loser Contest. All I know is that Both Mickey and Milton are Deserving and have worked So Hard. I wish you Both All the Luck.
As for the rest of us Losers at Home and on the Show... Job Well Done......I am so Proud of all of you. Competition is a Good Thing and having Support is the Best. For this, I Thank All of You.
Earl
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Tomorrow is week 12. The true day of reckoning! I hope that you will think back to the day you started this program... online losers included. Think of the number you put on your form that you filled out durring the casting call for how much you wanted to lose in the 12 weeks. Hopefully your goals were within reason and attaining those has been a challenge but do-able. I hope that if you have not met your goal that your are close or have been able to re-evaluate to set a new goal for yourself.
We have all said it, we all know it, but everyone that waited on line that day made commitments to themselves to change their lives. It is all about the choices we make. the conscious choice to not take the donut at the office, the choice to say no to the margarita when you are eating out, the choice to move instead of sit, and the choice to park farther away from buildings to get an extra few steps on the go zone!
I believe that the most important part of this process is to be selfish. Wanting to be healthier, and look better is great, but consider those selfish reasons that go beyond that to remind yourself of why you wanted the change in the first place.
Statistically when you lose weight you will gain it back...plus more. I know how true that is. I spent a year of hard time in the gym and writing down everything i ate. Within a year and a half after i lost it i gained most of it back. It is easy to get off track, and i hope you can all find the strength within yourselves to not give up when a few pounds start to creep back. The scale is like your friend...most of the time it stands by your side and other times you get into fights and dont talk for a week or two.
I know it is easy to turn to those sweet and fatty treats when those fights with your friends and the scales come up, but a bump in the road does not mean defeat. Remind yourself of your selfish reasons when you feel like you are slipping. However you can do it. Put pictures of someone doing something that you want to do or be with your head on it, all around your house, car and work.
One fun foods meal turns into 2 and 2 turns into 6 and before you know it you are eating out more and more and sliding into old habits. They are hard habits to break. Now the spotlight and the pressure is on, so it is easier to stay away. Dont rationalize poor decisions! When that greasy burger looks at you and calls your name, kick it in the face and pick up the grilled chicken.
This journey has taught me so much! I always thought that nuts were a trigger for me. If i found my self eating nut or anything with peanut butter, i would call it a day..."oh well i ate nuts, so i need ice cream now." Okay, maybe it wasnt rational, but that is how it seemed, and it always let to cheating. When Heather told me it was psychological and that peanut butter was good for me, I sat down with the jar and told it that i was not a slave to it. Maybe consider some of your own "triggers" and challenge yourself to find out why it is a trigger. if you are letting it be a trigger than maybe you can find a way of overcoming it so that you can be satisfied without putting yourself in a position to eat yourself silly.
Obviously we have issues, mostly that go way beyond loving food and hating exercise. Try to think back to when you put on your weight in the first place. If you can find out some of what caused you to give up, give in, or just eat more, perhaps you can battle those demons now so they dont rear their ugly head later when you reach your goal and concentrate less.
Live life to the fullest, dont just fill up on everything life has to offer!
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This is going to be a weird blog but I'll try and tie it all together. But since you are my friends (you are my friends, right?) I'll share this with you. Today has been a crappy day. It didn't start out that way it's ending that way. I'm sure you've had those kinds of days.
However, Saturday was a great day. Now, nothing spectacular happened Saturday but during the workout I discovered something very unspectacular that made me very happy. I hope this makes sense.
I worked out Saturday morning. Mickey had dumped me because of her desire to help others in the "relay for life". So I rented "Rocky Balboa" the sixth installment of the Rocky series. At Roger's Ranch several machines allow you to watch DVD as you work out. So I popped it and began to walk.
Let me just say this, I loved the first Rocky movie. I had the posters, the soundtrack, the T-shirt and everything. I was inspired! The sequels were okay but you didn't care as much Rocky as you did the first movie.
I know this will sound sappy and goofy but while watching "Rocky Balboa" it made me feel wonderful that I cared about Rocky again. Rocky is a sixty something fighter trying to fight one more time because he still wanted to prove something to others as well as himself. It made me feel good to learn that I still had a soft spot for an underdog trying to gain respect and achieve the seemingly impossible. I even still got goose bumps when they played the original theme during the seemingly obligatory montage scene.
And then Rocky explains to his son how to be a winner,
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"
As hokey as that sounds, it occurs to me that this is what this year’s losers have been doing. Listen to the stories of the contestants and how life kept knocking them down. Almost all had tried to lose weight but failed. However, this time they held to hope and fought back...with tremendous success.
And make no mistake; this journey has been a fight. In fact, it's very Rockyesque. (begin to hear "Gonna Fly Now" ) Members of the Black team were given the opportunity to quit. But knocked down one more time they got up off the canvas and continued the journey. They had knee problems (punch) , back problems (boom), hernias (boom boom), black toes (socko) but they didn't use them as an excuse to quit...when they fell of the wagon (because of Fiesta and other temptations) they got back up and fought again when given the chance.
The online team has had nothing to motivate them except their own drive and desire to succeed. No accountability to anyone. Little recognition. You'll meet them tomorrow. Way to go guys!
I don't like to write about myself but I know that Mickey and I are working hard to finish the fight, too. I don’t know about Mickey but I’m surprised to find that these are the some of the hardest weeks of the competition.
Here’s the point (‘bout damn time, huh?). There’s nothing extraordinary about any of us. We are just ordinary folk.
So what’s keeping you from losing weight? We’ve achieved this in just 12 weeks. Are you worth twelve weeks of sacrifice and pain? You know you are!! And when you fall (and you will) will you get back up and begin the journey again. I hope our success inspires you. I truly do!
I know I’ll keep fighting…it’s what Rocky would do.
By the way, I feel a little better now. Thanks for letting me have my say.
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I dedicate this BLOG to my best friend, Jill, who informed me this weekend that we all needed to do some blogging because she truly enjoys reading our stuff and has been quite bored lately. So, I ask all of my fellow LOSERS to please BLOG sometime this week so our supporters and admirers will be entertained. If my best friend dies of boredom what will I do? I hope she doesn’t die of boredom after reading this…..LOL
Here goes the longest BLOG ever…
On one hand it does not seem like it could have been 12 weeks already and then on the other hand it seems like this is ONLY week 12 UGH come on it’s not over yet?? LOL –
I have learned a MILLION things over these past 12 weeks. I can’t list a million but I will do my best….
*GOD deserves all the glory for any accomplishment I have made and I thank HIM for his presence in my life
*I have the most AMAZING daughter and son in the world
*Food is for fuel not COMFORT
*Cardio is not just a word but really hard WORK
*Cardio burns fat and makes my heart stronger which makes me have to work HARDER, it is a vicious cycle
*Muscle is the largest fat burning organ in the body and slightly muscular people look really “HOT”
*Water is necessary for weight loss and overall HEALTH
*The treadmill is my enemy and my FRIEND
*I love the dry sauna and you meet all kinds of WEIRD people there
*I like bird watching and if I could be a bird I would be a SCISSOR TAIL
*I really LIKE what I see in the mirror these days and that is truly awesome
*Walking in the Race for the Cure and Relay for Cancer didn’t KILL me
Now things I have learned about my newest FRIENDS, listed in no particular order:
*Melanie is an awesome trainer that truly LOVES us & I think enjoys hurting us because she knows the benefits we will reap
*Heather is my favorite cheerleader in the world; she truly wants us to SUCCEED on this journey for life
*Leslie is a sweet heart and wants us ALL to win the grand prize
*Shelly loves us all but really really loves DRAMA
*Dawn was BORN to be a mother & unselfishly & gracefully showered us with those amazing qualities
*Simon is a special man with a PURE heart and has the cutest toddler in the world
*Milton is competitive, compassionate, intelligent, an excellent writer & VERY funny
*Suinmey is a TRUE friend and Superwoman (sssshhh…it’s a secret, don’t tell anyone)
*Laurie is very intuitive, smart & a BEAUTIFUL person with a heart of gold & cries alot
*Michelle is an AWESOME mom & has a heart full of love and wit
*Earl is ALL about the game, a true team player, warrior & survivor
*Sean is a MACHINE & will not stop until the brick wall stops him & he is really sweet & has the most awesome wife
*Andrea is a true ball of FIRE yet as loveable as a teddy bear
*Belinda is a HOOT & is often misunderstood & she hates, I mean hates to be censored
May you all have a BLESSED week!!
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Today was interesting. The true test of sheer determination is starting to unfold.
We had Sean trying to survive a major back injury, but chomping at the bit to get back to regular exercise. But hopefully it was an eye-opener to everyone how important the physical activity is to this program. He's out for the week, and his body reacted. That is the scary part of putting weight back on so quickly...lesson learned everyone...you've got to keep moving.
Andrea is pushing through a busy schedule and some outside stress to keep herself motivated. She still lost a pound, but she's understanding that the nutrition side of the program is also important and realizing the need to incorporate more healthy foods that she may not really like (come on girl, we know you can eat more veggies!)
Laurie continued to do her cardio...and vary her workouts...and it showed...she dropped another 13 pounds...even where she relaxed a little, her workouts weren't as intense, and she allowed herself a few fun foods...but it still was at a level that she dropped and amazing level of weight. Keep it up sunshine...the graduation stage is one year away!
Earl...well, he knows he's in trouble with me...(not really!) He wouldn't weigh in with me Thursday or Saturday with this mopy story about plateaus, hitting walls, and not losing any weight. I was sweating it out for this guy, and he dropped 20 more pounds (THAT'S TWENTY MORE POUNDS!) Go Buddy Go!
Michelle hit some normal roadblocks with stress, work, daily life...but she's come too far to start creeping back towards 300. She knows as a single mom that she does have the responsibilities of her son every day, but that was the same motivation...to be around for her grandkids to get this moving in a healthy direction. Keep moving. Allow yourself some time each day for you! When you feel better you can take on more of your world!
Belinda has taken this journey to realize she's got to strip away all the baggage--physical, emotional, psychological to focus on herself and her health. She's been able to lose 9 pounds, find a trainer she enjoys, and have her family support her in regular fitness. It's time to get to it Belinda...we look for good things from you...just stay focused on your health and remember your initial plea to us for help! You want this...now make it happen!
I am proud of you all...you have each contributed so much to our program, to inspiring San Antonio to be just a little fitter, just a little healthier...we are on our way...one person at a time!
TWO more weeks...let's see what you've got!
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Shelly is up to something again..........hmmmmm.........well see ya at the Studio and good luck!
GO BLUE GO!!
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Our Lady of the Lake University has been a San Antonio lanmark for over 100 years.
Last night's fire destroyed the oldest building on campus.
What is your reaction to the fire?
Do you have a memory from college or time you spent on campus?
We want to hear your thoughts and reactions to the devastating fire.
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Seems we are all getting a little nostalgic as we ride the highs and lows each week. It has been terribly emotional to watch you all weigh in on Thursdays, telling dirty jokes in the green room while waiting for the show to start, and then one by one suffering your fate of...who will be sent home! (Sounds so dramatic, doesn't it!)
I think this is when we really need to support and the voice from those of you at home because as our nine move to the Black Team...they are moving towards the day to day reality of what losing weight really is...when Shelly doesn't have a microphone in your face, and Dawn weighing you in ready to splash those numbers on the TV screen, and the adoring fans lining up to cheer you on....there's just you, your family, your friends, your support system who are there now and will be with you through your goal weight and beyond.
It's the reason you wanted this, the reason you keep doing this, the reason you will (WILL!) succeed. Because you want to feel good, you want to be off your meds, you want to have energy to get out and live life, you want to be there for your kids, your spouses, your careers.
We've had fun along the way. We've made friends. We've laughed alot. We've developed the awesome support system of group meetings and workouts, emailing, texting, blogging, and gosh knows what other insane technology you've mastered to keep in touch, ask questions, support each other...you are ensuring that you each will succeed just a little more.
Now as I talked about Thursday on the show...you've got to dig deep. What has kept you from succeeding before, what are you worried about with your lifestyle, exercise habits, food cravings, etc. that will be an obstacle for you in the future. Search your soul.
I like the way Sean talked about the new way of thinking, the new way of living, when we met for a group workout on Saturday. It's like he really understands that he is a new person, with his beautiful wife, and amazing future ahead of him. No looking back. You respect the past...because that's what made you who you are; the good, the bad, and all develop your character, your passion, your drive...but going through something like this...just makes you stronger, healthier, and ready to take on whatever life brings you!
I am so proud of you...and you at home for sticking with your program...and for those of you who we hope will make the decision today, tomorrow, or sometime soon...to start walking, eat just a little less, and take those first steps to a healthier you!
Long Live a Fitter San Antonio!!!!
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MY BLUE TEAM... I am like a proud mama. These guys have done so well and have learned so much. I feel they are well on their way to a lifetime of fitness. They will be those people who are constantly at the gym, sometimes twice a day, meeting with a trainer and sharing fitness tips with others...oh wait.. they ALREADY do that. We call those people gym rats  LOL
The truth is... next year at this time, Mickey will be teaching a group fitness class and Milton will be one of those muscle bound dudes in bright baggy pants and a stringy tank top...you know the one. heheheheheheehee that cracks me up.
I am proud to have had this fabulous opportunity and I can't wait to meet the next 3 contestants. SA Living has opened up a great opportunity with Spectrum to get this great city of mine in better health. Thank you Leslie, Shelley, Heather, Charlie, Simon and Gil for the support for these nine wonderful people. They are ALL winners...
I love what I do even more when I am able to see real results for real people who work really hard!!! Never let up, always workout, reach your goal weight and maintain it.
NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS HEALTHY FEELS!!!
MELANIE
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It seems like such a long time ago when a group of losers invaded the Salsa Floor. I remember thinking and saying that i really didnt like the class for 2 reasons. (1)I am not very coordinated. (2)I did not have enough in me to keep up. Yes, i moved but it wasnt enjoyable.
Thursday, I talked to Sean and he talked me into joining him for Cardio Groove, and said that they were going to have a live band. I went and I basically kept up. I avoided some of the jerkier, jumpier moves that hurt my knees and ankles last time, but asside from that I pretty much did okay. I shaked and i shimmied, and it wasnt pretty, but i had a good time!
I left my happy little treadmill box and liked it. Maybe there will be more grooving in my near future. Thanks Sean!
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Sean, it has been an honor to be a part of this journey with you. My heart hurt for you yesterday, because I know how hard you have worked. 66 lbs in 10 weeks is such a huge accomplishment and 21 of that in the last 3!! YOU ROCK!!
It has been a pleasure watching you shrink each week!! From a 3X to a XL - that is so awesome!! In no time you will be in a L and then a M. I hope you get that trip to Disney so you can ride the rides. I think you should go out to Fiesta Texas and do a sample run!!
I know you will continue on your journey and meet your goals!!
Thanks for all your kind words!
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For those of you who did not recognize this at the beginning we were the 4 M's. :) Mickey, Milton, Mey and Melanie!
Let me thank my fellow M's...
Thank you MILTON for standing beside me until the end!! Thanks for showing up each morning and sleeping beside me on the treadmill! LOL - Thanks for the compromises you have made to join me in workouts outside the gym or at a gym less convenient for you. Thanks for listening to my crap and loving me anyways!! Thanks for making me laugh with your silliness. Thanks for pushing me harder and telling me even your mother could do it!!
Thank you MEY for being my friend, for encouraging us through this whole thing, for your text messages each Thursday morning, for believing in us, for the times that you walked beside us on the treadmill, for the times you shared the sauna or hottub and of course for your loving smiles!
Thank you MELANIE for getting to know us as individuals, for caring about us, for understanding our limits and health issues, for pushing us harder, for listening to our crap, for encouraging us daily, for being there each Thursday with cheers as we arrived at the gym and had survived one more weigh in and, last but not least, for all the pain you inflicted with love!
Thank you MICKEY for believing in yourself and your teammates enough to keep doing this everyday!
I now consider you all (including myself) my true friends and expect the bonds we have made to last forever.
GO BLUE GO!! (LOL - habit)
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