Many of you have been watching me over the past several months and can see that I am half the woman I use to be - LITERALLY (well at least a third of what I use to be)!!!! Back in May I joined a Biggest Loser contest hosted by my very caring and oh so wonderful friend and neighbor, Ann. I almost did not join the contest because just the thought of having to let others know my actual weight was almost unbearable! But when push came to shove I realized two things...first, it's not like I could hide the fact that I was fat! It was kind of obvious!! And second, I really wasn't joining the contest for any one else but me!! So I swallowed my pride and joined in the fun...determined that I would have to be successful OR would have to hide my fat butt in shame forever!!
The contest was from May 17th to August 9th and I felt I was very successful. I lost 40 pounds and was more determined than ever to continue to lose more! I was very sad to find out that Ann was taking a hiatus from hosting the contest, but being so very determined to continue losing...I decided to host my own. That second Biggest Loser contest ran from August 30th to November 22nd (I'm no fool...I wanted it over to enjoy the Holidays!!) And again, I feel I was very successful. This second contest I lost 20 more pounds. I am only 10 pounds away from reaching the original goal I set for myself back in May. But now that I am here so close and doing so well I have decided to tack on another 15 pounds to that goal. I am now hoping to lose a 25 pounds more. That would bring my grand total to 85 pounds...so wish me luck!! If I can do it I know I will be VERY satisfied!! Hence another New Years resolution (okay I know I am really a big dork...this year is not even over and I am already looking on what to improve about next!!!)
Let's just hope that is part of the new me! You see almost 5 years ago I was in that same bad shape and managed to lose 60 pounds. But as hard as it was I was always just focused on losing the weight. I never once thought about the future and how to keep it off. Unfortunately, I gained it all back plus 10 more! And as many of you know out there...it is a lot of hard work to get weight off....I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN!! So now it is all about thinking ahead and knowing what I need to do even before I have to do it!! Maybe that kind of thinking can rub off on some other aspects in my life :)
Needless to say when I am over weight I do NOT like to have my picture taken...so I really had to dig to find a "Before" picture to use! Here I am just 60 pounds ago. I am still a little amazed that some people haven't noticed that I have lost weight...but again I don't really care...I didn't want to lose weight for any one else but me!! BEFORE:
Here is what I looked like at the end of the First Biggest Loser. Sorry, I am really hardly in any pictures...so ones of just me are even harder to find! MIDDLE:
I got smart and with the second Biggest Loser contest I actually took pictures of everyone at the weigh-in! AFTER:
I just want everyone to know how thankful I am to Ann for inviting me to join her contest. I will be forever in your debt! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Ann! But that doesn't even come close to thanking you...honestly there are NO words that can truly express my deep gratitude!! It is funny because one of the contestants in the contest I hosted gave me a big hug at the final weigh-in and told me that she was grateful to me. And of course, I told her how grateful I was to Ann. I told her maybe this is a "pay it forward" kind of thing...since Ann was so kind in helping me and now that I have helped others...maybe they too can in turn help someone else!!
I have decided to host another contest in January. The first weigh-in will be January 10th and the contest will run another 12 weeks. Let me know if you are interested in joining in the fun...or if someone you know might be interested as well!
9 comments:
I know I already told you but you do look fantastic! You should be so proud of your accomplishment. "You look marvelous darling!"
You are my hero rock star, you energy and enthusiasm contine to marvel me. You are and LOOK! Awesome!!!
Melinda you look awesome!! Ann just asked me a couple of days ago if I had seen you recently and told me I was going to die at how great you look!! I can't wait for Saturday to see the "real" thing!! I know you already have a "testimony" of the biggest loser program but Chad lost 50 pounds on it and I lost 20! My sister Ashlee thanks you for hosting this last one, she is looking great too! See you soon skinny!!
You look so great! It is amazing to see the pics, look how far you have come. I'm so proud of you, and you are truly an inspiration to everyone.
I can not even believe that the before picture is you! WOW! You have done so awesome Melinda. What a rockstar you are!! I am totally in for the next contest!!
I am so happy for you! You look great and more importantly I know you feel great. I can tell when I am around you that you just have the boost of self assurance again! Don't take this the wrong way but I never thought you were as big as you look in your before picture. Maybe it's the camera adds 10 lbs. thing. You look great and I know you will keep doing great towards your goal.
*HI* I'm jumping out of blog stalk mode to say that I'd totally love to join your next go 'round! You'll have to tell me about it at school.
Melissa Hiltbrand
I think you are so great. I'm definitely in for January 2010.
Buzz was coming over for a Deacon's meeting last Sunday and I said, "You should checkout Melinda, she looks awesome." He was a little embarrased and said, "I'm not going over there to "checkout" Melinda". Anyway he came home and said, "Oh my gosh, you are right, she looks great". You really do!
Thanks for the nice things you said, I really don't deserve ANY of the credit. You did this! And you deserve a big pat on the back for it.
Let me know if you start a summer contest, I'm good any date after May 30th! Maybe I could join late if you start one before then. You'll probably be too skinny by then to want to host another, maybe I'll have to jump in and help.
Your awesome Melinda, good for you!
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