WOW!!!  I was in SHOCK when I stepped on the scale this morning!  225.2  I had to weigh myself several times to believe, moved the scale to different places on the floor, checked under the scale to make sure nothing was under it... That was my weight!!  My lowest yet and that is a 5 lb loss this week!!! HOLY COW!!    I knew it was going to be low, but that TOTALLY exceeded my expectations!!   WOWEE!!!!

So, I am thinking this little trial of an "altered" Phase 1 of South Beach was the kick int he pants my metabolism needed!!!  I added fruit which is not the normal menu.  Basically, I am just eating whole foods...   I haven't had any bread or anything this week, but will obviously be adding the right stuff back in! 

I am on Cloud 9 right now!!  :D  I am 5 lbs away from my all time low... I am so excited to see the scale go below and it LIBERATING to see the scale FINALLY move int he right direction!!! THANK GOD!!! 

Can you tell I'm STOKED?!?!? lol  Woo Hoo!!!!!!

~joi~

Okay... So i decided to try something because it feels like nothing I do is getting me out of this plateau... So.. Since I had success with South Beach in the past, I've decided to try doing phase 1 for two weeks to see if that will help curb cravings and get me back in control!  GUESS WHAT!!!  It is working! :D  I won't tell you my weight this morning, but I am SOOO looking forward to weigh in on Saturday!!! :D  I was up to 234.5 Sunday morning after Saturday being our sane day... LOL  I know it wasn't a true weight but... COME ON!!!  lol  I'm going to hold off on the sane day this week... just to get ahead a bit if i can... its a risk, but it feels like it takes me all week to reclaim ground after sane days.  Anyone else have that problem??

We are taking a trip to Michigan's Adventure on the 13th... and I have a mini-personal-HOPE-goal to break 220 by then... It is a little much, but I figured I have been at this same weight range for so long my body might just be tricked enough to think i'm starting from scratch again... lol  We shall see!!  :)   Something about going to the water park for all the world to see me chase my kids around in a bathing suit TERRIFIES me... So, if I can hit a milestone  HUGE MILESTONE then I think I can swallow it down a little better! 

I haven't been below 220 since I got above it in my teens!!  this is HUGE for me and I can't wait!!! ;)  I was sooo close and hovered at 220 for SEVERAL months without ever seeing a teen on the scale... *sniff* and then came baby #2... so It's time to reclaim where I was 3 1/2 years ago!! I am SOOOO close!!!

~joi~

So, plans changed and we aren't heading downstate for the weekend...  Pretty bummed about that. BUT that isn't my wah hoo moment though.  

BUT  I weighed myself this morning, have been daily as that seems to be the only way I can stay on top of my weight...  I was going to wait and post on Tuesday, in hopes it will be even lower but I HAVE to share!!!

228... my lowest yet!!!! :)  I'm back in charge of this body!!!!  YIPPEE!  So excited about that, what BETTER motivation is there??

Keep up the great work everyone and have a great weekend!  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the Dads out there! :)

~joi~

Oh my goodness... I thought I was doing SOOOO good!!  Only to step on the scale yesterday morning and see 4 EXTRA pounds staring back at me!  WHAT?!?!    So... I'm not quite sure!  Kinda had a ummy day yesterday, I'm sure the weather didn't help.  then to top it off, our daughter Kaidence got her first battle wound.  She cracked her head open and we had to drive almost 40 miles to get to the ER at 10 pm... got home after 1 and couldn't sleep after... lol  Man am I just Miss Negativity or what?!?  lol

So, I NEED to make sure today is a BETTER day!! :)

~joi~

hello everyone... amazing how quickly you can break a GOOD habit... lol   We haven't been TERRIBLE with our portions, but the food quality has def. gone down hill in the last weeks... UGGG!  Time to get back in control.

We are still here and going at it... so please don't think we are gone!  We will be updating weights tomorrow which I am kinda scared of... the girl who was addicted to the scale has pretty much avoided it lately... so I have no clue what to expect tomorrow... *crossing fingers*

In a bit of a rush right now... COLORFUL blogs wills resume tomorrow! :)  *sorry*

~joi~

here is the shirt... :)  Not the greatest photo, but its up... lol  :)

Rachel is BEYOND awesome and sent this little video to me today of us on the show last night... :)  it is QUICK!  hehehe


 

~joi~

so... they showed a quick slideshow of a lot of us on the show... and I saw us!!  WOO HOO!!  Jumped up to grab the phone to call Rachel and missed the big shot of me... at the end in MY SPORTS BRA!!!!  On national television!!!  LOL  So, if somebody wouldn't mind making a copy for me I would REALLY appreciate it!  My claim to fame, the fluffy sports bra girl! lol    I will pay for the tape and shipping if you could do it... THANK YOU!!!

~joi~

so, is it just me or is everyone pretty pysched about tonight's show?  I am sure it is going to be VERY emotional as the wave just keeps building up with each episode and each contestant going home.  I catch myself sniffling like a geek in gym class... I mean, it is bad!  *no offense, geeks... Brandon is one too* 

So, who do you think will win??  I am thinking Ali... of course!  She has done an INSANE job on her own...  but it will probably be Mark or Roger, following the trend, you know?  I want a woman to win, not just for the whole girl power thing... but come on!!  SHOW US WE CAN DO IT!!  I mean I "know" we can... but for a woman to win, I think that would be pretty amazing. 

Okay... short and sweet again!  I'm sure I'll be blogging after the show tonight or in the morning!  hehehe

~joi~

Well, I checked the main Biggest Loser page and as of 11 am today we are at 1,000,851 lbs lost!!  VERY COOL!!! 
 We lost a million pounds!  *if we trust the ticker... hahaha*

I am so proud of everyone on this journey with me... especially Brandon... he has been such an amazing INSPIRATION!  He's my hero!  :D  And my best friend Rachel has lost over 40 lbs!!!  Corey... You are a fat burning machine... and I can't wait to meet you!!  AND my partners in goof... Meg & Jen...  you both have kept me soooo motivated and even though I lost and posted the sports bra pics...  I've won!  lol  oh and there are sooo many others who have been huge inspirations..... Carla & Cindy, Betsy & Amy, soshia & Sledge, Jim & Christi, the list could go on and on... :)  Anyone I didn't mention, its nothing personal, you are all my heroes, my inspiration and my new circle of friends!!!   :)  I am so proud of EVERYONE!!  Even YOU... Yes... YOU!!!

So, to all of us... lets give ourselves, out partners and all of our friends a pat on the back,  a high five or whatever your method of choice... we are ALL WINNERS!!  Er, is that Losers?!? 

I had emailed my friend Corey last night and started realizing how much we've gained in this.... here's a snippet...

"My guesses were: Super Teachers, Beth & Heather, Amy & Betsy, Joe & Melonie, and of course had hoped that at least one of my closer friends... you, Rachel & Jerremey or Meg & Jen would have won... but oh well!!!  It's a contest, a gamble of sorts... and my lord with the amount of people to choose from... come on!!!

I'm just happy at the changes I have made for myself...I'm the lowest I have been since my son was born... I am only 14 lbs away from my lowest weight in the last 15 years...  HOW COOL!!!!   I fit into a skirt that I didn't think would fit for about 20 lbs... I WORK OUT WITH MY HUSBAND!!!!!!!!!!  That is the greatest part!!!    I OWN A TREADMILL!!  :)   lol "

Yes, I would have LOVED to win the prize...  BUT I think with all that I have to show for this journey, winning the trip pales in comparison.

~joi~

I don't know how many of you know... but I design clothes... mostly children's clothing now because they are just so much fun and it has always been a passion of mine...

WELL... I think I'll have to design a breaking through 200 debut outfit too... :D  I NEVER make anything for myself anymore and what better milestone can you think of for me to start?!?!  :)   I think I have always looked at it as a waste of fabric because I've always had this train of thought that "I'm not going to be this size that long, so why do that?"  Boy was I right?!? lol Well, I've just gotten bigger and bigger over the years... lol  So now that I'm SHRINKING I think that I can "splurge" on making something for MYSELF for once.... Lord knows I have enough fabric lying around... lol  *you should see how FULL my studio is*

It's time I start taking the time to create  for ME!   I'm worthy of wearing my creations, too... AREN'T I?  Sooo... I'll be working up a super hot design for the NEW ME!!  I won't start cutting until I'm closer, as I have NO CLUE what size I would be at 200 (Haven't weighed under 215 since I was 15 years old)... lol 

~joi~

I sincerely hope we can all stick around on here!!  Many people have noticed how dead it seems to be around here already and the MPM isn't even over yet! 

You all are like my new family and we are all dealing with the same struggles and I TRULY hope we can continue to build these bonds that have been created!  

So here's to all of us... that our final Million Pound Match-Up weigh in will rock our socks off!
 WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!


~joi & brandon~

What an amazing blog!!  I just read this today and see she posted it a week ago. It gave me chills and is really touching on something that has been a struggle of mine for a while.

Since getting married and having children, I feel that I've lost a bit of myself under these new titles.  Don't get me wrong... I love my family... but I also miss ME!  I have a hard time reasoning it thinking that taking care of myself is selfish... NO!! It's a necessity!  How can I raise a healthy, happy family if I'm not happy with myself?!? 

It is time to step back and take care of myself too!

Quote

Tamila's apology to Herself for gaining weight.

Dear Tamila,

I was listening to the radio and heard this song and it made me think of You. You have been overweight and I have been ashamed of You. I realize I should have been more of a friend and helped You take better care of yourself. I am truly sorry that I have taken You for granted and put You last for so many years. I am changing. Please be patient with me. I PROMISE You, I will never do that to You again.

With ALL my LOVE,

Tamila

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you

And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away

And be the one who catches all your tears
That’s why I need you to hear

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is You [x4]

I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

Hoobistank -- Reason

For those of you who may have missed it... Brandon blogged late last night and it is pretty darn *hilarious*... :)  Be sure to click the links... they are pretty funny!  ;) 

So, with that being said... I am demanding that he blog at least hourly now... lol  Okay, that might be a little extreme but he needs to do it more often.  He has just been working SOOOO  many hours lately and finally has a day off .  The job is nice, but it would be even better if he could have a life... hahaha

So... scroll down, read his blog and be sure to leave comments for him! :)   I think we are all going to be surprised by his weigh in this week. 

Ahhh... on the subject!!  We are changing our weigh in day to Tuesday mornings... just a day later, but it seems to line up better! :)  Soooo... don't think we've forgotten if you check on Monday! ;)

~joi~

Hi.

My name is Brandon S. Colvin, ESQ. 

And this is my story....

I was born a poor, Irish fat kid in Mid-Mitten Michigan.  I did realize I had "convenientitis" ( not to be confused with the dreaded gum disease "GINGIVITIS!!!") until recently.  For those of you  who are unfamiliar with the term before-hand it is an issue in the lower left hemisphere of the brain which controls video game reflexes, Coca-Cola intake regulation, and apparently, the urge to take a 15 minute lunch to run to McTaco King.  Heres a picture of me with my first Big Mac...

By age 13, my already "Generation Why" type attitude was show thru.  I sought out the temple of the Whopper as much as possible.  Now I might be up on a soap box of a different height, BUT!!!!  My generation is a generation of modern, and instantaneous gratification.  Hence, the tag line of "Give me convenience, or give me death" rings true...(A note for the folks who haven't read my rant before...I think this is the first official time I've use the word "Hence"...)

Throughout the years there aren't too many days (before kids) that I didn't eat out fast food or other wise.  Mostly due to my rigorous work schedule of work until you pass out, and then 20 minutes more....

Jump forward about 4.35 years...to...TODAY!  I'm making a change for the better...I'm going to rock this junk outta my trunk...or....something....

We were both a little "blah" about things last week... not REALLY bad but not as excited as we had been.  Well, yesterday we both felt a big change!  People are commenting!!!  :)  that is soooo awesome  when people you see all the time notice!  It's usually the ones who haven't seen you for quite a while that notice, but I had several people at my MOPS group compliment me yesterday.  And Brandon... WOW!  I am really starting to notice his change visibly!  Back of ladies... lol  He had a few people at work notice too! That was a big boost for the both of us.

We were also contacted about being interviewed for the next season!  Hmmmm...  We'll see where that leads... We really wanted to go to the casting call in Chicago (the closest one to us) but it is in ONE WEEK!  Yipes... we shall see!!!  *Keep your fingers crossed*

I'm still busting butt to AVOID the evil photo that Jen challenged me on... whoever loses the least this next weigh in has to ... *GULP* post a photo in a sports bra... eeeeeeek!!!!  So, I'll be exercising in my sleep. lol I think I'm doing pretty good though... we shall see come our weigh in!


~joi~

I've decided that February is MY month... The weight is going to start melting off... To the point I won't even know how I'm losing it so well.  Hahaha... I can claim that, right?!  I am pressing on and going strong... no road blocks in my way!  I'm getting THIN!!!  And YOU are, too!    January's low numbers are behind me and I'm taking control!!! 

~joi~

 Wow... Just reading comments and blogs people have posted about this have motivated ME!  How great is it knowing that such simple words really do make a HUGE impact... If for some reason you didn't get an invite *I've found several teams that I THOUGHT I sent to didn't*  Go ahead and check it out  at the link below!!

~joi~

Quote

THIS WEIGHT DOES NOT BELONG TO ME Pledge

Hosted by: joi & brandon Date and time: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 11:30 PM View this event on Windows Live