Well, today is the second to the last weigh in.  I don't really think I lost much this month, if anything.  I will be happy just to have not gained anything.  We went to a concert last night, meeting up at a friend's house first, eating and drinking, etc, but in the back of my mind I knew I had my weigh in today, so I really watched.  But what is going to happen when there are no more weigh ins? Being held accountable really helps.  The time after the contest will be the real challenge! Good luck to everyone!

Someone just told me that I looked great and asked if I was still dieting.  It made me feel good to tell her I have never been on a diet, that I have just changed my eating habits.  There was a never a list of foods I could eat and ones I couldn't.  I eat whatever I want, I just make better choices and if it's something irresistable, that I just have to have....I eat less of it.  I still try to excercise almost every day.  One of the trainers at the gym even said I was looking good!  I have never felt better in my life and am so thankful for this contest.  It gave me the jump start I needed and keeps me accountable with the weigh ins.  Just have to say I am a little nervous about not having the weigh ins when this contest is over. 

I recently read on facebook where a woman drank a gallon of water a day for a month and recorded her findings.  Turned out that she lost some wrinkles on her face and dark circles under her eyes. Her bowel habits improved and her energy levels rose.  Also, her cellulite disappeared!  I plan on doing my own study starting today.  Wonder how many times a day I will be running to the bathroom!

This time I vow not to go back to my bad habits.  I have worked too hard for that.  I know how difficult it is to start over and I don't want to have to do that.  If I have a bad day, I pick right back up and get on track the next day.  This contest has taught me a lot about myself.  I am stronger that I knew.  Now that I proved I can lose weight, the bigger test is to see if I can keep it off!  I am feeling great these days. 

Well, it looks as if I was worrying for nothing.  Those extra minutes at the gym must have paid off!  Whenever I feel i may have overeaten or ate something that I know I shouldn't have, I stay a little longer on the treadmill.  I never really thought about my food choices like I do now, and I have this contest to thank for it.  I never want to go backwards, I've worked too hard these past months.  A big thank you, News Herald!  Oh, and Anna, gotta thank Anna Peters.  She got me to join this contest.  Poor thing.... now she is at home recovering from long and painful ankle surgery. 

I went to a class at the Y on Wednesday for toning with weights.  Today I am finding it hard to raise my arms above my head.  I know it will get easier each time I go, but I never realized how weak my arms were!  And I also thought it would be easier doing exercises on the floor having to lug around less weight, but I'm realizing that is not that much easier either!  Looking at the BMI chart was sort of disheartening....I have to lose 13 more pounds to get out of the overweight section. Ugh.

Shopping was always such a chore for me.  I bought things according to how they made me look, not how cute or stylish it was.  It had to hide my fat, that was my main goal.  I am so happy to not have to look for extra large tops anymore!  I used to buy things in the maternity section and cut out the tags so no one would know.  Never thought that purchasing a medium shirt would give me such pleasure!   This could be a bad thing for my bank account!  But I am not complaining....I have never felt better!