Cookies.

I talked about my war with cookie dough the other night on Facebook. I thought I would show you. Since this whole competition is all about vlogging.... might as well be honest about it all, right?

Keeping important dinner plans

Looking like a celebrity

I don't look like any famous people in particular. People used to tell me I looked like Tina Youthers from Family Ties when I was a kid. Every girl wants to hear that she looks like a chubby celebrity, right? As I have gotten older, I don't look much like anyone besides a plump Betty White, according to Matt- my husband. He didn't say the plump part, but I own a mirror. I can see my body for what it is.

So I just finished watching a show I have been wanting to see.

"Kirstie Alley's Big Life"

Language and adult content aside (I watched it in the dining room with headphones so the kids didn't catch wind of it), I think this show does something wonderful for dieters everywhere.

It reminds us that even the rich and famous can still struggle like us (not so) little guys.

I watched the episode where it is her birthday, and her family and entourage throw her a surprise party. It looks like a hundred thousand dollar blast.

And then, I saw something familiar that happens in my not glamorous life too.

They brought out the birthday cake. And I saw THE LOOK.

You all know the look I am talking about, right? That "I know I shouldn't but I really want to eat some, and isn't this a celebration after all?" look.

Finally, I have the same look as a celebrity!!!

This has got to be one of the biggest struggles that I face. There are reasons to celebrate all around us. Easter candy is loaded up on the shelves, someone near you is having a birthday (AHEM, everyone but APRIL - contestant #8 -that is. Contrary to her April Fool's day facebook fiasco) and yummy goodies are everywhere.

EVERYWHERE BUT HERE.

Because this year, I made the conscious decision not to bring any Easter candy into the house. The girls got a couple of shirts, and our son got a DVD.

I don't want to have "the look" on my face. Not this year. I don't want to make the choice of celebrating with food. I want to celebrate by enjoying the people around me. People do not contain calories. Chocolate Bunny ears do.

How are you all celebrating Easter this year? What healthy choices are you making? I wanna know so I can get good ideas for next year too.

And Kirstie??? She didn't eat the cake. She sat up straight and said "I can't have cake."

Way to go, girl. That was the right decision to make. I don't mind looking like you at all!!!!

Measuring up on the Passover

It's been a while since I have done my actual measurements. I have been holding off due to Mother Nature's bloaty side, and hoping that I would get the pooch out of my tummy an inch or so before I post. But I haven't, so I took them tonight and am facing the truth- water retention and all.

You will see my stats to the right, describing all the inches and stuff that I am today.

But I want to share with those of you who are just meeting me what my stats USED to be, a mere 16 months ago.

I started dieting on January 1st of 2009, and made some remarkable progress over the last year. My real starting weight was 238, and at 5'4"- that put me at a morbidly obese BMI of 40.9 or 41 (depending on what BMI calculator you use). I am currently hanging out at a 30.4, and I'm pretty happy about that.

What was I talking about?

Oh, yeah, my old measurements. Well, here they are. I'll even throw in a picture at the end!

Waist then: 45"

Waist now: 38"

Hips then: 51.5"

Hips now: 45"

Bust then: 43" (51.5" with boobs)

Bust now: 37" (46" with boobs)

Thigh then: 27"

Thighs now: 22.5"

Upper Arms then: 16"

Upper Arms now: 14"

So I have changed dramatically. See???

I both HATE and LOVE this picture. It made me cry the first time I saw it. But now, I can't look at it enough. Because it really shows me the progress that I can make if I want it bad enough.

And finally, I am back to wanting to change bad enough. Wanting it so bad that I pass over the ice cream and junk food that has held me on a plateau for months. I want it so much that I pass over skipping the exercise and I sweat my fat body till it screams.

So, that's where I've been, and I'm excited to see where I can go. Where these 8 weeks can take me. Because I know what can happen if I work it.

I just gotta remember the Passover.

Moving on up! (or down, I suppose)

One of the most detrimental things you can do is NOT MOVE YOUR BODY.

And that happens to be the one thing I truly struggle with.

(besides Oreos. And French Fries. And ice cream.)

So today, I figured I'm either in this contest or I'm not. Time to move or get off the wagon.

And MOVE I DID!!!

I have a walking group that meets on Mons and Weds. And tonight we walked 4.6 miles. No small feat, I tell you.

Because I walked those 4.6 miles AFTER I did the "Biggest Loser Workout 2" and I only skipped one section of the DVD. (should I mention there was some vlogging going on?)

Oh, by the time we hit mile 3, my legs were burning- nay- THROBBING from doing so many glute squeezes and lunges and squats before. Right now I am exhausted, but I feel accomplished.

Wanna know why?

Because I weigh the EXACT same thing as I did this morning. (yes, I have been known to weigh myself up to 15 times in a day. I like to keep track of how different foods effect the diet. There are sneaky foods out there, I tell you, and I have learned which ones are the sneakiest.)

I was elated, because that means in the morning I will see a loss. Not a huge one, but at least another pound. And that makes me very VERY happy.

On the wagon and eating advil like it's candy (Not really. But it's fun to say that. I only took 3!) -

Charlie

Week one????? ALREADY?????

I gotta tell you, chicas.

This has not been the best week to try and jumpstart a diet.

Cause I'm here at my computer, editing videos, trying to keep up with emails and texts, keep my kids from destroying my house, and drinking what could only be described as gallons of coffee.

The only exercise I'm getting is running to pee every 20 minutes.

I promise that I will update this page with all my stats soon. Most likely tomorrow. After I have had at least 2 cups of coffee and sent the kids out to play so Mama can THINK.

But I gotta tell you, there is some stiff competition out there. The other Flabulous 8 are pretty pumped to do this challenge. And I am going to have to make up for lost time when I get caught up. That means Jillian Michaels is going to O.W.N. my fat butt.

Oh well, she's been hot on my tail for a while now anyway.

I'll be back, and when I do get my stuff up, the game will be on!!!!