My journey

I can’t believe it has been eight weeks! I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who supported me during my journey! It is incredible to see how far I have come in the last eight weeks. Where I was then and now the person I have become. To me this challenge was more than just “losing weight.” It was a time to take a serious look at myself and who I had become and realize I had the power to change.

Honestly when I first started, I didn’t know if I could do it. I wanted to do it. I thought I could possibly do it, I just had failed so many times before, and I didn’t want to fail again. More than weight loss, I wanted to feel strong, happy, and confident in who I was. I wanted to like myself.

I took it one day at a time, one meal at a time, one workout at a time. I started to believe in myself. I started to feel strong and confident in what I was doing. I realized I had the power to change. Every day I was faced with a decision. I could work towards my goals or I could let life just happen and see where I ended up. Each day I CHOSE to become healthier. It was HARD! And at times I wanted to give up. Especially when I was SO exhausted and my kids were all fighting, whining, and crying, or when I was discouraged because my weight had not changed, or when our extended family went out to eat at my favorite restaurant and I got something healthy to eat! Each day was a battle, but now I can say I am SO GRATEFUL I stuck to my goals and kept with it.

It was AWESOME to lose the weight, but for me the journey was about so much more. It has shown me that I CAN accomplish the goals I put my mind to. I AM strong. I CAN choose to be healthy and happy. I CAN take the time to take care of myself. This challenge has been a great stepping stone in my life to help me start becoming the person I have always wanted to become.

One of my favorite quotes is “We BECOME what we want to BE by consistently BEING what we want to BECOME each day,” (Elder Richard G. Scott). This challenge has proven to me that anything is possible! We CAN become who we CHOOSE to become. We just have to consistently work towards our goals and remember the great woman we are inside!!!!

People ask me how I lost the weight and what tools I use to help me make this journey. The principles I used were from a book called “Transformation” by Bill Phillips. It is similar to the “Body for Life” principles (same author) but the 18 steps in “Transformation” have really made the difference. I am actually only ½ way through my 18 week transformation, but I have applied the principles and have seen results. For me, CONSISTENCY was the key. There is a website that has been awesome too. It is an online community where others are also trying to lead healthy lives. It has been a really helpful tool as well. If you want to join, it is free. Look it up and check it out. It is transformation.com. If anyone decides to join, look me up! My user name is “Huckleberryforest.”

Thanks again for joining me in this journey. I wish you all the best of luck in achieving your goals in the future.

Angela Ames

AND THE WINNER IS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Healthy Habits 2011 Challenge winner is the amazing ANGELA AMES from Enoch, UT.

Angela has demonstrated a lot of hard work, will power and perserverance. She lost an amazing 14.599 percent body weight for a total of 20 pounds.

Her prize was $700.00 and a bag of Cadbury mini eggs so she can now enjoy a free day. We had a great time showing up unexpectly this morning. Keep up the good work, Angela. You are amazing and a great example!

Congratulations to all of you and for trying hard and even if you didn't try so hard. We hope you will continue with this challenge to try to eat better and exercise more so that you can have a long, full, healthy and happy life ahead of you. I am posting the top ten and their pounds lost, percentage lost, and their place.

OUR AMAZING TOP TEN!!!!!!

Name Pounds Lost % Prize

1. Angela Ames 20 14.599 $700.00

2. Kesley Branham 15.5 11.071 $200.00

3. Abbey Hayden 21 10.995 $100.00

4. Kamari Jensen 30.5 10.627 $50.00

5. Elizabeth Bouche 20 10.417 $50.00

6. Rachael Brindley 13 9.559 $50.00

7. Lauren Nelson 20.5 9.284

8. Brittney Israelson 17 9.189

9. Ashley Gleave 19.5 9.070

10.Sam Taylor 18 9.045

LADIES, WE LOST A COMBINED TOTAL OF 492 POUNDS. YOU ARE ALL SO AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU.

Week 7 Results

I have most of the figures in for the week. There has been 1 person who has not yet reported so I am using last weeks weight in these figures. If she reports to me a different weight, I will change these figures. For the eight week challenge we have lost a total of 441.4 pounds. Just a reminder, we need your FINAL WEIGHT by Midnight March 7, 2011 in order to qualify for prize money. No exceptions. We need your weight no later than Monday night. The winners will be posted next week along with the percentages lost. If you would like to figure your percentage, this is the formula. Take starting weight then subtract your weight now. Divide the starting weight into the total number of pounds lost. Then times by 100. This is your percent of weight lost. For instance: say your starting weight was 195 and your weight now is 180. 195 minus 180 equals 15 lbs. Divide 15 by 195 which equals .07692. Times this by 100 and your percentage is 7.692. If you would like me to figure your percentage for you for today's date, just email me westernpride@q.com

FINAL WEIGH IN MARCH 7TH BY MIDNIGHT

Hi Ladies, thank you to those who call or text or email their weight in on time (by midnight Monday's) Several of you did not report your weight last week. If you want to remain in the contest, I need weights for February 28th by tonight. Our next and final weigh in will be next Monday March 7th. WE HAVE TO HAVE YOUR WEIGHT ON MARCH 7TH BY MIDNIGHT IN ORDER TO BE FAIR TO ALL PARTICIPANTS. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your participation. Hopefully, we have been able to set some personal goals to help us be healthier and happier. It has been so fun receiving your nice emails. Thank you for your honesty and integrity.

It's All in the Attitude!

Hello Everyone,

I don't know about you, but I sure could use some motivation. It seems like the past two weeks have been difficult for me. I have slacked off a little in my food choices and I must admit there has been a day or two that I didn't exercise just because I didn't want too. But now, we are finding ourselves in the last two weeks of this competition and we can't afford to slack off. This is the time that we need to reevaluate our goals and put our best self forward so that we can finish this strong. I have a little note hanging on my wall above my treadmill. It says, "It's all in the Attitude!" This has been my source of motivation the past 6 weeks. It is all in our attitude. We can choose to be happy and do our best or we can choose to pout and just give up. I encourage all of you to be happy and do your best. Only two more weeks! Let's show ourselves what we are made of!

Robyne

Weight Loss For Week Four

This is our weight loss for week #4 65.6 lbs.

Food CHECK, Exercise NOT

Ok, for the first 4 weeks I have been working on getting my food in check. I have done really well. I have not gained, and I have lost a fair amount. AMAZING what a little calorie counting can do! :) I decided that the first 4 would be to get my food in order and the last 4 would be the exercise part. Tonight I did 40 min total. Hoping it will get easier and I will keep doing it! I am so EXCITED that we are on the tail end of the challenge!!!! Good luck everyone!