Wednesday Weigh In Number One
This, folks, is what Blog To Fit is all about – the Wednesday Weigh-In.
It’s where we reveal our successes. It’s where we reveal our struggles. It’s where we hold ourselves accountable for our choices. It’s where we know that we’re not alone. It’s where we find inspiration. It’s a snapshot of our lives as we journey the path to our goals.
Every week the three of us are going to update you on our progress. Here’s the first installment.
Tara Cain
I’ve been excited all week about taking part in this venture and now I’m stood in front of the bathroom scales and I want to make my excuses and run very very far away.
If I wasn’t so desperate to make a life change, I would be outa here.
So, I step on (wearing the lightest clothes known to man of course) and my son says: “wow that’s a big number!”
It’s all relative, I tell him. He only weighs about 56lb which is a small number.
Now quit your yacking I tell him, and get supportive please!
So, in brief, here are the figures. Or lack of figure!
Mummy weighs: 168lb.
Mummy should weigh: 140lb.
In an ideal world mummy would weigh: 130lb.
Mummy has always been a British dress size 10/12. She’s now a 14. A 16 if she’s aiming for comfort.
I have no idea what my BMI or blood work or cholesterol level or tolerance levels are. I’m guessing they aren’t going to be good.
These are the numbers that are going to make me sit up and change.
I don’t like these numbers. I don’t like them one bit and I intend to send them downwards.
Wish me luck!
Just the stats: Tara Cain
- Starting weight Wed. Nov.19: 168 lbs.
- Goal weight: 140 lbs.
David Fowler
The scales don’t scare me. They never have. But then the heaviest I’ve ever been is 215 lbs, which for a man of 6ft tall, is not too outrageous but neither is it too pretty.
Around this time last year I weighed in at 182 lbs, and since then I’ve steadily gained weight – or more accurately… gained fat!
My initial goal is to get to 173 lbs and maintain it for a while before moving on to achieve some of my other goals.
As a single measure of health and fitness, weight alone can be misleading. Tracking the pounds can be frustrating and sometimes counterproductive, particularly if you’re not prepared for the roller coaster ride that it invariably becomes – so it’s also important to look at some of the other data as well. Fear not, your Blog To Fit trio will be exploring this in more detail in the coming weeks.
To keep things interesting and varied I’m also going to include some additional body measurements every Wednesday Weigh-In including: Hips (by which I mean my backside), Waist (where the top of my jeans sit), Belly (navel and love handle region) and Chest (you know where the chest is).
OK here goes….
Just the stats: David Fowler
- Starting weight Wed. Nov. 19th: 200 lbs
- Goal weight: 173 lbs (in 15 weeks)
- Hips: 40 Inches
- Waist: 38.5 Inches
- Belly: 40.25 Inches
- Chest 41.5 Inches
David Wright
I’ve been hovering around 350 for the past three years or so. Prior to that, I had ballooned up to nearly 400 pounds with absolutely no idea my weight had gotten so bad until I stepped onto a hospital scale. 400 pounds is that number which for me is the Point of No Return – a slippery slope to newspaper headlines which read, “Crane pulls man out of house.” For some of you, that number might be 300 pounds. For others, 200 pounds. Whatever it is, there is a number that scares the hell out of you and for me, that number is 400 pounds!
The doctors told me in no uncertain terms that if I did not change, my ending would not be a happy one.
Immediately, I cut out drinking regular soda and stopped eating as badly as I was. I dropped almost 50 pounds within a few months. The success stopped there, though. The scare had given way to complacency.
While it’s good that I’m not gaining more, I know that it’s only a matter of time until I start gaining weight or I am beset with medicial problems. I need to lose and I need to lose NOW. So I intend by this time next year to weight 250.
Just the stats: David Wright
- Starting weight Wed. Nov. 19: 350 lbs.
- Goal weight: 250 lbs.
- Goal date: Nov. 19, 2009
Now it’s your turn.
If you’d like to post a Wednesday Weigh-In post on your blog and help spread the word of our goals, please do so. Get all the info on how you can participate right here.
This is what Blog To Fit is all about.
See you downstairs in the comments – and let’s all show our support and visit anyone taking part.
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52 Responses to “Wednesday Weigh In Number One”
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Guess I’ll go first. (not sure of the best format, so I’ll be brief)
Weight 2 weeks ago when I got started: 285.6
Weight today: 280 lbs
Height: 6′ 3″
Goal: 200 lbs or less — no specific time duration
Rest of the body measurement: too big!
Good luck everyone!
Mike Goad’s last blog post..Eyes of the Great Depression 007
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Mike, welcome aboard! It’s really great to have you here.
The best thing you said? “No specific time duration” – it think many people are doomed to fail when they set themselves unreasonable goals.
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Mike, well played for kicking us off. That’s a nice steady loss for to weeks at roughly 2.5 lbs per week. LMAO @ ‘Too Big’.
I’ll be popping across to read your WWI post shortly, see you there.
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David Wright Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Thanks, Mike. Good progress so far! I look forward to future updates from you.
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Glad to see that David F made the comment that weight alone can be misleading, and frustrating if that is your only means of tracking success. I prefer to go with how my clothes fit, although I do make sure I step on the scales every once in awhile so that I am not tempted to buy ‘the next size up’, which is what got me into trouble in my early forties.
Way to go, Trio, for laying it all bare … so to speak.
Me? I have lost 3 of the 6 pounds that crept on over the Summer. More importantly, I have started a regular fitness program. I have done 1 day at the gym and 1 day of fitness class. And OH. MY.GOODNESS. do I ever hurt. But it’s a good hurt. It’s a hurt that says you have muscles you never knew you owned. Hello muscles!
I am loving this blog, by the way! Cheers to everyone!
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Check that phone at the door
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Hopefully I too will be calling out ‘hello muscles’ in the very near future.
They’ve thrown in the while towel at the moment!
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
You sound totally enthused about what you’re doing.
It’s just inspiring to read that you’re busy getting your fitness on.
You’re dead right about the weight thing. It can be misleading when people start to get fit and the scale gives a higher reading. People assume they’re not losing the fat when instead they’re gaining a little muscle.
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David Wright Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I remember in 2006, the first time I was with a personal trainer – and the first exercise I’d had in God knows how long. I thought I was going to either die or vomit and then die, I was so out of shape. It was scary. It took a few weeks to get back into things. Of course, then I fell out of the habit. Now I need to get back into regular exercise – preferably without puking or dying.
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Good on you three for putting it out there – so to speak! I got on my scales this morning and they said “One at a time please”! And Tara – I never get on the scales until after the first wee of the morning and only when I’m completely naked! Guess thats why I got thrown out of a Weight Watchers meeting! Only kidding!
I went down to the beach for a long walk this morning to start my own take on your campaign – see the blog post today in your honour! Like Ross from Friends, “I’m carrying a little holiday weight right now”, though god knows from which holiday! Will be on the scales occasionally but am also going to monitor how the clothes fit too as I know I will become a bit of a scales addict which I think will demotivate me. Good luck everyone and can’t wait to read more! Bring it on!
Blimey… I think my endorphins must have kicked in….
ThatGirl39’s last blog post..Weigh-Hey… It’s Wednesday!
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I think you could be giving Dave F a run for his money on the commenting stakes That Girl.
“I never get on the scales until after the first wee of the morning and only when I’m completely naked!” I spat my cup of tea out right there!
Brilliant to have you along for the ride, will be over to check out your post later . . .
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I know! I felt the same way and was so pissed off I didn’t have a cup of tea to spit on my screen. I had to make do with a guffaw and a chortle while I boiled the kettle.
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
That’s so cool. That’s exactly what I do. I have a horses wee and nude up before climbing on the scale.
YAY! For the walk. A walk along the sea front sounds like a fantastic way to start the day. At this rate you’ll be streaking ahead of us in no time at all.
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
“I have a horses wee and nude up before climbing on the scale” – is that really the vision we want in our heads when we’re talking about food?
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
It probably couldn’t hurt
Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Are we still talking about the weeing?
David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
No. I thought we were talking about nuding up.
Weight last Fri: 162.7
Weight today: 161.2 lbs
Height: 5′ 4″
Goal: 150 lbs or less. (It’s taken me 6 months to lose 10 lbs so far. So it may be the same. I’ll just keep chugging along till I get there and re-eval then.)
Full details at myblog.
Avlor’s last blog post..Cream vs. Creamcheese
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Those numbers are going down Avlor, that is the most important thing.
So what if it’s taken 6 months? I bet with a bit of a push from Blog to Fit you are going to improve those figures anyway.
Welcome aboard the fitness express!
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Avlor, I’m convinced that this is the way to do it. Make it part of your lifestyle rather than a goal in itself. I’m impressed that you keep getting the results. Great stuff.
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Sadly, I do not own a scale, but I know that my pants aren’t fitting as loose as they should. I’ve sworn off the peanut M & M’s, and pasta elevendy times a week.
I think that what you are all doing is wonderful, brave, and a fantastic example. Bravo.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..Redbook… An Excerpt
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
It’s all about the pants (which is underwear here in England, so sounds funny when you say ‘my pants aren’t fitting as loose as they should’!)
I know if things feel a little uncomfortable it’s not wise to be stepping anywhere near a scale, so I tend to go by ‘feel’ rather than numbers too.
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
“peanut M & M’s, and pasta”
You Americans have some weird meal combinations. When do you eat this one, at breakfast?
Regardless of whether you have a scale or even particiapte in the hoo-har you’re always welcome to drop in words like ‘elevendy’ LMBFO.
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Ah ha. I’ve found a stray LMBFO!
Let’s see who can a. carry on the baton and b. understand what the bl**** hell you’re talking about!
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Ok so I can’t lie. I haven’t exactly made any steps towards my scales in the last week. So I’m not ready to post numbers. But, I wantewd to comment to all of you here partaking ion BlogTofit that you are ALL marvellous and inspirational and I wish all of the blogland participants lost of luck with their weight and fitness goals.
I will be making some changes to my eating habits and i figure I will share those with you. My version of ‘baby steps’ Tara.
My aim is to basically, cut-the-cr*p out of my diet. (hopefully a bi-product of this will be to lose a few pounds too).
So, I’m starting today. And in I get through tonight and my Wednesday TV viewing, without emptying the cookie jar, bcompletely then I will have achieved my first step.
I feel quite pleased that I have survuived my mid morning cuppa without the usual cookie or chocolate (or leftover halloween candy!) so that’s a start.
See, I’m a terrible snacker. Ssssshhhh, don’t repeat that sinful S-word too loudly!
But there you have it. Snacking is my downfall. So, although I agree with Tara that cutting out all the good stuff will just make me miserable, cutting out the truckload of junk to a small sockful, will help me to get healthier. which can be no bad thing, can it?
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
You take as many baby steps as you need Mom/Mum. We’ll be here waiting for you.
Cutting the c*** will be a big step because your children will see you do it and they watch us parents closely like hawks and mimic everything we do. So you think they haven’t seen you sneak off into the garage for a crafty Twix, but they know, they so know.
Here’s a tip. Every time you feel like reaching for that cookie jar, think of Dave Fowler tut tut tutting you and wagging a disapproving finger . . .
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Mom/Mum Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I will – I see Dave even now as I head towards the fridge…”Noooooo Mom/Mum! Dooooon’t do IT!!!”
Am totally joining in with this guys. Have just posted on my site about it and linked to you guys.
Bring on the carrot sticks and Evian!
Thanks for your support.
Are you sure the kids know about my secret chocolate stuffing??
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Actually, you’re more likely to find me hiding in your closet than your kitchen…. and it would be you shouting “Nooooo don’t do it”.
I think snacking is OK. In fact in my view it’s important and I hope to prove it.
It’s great having you here to play.
David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Forget the scales fro a while carry on reducing the crap and making those better choices. You see, you’re already making progress just by thinking about what you’re doing.
I’m still eating crap and I will continue to do so, but the trick is obviously in the volume and also in the quality of the crap. Some crap is crapper than other crap.
Yes it’s possible to do this by eating lean chicken breast and brocolli for every main meal but boy does that suck as a life style choice – unless you aim to get ripped to shreds and play beach volleyball in the next Olympics. Do you?
Go Mom/Mum, go!
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David Wright Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
You don’t need to worry about the FIRST WEEK of posting. We have nothing to compare it to. You could put 4,000 pounds, and we’d be saying, “good luck, see you next week at 3,998 pounds!”
You get a pass this week, but come next Wed…. We’ll be waiting
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For all of you to be so brave and forthright is really making me more aware of my trouble spots. I don’t own scales, either, but I’ve a rack of slacks I can’t button, so that’s information enough.
My diet’s always been fairly healthy, but I’m needing to stop the unnecessary excess. Gone are tapping the candy snacks at the office (they have no less than 7 different M&M dispensers!!!). I’ve read some more about nutrition and nutrient-rich foods so will be making more adjustments to what I cook. And (drum roll, please) starting today, I will cut my portion sizes in half. That’s my biggest hurdle, I’m afraid. There’s no reason on earth why I should eat as much as my husband when I’m only half his size! (Some days, I eat more than him. More is just plain more, even if it is healthy.) For the physical part, again starting small, I’m going to try to practice holding in my tummy, again. It used to be easy… It’ll help me shift my attention away from my taste buds. Lastly, I am now walking to the third floor at work instead of taking the elevator ride. Gosh! I don’t know what hurts the worst with that, my knees or my thighs.
Julie’s last blog post..First Guest Post
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Julie, scales are not necessary they’re just a convenient way to make a rough check on your progress. Sometimes the scales lie and there are all sorts of factors involved in determining one’s weight at any given moment.
I think you’ll do just fine with your approach for right now.
This is a great start to a better future. The small changes will pay off big time further down the line, you wait and see. But as you’re well aware, it’s the way that you think about it that matters most – as your actions will follow your thoughts. Yours are positive and that’s a big deal.
Way to go Julie!
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@WriterDad – “I’ve sworn off the peanut M & M’s, and pasta elevendy times a week.” Too funny!
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Check that phone at the door
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I weight the same as I did on Monday at the Dietitian and Tuesday at the Trainers and the Chiropractors. It is 8 pounds down since August. Although I have a great number at the waist ( for a 59 yrs old woman) I have monstrous numbers for my legs and my upper arms look like I am Popeye after the can of spinach about to rescue Olive Oyl
I wear a US size 20 except at the waist and a 3x for shirts because of my upper arms. Only the insurance company says for 5’9″ I am morbidly obese. I have to loose 40 pounds to maintain my health ins. and I don’t want diabetes -
I walked the lake yesterday 1.5 miles 1x and that was inspiring as was the sunshine after the flooding of last week.
I would like to share my poem from this morning as it inspired me – from Maya Angelou
Seek Patience
and passion
in equal amounts.
Patience alone
will not build
the temple.
Passion alone
will destroy
walls.
Patricia’s last blog post..Hat’s Off to a House
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Patricia, your Popeye references made me laugh, and I love to laugh! It’s great that you take a light hearted approach to your situation. You can still do the serious business without taking it too seriously. That has to help get through the tough times.
Keep going with your walks by the lake. If you enjoy your walks it’ll lift your spirits and carry you on to further progress. I know you’ve got a handle on this already but it’s nice of you to share your endeavours with us. Please keep doing so.
Oh, and thank you for the poem
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David Wright Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
GREAT poem! You see, walking DOES more than get you healthier. It feeds your mind loads of creative juices!
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Here are my numbers:
Weigh in today at hospital appt: 199.8 lbs (200 is my point of no return Dave and for a man of 5′ 6″ that is pretty bad)
Goal weight: 150
Hips: 34
Belly: 34
Goal date: August 19th 2009
Sal’s last blog post..Don’t Pick Up The Phone!
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Sal, Thanks for posting up your stats. I see you’ve pretty much hit your upper limit. My own was 215 and hitting that really got my arse into gear. More than that though it got my brain into gear. I feel bad that I kep letting my weight slip but I feel confident that this time we can all do better it we stick together.
Your goal date looks to be well chosen!
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David Wright Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Great goals, Sal. Thanks for posting.
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Oh My Goodness. I’ve had a lot of firsts this week on the blogosphere. Yesterday I uploaded my very first video post and now I’m about to spell out how much I weigh on the blogosphere? Goodness, that’s a lot for one blogging introvert.
Just the Stats: Stacey / Create a Balance
- Starting Weight Wed. Nov. 19: 154.4
- Goal Weight: 148
Stacey / Create a Balance’s last blog post..My First Video Blog! Take Back Your Life Episode #1 – Assessing Your Actions
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David Fowler Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Stacey, that’s just great. Thanks for taking part and sharing your success on the weight loss. I popped across and saw your first video blog, you did a great job. I can’t ever see me following suit, but I do admire your courage.
I hope you’ll drop in again for next week’s WWI.
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
You go Stacey!
It’s only by putting ourselves out there and being totally honest that we’re going to achieve anything.
That’s great stuff from a blogging introvert!
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Ok, I’m going to be honest with you Tara, Dave and David. I can’t bring myself to tell you and the blogging world how much I actually weigh right now. But, I am committed to changing my lifestyle and getting fit and have been doing so for about 8 months now. In that time I have lost 20lbs so far, but progress has been very slooooww. So, here’s the deal: I will do a weekly weigh in with the target being the rest of the weight I need to lose. For this week (week one) details as follows:
Height 5′ 9″ (I don’t expect this to change!)
How much I need to lose to reach my target: 56lbs (ye gods)
I’ll be doing a full post each Wednesday on my own blog tracking my progress.
notSupermum’s last blog post..This week I will be….
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 19th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
You absolutely don’t have to put your weight up if you don’t want to.
This site is alll about you getting what YOU need to help you succeed.
And by the way, 5’9″? I am so jealous!
Sloooooww is good too. At least you’re getting there.
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David Wright Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 3:58 am
That’s a good idea. I should’ve thought of offering that as an option.
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People always are jealous that I am tall and think of me naturally skinny. Well that just means my fat is disributed across 6 feet and 3 inches. But my fat is sitting on my belly. Not pretty I tell ya.
I am joining in late and have yet to post my weight on my site – but I am in it.
Height: 6’3″
Weight: Between 205 and 210 – my scale sucks and is confused
Goals: Buck 95 please
Mini goal this week:
1) Work out 3 times
2) Start eliminating sugared sodas
I have worked out 2 times so far and have had only 1 sugared soda (my week started Monday).
Be afraid blubber, be very afraid.
DC Urban Dad’s last blog post..Please sir, put down the milkduds
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David Fowler Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Late is fine. It’s better than fine.
Glad you could make the party.
I’ve heard this quite a lot from taller men, 6’2” and above, people are fooled by the height and tend not to register a little fat around the middle. The same doesn’t seem to work for me at 6ft nothing, with my mouth wide open.
Good job with the exercise and the soda! I feel lucky that I gave the sodas up years ago and I’ve never really gone back to them, save for the odd one every six months or so.
LOL at your confused scale
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David Wright Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 4:00 am
We’re about the same height. While I am more than 100 pounds overweight, sometimes I don’t look as bad as I would if say, I were a foot shorter. Thank God for small miracles.
No sweat on being late, we’ll hold your spot. Thanks!
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Tara Cain Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 4:30 am
“Be afraid blubber, be very afraid” – I have just chanted that to my excess baggage and it jiggled in fear!
I too have to give up the fizzy drinks. I turn to Diet Coke as a sugar fix and it’s so so very bad for you.
It’s great to have you here DCUD.
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I weighed in last night at home before traveling today, so will keep weighing in on Tuesday nights but keeping the results a secret until I post them here with everyone else on Wednesdays.
That, and “Tuesday Weigh In” just doesn’t have the same ring.
Height: 5’9″
Weigh-in #1: November 19: 173.8 pounds
Goals: Not sure yet on weight goal, but I’m aiming to get from a 36 waist pant size back to 34, then 32.
Mini goals this week:
1) Work out 3 times
2) Only coffee… no “extras” in the drinks (no lattes, mochas, etc.)
Michael’s last blog post..Who’s the Judge? The Shepherd? The King?
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David Fowler Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Welcome to the first WWI Michael. Reducing your waist size is a fine goal in itself and probably more beneficial than worrying about scale weight.
I love the mini goals too, definitely achievable and realistic.
Tuesdays didn’t work for us either
Thanks for joining in.
Dave
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I posted my Wednesday Weigh-In information as an update message in the following post…
http://createabalance.com/my-first-video-blog-take-back-your-life-episode-1-assessing-your-actions/
Stacey / Create a Balance’s last blog post..My First Video Blog! Take Back Your Life Episode #1 – Assessing Your Actions
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