I only got feedback from Teri this month - from the other few I talked to November wasn't so great on everyone's weight loss. Let's recommit to this challenge and remember that there is $80 waiting here for someone. I, for one, don't want to lose by default! I'm glad I haven't gained any weight, but the purpose was to lose weight, and a lot of it! So, let's get it done!

Teri 180- 171= 5% lost

she says, "I did great over the holidays. I am down to 171 lbs now. I have a deal going with my boys that would cost me $100 everytime I break it. Talk about great motivation!!"

Way to go, Teri! Keep up the good work!

Betsy's feelings on weight loss

It's time to recommit to this challenge - for me, anyway. I'm pretty disgusted to have a second month with no change. And I know I'm the one at fault for that. I'm the only one who can make me exercise and eat right. No one else is in charge of that. That's probably why my weight depresses me so much. And I've come to learn that it really is a commandment to take good care of our bodies. And I'm not doing that. I know that can also put a damper on a persons mood. So.....with three months left of this challenge, I am recommitting myself to lose some weight. I don't have any grandiose ideas about losing ALL I need to lose, but I think it's feasible to plan on losing a total of 20 lbs. That leaves me to lose 5 lbs. each month. Not too bad when I put it like that. This time of year does make it hard for me to say no to all the goodies. So, I decided not to make goodies as gifts this year. I made plans with the kids to make a few things together, things we can share with others and not have sitting around for me to eat! My exercise plan is to get up no later than 6 am and workout to a DVD. Then to take a walk at 9 am with the 2 littles in a double-stroller I've borrowed. If I'm not seeing the results I want, I will add in an evening jump on the mini-trampoline. And getting to bed on time is a key to making this all work! I've also got to stay focused during the day and do other things during my key snack times. Things I know help me are: reading, cleaning, sewing, scrap booking, playing with my kids, even doing my nails! So, this is my pledge to having a better month - even if it is the holidays! You'll see a change in my numbers next time, hooray! Betsy =)

November 1st percentages!

start weight current weight % lost

*Cherie 198- 193= 2.52

Debbie 218- 209= 4.13

Dan 250- 244= 2.4

Margaret 199- 193.5= 2.76

*Betsy 226- 221= 2.21

*James 270- 250= 7.41

*Carolyn 162

Caryn 209- 200=4.31

Teri 180- 175= 2.78

*those who did not have a weight change this month (or didn't get me their new weight!)

You guys are doing awesome! Keep up the good work. I'd love to hear more about how things are going for you: what you're doing, recipes for healthy eating, your struggles, etc.!

First Month Percentages!

start weight current weight % lost

Cherie 198- 193- 2.52

Debbie 218- 211- 3.21

Dan 250- 245- 2.00

Margaret 199- 194- 2.51

Betsy 226- 221- 2.21

James 270- 250- 7.41

Carolyn 162

Caryn 209

Teri 180-175-2.78

5 lbs. Whoo hoo

I hit the 5 pound mark for a total of 2.51%. Pretty exciting for me. I've had to really watch what I eat because after breaking my toe, I can't quite exercise yet. I'm walking around in my crocs because tennis shoes really aren't all the comfortable. The weather is changing too fast here and I will have to start doing more things inside. Hmmmmm...... what to do?

Betsy's loss

I decided I'd keep track of my weight on here on the 1st and 15th each month. So, for mid-September I've lost 5 lbs! Woohoo! Using the formula, that is a weight loss of 2.21% How are you all doing?

Welcome!

We have a few more beginning weights to add. Debbie joined in at 218 lbs and Dan decided to try his hand at the pot beginning at 250 lbs. James has also joined us, but I haven't gotten his starting weight yet. He did put his money in and I know he's already lost some weight - we've got our work cut out for us! Let's do it!

Just received money from Carolyn, Caryn, and Cherie! The pot is up to $70! Still need Cherie's beginning weight.

The POT!

We've got some actual money in the pot! $40 so far! Dan, Deb, James and I have paid. Just thought I'd put this up to provide some inspiration for the week. I know there are at least 3 (4?) more who will be paying - so $70 is pretty good, you can do a lot with that!

1.005 %

I lost two pounds this week. Yeah. Hope everyone is doing well with their goal. Keep motivated.

Teri's Starting Weigh In and Photo

OK, here goes. This is me at 180 pounds. I'm excited about this challenge. I hope I'm doing this right.

My picture

I liked that Betsy put on a picture. It's great motivation to want to see a change. Here's mine and I've uploaded some others as well.

Margaret at 199


Caryn at start weight


Carolyn at start weight


I hope you guys don't mind me putting up the pictures.

How to calculate your weight loss percentage

I thought this might be a helpful tool to keep you motivated. I plan to keep track of my weight loss percentage each week in a spreadsheet. To figure out your percentage you have to know two things, your initial weight (IW) and your actual weight (AW). Here's the math for you.

IW - AW / IW * 100 = weight loss percentage

Here's my results after one day

199 - 198 / 199 *100 = .502 %

Pretty simple. Hope this helps some. Keep motivated!!

Betsy's First Weigh-in

Ugh

That picture makes me sick! Okay, so it's been a long, busy day and I'm really tired. That's why it's 9:30 before I'm getting this post done! I weighed in today at 226 and my scale does body fat percentage, too - that's at 44%. Sick, almost half my weight is fat! So, I'm definitely ready to make some changes. Kind of disappointed that today wasn't so great. I didn't get to exercise or really pay attention to my food. I'm positive, though, and feel certain that it will get better. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon. Glad to see the other weigh-ins. Nobody should feel bad - if this works, we'll all be lighter soon! I've gotten used to seeing that number on my scale, and am kind of grateful that it doesn't depress me. I got up to 256 when I was pregnant, so that number is almost exciting - 30 lbs. already! LOL. My hard thing will be fitting in the exercise and staying out of the food when I get stressed. Next post I'll share what I'm going to replace the food with when things get crazy! Keep smiling! - Betsy

Time to get serious!

So, here it is September 1st. I'm officially beginning my new regimen. I refuse to "diet" but I have decided to watch what I eat and begin a new exercise program. I don't want to tell everyone but here is my official weight this morning. Please just read over it. LOL. I weight ... drum roll please ... 199. I guess I'm okay with that because it is under 200. Just barely though. Good luck to everyone participating. This will be a fun challenge.

We begin!

I had this idea - a great idea, I think. I've been wanting to lose weight for forever. I know I personally need some motivation other than just losing the weight, although I am really excited about that, too. Since I just had a baby, I feel like now is a great time for me to jump on this. So, here's the plan.

I've set up this blog for any of the Bake clan that would like to participate in a Bake's Biggest Loser Challenge. I thought it would be a great way to encourage each other to do better, a place where we can share the ups and downs, recipes, exercise tips and strategies. Whatever! My favorite part of this challenge is for those of you who are interested in making it a real Biggest Loser Challenge. I thought if each of us put in $10 now, then in 6 months whoever has lost the most weight (by percentage) gets the pot! That's where the extra incentive comes in. For me, having that as a possible reward is exciting. It will keep me going. We are half-way through August so I say we start on Sept. 1. Post your starting weight here and maybe some of your ideas, too. We'll go for the six months - ending February 28. If it's successful and we still have some weight to lose, we can do it again.
I also suggest signing up at www.sparkpeople.com I started using that site before my pregnancy and I loved the encouragement, but more the tools for tracking food, calories, exercise, etc.

So, let's get busy and make some healthy changes. It doesn't matter if you want to lose 8 pounds or 80, you're all welcome to participate!