September 22, 2010

Oh my goodness what a two days. To begin with, our first official training with Tim at Well Star was yesterday. It was Brutal to say the least. First we had to walk a mile on their track. THEN he made us walk the stairs of the parking garage. We are talking 6 floors and 135 stairs. Yes, I counted them. I had a hard time on that one. I was the last to make it up. In fact, our trainer came up to me and encouraged me with this statement, "The last team to go up these stairs, you want to know who was the last one up? Joan, and she went on to win the competition." That was all I needed to get me all the way up those stairs. Once down, we went back inside and did four circuit exercises with an exercise ball and weights. It was torture, but I made it through to the end.

He also informed us that if he or any of his staff caught anyone taking an elevator either in the center or the parking garage, that the entire team would have to walk to the top of the parking garage stairs. Needless to say we all promised not to do it. those stairs are killer.

This morning at 5am I was at MY gym to meet with my trainer there. I must be determined to get to the gym at 5am. I am not an early morning riser. Another killer workout and I am feeling the pain right now. But it's a good pain. This had better be worth it. LOL I am so determined and if I end up on the couch next week I will be very disappointed. It won't be from lack of doing what I need to do.

September 19, 2010

I need to get this blog caught up. :-) It has been a crazy week. First of all, on Wednesday we had our contestants luncheon at the TV station 11Alive. It started out with all of us meeting in the lobby of the station. Once everyone was there, Evelyn Mims (program coordinator) came out and gave us our team assignments. I was pleased I was put on the blue team.

We then went in and were taken to a large room where we met our trainer Tim, Christine Pollara the host of Atlanta & Company, representatives of Well Star Health Place , Good Measure Meals and producers of the show. Lunch consisted of sandwiches, fruit salad and lettuce salad.

After we ate, we were asked to put on out Atlanta's Biggest Loser T's and go in for our first official weigh in which was also filmed for the show. EWE I didn't like the fact that I weighed in at 269. Quite a shock and rude awakening. We were then given a full tour of the studio which was really interesting. Saw where Atl and company is filmed, also the news room and where the daily news is filmed.

Once that was over it was back to work to finish out the day. Once I got off work I went straight to Just Fitness where I did my first workout. No time like the present. Wanted to get things rolling now, even though the contest doesn't officially start until Monday the 20th. I have a long way to go.

On Thursday, we had our health screening. I had to be at Well Star by 7:30am. Well Star is in Austel, GA so I had to get up at 5:30am to get ready and be there. It is an hour drive from my house. I can't remember when I have been up that early in a long, long time.

Anyway, we got poked and prodded to make sure we are ok to participate. Met our staff cardiologist and had a nice provided by Chick-Fil-A. Then it was back to work after the consultation. I worked late that day to make up some time, then headed to the gym for an hour of cardio workout and some strength work. So far feeling great! I am supposed to pick up my first order of Good Measure Meals on Monday to start on Tuesday so in the meantime, I am being very careful at what I eat. Mostly fruits and veggies with lots and lots of water. So far things are doing great and the scales are showing the lbs going down.

Friday work was crazy, crazy, crazy. I was beginning to wonder if all this was worth it. I am getting so behind, but I can't complain or I would be asked to quit the program so I prod on, stat late and take stuff home. I passed a huge hurdle on Friday. I was asked to go to lunch with the crew to a pizza place, I told them no, that I had brought my lunch. Instead, since I still have my membership at Curves, I went there and did 30 minutes of circuit training. YAY! I was so proud of myself. Then back at the office I had my lunch of lettuce and fruit. After work, I met my friend Mila at the gym for another hour of cardio workout. Getting sore, but it feels great.

Saturday I had an appointment with a trainer at Just Fitness and learned how to use some of the machines. WOW was THAT a workout for my legs. I also convinced myself that I need to get me a trainer for at least one additional day a week if I am going to win this thing. So now I have my Biggest Loser trainer Tim on Tuesday and Thursday, and my Just Fitness trainer on Wednesday. On days I am not in Marrietta training with Tim (because it is 10:30 - 11:30), I will go to Curves on my lunch hour each day, plus workouts at Just Fitness at night after work. I am looking at two major workouts on Tues and Thurs, plus two the other days which include Curves. I think I am going to take Sunday off as a rest day. LOLOL

Well, there you have it, all caught up. Now I will be good about journaling every day from here on out. Game is definitely on and I intend to win!!!!!

September 14, 2010

Tomorrow is the big luncheon at 11Alive. I am starting to feel a bit nervous, but never have I been more determined to win something than I am this. The competition is going to be fierce and maybe that is a good thing. I have no idea what I will weigh in as tomorrow, but I am sure it will be a huge number.

I have been enjoying foods that I love for the last time this week. Crazy I know, but I just had to do it. I had a burrito from Taco Bell, Burger from Wendy's, Edy's Dibs from Quik Trip, and even had a Zaxby's club. I am over them all now. I feel I have done the damage. Now it is time to get down to business. I don't know what we will e served for lunch tomorrow, but whatever it is, I plan to savor everything as from that point on, I will be working to win the competition and I feel confident that I can do it. I have a lot of supporters behind me, so how can I go wrong.

Here is to losing 65 to 70 pounds over the next 12 weeks and being named Atlanta's Biggest Loser. GAME ON!!!

September 11, 2010

First of all, my heart goes out to the families of those that were needlessly killed on 9-11. We will never forget this tragic moment in our long history.

So here it is the day after learning the news. I still can't sit still (smile) I am making plans already as to how I am going to come out victorious. The main thing is to stay focused. Also to constantly work out and not eat anything I am not supposed to. Today I got all set up with Just Fitness so I have a place to go when I am not able to make it to the Well Star Health Center for workouts. I want to go there as much as I can, but it is so far that I will have to have an alternate. Just Fitness is only a couple miles from my house so it will work out great. I have to keep moving morning, noon, and night if I am going to win this things.

There is a lot of great competition that wants this just as much as me so it is going to be a very competitive competition. It is GAME ON as far as I am concerned. Below are some of the game schedules as I have them so far:

* Sept 15th - Contestant Luncheon at 11Alive TV Station - Also our first official weigh in.

* Sept 16th - WellStar Health Screenings - Have to be there at 7:30AM EEEEKKKKK

* Sept 20th - Contest officially begins. GAME ON!!!!!

* Sept 25th - Sept Out Walk Against Diabetes - Grant Park - Finalist Teams will be participating with 11Alive.

* Sept 28th - the battle of the weigh ins begin, beginning with the blue team. Red team weigh ins will start the following week on Oct. 5th.

So much to do. I will be busy, busy, busy.

I MADE IT!!!!!!!!

OMG, wonders will never cease to exist. I have been freaking out all day. Hubby and I went to Dahlonaga today and walked up to Amicalola Falls. My legs felt like jello and my heart was pounding like a drum. I definitely got some cardio in today. LOL There was no phone up there or at least no connection even though my earpiece was in and the phone was in my pocket. 2pm...nothing. Called my sister and had her check my email just in case something may have come in. Nothing...3pm..nothing so by 330 I had all but given up hope. I resigned myself that I had messed up bad and started thinking of other avenues to lose this dang weight.

then I laid the seat in the car back to take a little rest on the way home and it happened. The phone rang, "Kristine, this is Evelyn, you made it? She had to repeat it to me three times before it sunk in. I am a finalist in Atlanta's Biggest Loser competition. I am still in shock. It probably won't fully sink in until I go to the finalist luncheon on the 15th.

Ok, so the heat is on now. I have a lot of work to do to win this thing.
And mark my words, I will. If I don't, it won't be from any fault of my own, guaranteed. I won't let this opportunity pass me by.

September 10th

WOW, I can't believe how bummed I am and how negative I feel right now. I don't know why I feel or should feel this way, but I just think I didn't do well yesterday. You know how you get those gut feelings? The ones that cry out "loser, you blew it."? Well, that is what I am feeling. I just can't do interviews well. I lose my train of thinking and I am not quick on the response. I know what I want to say and how I want to say it, but when it is time to make it happen I blow it big time and sound like a total idiot. I will just be glad when the news breaks and I can move on.

OK so here is a funny or how my day will probably go. I just stepped away from writing this to go and get a cup of coffee. My eyes got as big as saucers when I turned on the kitchen light. Apparently, I didn't push the coffee pot in far enough, and I saw a kitchen full of coffee....on my floor,,,,on my counter,,,,in the drawer below the pot. EEEKKKK what a mess. LOL I sure hope the rest of my day isn't like that...a total disaster. :-)

It's All Over But the Crying

Interview done and gone. Unfortunately, I am not a good interviewer and I don't feel confident about becoming one of the 12. I answered good, but got all emotional. Maybe that is good, maybe it is bad. I just don't feel like I did well. I don't feel like I was in the interview as long as two before me, but then that could be attributed to nerves.

Some of my answers were not good. I just don't know what to expect. I am going to have to just sit back and wait to see what occurs tomorrow. I have done my best so we will see what happens.

September 9th - Interview day

Well, here we are, finally. Today is the big day, and of course I couldn't sleep in. I have been up since 6am, have made coffee and am sitting at my computer keeping my mind busy. I cannot get over all the support I am getting on this. Especially from my Facebook friends and family. If it wasn't for everybody cheering me on, I don't think I would have made it to today with a sane brain. :-)

I have everything ready to do. I even asked my wonderful hubby to go with me for this interview. I just didn't want to go alone the first trip down there. I am such a wuss when it comes to directions. If I am honored with a spot in the competition I will be fine since I have been there once already. It is just that initial drive that makes me nervous.

I am keeping a positive outlook on this, even though I know there are others that want this just as badly as I do. All I can do at this point is stay positive and pray I have what they want. Life will go on, even if I am not picked. I will cry a few tears, be a bit upset, feel minor depression for a day or so, but in the end I will move on knowing I gave it my best shot.

September 8th - 8pm

Oh Man, I wish I could just go to sleep right now and wake up to tomorrow. I have been doing everything possible to pass the day away. Who woulda thunk it? LOL Most of the time I just want to extend every hour in a day I possibly can, but today I want it over with, so I can wake up and start preparing for my interview at the TV station.

I am so afraid I will not be chosen now. Don't ask me why, I am just concerned. I want this so badly that it is sure to blow up in my face. I have a lot of people cheering me on, but the important thing is to impress my interviewers. I will be glad when the time is over with. Then whatever happens I will know I put my best foot forward. Maybe I will be lucky and only 12 candidates will show up ensuring me a spot. hehehe. No such luck I am sure. Everyone wants this just as much as I do.

Ok, here is my new thinking.....if I do NOT make it tomorrow, I am going to truly get serious about losing weight. I am going to sign up for Good Measure Meals anyway and do what is in my mind to do should I be lucky enough to garner a spot in the show. I am going to go back to Just Fitness, beg their forgiveness for being a jerk when I left before and work out like I am actually on the show. Let's see if I can beat the person who wins. Let me repeat myself, this is ONLY if I am NOT chosen as a top twelve contender this season.

Let's just consider the above a worse case scenario, because I AM going to be chosen a top twelve contestant and I AM going to win the entire enchilada. (big smile)

September 8th

Tomorrow is the big day. It is close, but so far away. I have been going over and over in my mind, how I am going to handle myself. I have my nails done, eyebrows waxed, and ideas forged. Just have to get a good night sleep, wake up refreshed and get ready. Oh wait!!!...what am I going to wear? Should I wear the worst I can to make me look my fattest, or wear something to hide as much as I can, like I normally do? My heart tells me to be myself and wear what will look nice in front of the judges. They don't want to see fat and rolls falling all over the place. I am afterall, going to an interview. So we will treat it as such and dress accordingly.

Hmmm, now the next question is what? Obviously I will wear black pants. Always black; never white or red or green or some other ungodly color. Black pants it is. I think...no I KNOW what I will wear over them. I will wear my fuchsia blouse. That way I will look good, but also won't look thin either. I will borrow Mom's necklace to go with it and a nice pair of earrings and be ready to go win a spot in the competition. I will be crushed if I don't, so I have to keep this upbeat positive attitude. It sure is hard sometimes.

September 7th

Ok, so I am a nervous wreck. Only two days until the big interview. Then on the 10th I should know where I stand. I want this so bad and it is killing me waiting and wondering who my competition is. I have never wanted anything so badly in my entire adult life. I have been making plans as far as how I will win this competition ever since I was selected as a semi-finalist last week. Thank goodness the finals interview was not more than a week away from the notification or I would be a basket case. LOL

I am going in with a super positive attitude and one that will prove to them that I am serious about winning this competition. I plan on working out seven days a week and eating nothing but what is provided by Good Measure Meals I will not allow anyone to get in my way of winning, not only the competition but a new body and lease on life.

Two more days and I will be off to the station and doing the best I can muster to guarantee myself a spot in the competition.

September 3, 2010

According to the rules and guidelines of Atlanta's Biggest Loser, the contest ran from August 16, 2010 and ends on September 3, 2010. If I was chosen as a semi-finalist, I would be notified by phone on that day. If I did not answer my phone, then they would move on to another eligible candidate. Fortunately, I put my cell phone on my application.

My cell phone never left my side all morning at work. Where I went, it went as well. By lunch time, I had received no phone call so I assumed like always, I was not one of the lucky semi-finalists.

After lunch I checked my personal email from my work desk and there was this interesting looking email. The subject line was "Congratulations! Atlanta's Biggest Loser!" I am thinking to myself, "No way, this has to be a 'thank you for applying, but' letter." I opened the mail and to my amazement it went on to say, "Congratulations! You've been selected as one of our semi-finalists for Atlanta's Biggest Loser!" Needless to say, the tears began to flow. I could not believe it. No way, I was selected as a semi-finalist!

I was told in the letter that I had to go to the studios of 11Alive TV on September 9th for an interview to see if I will be chosen as one of the 12 finalists to compete in the program. As luck would have it, I am on vacation this week. Whoo Whoo

I plan on being one of the 12 finalists and when chosen, I WILL win the competition. They supply a trainer and food while you are competing. I will lose more than any former winner - last year Joan Clipp won and lost 60 pounds. Can we say Kriss will lose at minimum 65? Oh yes she will. Wait and see.

Harsh Reality

The harch reality is that I am fat. It has been a part of my life for a while now, but no more than it is today. Due to quitting smoking I gained more weight than I wish to disclose, but at least I am smoke free and have been for two and a half years now.

I have tried every weight loss measure possible. Nothing worked or worse yet, I failed because I lost hope and interest. You name it; I don't think there is a plan, pill, shot, or program that I have not tried in the past. I had all but given up.

Two weeks ago, I decided to give life one more chance in the form of a competition based in Atlanta that is geared toward the same format as NBC's Biggest Loser competition. This is Atlanta's Biggest Loser. Although technically they are NOT affiliated with the national program, they base their program similarly to the Biggest Loser program. I never win anything. Well, that is not totally true. When I lived in North Dakota I entered a couple of contests at the local Tastee Freeze. In one contest I won a water float, and the other a whole pig. WOW was I excited. My freezer was full for a year with that oinker. LOLOL

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. LOL I discovered three weeks ago that ABL was asking for people to apply for their newest competition that is due to start on September 20, 2010 and run until December 10, 2010. Twelve weeks to get in shape with the help of Wellstar Health Systems, and Good Measure Meals. I had no hopes or expectations of winning, but I thought, "What the heck. Let's give this a whirl."

I don't remember what I wrote in my application, but I submitted this horrible page of my pictures along with it. Now THAT is a harsh reality. The fact that I was able to put myself out there for all the world to see is amazing. I am not proud of myself. I have allowed myself to get to this point and I am more ashamed than anyone can imagine. I don't like having my picture taken and my smile has all but disappeared. This application is my last hope. I can only sit and wait.