One of the gals made each of us an octopus out of yarn. She glued a piece of paper to each octopus so we could write out names on them. Wasn't that nice of her? The motivational part of this is to keep all 8 legs because if you gain over the course of the week, a leg is unceremoniously chopped off!! This is an 8 week contest and I already love my little octopus... I would hate to see it amputated. I think this is a brilliant way to keep us paying attention. Have any of you got any other great motivational ideas?

One thing I did for awhile was took a pair of pants that I LOVED back in the day, that I couldn't fit in anymore, and hung them by the bathroom. Then I looked at them everyday to remind myself why I was doing this. In fact I may get them out and do it again!

I love the octopus idea!! I wish I had some friends around here to do that with. I love putting a name on it to really get you attached to it (and its legs)

I also love the jeans idea. I have a really cute pair of jean that I have never worn. I think I might hang them on my pantry door. I really need motivation.

This is more of a mental thing.. but when I get down about only losing a half of a pound or a pound of weight, I try to visualize ground hamburger. Think of what a pound of ground hamburger looks like when sitting in your hands. Now imagine that on your body. It seems more significant then.....

What did you name your octopus? Hopefully not Stumpy. lol.

Robin, how about Betty Grable or was she before your time? LOL!! I think she might have been the first star whose legs were insured for a million dollars.

I have my front view before picture (tummy and all...ewwww) on the fridge right next to the internet picture of the dress I ordered. That way when I try to go rummaging in the fridge, I'm face-to-face with my goal and the consequences of straying.