So last week I joined 3 women at the office for this 'Scale Back Alabama' weight loss challenge to lose 10 lbs in 10 weeks for a chance to win a cash prize. I figure hey, I'll give it a shot. I went to the grocery store and loaded up on healthy choice tv dinners, lean pockets, yogurt, skim milk, and special K cereal along with making a better effort to go work out since learning of a workout room in my office building. I'm really psyched about the whole experience and thought about finally getting healthy. I'm so excited that I started a mini challenge of my own with one of my best friends that whichever one of us can get able to run a mile in 8 mins gets the reward of getting a very nice dinner at an upscale restaurant in town (since I don't like to gamble high dollar amounts with my money). Also, I went back on my SlimQuick fat burner packets that you mix with water. They taste pretty good. Not to mention the fact that I've basically doubled my water intake, and started a food journal.

Anyway, I got up this morning as usual with a cup of yogurt and a cup of cereal with skim milk. I took a restroom break, and I had noticed that I was able to come down a notch in my belt! Oh I was tickled to death. I bought this belt nearly a month ago and could barely get in the first notch, but now I'm starting to notice a change in the way I feel everyday. I'm hungry before meals, but I'm not starving like I was. I don't each as much, so reducing my caloric intake will surely make a difference in the long run. But aside from having to go to the restroom more, the positives are making me feel great. I had a small backache when I went to bed last night, but I do notice that I have been sleeping somewhat deeper now, so I'm not as tired when I wake up and come into the office.

Long story, short: I'm excited about all the changes that I've made and the difference it's going to make in my life. wish me luck!

Go you

It feels great when everything finally clicks and you begin to feel positive about the changes. It really does make all the difference.

Good luck

Update: I had a rocky weekend but I found that it was due to a depression. I skipped my daily walks and yesterday I ate like a pig on some mac n cheese instead of my normal lean pocket/healthy choice frozen dinner. I hope I can bounce back from this.

On a positive note, when I weighed in on friday evening, I noticed a 7 lb decrease from my start weight! I bet it was mostly water weight, but who cares because the numbers are falling! I'm so excited! Anyway I just wanted to share this with you guys.

Good for you! 7 pounds!

That's awesome! Keep it up!

Thats awesome!!! good luck!

Best of luck to you! Keep track of your measurements, the belt notch is a great indicator things are working for you. I find measurements work better than numbers for me. Water fluctuation and muscle building tend to throw numbers off!

Stay focused and again best of luck to you!

Bump: Tomorrow is the final weigh in for Scale Back Alabama. I can't believe it's been 10 weeks already. I feel like I'm just getting started. Anyway I'm down about 8 lbs from my starting weight, so 2 lbs to go to hit that 10 lb mark. Wish me luck guys. I'm gonna need it.

On a positive note, I have been getting up the motivation to wake up at 5am in the mornings and hit the gym for a 30 minute cardio workout. It feels great. I haven't been sleeping well lately, but I have started noticing a change in my habits. Last night I was in bed by 9pm which is extremely early for me. I'm not sure if I so much as rolled over until 5am.

So, I ask you guys to wish me luck in my quest to hit 10lbs lost. I've decided to reward myself with a pedicure if I make it. This is definitely been a struggle for me.

Best wishes! Let us know how you do. Even if you don't reach the 10 pounds, do come back and let us know how you're doing. You're at least 8 pounds closer to your goal. That's wonderful.

Weigh in is at 9am this morning. All these thoughts are running through my mind. Did I make it? Did I not? What could I have done differently? I know I should have went to the gym for that second trip yesterday, but when I got home from work I was starving so badly. All I wanted to do was come home from work and relax with some nutritious dinner. So I opted to skip the gym and sat down with a lemon pepper fish meal from Healthy Choice. After that I was still starving, so I ended up scarfing down on some popcorn and chocolate. I know I shouldn't have, but after starving all week and living off just salads and yogurt, I couldn't handle it anymore. But today I got up at 5am and worked out like I normally do, and I skipped breakfast, hoping that will help. I'm really worried about stepping on that scale today and not getting the results I wanted...

Alright, so I didn't hit the 10 lbs mark. Am I crying? NO WAY! I got on that scale and I had dropped 9 lbs over all. I'm so excited and proud of myself for coming this far. It's given me the motivation to keep going. Thanks so much to everyone for the support! I'm really digging this new way of life.