Let's Go - Getting Started

Current Weight: 213.6 lbs

Are you ready? I am! Let's get going!

First things first: Of course, weigh yourself. Take a picutre, too. You'd be amazed at how much different you're going to look when you take off a couple of pounds... this is what I looked like in June 2009 before I started losing weight and being very public about it as The Joy FM's Biggest Loser on The Morning Cruise:

Here's what I look like today, Easter Sunday, kind of the same pose:

Carl says I look very much different to his eye; to be honest, I don't see it. I know I'm better; I have more energy, I feel so much healthier, and I have a better outlook ("IN-look") on myself and life in general. But DO take some pictures. If you don't want to look at them right now, that's fine. I didn't, either. But you WILL want to look at them later on, when you've lost a little weight, and you're feeling better about yourself.

Also, take a couple of measurements. This is what I measured:

Chest: 38 inches (this is just below the armpits and above "the girls")

Waist: 36 inches (narrowest part of the torso)

Hips: 46 inches (widest part)

Upper arm: 16 inches

Current sizes: 16 pant, "Large" shirt

The measuring tape doesn't have to be accurately placed, but be sure to measure in the same place each time. I will try to do this about once a month, because I'm curious myself as to how I'm going to progress.

Record everything you eat or drink, or do for exercise. I use the website at http://www.sparkpeople.com/ for all that - sometimes it helps to look back at what you've done in the past to see where you've done well, and where you need improvement. In the nutrition section, at the end of the day you can see where you've done well... and where you haven't done so well, too. The main thing is to be accountable; to yourself, if to no one else. Also, if you're keeping a food and exercise diary, you are more conscious of what you're doing; you might not "count" a mouthful of pie of a handful of peanut M&Ms if you're keeping a tally only in your head. Plus which, everyone needs a minimum of caloric intake, or your body goes into starvation mode; it hangs onto every single calorie you take in, and you won't lose any weight.

Try to get a handle on what you eat each day. Again, www.sparkpeople.com is free, and gives you all the tools you need for learning how much, how often, and so on, that you shoud be eating every day to lose weight at a healthy rate.

Good luck! I'm praying for you... please pray for me!