This week I discovered the most amazing book...You: on a Diet. The book explains the digestive process in detail. It also talks about how our mind and other processes in our body effect how we gain and lose weight. I found the book not only informative, but also inspiring. I haven't finished reading it yet, but I have already changed my diet along with how I think about food. I would recommend this book to ANYONE; not just those of us who are trying to lose a few pounds.

 

Aside from this, this week has been great. I have been exercising and eating right. I have also encouraged several other people at my work and school to get healthy. Mom has done ok too. She has had her ups and downs this week. She struggles with finding the time and place to exercise as she lives in a small town that does not a gym that is accessible to her. Also, she gets home late and is often very tired. I know that she can do this, and I am willing to help her in any way that I can. I actually went to visit her this weekend. I plan to post a couple of pictures from this visit soon.

 

I guess that that is about all that I have to post this week. I pray that everyone is doing well. Have a great week, and God bless!

This concludes our first week of our weight loss journey! I have to say that it was difficult at times to resist temptations, but in the end, I believe that it was a good week. Mom and I both had weight loss this week, which I am very happy about! Hopefully, we will have many more successes in the weeks to come.

 

Sometimes this week, I got discouraged, because I have so much weight to lose. It is hard to believe that Mom and I have gained so much weight over the years, but I am determined to take this weight off for good this time. As I have mentioned several times, I want to be an inspiration to people in this region. Every day I see people that are not just overweight, but morbidly obese. I know that in the past I have beat my self up emotionally over my weight. I cannot imagine what some people must go through. I want to be an inspiration to those people. I am currently studying to become a clinical social worker. I am in a Master's program. Someday, I would like to use the skills that I have acquired to help people who struggle with their weight. Losing and gaining weight are both very emotional experiences, and I would love to help in regards to this in whatever way I can.

 

My Mom, Benita, is also working really hard to lose weight. She wants to be healthier and to feel confident and good about the way that she looks. I know that she can do it, and I am so proud of her. We can accomplish this together!!

 

Good luck, Everyone. I know that you can do it. Have fun and enjoy this experience, because hopefully, it is the last time that we will all have to do this. I think that we'll lose the weight and keep it off!!!

Hello, All!

 

It can be so difficult to lose weight! Mom and I don't have trouble maintaining the weight that we are currently at, but we both want to be as healthy as we can be, and that takes A LOT of work and determination. We've entered this contest today to keep each other accountable and to encourage others in our family, in our region, and others out there that can be encouraged by reading our successes. We know that we can do this, and we know that you can too! 

 

Our plans for success include watching our calories, exercising more frequently, as well as with more intensity, and calling each other to talk about our struggles and successes. Hopefully, we'll be able to get together on the weekends and work out together as well. Research shows that people that work at losing weight together lose more weight and that is a big part of our strategy.

 

I would love for Mom and I should win this contest, because we have so many people in our family to inspire with our efforts. Nearly every member of our family is overweight. Besides this, as I mentioned earlier, so many other people in this region are also overweight. It's a Southern tradition. We truly want to inspire all of these people with our story. We both have other aspirations and goals for this competition as well. We will discuss these in blog entries to come.

 

Down to specifics: Mom and I both want to lose 60 pounds. Together, we want to lose 120 pounds. We're excited and ready to slim down with America!  We'll check back in soon to update you. For now, have a happy healthy day!

 

Tiffany and Benita (The Tennessee Transformers)