Naked in Times Square. That is exactly how I am going to feel after sharing this number with you, but I’ve got to. I am horrible about keeping myself accountable so I am putting this big old number out there for all of you to see, and I am going to continue to do it each Monday until I am totally on track to where I want to be. So, here we go….
That, my friends, is what my lovely scale told me I weighed this morning. 180.9. Why am I sharing this with you? Because, at 5’9″, I don’t quite weigh enough to be on The Biggest Loser, but I think that putting this terrifying number out to the World Wide Web each week will give me the same kind of motivation and accountability as those brave folks who step on the scale each week on national television. I am that desperate… I need to make some progress and I need to get my rear in gear.
I’ve joined a group of bloggers who will be participating in a healthy living initiative called Eat. Live. Be. Each Monday, we will be sharing with our readers how we’ve come on our goals, plus discuss a different healthy living topic that has been assigned to us. Does this mean that Dine & Dish is turning into a healthy living, diet food blog? Heck no! I know myself well enough to know that diets, in the most traditional of terms, do not work for me. I will be following Weight Watchers, which I’ve been successful with in the past, and really focusing on making / eating the same food but not gorging on it. Portion Control is going to be key for me in order to see that number move down.
I also need to force myself to become more active on a daily basis. Walking, using our elliptical, Wii Just Dance 2 and Wii Zumba… those are all things that I enjoy doing. I just need to make it a priority to carve out the time.
So, in short… my long term goal is to lose 25 pounds, taking me down to 155 and to move for at least 30 minutes each day. I will do this by sharing my progress with you all weekly, keeping a food diary, and following the Weight Watchers Points system.
If you are interested in learning more about Eat. Live. Be and joining in on the initiative, head over to their Facebook page and check it out. You can also check out the other bloggers participating below.
- Sarah – Sarah’s Cucina Bella
- Cate – Sweetnicks
- Maris – In Good Taste
- Chris – Mele Cotte
- Faith – Blog Appetit
- Kristen – Dine & Dish
- Emily – Three Boys and a Little Lady
- Jenna – FireMom
- Joanne – Eats Well With Others
- Casey – The Starnes Family
- Tri-Fit Mom –Trying to be Fit Mom
- Claire – Cooking is Medicine
- Allison – Sweet Flours
- Jen – NJ Epicurean
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We are the exact same size! Only I may be a few lbs. above you. I’m gonna watch this, and do it along with you! Thanks for the inspiration! Lauren
Very cool!!! I love this idea and support system you have worked out. I was able to start this year over 30 lbs lighter than last year because of a group similar to this. I will be following all this closely and rooting for you!!!
Wow. Good for you for making yourself accountable. I need to move more too so I’ll definitely join you on that…this computer is bad for the bootie.
Good luck with your journey, I’m sure you’ll do great. Glad to hear you won’t totally be skipping the chocolate chip cookies. Happy New Year to you and the family too!
My son has been asking for the Wii for two years now. Today he asked me how much the gym membership costs me. When I told him, he said, “well, that’s monthly. If we buy the Wii, it’s $200, period.” WHEN DID HE GET SO SMART? How do you like the Wii Zumba? So glad you’re joining us!!!
You’re one brave lady! I’ll be cheering you on as I try to do the same.
you are my hero Kristen………
you may have motivated me even more……..I was a little scared when you told me you were going to post your weight………..but now, I think it’s FABULOUS……I’ll see if I have the nerve to do it too………I LOVE this accountability……..the support!! Just joined the FB page too!
You go! I want to join in the fun. I have a few *ahem* more than 25 to lose, but I’ll take 25. 🙂 You are a brave woman and we are all here to support you.
GOOD LUCK! I’ve been doing 10 minute trainer by Tony Horton for several months and I love it. I love that it is only 10 minutes – it helps to keep me committed (which is really the key to any success). I’ve been doing it every weekday morning before I go to work. I think it is a no excuses workout because it is less than 15 minutes. Most people have 10-15 minutes a day.
Good luck to you! I have also gained weight due to ankle surgery. Same eating habits and sitting for months has made my butt wide, too. I still cannot exercise, but as of this morning (after getting on the scale!), I knew I had to change things. I hope you reach your goal and that the support of this group is inspiring.
Wow!!! I would love to be 180 again. And I’m not nearly as tall as you. I admire your courage in sharing your number. I wish you much success in finding your healthy number. I will check out the initiative as I need to work on my number (somewhere between 220-230).
Go Kristen! I was nervous to post my weight today, and ended up not doing it … but you are making me reconsider whether I could be that brave too. As for your plan, sounds great. I love the Wii and need to break ours out to exercise as well. I also love streaming fitness DVDs on Netflix. You can do it!
I started Weight Watchers with my friend Inga today so I will keep up and maybe use some of your recipes! 🙂 Miss you! Love knowing how good things are going for you!
I admire you for doing this! Good luck and I’m looking forward to cheering you on and seeing your progress!
Kristin that is a bold move girl! Sounds like you are on the right track. I would love to be your healthy lifestyle cheerleader as you make your way to the number you are looking for. Good luck my friend, you will do it without a doubt! XO
Good luck to you Kristen! I know you can do it, and the accountability is such a huge thing.
I made a significant change in weight about 1-1/2 years ago and it felt wonderful. I’ve put back a small amount of it, and now am faced with doing it again so I’m kicking myself back into gear. If I did it successfully once, the second time should be easier, at least, that’s what I’m telling myself!
This is a great way to keep yourself accountable and make progress. Great initiative!
Congrats Kristen!! I’m in my own weight loss push right now too 🙁 not the most fun, but I know in the end, it is makes us healthier and happier, then its the right thing to be doing!! I’ll be cheering you on my friend!!
I have total faith in you, Kristen! I’m so PROUD of you, and I’m here, cheering you on! You can do it!
P.S. Heard this tip on a TV show today: “Peel and eat an orange before a meal. It will force you to slow down, and it will fill you up.” I personally can’t stand peeling oranges, but eating one sounds good. 🙂 xx
That must have been really tough to push the ‘publish’ button. I applaud you and wish you well. I will follow here and facebook and hope to gather some inspiration (quietly) because I am not as brave as you.
You can do this Kristin! As a Lifetimer on WW myself, I know you can do it!
I am part of a group who met on the WW forums 10 years ago – and all of us have seen babies, divorces, deaths, marriages, etc…gains and losses, small and big victories and I can tell you that the support of these 15 ladies has been a big part of everything that went right after going wrong!!
I am here if you need me 🙂
Love you!
I’m so interested to hear more about Wii Zumba! I didn’t even know it existed, and I would love another workout option to mix things up and keep them interesting. Happy you are in for this challenge with us! We can help each other reach our goals!
Woohoo! Go you! I was actually way too much of a baby to actually share my “number” (mostly because way too many people in my med school class read my blog) but I think it is so inspiring that you DID IT! This is the first step. I’m excited to embark on this journey with you!
Good for you Kristen! I commend your attitude and inspiration, you will have a wonderful year. I can’t wait to see you on this journey. Happy New Year!
There’s no doubt in my mind you will succeed 🙂
Weight Watchers is such a good program!
I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!
Happy New Year Kristen, and good luck with your renewed adventures in health! Looking forward to reading about your successes. I’m glad to hear that you like the Wii Zumba game- my husband’s company made it!
You will do GREAT!! I’m on WW too, so you can bet I’ll be there for support and to share recipes 🙂
Way to go, Kristen! As someone who routinely deducts a handful of pounds when reporting my weight I greatly admire your bravery! WW looks like a great program, I was in awe of how Jennifer Hudson looked on NYE. Looking forward to hearing about your progress!
You are very brave to put that number out there. But you’re right – it’s to help keep you accountable. Go for it!
I, too, am wondering how good Wii Zumba is. The programs that come with the Wii Fit are a bit too “safe” and not challenging enough.
When the weather gets nice again, let’s plan on regular walks with our little ones when most of the rest of the kids are in school. I don’t know if you’ve checked out the new paths along the creek and new construction, but they are really nice!! I’m game, so let’s do it!!
I don’t know where you are keeping it. You really don’t look that heavy. Good luck to you!
Kristen good luck with your goals. I’m doing my yearly tune-up (back to phase one for a few weeks) just like I do every January! Onward!
Naked in Times Square. I love it. Perfect.
I didn’t ever realize that Just Dance 2 could be a true workout. (I had only played it once at a party. We own it, but I didn’t ever play it myself at home.) I added it to my workout today and feel super excited about the added vary-factor!
Best of luck on your goals!
Good for you, Kristen! Although I don’t need to lose weight, I need to do a better job of exercising regularly, taking my vitamins and getting more rest instead of running myself ragged. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of all the people in our lives whom we love and cherish. I will be cheering you on! I am sure you are going to succeed! Happy 2011!
God bless you for doing this, you are a BRAVE lady to put it out there for all to see. I will be cheering you on and maybe even losing a few along the way too. I would LOVE to lose at least 10 pounds!!!! XO, Pinky
Weight Watchers is a fabulous way to lose weight! I got down to a size 6 then stopped and have gained it al back plus some. I need to get back to it! Support groups are the way to go!
i think your goals sound absolutely perfect…reasonable, HEALTHY, and doable 🙂
Wii Zumba?! That sounds like fun. I think that if you’ve had success with something before, try it again…and I’ve seen some WW recipes and they look pretty good.
I’m also on a weight loss quest. One of my many 2011 goals. I would love to find a blogging community to join in with. What a great, support idea.
Good luck to all of us. 🙂
Kristen, Posting your weight took guts and I applaud you. That means you really are determined and you’ll make it happen. The Weight Watcher’s Program is wondeful. I lost all of my weight on the points system.
I always get mixed feelings when someone does this thing, but if it’s going to make you feel better, more power to you. I just hate to see the whole “fat = unhealthy and lazy and bad, thin = healthy and virtuous and good” thing perpetuated, particularly via the bodies of people I already think are good people. If what you weigh isn’t right for you, if it’s not your body’s natural weight, then I guess take whatever steps you feel comfortable with (and p.s., diets don’t just not work for you – they just DON’T WORK).
That said, I’m coming from a place where I weigh quite a bit less than you (course, I’m quite a bit shorter too) and would be HORRIFIED to post the number for all to see. Clearly the anti-body campaign of our society has taken its toll on me. I miss liking my body, but I’m not permitted to do so until I take up considerably less space in the world – the less of me there is, the better a person I am, and so on. Right now I’m trying to lose 10 lbs in a month, because I’m doing a polar plunge thingy for Special Olympics, which means people from work are going to see me in my swimsuit, which is far more terrifying than jumping into the ocean in February.
I so admire your bravery and courage to put yourself out there like that. I too got on my treadmill today for the first time in many months. Small steps, one day at a time. I wish you all the best!
So admire you! And since I was in Times Square with you the last time we were both there, I just have to say — you weren’t the naked lady that I saw!!! 🙂
So in admiration of you. I am wishing you all the best in this journey and look forward to following you as you reach your goal!
Good luck!!!
I am 5″10 and I weigh the same as you. I am also working towards loosing 30+ pounds.. and I plan on still baking and not making my blog a healthy eating one. Just good old fashioned calorie counting.
go us!!! 🙂
Kristen, I admire you more than you know! I love your honesty and sincerity. I am cheering you on!
Good for you, Kristen! Good luck!
Good for you! Good Luck!
You are so brave! I haven’t stepped on the scale yet this year because I’m afraid to see what it says…just me, alone in the room. I can’t conceive of even letting my husband see the number. I will be here cheering you ladies on and taking inspiration for my own get fit regimen in 2011! Great idea. Best of luck!
I am SOOOOOO proud of you!!! (and just so you know, you are way slimmer then me!) I pray for lots of success and motivation for you!!!
Blessings-
Amanda
congrats for making the commitment Kristen – i’m cheering you on with tones of love & support! looks like a fabulous group of women are joining you!
Proud of you stay! Think I will join you on your journey! Good luck! Stay positive!
Oooo…. brave soul!!! For one, I wish I was 180.9… Then my goal weight would be that much closer… But seriously though, this is a great idea! I’m confident you will get where you need to be and we will all be here cheering you on!
Good for you! We’ll all be cheering for you and watching your progress!
Happy, Healthy New Year!
This is awesome, Kristen! I’ll be following along and hopefully picking up some great tips from you!
Bravo Kristen!!!
Congratulations are in order!! You are taking positive steps to improve your health and that is the best present you can give yourself and your family in 2011!
I think I am going to join the “Eat, Live, Be” initiative too!!
Good for you! I’d wish you luck but you don’t need it. You’re going to kick butt and take names, without a doubt. Cheers!
Go Kristen! I, too, am on the Weight Watchers train. It’s really about portion control for me too. It’s hard not to go back for seconds. I don’t have time to join the initiative, but I will be watching, learning and cheering you on!
By the way, they changed the points so that a bag of 100 calorie popcorn is 3 points instead of 1. Boo!
Wow, I have even more adoration than I did before for you! You are one amazing not to mention BEAUTIFUL lady inside as well as out! But I know how it feels to not be satisfied with your body! I too am hitting the gym for a better me (only I don’t own a scale and even if I did, probably wouldn’t have the chutzpa to share …YOU GO GIRL!
Good Luck!
Good luck with your goal! Didn’t know there’s Zumba for Wii… can’t wait to check it out.
Good luck with your goal! I am hoping to lose some weight this year too, so far watching calories (not to strictly yet) and exercising on the Wii Fit and Just Dance 2 games, with a goal of 30 minutes of exercise daily and losing 24 pounds in the long run. We can do it!
Kristen, I am so proud of you. You are very brave to put this goal out to the www as it is usually a goal we all keep to ourselves. I will be cheering you on!! I know you can do it.
I can’t wait to see your progress! I’ll be here cheering you on the whole way, Kristen.
You are a brave woman, but you’re right. Now that it’s out there, you’ll work harder and I know you’ll achieve you goal. You go girl.
make dream come truth!lets be happy and meaningful,your family must be proud of you
i believe you can finish your goal!a balanced diet helps to keep fit and good for health!
I did something similar, though I wasn’t quite brave enough to share The Number. I did commit very publicly to lose 20 pounds by March 31. I’m sharing my journey on my website, http://www.susanmallery.com, and my Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/susanmallery. So far, I have been tortured by a perky male personal trainer who thinks it’s funny to make me balance like Superman on an enormous pink ball.
Yay! Good for you 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing your progress 🙂
Great idea Kristen! I think that no matter the number – we could all use a bit of motivation to do things to help make ourselves healthier. I go to the Dr tomorrow- their scale is always about 10 lbs heavier than what my home one is- which is always depressing. Maybe that is why I avoid going. But I guess I have to face reality sometime – right?! I’m here cheering you on & taking my own steps to make that scale go in the other direction. (spent 2 hrs shoveling the driveway yesterday- that was my exercise for the day)
Oh, good for you! I know how hard losing weight can be, but you’ve got a great support system behind you! I just came from Patsy’s blog and had seen you signed up for Eat. Live. Be. too. As I told her, my best to all you ladies. I support you all in each of your efforts.
I wanted to add that while I support you in your endeavors to lose weight, I also think you are beautiful just the way you are. 25 lbs heavier or lighter makes no difference to me—I just want you to be happy when you step on that scale.
I like your honesty. I had a holy-shit moment today, when I jumped on our scale. 5’3″ … I should not be pushing 155 but am. Lenny and I have started a healthier initiative as well; in fact he is really letting it all hang out on our site right now, that is brave of him!
I am going to check out the support group you are working with on this goal and sign up! Good luck!!! I am cheering you on!
I admire you for posting your scale number. You go girl! I am counting my calories and really just eating WW meals etc. It’s hard but one day at a time. Good luck.
I am so proud of you for posting the #. Like you, I am 5’9. Interestingly, I wish I weighted 180….but, as I join you on this challenge….hopefully I will get there…then pass it!
Look forward to doing this with you!
by the way … weight, like age, is just a number. it’s all about how you live from today on, not what you did yesterday. cheers!
Good for you. I give you a lot of credit for sharing this with all of us. But we’re all cheering you on. Good luck 🙂 And Happy New Year!
Good for you, Kristen! You took the brave first step to admit that there is something you’re not happy with about yourself and your body that you want to change. And you did it publicly! I have faith that you’ll be able to stay focused and lose the weight to get you to a number you’re proud to show off to the Internet world.
Good luck!
Kristen-
Being honest with yourself is a tough decision, but ultimately the best decision. Stay focused, but don’t deprive yourself of the things you love. Keep cooking, baking and eating all of those good eats, but just do it all with a little moderation. Just think…you will most likely find a few new recipes along the way:) Best to you!
God Bless you sweet lady for putting that number out there! You are an inspiration 🙂
I’ve always heard that the best way to accomplish a goal is to have someone you are accountable to and also write it down, even better if it’s somewhere you’ll often see – and you definitely did that! Kudos to you Kristen! You can count on my support. 🙂
Go Kristen! There’s no way I’m announcing my weight – but then again, I’m gaining every day right now instead of losing! Maybe after I have this baby I will jump on the wagon!
Good luck! I look forward to following your progress. While my goal in 2011 is not to lose weight, I’ll be focusing on the fitness piece as a way to stay fit. Yoga is in my stars!
I’d also love to send you a copy of my new cookbook (No Whine with Dinner). It’s not a diet book but rather, a book filled with nutritious (portion controlled) recipes that work for families every day of the week. I’ll be in touch about that.
You’ve got guts, girl! Wow, that’s definitely a big way to make yourself accountable. I wish you all the best!!
Kristen – you are so brave. Hell, If I weighed in at 115 I’d still freak out about putting it online! Good for YOU! I know you’ll do great on this challenge – you seem like such a tough cookie. Okay, forget I said cookie.
I’ll be following along, probably gaining every pound you lose. Keep up the Wii Dancing! And thanks so much for sharing!
I am so excited to have found you through Joanne’s blog! We have so much in common! I joined the Eat Live Be initiative as well and am a food blogger with a small child and I’m on weight watchers as well! I can’t wait to read more of your blog and I applaud you putting it all out there girl. We are all here to support eachother!