So Proud!!!

A couple months ago at school one of the teachers had an idea to start the "Biggest Loser" contest at school. It was going to be based on percent of weight lost in 15 weeks. That only seemed fair! :-) The rules were to pay $20 to play then $5 every week when you gained. A weigh in would happen every Friday and a running log was going to be kept to check for accuracy. Unfortunatley at the time, I did want to play but I had already lost "too" much weight from my own workout and eating routine. I decided not play but remain working out and eating as I had done.

One of my greatest friends at school, Janice, came to me for help and advice! Since this is a new passion of mine I couldn't wait to help her. She is a beautiful single mom with so much to give. She just could never get her weight under control because she simply did not know how to. She thought grabbing a bite to eat was easier than making a healthy meal at home. Let me put it this way, she used her oven as STORAGE!! :-) She decided that she was going to play Biggest Loser. Let me preface this by saying Janice does NOT like to lose!! So 10 weeks ago, I took her grocery shopping and showed her how to make delicious and healthy meals. I wrote out a meal and snack plan for her that she has followed.

I told her it couldn't just be eating right she had to work out too. I let her borrow my old I Pod so she could get out and at least walk. I encouraged her to walk a mile, then maybe two.
I am so proud to say she is now running!!! She is up to running 4 miles!!!! She is even going to my strength class with me. I couldn't be more proud of her. We are 5 weeks away until the end of the Biggest Loser. The winner will be receiving I believe $500!!! As of now, she is beating EVERYONE who is participating. In a matter of 10 weeks, she has lost 20 POUNDS!!!!!!! Everytime I think about it, it brings a tear to my eye. I am so proud of her for making a commitment and sticking to it. She looks great and feels terrific.

GO JANICE!!!!!!! I can't wait to post "after" pictures of the little hot momma!

Janice (bottom right) before...

Janice (right) before....

Great friends...great wine!

Last night, I was able to get together with two great friends, Sam and Erin for some delicious wine and cheese! It was so great to be able to get together and chit chat about what is going on in our little worlds. So often we get caught up in work or school that it's hard to just relax and talk about things that just make us laugh!

Sam has a lot of excitement in her life right now. She is about 3 weeks away from ending her Spring term of her MBA program at Pepperdine. Before beginning her Summer term in May, she will be a little jet setter! She is off to China and Tibet for 2 weeks! I am so excited for her. She is going to have the best time getting away for a vaction while learning about some of the most amazing history and culture. Erin is quite busy too! I love living vicariously through her. She lives and works in LA as an event planner. Her big upcoming event is the US Weekly Hot Hollywood party! I have marked my calendar with the date. I am hoping I will get to be there to help in some way, even if it is just checking bags! :-)

Finally...me! I have, as usual, a rather FULL plate! I have finals of my spring I term starting TOMORROW!! Then, in two weeks I will have a well deserved Spring Break!! On April 14th, I will begin my last term as a student. I found out that I am officially graduating on JULY 31st!!! I can hardly believe all of my hard work is about to pay off. It feels like yesterday that I started this whole program and now I am so close to finishing. I cannot even begin to express the gratitude I have towards so many people who have supported me through this. I love you all so very much for being my strength when I had nothing left in me to put forward. My last big adventure is my running! I am running in my 6th 1/2 marathon on May 3rd. Later this summer, on July 26th, I will be competing in my first mini Triathalon!!! A triathalon, am I crazy~perhaps! It is a "mini" very mini...1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run. I had started making so many excuses for why I shouldn't or couldn't do it. Finally I decided to cut the crap~for lack of better words :-) and just do it! The best part is, Erin will be doing it with me!! I am most excited about reaching another goal and accomplishing something I never thought I would try.

Needless to say, lots of wine was had, we had a lot to talk about! We are all geared up for a spring and the excitment it will bring to all of us!

HAPPY SPRING!!!