It's been a long time, it's been hard work - my back hurts and I think I broke a sweat.....but........
From 350, starting at 450,
I got our friends list down below 270!!!  Next goal - under 100!!!!

~C

Isn't  it interesting that just 6 months ago we were all so psyched about someone doing a 5k - working out through a show - losing 1-2 pounds (or more) a week.
Now - it's sort of typical.  I'm not sure how many folks here have done 5k's - but a lot have....one has moved on to training for a triathlon(Michelle)! Folks going for hikes in the mountains in snow....rushing out to do bootcamps in heatwaves in Ohio...learning to be personal trainers of some sort - this is becoming commonplace!  I look at Danielle's latest video and think - nah - they weren't really that big....Mike looks like a physical trainer!  Folks have lowered their blood numbers, diabetes numbers, and other things....and it's same-o same-o.  Yeah - we 'woo hoo', but it's normal in this community to lose weight, and take back our lives.

Six months ago - I would have told you I'd duck out of a 5k in the pouring rain....and now, I'd love to do it - even in a wheelchair - I'm thinking - good arm exercises!  While I am eating emotionally during this time in my life....I've done a lot worse...and I even seem to balance out my binges....who balances out their binges?
Those who have taken the challenge to change their lives - and have kept it up - even when the competition is over.

Here's to you - the ones that were the real champions of Biggest Loser - YOU changed your lives!  Congratulations!
~Christi

Mike and Michelle - of http://mmullins94.spaces.live.com  wrote this on their site today - and it inspired me, Christi so much, I wanted to share it with you: 

Quote

Quote for the day

Proverbs 12:1 To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

What does that mean to me? It means many things. I want to reflect on that today as I continue to get healthy and fit. I am learning to eat better and to exercise. Since the births of my two kids, I used my pregnancies as an excuse as to why I'm overweight. Yes, I did gain weight to begin with because of that, however I have no other excuse as to why I am still 65 pounds over weight since my oldest child is going to be 9 this week and my youngest one is 4. This is the only life I have, and it is the only body I will have. I need to learn to take care of it, because no one else will.

I have to love disciplining my body, because out of discipline comes the rewards of my hard work. If I do something wrong like eating the wrong foods or not exercising, then I have to either correct it and learn from my mistakes or live this way for the rest of my life. I have learned the hard way that I do not want to live like this anymore. I don't want to feel like I am missing out on my life anymore. I want to look in the mirror and like what I see. I am not there yet, but I am learning to love me. The only way we learn from our mistakes is to be corrected. I have learned to love and appreciate the spankings (correction) I get from the Lord. The reason is because ir let's me know that he loves me.

Weight training is discipline. You are correcting your muscles and training them so they grow from your discipline. Dieting is the same way. You are correcting or retraining your palate, your stomach and your mind.

This is your life, are you who you want to be?

This is your life, are you who you ought to be?

This is your life, is it everything you dreamt that it would be?

My answer for my self to these questions is NO. I want to be a better person, not just thinner. I want to do something meaningful with my life. Every day is a choice. I got up this morning and I chose to go to the gym and do my cardio, because it makes me feel better throughout the day, because it strengthens my muscles, because it disciplines my mind as well as my body, because it teaches my children to take care of themselves from a early age, because I am going to be a personal trainer/nutritionist and I will lead by example. Am I where I want to be? NO, but I'm getting there!

This is your life...

THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL ENCOURAGING COMMENTS ON THE PREVIOUS BLOG!
Ok - let me 'splain.....
I wanted to add countdown thingy's to our web page like the Super Teachers have across theirs as a banner.  I was going to make up some cute ones to remind us which races were coming when....but the graphics aren't working well for me - and I can't figure out the code on the Teachers site - or I'd create my own html - but, it's not done in html - it's done in heavy CSS with Javascript - which I am not up on. 
Um - I just changed my major to Graphic Arts - with a VERY strong computer base - and I've done all my web pages by writing out the html - so, I am feeling just a little like a duck out of water.
And - on my Myspace - I have my daughter, Anna (aka Rose in my friend list there) doing all that, and she's going to rework it with some of my art  - but again, I feel a little bit out of my element over there as well.

~Christi

The Final  contestants had 6 weeks between the last show and the finale - because Julie Hadden invited Kelly Field to her house to work out for those 6 weeks - and here's the news article from Julie Hadden's myspace(making me love her even more!):

'Losers' team up to tone up, slim down for NBC finale

By MARK WOODS, The Times-Union

While eating lunch with two participants in NBC's The Biggest Loser, one past and one present, I asked if strangers ever recognize them.

As if on cue, when Kelly Fields got up from the table, a woman approached her.

"Thank you," the woman said excitedly. "You're such an inspiration. I hope you win."

If the woman had glanced back at the table, she would have seen - and probably recognized - the reason that Fields, a 38-year-old nurse from Titusville, was in Jacksonville.

Julie Hadden was the runner-up on The Biggest Loser's fourth season. She lost 97 pounds, going from 218 to 121. And she has been where Fields is now: beginning the jarring transition from reality TV to reality.

"You learn so much from being there [on the show]," Hadden said. "You have to pay it forward."

So when the fifth season headed to its final phase - with the four remaining contestants leaving a rigidly controlled environment and heading home for several weeks before the season finale - Hadden offered to help.

She invited Fields to come live with her family and to work out with her trainer, Margie Marshall.

The short-term result: Despite being limited by a herniated disc in her back, Fields has continued to drop weight and jean sizes.

"Stairs, stairs and more stairs," Fields said with a laugh last week. "I came here between a size 10-12. In three weeks, I'm down to a six."

The long-term result: By spending time with Hadden, Fields has an idea what is ahead. Life after the finale.

The term "reality TV," of course, is a misnomer. Most of the genre involves more fantasy than reality. And when shows end, with the exception of a few big winners, the reality is that little changes. The bachelors and bachelorettes don't get married and live happily ever after.

But that's part of the appeal of The Biggest Loser. Many of the participants - not just the eventual winner of a $250,000 prize - say the experience is life-changing. And that has touched a nerve with viewers.

So an obvious question is what happened when Hadden returned to Jacksonville last December.

To start with, she no longer could run a "quick" errand.

She'd go into Wal-Mart and inevitably someone would recognize her and start pouring out their own story, often through tears.

America loves a good makeover. And The Biggest Loser produces the most dramatic ones on television today. The most viewed video on jacksonville.com this year used to be a song about Jack Del Rio. Now it's "Julie Hadden's Amazing Transformation."

She was scheduled to go to Washington to talk to Congress about the importance of nutrition. But in January, something bigger came up. She and her husband, Mike, adopted a baby boy, Jaxon.

So she has gone from life on The Biggest Loser ranch to life at home. Changing diapers, waking up for 4 a.m. feedings, doing activities with 7-year-old Noah, church, shopping, bills, meals and ... OK, here's the answer to the question you want to know: No, she hasn't turned into The Biggest Gainer.

She is about 10 pounds heavier. But that's compared to the unrealistic bar set by the season finale. She's still nearly 90 pounds below her old weight and determined to stay there. She has changed her lifestyle and eating habits for the long term. And for the short term, she has some familiar motivation. She wants to look good for another season finale.

She will be on national TV again on Tuesday, this time as Fields' mentor.

"I saw myself in her at the beginning of the show," Hadden said. "I could just tell that her self-esteem, her persona was almost sad. Some people are like, 'I'm going to win this thing.' She was like me, saying, 'I just hope I make it until tomorrow.' "

Fields kept making it to tomorrow. She went from 271 pounds at the start to 178 in the show that aired this week. And in the process, she has developed loyal fans, which is both flattering and strange. A co-worker asked her for an autograph. Strangers call out her name. After she ordered a meal recently, another diner asked the waitress what she had. And when the show's ardent fans see "Kelly from Season 5" together with "Julie from Season 4," it's like they've hit The Biggest Loser jackpot.

Hadden was getting her hair done recently. Fields and Marshall, their trainer, stopped in to chat. While they were talking, a girl and her mother burst through the door.

"I'm sorry, but we've walked by here 15 times," the mother said. "Are you Kelly from The Biggest Loser?"

When Fields said she was, the two strangers let out yells.

"What are you doing here?" one of them asked.

"I'm visiting my friend," Fields said.

The hairdresser spun around the chair, turning Hadden toward them.

More screams.

If you were on the MPM conference calls, and you would like to send a thank you gift to Jenni from the green team as well - let me know.  I wanted to send her something - and if anyone else does - we can put it together.
Just send me a message!
~C

 WE ARE ALL THE WINNERS HERE!  I wrote this about a month ago - and I wanted to reprint it here - We have won more than any trip anywhere could amount to - and while we are very happy for the winners - we are very glad that we participated in this challenge!

Quote

Almost the End of MPM, summary
I (Christi) joined this challenge for the accountability. To see and be seen by others that were doing the same thing.
Jim joined, to support Christi, and because he'd had a health scare - and realized he needed to do something different.
We found friends.

I had limitations - knees, hips, ankles, feet, right arm, diabetes and heart issues.
Jim had limitations - ankles, high blood pressure, and being comfortable in his exercise ways.
We found healing and health.

I binge ate.
Jim boredom ate.
We both emotionally ate.
We found an outlet for our needs, support for our emotions, and options while we worked out issues.

I did my thing(starvation diets with binges - no exercise).
Jim did his thing (exercise, no diet),
We found a 'thing' we could both do, and support each other, and others.

I was alone at home.
Jim was alone at work.
We found fellowship in the MPM community.

I was 130 pounds over weight.
Jim was 50 pounds over weight.
We LOST 51.5 pounds!
We LOST high blood pressure!

I LOST diabetes (now just pre-diabetic - headed towards no symptoms)
Jim LOST his love handles!
WE GAINED HEALTH, KNOWLEDGE, SUPPORT, CONFIDENCE AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL - FRIENDS.

Congratulations on your wins - in your lives and with MSN/MPM and TBL!
I'm waiting to read the blogs and see the photos of this awesome experience.
As everyone has said - there are several others that I wish would have been in the top five - but, that would make it the top 10, or 15!!! 
Thanks for sharing your sites with us - and those that have supported us - thank you! You are truly winners in every way!
Big Hugs, High Fives and a really loud WOO HOO!!! 
Christi

According to the FAQ's - each e-mail address gets 100 votes.
Fill in the info - and use your back arrow to reset, but all the information filled in will still be there - and you can vote 100 times!
I'm voting for Mark!
~C

In the next week - I will be changing this site up - and hopefully - I can figure somethings out and make it more like Jim and I (um, anyone have some hay, a pickup and a guitar?  Boots, jeans, t-shirts and western shirts?).  I have to figure out how to get He and I into the same website because this is going to continue to be our website for our progress - and supporting all of our wonderful friends.
That said - since we obviously didn't have the winning page - if anyone wants to give me some tips - that would be awesome!  I had to have my daughter do my myspace site - and my sparkpeople page is just a blue background (guess what color is my favorite?).  And - I have a facebook page, too!  Ok, so I'm terribly bad at telling folks no to the new site that they are on! Anyway - I may come to your site and say "How did you do that?"  Are you game?
Anyway - This is HOME - and the changes will only be to make this more like us - and if there's another challenge, I don't know if I will mess with lining up with it.
Big hugs to everyone!
In His hands and Under His wings,
~C

Who can wait till Tuesday??????? I am TOO EXCITED!

You all have to go nuts on Tuesday or Before...spread the word! Ali needs to win and the only way for that to happen is to get rid of the Biggest Threat....who is Roger...so given the chance...you HAVE to VOTE OUT Roger!

That means Kelly , Mark and Ali in the Finals.....and Ali should win!

we must get Roger out!!!!!! tell your friends , family, strangers..whoever! go online and VOTE!.

Lets have Buba WIN.

Don’t feel bad about Roger...he will probably win the at home money....but NOT THE TITLE! or the big prise
Is is Time for a woman!!!! to be the Biggest LOser!

Join the Pink Movement.....and I’m right up there front with ya!!!!!!

Loving the excitement! remember...roger never won a weigh in or a challenge.....


VOTE ROGER OUT!


Vote Ali as The biggest Loser!

THANKS!

MOM of PINK TEAM!

Terry's most recent blog
http://tweetynut.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!4B9A0486ECE27297!615.entry#post

YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!!!   I am so honored to be part of this community!
If you don't know what I"m talking about - read my previous blog.
If you do, and you have given whether in prayers or in something tangible - THANK YOU!!!
I AM HUMBLED, AND IN AWE!
~C

NEWS!!!! Terry has allowed me to post her paypal account - and you can send her a monetary gift personally. NEWS!!!!
        If you know Mark and Terry - you know that Terry's son was in a fire - lost everything but his life, and a pair of boxer shorts he was wearing.  He went back into the apartment to make sure everyone else got out.  He is fine.

!!!!NEW - INFO FROM JUSTIN AND TAMERA!!!!
"I wanted to add the paper that the Rock Hill paper has it on their front page online, http://www.heraldonline.com/ Fire uprooted 12 at Pepper Ridge Apartments. The Picture is the back of the apartments and their apartment is the one on the left and that is my son's bedroom window on the top floor with no roof."
Thank you Justin and Tamera!!!!
              I want to take the pressure off Terry for the messages about the giving this group is capable of giving....but please, go to their site http://tweetynut.spaces.live.com and give them encouragement, love and support!   She's greatly appreciative of all the love and support poured out.  You all are great!
NEWS!!!! Jeremy is very touched by the outpouring of love - let's keep it coming! NEWS!!!!
        I have Terry's paypal account - and I want to donate something to her to give to her son.  Any little thing would help.
        If you are so inclined - I have a few ideas:  Trying to keep things private:
        1.  Terry's  paypal account  is tweetbirdy@yahoo.com  This would be the most immediate method to enable her to help her son get back on his feet. He's tall, and has to go to specialty stores to get his clothing.  And, he lost all the important paperwork that we all have - and has to replace that, as well as anything basic to live with. These are things that only cash will help with. If you wish to remain anonymous - you could send it to our paypal accounts at jim@rossberry.com, or to Marcus and Amber: Raeliff2@hotmail.com.  Please put For Jeremy in the notes.
        2. Gift cards - to stores like Walmart, Target, or anywhere that he could obtain the items needed to live. Think about places you shop.  If you go to places you get gas rewards, you can earn gas discounts by buying cards there! (I know, a little cheesy - but anything that helps others help works for me!).  E-mail me if you want to send them something. I will get her address to you.
        3. I'm not sure about items - but if you have items that you might like to ship - send me a message describing them - and I'll see if they would be good for Terry.  She's going to be overwhelmed with stuff and this way I can combine things into one and help reduce the message flood.  Then we can work on privately getting shipping instructions.

4. Marcus and Amber had this idea:  We would be interested in taking sponsors for the Flying Pig - if you want to do something that way - Jim is running and I am walking the Flying Pig on May 3rd - if you would like to sponsor us for Jeremy - here's our paypal account: jim@rossberry.com.  Just put Flying Pig for Jeremy in the subject area.  Here's Marcus and Ambers site: http://marcus-amber.spaces.live.com
        So - if you are inclined, let me know - if you want, here's my e-mail address: christartist@wildberrypatch.com
        And - thank you!
        In His Hands and under His wings,
        ~Christi

If you know Mark and Terry - you know that Terry's son was in a fire - lost everything but his life, and a pair of boxer shorts he was wearing.  He went back into the apartment to make sure everyone else got out.  He is fine.
I'm going to post this three times today - and hopefully, anyone that is of a mind to help out will see this.
I want to take the pressure off her for the messages about the giving this group is capable of giving....but please, go to their site http://tweetynut.spaces.live.com and give them encouragement, love and support! You can also read the blog about the fire, and that Terry had a very bad week, and this topped it off.  She's greatly appreciative of all the love and support poured out.  You all are great!
I have Terry's paypal account - and I want to donate something to her to give to her son.  Any little thing would help.
If you are so inclined - I have a few ideas:  Trying to keep things private:
1.  If Terry is ok with it, I'll give out her paypal account to those requesting it, or you can ask me for my pay pal account and I can combine the gifts and send them to her (I'll give you a reckoning and her a list so you can confirm that I gave it to her). This would be the most immediate method to enable her to help her son get back on his feet. He's tall, and has to go to specialty stores to get his clothing.  And, he lost all the important paperwork that we all have - and has to replace that, as well as anything basic to live with. These are things that only cash will help with.
2. Gift cards - to stores like Walmart, Target, or anywhere that he could obtain the items needed to live. Think about places you shop.  If you go to places you get gas rewards, you can earn gas discounts by buying cards there! (I know, a little cheesy - but anything that helps others help works for me!).
3. I'm not sure about items - but if you have items that you might like to ship - send me a message describing them - and I'll see if they would be good for Terry.  She's going to be overwelmed with stuff and this way I can combine things into one and help reduce the message flood.  Then we can work on privately getting shipping instructions.

So - if you are inclined, let me know - if you want, here's my e-mail address: christartist@wildberrypatch.com
And - thank you!
In His Hands and under His wings,
~Christi

Ok so most people are not Blue team favorites - BUT JILLIAN DOESN'T HAVE A CHEER!!!!
And they all did that together - remember????
Anyway - WE NEED A MPMU CHEER!  Where are the cheerleaders???? Hmmmm?
Come on - EVERYBODY - SPIRIT FINGERS!
I love you guys!
~Christi

Ok, I read  a little and heard that while I was out exercising, and working on things, there was drama on the site????
Hmmm, well, I'll tell ya'll what I told you from the beginning - Jim and I aren't winners - and I don't have a confidentiality clause.
I hope I know the folks that won - but, no matter - I know a bunch of awesome folks that are winners in my book - if that means anything to you.
So - I'm winning my life back, and that was my goal.  Jim is winning his life back and doing it with me, that was a mutual goal - and I have met some wonderful folks, and that was serendipitous. I've heard the hearts of some of the most awesome people in this country - and that is truly a gift.  I am a winner!  Jim is a winner!  And I am happy! And we ARE HAPPY!!!

Big Hugs - Group Hugs - Pride on 3 - 1 - 2 - 3 - PRIDE!
~Christi

After being around 225 for a month, I guess it's time to get serious about the weight loss again .  Started using fitday.com again. 

For this morning, I did a 14/16 (walk/run) split on the treadmill.  I think that is the first time I've had more running than walking.  So that felt pretty good.  2.88 miles all told, for about 5.7MPH.  Still aiming to get to 6MPH by the time of the pig.  I spoke to a person at FOCAS (who does the pump and run).  They are expecting 500 for the pump and run and a mere 20,000 for the pig itself.  Not sure if that is just the marathon, or all the other things too.  Glad we have our room reserved!!

After the cardio I did abs and back, then pullover and cable work.  Quit after 30 minutes and trundled myself off to work.

Jim

I've been having a rough time - I wrote about that.  It's about emotions and such that come up as I lose weight - lots of old stuff is being stirred up - but I'm trying to hang in there and keep focused on my health - physically, emotionally and mentally.
But there is a little silver lining - I needed some clothes for the 5k's we're going to do - because the weather could be chilly for the next three, so I needed some long sleeve 'wicking' shirts(performance) to keep me warm and dry when I worked up that sweat walking.  Anyway - I have worn 2xL men's shirts for a LONG time.
So - when Jim and I went to look for a rain windbreaker on Sunday - I tried on the XL and it was too big - the LARGE fit!! And it was in my color! (blue)
Yesterday, I decided to look for some "performance" shirts - and in the mens department, I tried on (over my clothes) a large - ok. One choice, green.  I don't like green.  But on a whim, I tried on mediums (and understand, these shirts are supposed to be form fitting, but not skin tight) - THE MEDIUM FIT!!! IN THREE DIFFERENT STYLES OF SHIRTS!!!! MOSTLY BLUE!!!! AND IN A HEAVIER VERSION JACKET SHIRT!!!! IN BLUE!!! The great thing is, the mediums were on clearance - $5!!!  For the price of a new shirt, I got three shirts and a fleece performance shirt!  And I got Jim some (RED) shirts!!!
And - we bought me some workout pants that are wicking as well - and we got them in XXL women's - and they are too big.  But I hadn't been able to buy the XXL women's clothing!
So - things are changing!  And we are geared up for the 5k on Saturday here in the Columbus area!  I gotta go work out!
hugs,
~C