The wait is nearly over! Time to get skinny!

Nothing like a last minute post here the day before the big event!!  So, I think I've just got some tidying up here to do.

Jessie asked me a great question about what would happen upon a tie.  I seriously hadn't even thought of the possibility!  I'm so glad there are smart girls out there thinking up these great questions!!!  So, I asked some friends, who aren't involved in the competition, and the consensus was that in the event of a tie, the winner will be the Skinny Minnie whom had the greatest percentage lost in any one week's time over the course of the competition.  Does that make sense??  Didn't think you were going to have to have your lawyer look this over, huh?!  So, let's check back in with our good friends Player A and Player B.  Remember that both of these fine ladies lost 10% of their weight at the end of their competition.  Now, in Player A's all-star week she lost .8% and in Player B's best week she lost .75%.  In this scenario, Player A would be the winner!! Yeah, Rah, Shish-kum-bah!!

Also, I want to note that your goal of how much weight you want to lose is merely just for helping those players out who think they will hit that number before the end of the competition.  I still am asking for everyone to report her goal.  And, you can still win if you don't reach that goal and have lost the highest percentage of weight.  Clear as mud, huh?!?

As for tomorrow,  I'd like you to send me your official weigh-in by noon cst.  That should cover all of you lucky people who get to sleep in because you have no kids.  I hate you.  But, please do weigh yourself before you eat breakfast, this being the only time I'll have to remind you of this!!  Also, please send me your goal weight.  Finally, let me know if you'd be interested in guest posting.  I think it would be nice to have a "Meet Me Monday" post-writing up a little ditty about yourself for me to post on Mondays, duh, so that we can kind of get to know each other.  I'll go first, posting this coming Monday.  If no one wants to do this I'll drop it.  Or, I may just assign it to you, like weight loss homework.  Ha! Now that I have your money, I am in control!!!  Bwah haha!  Speaking of money, I have no one's so far.   So, I guess that blows the whole control thing out of the water.  (I also haven't checked my mailbox today either.)

Here's what your email to me tomorrow is going to look like:

Weight: xxx
Goal: xx pounds
Meet Me Monday:  What a great idea, Jenny!  You're the best.  Thank you so much for all you do! I want to be just like you!  (minus the last 4 sentences)

Great gals!  I'll get a post up tomorrow after all of the numbers in! (Again, not posting your weight, no worries!!)

She shoots, she scores!

Just a little post of encouragment and about goal making today, ladies.  Nothing really infomative just some gibberish I'd like to put out there!

To make myself be accountable to this competition, I'm setting up a few goals to keep myself on track.  Nothing impossible or over the top.  Just, you know, some things to keep myself in line.  I've been thinking about this the last few days-what I can give up, what I can add, you know the like.  I'm sure we've all been here and done that. You can't introduce me to a girl who hasn't been on a diet!  And, this is what I've come up with for the month of October. 

1. No soda.  Easy enough.  In high school, I was a Mt Dew kinda girl. Couldn't go without it.  Then I gave it up. Easy-peasy. And, I didn't drink one Dr. Pepper for like 10 years after I learned it had phormaldahyde in it.  Then, one day, I decided I'm putting all of these other chemicals in my body, and frankly, I like the taste...so screw it.  And, I've been drinking it ever since.  All of a sudden, like since I had my second baby a year ago, I've been drinking all types of soda like they're going out of style.  I'm not sure why.  It just snuck up on me and now, I drink at least one soda per day.  I know some of you are thinking big deal, I know, because my husband drinks like 6 sodas a day, seriously.  But, one per day is a lot for me and not too much that I couldn't easily give it up.  So, I am.  Done. There.

2. Drink at least 32 oz of water a day.  Those of you who know me, know this is going to be a real killer.  Nuff said.

3.  I will exercise.  And, that's the furthest I'm going to commit to that.  I loathe exercising.  Sports, yes, please.  Run just because, no thank you.  Plus, I have a super crazy work schedule, so I don't want to commit myself to 3 work-outs per week and then punish myself if I only get in two.  I've always put that type of pressure on myself and I've always failed.  So, I'm not gonna do it this time.  I mean, basically, at this point of time, just stating that I will exercise is definitely an achievement over my current routine of no exercise.  So, yep.  Here I come gym shoes.

4.  Read a chapter of Proverbs everyday.  I know this a weight losing competition.  But, without Christ I can do nothing.  So, it's time to plunge in-daily.  I used to be better at this and recently, I've let myself down in this area. If you are in the same boat, I challenge you to this goal as well.  Proverbs is really a great place to start because there are 31 chapters-that's one day in October-thus daily! And, Proverbs has something in it for everyone that you can use on a daily basis.  Really.  It's not a boring history lesson.  It contains advice anyone can take from it!  Great Book!

That pretty much covers the bases.  Two diet related, one exercise driven, and one spirtual goal.  You don't have to, becuase, really, who am I?  But, I think that we all should set some goals for ourselves during the competition.  See, I missed my calling, I should be a life coach!  I'm so persuasive! :-)

On another note, I think that each week it would be nice to have a guest post from one of you gals.  You can discuss anything you'd like-your goals could be one of them! You can provide your favorite recipe or workout or whatever, the sky is the limit!  What do you all think about that?  Is it lame?  You can tell me the truth.  It's the internet, so I'll just sit here and cry and you won't even have to know. 

Ok, well, 2 more days until weigh-in and so far only Leah has emailed me for my address.  So, I'm assuming either you know my address already, or you're not keeping up with this blog and I'm talking to myself over here.  Begin the tears you can't see.  Don't feel bad.  I'm sensitive.  Here's the list of people playing so far:

1. Moi
2. Dana
3. Leah
4. Lesa
5. Heather
6. Betty
7. Holly
8. Raenetta
9. Missy
10. Amanda
11. Jessica

If I missed anyone, please let me know.  Plus, we have a few maybes waiting in the wings.  So, just let me know what gets decided!  I'm excited!!

Rules, Rules, Rules

Ok, here it is! I know you could barely sleep last night just anticipating this last rule addition!  Fret no more, ladies!  You're about to read it in all of its glory.  Please no hate mail once you realize how anti-climatic this is!!!

So, here's the skinny on the Skinny.  On Saturday morning, I need you to email me your official baseline weight.  Along with that, I need your 'poundage to lose' goal.  I'll use myself here as the example-my 'poundage to lose' goal is 28 pounds.  And, now because that is a lofty goal and it'll take me ALL 14 weeks to accomplish this, I'll use a make-believe player to describe this new rule.  Let's say player A weighs 150 pounds and she wants to lose 15 pounds during the 14 weeks.  That is definitely more reasonable!  And let's say player A is really digging in and exercising and eating healthy and loses all 15 pounds half way through.  Well, come next weigh-in and the weeks following, she's going to have to pay double-$4 per week because that's ridiculous! What is she trying to prove being all good and all over-achiever like.  HA! Just kidding.  Had you, didn't I!?!

Ok, so, Player A in all of her skinny minnie glory, will not have to pay if she doesn't lose any more weight.  But, she will have to pay if she gains some weight back-so she must still weigh-in and do right by her body.  I will know when you hit your goal, since you are going to tell me your goal in the beginning.  Now, listen up ladies.  Remember in the original rules how I told you if you lie no one will like you anymore...same thing applies here.  Please take this seriously and if you need to lose 28 pounds, tell me 28 pounds.  Don't give me a lower number just to keep yourself from owing later on in the competition.  Please play fair! 

In case you're wondering how you could win only losing 15 pounds, when others are going to try and lose more, let me work out this math with you.  Remember, we are doing this by percentage lost-not pounds lost.  So, again let's use Player A and introducing Player B.  Player A weighs 150 pounds and loses 15 pounds-that is a 10% weight loss!!  Now Player B weighs 200 pounds and she will have to lose 20 pounds to have to same result!  See how that works?  Seriously, if not, ask me in your email and I will clarify it.  Do not be ashamed! :-) 

G'day!

PayDay! (not the candy bar you hungry girls!!)

Top of the morning to ya! (It was when I wrote this!) I know this is exactly the kind of news everyone looks forward to on a Monday.  Your bill is now due!  Yeah, I love paying bills...just about as much as I love dieting or exercising!  Anywho, everyone who/whom (never good with the use of those words!) signed up for this great adventure, now needs to pay up!  $14 please!  I'm going to take this initial payment up front, however, if you owe anything over the course of the competition (for being naughty!) then I'll get that at the end in a lump sum. 

Next comes the issue of getting that check to me.  After thinking on this for 2 seconds, I decided not to post my address here for all the crazies to come and rob me of your $14!  So, here's what I need you to do, email me.  Rocket science, I tell ya!  My email address is jendhall22atyahoodotcom.  That's another neat-o trick I learned...not sure if it works, but I'll do anything to decrease spam!  You'll also be using that address to tell me your numbers on Saturdays.  And, in case you've forgotten, that starts this Saturday!!  I hope you have big plans this week of stuffing your face and lazing around!! 

Now, all you ladies on the fence.  Climb down!!  It's nice over here!  I keep dreaming of January when I will have to wear at least 2 coats because I will not have any extra body fat to keep me warm! This could be you too! It's not to late, send me your check!  You have 5 more days to decide to be healthier! 

Check back tomorrow for one last rule about what happens if you reach your goal before the end of the comptetion!  A real cliff hanger there, folks!

Too-dah-loo!

****REVISION*****: Concerning Dana's comment

Dana, thanks for clarifying this.  Yes, I will be cashing your checks and then writing a grand prize check to the winner.  Once the competition starts you will all know how many players there are and during the course of the game I will be posting who lost, gained, or stayed the same.  I will NEVER post anyone's weight.  So, everyone will be able to keep track of how much money is in the pot! 

That's not right...

Hello All!  Well, the time is drawing near!  So far, I think, there are nine of us signed up-maybe more I need to recheck.  Anywho, there is still plenty of time for more friends to join!!!  Let me apologize for a lack of posts in the last several days.  Once the fun begins in just 8 more days, I'll post more often.  But, I had been busy working on this

Katelyn's first birthday was over the weekend and it was a success. (More pics on Facebook.)  Now, I know that I shouldn't be posting pictures of yummy, calorie laden desserts on this here diet site...but, whatever, it hasn't started yet!!  And, now you know why I have selfishly postponed the start day of the competition!! I'm not sure who took this picture, but it sure is a great one, of me! HAHA!  I love pictures of me from the neck up!  What I don't love is this...

You will notice that this picture did not make it to the Facebook upload.  And why, I know you all know, but let me painstakingly point it out!  Well, it's definitely not that sweet little girl in the shot or Marcia, my step-mom...it is that lovely thing we like to call the muffin top sprouting from my waistband.  And there you have it.  This is why this competition must happen!!

On that note, I must go!  Please check back more frequently as I will be posting nearly every day for the next week!!

Do Ray Me Fa So La Ti Do

An enitre post about scales?!?  Who knew one could have enough info about a scale to create a whole blog post!?!  No worries though, it'll be a short one!

Just wanted to add some scale criteria to the official rulebook.  By the way, if it's typed on here...it's official, just sayin'.  First of all, you must be weighing in on a digital scale.  Believe me, I know your tricks, gals-sliding that little hand to the right of the zero makes it appear as though you weigh a few pounds less.  I admit to doing that; I admit to losing friends due to my lying.  (Please refer to prior post).  Not really, about the losing friends part. I've never told anyone I've cheated on my weight in that way before.  I'm fessing up, please don't hate me!

And now, I'm racking my brain for a second rule about scales.  I said 'criteria', not 'criterium' and I said 'First of all' as if there would be a 'Second of all'.  I'm stuck now.  There MUST be at least one more rule!  Hmmm, ok, got one! 

Second of all, if you are out of town on weigh in day...for goodness sake make sure you pack that scale in your suitcase.  You must weigh on the same scale every Saturday morning.  If you forget, you'll be fined $2 as if you gained!  HARSH!  So, just take it with you!

The Challenge! Holiday style!

Why, hello there fellow wish-I-was-skinnier-but-can't-seem-to-put-this-cookie-down-girl friend! (Sorry, no men allowed!) I'm so glad you're here, joining me in this friendly competition of shedding some major poundage!  Not sure how you clicked here, whether you know me personally or you know someone I know; however it happened-doesn't matter, you're here and you're considering the challenge! That's the first step!  Check off one small victory for you! Yeah!  Anywho, here's how fat is going down.

First off, you have to pay to play.  I mean, there has to be some type of motivation, right??  (Other than, of course, looking better, feeling better, blah, blah, blah.)  I'm not sure how many people will be playing as of yet, but, there is potential for a pretty decent payout for the winner!  The cost per player is $14, that's one dollar per week people, quit griping!  The $14 is non-refundable to prevent drop-outs!  I won't have it! 

The challenge starts October 1st.  That's right around the corner, so you better get your laziness out right now-be a couch potato, eat some bad stuff, whatever it is that is holding you back has to stop in just 22 days!  October 1st is a Saturday, which is a perfect day to start with a weigh-in.  That's how I like to start my weekends off-depressing myself with the scale!  Really, it won't be bad, just know, you'll never have to weigh that ever again! Yippee!!  We will weigh in every Saturday morning-naked, of course!  I don't know about you but I wear sweats to bed (much to my husband's dismay)...I swear they weigh like, 15 pounds, at least-we can't have that added on-yikes!  You will have to report your weight to me, but only me.  I will not disclose it to anyone else, I promise.  Now folks, since we are spread out everywhere (I mean location-wise, geez), we are going to have to be an honest group.  I was thinking about having you take a picture of your feet on the scale and sending it to me every week, but I know the integrity of the group is better than that.  So, you know, just don't lie-nobody wins like that and no one will like you anymore either!

The last weigh-in will be December 31st and the winner will be announced January 1st! Happy New Year to all of us because we will all be Skinny Minnies-but one lucky, hot, chica will be rich, I tell ya!  Hard work pays off! And, doesn't that sound great not to have a New Year's resolution of weight loss!  The winner will be determined not by pounds lost, but actually, by percentage of weight lost-just like the show, gals.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot the kicker!  If you gain weight at the weekly weigh-in, that'll cost ya-$2!  Stay the same? $1.  Lose, and you're off scotch free-go buy yourself a...water...because that's all you can have!

Ok, so you need to let me know if you're in or out.  Leave a comment here to declare acceptance of this challenge!  I'm super excited to get this underway!  And, just a small disclosure: I'm not only the president of The Soon-To-Be Skinny Minnies, I'm also a player-and I'm bringing it!! (Which means-I'm competing for the moolah too, yo!)

More to come, bookmark this site!  I plan on posting results here as well as recipes and other great tidbits along the way!