Michael & Cassandra's Space

...just another Thursday

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:20:46 GMT

To do list: CLEAN THE HOUSE!

Cleaning the house adds to calories burned so I'll think about that as I'm running through the house today. This week has been really good, I've faced temptations and have resisted. SO HARD AT THE TIME, but I was SO HAPPY I STAYED STRONG!

FINALLY...A weight loss! WAHOO

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:03:58 GMT

I hopped on that scale this morning and finally saw a number I can be proud of for a weeks worth of work. -4.6 lbs this week!!!!!!!!!!

That feels so good! I know i have to put pictures back up. Today, I'll try to get some pics taken and post this afternoon.

My weight loss to date: 12.6 lbs. I should be further along, had some bad weeks, but not giving up is what counts. Like I said from the beginning of the year, I WILL GET TO MY GOAL THIS YEAR!

Are you experiencing a day 1 again?

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:36:37 GMT

I got on the scale this morning and it read 199.0 lbs. Even though from the first of the year I've lost all of 8lbs. I feel like today is a lot like so many other "Day 1's" I've had over the past 10+ years. I am doing well, but darnit was hoping to be so much further along by this time of year then I am. I've got to admit that exercise has been scarce lately. Watching The Biggest Loser Finale last night was such an inspiration...again. What they accomplished in a 21 week period was absolutely AMAZING! I'm back and fighting hard.I will not quit and I will reach my goals this year.

College Bound

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:20:50 GMT

This past week was better for us... we lost a little weight and I made a pretty big decision. I'm going back to college in the fall to pursue a degree in secondary education. Inititally I thought that would be a bachelors degree but since have learned that because new laws are in place, I'm working toward my Masters Degree! A Little Scary...Ok., I'll be perfectly honest ALOTscary! I'm excited too though. I've registered for the ACT in June and preparing for it. I can't believe I'm 30 years old/11 years since I've been in college. I have faith the Lord will carry me through! Keep me and our family in your prayers please.

Learning From Our Dieting Mishaps!

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:55:31 GMT

I’ve been thinking of writing a post about the worst dieting mishaps I personally tried and failed with. I truly believe we learn from our mistakes and boy have I made some doozies…

Skipping Breakfast and Lunch After a “Binge”
This is tough for me. If I eat too much one night then it’s just natural for me to want to skip my next meal. Big mistake, Huge mistake. Around 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. I start snacking. With good intentions at first I might start with a 100 calorie pack but then keep going back for those little packages, by dinner time I have the “oh, well, the day’s already ruined” attitude and eat 4-5 slices of pizza and the cycle continues.

What is one of your dieting mishaps?

Our Life Recently...

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:13:59 GMT

Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain, laughter and teardrops, pleasure and pain, low tides and high tides, mountains and plains, triumphs and defeats, losses and gains.

Since our son and daughter started practicing for Softball and Baseball season, life has been hectic to say the least. We've gotten off track with our weight loss efforts and have been trying to get back on the biggest loser weight loss wagon. Today was our family "weigh in" day because we haven't checked our progress lately. All of us have gained a little. A huge reminder as to why we need to continue counting our calories no matter what!

Obstacles in the pathway of the weak become stepping stones in the pathway of the strong. We can't allow ourselves to become discouraged and remind eachother that we can use this lesson as a stepping stone. We will not give up! We will reach our goals.

We will take our pictures again today... not as a day 1 but just as a continuation of our journey. We are not back at the beginning, but back in the game. We need your thoughts and prayers.

All our requests are lost in one, "Father, Thy will be done!"

Today Kaleb had his first big baseball game and he did amazing... look for those pictures to come soon also.

SUPPORT, SUPPORT AND MORE SUPPORT!

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:34:38 GMT

WELL, DON'T YOU JUST LOVE HONESTY. SOMETIMES IT'S SO HARD TO ADMIT WHEN YOU'VE GOTTEN OFF TRACK. WELL, THIS WEEK PROVED TO BE A BAD WEEK FOR US.

THE SCALE DOESN'T LIE AND SOMEHOW I'VE MANAGED TO GAIN 5 LBS THIS WEEK. YIKES!!!!

BELIEVE ME, I'M BACK ON TRACK BECAUSE I AM JUST SICK THAT ALL THE HARD WORK IT TOOK TO LOSE THOSE 5 LBS, DIDN'T TAKE ANYTIME FOR THEM TO COME BACK ON.

THANKYOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT. IT TRULY HELPS DURING TIMES LIKE THESE.

No More Computer Blues!!!

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:40:50 GMT

I am SO SORRY these past couple of weeks I've not been able to keep in contact and be a support to you. I've had major computer BLUES!!!! My computer was totally bogged down with viruses and it gave me a headache just thinking about getting on the computer because it literally took me an hour just complete a simple task, Not anymore All fixed and things working again like a charm. Week 8 and Week 9 stats will be updated by the end of the weekend for us.

Inside MSN Article

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:57:37 GMT

WOW! Check Out the article in Inside MSN below!!!! We are CELEBRITIES!

MSN's biggest losers weigh in

By Jody Brannon, Inside MSN Editor

So how's that New Year's resolution for weight loss coming for you or a pal? If you need inspiration or some real-life role models, look to the MSN users who are participating in the Million Pound Match-Up, a contest tied to NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Couples." The show is now on TV but perhaps occurring more realistically on MSN Spaces.

Thousands of people signed up for the Match-Up, spurred by the chance for workout partners to win a trip to Los Angeles to see the "Biggest Loser" finale or for individuals to snag a luxury fitness trip. But participants, who combined have lost more than 185 tons, are finding that success lies both in the gym and online. Tools on MSN Health & Fitness help, but the real power comes from personal accountability and expression on their Spaces blogs.

From spaces.live.com, if you search for "Biggest Loser," you can read about the Indianapolis betrothed who are chronicling their efforts to get thin for their wedding; New Hampshire residents determined to put a new spin on "like mother, like daughter;" Texas gal pals slimming to become fitter role models for their kids; and a Las Vegas couple whose site, "No More Excuses," trumpets their determination to be able to keep up with their 3-year-old.

Given the popularity of NBC's "The Biggest Losers," success stories on MSN Health & Fitness and Windows Live search and Joy Fit Club profiles on msnbc's "Today" show site, great inspiration comes from real people telling their tales of the battle of the bulge.

MSN's Million Pound Match-up was designed to do the same.

"I’ve been amazed at the level of participation and the excitement," said Dick Larimer, lead producer for MSN's Health & Fitness channel, recounting the thousands of people who attended sessions of health and fitness experts and former "Biggest Loser" competitors on the Match-Up's kickoff tour in five cities. One determined Indiana couple drove to Chicago for the first session, then a month later trekked to Miami for the last.

"I was struck by how hopeful they were," Larimer said, "that they were really going to be successful this time. Online, we've made more weight loss tools, and I would love MSN Health & Fitness to be the place for them to hook up and have a richer experience."

MSN expected this promotional effort to lead to the creation of about 2,000 new Spaces blogs. The total as of mid-February? About 19,000.

On Spaces, people are posting their photos, videos and ostensible journals, often with a creative weight-loss tracker (palm tree making progress down the beach) and – perhaps most powerful – comments from family and friends, well-wishers and even fellow competitors.

The humor, passion, compassion, determination, weaknesses, temptations and results are seen on these blogs. As example, "Two Fluffy Chicks," also known as Beth and Heather of Virginia, whose blog, "Going for It 2008," have more than 600 friends on their blog, many so impressed with how they've enhanced it that they contribute a comment. Sandy and Bubba, from Georgia, offered their support – and a tip:

"You both have done a tremendous job of journaling your thoughts and actions, which will make all the difference in your success. You both are doing fantastic on your weight loss, keep it up and victory will be yours with a healthy and joyous lifestyle. The way I lost my original 65 pounds, prior to the Million Pound Match-Up, was by journaling everything and writing my thoughts down instead of going to the kitchen. "

For Cassandra, an Alabaman seeking to lose 97 pounds to her husband Michael's 43, has found energy from the Match-Up and both pressure and support from the Match-Up community. "I have a MySpace page, a WordPress blog, I've tried Blogspot shortly. I've finally found my personal favorite! I love Windows Live Spaces – I've found it very easy and it allows me to personalize my page the best."

She named their Spaces blog "Stumbling to Standing," as a symbolic commitment to changing their lifestyle, proudly crafting a proclamation: "We Are Married 'Losers' on our Weigh Down."

Asked about her experience so far, she wrote: "This blog has been such a crucial, much-needed tool because I guarantee if we wouldn't have made our commitment known to the whole world, and wrote our stats, thoughts, struggles weekly, sometimes daily, by now we would have gone back, maybe not intentionally but … we would have gradually stopped writing down our calorie intake or getting on the scale each week, just because life gets so hectic and crazy sometimes.

"We aren't losing our weight at record speed," she admits, acceding instead to making healthy changes in the family's eating and activity habits. But a proud and astounding moment came when she saw the impact of her commitment on her 8-year-old son, a lad overweight by about 7 pounds who cared little for sports.

"He actually came to me and asked if he could play (baseball) – you don't know how shocked I was," Cassandra explained. Her daughter, 6, is also signed up for softball. "I truly know both of my children would not have approached me to play … if it weren't for the “Biggest Loser” Million Pound Match-Up. That just brings tears to my eyes right now because I'm not only seeing changes in my husband and me, but in our children. I'm so grateful."

Another thinning pair, Chicago roommates Betsy and Amy, dish about the merits of the competition on their blog, Oh, You Got a Sandwich Goin'. They agreed to post their insights about how blogging is a major factor in their ongoing success, with the impact far more than just peer pressure and encouragement. Betsy said one reader spurred her nearly to tears by her heartfelt reply to their post.

"She told us that she had lost 30 pounds, gained it all back and has been so discouraged. After visiting our site, we encouraged her to start trying to lose weight again and that, even though she didn't have a partner, she was going to try and keep up with us and pretend that we were her partner. Knowing that we were someone's role models was one of the greatest feelings!"

It's no secret that America has a big fat problem: Federal figures indicate about a third of the population is obese. If more people slide behind the computer instead of yanking on the fridge door or – better yet – work out or even take a walk, the number of obese people would shrink – literally.

But losing weight is not easy for everyone. MSN's Million Pound Match-Up ends March 11, and the major vacation sweepstakes April 15 (though Zunes are awarded daily). But for many of the participants, their efforts will extend much further into the year. For some, it requires a lifestyle change that lasts a lifetime, supplemented by blogging.

"There are some super sexy hot mamas underneath all this chub," writes Megan, a Texas mother who is taking the challenge with her pal Jennifer, "and it's about time we get back to there! I'm ready to unleash the thin, healthy girl in me. … Here's to shrinking dat booty!"

Adds her buddy Jennifer, in her kickoff post last month and several inches ago, "Thanks for joining me on this ride."

Happy Happy Birthday To MEEEEE!!!!

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:36:04 GMT

It's Official... I'M 30 YEARS OLD or YOUNG for that matter. Now that I've got some "years of experience" behind me perhaps the good thing about being in my thirties is that I've got a little bit of wisdom from living through and surviving my twenties.

I'm just catching up to my husband!

For the record, yesterday I got on the scale and was showing a -2.0 lb loss for the week, now tomorrow is "Weigh Day" and I'm currently suffering from a migraine because of the sugar high I'm currently on from cake and ice cream. UGHHH

I hope tonights indulgences won't affect that number. What are you going to do?

My husband planned a little "surprise" party for me and although there wasn't a great huge number in attendance, it was very special that he put forth the effort and I had a great time with my family and one of my best friends, Carrie and her hubby - (Thanks for coming Care). My children made my day so special too! Oh my gosh, they made me hand made cards (they are the best) and Katelyn gave me some of her money she had. Kaleb got a big poster board and made me house plans.... He said when he grew up he was going to build me my dream house. It was AWESOME! I've gotta take a picture of it and post with this message. I'll try to do that tomorrow so you can see the detail...Absolutely AMAZING! Then they bought me big bear head slippers because my feet are always so cold

I'm so blessed and loved! I don't deserve such blessings!!!

Check back tomorrow for the drum roll weight results for the week.

"Dieting" Made Me FAT!

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:36:08 GMT

Around the age of 11, I began to "diet". I was aware of what I was eating, alot of times even depriving myself of lunch at school. This, of course, backfired. I would allow myself to get too hungry and then overeat at my next meal and alot of times after school hours between 3pm-5pm were the worst for me. This very normal "dieting" cycle, eat less, feel deprived, eat more, continued for me until very recently (7 weeks ago now).

Throughout high school and college, I would have done anything to be thin.

My 20's were spent literally going on one diet after another. I can list so many I've tried with success always to gain the weight back and more. Just a few of the "diets" I've done are as follows:

The Curves Diet
The Atkins Diet
The L.A. Weightloss Diet
The "Fasting" Diet
The Hollywood 48 Hour Diet
The Dr. Phil Diet
The Southbeach Diet
The 6 Week Body Makeover Diet
The Weight Watchers Diet (The only one I'd actually recommend because it DOES teach you how to eat, basically I'd be following that plan if I were keeping track of points but instead I keep track of calories.)

This upcoming Saturday I'm turning 30 Years Old!!! Throughout childhood and my 20's I needed to have learned how to eat and have a healthy relationship with food. I needed to stop DIETING! Sounds weird I know, but it’s true. Dieting made me fat. Now I've stopped dieting and I am learning how to live, I'm finding success *slowly but surely*!

So you are asking yourself now, “how is she doing it? How did she stop "dieting"?” Well my program of choice is just calorie counting. Some may call it a diet, I disagree. It’s a strategy for those of us who need to be taught how to eat. Those of us who need to learn how to have a healthy relationship with food.

Include more healthy whole foods in your diet. Fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats. If you don’t eat enough of them now start slowly. Replace a snack a day with a fruit. Add a side of veggies to your dinner plate. After a few weeks, you may start to surprise yourself and your tastes may change!
Learn what a portion is. I was shocked to see what one serving of pasta was! And I almost cried when I weighed out one serving of my favorite cereal. At first you may feel like it’s not enough but again, if you listen to your body you may be surprised that one serving is more then enough to fill you up and fuel you until the next snack or meal.
Scrap the concept of 3 meals a day. I eat now when I’m hungry not because it’s noon or 5PM.
Get active. I 'm not hiting the gym hard to lose 97 pounds but I moved more. Daily walks with the family and dogs is a great start!
Get support any way you can. A walking buddy, an online message board, your significant other, anyone who will listen! Share your success and your failures. Weigh in with that person once a week to be accountable.
Keep a journal. Jot down what you eat during the day. Even writing out your thoughts at the end of the day will help you reflect and come up with a strategy for tomorrow.
Celebrate every good choice and learn from the bad ones. Just because you slipped doesn’t mean you should scrap everything. Weight loss is a journey, a process. If you don’t mess up how will you learn how to deal with everyday challenges? No matter what you do today tomorrow is coming so you might as well do what you can to better yourself. Don’t give up just because you had a piece of cake after lunch, just eat a little less at dinner to account for it!

Honestly, I do all these things. I didn’t say it would be easy, did I? I still haven’t mastered each once but I work on them daily. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ll ever master them all but just by trying I’ve come a long way.

There is a part of me that longs to be at my goal weight by this Saturday (haha), to have this battle I've struggled with for FAR TOO LONG be behind me once and for all - I'm working toward that goal! What a feeling of freedom that will be, such a sigh of relief. Such Joy beyond measure. I can't even imagine right now, but one day I will be there!!!

Weigh In Results

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:15:50 GMT

Hey Everyone!

The results are in.....{drum roll}

My current weight is 195.4 lbs. which gives me a -0.6 lb loss this week. I didn't reach my goal of a 2 lb loss but still moving forward.

Michael's current weight is 214.6 lbs. which gives him a +1.4 lbs gain this week. He's confused because he's working out harder and more frequently, so we think he wasn't eating enough calories. I guess we have to do recalculations for him and adjust accordingly.

I haven't updated our stats and page yet, but working on.... I'm sick, so I'm dragging today. Usually, I'm more on top of things. Our site should be up to date by Tuesday for sure!

We will try to make a video post this week sometime too - we haven't done that in a couple weeks.

We are all seeing that we have good weeks and bad weeks - but we are inching closer and closer to our goal weights! Just think where we will be by December, ALOT further along than we are today!

The Flu Bug

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:34:27 GMT

My son has the FLU!!!! The flu is bad enough but when a child is sick - it's so sad. We brought my son to the Dr. today and he still had a high fever of 103. His face flushed and just plain miserable. So this weekend will be spent nursing him back to health and hopefullly our daughter will not come down with it.

Stay WARM and Healthy Everyone!!!!

It's Official....I'm a Softball/Baseball MOM

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:43:57 GMT

We've signed up my 6 year old daughter for Softball and my 8 year old son for Baseball!!!!

This is the first year my son ever mentioned he wanted to play baseball, so I'm really excited for him. I hope he enjoys it. He's never been the "athletic" type but since we've been getting active in teaching our children a healthy lifestyle with eating properly and exercise I've seen a big difference in him. He told me the other day that he feels lighter and I told him "son, you ARE lighter." His eyes just lit up.

I substitute teach and one day last week I was the sub in his 2nd grade class. I saw a difference in the way my son acted around the other children. He had a confidence in him I've never seen, not cockiness; just a nice, calm, I can tell he's feeling better about himself confidence. I'm so glad our family is doing this.

Sunday School Lessons

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:55:53 GMT

Yesterday I went to my Sunday School class by accident.... let me explain... My husband and I have been really struggling lately to make it to Sunday School. We decided Saturday night that we were going to make ourselves go because we KNOW we need to be faithful and can tell we've not been in the Word lately both privately and within our church group. We talked about going to another sunday school class, but that conversation really didn't come to an end with a set decision... Sunday morning was upon us and just like most families I'm sure it was rush, rush, rush to get out the door in time. On our way to church, it started raining so my husband being the gentleman he sometimes is dropped me and the kids at the door while he parked the car and walked in the rain.

Walking in the church, my children went to their classes while I stood and waited for Michael. One of the church leaders saw me and mentioned for me to follow him so that he could give me some vacation bible school material because I'm planning on teaching this year and I'm also doing the clinics in April. I thought surely Michael would see me and wait... well, upon my return next to the front door a few minutes later I realized my hubby must have gone to class without me, but here's the big question of the day.... WHICH CLASS?

I decided to go to the class we've been going to - and prayed on my way that I would get something from the lesson.

I walked in and....No Michael, but for the sake of not being rude and excusing myself after I had already walked in ...late I sat politely and chuckled to myself quietly. Deep breath - ok hopefully the next hour won't be .....well, let's not go there

We were instructed to open our bibles to:

Romans 12: 2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is.

His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Change is never easy, is it? How we look has been on our minds for weeks now - some of us, YEARS! God has designed us to crave him, not food. Our enemy loves to hold us captive with the idea we can't change. But things can and do change, We can and will change.

So with all that said, I thank you Lord for directing me to that Sunday School class yesterday, I heard loud and clear what You wanted to tell me.

FYI - HoW MaNy CaLoRIes????

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:25:56 GMT

Something to think about... Before the Superbowl Party!

2 Slices of a Large Dominos Cheese/Onion pizza = 680 CALORIES
2 Pieces of Cheesy Bread = 280 CALORIE
4 Pieces of Buffalo Chicken Kickers = 180 CALORIES
Ranch Dipping Sauce = 190 CALORIES

GRAND TOTAL OF CALORIES = 1,330 CALORIES

WEEK 5

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 21:04:31 GMT

Let's Review our family results for the week...

Michael - Loss of -1.8 lbs {"I'm so proud of you hunny - Keep up the good work}

Cassandra - Loss of -0.4 lbs {In 5 weeks I've averaged a weight loss of 2 lbs. a week for a total of 10 lbs. GONE - I can't complain}

Kaleb - Loss of -0.4 lbs {In 5 weeks he's lost 2.8 lbs He only has 4 lbs to lose to be in his HEALTHY weight range! WAHOO}

Katelyn - Loss of -1.2 lbs {She was sick Friday and Saturday; couldn't keep any food or drink down, so we'll be making sure she eats this week because right now she is UNDERWEIGHT }

What My Son Just Said To ME...

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:40:46 GMT

I was just in the kitchen preparing dinner and my son walked in. Before he could walk by me I opened my arms for a big hug. He hugged me and said with excitement...

"Mommy, I can wrap my arms around you and touch my fingertips!!!"

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!! It never occurred to me that he couldn't wrap his arms all around me before! If that doesn't bring tears to your eyes, I don't know what will.

My daughter can not wrap her arms around me yet - There's a long term goal...That both my children can wrap their arms all around me!

How do I look NOW Part II

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:31:24 GMT

OK so earlier I posted my 1 Month Progress, now I'm going to post Michael's 1 Month Progress. He got on the scale this morning...again not our usual "weigh in" day, but we wanted to see how we did for the month of January... He's down 9 lbs. (214.0) That's pretty cool, but for some reason you can't really see the difference in the picture. I think it's because it's hard to tell his thighs and legs - I think that's where he's lost mainly this month. He hasn't seen this yet because he's at work - I hope this does not discourage him. I haven't updated tickers or stats yet...I'll do that on Sunday when we get our official results for this week.

How Do I Look NOW?

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:55:22 GMT

Today is the last day of January and I just wanted to see for myself my progress over the past month. I hopped on the scale even though it's not "Weigh Day" and found that I've lost a total of 10 pounds for the month (197.4). Then, I got to thinking I'll put on that hated sports braw and workout pants and have hubby take another humiliating picture so I can SEE the difference. I'm actually pretty amazed at the difference in my mid section. I'd like to see more of a change in my face, but that's to come...stay tuned! I'll take a pic. of hubby as well and do the same thing for him. I might make this a monthly "To Do" because it really makes a difference when you can see the difference. I'll update tickers and stats next weigh in (Sunday).

Photo Album: Married "Losers"

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:32:48 GMT

Married "Losers"

Custom List: Combined Stats

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:13:30 GMT

Combined Stats

Up To Date % Loss:
4.74% out of 32.53%...{27.8% To Go}
Remaining to lose:
119.6 lbs................(418,600 Calories)
Up To Date lbs. Loss:
lost 20.4 lbs............(71,400Calories)
Together Goal:
lose 140 lbs. ...........(490,000 Calories)