Buddah on the move!

If you are reading this, I am sure you are thinking that the lack of carbs is finally getting to me, so let me explain myself!

During a workshop about self esteem when I was in junior high, we were all instructed to pick something about each of us that makes us unique. This was to be something that makes me unique and one thing that I love about myself. I picked my birthmark. In case you thought it was dirt, like so many viewers have, I have a birthmark on the right side of my face, just above my jawline. Sometimes I cover it with make-up, but most of the time, I am just too lazy! Anyhow, back when I was a preteen, I decided that it looks like a profile of Buddah. Every single person who I have ever mentioned this to has told me that I am insane. But, it is on my face, so I get to decide what I think it resembles! My little Buddah is surrounded by a mole on each side, with one right in front, which I like to think is a rock. It all looks like a peaceful meditation scene to me.

The funniest thing happened last night while I was at the gym. Greta, one of the trainers, was supervising my work out, and all the sudden exclaimed, "Your birthmark moved! Look! It is on your jaw now!" I struggled not to drop the heavy weight as I chuckled a little and tried to see for myself...and she was right! Since I have lost weight, it has shifted south and I think it is safe for me to now say that I have a birthmark on my jawline...what a good feeling! Taking the time to notice all those little changes in yourself is such an important step, and I am so thankful that it was brought to my attention! It is another reminder of the hard work of the past two months, and the challenge to keep Buddah on my jaw from now on.

- Posted By Monica Ott ( mott@nbc40.net ) on 3/10/10 06:13 pm -

A little taste of heaven

I have not eaten any fruit in about two months. I was never a big fruit person, but I do love bananas especially on my cereal. I am more prone to the weirder fruit-my grandparents used to have two peach trees in their backyard, and when we would head up to Cedar Point I would always look forward to the peaches (either fresh or jarred from the previous harvest). So, at first, not having any fruit was okay; there were other things that I missed far more. But, lately it is the only thing I can think about (other than Chipotle).

I remembered yesterday that there is one fruit I could have! It is immersed in Ezekial bread and sandwiched among cinnamon and sprouted wheat-but I can have a couple of raisins! PJ had told me that I needed to try this new variety of the one bread we are allowed to eat, and it has been sitting in my freezer for a little over a week now...I just cannot get myself to sacrifice my morning oatmeal in order to try it.

Tonight was different...in college, my best friend introduced me to one of her favorite family traditions known as brinner. It is having breakfast for dinner, and it was a special Sunday night treat in her house. So I decided that this "Sunday night" (since I have my weekends on Mon-Tues) I was going to have brinner. I was laughing a lot since the last time I partook in this tradition, it was as a thank you to PJ and the rest of my coworkers for helping me with my Millville series. So, brinner in NJ part 1 featured cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, hash browns, pancakes (banana nut, plain, blueberry and chocolae chip), bacon, sausage, all paired with apple and orange juice and of course-coffee with delicious flavors of creamer. WOW-I should have not decided to write about this because it is making me HUNGRY! Anyhow-tonight, for NJ brinner #2, I had an egg white omlette and a piece of cinnamon raisin bread. It was delcious! The toast, especially, was just divine. It was exactly what I had been craving, and dare I say-in the future it might be worth giving up a day of oatmeal in favor of bread. Not tomorrow though...only 8 more hours til it is maple and brown sugar oatmeal time! YUM! I can't wait!

- Posted By Monica Ott ( mott@nbc40.net ) on 3/9/10 10:57 pm -

Getting closer

As Monica had posted, the end is near. While at first, we couldn't wait to be at this stage of the game...feeling strong, eating right, losing weight, and counting down the days until this crazy diet ends. Well, now that there's just 23...that's right 23 days left, we are both starting to get a little nervous. While of course, we're looking forward to finally being able to stray (slightly) from our super strict eating plan, the reality is, it's also pretty scary. When you've worked as hard as we have to get to where we are, I guess it makes sense, and it maybe even good to be worried. We had a lot of talks about it with each other, our friends, and our families and I hope we've developed the skills necessary to stay strong. While of course, we will splurge and treat ourselves, here and there, it will be just that - a treat. I LOVE to go out to breakfast and would hate to give that up forever, so my plan is to schedule an outing once with a month...it will be on my calendar and I can plan for it, look forward to it, and know that I need to behave in the days leading up and following what is sure to be some pancake deliciousness. The same will go for going out to dinner...it will happen, and I will eat bread again, and maybe even have a glass of wine...I think I can do it, as long as it's planned. Monica and I will continue working out together, and I think for the most part, I'll stay on the diet for the day to day, and just splurge when I want to. I hope it's a plan that will work, because I've worked too darn hard to mess this all up. Plus, summer is coming up and I look forward to looking, and feeling good!

- Posted By Phaedra Laird ( plaird@nbc40.net ) on 3/8/10 05:54 pm -

So, what happens now?

Every time I think about the end of the weight loss challenge, I begin to sing songs from Evita in my head.
"Where do we go from here?"
"So, what happens now? Where am I going to?"

I know that is completely over dramatic, but lately, it feels like PJ and I have been fielding a lot of deep questions as the end of the transformation looms just under a month away. It seems that everyone wants to know if we are going to stick with the diet, and how in the world I will keep this weight off. It is all about moderation...and remembering the process. Maintaining should be much easier than the real dieting phase, and I now have the knowledge to fix any minor setbacks I may encounter. Right now, to be honest, I am just looking forward to having choices in the food that I eat. It will feel so great to think...hmm...what am I hungry for right now? Okay, that is what I will eat! Right now, I am planning ahead so much (which is a must) so I am thinking-hmm...what do I want to eat tomorrow for lunch and dinner? Green beans or peas?

One thing I have mentioned to several viewers that have approached me about this topic: PJ and I will still be on tv after the series ends, and it will be very obvious if we fall off the wagon, and I am sure we (especially me) will hear about it! So, that is just another motivator for us to stay skinny! This has been such an intense experience and we have worked so hard to just let it all go away. I may not be as skinny at the end of the summer as I will be to start the month of April, but I will make sure that I am close! With all the weight we have lost, PJ and I are going to have to get a lot of new clothes, and darn tootin' my new wardrobe will fit for a LONG TIME!

- Posted By Monica Ott ( mott@nbc40.net ) on 3/7/10 11:48 pm -

17 again.

We had quite the little AOS workout this morning. Wow, it kicked (what is left of) my booty! But, for the first time in a while, I left the AOS room and the gym with a sense of accomplishment. I was very tired heading into the locker room, but proud of myself that I did it. That is one feeling I could get used to! Phaedra and I are getting a lot stronger, and I am really starting to notice!

After our rigorous workout, I was off to my second job at the Hamilton Mall. Strolling to and from work, it has been hard not to notice that prom season is just around the corner. And, I will admit, it makes me a little nostalgic, and sad. Every time I walk by a display of dresses I am reminded that my junior year my dress was a size 14, and senior year, I had to wear a size 16 dress! When you need a size 16, there are not a lot of options, and now that I am a smaller size, I am actually a little sad that my days of getting dressed up are long gone. My dress senior year was strapless and unexciting-the only thing I could find that would not completely drain my bank account. I remember seeing pictures of the options my little sister, Holly, was considering as she went shopping for her dress. Holly had all these gorgeous gowns she was trying on: one sleeve, strapless, halter-all stunning! And, all I could think about was that they would hardly fit around my thigh!

So, I told Phaedra the other night that one of these days, I am going on a prom outing. Yes, that is right...I am going to go live out my fantasy of being 17 again and go try on dresses. I cannot wait! It is going to be so much fun! I finally fit into some of those dresses of my dreams, and who cares that I am 25-and prom was nearly ten years ago?

Not to be creepy in any way, either...but if any of you high school kids out there are desperate for a date...take me! I would love to go! I did win my date to the prom junior year in a bingo game-so I am accustomed to unconventional. But, that is a story for another time!!!

- Posted By Monica Ott ( mott@nbc40.net ) on 3/6/10 11:21 pm -

Saying thanks

I wanted to write an entry to say thank you to so many people. To everyone who has stopped me on the street, in the gym, out on stories, in the grocery store, sent emails, text messages and called, I would like to thank you so much for all of your kind words of encouragement and praise. I can't begin to explain how humbling this entire experience has been, and I'll be honest...it is not easy to put yourself out there like this, but it has all been beyond worth it. It has been a really hard 7 weeks, and I know that this diet and exercise regime hasn't exactly brought out the best in me at times (sorry!), but all the support I've received from family, friends, co-workers and even complete strangers, has helped me so much. I can't tell you how many times people have come up to Monica and me to tell us that we've inspired them to get back in the gym or eat healthier. That's the whole reason we wanted to do this. We wanted to change our lives and we thought that by putting our experience...our ups and downs out there like this, that maybe others would be willing to do it along with us. So those of you who are, or will, or are perhaps considering it....it's been an experience that has truly been a total body transformation, inside and out. I know I'm losing weight, but I've also gained so much more...confidence, strength, pride, and great friends like Monica and our trainers. I know it's so hard to make the commitment that's needed to accomplish a goal like this, but i PROMISE you, it is all worth it. I know this entry was really sappy, and that's usually not me...I'm just in a really good place right now, and I hope others want to find their way there, too.

- Posted By Phaedra Laird ( plaird@nbc40.net ) on 3/5/10 10:20 pm -