Hello Friends!

         Here's a new idea to see if it helps motivate us towards healthier living. The idea is not to be skinny. But to eat healthier and exercise more. Hopefully the result will be to drop a few of these excess (baby) pounds too!

The Plan is to loose 10 pounds, but some of us have more then 10 pounds to loose. You can update with that in mind if you like. But lets see if we can get the first 10 off first! Or if you really think you could loose more then you could start at that mark.

The Challenge runs from January 2010 until pregnancy or June 2010. If we all lost 2 pounds a month we should all reach our mark!

Every Monday is weigh in day. Check your weight on your own scale and record on here your gain, loss or if you're the same. We are all moms here, very busy moms too. It's a given that we are going to have weeks where we gain. And probably many weeks where we don't lose anything. Give yourself grace with those weeks, it's the normal ebb and flow of life!

We won't post our actually weights. These numbers can be deceiving and discouraging sometimes. Instead start with the number 10 (or if you are trying to loose more, start with that number) and work your way down. For example when you've lost 2.5 pounds you'll post 7.5 as your weight.

The Reward!! When you've lost your 10 lbs (or greater if you choose) then each member gives you $5 to do whatever you like with! You'll probably need a new pair of jeans!  So everyone pays, and (hopefully!) everyone gets the reward!

For your first post, please write a little bit about yourself. As in, why you are wanting to loose the 10 pounds (baby fat?) and how you are planning to lose it. How often do you hope to exercise? Less carbs or calories? Cutting out certain foods? (sugar, etc) True, lasting weight loss has to have realistic life style changes, so try to avoid anything too extreme.

Do not post your real name! Or too many personal details if you don't want people to figure out who you are. The reason is, if you don't loose the weight then it's not a public thing. Only you know, or people whom you have told your screen name to.  Weight loss is such a difficult thing for so many of us and often very personal. What works for one person may not work for the other. Which is also why it will be very interesting to see the different methods each person is using!

I hope this website will be a great way to motivate each other and to keep ourselves accountable too! Lets enjoy this journey. Exercise for our sanity, not just for our vanity!

ps-yes... I realize now that I spelled challenge wrong... too late to change it though and I don't have time to setup a new blog. Challange it is!