There is a day that folks who are on a weight loss journey look forward to. It’s kinda like Christmas morning and your Birthday all wrapped up in one.

It’s the day you not only ‘get’ to but ‘have’ to downsize your clothing!

While my weight loss journey, which has been filled with lots of ups and downs, quite literally speaking! and is still is progress I have reached the point that many of my clothing items don’t fit because they are too big now!

So on this day I am going through what is truly a ‘right of passage’ for anyone on a weight loss journey. It’s important for me to really take a look at how each item fits so loosely and really take time to take in this transformation. It’s the best positive reinforcement and motivator ever! As I gaze into the full length mirror I can see how far I have come and also where I want to be. I see myself, my body, transforming like a butterfly…. it’s amazing, it’s surreal and I am grateful!

I was noticing my clothing choices as I sorted through them. Hmmm.. mostly all dark colors, mostly all black…. because that color is supposed be ‘slimming’ right? Where is anything bright and cheery colored?, guess those colors are just for folks who aren’t  ‘fluffy’ or ’round’…like me.  
 
Sure I had a few items that had color but always paired them with a little black jacket. always trying to hide my body, hide myself. Hoping nobody would notice what was obvious … my weight.

For the last few months, when I go clothing shopping, I look for items with color.. Items that are bright and cheery… like me! I learned something during my ‘right of passage’ day… I don’t want to hide behind dark colors anymore.. That’s not who I am and not who I ever was!

So the happy ending and moral to my story, at least so far since it’s not over yet, is this: Represent yourself everyday for who you truly are, don’t let society or fashion trends tell you who you are or should be. It doesn’t matter where you are in your weight loss journey… be who you are now…  turn up the color …. you are beautiful!
 
Staying in true form, I was morphed into my very colorful ‘cartoon self’ this month by my wonderful Biggest Loser friend Christa!  (she’s vying for a spot on BL13) …. my Avatar proudly drinks DesignerWhey/Biggest Loser Protein 2GO in what else but delicious Lemonade flavor! Hope you all are having the best summer ever! See you back here in September! 
 
Stephenie   

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Is it possible to live without addiction? As I make my way through a now 8 month life change… I had ascertained myself to accepting the fact that I  will be haunted by this demon called ‘food addiction’  forever and the daily struggle to make the right choices will forever be a challenge. Is it possible that someday I will be free of my affliction?… and if so how can I get there sooner?

The truth is clear that it doesn’t matter what your addiction is… It’s still an addiction and food used in the wrong way can be an addiction. When we use food to take away feelings such as sadness and boredom or because we are  tired, upset, lonely or stressed, sometimes the food becomes the ‘cure’ but as we know that kind of of cure can lead to more problems in the long run such as poor health and weight gain.     
 
A better choice may be in learning new ways to manage day to day stressors. Just learning to manage stress seems to be key in moving forward toward living a more healthy and positive lifestyle. Here are some helpful tips and sound advice that I have gathered and that I use as tools to stay focused on my journey. I hope you will find them helpful too:

* get enough sleep every night
* drink plenty of water
* plan, shop for and cook healthy meals in advance
* incorporate some form of exercise each day
* join a support group  (in person or online)
* enjoy a new or old hobby
* take time each day to relax and just breath! Finding inner peace is key
* journal about your feelings
* set small achievable goals
* celebrate every victory big or small!

This last month I took my very first Spin Cycle class! It’s funny how looking back I had given myself a million reasons in the past why a Spin class couldn’t be for me..from being too big to ride the bike to thinking my knees would give out after the first 5 min…I thought that Spin classes were only for people who were already in great shape! What I discovered was that I wasn’t too big to ride the bike, my knees never hurt or gave out and everyone in class was so supportive of me and explained that they were on their own journeys too! I don’t want to forget to mention that it was with the encouragement of the Spin class instructor that I took my first class…and my sister, Melanie, happens to be that instructor! Thank you Melanie!…it was just the boost I needed!

While I am looking forward to and longing for the day that this grey cloud (my weight ) is gone… I rejoice , find sanity and sanctuary in knowing I am not alone …. and neither are you. Reach out and you’ll find open hearts all over the world ready to embrace you and your journey! 
 
I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to Courtney Crozier ( BL11) in May. Since BL11 has wrapped she has joined forces with Wholly Guacamole http://eatwholly.com and Diets in Review and is kicking off summer with an exciting challenge filled with lots of support, great prizes and endless inspiring motivation as only Courtney can deliver! I’m in… If you want to join too go to  http://www.dietsinreview.com/videos/courtneys-summer-challenge-week-4/
 
So there it is! My July DesignerWhey/Biggest Loser Protein Blog…. filled with questions, answers, motivation and inspiration…. now it’s all you!!.. get to it and own the Summer of 2011! 
 
P.S. keep your Biggest Loser Protein 2Go handy! A Refreshing way to keep hydrated on hot summer days!
 
See you back here in August!
Stephenie

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On May 10 (last month) I received the most wonderful and exciting news! Designer Whey/Biggest Loser Protein had decided to bestow upon me the most wonderful gift ever! It was my birthday, so the timing couldn’t have been anymore perfect!  Biggest Loser Protein was sending me to the May 24th Biggest Loser season 11 live finale in Los Angeles, California!

My good friend Jessica Martin Peterson came with me. She knew the riggers of vying for one of the sought after spots on the Biggest Loser Ranch so I knew she would be thrilled to join me in what would surely be a life changing adventure!

What we experienced was both real and surreal! One moment we were standing in the Los Angeles airport and the next we were surrounded by ‘Reality Royalty’! We hadn’t expected to be greeted by the owners of ‘Shut Up and Sweat’ Athletic Gear, Mike and Nancy Dudley, in the Hotel lobby! They welcomed us with a bountiful array of t-shirts and hoody jackets!, they are amazing folks!, we loved getting to know them!

With in hours we found ourselves being ‘bear hugged’ by O’Neal Hampton (BL9), and Jessie Wornum (BL11)! We were chatting up Austin and Ken Andrews (BL11), Courtney and Marci Crozier (BL11), Tracy Yukich (BL8), Sarah Nitta and her Mom Denise ‘Deni‘ Hill, (BL11)… and the list goes on! All were such inspiring folks, warm and friendly! Ali Vincent, First Female Biggest Loser and Biggest Loser Protein looked beyond amazing! ….and all this happened the day before the finale! Needless to say we were in Biggest Loser heaven!!

Stephenie with Brett Hoebel

The day of the Finale, Jessica and I opted for a morning walk and healthy breakfast at Subway, on our way back we met Biggest Loser trainer Brett Hoebel! He was by far one of the most memorable folks we met! He has the most gentle spirit, very kind and genuine. He is the ‘real deal’! I hope to see him on the Ranch for seasons to come!

The Live finale was spectacular! Biggest Loser Olivia Ward was crowned the season 11 winner and every contestant was transformed and looked glowing and healthy! The evening was truly magical! After the Live Finale Jessica and I attended the ‘After Party’! Family, friends, fans, Biggest Loser current and past contestants, Biggest Loser Trainers, Biggest Loser Host Alison Sweeney, Casting Directors and more all gathered to celebrate!

On the night of the Finale I chose to wear a bright yellow dress, I opted to not wear even a stitch of black because for once I didn’t want to ‘hide’ myself….it felt good to be bright and cheery and I was proud of the 65 lbs I had lost so far! I still have at least 100 lbs to go but at the Finale and all during my Finale trip I, for once, didn’t feel judged for my weight, instead I felt supported and encouraged…I felt like a ray of sunshine and I felt beautiful ! I wanted to sample what life might feel like when I reach my healthy goal weight…and I know it’s gonna feel great!

I took this opportunity to seek some wisdom from the Biggest Loser contestants. A familiar theme rang true amongst them all. Time and time again each person I spoke with told me this; “you don’t need to go to the Biggest Loser Ranch to do this..you can do this on your own” They also said “let the show inspire and motivate you, start your journey now and on your own…the prize it getting your life back!”

Needless to say I was totally inspired and revitalized by each and every person I spoke with! I am ready to continue on my weight loss journey. I am re-fueled, humbled and ready for what ever is next! It’s one foot in front of the other…there is no magic pill, every minute is a test and a challenge and as Hannah Curlee (BL11) said “My best is good enough!”

Now that I have returned home with a new zest for life I decided to set myself a ‘goal’, a little something to focus on and train for…I’ve never done anything like this before but for me life is all about taking chances and believing in yourself…with that said I will be competing in the 2011 ‘Warrior Dash’ event in September…it’s a 3.18 ml. race located on a course filled with 10 treacherous obstacles including repelling down a mountain, climbing under barb wire through mud, jumping over fire, swimming through a lake and more…to me it’s going to be’ Survivor’ meets ‘Biggest Loser’!… I believe we all have a ‘warrior’ with in us! If you would like to participate in one of the Warrior Dash Events go to http://www.warriordash.com/

I have been getting lots of great tips on how to train for my run reading the DesignerWhey blog ‘Training for a for a 5k‘…check it out..it is filled with important information on how to get started and be successful! http://www.designerwhey.com/blog/author/5k/

Happy ‘beginning of summer’ everyone!! See you back here in July!
Stephenie

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The month of May is filled with many reasons to celebrate from Mothers Day to Memorial Day..and my birthday somewhere in the middle! :)
 
This month I want to celebrate, give thanks to and honor someone very special in my life. The Biggest Loser show brought us together and through the magic of the casting process and a little help from the internet, a bond was created that holds strong to this day!
 
I met Joeinne after her brother, Captain Tom, had attended and received a “call back” interview for Season 10 of the Biggest Loser…I attended the same casting call and received a “call back” interview also.  The casting call turnout was huge-3000 people…just trying to put into perspective how amazing it was ! We stood maybe a dozen people away from each other in line that day but it wasn’t until after the casting call that we all met!
 
Through the social networking process and our love of all things Biggest Loser and the desire to become healthy, Joeinne and I met via the internet! Joeinne was on a crusade to help get her brother, Captain Tom, on the show since he was well over 300 lbs and heart disease runs in their family.
 
Over the next several months friendships blossomed, our families all got together …Captain Tom took us for a sail on his boat, an authentic Sternwheeler! With season 11 Biggest Loser casting call now fast approaching, Captain Tom and I decided to apply for a spot on the show as a team! Joeinne had recently lost 125 lbs and was doing well with maintaining her weight loss. She not only was rooting for her brother to get on the show but was rooting for me now, too..I often told her that she was our “cheerleader” !  She was and is so much more then that though, she once drove over 400 miles just to help me make my casting video! She was and is our rock through this whole process!
 
In the end when neither Captain Tom or I were selected for Season 11,  there was Joeinne once again encouraging us to stay strong. She feels that we can lose weight and get healthy on our own. Her positive energy never ends and is quite infectious as well!
 
Three months ago Captain Tom and I attended the Season 12 Biggest Loser casting call. Joeinne was helping to attend to every little detail and cheering us on as usual! Joeinne had been so focused on being there for both her brother and I that she hadn’t noticed that she had gained back 36 lbs!  She had once weighed 320 lbs and gotten down to 187.
 
Joeinne noticed she wasn’t feeling as energetic as usual, so she visited her Doctor for a check up. One month after the Season 12 Biggest Loser casting call, she found herself in Double Bypass Open Heart surgery to correct a severely clogged artery.  She had also suffered a mild heart attack as well.
 
Almost 6 weeks post surgery, Joeinne is healing and looking forward to getting back on track with eating healthy. She has begun walking to stay fit. 

I can’t think of a nicer person that I have ever met in my life as Joeinne. When my family and I visited Joeinne and Captain Tom in their hometown for the first time, it was as if we had stepped back in time to a story book fairy tale….it was enchanting and beautiful….just like Joeinne!

Sometimes we want to help others so much and in doing so, we lose sight of ourselves. Keeping ourselves in focus helps us to be able to keep doing what makes us happiest, like helping others.  I’m sending Joeinne a “get well/care package”…not flowers, not candy….but, something that will help her get healthy ….a basket of ‘Biggest Loser Protein Products!’  She knows it on the way and couldn’t be any more excited!
 
Have a wonderful May everyone! See you back here in June!
Stephenie

Stephenie received free product in return for her blog.

Posted in The Biggest Loser | 2 Comments

I don’t know what’s it’s like to not be overweight. I have lived my whole life on the sidelines, looking in, wishing I wasn’t overweight, wishing I was thin and fit.　 

I am a wife and a Foster Mom. I found out a few years ago I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. A condition that prevents me from conceiving a child. My Dr. has told me that if I lost weight my chances to have a child would improve. With the time clock ticking, I’m running the most important race of my life. I have resolved that no matter what it’s of the highest priority that I become healthy for myself and my family.　　
　
My story has a bit of an interesting twist…I am among the over 200,000 ‘hopefuls’ who dream of being on NBC’s Biggest Loser reality TV show! If you’re one of the Biggest Loser ‘Hopefuls’ too then this blog is specially made just for you! I share all of　the emotions from the excitement of going to the casting calls to the disappointment of watching　another season start with out you.
　
My journey to The Biggest Loser began 6 years ago. I made videos, went to casting calls, had call back interviews and appeared briefly on episode 1 season 10. Somewhere I decided that being on the show was my only hope. What I realized was that the hope was always inside of me…vying for a spot on the show brought out the competitor in me, awakened a fire in me…bottom line is that the Biggest Loser reminded me of a passion and a fire to fight for something…something that matters more then anything…so why give up because I wasn’t selected?…this time I didn’t give up…
　
I have lost 53 lbs on my own since last year. I have 120 to go.　
　
I currently weigh 248 lbs. I decided to celebrate my weight loss ‘Biggest Loser style’ and have a photo shoot to mark my progress…here is my ‘before’ or someone in the middle picture. I  am not embarrassed to post it because I know there will be an ‘after’ picture..and I can’t wait for that day to come! I love the inspiration I get from watching the show and never miss an episode! I’ll be a fan forever!　
　
I am also celebrating joining the ‘Biggest Loser Protein’ family! I am figuring out that ‘planning’ is key with  eight loss. I keep Biggest Loser Protein bars and Protein 2GO in my favorite flavor lemonade, in my purse and gym bag at all times. Winning the war on fat means arming yourself with the best defense possible…for me it’s gonna be Biggest loser Protein products.　　
　
My next Blog will be in May….have a happy and healthy April everyone! 　 

Note: Stephenie received free products for submitting her blog.

Posted in Stephanie, The Biggest Loser | 4 Comments