WEEK 2

Can you believe we've already completed another week? This one seemed to go by much faster than the first week.
Still haven't figured out how to add a chart, and Chris says it sounds pretty complicated so he hasn't attempted yet either. So here is the archaic version. (week 1, week 2, total):

Angie.........55, 60, 115
Brianne.....60, 60, 120
Chris..........56, 58, 114
Elisabeth...59, 58, 117
Jake...........53, 57, 110
Russ...........60, 60, 120
Sherri.........58, 55, 113
VaLynn......60, 60, 120

Good work everyone!
Studies show that after doing something 21 times it becomes a habit so hopefully at the end of next week things will seem a bit easier. I've also heard that the third week of doing something is the hardest week because it isn't new anymore. KEEP GOING! Your slimmer waist line and peacful sleep are motivation enough!

Does anyone else feel blah at the end of a sugar day? I sure do... but maybe that's because I ate four chocolate chip cookies and a piece of chocolate cake with ganache and whipped cream... that might be it.

I struggle with drinking all that water. But I have found that if I drink two cups when I first get up and then two cups before breakfast that I can usually get the rest taken throughout the day. I have had a couple of times though of having to drink three cups before I go to bed. Last night it was four! That was a problem... Anyone else have any ideas on how to make sure you drink all the water?

WEEK 1

So I haven't figured out yet how to insert a table... but I will!
Here are the results for week 1:

Angie 55
Brianne 60
Chris 56
Elisabeth 59
Jake 53
Russ 60
Sherri 58
VaLynn 60

WAY TO GO EVERYONE! Keep it up!

On Your Mark... Get Set...

Here we GO! Week one is underway and already I want sweets. In a moment of weakness I googled "totally healthy cookies" and got this link in return:
http://www.allhomemadecookies.com/recipeindex/healthycookies.htm

We tried the No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls w/Rice Krispies Cereal and boy were they good. It was like having a mini peanut butter and honey sandwich, only crunchy. This recipe makes about a dozen 2 -inch balls. And hey- NO SUGAR or sugar substitutes. YUM!

1/2 cup peanut butter (Use reduced fat for less calories.)

1/4 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2-3 cups of crispy rice cereal

Combine the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla. Stir in enough cereal to make balls. (Hint: Moisten your hands before rolling the mixture into balls.) Place the balls on waxed paper (or on cereal liner bags) and chill.

Here's How it Works

Everyone pays $10 to enter, that money is sent to me and goes in the "pot". Everyone has to have their money turned in by a certain date and the competition is for 10 weeks. You all become authors on the blog so everyone can post to it...tips, ideas, suggestions, complaints, recipes, etc.

You will receive a chart to keep track of your points. Each person tries to earn 10 points a day. The points go like this:

Healthy/Portioned Breakfast - 1 point

Healthy/Portioned Lunch - 1 point

Healthy/Portioned Dinner - 1 point

No Junky Snacks or Sugary Treats - 1 point

30 Minutes of Exercise - 2 points

Take Multi-Vitamin - 1 point

64 Ounces of Fluid (no sugar, no more than 1 can of diet-pop) - 1 point

No Food After 8:30 p.m. - 1 point

Sleep at least 6 Hours Within a 24 Hour Period - 1 point

Also, everyone is allowed 10 bonus points to use throughout the competition. Any unused bonus points will be added to your final score. If they are used, it must be reported to me but nobody else will know...it keeps the winner of the competition a bit of a mystery!

You keep track of your points everyday and email/call/text them to me on Sunday. For every day late you turn them in, you will be docked 1 point. I post your scores on the blog every Monday.

You get one free day a week when you don't have to count points at all!! Woo hoo! So, it's time to eat everything you have craved during the week and time to gear up for another week of being healthy.

Whoever wins will receive 50% of the pot, 2nd place gets 30%, and 3rd gets 20%. If there are multiple winners who receive their full 60 points for all 10 weeks, the pot will just be divided amongst them.

The reason this has been so great is because not only can you try to win money, but you are motivated by having your score posted every week for everyone to see! Nobody wants to look like a bum! Also, it's fun to have everyone be involved in the blog and post their thoughts and ideas.

Obviously, this is all based on honesty. However, even if someone cheated and won all the money...you still feel like a winner because at the end of 10 weeks you have a better body and a healthier lifestyle!

(copied and modified from http://www.chunksforchange.blogspot.com)