Biggest Loser Ends; Thanksgiving blessings

The Biggest Loser competition I am in with a few former co-workers and acquaintances ends this coming Wednesday, December 1st. It started in September, I believe it was September 8th that we started. Why the leader of this competition chose the week after Thanksgiving to end, I'll never know ;) But, I think I am close to winning!

There has been one girl that has been serious competition and I'm pretty sure me and her are in for first and second place. First place gets 75% of the money (we all put in $25) and second place gets 25%. I am pretty confident that I at least will be the second place winner. The competition went by percentage of weight lost, so even though I lost a good amount of pounds - 24 to be exact! - I still am not sure if I won or not. But I'll find out on Wednesday and maybe I'll even be down 25 pounds by then!

Thanks to this competition and Atkins, I have reached my first major goal, and now I have to keep reminding myself that my journey is not over yet. I still have another 25-30 pounds to lose which is my next major goal. But it really did help to take it slow and focus on small goals. If I would've started by thinking I needed to lose 25 pounds during this competition, I don't think I could've done it. I actually didn't expect to reach my goal at all. But instead, I went week by week and pound by pound, and reached my goal that way! I feel great and it is awesome to fit into my old clothes again and to be able to wear some fun things.

It was also nice to start a new job feeling confident and positive and wearing some cute clothes. The new job has been a great change in my life, plus I started Mary Kay which is another positive support group and a fun experience. I have had so many great changes the past few months and losing weight is the icing on the cake (not that I can eat the cake, lol) My sister had her first baby last week, even though she wasn't due until January 5th, so it was a little bit of a scare but the baby is doing great and healthy and beautiful! She is the biggest blessing in our lives right now! And since my sister and her husband live with me now, I will get to spoil my new niece to pieces! :)

I can't help but feel overwhelmed thinking all of the amazing blessings in my life, and it is good to take a minute to thank God for bringing all things together for good. I always knew he had a plan for everything, but oftentimes I worry that things aren't going right or the way I plan until later I realize "Oh THAT's why that happened"! I love that, and I always say Everything happens for a reason.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Walk at Home Review

I have been a fan of Leslie Sansone for a few years after buying one of her health plan books, and I was lucky enough to get to try one of her great Walk at Home DVD's for review! I received The Big Burn - 2 Miles of Intervals, which utilizes intervals of walking and jogging to increase calorie burn.

The Big Burn program includes:

• A WARM UP Walk to get your ready to move fast!
• A brisk pace averaging 4 mph, 5 mph and 5.5 mph
• Mile Markers allow you to choose a 1 or 2 Mile Walk!
• Multi- Muscle Moves- Compound exercises give you a bigger calorie burn!
• A COOL DOWN WALK and healthy stretch to end!

Although this Walk at Home program is definitely a workout and a great boosted walk, it's something virtually anyone can do. There are no difficult moves or anything and Leslie even says during the workout that it doesn't matter if you are doing the "right" moves or keeping up with the music, as long as you just keep moving. She also gives a low-impact alternate option for the jogging parts so that even beginner's or out-of-shape walkers can still do the program. I love how simple and easy she makes it - No frills, no costumes, no over-the-top sets. Just Leslie and some of her fellow walkers working out in her fitness studio. I really like that because it's real, not an entertainment production.

I actually got a great workout from this boosted walk and was sweating plenty by the end of the program! It was great and is a great alternative to walking outside now that winter has begun. I also like that you don't need any accessories or special equipment - just a DVD player and walking shoes! It is so simple and anyone can do it. And it only takes 33 minutes. Plus there is a great variety of other Walk at Home programs for everyone from beginners to advanced walkers and runners.

You can join Leslie's Walk Challenges on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LeslieSansone and check out all the great DVDs at www.walkathome.com/!

Disclaimer: I was given this product free of charge for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own experiences with the product. Individual results may vary. No other compensation was given.