Jennifer Murphy:
Forty some days into the contest I have lost 17.4 pounds, more than 11 inches, and 3.8% of body fat. I feel fabulous. My wedding dress needs alterations. I’ve gained self-confidence and accomplishment. I have truly earned all of my accomplishments to this point in the contest. At no point have the behavioral and lifestyle changes I have made been easy. There has been a lot of work…shopping for good food choices, cooking healthy foods, eliminating fast food, working out with the contestant group, participating in personal training sessions, using the treadmill at home, and participating in fitness classes at Unlimited Changes which all come in addition to my already packed daily schedule.

The holidays were difficult. I struggled not to let comments affect my outlook and progress. “We all have to suffer because you want to win $1000,” and “You don’t need to loose weight because you look nice already,” were just two comments I encountered. Another obstacle was attempting to get others to understand that “no” means “no” and that eating “just one” makes a difference in the contest.

With all said, I made it through 2 Christmas Eve meals, 3 Christmas Day meals, a New Year’s Eve party Mike and I hosted at our home, as well as a New Year’s Day meal without deviating from my meal plan once. In those moments I wanted to eat what everyone was enjoying, but I realized afterward I didn’t really miss the food and no one remembers after-the-fact what you did or didn’t enjoy. Does anyone even remember or really care what you ate at the dinner table 2 Christmas Eves ago? So, on New Year’s Eve I poured 12 plastic toasting glasses of champagne and 1 of water and toasted the start of 2006 a different person – a more fit person!