Food of the Week (Week 1): Edamame

I know most of you are sushi-eating urbanites who have been eating edamame from the womb (though I have yet to hear of a pregnant woman who craves edamame specifically, but it could happen). If you are in this group, feel free to skip this post and 

I interrupt this post about healthy food to tell you that I just looked down at my left arm to find it covered in brown goo (don't panic--it's not that kind of brown goo). Also covered in brown goo? The left side of my favorite ragged sleeping t-shirt (the one that just says "Dude" on the front). Wha? My confusion lasted only a moment and I was able to use my excellent deductive reasoning skills to deductively reason that several of the chocolate chips I was eating (hey, I'm human) must have fallen between my arm and my shirt and melted there. You'll be relieved to know that Clifford the Big Red Couch was unscathed. 

Back to talking about soybeans. Edamame=green soybeans. Edamame (pronounced ed-eh-MAH-may...I think) is a much funner word than soybean. Soybean makes me think of tofu. And tofu, while it may be reasonably tasty when prepared with skill, is almost never fun. (Prove me wrong, folks. Prove me wrong.) 

Here's what you do. You go to the store. You buy some frozen in-the-shell edamame (you'll find it frozen in the freezer section) and you heat it up. You can even do it in your microwave--no fancy edamame steamer or boiler needed. Then you sprinkle it with a generous amount of course salt such as kosher salt. Then you take one of those ugly, hairy pods that looks like something your 6-year-old has in his/her "nature collection" and you use your teeth to remove the delicious little soys inside. Yummy! It really is. (Don't forget the salt.)

Here's what you get*:

1. 6 grams of fiber (woo! fiber!)

2. 11 grams of protein

3. oodles of vitamins and minerals

4. a mere 120 calories

5. a pile of discarded hairy pods for your little one's "nature collection"

Try it. You'll like it! (If you don't, try some chocolate chips instead.)

*in a 1 1/8th cup serving (in shell--1/2 cup shelled)

Oh!

Here's the situation that inspired me to write about green pods:

Earlier this week I was getting Joel's food ready for him to take to work (Egg Beater sandwich? Check. 2 cups grapes? check, frozen diet meal for lunch? check.). He requested a bowl of edamame to snack on. I got it for him, and as he was putting it and the other food in his backpack, Laura (age 4) ran up to him and said, 

"Mommy's going to give me a treat!"

Joel said, "What is it? Edamame?

Laura, laughing (and without missing a beat), replied:

"Adaboblo?"

Silly Daddy and his made up words!

Not that quarters are all that heavy, but still...

Last week I spent the part of a morning doing 3 things they say you should never do: I colored my own hair, cut my own bangs, and cleaned up a month's worth of eyebrow growth all at one time. Practically the only thing I didn't do was give myself a bikini wax. I'm not really sure what I was thinking. I guess it was kind of like the time (this is a true story; you can't make up stuff like this, folks) when he was a little boy that Holly's husband thought to himself, "Now would be a good time to put this quarter in my mouth," which he did and then promptly choked. Luckily his mother was nearby, picked him up by his ankle, and with a firm upside down shake, dislodged the quarter. Best I can figure, my brain decided that last Wednesday would be a good time to spend an hour or so doing tasks left best to professionals.

It turned out fine though, don't ask me how. The color's good (though I haven't worked up the nerve to do the highlights yet, so I'm currently missing being blonde), my bangs turned out better than they should have, and I don't look constantly surprised, so I really can't ask for more.

Something else I like to do that the all-knowing "they" say you shouldn't do is weigh yourself more than once a week. Not me. I weigh myself everyday, usually twice, sometimes more than that. For some reason, it helps me stay aware of reality. Or at least more aware, since saying I'm aware of reality is like saying I'm blonde. Two things I don't do, however, are let what the scale says effect my mood, or trust any weight other than the first-thing-in-the-morning-no-clothes-pre-breakfast-post-bathroom-use weight as the real thing. Every other time I weigh during the day, it's more out of curiosity than anything else. In fact, one of the reasons I weigh right before I go to bed is because I like to see the big drop that happens overnight. And then when there isn't a big drop, that's usually a clue that I ate too much sodium the day before or didn't drink enough water or didn't get enough sleep.

I think because I get on the scale so much is the reason the number of the day doesn't effect my mood. I've done it so many times that it's made it so the my weight has become just a number, a way to gauge how I'm doing. I will admit, though, that the fact that I spent over a year within 5 pounds of the same weight got pretty darn frustrating at times. But since I know that I wasn't being consistent with my diet or my exercise or (all to frequently) both, I knew that my "plateau" was due to my own actions, not the scale, and therefore I was frustrated with myself, not the scale.

Another benefit to my frequent weighing is that I've noticed some patterns in my weight. For instance, I know that after I have a drop into new territory (like last week's final weigh-in where I saw a number I haven't seen in yearsandyears), I tend to go back up 2 or 3 pounds and then work my way back down over the next couple of weeks (if I'm being consistent that is). So this week, I've been trying to be extra careful about what I eat and how hard I workout, because I'd really like to keep up my momentum. I was thrilled last week because I was finally back into the 140s, but I don't consider myself fully into a "decade" until I'm closer to the middle of it. But a big success for me this week has been that I haven't seen the 2-3 pound jump I usually see after the drop. In fact, I'm hovering right around the new weight still.

I read an article several years ago that really changed how I felt about getting on the scale called Why the Scale Lies. This information is probably one of the biggest influences that turned my relationship with the scale into a diagnostic tool and helped remove a lot of the emotional aspect of it.

One more thing to remember: this is just my experience. My issues are not your issues (and you should be grateful!) and something that works for me might not work for you. My hope is merely that maybe the way I do something will help you evaluate the way you do something and see if it is truly working for you. If it is, great! If not, at least you know.

Also, there's really never a good time to put a quarter in your mouth, no matter what Joel says.

Dum, dum, dum, DUM! And the winner is...

Sun Productions! (Do you want me to reveal your real name Ms. Sun Productions?)

She lost a whopping 6.1% of her body weight. 

We're ever-so impressed. And also awestruck. 

In second place is dcfullest, who lost an amazing 4.23% of her body weight.

In third place is Patty, who lost an outstanding 4.07% of her body weight. 

Will the three of you please send your contact info to myweightisasecret at gmail dot com ? Thanks! The most amazing prizes in all the land are coming your way. Eventually. 

Kudos to Hannah, Sweet Escape and Katie who all lost more than 3% of their starting weights during the contest. 

A big old hearty pat on the back to Rachel, Maureen, Rachel R., Heather, Wendi, Marie, Renee, Sara (yes, that Sara), Holly (that's me!), Amy Lou Who, Joolee, Tiffany and Gina Lee for persevering and making some positive changes over the past couple of months. I am impressed with how many either lost weight or maintained at a tough (and delicious) time of year. 

A less hearty, but equally sincere pat to Kelly, Katy and Diane, who all weighed in the week before last, but didn't show up at the final weigh in on Friday. All three of them lost significant amounts of weight!

(If any of you want to know what your final percentage was without having to do actual math, send us an e-mail at myweightisasecret at gmail dot com. 

Thanks for all your comments, insight and good humor. 

Thanks to those who kept reading even though the contest got away from them somehow. We'll expect to see you next time. (cue menacing music)

And last but not least, a huge lump of thanks goes to Amy Lawson of Amy Lawson Inc. for writing about the contest on her mostly-famous blog and bringing many of you to us. She may have thrown her scale down the basement stairs, but she'll always be a winner to me. Also a quitter, but a quitter in the best way possible. Thanks, Amy Lawson!

Keep fighting those pounds, folks. It's worth the effort. Honest! And please come back for more Diet Cake anytime. 

Coming up...

Tomorrow by noon (Pacific Time) I will post the winners for the contest. Woo!

I'd do it now, but I've been doing math (I should have made you figure out your own percentages) and my brain is too fried to write a post more interesting than this one. 

See you tomorrow!

Butter Soup

Not to be confused with Butter Face.

My mom's been here visiting for the last three weeks (in fact, she just left for the airport, sob), and in an attempt to think of something new to do (three weeks is a long time, and if you can believe it, even pyramids get boring) I signed us up for a Lebanese cooking class.

It was a one-day deal, and the teacher showed us how to make six great dishes. I went into the class under the impression that Lebanese was my favorite of all the Middle Eastern cuisines I had tried, and I left the class positive of this fact. Every recipe was just as good as--if not better than--the last, really easy, and very healthy.

One of my favorites--which I honestly didn't think I'd like, since I'm not a huge fan of lentils--was her Red Lentil Soup. I swear it tasted like it was butter-covered butter with butter filling, but it wasn't just completely butter-free, it didn't have any other fat, either! So I guess another name for it would be Magic Soup.

Red Lentil Soup
by Sahar Melhem

1 cup red lentils
1 tomato, cut in large chunks (seriously, I think she cut it in half and that was it)
1 potato, peeled, cut into large chunks (same)
1 carrot (take a guess--cut in half, and she didn't even peel it)
1/2 c. water
1 tsp. cumin
salt (to taste)
pepper (just a little)

1. Wash the lentils until the water runs clear. Put lentils into saucepan and cover with water (about an inch; it's supposed to be a creamy soup, so don't add a lot unless you want it to be more watery)
2. Put lentils on the stove over medium-high heat
3. Add the vegetables and bring it to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer until everything is very soft (or how we worded it in class "'til mush"), about a half an hour
4. Turn off the heat and let cool slightly
5. Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth
6. Pour through a strainer (she said this isn't necessary if you peeled your carrot)
7. Put back on the stove
8. Add water, cumin, salt, and pepper (she used quite a bit of cumin and salt, but this soup can really take a lot of flavor, if that's what you like)
9. Heat through

Serve with lemon juice squeezed over each bowl (optional; I preferred it without)

A couple of other notes: She said you can add an onion, too, if you like, but make sure it is really small, and just cut it in half, like everything else. Also, after step 6, you can freeze the soup to use later. If you do this, thaw it and then proceed with step 7 (you may need a little extra water).

What now?

Bring on the cookies! Yee haw!

Nah. Just kidding. (Kind of.)

First of all, if you didn't post your final weight and you should have, please do it! It's not too late. 

Once we've figured out who is who and what is what, we'll announce the winners of the First Annual Diet Cake Holiday "Ho Ho Ho We're Fat" Weight Loss Contest. Then we'll send those winners some sort of fabulous prize, which will include, but not be limited to, Egyptian trash. 

All of you, winners or not (oh gosh--you're all winners, but you know what I mean), figure out what's next in your battle to get/stay slim, strong and healthy. 

We'll keep posting here at Diet Cake. Maybe some of it will be helpful. (It could happen!) I hope you'll keep reading and letting us know about your successes and struggles. 

I'm thinking another contest is in order...maybe sometime in the spring. Won't that be fun? (Answer: of course it will)

This is it, folks!

Just as all good things must come to an end, so must all great! things like this great! contest. (I emphasize great! just in case you didn't know how truly great! it is.)

The great!est part about it is how many of you stuck with it! Really, Holly and I are totally impressed. Thank you for sticking with us.

And now for the fun part--weigh in! Post your weight in the comments, and tell us what you're most proud of from the contest.

Bob Harper would tell me to get a pack of Extra gum

Do you ever have those days where everything seems to be clicking--your eating's great, you exercised hard, and you're just feeling like you've got it together--and then you eat the house? Yesterday was one of those days for me. It felt like I was doing everything right and then when I got up from a short afternoon nap (which, if you know me, you know I only took because my body sneaked it up on me; you know, sitting there one minute, waking up the next. I almost never nap voluntarily; it seems like such a waste of quiet), bam, I ate 2 brownies, 2 pieces of french toast with butter, a bowl chicken alfredo, and some pudding. It's a darn good thing those brownies were the last 2, or I'm sure I would have had more.

I don't really know what drove me off of my plan. I'm sure part of it had to do with the tired (dh and I have been up late every night this week watching the 2nd season of Lost, the bane of my existence and I love it, plus I got up at 2 am yesterday to see dh off on another of his trips). Another part of it is probably because my mom's been here for 2 weeks and will be here for another. Don't get me wrong--I'm enjoying having her here, but it does throw me off my routine a bit. Her being here is also why the brownies, alfredo, and pudding were also here It's the price I pay for not having to cook, thank you very much. I can't blame the presence of the food for why I ate them though; my mom of all people understands turning down food for the sake of eating healthier/losing weight. Mostly I'm just disappointed in myself, because I really was feeling like I was in some proverbial groove yesterday. I do need to give myself a little credit though, because I didn't eat any more french bread than that, I only had one bowl of pasta, and it was a small bowl at that, same with the pudding. No points for the brownies though (would those be brownie points?), since it truly was a good thing they were all gone; baked goods are my undoing.

Anyway, today I'm moving/have moved on. I'm noticing a bigger urge to eat more today though, and I don't know if it's related to yesterday at all. Mostly I'm just trying to ride it out. That involves staying away from the kitchen as much as possible and trying to find other things to do. My room is really clean right now. Though if I start filing, you'll know I'm really in trouble. That's a sure sign of desperation!

What do you do to keep yourself from eating when you know you dont need it?

Penultimate Weigh-in!

An artist's rendition of me. Honest.

You know the drill--post 'em if you've got 'em. Also share with us something you learned this week.

I learned that bellydancing has almost nothing to do with the belly. Who knew!? Not I. All the motion comes from either your hips or your--get this--knees. Knees? Never would have guessed. But it's true. You only use your abdominals to keep your back straight and chest elevated (or as my teacher kept saying, "Boobies!"--and then she'd point both index fingers up--"To the ceiling!")(cannot wait to see what google hits we get for that).

It's my birthday present to ME! (I'm so happy!)

Name that movie!

My birthday is next week. I'll be 36 years old. Yep! Closer to 40 than 30. Twice the age of the kids starting college in the fall. 

I was thinking that our weight-loss contest shouldn't end until after my birthday. I know--it's totally selfish. I just want some kind of motivation to avoid a birthday-week snarf fest. (I'm not going to reveal the exact day of my birthday--my age is enough info for the internet). 

What do you think? 

The contest is supposed to end this coming Friday (January 16th). Does anyone object to extending the deadline to Friday the 23rd? (We'd have the final weigh-in on that day.)

I haven't even consulted Sara about this, so possibly she'll be the one to object. 

Any strenuous objections? Concerns? 

Those who are already doing really well are the ones whose opinions I'm most interested in, as they potentially have the most to lose if some sneaky dark horse decides to lose 10 pounds next week. 

Talk to me.

P.S. That's a picture of me on my 10th birthday. It looks like I'm about to blow out a few blood vessels along with the candles. 

You should know how dedicated I am

Tonight our power went out. It happens a lot, so it's no big deal, but tonight it happened just as my husband and I were going to watch our nightly disc of Lost. I was also going to ride the bike while we watched, because I haven't gotten any formal exercise done yet today (I traipsed around some pyramids for awhile and hauled 10 bags of groceries up and down 5 flights of stairs, but can't quite get myself to count those as my day's exercise).

I don't like exercising to nothing, as I get bored easily, and I wasn't interested in using my iPod tonight, so what I did was strap on a headlamp and fish out a magazine I've been reading.

As I am also easily entertained, I thought it was so funny I had dh take a picture of me. As I also have very little shame, I'm posting it here for you.
The power came on about a minute later. Makes the story way less funny. Oh well. It probably wasn't that funny to begin with (see also: doesn't take much to amuse me).

The post in which I write all about ME ME ME!

"Wait," you say, "Isn't that what all your posts are about?" You may have a point there, but I'm going to ignore you.

Lots of bloggers create a 100 Things About Me post when they reach 100 posts. We're somewhere around there, so I thought I'd go ahead and do that. Sara will be cringing when she reads this and wondering if she has to do it too. No, she does not. But if she doesn't, I will do it for her. That should strike fear into her heart (and possibly her stomach, too). 

I'll try to include some weight-loss and/or health-related facts in the list to keep it relevant. 

One of these things is a lie. If you are the first to guess which once, I will give you a prize. The prize may or may not be imaginary. 

1. I like pizza

2. My favorite color is blue, but red is a close second.

3. I am the oldest of four children.

4. I am bossy.

5. I have two children, both daughters.

6. I want more kids, but I'm scared.

7. I feel great guilt over the condition of my barbecue.

8. My husband is my best friend.

9. My husband is shorter than I am.

10. We're both OK with that. 

11. I wear heels on occasion, sometimes very tall ones.

12. I bruise easily

13. I've colored my hair twice in my life, both times with demi-permanent drugstore color. The first time it was a deep burgundy red. The second time it looked exactly like my natural color and nobody noticed.

14. I got better tips at my waitressing job when I had red hair.

15. I love thrift stores.

16. The smell of thrift stores makes me gag a little.

17. I don't use the library anymore because I always get huge fines.

18. I buy my books at thrift stores instead.

19. I like to cook.

20. I hate to cook.

21. I am both fascinated and disgusted by politics.

22. I think I'd be a good politician if I could get past my fear of everything (including criticism) and my inherent laziness.

23. I will never be a politician even if I accomplish those things.

24. I procrastinate. A lot.

25. I am getting better, but it is too slow a process.

26. I am definitely a late bloomer.

27. I have lots of wonderful friends who I don't deserve.

28. I neglect my friends too much.

29. I really like being thin, but I don't like doing what it takes to get there.

30. I need to do it anyway.

31. I was a total, glasses-wearing, bad-hair, bad-at-sports nerd in elementary school.

32. I did not like elementary school.

33. I was sometimes teacher's pet, but never the number one teacher's pet.

34. I watch a lot of TV.

35. Almost all the TV watching I do is with my husband.

36. I love to dig in the dirt and garden.

37. I never have enough time to make my yard look the way I want it too.

38. I don't manage my time very well.

39. I like sparkly jewelry.

40. I like jewelry in general.

41. I like stuff, but I know it isn't important to my happiness.

42. I love office supplies

43. Especially Sharpies

44. Paper is nice, too

45. I was really poor when I was growing up.

46. I lived in rich neighborhoods.

47. I worry about wrinkles

48. I wear a lot of sunscreen.

49. I don't tan.

50. I have an iPhone. I didn't think I wanted one, but my husband gave me his old one.

51. I like iPhones now.

52. I am a worrier.

53. I don't worry nearly as much as I used to.

54. I wish my feet were smaller.

55. But I think my height is just right.

56. I am painfully shy.

57. I have trained myself to be much more outgoing than I used to be.

58. It's still hard.

59. I hate making phone calls.

60. All of my bath towels are at least 8 years old and falling apart.

61. I can't stand that there are hungry and starving people in the world. 

62. I like dogs, but I don't want the responsibility of owning one right now.

63. I love the smell of libraries.

64. I like rainy days, but too many in a row makes me depressed.

65. I like to hike, but I hardly ever do it. 

66. I like reading movie reviews and watching movies, but I don't go to many.

67. I rarely see a movie twice. 

68. My favorite movie is It's a Wonderful Life. I have seen it many times. 

69. I think some of the most self-righteous people in the world are famous actors.

70. I admire the ones who realize they are just fallible human beings after all. 

71. I have lots of strong opinions, but they are not all set in stone.

72. I am not always right.

73. I once had a job where I read (speed-reading style) newspapers all day. 

74. I didn't make enough money at that job.

75. I had LASIK 4 years ago.

76. Before that my vision was about 20/1000

77. I had mono when I was in high school and was sick for a really long time.

78. I didn't graduate with my class and had to go to summer school before I could get my diploma.

79. I was a Girl Scout when I was a kid and loved it.

80. I'm a pretty good cake decorator, but I don't want to go into business. People act shocked when I tell them this.

81. I have an Etsy shop where I sell vintage accessories. It's called She's Fancy. 

I haven't told many people I know about it yet. I don't know what I'm waiting for.

82. I think "fancy" is a funny word.

83. If you can make me laugh, I'll probably like you.

84. I have 2 brothers, 1 sister, 1 step-brother and 5 step-sisters. 

85. I love movie popcorn, but lately it's been disappointing.

86. I'm a Mormon. I'm also a Christian.

87. I'm finally OK with all the people who say you're not Christian if you're Mormon. Oh well.

88. I like candy. My particular favorites are chocolate, sour candy and black licorice.

89. I've been a member of Weight Watchers for almost 2 years.

90. I like looking put together, but I rarely do (look put together.)

91. I like being alone, but I wouldn't like it permanently. 

92. I dropped out of college.

93. I used to yearn to finish college--now I don't care.

94. My mom was right--I do regret not practicing the piano.

95. I used to want to be a ballerina, but I was not a very good dancer.

96. I want to write a novel, but I don't want to do the work. Yes, that is a contradiction. 

97. I am prone to post-partum depression and depression in general.

98. Yet I still think of myself as a basically happy person.

99. My living room has yellow walls.

100. I think people can change for the better, even though they often don't. 

My kid made me eat it

Sometimes my 4-year-old daughter drives me bonkers. At such times, I want to 1) hide, and 2) eat everything in the house. Today was one of those days. So many questions, so much whining (just like her mom!), so much scattering of toys and books and crumbs...

But I didn't give in to the temptation to eat the chocolate chips in the cupboard or my 10-year-old daughter's Halloween candy (obviously she was switched at birth--a child of mine couldn't possibly hang onto candy for over 2 months). I did try to hide, but there aren't many places to go in a 1500 sq. foot, 1 story house. Locking myself in the bathroom doesn't work--she just patiently scratches and kicks and "MOMMY MOMMY MOMMYs" at the door until I come out.

Then there are times like this that make me want to keep her forever and ever, and forgive all the crumbs and whining. Keep your eye on the short angel--that's her. No wonder I resisted the chocolate chips.

Contest Day 36 (really?)--Weigh-in

You know the drill. 

I'll be back when it's actual morning and not fake morning (12:14 am) to post my weight. 

Do check out the previous post. The blog I linked to is hilarious. 

I'm tired--here's a link

I told Sara I'd blog daily while she was traipsing around Luxor with her family this week. Uh...good thing Sara knows me. Her expectations are generally very low. 

If you haven't looked at this site, you should:

Cake Wrecks

Start with the earliest posts and work your way to the present if you have the time. Be sure to read the descriptions. They're the best part. 

Here's one of the cakes I made before I got into cake decorating and became the world's foremost expert. This cake is, uh, interesting. I had a lot to learn back then:

The year was 1999, and for my mom's birthday I wanted to make her a cake decorated with these marshmallow daisies I saw on the cover of Woman's Day. You know what I can't make out of marshmallows? Daisies. You know what I can make out of marshmallows? Bunnies. I showed the cake to Joel before we left for the party, and seeing his confused expression I said, "Bunnies just happened!" Well, they did. 

I can never get enough whine

I wanted to make sure Sara didn't miss her kids too much, so I made sure to whine as much as possible while she was here*. I think I covered pretty much everything.

"I'm tired." 

"I can't believe I have to wash dishes again."

"I have shin splints."

"My head hurts." 

"I'm cold."

"I'm hungry."

"I'm too full." 

"My preschooler broke my nose with her hard head." 

"My nose hurts."

"I want apple pie. Why don't we have any apple pie?" 

"My lips are chapped."

"My nose is dry"

"My nose is full of dry boogers."

"My feet hurt." 

"My elbows are dry." 

"I can't do pushups because I have a thingy on my wrist and it hurts."

"There's pie in my hair." 

"My hair hurts."

"Why did I eat so much pie?"

"I have a hangnail."

Sara really enjoyed it. She likes her best friends whiny and annoying. 

Or maybe she was just holding her rage inside. Come to think of it, she did laugh a little too hard when I stepped weird while walking into the living room one evening and fell into a heap. 

I am nothing if not introspective, so all that whining got me thinking. "Is whining ever OK?" I thought to myself, "Or is it just a form of vocal self-pity that should be abandoned at all costs?"

Well, I honestly can't see myself quitting with the whining entirely, so I think I've decided to support conditional whining.

Sometimes we need to let off some steam--complain a little. It helps us feel better in some cases. However, it can go too far. When whining goes beyond letting off steam and veers into poor-me-why-is-the-world-against-me-all-the-time-in-everything-I-do-life-sucks-and-I'm-a-miserable-failure territory, then it's time to shut up and regroup.

Whining can make it all worse. It can alienate you from your friends and family (ever been around a whiny toddler or teenager for a while and wanted to ship him/her off to Siberia at the first opportunity?). It can reinforce any sense of misery or hopelessness you already have. It can make you forget what's good in your life and forget the needs of others (many of whom probably have far more reason to whine than you.) 

In short, I think I'll allow myself to whine from time to time, but only for a short while, then it's time to figure out what to do about my problems and take action instead of wallowing in the negative verbal soup (like alphabet soup, but more metaphorical). 

So, Sara--sorry to have avoided the epiphany until after you left, but I'll try to keep up the reluctant-Pollyanna behavior until your next visit. 

*Note: I am not implying that Sara's kids are particularly whiny. But, they are kids after all. 

Not too late...

I know you're hiding in a corner, recovering from a chocolate coma and trying to remember if you ate those M&Ms that rolled under the couch on Christmas Eve yet or not, but you should pull yourself up (lean on the wall if you need to) and shuffle off to the bathroom and weigh in. 

Come on--you can do it! 

Why? Um...cause I said so? (There are other reasons, but I don't have time for that much typing right now. So for now, just go with "because Holly said so.")

Contest Day 29: Weigh it...weigh it good.

Hello! Sorry I didn't start the thread earlier.

Post your weight! I know you don't want to, but do it anyway!

If you don't do anything else this year about your weight (though I hope you and I both do lots), at least resolve to start facing the truth.