Week One: Initial Weigh In. Let the games begin.

My sisters spent the week leading up to the first weigh in carb loading and eating everything that they love that they knew they were going to be limiting or cutting out of their diets. I started eating healthy and working out a week before them. Rookie mistake - while I was a week ahead of them the weight that I lost that week didn't count for the competition.

Our first family weigh in and Sunday dinner was hosted by my sisters Cady and Erinn. While the weigh in was happening there was a decent amount of groaning. Some of us were even chubbier than we thought.

The weigh in may have been lack luster, but dinner was fabulous.

My oldest son Evan is vegan so Cady made two dinner options. Both were delicious.

The vegan option was squash, chick pea and red lentil stew. You can find the recipe here.  The entree of the evening for carnivores was wine and tomato braised chicken. You can find that recipe here. Both recipes are from the website Eating Well. I have tried several recipes from there and have enjoyed them all. Both dishes were low calorie and nutritious.

Most of us are using My Fitness Pal to track our calories and exercise. Sometimes I think that it is a little generous with calories burned for working out, but other than that I find it very helpful.

A few of us have joined the YMCA, some of us are walking, doing kettle ball work outs or using the elliptical at home.

Cady dances at the gym.

Also in case there is any confusion. Here is a disclaimer. We have no idea what we are doing. We are just working together to make healthy choices, work out and still enjoy food. None of us claim to have any advice or that what we are doing is the only or best way. It is just our way.