Week Two: May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor.

This is like the Hunger Games. Minus all that business of kids killing each other. Okay, so maybe it is not like the Hunger Games at all.Most days I wouldn't kill my fellow participants for a snickers bar...but some days it is touch and go. In all actuality I am never hungry. Twigs and berries are very filling. Alright, I am not eating twigs and berries. I am eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies and lean meats. I have replaced white and bleached flours with whole grains. I am making sure that I am counting my calories and eating foods that will help me stay full longer. I am a fitness warrior.

Everyone is in full on competition mode now. Breakfasts have gone from grab and go or not at all to an intention meal to start the day. Lunches are packed and usually contain carrot sticks. Dinners are made from recipes that contain all the nutritional values. We are full steam into a healthy lifestyle. Well, most of us are.

While the rest of us eat dinner and then resist snacks or desserts afterward, my husband has had post dinner Ben and Jerry's twice this week. He has made some small changes like cutting out soda and using Stevia in his coffee instead of cream. He has also started walking in the evening. I, however, have become a gym demon. I go to the YMCA at least 5 times a week. I have met with a trainer and started a weightlifting. Just look at me. I am a beast.

That's right. That is my feet moving so fast on the treadmill that they are a blur. I am kicking some fitness butt. There is no way that my husband will beat me. He eats ice cream, I go hard.


The second weigh in was at my parent's house. Everyone weighed in privately in the bathroom so that they weren't obligated to share their weight. Most of us were excited to share the pound or two that we lost after a week of hard work.

You know who was most excited to share their weight loss success? My ice cream eating husband. He lost 4.2 lbs in the first week. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. I have treadmill feet of fury and he lost almost a pound more than me. Sometimes genders just ain't fair.

I am proud to say that in week one all 13 members of our family either lost weight or maintained their weights from the last week.

My mom made a delicious White Chicken Chili in both a meat and vegan version. Both were delicious and I recommend giving them a try.