From 257lbs To 151.2lbs ... and I'm just getting started.

2009, it's over already? I'm beyond ready to say I've prevailed in this journey ... but, I'm not done. 125lbs - I'm coming, and with a figgity-vengeance ;) ... I'm seeking continued growth in understanding that which comprises both my physical and mental well-being. So, you can certainly anticipate more transparencies with me in the new year (I guess that counts as a resolution?) ... until then, wishing you all a very Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, Motivated (and anything else I missed ...lol) New Year!!!~PC

2009 Celebrity WEIGHT LOSS Winners ...

Drumroll, please! People Magazine's notable celebrity weight loss stories of the year include:

Talk show host and model Tyra Banks, stunned her audience, fans and weight critics this season - strutting on stage muscular and 30lbs lighter ...

Daughter of rockstar and reality tv castmember Kelly Osbourne, dropped 20lbs on her nearly-won run of this season's "Dancing With the Stars" ...

Comedienne and talk show host, Mo'nique ... down a dramatic 45lbs and enjoying her new figure and leash on life.

List also highlights: songstress Jennifer Hudson, film director Peter Jackson, actresses Nia Vardalos and Ellen Pompeo, singer Elvis Costello, super model (and new mommy) Heidi Klum.

Photo Credits + Source: People.com "Celebrity Weight Loss Winners"
~PC

KiannaLuv21: 40lb WEIGHT LOSS Success Story (Before + After)

I ran across her story initially through blogtv. From 170lbs to 130lbs ... her amazing transformation, follows. CONGRATS!!! ~PC

"Men may have loved it but I did not love the way I felt, my health was starting to decline."

Reach Kianna:
Personal Site: http://www.kiannaluv21.com/
FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kiannaluv
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kiannaluv21
Ning: http://iheartme.ning.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/fragilestone

Saturday ... Pigeon-toed, Don't Care.

I hit the park today (snaps of the escapade below) and saw one of my fiance's frat brothers (a runner), so we stopped and chatted some. Well it rained yesterday, so the path was muddy and as we were finishing up the convo he goes to say ... I'd be easy to track down because the footprints I left in the mud were pigeon-toed, lol. People are going to start respecting me in 2010 ... mark my words! ~PC

L: Green Leaf Mix, 4Tbsps Cottage Cheese, 2 Tuscan Flatbreds, 1/2 Cup of Soy Milk w/ Vanilla Protein Powder

S: Kiwi, Greek Strawberry Yogurt

B: Kashi Almond Flax, Red Pear

S: Luna Blueberry Bliss Granola


D: Brown Rice Chicken Stir Fry

Calories: 1,379
Water: 84oz
Veg + Fruit Servings: 5
Exercise: 4.1 Miles Intervaled Outdoor Jog/Run/Walk ... Last song playing on the MP3: "Bedrock" by Young Money ...
Blacklick Woods - Columbus, Ohio 12.26.09

TLC's "One Big Happy Family" - New Weight Loss Series ...



A new docuseries featuring the Coles; a black family of 4 in Charlotte, NC that collectively weighs in at 1,376 pounds.

"Chronicling in 6 episodes Norris (340lbs), a stay-at-home father, wife Tameka (380lbs) - who is responsible for financially supporting the family while also serving as the disciplinarian for their two children; 16yo Amber (348lbs) and 14yo Shayne (308lbs)."

Sans the assistance of a trainer or nutritionist, the family will independently begin their path to weight loss and better health - within their normal lives ... as normal as cameras will allow of course ... lol. ~PC

Premiers on TLC - Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 9:00pm (EST)



TV Preview Podcast - "One Big Happy Family"

Vid: Style Network's RUBY 2010 Season Premier ...

Absolutely my favorite of the lifestyle/weight loss reality shows. Returning Sunday, February 14, 2010 - America's sweetheart begins her search to "remember". ~PC

OFF PLAN? No Ma'am + Groceries ...



Just a few things I picked up today ... Someone (my nagging 'you don't need to lose another pound' aunt) asked was I going to go off plan, since the year was coming to an end. "You've lost weight, you workout, just take a week off." Ummm, no? I think I'm falling in love with this lifestyle ... Crazy, I know ;P ~PC

Silk Soy Milk Light
WheatThins Tuscan Flat Bread
Arnold's Whole Grain Sandwich Thins
Apples
Oranges
Pears
Kiwis
Asparagus
Squash
Frozen Brown Rice
Frozen Cut Corn
Frozen Broccoli/Cauliflower/Carrot Mix
Frozen Seasoned Stir Fry Veggies
ChiChi's Whole Wheat Tortillas
Kraft All Natural Shredded Cheese (Blend)
Kroger Noodles & Vegetable Soup
Campbell's Roadhouse Chili
Kashi Go Lean Crunch Almond Flax
Private Selection Dried Fruit & Nuts
Low Fat Cottage Cheese

Not Pictured:
Salmon
Boca Chik'n Patties
Boca Garden Burger
WW Smart Ones
Lean Cuisines

Vid: HOT MESS FITNESS ... Really?


(via The Black Fitness Blog) Bats, profanity, name-calling ... all key to a 100% weight loss success rate? Personal trainer "King James" thinks so ... implementing a brash approach in his female, boot camp-styled trainings.


I know we must do better ... but is this taking the 'tear down, to build up the community' philosophy, too far? I did get a chuckle out of him having nicknames ... I see you "Jello"! To my understanding, this is just a pitched reality show ... I don't foresee any networks jumping on this one, sorry. ~PC

Plus-Size MODEL Crystal Renn Does Elle Mag ...

Author of "Hungry: A Young Models Story of Appetite, Ambition and Ultimate Embrace of Curves" and model will be gracing the pages of the high fashion publication, ELLE (Can.) in January 2010. Tocarra in Vogue, Kate Dillion (and crew) in Glamour ... I'm sensing a trend. Spread preview and a snippet from her book, on her weight epiphany - below. ~PC

"At 17 my body completely rebelled. I couldn’t loose more weight and I realized I was going to die for a job. The next day I was completely chastised by my agency for my size and one agent pulled me aside and said, “There’s an option for you. You can either go plus-size or do commercial work.” And I asked, “What’s plus-size modeling? I’ve never heard of that.” And she said, “Well it means you can be whatever size you want and model.” But she said it was for old women! But for whatever reason, everything made sense and I knew this was the route I had to take. I went and had a salad with salmon and walnuts and olive oil. I gave into what my body needed. I could be healthy and happy and still model.," says Crystal.

Video: OVERWEIGHT and Unemployed (Dr. Nancy)

Brief discussion on the geographic parallels to obesity and unemployment. Also, a take on potential employers fearful of hiring overweight or obese individuals, due to anticipated health-related expenses/liabilties. ~PC

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

2 Simple Tricks: The Weight Loss SCAM ...

The Set-Up: You notice an ad online (targeted in my case, tisk tisk Google), or over the radio airwaves (shame on you Cathy Hughes) purporting this belly fat/weight loss/colon cleanse for weight loss miracle worker. They take time to compassionately insult you; your lifestyle, your "repulsive figure" and let you know that the wait is over (yes, Rihanna) ... added, with no change in diet or activity.

Free or Risk-Free: The biggest eye-catching tool is to drop the F-word; FREE! Their product is so efficient that they're going to let me try it free, knowing I'll be back - how reassuring. Even to the one always seeking a hook-up, this is an opportunity to get something free and then just cancel. If it were only that simple ... touché .

Limited Time or the First x Amount of Callers: Urgency is another attention-grasping marketing element. You feel like an insider upon finding a nice deal or better yet, something of no cost before it reverts back to full value. Sort of how I felt when I got Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue" for a limited time offer of 40% off, called everyone who paid full price "suckers" ... read it, and wanted those few hours of my life back. Fact is, these ads aren't monitored in response times. If they say you have 5 mins remaining ... refresh the page or call the next day and the offer/scam will still likely be there. Online, the clocks are rigged to go super slow towards the last few minutes ... lol ... 1 second morphs into 10.

What "THEY" Don't Want You To Know About: A corny radio spot, is gong to reveal to little 'ole me - something the government doesn't want me to know about? How kind of you Kevin Trudeau. I am about to be the most enlightened woman in the U.S., who was just a moment ago singing along to 'Single Lades' (FYI my man 'liked it'). Listen, if the government didn't want you to know about it ... you wouldn't. *looks over shoulders*

Exclusive: There's another tactic online that requires you to fill out a questionnaire to see if you qualify. You answer average queries, to be told "Congratulations!". You're of the selected few who made the cut to use our exclusive item. It's so powerful, we can't give it to everyone. Oh, this is also often baited with an incentive to actually pay you $1,500 as a tester. Which in turn requires you to hand over shipping fees, first.

Shipping: I'm goin' in! You're sold and notified that you will only be responsible for small shipping and handling charges (could've sworn you said it was free). At this point, you'll witness a range of $5.95-$9.99 charged to your account, and that's okay. Now you wait, and by the time you receive your 1 rule/2 trick package - there's another charge to your account. For the full price of the product this time ... upwards of $80, thanks to the automated renewal. Your "free trial" period begins the day you place the order, not the time you actually receive the product.

Fine Print: You're mad, confused even ... but the fine print (and it's minuscule alright) - outlines the validity and timing of these new, or to your understanding, premature charges.

The Cancellation Number: Many of these companies have a separate number to cancel your mistake (I mean order). Some reportedly with hold times of up to an hour long! This is definitely one of those - charge your cell while you talk, situations. Don't think about trying to be slick and call the enrollment number to cancel ... they will answer rapidly, just to transfer you back to the daunting cancellation line. At this time, expect rude customer service and attacks on your intelligence - because you didn't read the fine print. You know, that fine print overshadowed by bright greens and purples and cascades of ripped abs. Or that disclaimer quickly spewed to you as you're driving in your car, trying to get in on the steal (literally, unbeknownst to you).

Fine[r] Print: So you've cancelled, may have gotten one of the charges reversed. And working on placing a block on the company in regards to your bank or credit account. All is well, considering. Then you see another egregious charge from a new suspicious entity! In the finer print, during your enrollment you also signed up for a bogus free trial lifestyle management/support service operated by the same company, but through an alias or sister division. Repeat "The Cancellation Number".

Damage Control: After Oprah's lawsuit and others that followed over false sponsorship of açaí items this year, it's getting trickier to discover new ways to reel people in. They're playing role-reversal, almost ... a 'reporter' exposing açaí products. The 'reporter' ordered her free trial and towards the end supported it concluding her investigation. Albeit, in the exact same format of those fake blogs. In addition, when scams related to weight loss items are posted by consumers on public forums (i.e. ripoffreport.com), the same "it worked for me/I didn't have any problems" posts are basically copy and pasted as a reply in the sea of angered complaints.

I think I shared before how I had little sympathy for Madoff victims (dodges stones) ... as in, you're expecting unrealistic returns on little to no work ... a free trial and a few simple tricks to weight loss? ... #comeonson. If a product had so much merit it would sell itself. They wouldn't have to play these games, no? Before you drop moulah or headaches on an overpriced laxative, loosely regulated supplement or megashake (Nutty Professor) ... I've got 2 simple tricks ...

1. Eat Clean
2. Get Moving

... now that was free, no really ... lol ~PC

LINKS: Sara Rue = Jenny's Muse, SlimFast = SickFast, Jared + The NETS!

... just a few stories w/ links that caught my eye this week ~PC

1. 'EastGate' + 'Popular' <-(loved that show, back in HS ... lol) plus-sized beauty Sara Rue, is next up to join team Jenny Craig. Kissing 7lbs thus far - goodbye. [Source: People Mag]

2. A voluntary recall of 10 million "ready to drink" SlimFast units was issued in Canada + the US ... :/ due to contaminants. [Source: Slim-Fast.com]

3. Subway's golden child - Jared Fogle, gained a few pounds. I'd be tired of subs by now too. Just saying. [Source: Huffington Post]

4. The New Jersey Nets after 18 straight losses, finally got a win this season. I know it's not weight-related ... but it's worth linking ... lol [Source: NY Times]

GYM Membership Tip$ ...

I live for my gym. Once a petrifying thought, is now a desire ... lol. But, attendance is not always feasible pursuant to schedules and even personal finances. Should the latter be your reluctance ... check the below tips ...

1. Negotiate: After the lovely tour of the facility, and before you squeal a "WTF?" at your quoted fees, know that (like cars on the showroom floor) membership costs can be haggled! The gym sector is fiercely competitive, combined with the fact most employ a commissioned sales team. This makes a prime opportunity for negotiations. Never, ever-ever settle for the standard package.
2. Reduced Contracts: Many major gyms offer shorter or even non-contract options. These can be a bit pricier than a pro-rated estimate, but if you're new to gyms, it can be worth paying a little more for a few months ... until you're sure you'll continue.
3. Off-Peak/Special Hours: Look for gyms that provide cheaper memberships during "off-peak"/low attendance hours. If it's possible for you to visit the gym during the daytime, or on weekends, you may be able to slash the cost.
4. Employer Discount: My gym membership is a result of my company's partnership on health initiatives. I literally pay 1/2 the price. Inquire with your HR department, whether your employer offers such.
5. Health Insurance: Some insurers sponsor gym discounts to it's subscribers. Whether directly or through your premium. It's a minor investment for them, to stave off preventable-illness expenses.
6. Free Passes: Before you sign your name on that dotted line, take advantage of free trials. They will definitely be out there, come January 1st. And be advised, that some sales reps will still proposition you during this lapse. Some with better deals than average, if you've proven to be a semi-regular during the free pass. Just remember, negotiate! ;)

~PC

My WORKOUTS + Multiple Sclerosis

I feel fearless running, then my foot will "drop" and I'll trip, pull off a J-Lo and keep going. Or around mile 4 my right leg will become completely stricken with parathesias. And let's not forget my "woman down" moments when my trig flares up and excruciating pain consumes the right side of my face ... and I'm basically good for nothing!

I recently received an email asking about how I handle MS symptoms and a workout routine. I'm blessed to be independently functional, being relatively in the early stages of this disease, considering it's chronic fate. So, the biggest thing for me in all of this is, learning my body. I push myself because I can, I fall back when I know I need to. That's it. I often modify intensity, and greatly value my rest days during relapses.

Now, Winter and Fall are my pleasured seasons for outdoor workouts, because of the cooled temperatures (heat intolerance with MS). While at the gym, the machines with embedded fans are what I gravitate towards. I also, always carry ice water during sessions. Following workouts, as a precautionary measure - I often shower in cold water to aide in the reversal of nerve inflammation. In conjunction, I was put on a Vitamin D & Calcium regimen by my Neuro/MS Specialist - until I can successfully get adequate amounts in my diet, through food. The mix is said to be effective in reducing quasi-exacerbations. Consult your physician, before considering any of the aforementioned!

Symptoms come and go in my life ... and since I can't stand finicky people, I'll treat them like I would a person who did the same, lol. Give it the least amount of attention as possible. It helps me cope. It may take us 'longer' to arrive at our fitness and weight goals, but we CAN do it too! Yes, MS is my reality ... but still ... no excuse ... ;o) ~PC

Lincoln University DROPS Mandatory Course for Obese ...

Follow-up to the "Obese Lincoln University Student (Course) Mandates" story, it's been DROPPED as a requirement for graduates, but will remain a recommendation. ~PC

(via) Philadelphia Daily News: "Lincoln Nixes Fat Course"

[The Lincoln University faculty voted yesterday to end a controversial fitness-course requirement for obese students - at least for now. The "Fitness for Life" course will now be recommended to certain students after they take a freshman-wellness course that is required for all students, James L. DeBoy, chairman of Lincoln's department of health, physical education and recreation, said last night...

DeBoy said a number of faculty members were upset that the policy undermined the principles on which the school was founded because it "separated or sorted out" obese students, he said. Many faculty were also upset that the "fat course," as students dubbed it, brought international negative attention last month to Lincoln, a historically black school in Oxford, Chester County.

The university had sent e-mails to about 80 seniors telling them they had to take the fitness course or couldn't graduate. Now, overweight seniors will be asked to consider taking the course next semester, DeBoy said." Full Article ]