The idea to organize a Biggest Loser-type competition with some friends came to me in my sleep. I woke up, turned to Mike, and said, "I should organize a weight-loss thing, but it should include an entry fee, so someone can make like $100 for losing a little weight."
The final jackpot is $2180.
I didn't expect this idea to gain so much support after I announced it, but let me tell you one reason I'm glad it did: I encouraged all the participants to use the hashtag #biggestbloggingloser on Twitter, for support and community and to get to know each other, too, and now whenever I crave something sweet or something bubbly or something greasy and fatty, I click on that hashtag and am instantly inspired. Instantly re-motivated.
Strength in numbers. Oh yes.
It's not really about the money (okay, sure, it's a little bit about the money) but as my wise sister said: if you stop drinking a bottle of wine a week, if you stop eating out so often, if you stop mindlessly snacking on food you aren't hungry for, at the end of 12 weeks, you very well could save the amount of the jackpot.
I am proud to be a part of this group, and this group includes:
Caitlin (@HBapothecary)
Tammi (@tammimarie)
Kendall (@kngibbard03)
Alison (@rambocandy)
Kristie (@kristie999)
Lori (@Lori_V_F)
Kerri Anne (@kerrianne)
Anne (@annabellespeaks)
Katie (@kbaxterk)
Kate (@kategiovinco)
Heather (@heather_24)
Alicia (@JustVos)
Jenny (@JennyCook)
Moira (@themoira)
Maggie (@andtheducksaid)
Heather
Kristen
Ginger (@rambleginger)
Jen (@onenjen)
Zach
Kimberly (@kimberly_bilder)
Laurie
Tara (@taralynn404)
Emily (@EmilysHollow)
Amy (@justatitch)
Tara (@MrsDangelo)
Theresa (@bubbletearesa)
Nanette (@Nanette)
Nora (@hopeitkeepsup)
Danielle (@ant_danielle)
Jennifer (@jayesel)
Ashley (@akaleiart)
Carla (@CharlieSue)
April
Jennifer (@jigglefreejenn)
Dianna (@adoseoffabulous)
Whitney (@barbetti)
Karen (@karensugarpants)
Amy
Ali (@alimartell)
Gav (@gavmartell)
Jen (@jenbernardi)
Ashley (@ashleyb1182)
Katherine
Jessica (@jayjaysaidso)
Alexa (@alexaflotsam)
Laurie (@lauriewrites)
Kristin (@kristabella)
Carrisa (@andsosheblogs)
Jerilyn (@Serendipity75)
Erica (@alldressedup)
Melissa (@misplacedtexan)
Nicole (@notperfect)
Beth
Annie (@anneoftroy)
Amie (@Amie31)
Keri
Mia
Linda (@Sundry)
Crash Test Mommy (@crashtestmommy)
April (@jadetomato)
Michelle (@michelle12344)
Casey
Erin
Nichole
Victoria (@dinsdaleatlarge)
Elsha
Kristin (@OTOP)
Brandi (@brandi_b)
Caitlin
Michael (@phenom1984)
Parking at Home (@parkingathome)
Mona (@kirida)
Stephanie (@stefcia)
Lara (@purplelara)
Ann (@glamgranola)
TJ (@tjlafave)
Rachel
Saly (@saly)
Mary (@mimiallme)
Monkey
Kim
Cindy (@CASundberg)
Lisa (@heylardass)
Elizabeth
Diane (@gingermaxim)
Eilis (@TheWeazie)
Bob
Shari
Kelly (@kellylou)
Angela (@Aferg22)
Elizabeth
Wendy (@wAthleticMonkey)
Kate (@KateThorne)
Kelly (@craftyb)
Holly (@hollyburns)
Alice
Andrea (@alphamommy)
McFatPants (@mcfatpants)
AndreAnna (@modernmatriarch)
Jen
Micah (@micahkemp)
Megan (@mamabub)
Elizabeth (@ebj123)
Florencia
Heather (@sggonechubby)
Manda (@insidedog)
(Phew, that was a task!)
You know, donuts are delicious and the couch is way more comfortable than the treadmill, and it really should be commended when 100+ people band together and decide to do away with the tasty and the comfy and decide to change their lives and their waistlines instead.
Happy losing everyone!