Mkluka1's Blog

Nov 30 – Back on Track

mkluka1 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:34:29 +0000

Well it is Monday morning, the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. Leading up to Thanksgiving I was very busy and whenever I get busy it gets hard to get all my exercising in. I have to admit I also ate more than I should have. But things were different this time, I didn’t beat myself up for enjoying some food. Just because the contest is over, it doesn’t mean that I don’t want to continue on my weight loss journey. I know I need to get back on track and I am doing just that. On Thanksgiving, after dinner, I did take a brisk walk. I worked out Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I think that is key, you have to stay focused and determined. I had a great Thanksgiving and a wonderful experience winning and riding on a float in the Thanksgiving Day parade. I still can’t believe it!! But I am going to continue on the track I began September 1. Have a great day – Cyber Monday!!

Nov 26 – Oh What A Day!!

mkluka1 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:51:34 +0000

I hope you all had a chance to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you didn’t, I am happy to tell you that I was announced as the Biggest Loser-Detroit Edition. It was a super exciting day for me and my family!!! It began very early – we needed to be at the WDIV station at 7:30 a.m. My husband, John, and my three children – Julie, John & Kristen all came with me. My sisters, Joyce, Nancy, and Judy, along with my brother-in-law Steve and niece, Karra, were there also for the announcement. My fellow contestants were there also. We all agree we are all winners!! As soon as the announcement was made, I was whisked away in a golf cart to the Blue Cross float. I met many of the Blue Cross employees who were dressed as fruits and vegetables. They were walking along the float, which was a vegetable patch. I also met the winner of the Blue Cross employees weight loss contest. The designer of the float, Madison Niccolini, and I got on the float and started our way down Woodward Avenue. It was so much fun. I loved waving at all the parade watchers, especially the children. Along the way I saw neighbors, friends, family, and my fellow contestants!! This was definitely a once in a lifetime event for me and I savored every moment. I want to thank Blue Cross, WDIV and the Parade Company for sponsoring this event and allowing me to be a part of it. Thanks to all my family, friends , and work associates who have supported me through this journey — I didn’t realize how blessed I truly was with so many supportive people!! Special thanks to the Blue Cross coaches, Leah, Andrea, Karra and Tara. Extra special thanks to the two coaches that guided me to be a winner – Melissa & Jocelyn!!! Thanks to my husband and children for all their support!!! I am one happy person tonight and the Biggest Loser-Detroit Edition!! Thanks!

Nov 23 – Euchre

mkluka1 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:33:11 +0000

John and I hosted our neighborhood Euchre group Saturday night. We had eight couples playing and most of them I hadn’t seen in over a month and some longer. I was anxious for them to see me because I do feel good about my weight loss. I had a busy couple days cleaning and cooking for the party. I have been so busy exercising, some of my household chores were piling up. So no exercise for two days. I felt a little guilty, but Jocelyn told me it was fine to take a couple days off since the previous weeks I was exercising like crazy. For our Euchre group we have a light meal and snacks. I used some of the things I learned these last few months to make a healthy meal. Everything I made had a healthy choice option. For snacks I had a whole plate of fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. I think my guests enjoyed the meal choices also. My goal is continue to make smart food choices with lots of healthy options and keep my exercise routine going even with the busy holiday season coming up. Thanks again to Blue Cross and WDIV for all the support you have given me.

Nov 19 – Splurge!

mkluka1 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:53:56 +0000

Well the competition ended a couple days ago, but I am still recording what I eat and exercising. As I said this is a lifestyle change for me. On Monday night, to celebrate the completion of the contest, we ordered Chinese food. I am happy to say I measured out my rice and ate shrimp chop suey. I did splurge on the egg roll. I used to love egg rolls. My first bite into something a little forbidden on my program, and ugh it tasted greasy!! Did I just say that??? I was surprised I recognized it and didn’t just eat it. Sometimes I think I would just eat and not really taste my food. I did finish the egg roll and enjoyed it (not quite as much as I thought I would). I think it is important for everyone to splurge sometimes and have things they really want — just enjoy it, taste it and have a small portion!! Enjoy the splurges!

Nov 17 – Party Time!!

mkluka1 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:48:44 +0000

Yesterday was our final weigh in. Blue Cross and WDIV threw us a big party!! WDIV videotaped our final weigh in for broadcasting on Thanksgiving Day. Then we were greeted by all the Blue Cross staff and coaches as they cheered us as we entered the balloon filled, decorated room. We had a wonderful breakfast and all the contestants were given awards. The winner will be announced on Thanksgiving morning at the WDIV broadcast of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The announcement will be made by the Blue Cross CEO on WDIV before the parade begins. The winner will ride on the Blue Cross float. I can tell you we are all winners and have collectively lost a lot of weight!! I can also tell you that this is just the beginning of all of our weight loss journeys and every contestant is committed to continue losing weight. The contestants all agree, our Blue Cross coaches were instrumental in our weight loss! Thanks Blue Cross and WDIV and The Parade Company.

Nov 16 – Final Weigh In!!

mkluka1 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:46:56 +0000

In just a few short hours, we have our final weigh in. I am excited, nervous and anxious for this final weigh in. Also it will be bittersweet. I have made some good friends during this weight loss challenge – both contestants and coaches! We have met every week for the last 12 weeks. We plan to stay connected to follow each others weight loss in the future. Knowing that we will be weighing in each week does keep you on track. That “accountability” factor is very important in weight loss. It will be very important for me to stay accountable in what I eat, how much I exercise and my total weight amount. I am up for this challenge because I never, ever want to gain this weight back. I feel great!

Today’s weigh in is not until 9 am. Thanks again to my family and friends for all your support!

Nov 14 – Indian Summer

mkluka1 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:17:53 +0000

What a beautiful day — finally a warm Indian summer day. These are the days I really enjoy the changing seasons. I got up early to go shopping with my daughter for “community days”. It was fun purchasing clothes that were smaller. Sometimes shopping used to be a chore, buying large sizes was never fun. However, I have to say, I enjoyed myself today. Next it was off to a kick boxing class with both of my daughters. What a workout – one full hour of sweating to the music! I know two months ago I could not have done this class. It felt good to get that exercise in early in the day. It is so beautiful outside, I am going for a walk soon. Only TWO days left in the competition so no let up by me!! Wish me luck!

Nov 12 – Long Term Goals

mkluka1 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:32:57 +0000

It is hard to believe that the Biggest Loser Detroit Edition contest is coming to an end. Next Monday is our final weigh in with the winner being announced at the Thanksgiving Day Parade. I know that after this contest is done that I still have a lot of work to do. The last few days I have been asked many times “what will you do after the contest ends?”. My answer is to keep working on losing weight and maintaining my health. Short term goals are more attainable, but long term goals are necessary. I know that all the contestants in this contest have long term goals of continuing to lose weight. Collectively as a group we have lost over 200 pounds. I am proud of all of us. That being said I have to continue to focus and work hard to finish this contest. These last few days are my last chance workouts!! Thanks again for all your support – family, friends, neighbors, strangers, WDIV, The Parade Company, Blue Cross, and of course our Blue Cross coaches.

Nov 10 – Workout

mkluka1 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:08:18 +0000

This morning Octavia and I met with our Blue Cross coaches, Melissa and Joslyn to work out. WDIV was there videotaping us. A special guest helping us was Ken Dallafior, a former Detroit Lion player and current executive at Blue Cross. We had a a lot of fun. It is going to aired on the 5 pm news tonight on WDIV. Thanks Blue Cross and WDIV!

Nov 9 – Weigh-In Day

mkluka1 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:23:12 +0000

We are now down to our last week with one more weigh in. We all weighed in today, but we have to keep our loss a secret. This is building the suspense for the final winner. After our weigh in and breakfast, the six contestants went for a group photo shoot. We had our hair and makeup done by a stylist. Then we did the photo shoot. At first they were just still photos (kinda boring). Then they turned the music up and we did some fun shots. I had to admit I think we all looked awesome with quite a bit of weight gone from all of us. The photo is going to be turned into a billboard on Jefferson Avenue near the Blue Cross building. It is also going to be used in the April 2010 edition of the Blue Cross “Healthy Living” magazine!! The six of us have become a close-knit group, and we look forward to remaining friends and continuing our weight loss journey together. Stay tuned — one week to the final weigh in! I am going to continue to stay focused and motivated knowing how many people support me. Thanks!