A Walk From Obesity Take 2 (2 long that is)

As mentioned in a previous post, Nathan and I signed up to participate in Oklahoma City's first Walk from Obesity. Together with some friends and family, Nathan and I walked around the OKC Zoo (pachyderms and wild cats to be exact) on Saturday morning. I personally had a lot of fun even though it was not that long of a walk. They had a live band and about 75 to 100 walkers. Most of the people were those who had lost weight and their families.

The Blais Belly Busters were in full force with our matching t-shirts. I thought it was funny that the walk was set up much like a marathon. There was a water stop about half way through and when you finished, they offered water and orange slices. I was a little disappointed I didn't receive one of those cool aluminum foil blankets to keep all of my body heat in after my short jaunt, but I guess I will just have to actually RUN a marathon to get one of those. Seeing as that will probably NEVER happen, maybe I can just make my own out of some Reynold's wrap. I could sport it around the house when I get home from walking in the evenings. Sexy!

It was so encouraging to have people around me that I know support me in my battle. I felt so empowered that I have come this far and have no intention of stopping now. It's like a whole new ME! I've never really been this successful at losing weight and keeping to it. It really has become a lifestyle change for me, not just a fad diet. Walking this weekend made me realize that this was a long term fight for my health and for the relationships in my life that are important to me.

As promised, I want to do a few Thank Yous to everyone who supported me. I really appreciate everyone who registered and donated to walk with us and I also appreciate those who gave us my favorite gift of all: M-O-N-E-Y! I want you to know that each and every one of you really showed me how much you care. Hopefully, I'll be able to repay you for the wonderful gift you've given me.

THE BLAIS BELLY BUSTERS TEAM:

Mom: Thank you for encouraging me week after week. Your dedication to your own battle from obesity is so inspiring.

Sue: Your presence at the walk was heart-warming. Knowing that you stand behind me try after try is encouraging. I know that you don't HAVE to be the way you are... you just are. I'm so lucky to have a mother in-law who loves me so much.

Brooke and Derek: What can I say about the two of you? Your friendship has been such a blessing to our lives. I can't imagine any big event without you being a part of it. Friends like you are a once in a lifetime gift that Nathan and I will never take for granted. Thank you for all of your support in the walk, in my weight loss journey, and in our everyday lives. Nathan and I love you guys more than I can type out.

Van: First of all, you are too cute! You make me want to snuggle with you everyday. You are so lucky to have the parents that you do. Thank you for getting up early and sitting in your walking-briskly-stroller even though crazy Ms. Jacqui was pushing you in circles.

My Husband: I love you so so much. I know that seeing me fail in the past over and over has not been easy for you. I know that you could have given up on me many times when I've told you, "No really, I mean it this time." Thank you for believing in me this ONE LAST TIME. Your unconditional love goes unmatched. I know that you are proud, you tell me everyday. But, what I want you to know is that I am so proud to call you my husband. I am definitely the lucky one. I love you so.

I want to also thank all of my friends and family that so unselfishly gave to my cause:

Jessica and John: Wow! This past couple of years has been so great. Getting to have you join my list of people I love has definitely been MY pleasure. Nathan and I feel so lucky to have the both of you as friends. Thank you so much for encouraging me; except for John and all of his "1 point foods."

Julia: Thank You ! Thank You! Thank You! Your donation meant so much. I know we don't know each other that well, but your support was overwhelming. My biggest donor! You have such a beautiful heart to go along with your beautiful smile (and hair, I'm always jealous of your hair).

Missy: My Weight Watcher Work Buddy! Say that 5 times fast! Everyday is so much easier knowing that I have you to confide in. Thank you for joining me on this journey. It truly has made a huge difference in my success. I am so happy that you are reaching your goals. You deserve exactly what you give to others: the very best!

Crystal: You always keep me laughing. Thank you for supporting me. I know it must be tiresome listening to Missy and I day after day. Thanks for putting up with us.

Sandie: Bet you didn't think you'd actually read about yourself on my blog. Well, here you are. Thank you for your donation and also for the uplifting comments at work. It is a great boost to know that others notice my hard work.

Jane and Jim: You guys are the greatest! Thank you for thinking of me. I always know that I have the two of you to count on. You both are such fantastic role models for Nathan and myself. We love you guys so so much.

Brandon: We miss you! It's hard having you so far away. It was such a great surprise to see your name on my honor roll. I'm honored that you thought of me and so thankful to have such a loving brother-in-law.

And just in case you're wondering: Bladcoxerson WW Contest Update #3 : -1.4 lbs. this week to make 2.96% since the beginning of the contest. That dang Brooke is keeping me on my toes.

Bladcoxerson WW Contest Week 2 Results

If inquiring minds want to know, I'm just letting Brooke think that she's winning our little reverse New Year's weight loss contest. Just because I haven't posted, doesn't mean I'm not losing. I'm spending too much time losing weight to be able to post. Yeah that's it!

I do need to kick it into gear though. I have a feeling this may be a stiffer competition than originally expected. Since we're doing it the fair way, everything is based off the percentage of weight loss, not just the number of shed pounds. For me, this kinda sucks. I figure I have to lose at very minimum twice the amount she does. Being fair stinks.

Speaking of Fair, I didn't go this year. I don't really like to spend money on games and I don't "do" fair rides. The best thing about the fair is the food; which is exactly why I didn't go. If I want to lose weight for the week, I KNOW that I can't go over my points even for ONE day. So no corn dogs or Indian tacos for Liz. Sad isn't it. I heard they had wine slushies there this year. I'm sorry, but wine in the form of frozen yumminess is just too much for me to resist.

Our other silent competitor, John, is doing good too. He's taking the sneaky ninja approach to the contest. He likes to call on Tuesday nights and pretend to talk to Nathan, while we both know he's calling to report his weigh-in results. I'm on to him!

I'm so proud to be in this group of friends. Contest aside, it's important to me that we all be healthy and help each other together. In the long run, after I spend my fifty-dollar prize, I will be able to enjoy their company for a long, healthy life. And have a trophy. I like trophies.

My results for week 2 of the contest: 7.8 lbs. lost for a total of 2.5%

My results since beginning WW: 30.6 lbs. lost for a total of 9.2%

The Return of the Weather Quiz

Hi All! Sorry for the delay in posting.....I got blog apathy, but just got over it today! Here are the answers and winners to last MONTH'S quiz....each question was worth one point:

Highest Temperature- 136 degrees, Libya, 1922
*Winner-Mark & Pam, 138 degrees

Lowest Temperature- 128 below zero, Antarctica, 7/21/83
*Winner-Laura, 120 below zero

Highest Wind Speed- approx 318MPH (+/- 18MPH), Bridge Creek, OK, 5/3/99
*Winner-Mark & Pam, 350MPH

Most Rain One Minute- 1.5", Guadeloupe, Carribean Sea, 1970
*Winner- Mark & Pam, 2"

Most Rain One Day- 74", Reunion Island, Indian Ocean
*Winner- Liz, 72"

Most Rain One Year- 1,042", India, Aug. 1860-1861
*Winner- Jessica, 1,080"

And a couple of other cool unrelated facts to ponder:

Biggest One Day Temperature Change- 100 degrees
44 degrees to 56 below zero, Browning, MT, 1/23/1916

Fastest Temperature Change- 4 below zero to 45 above zero in 2 minutes
Spearfish, SD, 1/22/1943

Standings before the last week!

Mark&Pam......5
Liz..................4
Derek............3.5
Brooke...........2
Jessica...........2
John...............2
Laura.............1
Jim.................1
Crystal..........0.5

By the way, Jim gets a point for letting me use some really cool power equipment last Saturday to blow up our tree wells in the backyard to plant grass seed.

Here is the LAST QUESTION!!!

Now you can be as wrong as I usually am! Tell me what the high temperature is going to be on October 10th in OKC at Will Rogers Airport. You're answer has to be in before September 27th. If you are closest you win. That's it. The winner gets a blog written about them. Previous points mean NOTHING! Happy guessing!

A Fly On The Wall

If you would have held a glass and your ear up to our wall last night, you may have heard some "interesting" things said. Thought I'd share a few, because after thinking back, it would have been funny to be on the other end of the glass.

"Hold on, I've got to go talk to Shady."
"We don't hit each other as much as we USED to."
"Does it look red to you?"
"She looks like she has rabies."

And my favorite quote from The Blais' House last night:

Elizabeth to Nathan ............."You'll have to put Vaseline on your nipples."

Reunion CHAIRperson

Just thought I'd share with you a look at the chair I DIDN'T fall out of at my reunion meeting like last time. Maybe my home-turf was a big plus. I know many of you were concerned.

As a side note:

Can you tell I've just learned how to download pictures from our digital camera to the computer? I love technology...when I figure out how to use it.

What My Starbucks Says About Me

So in order to avoid cleaning my house last night for a high school reunion meeting this evening, I gathered some of my peeps together for a sweet fix at Starbucks. In my attempt to use my last 4 Weight Watcher points of the day in the most efficient fashion, I scoured the SB website to plan my ordering in advance. After thirty minutes of mouth-watering drop-down boxes and not so mouth-watering nutrition information, I selected one of my safe go-to faves: "A grande sugar-free non-fat cinnamon dolce latte extra hot." MMMM...tasty!

After my selection, I found THIS WEBSITE that tells you what your personality is based on what you order at Starbucks. Here's what mine says about me:

Personality type: High Maintenance. You pride yourself on being assertive and direct; everyone else thinks you're bossy and arrogant. You're constantly running your mouth about topics that only you would find interesting. Your capacity for wasting other people's time is limitless. Your friends find you intolerable, that's why they're plotting to kill you.

Also drinks: Water. Bottled, chilled, with four ice cubes, a twist of lemon, in a crystal glass.

Can also be found at: Trendy martini bars

I would have to agree with parts of it. I AM high maintenance. I want things the way I want them; which just so happens to be the best way. Go figure. I would say I am pretty bossy and I definitely run my mouth. I would also agree I waste people's time. I'm wasting your time and brain cells by making you read this right now. And I do like water. I'm not so fond of martinis, but I do like the cute glasses. Close enough I guess. Tell me what your Starbucks says about you.

Here were a couple of my SB buddies:

Van had a tall luke-warm Similac no whip and Derek had a Venti Maggie Moo's ice cream from next door. Needless to say, neither one of them is in the Bladcoxerson Weight Watcher Contest.

Do's and Dont's

A few Do's and Dont's I've learned since the last time I blogged a very long, long, long time ago. Hopefully, this will make up for my blogger-laziness.

DO celebrate big birthdays with a good friend. DO make said friend feel really really old with a special gift basket full of old-man essentials.

Don't worry youngins, you can depend on 30 year-old John to smell Irish spring fresh the next time you have to help him use his denture cleaner after a bout with prunes. He may, however, not be able to finish a large-print crossword puzzle before a little preparation-H after his afternoon fiber pill. It's okay though. He'll change into a clean white tee and fresh black knee socks in order to take you out to spend his $30 in ones after filling up his pill case for the week.

DON'T go to Shogun's or have cookie-cake the night before your Weight Watcher weigh-in morning. It's NOT pretty.

DO thank your mother-in-law for teaching your husband to wrap presents perfectly. DO something nice for your husband after he wraps YOUR friend's shower favors until 11:30 at night.

DO make other people's friends your friends. DO make plans with savvy people to start your own event planning business. DO whatever you can to make a bride-to-be feel special.

DO use any excuse you can to have a chocolate fountain!! Nothing says lovin' like flowing chocolate.

DON'T plan a shower during an OU game.

(Nice Toes! ...Nice Tread-Marks!)

DON'T ever assume that the driver will make sure you're IN!! the car before stepping on the accelerator. DON'T call your husband to tell him what happened. He won't care. DO talk to your fully licensed physical therapist friend to make sure your foot will be there the next morning. DO laugh hysterically about the whole experience and DO drink peach champagne and go dancing at a bachelorette party to forget about it. Do, however, never let the driver forget about it. It's funny to see her squirm. Plus, you can use it to your advantage to get free salad coupons.