Hi Everyone, I am happy with my results from the first half of the contest but I find myself slightly behind the pace I set as a goal in the beginning. I am totally focused on the diet during this journey with a solid plan that will help me as a successful maintainer. My halfway result is a loss of 25lbs, but I am still miles away from the healthy weight I need to reach as a healthy maintainer. I am still about 45lbs away from the weight loss number I reached 4 years ago. I felt great at that weight and all of my clothes were big on me with nothing that was tight. Anyone that has struggled with weight knows what I am talking about. Goals are important, and even if I don't reach this goal by the end of the contest I will continue on this diet plan for life. One of the things that you realize as a person that struggles with weight is that being on a diet never ends. This is the most important lesson that I learned after gaining back the weight that I worked so hard to loss 4 years ago. We come from a society that wants instant results and unfortunately, Weight Loss takes time and a lot of hard work and sacrifice. One of my favorite sayings is as follows: No Food Tastes As Good As Thin Feels! Good luck and Be Strong! Bob

Hi Everyone, I wish everyone good luck as we get close to the halfway point. For anyone that is struggling to hit the 5% here is a tip. Your diet for the next 12 days needs to be as follows: Chicken, Fish, Veggies, Fruit, yogurt and cottage cheese. This is the basics of the 17 day diet. Get the book from the library, its free!! Good Luck and Be Strong!! Bob 

Hi Everyone, I have hit the Plateau Wall and I must fight through it. I have been near perfect with my diet and I must ramp up the exercise. I went to the gym today and did my 30 minute run with the Couch to 5K program. I learned about this great training program that will help you run a 5K race in 9 weeks. The first week it will have you running for 1 minute (8 times) with a 1 1/2 minute walk in between. Then each week it ramps you up until you reach a 30 minute run in week 9. Go to  c25k.com  to download the files. I ran a 5k race 4 years ago (No Stopping) at a much lighter weight and today it was not easy to complete because I am carrying an extra 50 pounds of body weight, and it just needs to go. I ran so extra slow and easy that there was a man on the track that power walked right past me many times. I guess that proves that you can either walk or run. Just get moving! Good Luck and Be Strong! Bob

Hi Everyone, I just completed a week of travel for work and this means eating out every day with your normal routine interrupted. I focused on making salad choices for lunch and dinner along with evenings of exercise at the YMCA. My days started early with many stops and I would arrive back at the hotel at the end of a long day ready to rest up for the next day. I just went on the News Herald website and the second weigh in results are posted on the Lighten Up in 2014 page. We certainly have results that are all over the place and I think I am landing somewhere in the middle of the pack. We have some impressive leaders in the group and as we continue moving forward in this journey, I applaud there dedication. This is not easy and I am very fortunate to be part of such a wonderful contest. Good luck and Be Strong! Bob