Friday

HOT FOR THE HOLIDAYS! (Here we go, ladies!!)


Oh, as you may know, I've been excited about this for a long time now. I hope you will join me for the newest challenge here at Baby Tea Leaves!

Hot for the Holidays!!


Why "Hot for the Holidays" you ask? Good question. I have this thing about holiday parties. I love them. Lurrrve them, actually. And two years ago, when we went to my husband's holiday party, I had the worst time ever. I had a hideous black dress (I looked like a fat Elvira, seriously). This year, I want to be the hot wife. You know, the one with the hot dress, the one people whisper about near the open bar, saying things like, "Can you believe she's had two kids?"

Yes, I'm that shallow. Oh no I'm not (stay with me here). Because here's my little disclaimer: Yes, I'm proud of myself no matter what; I have set and reached a few of my goals this year regarding weightloss and lots of you joined me in doing so. I've come out the other side stronger and healthier and I'm greatful. (And if you join us on this next quest, I guarantee you will feel this too.) However, I've still got more to go, and darn it, I'm going to do it. Once and for all. And yes, "Hot for the Holidays" sounds like it implies being happy about your appearance as opposed to the inside, but we all know that it's really how we feel inside that counts, right? Anyway, I want this to be fun for us and I think "Hot for the Holidays" has a fun kind of "ring" to it. So I ask you again, won't you join me?

I've got some really fun rules this time. Truly. This time, we're really doing it together. And I mean that.

Instead of everyone tracking their own weight this time around and working toward a personal goal, we're going collective. That's right. Here's what I mean.

Did you know that in the Summer of Me competition, we collectively lost about 85 pounds?? That's awesome! Talk about progress! So this time: we're all going to work toward one HUGE goal, which means when you lose weight, we all lose weight. But here's the catch. When you gain, we all gain. Yep! Crazy isn't it?
Here are the rules:

-There will be one fat ticker and it will be on my blog (you can still have one, but it's not mandatory for the contest this time as it has been in weeks past).
-The goal will be set for 500 pounds. Yes, ladies. We are going to try to collectively lose 500 pounds. Of course, the more people who join us, the easier that will be. But if a handful of us lost 85 pounds in 4 1/2 weeks (the winner lost 16 pounds and won a Wii Fit! how cool is that!)), can you imagine the damage a bunch of us can do in 3 months?????
-To get started: slap the challenge button on your sidebar:


Hot for the Holidays


The challenge starts Monday, September 8th and continues through to Friday, December 5th. Yes, it is a long time. But there is a lot of work to do! So let's get started! Rome wasn't built in a day!

-Each Friday, we will weigh in. Comment here on Fridays with your pounds lost or gained for the week (no worries -- you don't have to display your actual weight for the entire world-- I'm not that crazy!)

-At the end of each Friday, I will announce our entire collective weight loss and ceremoniously move the ticker (hopefully in the direction toward our goal.)

-That means, if you lost, we all lost!! Hurrah!! But if you gained, that means we all gained, too. Boooo! Which means the amount of work someone did one week to lose could be counter-balanced by the amount of non-work someone else did to gain! (Isn't that stinky??) But honestly, what could be more motivating than knowing that you're a team, working toward your own personal goal as well as for the group's? I mean, it is an Olympic year for Pete's Sake! (Who's Pete, by the way?) If you need mental motivation, think of Michael Phelps and his amazing relay team's Gold Medal!!!!! Think of this as a weight-loss relay. However well you do will only improve the chances of the team's winning!

-But seriously. If you gain one week, no biggie! Don't be shy about it either! Please, do tell us and please, do weigh-in with it! We need honesty here! And we will honestly help you pick up and move on. It's a "we're all in this together" thing. Wasn't it Jack Dawson in Titanic who said, "You jump, I jump" ??

So what's a challenge without prizes?

-Each Friday there will be a random drawing and the winner will be chosen from those who commented by 8pm et. Sorry, if you're late, you won't be eligible for the prize drawing, but you can still weigh in late.

-There will also be one grand prize drawing at the Final Weigh In of the challenge on Friday, December 5th. It will be a random winner. The only catch is that you will have had to weighed in at least 10 times throughout the competition (There are 13 weigh ins) and I will verify that by counting the comments you've left at the previous Friday weigh-ins. If you don't meet that number, a second winner will be randomly chosen. So the earlier you join in on this, the better chance you have at winning the Grand Prize! Again, I ask, won't you join us?

Additional Participation:
-If you want to sponsor a prize or know someone who will sponsor a prize, please let me know. I will write up a post about the company or your blog in a separate post for all to see and link to the company, and/or blog, in my "sponsors" section on my sidebar.
-If you have a suggestion for a game (scavenger hunt, photo contest, anything to make it interesting for a particular week) let me know!
-You can e-mail me at christieo_7 at msn dot com for anything!


We've done two challenges already this year. The Spring Into Summer Slimdown was a complete success, as well as the Summer of Me Competition which completely exploded into a HUGE SUCCESS (we had a hugggge sponsor list and really cool prizes like a Wii Fit, a blog design, teeshirts, and much more!!). So let's close the year out with a bang, shall we?

Sign up here and let's get this started! I'll put a link to your blog on my sidebar and if you're a non-blogger, you can still join us! Good luck! Stay tuned for prize list...

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128 comments:

  1. *raises hand* ooooo, sign me up! funny how i started losing weight AFTER the summer of me challenge. but, i'm more determined this time :)

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  2. Hi Christie!

    8 weeks ago I gave birth to a wonderful daugther. She deserves a mom in shape - and my 2 year old son does, too. Not to forget the hubby =)

    In other words: COunt me in, please!

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  3. You know I'm in! And December 5th is my birthday (39...shudder)so it'll be a birthday present to me (and to hubby) to be "hot for the holidays. Thanks for hosting. I'd like to sponsor a prize again, but I have to think about what I want to sponsor, so bare with me on that.

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  4. Ok, I'm in this time :)
    No Hawaiian vacations in my future, so I think I will sign up!

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  5. Totally in! I need the extra motivation. I've gained a couple of pounds back since your last challenge ended. But I'm already back on track. Can't wait for your next one to start.

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  6. Well, I think I need the motivation. I have totally crapped out since the last challenge ended. Sigh.

    Hey, speaking of prizes, I got my necklace and CDs today! Yay yay yay! Thanks. :) When I get my One More Mile tank, I'll put it on take a pic of myself with all my great prizes, then I'll post about it. (If it gets here in time, maybe I can bring a few more hawt mommas over for this challenge!)

    Hugs.

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  7. You NOW I'm in!! I am so excited... I too want to be the wife at the holiday party that looks HOT!!!

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  8. Thzak you so much for your warm welcome, Christie! I can't wait - obviously... posted a bloggy about "Hot for the Holidays" today (and realized I mentioned Frank, Luis and Lily deserve one hot momma, but I forgot to mention ME. Myself. I deserve it, too *g*)

    Have a great day and thanks for hosting this challenge!

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  9. I bowed out of the last one - just got too busy with the move and all but I'm sure I'm up for this one. I've now seen myself several times in a bathing suit and I have more motivation than ever. The weather will start cooling just a bit and I'll be walking more. I am so ready!!!!

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  10. I want to join in! My 2 youngest kids are going to start preschool this week and I am looking forward to having some "me" time to get myself back in shape! ;o)

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  11. Wow, Christie, I really *love* this idea! After my little vacation here and eating everything in sight, I will probably be back to needing to lose, so I think I'll play this time instead of being all unofficial or whatev. Fun, fun, fun idea.

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  12. I want to participate, too. With school back in session full swing, and my summer hibernation almost over.. I'm ready to get back into gear. I posted your button on my new blog http://raisingexplorers.wildchildreserve.com

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  13. Count me in! I haven't been in your previous challenges, but this sounds like a great idea!

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  14. I am in as well. I have lost over 70+ pounds so far and have another 50+ to go so this is great and perfect timing as hubby and I are heading back to Jamaica about a week after this challenge ends.

    I emailed you today so be on the look out (I'm Angie from http://www.losingitandlovingit.com/blog)

    Looking forward to the challenge!

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  15. Count me in!!!

    I'm almost 3 months postpartum so that means I can get up off the couch now and get moving!!

    LOL not that I couldn't before!!

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  16. I found this blog from the 5 minutes for mom site. I would love to join. But I can't find the sidebar to hit......I'm a little computer dumb. But count me in.........

    Meg from Lower Alabama

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  17. This sounds like such a great idea, count me in!

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  18. Perfect timing for me. I want to join in, too!

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  19. So glad I read about this! Count me in!!!

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  20. Count me in!! I have been looking for something to keep me motivated. I have 40 pounds to lose and would love to get a good jump start.

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  21. I'm totally on board for this one! I"ll work on getting it up on my blog this week yet. And yay, I get to have lots of frozen bevvies & goodies on vacation before the program starts.

    WOOHOOO!!

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  22. Sounds healthy and fun. I'm usual game for a challenge.
    So I'm in.

    I'll try to get this posted this week and right after labor day and a friendly reminder shortly after labor day would be helpful.

    A great site for diet journal is www.fitday.com

    The coffee is always on and if you so desire stop by at your own leisure.

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  23. i need a major kick in the butt and perhaps this is th midlife crisis revenge i can exact on my darling hubs.
    sign me up.

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  24. Sounds like loads of fun! Count me in! :)

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  25. Sounds like loads of fun! Count me in! :)

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  26. Grrr it won't let me leave a comment hope this works.....

    I've been reading for awhile just never commented. Count me in! Thanks for being my motivator=)

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  27. I do not know how I am going to do it and if anyone has a plan that is not out there somewhere let me know, but count me in! I am going to blog about this and see how many more we can get losing with us!

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  28. Oh I am so in and i am going to try and get my whole group in this!

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  29. This has my name written ALL over it! Count me in Christie!

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  30. I'm going to try it! I was going to try it last time but I forgot about it (new baby haze). Sooo this time I have you in my feed reader to remind me!

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  31. Ok, I have kept off most of the weight from the Summer of Me Challenge so I'm going to join in for the fun of the Hot for the Holidays challenge. Maybe I can keep going with the weight loss.

    Thanks for putting this together!

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  32. Well - I need a bit of motivation and accountability - so this sounds great! I need to loose about 40 left over baby pounds - Thanks!

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  33. This is scary and exciting, but I'm in! :)

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  34. I want to join! I have a lot to lose--about 60 pounds. This sounds like a great motivator.

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  35. Thanks for hosting this! I think a bit of accountability will help move me in the right direction. And certainly winning a Wii Fit wouldn't hurt either!
    katiekarr at gmail dot com

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  36. Add me to the list for the Holiday Challenge! Sounds like fun, thanks for hosting!

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  37. I see that I'm a late comer, but I'm totally in! Fun fun!

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  38. I just joined Weight-Watchers--I am totally in for this! I need all the extra encouragment I can get!

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  39. I would like to join! I have baby weight to lose also (sounds like a few of us do) & am finding out how hard it is to lose this weight! I have had a great motivator by joining Leigh's group (Taking it off Together Tuesday) & this will help that much more! Thank you very much.

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  40. I found your blog on Fab@50's blog and thought I'd stop by. I'm totally in for the challenge too. I can hardly wait for it to start!

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  41. I just found your blog. What a great way to get ready for the holidays. I would love to join in the challenge as well. I could use the extra support and encouragment. I'll work on getting the link up this week!

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  42. I am so in!!! I will be doing this with the help of a wonderful friend and hopefully she won't leave me in her dust too much ;)

    Here's to us all!!! GO EVERYONE!!!

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  43. I am sooo in!! Sounds like fun. I was planning on joining WW anyway on Monday & I need new motivation. I see lots of friends signed up, so this should be a blast!!

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  44. I'm in! Lets do it!

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  45. I'm in! I was also in a hideous black dress last year at my husband's Christmas party. I've lost 10 lbs so far so this will help to keep me motivated!

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  46. Count me in! My birthday is
    Dec. 5th. so that is a great target date. Can't wait to start.

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  47. I'm in. I was going to join because I'm going through some really tough times right now but maybe this will at least keep me from overeating. I may not lose much because I can't concentrate real well right now but if I don't gain that will make me happy.

    Good Luck to everyone! The last one was fun.

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  48. The more motivation I can get the better!! I'd like to join too, please!

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  49. I'm in, keeping track with my www.weightwoes.com site. :)

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  50. Count me in please! Looking forward to it!

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  51. I can not officially join because I am expecting, but I'm here to cheer the rest of you on.

    I lost a huge amount of weight over a year ago...and if I can do it, anyone can do it!

    See the difference just 1 year makes:
    http://janne.cc/blog/weighty-matters/

    You go, girls!

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  52. Count me in too!!

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  53. I am totally in. I need to loose some weight. thanks

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  54. Count me in. This will really help keep me motivated - thanks!

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  55. yes I would like to sign up and be part of it! Angie sent out an email and I thought I should try it out, I have nothing to lose right...well expect weight hehe.. My boyfiend and I recently got engaged and we are planning to be married in 2010 so this competition is a great start to getting into that fabolous dress that I want! Count me in! =)

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  56. I`m so glad I found you. This will help me stay motivated and accountable. Count me in!

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  57. i'm in and i have posted the button!

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  58. I found you at 5 Minutes for Mom and I'm so on board with this! Yay! I don't have a blog but I want to participate anyhow. Yay!
    doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
    Elizabeth

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  59. I wanna do this!!!! I have a couple blogs, but I want to do this with my weight loss blog. It's byebyefatmom.blogspot.com

    I'll go add your button there right now. :)

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  60. I reeeeaaallly want to be Hot for the Holidays too! My hubby has been dropping some weight over the summer and I want to join him. this sounds like just the motivation I need.

    Right now, I have a broken ankle, am recovering from surgery from it and have a cast on, but I can change the way I eat, even if I can't exercise. Count me in.

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  61. I am in for it! I started this past week on my weight loss, so this is a wonderful idea for me. I just lost 4 pounds so.. I'm excited to try it now!

    (I'm getting over being sick, so I have the energy now from lying in bed for four days!)

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  62. I seriously JUST told my hubby that I want to be down 20 pounds in time for his office holiday party. Please consider me signing up right now! This is awesome! I really need the accountability AND motivation!!! ;-) Thanks!
    http://maineberrypatch.blogspot.com/

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  63. I want to be hot too! Count me in!

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  64. I am turning 40 in days and I need to be hot too (and I am not talking the hot flashes either!) I am in too! Thank you for the motivation!

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  65. I found this over at "All the World's a Stage" and thought I'd take a look. I'm glad I did. What a FUN thing! I'm in, too! Thanks for a fun way to stay motivated!!

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  66. True to form.. I wait til the last minute but count me in.. I'm here.

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  67. I just found your blog and I love it! I'm in for this challenge. I need to finally finish losing the baby weight from my last baby. Ok, she's not entirely to blame. That carton of Whoppers I ate this weekend may have contributed to my expanding waist line. Either way, I need some motivation and this could be it!

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  68. Since you're starting this on my birthday, I figure that's a sign that I'm meant to get myself in gear and join in this challenge. ;)

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  69. Count me in! I have the weight to lose and this is the added motivation to help me do it!

    Here we go!

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  70. Awesome!

    Sign me up!
    My husband and I just started cycling this summer, and I am hoping to lose about 30 pounds or so.

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  71. Count me in! I'm ready to be hot!

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  72. Count me in! I've been doing this weight loss thing alone for a while and my success/motivation is petering out. Great idea. :)

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  73. oh, i just found your blog and I want to join in! please include me cause i plan to be HOT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

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  74. Wow! I think God just put you in my path! I was just at SparkPeople thinking "I've got to get a handle on my eating!" Sign me up, please! I so want to be Hot for the Holidays!

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  75. Oh hell, I'll join too, but don't expect much from me!

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  76. Well, I had posted right after Doris but now can't find it at all so here goes again,

    Count me in!

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  77. Oooh, just found this! Is it too late? If not, count me in!

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  78. I'm in, too. I've been lacking in the motivation department for some time now and need to kick it into gear. Lead the way...

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  79. I am looking forward to this. Please sign me up. I just finished a contract working nights and gained 10 pounds back of the 25I had lost. But I would still like to lose 40+ pounds. Also my 10th year anniv. is Dec 5th so this will be a great to get to where I want to be. Thanks for hosting.
    Beth H
    wolfladyrn2@yahoo.com

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  80. If I'm not too late, I'd love to join! I've been on Weight Watchers, but have been stuck at a plateau lately and want to get off it!!

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  81. I see this started today but I really want to join in if I'm not too late. I want to lose 25 pounds before we go to Disney World in January and this would definitely help to motivate me!!

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  82. Wow, such a great idea! I'd totally join you if I wasn't recently knocked up ;-) .. but I'll certainly need this program next year!

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  83. If I can still join in, I would love to! Thanks for such a fun, motivating idea.

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  84. I am SO in!! I need something like this...And omg...I was so the same way...Hubby's christmas party, I wasn't too hot I was the fat one in the black dress (looking preggo!). I want to be the HOT wife too! : )

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  85. This is such a cute idea. I saw the post on Maggie's blog and decided to see what the contest was all about. I'm in. I want to lose at least 20 lbs by then (I'm already working on losing weight so this will keep me motivated!) I haven't gone to my husband's Xmas parties the past couple years because I've gained weight and I'm embarrassed! I used to work with all of those people! This year should be the year that I prowl into the party with a hot dress.

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  86. I think this is just what I need. I've been on an up-down-up-down cycle for the last 6 weeks. Maybe this will push me to lose my last 15 pounds! Sign me up, please!

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  87. OOPS - I forgot to include a link to my blog!! I forget that it's not in my profile.

    It's OK to be WEIRD!

    I'm going to blog about this tonight.

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  88. I am in!! My sister-in-law found this and she told me to take a look. I am always "talking" about how I need to get back in shape, but I don't always do anything about it. I am excited to get started and actually be accountable to somebody except myself.

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  89. {Timidly putting down brownie}
    I'm all over this! I have 3-year old triplets who can no longer be used as my excuse for looking like this. I want to be a hot momma. Really hot. Smokin' hot. OK...I'd settle for just not fat.

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  90. Oh oh oh! I'm a day late, but would LOVE to join in! I saw your link on my friend's weight loss blog and think it's a fabulous idea! Hey and look? 100 people already?!?! 500 pounds is SO attainable! Please count me in. I have quit a few blogs, but the one I'm gonna put the badge on is my weight loss blog!

    www.losingmotivation.blogspot.com

    Thanks!
    Jen

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  91. I know I am 2 days late, but I'd love to join!!

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  92. I'm a couple days late to start, but that's no excuse. I'm in!

    Patrice

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  93. I'm a couple days late in joining but I did start my weight loss mission this week. :)

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  94. Nothing to lose, count me in...

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  95. I'm counting on doing it too. I will weigh in tomorrow.

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  96. I know I'm a little bit late, but I'd love to join you all. I've been meaning to use my gym membership, but have been lacking the support and determination. I'll weigh in tomorrow. :)

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  97. Weighed in this morning and I lost 2.9 pounds since Monday (I live in Europe so it might still show up as Thursday where you are, but it's 8 am Friday here)

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  98. Lost one pound this week!

    notablesbyangie.blogspot.com

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  99. I am late in posting but I lost 1 pound this week.

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  100. I am so glad I came across your site. I Sooooo need "online" friends/support. I am almost 33 years old, single, and in the Navy. (Currently out to sea, stationed in Japan) Anyway- I'm a week late but I WOULD LOVE TO participate in this challenge. Its very difficult considering i am out to sea and am VERY LIMITED to food selection/workout limitations, etc. (not to mention internet connectivity) but I want to do this!!! SO enough for now...I actually just found your site and want to do some more reading on it. But HELLO LADIES! My name is Alisha and I look forward to getting to know you's....congrats on the weightloss thus far!!! I WANNA BE HOT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!!

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  101. I'd LOVE to jump in! I just did a post called Truffle Shuffle. Enough said, yes? Great idea, can't weight for Friday. Ha ha ha, no puns? I'm still in. Blessings, Whitney

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  102. Sounds great...Natalie from Normal to Natalie told me about this and it is a great idea. Count me in!

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  103. Christie, I JUST found out about this challenge and would love to participate....if I'm not too late. I think that this is a great way to stay accountable...wonderful idea!

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  104. Sign Me Up!!! This is definately something I need to keep me motivated. Sounds like fun!!!

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  105. I'd definitely love to participate! I wish I had heard of you sooner. I have lost 7 pounds since May and have 5 left to go. Sounds like a fun challenge!

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  106. Oh....I just found you and your challenge and I want in!!! I am currently doing this "challenge" all by myself and my goal date was Thanksgiving weekend. So, not sure if I will be eligible for the grand prize, but if I lose what I want to, then I will win anyway!!!!

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  107. I want in, too! i am late, but i will make up for lost time. :)

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  108. Count me in! I know I am late, but I am determined to lose weight!

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  109. I just found this challenge, but I want in! Uhm... I guess I will have to wait until next week to "weigh in" with you all, but no fear ~ I personally weigh in at home daily!

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  110. What a cool challenge for all! Godd Luck everyone! Wanted to let you know I LOVE the Graphic box you created for this - very clever! Also, don't see a EC Drop Box on your blog? I know that you have do a special code the dropbox so that IE people can see on their web? Thanks!

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  112. What a gorgeous area to discover! The views are absolutely stunning!

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