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At the end of 2010, we invited you to share with us your New Year's Resolutions.  We selected 5 people and asked if they would share with us their weekly "Progress Reports" as they attempted to achieve their goals.  Two of the 5 have dropped out - and we didn't find that to be surprising.  The remaining 3 have weight loss goals.  They have agreed to let you "peek into" their lives as the weeks pass.  Maybe you'll see yourself in these struggles - or maybe you'd like to offer encouragement!  Please feel free to do so in the comment section under this article.

We plan on following these three brave souls for 12 weeks.  And every week we'll post their progress reports.  Tune in and follow along.  Cheering is encouraged!!!

Let's Meet....

Hello there...I'm Pam from the Detroit, MI area. 

I have only one New Year's resolution.  That is to continue with a healthy eating and exercise program that I started in April 2010.  I've lost 73 lbs since that time and have 50 more to go to reach my target goal weight.  I was extremely obese when I started.  Exercise is hard for me due to degenerative arthritis in both of my knees and arthritis in my left foot at old fracture sites.  But I have discovered a great fitness partner in the Leslie Sansone Walk At Home fitness DVDs.  When I started I could barely do a one mile DVD and I just graduated to doing a 5 mile challenge walk!  These start you off slow and with low impact movements.  For the healthy eating part I joined Jenny Craig because I needed help with portion control, needed to make a financial commitment and the bonus of a one-on-one counselor at my local center.  It may not be for everyone but it has worked wonderfully for me.  I now am planning my own meals a few days a week and doing well with making healthy choices.  I am so glad that I made the decision to do something 8 months ago.  The time would have passed regardless.  I'm just glad I did a little every day since then to make up for a dramatic change.  My largest weight loss was 4 lbs.  Most weeks I lost under a pound.  So, slow and steady. My reward at the end is to be a trip to England.

So, only the one resolution.  But it's a pretty big one.  Thanks and Happy New Year.

Hi, I'm Judy.  I'm from Santa Fe, NM. 

I usually don't make resolutions but I turned 70 on Dec. 24th, which fills me with shock and awe but also gives me cause to celebrate. I'm healthy, active, very busy with filmmaking and other projects, feeling more balanced and in tune than ever before....and my hair is still naturally blonde ! 

I have already fulfilled one goal which is losing almost 35 lbs. effortlessly and safely in just 40 days, But, starting today Jan 1, 2011 I am back on the program to lose another 25+ lbs. and be trim and agile the rest of my life. Because of my weight loss success I am starting a business...selling the product I used to lose the weight that plagued me for 15 years. My blood pressure dropped, my ankles stopped swelling and hurting, and I look great. I'm spending today and tomorrow finishing the websites, sales materials, and scheduling at least one sales call every day for the month of January. I'll also be selling it directly to customers and will provide support and guidance as I believe so much in this product and want to share it.

With two films in development, this new business, my bucket list (learn to ride horseback and get a pilot's license), and making more time for friends and family, I have a busy 2011 coming up. These are my resolutions for 2011.

Hi, I'm Marilyn.  I live outside of Boston, MA.

I'm in my late 50's and I'm resolving to drop that stubborn 15 pounds that just won't go away.  I'm 5'5" and for years weighed in at a steady 110.  Then, three things happened at the same time.  First, I gave up smoking (one of the toughest things I've ever done), then I found myself smack, dab in the midst of menopause, and finally, I received a cancer diagnosis (I went through treatment and am now fine).  I was horrified when every morning I'd get on my scale, and there I was - another half to a pound heavier than before.  And it just kept piling on.  Before I knew it, I was 155 pounds.  I tried all kinds of things: Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, various books and other programs, and still the weight kept coming.  One day, a guy at work looked more slender than I remembered him to be and I asked him what was working for him.  He was doing South Beach - so I gave it a try.  It was what worked for me.  I was able to drop down to 137.  But I seem stuck here.  My weight seems to be concentrated right around my middle - and I know that's not good for you.  So, I'd really like to get down into the low 120's - my goal is to take off that stubborn 15.  Oh, and by the way, I shot up to 142 over the holidays.  I can't believe I did that - but I did!  Wish me well!

THE FIRST UPDATE.

PAM:  I lost an even two pounds this week on my weigh in at Jenny Craig.  My exercise was four days of workouts using the Leslie Sansone Walk At Home DVDs.  I did a three mile on each of three days and one five mile. It was my first five mile and I was surprised I could do it! Total weight loss to date is 75.8 lbs since April 2010.  And I bought my first pair of jeans that wasn't a plus size!  Hooray!!!  Thanks for your interest in my progress and for selecting my resolution!

JUDY:  The photo was taken today, 1-9-11, I'm 70. I've already lost 30 lbs. on hCG and starting today I am on the protocol to lose 25-30 more. Doing this weekly report will keep me honest and I want to share my success. Feeling great, optimistic about what I'll look like in a few weeks. I'll help others lose and I blog on aging with enthusiasm.

MARILYN:  I lost 2 1/2 pounds this week, so I'm under 140 - barely, but under, nevertheless.  I think it may have come off so easily because it went on real fast during the holidays.  I used to go to my local gym 3x each week but I stopped going at the end of October when my mother became deathly ill.  I'm responsible for a great deal of her care, so this was not only stressful, but took away the time I would normally spend in the gym.  I know I need to exercise - but I haven't started back to it yet.

WEEK TWO.

PAM: This is my second week progress report on my New Year's Resolution.

I was a little worried about the weigh in at Jenny Craig this week as I'd gone out to dinner twice and lunch once.  I was pleasantly surprised that I'd lost 1.8 lbs at my weigh in!  I did make healthy choices for my meals out and watched portion sizes.  It seems like the penny has finally dropped for me on the whole calories in, calories expended thing. It's simply a numbers and chemistry game.  My total loss to date is 77.6 lbs!  My exercise this week was 4 days of Leslie Sansone Walk At Home DVDs.  I did two 3-mile workouts and two 4-mile workouts. I saw my family doctor on Thursday and he was VERY pleased with my blood pressure at 110/72. They drew blood for cholesterol and blood sugar.  My last numbers were excellent so I anticipate these will be, too.  I hope you're having a good weekend.  Thanks for your interest in my progress.

JUDY:  Emotions play a big role in weight loss. It's the old job/income bugaboo. Interviewed for a great p/t job but have to wait until Mon or Tues to hear if I got it. Holding my breath, needing to crunch so have gone overboard on rye crisp and butter (and a little honey). Still lost 4 lbs this week though and if I get the job my mood will lift and I'll do much better in week 2.

MARILYN:  I'm really not too sure how to best go about losing this weight.  I know I need to exercise, but I've gotten out of the habit.  As far as food and eating is concerned, I'm trying to control myself.  I think the reason I gained so much over the holidays is that I adopted an "anything goes" attitude.  I'm paying the price now.  Anyway, watching what I eat paid off in my losing 1 pound this week.  Not a whole bunch - but at least I didn't gain.

WEEK THREE.

PAM:  Good morning!  I hope you've had a great week.

I stuck to my resolution again this week and was rewarded with a weight loss of three pounds!  This brings my total weight loss since last April to 80.6 lbs!!  I did the Leslie Sansone 3 Mile Power Walk five times. Again, I ate out twice this week and made healthy choices of terrific salads with grilled fish or meat and low calorie dressing.  The big temptation was eating out with my family for my mom's birthday.  She chose a restaurant famous in this area for their pizza, Shields.  Pizza is one of my favorite foods and I wasn't sure how I would do. I ordered a Michigan salad with grilled chicken and the salad was so flavorful and large that I didn't feel deprived at all.  I stole one perfect bite of my brother's pizza...a corner piece with a big slice of pepperoni on it and that was all I needed to overcome the temptation.  I've learned that one bite of a trigger food is all I need sometimes.  Yes, I've even eaten one potato chip!  It struck me that the decisions I make every time I eat something have contributed to my success.  If I thought of it as 8 months of deprivation instead of one moment of triumph each time I made a healthy choice it would have seemed an impossible task.  It's the little decisions made very meal and snack that have added up to big results. I've been on weight loss programs before but this time the insight I've gained has been so different.  I finally get it. It's never too late to 'get it'.

Probably a little long this week but I wanted to share the mom's birthday story and the aha! moment I experienced as a result of it!  Take care and I hope you have a terrific week!  I know I will.  :)

JUDY:  Don't even ask!  I got the part time job which is a huge WHEW. Stress over, right?  Noooooo. Now I'm looking at houseshares and figuring out how to juggle funds to make a deposit and pay someone to move me while I'm working short hours during training so the paychecks will be small for 2-3 weeks. Luckily, this company pays every week. Many can't eat at all when anxious and stressed. I use food as a drug. Ice cream dulls my mind and puts me to sleep (it will if you eat the whole half gallon) , so that's what I did this week to escape the crazy monkey dance in my head. I keep telling myself to take one thing at a time. If it isn't feasible to move in February then so be it, even though I'll feel bad at losing out on a really good deal and having to drag this process out for another month.Feeling jumpy today, nothing is settled in any part of my life, and even my favorite show, Brothers & Sisters, is a re-run so I don't have that to look forward to (while eating popcorn or ice cream or chocolate covered almonds.)  My sons are buying me a plane ticket to visit them in CA the first week of April so I HAVE TO GET MY HEAD TOGETHER and focus on the hCG eating plan. I know it works, I lost 30 already and I know it's fast. all it takes is an attitude adjustment. This week of getting into the work routine, making a decision on a rental, making my lists of what to do for the move, and setting things in motion, will hopefully allow me to be in better control of my thoughts and actions. So, I'm taking the hCG, not hungry, and following the protocol. Have to make food to take to work tomorrow and take one day at a time.

MARILYN:  I think we eat a very well-rounded diet at home (it's just the two of us, now).  I had a luncheon engagement on Monday and I picked a grilled chicken sandwich off the menu.  I didn't eat the bread.  Also, we went out to eat Friday night.  I had a burger but had them wrap up half of it for me to take and I only ate a little of the bread.  My downfall, though, is those munchie attacks.  I head straight for the Oreo cookies or for the frozen brownies I have stashed in the freezer.  Maybe I should get rid of that stuff???  Meanwhile, I lost 1 pound this week. 

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