The Biggest Loser Is Coming To Town!

To say my week did not quite go as planned, would be a slight understatement. Don't get me wrong, I still had a great week, I just had to surf a few waves along the way. We had a garage sale on Saturday so my whole week leading up to this was completely consumed with preparations. The only exercise I managed to squeeze in was my 2-mile walk on Monday. Believe it or not, I really missed being able to workout. Wow! Did I just say that? I'm really starting to like this new and improved Theresa! Alright, back to my week. Tuesday began normally. Unfortunately, lighting struck our house that afternoon and damaged our television, my son's XBox360 and worst of all, my laptop. O-M-G!!! My whole life is on that computer. My photos, videos for Biggest Loser and my spreadsheet for paying bills, just to name a few. I am praying my data can be recovered!

On a more positive and awesome note...Last week, The Biggest Loser Casting Team released the list of cities and dates of the live casting calls for Season 13. For anyone who is interested, or knows someone who is interested in being a contestant, I have posted the official BL13 poster below and the list of cities, dates and venues at the end of this post. As you can see, the fabulous Olivia Ward (BL11 Winner) is featured. Fabulousness personified!

I will be attending the casting call in Atlanta, GA, August 6th, at the Hard Rock Cafe. I am so excited that The Biggest Loser Casting Team chose to come to my area! When I applied for Season 12 in March, there were no casting calls close enough for me to attend so I submitted a video. Now I will have the added advantage of meeting the casting team in person. I have already pre-registered on the new BL13Casting web site: http://www.thebiggestlosercasting.com/. Even though it's not a requirement, since I will be at the casting call, I am currently collecting video clips for my next awesome audition video (which I hope to recover from my laptop). The casting directors really want a chance to get to see who you are. I plan to give them as much material as they need. Of course, I will be documenting my experience at the casting call so be on the lookout for that post.

Currently, I am getting prepared for our upcoming family vacation. We are going to Cape Cod, MA this Friday and will be there until July 31st. My cousin is getting married on the 30th and we will all be attending. One of my short-term goals was to lose as much weight as I can before the wedding. I have to say I'm very proud of my self! This past week, for all it's "waves" and lack of exercise, I lost 1.6 pounds for a total of 26. As of Saturday morning, I weigh 241.8 pounds. This means I met my 25% goal and I'm extremely close to my goal of getting into the 230's. All of my jeans are now "denim sweatpants" and my dress pants are now "sweat slacks." Thankfully, this week I will get to do some much needed clothes shopping. Yay me!

Well, I am most definitely looking forward to working out on the beach all next week and then going to the casting call on August 6th. My new life on this journey is awesome, and I am so thankful for my many blessings and all of the awesome people God has put in my path! I can't wait to share my next adventure with all of you!

Open Casting Calls, Biggest Loser 13

Open casting calls are coming to a city near you! Come and meet The Biggest Loser Casting Team for your best chance to be on the show! Please check back frequently for updated information at http://www.thebiggestlosercasting.com/.

Saturday, July 30

Austin10am-6pmThe Long Center for the Performing Arts701 West Riverside DriveAustin, TX 78704 

NY Tri-State Area10am-6pmNewark Beth Israel Medical Center201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne TerraceNewark, NJ 07112

Detroit, MI10am-6pmGardner-White Furniture45300 Hayes RoadMacomb, MI 48044-3846

Saturday, August 6

Charlotte, NC10am-6pmPlanet Fitness10215-B University City Blvd.(Located in the Back Creek Shopping Center)Charlotte, NC 28213

Washington, DC10am-6pmPrince George's Sports and Learning Complex8001 Sheriff RoadLandover, MD 20785

Atlanta, GA9am-5pmHard Rock Cafe215 Peachtree Street NortheastAtlanta, GA 30303 

Saturday, August 13

St. Louis, MO10am-6pmChesterfield Mall291 Chesterfield Mall(at the intersection of Highway 40 and Clarkson Rd)Chesterfield, MO 63017-4811

Salt Lake City, UT9am-5pmKSL 5 TV55 North 300 WestSalt Lake City, UT 84180

Phoenix, AZ10am-6pmSuperstition Springs Center6555 E. Southern Ave.Mesa, AZ 85206

Saturday, August 20

Chicago, IL10am-6pmChicago Home Fitness2070 North Clybourn AvenueChicago, IL 60614

Dallas, TX10am-6pmGilley’s Dallas1135 South Lamar StreetDallas, TX 75215-1036

Orlando, FLTBA

Saturday, August 27

Los Angeles, CA
10am-4pmCitadel Outlets100 Citadel DriveLos Angeles, CA 90040

If you cannot attend an open casting call, be sure to submit an application and videotape submission. CLICK HERE for details.
*YOU DO NOT NEED A VIDEOTAPE IN ORDER TO ATTEND AN OPEN CASTING CALL. IF YOU MADE ONE PRIOR TO THE OPEN CASTING CALL, PLEASE DO NOT BRING IT WITH YOU - MAIL OR EMAIL IT PER THE INSTRUCTIONS.
*YOU DO NOT NEED TO BRING AN APPLICATION TO THE OPEN CASTING. WE WILL BE PROVIDING SHORTER CASTING CALL APPLICATIONS.
*Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
*Applicants must be a lawful U.S. resident

13 Just Might Be My Lucky Number

Three months ago I embarked on an amazing journey, when I applied to be a contestant on the 12th season of The Biggest Loser reality show. I had finally reached that place in my mind and heart that said it was time to put a serious effort into getting healthy, and breaking free from morbid obesity. The chances of me being selected to be on the show were extremely slim, so I made a promise to myself to start my weight loss journey before they made the casting decisions. When I was not selected I was able to continue on my own. The friends I met on Twitter during the casting process, and continue to meet, have been a phenomenal help, with their constant encouragement and advice.

On that note...it's time to try again. The Biggest Loser will be releasing information soon on auditions for season 13. I'm going for it, so I've been busy collecting video clips, writing my blog and making myself known on the Internet. This time I'll be a lot harder to overlook!

At the start of my journey, I weighed 267.8 pounds and I barely exercised. After making the discussion to lose weight on my own, I was determined to make big changes in myself. The first step was to remove all junk food and candy from my home. The next was to purchase a journal to write down everything I eat, all of my exercise and to celebrate my successes. After that I went grocery shopping for lean proteins, fruits, veggies and whole grains. I began trying out new recipes and my family became my guinea pigs. Exercise was almost non-existent in my life so I started slow at first. I started going to the park every other day and walking a mile. I was experiencing a lot of pain in my right foot; in the arch, heel and Achilles tendon areas. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to exercise anymore, and that would be devastating to my goals. My next move was to make an appointment with my doctor. I found out that I had Plantar Fasciitis (a.k.a. Heel Spur). She gave me a whole list of stretches to do everyday that would help my foot and get me back on track. With the help of these stretches and a Dr. Scholl's insert, I was able to continue walking and I am now up to 4 miles every other day. I am also doing aerobic workouts on the days I don't go to the track. I make sure to have a rest day 1-2 days a week to allow my muscles to recuperate.  When I'm on that track, walking further than I ever have and listening to my favorite songs, I feel so empowered! I know I can do this and I'm ready for the Biggest Loser Ranch!

Today I weigh 243.4 pounds and my body is starting to transform. My clothes are getting baggy and my muscles are getting bigger. I'm so excited about my new future! Before, when I was preparing for The Biggest Loser 12, I was seriously doubtful of my physical ability to do the show. Now, I'm so much stronger and all the more determined to be one of the next contestants on The Biggest Loser 13! It's my time and I will succeed!

My latest update video is below. Enjoy!