I Won! I Won! I Won!

When the Shrinkvivor challenge began back in September, I looked at that awesome list of prizes and thought, wouldn't it be great...... But I knew I didn't really have a prayer. I knew there would be young, motivated, hard-working women (and men) who wanted those prizes just as much as me. And I knew that my age would be deterrent. Or at least I thought it would.
What I should have realized was that my age (and being retired with no children at home) would allow me the time to rock the mini challenges which would help keep me and my tribe from being eliminated. So many things came into play in the last seven weeks that I feel like it took a 'perfect storm' type situation to make me come out on top.

My first stroke of luck was my tribe. Tribe Blue or Blue Babes Burning Booty hung together and supported each other from the beginning to the end. We had tribe mates so awesome that even when they were exiled, they checked in and encouraged those of us still surviving.

And the better we did with the mini challenges, the better we did with the weight loss. Those girls at the 'hood have learned the hard way all the tricks and motivations that helped us become thinner and healthier. And all those challenges provided motivation that still keeps me stoked and determined to reach my Ultimate Me.

I think the biggest hurdle may have been becoming one of the seven finalists. After that, the winner was determined by votes. When I read, in the beginning of the challenge, that votes would determine the Ultimate Shrinkvivor, I felt my odds were slim. But what was I thinking? I have six internet savvy children. I have nineteen grandchildren and at least four of them went on Facebook and encouraged their friends to vote for me. (What kind of wonderful grandchildren post about their grandma on Facebook!) In addition to my own large family I come from a really large extended family. I have cousins all over the place and after this year's reunion, I got a lot of their email addresses and started pestering them to help me. I found email addresses of old friends and I wasn't shy about pleading for their votes too and one of the most awesome things about this last week has been hearing from people that I haven't heard from in a long time. And then there were blogging friends like Bacardi Mama who have supported and encouraged me from the get-go. I also have a daughter who's a popular blogger and she did an awesome and generous post about me. With all this support and love, I realize now, I had a great chance!

At this point I can't say enough about the Sisterhood Of Shrinking Jeans. At 64 years of age, they changed my life. I feel so much better about myself and about my future. I kind of feel like that at this age, if you're not going uphill, you're going to be going downhill and the girls at the 'hood kept me on that uphill trail. They still do!

Of course, I have to thank all our sponsors. I truly have never seen a more beautiful bike than that Beach Cruiser. I gasped the first time I saw its picture.

I've already talked about how useful the Lands End gift certificate will be but it's not just a gift certificate for clothes or products that moves me. It Lands End! What a great place to shop for sportswear and outerwear that will help keep me active this winter and all year round.

I just went to the Fitness Coffee website and I cannot wait to try these coffee products. Coffee and I have a lifelong love affair and with fitness factored in, it's going to be amazing! In the same vein is Click Expresso Protein Drinks. If there's one thing I have a hard time getting enough of, it's protein. In this weight loss journey, I've discovered many wonderful low fat, low calorie options that I love but very few of the ones I've discovered have much protein. And I need protein for my exercise routines!! Now I know where I'll get it.

I'm also excited about the EA Sports Active workout system. Although, I love/hate Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred, I know that I need to change it up a little bit and with winter coming, a new indoor routine is even more vital. I can't wait to try it out!

Finally I can hardly wait to get my Bornfit Tee and my Miraclebody jeans.

So thank you to each and every sponsor and I hope everyone will frequent their sites and try their products. Without them, this challenge wouldn't have been as awesome as it's been!

And thank you again to the Sisterhood of Shrinkingjeans. You've all been amazing! Without your encouragement and advice and awesomeness, none of this would have happened.

But my biggest thanks go to everyone that supported me, voted for me, and networked for me. Without you, I would be a grateful-for-my-progress finalist but not the winner that's feeling exhilarated and motivated to continue! This has truly been a life changing journey and I feel like I've only just begun.