Editor's Note: To offer Tami your support and to help her gain points in the H.E.B. Slim Down Showdown, go to www.heb.com/slimdown and click on her name. She'll be posting 2-4 blogs per week. Comment often on her blogs, as this helps her gain points toward various prizes. More importantly, it shows Tami how much support she has in her weight-loss challenge.

How did you learn about the H.E.B Slim Down Showdown? What does H.E.B. stand for? Please provide a brief explanation of what the Showdown involves.

I stumbled on the showdown advertisement online and investigated it via the H-E-B website. H-E-B are the initials of the founder of the grocery store chain, which was started more than 100 years ago in the Texas Hill Country and has expanded throughout Texas and Mexico. The showdown pits 25 Texans from all age-ranges and backgrounds in a weight-loss challenge. My requirements for the contest are to journal my food and exercise via the MyFitnessPal application, blog up to four times a week and talk with health coach on the telephone once a week. To win, I'm also required to show improvement on my weight and cholesterol numbers.

What inspired you to apply for the Showdown? Can you explain the application process?

I have wanted to address my weight for awhile. And as I thought more and more about my impending wedding, I became anxious about standing in front of so many people in my pre-showdown "condition." But I didn't have the "how" part. The showdown has given me that! I sent off the application in October, which was a six-page-long questionaire as well as a photo and short video, and tried not to think about it again. They called for an interview, which turned out to be a "one-on-one" with a panel of six judges! I got the call in December that I was in, and it has been an amazing journey since.

Was it tough to put yourself out in the public like this? What kind of feedback have you gotten?

I have gotten nothing but love and support from everyone who's visited the blog and those who see me on a daily basis. I am not a shy person; I tend to overshare! But because I'm in the public eye for a subject so sensitive, this has been more of an emotional journey than I thought it'd be. I'm feeling really stripped down. But I also know I am not alone in that, and I'm so happy to help others know they are not alone either. I am no longer afraid to say "I'm addicted to food! I'm an emotional eater!"

How did the Showdown begin? Did you spend a week somewhere? What did that involve? Did they provide nutrition and fitness experts? Therapists to talk with?

I spent a week with my fellow contestants in San Antonio from Jan. 13 to Jan. 18. It was intense! We met with medical and fitness professionals, got nutrition advice and were even assigned a "health coach" — kind of like a life coach — who we'll talk with by telephone each week. I made such wonderful friends and had an amazing time. It was important for me to get pulled from my environment in order to clear my head and get serious about this challenge. It made it a whole lot easier to come back into my real world, especially after H-E-B's dieticians exposed us to what the store offers to help us meet our goals.

So...once you return home, do you have a fitness and eating plan to follow? Do you do this on your own or go to a gym somewhere? How does the blog fit into this?

My plan is 1430 calories and 54 grams of fat total or less per day, nine servings of fruits and vegetables and lots of hydration. I am going to a gym three times a week to execute the workout plan designed by the coach I met at fit camp. (Her name is Katie and she's amazing!) I'm also doing cardio on my own. I have plans to participate in a two mile fun run and a 5k walk in February. For me, the blog is a way to say "I'm doing this. You can too." I applaud H-E-B for giving me these tools and the knowledge to reach my goals, and I just feel the need to share it!

What are your goals for this challenge? How do you keep your focus on those?

I have three goals: weight loss, lowering my triglycerides and raising my good cholesterol level. (My bad cholesterol was already low. What a relief!) I know that I can get these goals met through diet and exercise, so I'm finding fun and tasty ways to make that happen. I love the Zumba workout and I'm reading lots of labels to get the kinds of foods I want into my system while also actually LIKING what I eat. Luckily, Mama raised us to like fruits and veggies.

Do you have a workout partner or are you doing this all on your own? If this is a competition between you and 24 others, do you feel as though you can actually be good friends and support each other?

I am on my own, essentially. The other contestants and I are all rooting for one another! I think any time you've spent 18 hours a day with a group of people in such an intense environment, you're bound to bond. We also found a lot of us have similar backstories, which brought us very close together. I will be happy for anyone who wins!

What is the monetary reward for the winner? When you win, what do you hope to do with the money?

The grand prize is $10,000. There's also a $5,000 prize for the Fan Favorite and a $3,000 prize for the Healthy Hero (most weight lost). If — when? — I win, I'd love to put this money toward my wedding and a small honeymoon. We don't have plans for a honeymoon right now, and I would like to spoil myself (ok, and him ;)) with a trip.

You're getting married in October. Tell us about your fiance. What does he think about the Showdown? Is he adopting your new habits, as well?

My fiance, Issac, is awesome. He is basically my workout partner and has been completely on board with everything. Issac was a powerlifter in high school and knows his way around the gym, which is perfect for me because I've been in a gym (before this) maybe twice. Of course, he'd like to see me win, but I believe he'd agree with me that we've already won just because we're doing this together.

Have you chosen your wedding dress? Have they actually ordered it or will you wait until you've lost more weight?

My size 16 wedding dress is already hanging in my closet! I was reassured the seamstresses at the bridal shop will be able to work their magic and take it in.

What can your friends and family do to help you win points? How can we help support you emotionally?

One comment per blog post is equal to one point, which can quickly add up if everyone leaves one comment every time I write a blog. But additionally, I hope I'm actually writing things that will move people to want to comment on. A lot of what I'm going through is not much different than anyone who's ever struggled with their weight, and I would love to hear any kind of feedback people can offer. Emotionally, I just need love. I'm learning to love myself and I'm so excited to see people love me, even with all my faults.

Can you provide a brief explanation about your connection to Bluffton, your job, etc.?

I was born and raised a Pirate and Beaver! I graduated from BHS in 1995, Bluffton COLLEGE (still can't say University) in 1999 and my entire immediate family reside there — mom and dad Jerry and Sonia Cupples, brother Chad Cupples, sister-in-law Amanda and nephew Ayden. I am the Copy Desk Chief with The Monitor newspaper in McAllen, TX, and I've lived mostly in the Rio Grande Valley area of Texas since 2000.