Staying Focused

Dear Col,

Thanks for the meth tip. Since my legal meds aren't working 100%, maybe I'll switch to something a bit stronger.

At this point, unless Bill falls into a vat of Krispy Kreme donut batter, I figure there is no way that I can beat him now. However, as mentioned in a previous blog, I do legally get half. So, yes, if Bill wins, at least 50% of his winnings (please note that the 50% will be his. I have my eye on some clothing for our upcoming Cabo trip...) will go towards the good cause of a Biggest Loser celebration.

Since I've been so sporadic in my focus on exercise, getting in at least 3 but no more than 5 days for the last 5 weeks, my goal this week is to complete high-intensity exercise six out of seven days, whether I feel like it or not.

This weekend, I finally opened the pilates DVD, and Bill lost a few more calories smirking while I attempted to balance, stretch and build my "core". We're talking 10 minutes people - and I could not go the duration of every exercise. I may be more in shape with all my cardio work, but clearly the "shape" aint what it should be in order to complete 10 minutes of core. I yearn for the days when the word core meant the center of the earth or the part of the apple that one throws away. I'm going on record as saying that I will commit to building my core (vs throwing it away) at least four days this week.

Have a great week, Losers!

- L

I am back!

I am working hard as you can see by my recent picture (LOL!)

I am glad to have the two dogs. They are built in exercise and are helping me keep the 1 hour per day or so workout.

I was able to recover the weight I gained last week and a bit more.

The body is hard to figure! I am at least enjoying a pizza a week and drinking my usual one or two glasses of wine a day and am still losing weight! Can't beat that.

A lot of great stories out there and I am impressed with how everyone is doing. We just need to get wild man Bill out for a fatman dinner and a gallon of beer!

However, I do appreciate his offer to buy everyone drinks and food if he wins and we will make him own up to that!

One month to go! Best of Luck to you all.

Dear.......

Dear Bill and Lori,

Yes, there is free parking available in downtown Seattle at 4:30 am. There's also a decent supply of meth at a bargain price. You might consider purchasing some with all that money you're saving on parking. You'll need it to keep up your phenomenal pace. I figure it's either meth or Scientology that will keep you going at this pace. Of the two, I'm for the meth. ; )

Michelle,
I too have that "why the hell am I killing myself if I'm not going to lose some serious poundage?!" moment every once in a while. But then I'll come across an episode of Dr Phil, as I'm channel surfing and I'll see one of those 1500 pound people who need the fire department to get them to the bathroom. Then in tears, they explain that they don't even go to the bathroom anymore because their weight would crush the toilet to dust. After that I just quietly start packing my gym bag....

Reese and Leo,
What can I say? You've never looked better! And you've had such a tough year - Leo, losing Giselle and all. And you Reese, your husband going off with that floozy! You show'em girl!

I hear the Hoopster might join you for the climb. Very nice! Have you guys started doing stairs yet? No elevator ride of shame for this team! Speaking of teams - do you have a team name yet?

Ok troops, stay strong! We're heading toward the final stretch!

Colleen

Eat Fewer Reese's to Look Like Reese

Hey Losers,

I am glad to hear that I am not alone in fading in the homestretch. I need to get back on track. I have stayed pretty consistent with the exercise but I have not been very good about cutting back on food. I think exercise makes me really hungry! So, my new focus is to get back on track with eating and keep up the workouts.

I am in much better shape than when we started and I am feeling ready for the Big Climb on March 18th. I don’t think I will set any records but I am confident I will make it to the top.

I hope everyone has a good week…

Loree S

No Oscar for this Loser!

So, truth is...after a fast start, I have been slowing sliding back just a bit. The exercising part...that's been very good. The eating part has been not as good. Overall I am working out MUCH more than I did before this whole thing started. And I think overall my eating habits have been pretty good. However, I find myself drawn to the cookies and tortilla chips more often than I should. I'm gonna work on that. I think I am in adequate shape for The Big Climb on March 18th and don't have many worries as far as that is concerned. I will be slowing trudging and sweating profusely for 96 floors...but I'll make it. Is this a cheap 2 points or what?! -John Schoonover

It's finally happening...

OK. Feeling better now; down a couple pounds and cranking on the cardio. I've also been strictly and completely adhering to "The Zone" diet since Wednesday of last week, so looking forward to seeing even more of those pounds shed! As of March 3, I'm on vacation for two weeks-first skiing in Utah, then off to the Palm Desert to take in some pro tennis action at the Pacific Life Open. My exercising will shift to skiing while in Utah; but fully intend to make the most of those cardio runs on the slopes...all day long ;).

I'm hoping to take time later today to catch up on all the blogging I've missed. Work has been out of control (what else is new), but I have a big presentation behind be after this morning, so looking forward to a little less intensity...though scrambling nonetheless to get all of my personal and professional ducks in a row before I head out of town on Saturday. Hope all you losers are still hanging in there!! -Allie

One of my biggest complaints about this whole endeavor is this Monday morning weigh-in ritual. Since the weight has not been oozing off my body at record rates this ritual starts my week off with a real downer.

I work out most days and usually spend most of the time doing some kind of hard cardio then 20 minutes of strength work on the machines. Since January I have eaten better than I have since my pregnancy/breastfeeding days and also trying to keep my calories around 1500 (give or take 200 depending on the occasion). What I am trying to say is that I feel GREAT!

Now, I don't weigh myself every day because that would be just suicidal so I limit the experience to once a week. But as I stand on the scale and see that it has not moved I feel like giving up. Does anyone else have these moments of doubt? Why am I killing myself if I'm not getting any reward. Yes, I know the reward is that I do feel better, but I want something more that will appease my vanity. Like a smaller butt.

Well I'm off to the gym ................
Michelle

Metrosexual Man!!!

Having the week off is good for exercise but bad for good eating choices. I'm too near the refrigerator for too long a period of time. I have continued to exercise everyday this week sometimes at 4:30 AM!!! Lori and I have even found the free parking in downtown Seattle. I may be at risk as my weekly goal of pilates with Lori has not materialized. Gain ground this week because I will have RMR and MET testing at the WAC in the next few weeks. It is not a test for manhood but rather they measure resting metabolic and metabolic exercise rates. You probably thought this Biggest Loser Contest was just exercising and making good eating choices. I'm taking it in a new direction! I want to know how many calories per day my body requires to maintain life at rest. These tests will determine what percentage of fat calories I burn. Additionally I can adjust my daily caloric input and exercise routine. Also I will learn the heart rate at which I burn the most fat and the heart rate at which I burn the most calories. With this information, my pedicures, tanning, hair transplant, botox, Feldenkrais and Ayurveda I'll be in great demand next year when Lori and I vacation in St. Moritz and swim in the Mediterranean in Monte Carlo. You know the Europeans disdain swimwear! Have a great weight loss week and I plan to walk/jog around Lake Union soon. My creativity should earn me more than the 2 point bonus!

Bill

Better Day by Day

Happy Friday, everyone.

I am happy to report that I feel better this morning than I have in more than four weeks. Thus far, I've exercised three days and plan to finish out the week with five full days of exercise. Woo-Hoo!

I've shed my "drug pounds" and may even end the week losing another 1/2 lb or so.

I haven't yet committed to my pilates and core building that I mentioned in my recap of my 12 week goal, but I'm confident that pilates/yoga and my crunches are in my plans for next week and beyond.

We have friends visiting us this weekend, so that 1/2 lb or so may be in jeopardy. And that's ok. Wine and a bit of indulgence should be a part of all of our lives.

Have a great weekend! - L

from Karen, the loser

I, like Jen, am trying not to think constantly about my eating.......because I would like this to be the way I eat from now on and I don't want to waste my brain cells on the constant dwelling of what I should eat, or what I should not eat, etc. It is exhausting!! In the past 6 weeks, I've treated myself to a few things, had a few cocktails and still lost 7 pounds in 6 weeks. It works!! Slow, but something I can live with. I'm hoping by week 12 to have shed 5 more. Exercising is going good, amazing how you can build your endurance.....that is quite rewarding. I still can crave sugar, just when I think I'm good, it strikes back!! It is easier to say no than it was 6 weeks ago. Have a good loser's week......

Intuitive Eating

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a wonderful book with you: Intuitive Eating, by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. If you have dealt with body image issues, emotional eating or are just plain sick and tired of dieting, this is a fresh new perspective. Essentially, the book helps you to recognize your body's hunger and eat until satisfied. Sounds simple, but it's actually been pretty tough!

I'm working on not obsessing so much about food and my weight and the sense of relief I feel already is pretty amazing. I have made a promise to myself never to "diet" again and am working on trusting my body to let me know what it wants (when my brain usually wants a Krispy Kreme or a glass of wine).

Anyway, I have enjoyed it and wanted to share my enthusiasm with you. A word of warning: Evelyn and Elyse take a pretty hard-line view of dieting and advocate stopping ANY kind of restriction program. The book is very, very much opposed to the diet industry and weight focus, so if you are happy with what you're doing, you may want to skip this read.

I hope you're having a great week! I had a marvelous run yesterday and sweated up a storm. Today will be a rest day because of a work event, but I will be back pounding the pavement tomorrow. I'm looking forward to a run with Colleen at Greenlake on Sunday and plan to squeeze in a day of weight training in there somewhere.

Good thing!

Jen

Week 7 highlights & standings

Glug, glug, glug: Stephen chugged 756 oz of water this week. The scary thing? This is his average consumption (and yes, he uses the restroom a lot).

8 sticks of butter: Stephen, Karen & Bill each lost two pounds last week. Way to go!

Time for a reality check: We have 5 more weeks until it's time to complete the fitness challenge. How's your training going? Blog about it and let us know.

Not for sissies: We're cranking up the heat for this week's challenge. Record the number of minutes of HIGH INTENSITY exercise (yes: heavy breathing, sweating, the whole deal) you complete this week.

Current Standings

1. Bill-109
2. John T-94
3. Karen-88
4. Kathy Tullis-85
5. Loree-75
6. Michelle-70
7. Stephen-66
8. John S-64
9. Lori-63
10. Jen-61
11. Colleen-53
12. Allie-47
13. Kathy Thrailkill-36

A new week ahead

This has been an exceptionally difficult week for me. I had a setback with the shingles that I've been dealing with now for a month, and worked from home all week. I'm on several different types of medication, and while I'm not eating more than normal, I've gained 4 lbs! I was prepared for some weight gain, based on being told water retention was a side effect, but man, 4 lbs is just depressing.

I worked out two days this week, but that's about all I had in me. I faithfully drank my water everyday, figuring that at some point, weight loss would follow. Nope, not gonna happen - at least not last week.

I'm feeling better, but will still need to take it easy through this week. I worked out this morning as well as yesterday, and tho' it was an effort, it still felt good.

This week's goal is to avoid processed carbs, so that all that water will have nothing to adhere to, but protein, fruits and veggies. And hopefully, I'll have an amazing weight loss week. Since I'm still on all these drugs, I'm not terribly hopeful....

On the bright side, my clothes are still looser than they were 6 weeks ago, and I'm feeling better today than I have felt for several weeks.

Here's to a productive, and pound-less week to all of us!

- L

When training pays off...

I am happy to report that all of my weight training has paid off in the faculty team's MEGA win in the tug-of-war competition at the 2007 Seattle Prep Olympic Games. I competed for the fourth year in a row, but this year was by far the easiest tug experience. We defeated each opponent soundly and earned a gold medal. My team thanked my ramped-up strength training efforts this year--see my flexing muscles above for proof.

Happy (long) weekend all!

No candy for me!!

Yes....week 6 and feeling good. I'm very proud that I have controlled eating my sugar and exercising. No candy on this V day for me!! That feels wonderful. I feel like the lbs should come off a bit faster, for as much as I have been working at this, but it is what it is. I know it all takes time and maybe this week will be another big drop, I"m hoping. I know if I stay with this, the weight will come off, but it is hard at times. I'm with ya Jen!! Karen

Not for the faint of heart

First of all, Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone is treating themselves to a piece of chocolate today (or 12...but who's counting?)

Recently, I came across a weight loss article that had a link to an "Easy Way to Determine Body Fat at Home." Sounds alright so far, yes?

Here's the test (I kid you not): Strip down naked, stand in front of a full-length mirror and jump up and down three times. If your body jiggles while jumping or continues to bounce around once you stop jumping, you need to lose body fat. Against my better judgment (against all judgment?), I did the test. While it wasn't a SUPER self-esteem booster, I was less appalled than I thought I would be.

I've actually become quite impressed with my muscles (I make Stephen feel my biceps all the time now) and spend more time strutting around the mirror flexin' away than I do grimacing and trying to convince myself that my butt isn't really THAT big.

So that's a good sign, right?

Working out is going well and I am enjoying adding more weight training to my routine. I've also scheduled myself so that every day I do something different and have found myself enjoying my work outs more.

In terms of eating, it's been pretty touch and go the last week or so and I know that the scale results are reflecting that. I need to better learn how to put down the fork and back away from the potato!

All in all, week 7 is going well! Hope the same for you. :-)

I'm Not Running For Office!!!

Some politicians make promises they know that can't be met for the sake of garnering votes. But not me! Therefore, I hereby unequivocally go on record as saying, "If I win this sucker, I will meet everyone at the Met or some other highly classy establishment. Drinks and appetizers are on me!!" There, I said it!! Anyone else want to come out of the closet and state the same??? I'll be giving up using the money for surgery for my plantar's fascitis, purchasing a graduation gift for my son, buying my wife that Coach purse for supporting me etc... . No, I want to put it back into the people that got me where I will be at the end of March - my fellow Losers! So if I'm victorious, I will be buying y'all drinks and appetizers... maybe a well drink, at happy hour prices with some cheese wiz and saltines... . Have a great weight loss week.

Bill

Half-way point results

So, we've been doing this thing for SIX WEEKS. What's been accomplished?

You're not going to believe this, but as of today our group has lost a collective ONE HUNDRED AND ONE POUNDS. That's pretty incredible!

John T leads the way in the most total pounds lost with 18, closely followed by Bill with 17 lost thus far.

Club 7-Stephen & Bill sweated it out all seven days this week

Everyone worked out 3 or more days this week

Weekly challenge winner: Loree covered 43 miles this week on her bike and by foot. Tired, Loree?

Most fun so far: Definitely the "Bump Bill" party on Saturday.

And the results! It's a tight race in the middle of the pack and John T looks like he may threaten Bill's 5-week stay at the top of the game. Stay tuned for next week!

Current Biggest Loser Standings

1. Bill-95
2. John T-90
3. Kathy Tullis-78
4. Karen-70
5. (tie) Lori-66
5. (tie) Loree-66
7. Michelle-60
8. Jen-58
9. John S-55
10. (tie) Colleen-54
10. (tie) Stephen -54
12. Allie-41
13. Kathy Thrailkill-30

Visions of Grandeur

I think this sums up my progress nicely! Still holding strong in last place, but I'm expecting to have a major breakthrough any day now. Congrats Jen and Stephen for finishing the race today.

Victory is OURS!

Woo-hoo! Stephen and I ran in the "Love 'Em or Leave 'Em" 5k at Greenlake this morning and had a great time. I ran the whole thing and finished in about 35 minutes (a huge improvement from not being able to run at all a couple months ago!) and Stephen was a machine and kept up an under 7 minute pace for the race's duration. Go team!

We're off for a celebratory lunch (and beer!). Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Thanks again to the Henneger's for the great party last night--delicious appetizers and a fun excuse to drink some wine. ;)

Incremental Change Leads to Breakthrough

Jen - eventually, all of your great effort is going to pay off (please see the title of this blog). I'm pretty sure that this is the first week when you haven't exercised your ass off. And it looks to me like you're going to make it up through the rest of this week and on into the next. Good for you for re-committing and good luck!

- L

Confession & recommitment

So, in the spirit of honesty I will confess the following:

I've only worked out once so far this week (best be getting my buns to the gym fri-sun!)
I had chips (yes, the fried kind), chocolate AND wine today--we're not talking teeny little amounts either

So, it seems time for me to reign myself in and work on consistency--always tricky for me

On the plus side, I lost a half pound this week, which takes me to an even five pounds lost. Yes!!!!! I don't want to bounce right back up, so I am committing tonight to taking control.

Next week, I will:

1. Avoid sugar
2. Avoid processed foods

And will do the following workout program:

Monday: Lower Body & Interval training
Tuesday: Rest
Wed: Run 3-4 miles
Thursday: Upper & Lower Body
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Long run (4+ miles)
Sunday: Upper Body & Run 3 miles

So...I expect you people to ask me if I've done this at the end of next week. If I haven't, you owe it to me to give me a healthy dose of crap.

Hope everyone is hanging in there--looking forward to seeing you at B & L's!

Jen

Ready to Bump Bill?????????????????????????

With or without a party, the race has gotten fierce, with three others closing in on Bill. Just a few hidden pats of butter in an appetizer could do it.......

So, come one and all to the first-ever "Loser Party" at the Henneger's. We like to think that we normally invite winners to our home, but in this case we will make an exception.

Who is up for a Saturday night event? Please bring a light appetizer or dessert and your beverage of choice. It will be a great time to trade some recipes so that we don't all die of menu boredom, share success stories, and mourn the loss in our lives of all that sugar, fat calories and processed foods. On the other hand, we can celebrate all the losses that we're seeing when we're on the scales or using a tape measure around the waist. Here are the details:

Henneger Home Saturday Nite - 6:30'ish
--80 East Roanoke #4 (Condo/Townhomes just west of Eastlake Ave in Seattle)
--206-860-1603 - home number.

Give us a call if you need directions and/or just to let us know you're coming. Or feel free to e-mail us. I'll send a similar message to all of your e-mails, to those who might not be checking the blog every day.

Hope to see you this weekend!

- Lori

German chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, brown sugar cookies oh my

HI Everyone,

No I did not jump off the Ballard bridge but I have had trouble logging on so I am using my wonderful husband's log in. That being said I dove head first into sweets on Sunday and I am sooooo thankful we have weekly goals. And mine is????? That's right no sugar! I must admit that everything I ate was homemade, delicious and well worth the extra calories but I am back on track this week.

I agree with Jen it is getting harder to figure out what to fix for dinner but soups are a life saver for us especially at lunch. On the exercise front it is still a struggle........ I got up before 5am last Thursday to get to the club to work out and as I pulled into the parking lot there was not a light in sight. They don't open until 5:30 yikes, but that didn't stop my determination I drove to school and we have an eliptical in the underground parking lot (long story) so in the dark I hoist myself on it and start pusing buttons 20+ minutes later I am sweaty. Since then I have been battling some back pain I guess it is too early for the eliptical for Kathy G.

So I am not sure what my goal should be or can be. At this point I am going to aim at biking 60 minutes to cover 2o miles. I am not sure if that is reasonable but I will keep you posted. Good luck to everyone this week.

Kathy G

Time to man up!

OK you losers! In spite of my rank in the standings, I stay steadfast in my commitment to my goal. I WILL run 5 miles in under 60 MINUTES. So all of you wimpy girlie types afraid to make the commitment take note. Last I remember a goal was something you set out to achieve.

How will I achieve this goal? I don't doubt that your curiosity stems more from your desire to lay in wait and clobber me with a stick me as I jog past, but I'll share my plan none the less:

• Work out with a trainer 2 x a week
• Circuit training class 1x a week
• Run 3 x a week

I may not be losing weight, I may not be successful sticking to my dietary goals, but as God as my witness I will achieve this damn part of the program or die trying!

Best of luck to all!

Col

Week 5 Results & Current Standings

Weekly Challenge Winner: Michelle, who proves she's not just bendy but also very buff! She logged an incredible 240 minutes of strenght training this week. Yowza!

Club 7: John T & Michelle both worked out all seven days last week! Aren't you people tired, yet??

Most lost this week: John S dropped a whopping 4lbs during week 5--not bad for being a month into the game!

Most lost thus far: Bill has already shed an amazing 16 pounds! A new man! John T isn't far behind with an almost 15 pound loss (and a rumored need for a smaller size of slacks).

Current Standings after Week 5

1. Bill-80
2. Karen-72
3. John T-71
4. Kathy Tullis-70
5. Lori-63
6. Michelle-53
7. Loree-52
8. John S-50
9. Stephen-47
10. (tie) Colleen-45
10. (tie) Jen-45
12. Allie-34
13. Kathy Thrailkill-24

Up From the Trenches

Just a quick checkin to say that I'm doing OK, but certainly could be doing better; I remain hopeful...I still have time!

As requested, here is my reflection on my 12-week fitness goal:

• Your original 12-week fitness goal: OK, but need to increase the # of times I’m running each week. Should be 3 minimum, sometimes I’m only getting in 2 runs, but lots of 1-hour tennis sessions (which is often more intense than a 40 minute run).
• Your new goal if you have changed it – unchanged so far.
• Your training plan for accomplishing your goal – run no fewer than 3 times per week.
  How things are going/progressing. Do you feel like you will make it? I’m still running 11-12 minute miles (where the hell is my endurance?), but feel confident I’ll get down to 9!

Hope all is well in loserville.

'Till later,

Allie

Onward and upward

Greetings Losers,

This contest has been great for me so far. It has forced me to get back to the gym and healthy eating. I have not been perfect but I am much better off than I would have been if left to my own devices. I guess I will always prefer a night on the couch to a night on the treadmill but it does feel good to be moving again! Plus, it is nice to know that our gym membership is more than a monthy donation.

My fitness goal is still the Columbia Tower Climb. We will be taking on 69 flights of stairs to get to the top, then heading to the Pancake House for the biggest breakfast ever. To prepare (for the climb, not for the breakfast) I have been doing lots of walking uphill, swimming, the eliptical and stairs. Lots and lots of stairs. I am hoping that the side benefit will be to remove some of the excess baby weight that I am carrying in my posterior. Tough to get it off since the baby was born 18 years ago but that seems to be where most of my pounds like to settle.

Best of luck to everyone!

Loree

A Word from the Back of the Pack

It's true. I've been in last place since the contest begin and won't disappoint this week! But watch out, a lot can happen in the next two months.

As for progress on my fitness goal, I've been working toward it but realized it's not only difficult to explain but also to measure. So, if the judges will allow I'm changing my goal to take on the Columbia Tower climb in mid-march. The obvious incentive here (besides getting some points on the board) is chasing firemen up 65 flights of stairs! Now if one has a donut in his pocket ... even better.

It's great to see everyone doing so well and I hope to recalibrate my focus and make some positive progress in the weeks to come.

Bill Fights Back!!!

Baudelaire stated "It isn't the end result but the journey along the way." I'm sure it's more romantic in French but you get the thought!! Not having walked 6 miles before, I will commit to a time limit as I near the date. Also fellow male participants should not attack their brothers. I recall it was only the female contingency who attacked Stephen not anyone from the male caucus. Also remember I am protected by the AARP. Don't make me unleash them!!! Have a great weight loss week.

Bill

Time to Step up Bill and put a time limit on the goal!

It was pointed out to me that it was lame to not have a time limit to train for on the fitness goal. I agree it was. Time to step up Bill! Lets go!

Fitness Goal Update

My original goal is to complete 5 miles jogging. Although I am only up to 2 miles now I think I should be able to complete the task. So I will leave my goal as is.

My training has consisted of one hour of aerobic machines (elliptical, treadmill, wave, rowing, bicycle, or arm bicycle). I change the duration everyday for variety so I am usually spending a minimum of 10-15 minutes to 60 minutes on any given machine. Then its weight machines for working either my chest/arms; back/shoulders; legs/gluts. Every other day I make sure to run on the treadmill as far as I can, which is usually till my legs give out (this is part of my one hour on aerobic machines not in addition). I have also decided to keep the "2 a days" since I can do the second workout at home. The second workout consists of treadmill for 15-20 minutes, then stretching, floor exercises using the big ball (crunches, push ups) and kettle bells.

This week was tough because I gave up caffeine and have had a headache for most of the week. For the most part I have not sustained any crippling injuries and have been able to enjoy the workouts on some perverted level. The only thing that I am still struggling with is trying to maintain the fewer calories because you all know how working out increases the appetite.

This morning I have a sore throat so I may be coming down with a cold which will probably make working out really uncomfortable. I am also starting a temporary job next week which means getting to the club by 5am to get my workouts in and I'll have to see if I can maintain my "2 a days" .

Have a great weekend everyone.
Michelle

State of the Body Address

1. For some reason, I keep falling down at the gym. Don't worry--it's not because of vertigo, it's because of poor coordination. Last week, I tripped doing squats and this week I tripped coming off the treadmill (dropping my Ipod and water) and I slipped off the bench while doing a set of shoulder exercises. And Stephen wonders why I work out in the small room way upstairs...

2. Running is getting HARDER instead of easier. Is that supposed to happen? Thank God for Colleen, who just about dragged my ass around Greenlake on Tuesday.

3. Working out and eating right is getting dull. There, I said it. Sometimes I spend my free time watching Food Network and fantasizing about pumpkin ravioli and triple-fried potatos. Paula Deen belongs in jail. Don't believe me? Check out this recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_34925,00.html?rsrc=search

4. And it's not like this effort is paying off in spades, either. The poundage is pretty slow to leave my body, but at least this week I lost the pound I gained last week AND it took one of its fat little friends with him. Hope they're gone for good.

5. I'm getting awfully macho. He may deny it, but on the tricep pull machine I lift heavier than Stephen does. Probably on some of the other machines, too. I'm all about muscles, baby.

Karen's here!!

Wow, into week 5!! I've only missed 3 days of exercising since Jan 1, that right there is an accomplished goal for me!! If feels so good to notice positive changes....I have more energy, I"m eating less and that darn sugar addicition is about gone. So far the weight is slow to leave this body, but I'm hoping for a good drop soon, when that happens you will all hear from me. My goal is to walk/run 3 miles in 45 minutes at an incline on the treadmill. I orginally said two miles, but I've increased it to three. I've been "treading on the belt" and increasing my time and pace daily. I think I can do this by March 31st. I feel it is taking time for all of this to kick in, as this is the best I have felt since we have started. Are we a bunch of losers or what??????

Lori's New Goal

I will not do something lame like have a goal for walking/running a certain distance without a time limit. And yes, I did nag my husband to put a time limit to it. He has assured me he will walk briskly. Actually it is six miles, and if I make him go early in the morning, the bars won't be open yet.....

My original goal was to walk/run a 12 minute mile for 4 miles. I think that now I may have bit off more than I can chew. The time is not nearly as important as the consistent effort, so my new goal is to run/walk 3 miles in 40 minutes by March 31. That's just a bit over a 13 minute mile, and while more doable, still a big stretch for me. How will I do this? I will resume (hopefully starting this weekend) my 5-6 days/week workouts on the treadmill and my 3 days/week powerwalks with Reggie. In addition, I will resume my crunches (I was up to 46 before I stopped last week) and will add a 10 minute daily pilates activity to ensure that I'm building my core. Feel free to join me on March 31 at Greenlake!