Week 3 - We have a new leader in the Clubhouse...

Congratulations to this weeks winner Michelle.  She jumped from 6th place in the standings all the way to the lead with over a 2% loss for the week.  Way to go Michelle, you ROCK...  Its IS still anybody's game at this point in the contest its just a matter of WHO wants it...


Michelle     4.29%
Kristi         4.09%
Joey           3.93%
David         3.42%
Brad          3.05%
Beth           3.03%
Trish          3.01%
Suzy           2.65%
Lindsey       2.50%
Anita           2.33%
Sue             2.31%
Megan H    2.00%
Christina     1.64%
Chris          1.61%
Leonard     1.47%
Kellie         0.84%
Risa           0.64%
Megan D    0.63%

AVERAGE Percentage Lost after 3 weeks -  2.53%

Keep After IT...

Cake is for the Weak!

An occasional treat is okay, but eating something bad for you just because it's readily available is one of the reasons why we all have weight to lose!

Don't give into the cake temptation! Tomorrow is our next weigh-in!

(Though I really liked Risa's idea of having next month's cake served on a Thursday...)

I really didn't do any better. After avoiding the cake... I chowed down on enough almonds and raisin mix that I'm sure I ate more calories than what is in a small piece of cake. Replacing bad snacks for good doesn't always help!

Eating Out...

Hope you all had a successful weekend, I know its tough at times especially when eating out but I did find something I wanted to share with all of you.  Applebee's does a pretty good job catering to those who are trying to be healthiet, their menu has heart healty items and right now their newest offering is their "Under 550 Calories" menu.  They offer 5 different entrees all with under 550 calories.  I had the Asiago Peppercorn Steak this weekend.  The plate was definately bigger than the food BUT, it was tasty and prepared well.  I encourage all of you to study the menu when you eat out and make good choices for yourself.  Although I did have a beer with dinner it was actually kind of nice to not leave the restraunt feeling gourged and full.  I was satisfied and although it took a bit of willpower it all turned out for the best...

Here is the link for these menu items...  http://www.applebees.com/Menu_Under550.aspx

Keep After It...

Week 2 Update

Congrats on week 2 winner – David with a 2.26% loss… We lost 25.6 pounds as a team in week 2 bringing our total to exactly 75 lbs in two weeks, pretty darn good…


Everyone seemed to be worried this week as they stepped on the scale, let’s work hard this week so there isn’t any worry next week…

Here are the standings after two weeks.

Name           %
Beth             3.71%
Megan H      2.50%
Brad             2.50%
Kristi            2.44%
Joey             2.44%
Michelle       2.26%
David           2.26%
Sue              2.23%
Lindsey        2.18%
Suzy             1.97%
Risa              1.93%
Anita             1.73%
Trish              0.89%
Leonard         0.78%
Kellie             0.70%
Megan D        0.54%
Chris              0.38%
Christina         0.35%
Avg               1.87%

Keep after it....

Dolla Dolla Bills Y'all????

OK - so it was looking a little grim for a few folks who said they shot their diet to hell the past week!! HOWEVER - we've had the majority of the group weigh in, and so far, no gains!!! Most people lost, with a few people maintaining! anything NOT a gain, is a victory, remember that....! An update of total weightloss will be added to the blog when we get all our weigh-ins! (some people are out today, or just simply not in 'yet').
MORE to come!!!!!

Mmmmm.....

This is a SUPER BLT, I think they might have held the L and the T....have a good weekend, everybody, and remember, there's NO calories in pictures.....

Emotional Eating - A Battle not always won!!!!

I don't know about the rest of you - please feel free to chime in - but I "stress eat"....and its HARD to fight the urge....When I get upset or stressed, I get in this 'mood' of "SCREW IT", and I make the stressor, the reason that its Okay for me to ruin the diet and just eat whatever the heck I feel like. This time of year is SO hard to feel energetic or happy - with the "winter blues" and the "winter blahs" - I don't want to stay on track! I want to snack, and nap!!!
Needless to say - I stress ate last night. wasn't really a BAD food i chose to eat, I just ate TOO MUCH of it....and then of course, who felt too full and miserable to work out? ME!!!!

HEY, way to go...

Even though this is a competition I still consider us all on the same team because we all want the same thing in the end, to drop some weight and become healthier...  WITH THAT said I want to tell you all that 50 pounds lost as a group is no laughing matter, you guys ROCK...  You know 50 pounds is a LOT of weight.

A gallon of milk weighs a little more than eight pounds so that means we lost the equivalent of just over 6 gallons of milk.  Ever put two gallons of milk in your hand and try to carry them, its heavy...

I am sure some of you may have kids weighing around 50 pounds or less, if so we LOST them...

How about lets hit at lest 50 again this week, I know we can do it...

Keep Working Hard - BC

Congrats to the individual week one winner - 2.58% lost :-)

Carbs or no Carbs

So this doctor I met talked about weight loss and other things and he was saying that as your day progresses, you should start to cut back on your carb intake. I knew that lunch should be the biggest meal of the day but he also suggested that if you sit on your butt all day in front of a computer that you should scale back some of the carbs as well. Why? Well, carbs are used by our bodies to energize us. If we are not very active, we don't burn as many of those calories we just woofed down. Carbs are converted to calories and we know what that gets converted to---fat. Don't misunderstand, our bodies need "Carbs", we just don't need as much as that painter, electrician or cashier who may be on their feet all day. So enjoy your muffin, biscuit, or toast. Just make sure you cut back or work it off later.

First Weigh IN....

I'm really looking forward to our first weigh in. I, also have seen struggling with illness for the past week and lacking the energy to work out as much as I should...but as Brad said ..it's MORE than what I have been doing and I should be proud of making positive changes and not keep beating myself up because I haven't reached my fullest potential. As long as I am moving forward, I have nothing to be disapppointed about :)

Good Luck - First Weigh In Tomorrow

I hope everyone has had a good first week, the dreaded weigh in is tomorrow so good luck.  Its been a decent week on my end, havent worked out as much as I would have liked but was sick for a couple of days and will work out again tonight so that will make 2.5 work outs since our initial weigh in which is 2.5 more than I had in the last three months.  Nutrition has been pretty good, been close to where I want to be with my food intake but havent had enough water, we'll see what the scale says tomorrow. 

PLEASE share with the rest of the group how you are doing, we want to know...

Good Luck and Keep AFTER It...

Raise your hand if you think 45 calorie bread is pointless?

Ok, so I thought I would share my latest find. Don't know about you but 45 calorie bread just doesn't cut it for me. I might as well be eating styrofoam. So on my search for something with a little more oomph when making a sandwich I found Oroweat Sandwich Thins. Only 100 calories, high in fiber, 0 trans fats,no high fructose corn syrup and they don't taste like saw dust either. I've also heard Pepperidge Farm has a similar product that is just as good, too. Enjoy! Hope you are all doing well on your weightloss journey. Good luck to everyone this week!!

HAHAHAHA - Mental WARFARE has begun I see...

This was WAY too funny, thought you all would get a kick out of it....  :-)

Ugh...

Snow days are not so good for the diet. Hope you are all doing better than me. *sigh* Tomorrow is a new day!

Are YOU getting enough Water?

"Top 4 Benefits of Drinking Water" by Michele Silence, MA

Everyone’s heard how important it is to drink enough water. Especially in the hot summer months. But is it really that necessary? Absolutely. This nutrient is vital to health in numerous ways, and the health benefits of drinking water cannot be underestimated.

1. Drinking water enhances fat loss
Water is an essential nutrient. All chemical reactions in the body depend upon it. If you’re trying to lose weight, this can’t be ignored. You won’t be able to lose weight without water to flush out the by-products of fat breakdown. When there isn’t enough water to dilute the body’s waste products, kidney stones may form. When the kidneys aren’t working to their full potential, the liver must step in and help. Once this happens the liver can’t optimally perform its other important functions. As a result, burning fat has to wait.

2. Combat ailments by drinking more water
In many cases, fatigue, headaches and back pain may be caused by dehydration. If you suffer from an afternoon nod off, try drinking more water at lunch. If you or your children complain of frequent headaches, the amount of water you’re drinking could be responsible. And, muscle spasms are also caused by not being adequately hydrated.

3. Drinking water can reduce hunger
Experts say that hunger pangs are often misinterpreted cravings for water. Try drinking water before your regular meals and see if it helps you cut down on the amount of food you eat. It really works as an effective appetite suppressant. Avoid counting tea, coffee, sodas and juices in your fluid intake. Coffee and tea contain caffeine which has a diuretic effect and makes you lose water. Sodas and juices are too sweet—because the body must dilute them, they cause more dehydration.

4. Look younger - drinking water hydrates your skin
When the skin is properly hydrated, it looks plump and more radiant. Water will keep the toxins flushed out and help you to cool off through perspiration. Muscles need to have enough water to make them look full too. Deprive yourself of water and you’ll see the difference in the mirror.

Congratulations all Wanna-be Losers!!!

Truthfully - hopping on that scale was the first step, and it was a HARD ONE. But everyone should be proud of taking that first step beyond all nerves and reservations they have about sharing their weight with another person. We have an AMAZING 19 people signed up for our BL competition. NINETEEN PEOPLE!!! thats $190 minimum cash pot right now!
When the remaining couple of people have weighed in, who aren't here today, do - I'll send our group pounds total, and average and start weigh range, so we can all checkout our competition.

Here's to lower numbers every week!!!
Risa

Today is the DAY!!!!!!!

First weigh in was today!! Wow, it's hard to see that number but sooo motivating and I'm really looking forward to losing the 25 pounds that I've gained over the past year. I haven't weighed this much since I was pregnant. Ugh. That is hard to admit but soo, sooo true!! Anyway, good luck to my fellow co-workers on being successful!!

Exercise at the Office

Just wanted to make sure everyone knows they can access the exercixe room and locker room here at the office for working out.  If you do not currently have access please contact your immediate supervisor or Sandy Soukoup for your authorization... 

Also, good luck to everyone, lets make 2K10 a great year for our health...

Ok bring on the reubens, donuts, pizza, and buffalo wings before Wednesday.