Week 7 Results

Week 7 Update:
Tom Stodola - 11 points
Jon Stodola - 7 points
Nicole John - 7 points
John Ellis - 6 points
Nancy Boxrud - 4 points (owes $1.50)
Dan Boxrud - 4 points (owes $1.50)
Chris John - 3 points (owes $3.00)

It's been a tough couple of weeks and we've got 3 days left to hit it hard, and I'm not talking about drinking on New Year's Eve. I'm talking about exercise and eating well. Let's all take the first steps to healthier living before entering the new year.

And... here's where we're at for total points:
Nicole - 60 points
Dan - 54 points
Chris - 53 points
Jon - 51 points
John - 50 points
Tom - 47 points
Nancy - 36 points

It's going to take a lot for anyone to catch Nicole, she has been motivated throughout this competition and looks to be the clear winner going into the final week. Good luck everyone!

P.S. I'm thinking of a new year's resolution that will motivate me throughout the year. Here's what I've come up with. I'm thinking about working out 130 hours in 2015. That's equivalent to 5, 30 minute workouts per week for 52 weeks. What do you guys think? Any other ideas, thoughts on how to stay motivated or does anyone want to do it with me? Should we make it a competition?

Week 6 Results

Week 6 Update:
Chris John - 10 points
Nicole John - 8 points
Jon Stodola - 7 points (owes $.34)
John Ellis - 7 points (owes $.33)
Tom Stodola - 7 points (owes $.33)
Dan Boxrud - 5 points (owes $2.50)
Nancy Boxrud - 5 points (owes $2.50)

Week 5 Results

Only three weeks left... are you on track to hitting your weight loss goal? Nicole already passed hers and is on her way to setting and achieving her next goal - way to go!!!

Nicole John - 9 points
Dan Boxrud - 8 points
Jon Stodola - 7 points (owes $.75)
John Ellis - 7 points (owes $.75)
Chris John - 7 points (owes $.75)
Tom Stodola - 7 points (owes $.75)
Nancy Boxrud - 5 points (owes $3.00)

We lost a total of 9 lbs this week. I think we can do better and I'm committed to doubling my weight loss total this week. Okay, it's only 2 lbs but it sounds better to say I'm doubling it. ;-)

Good luck and be sure to push yourself over the final 3 weeks.

P.S. I would like to create a continuation of this contest that focuses on keeping the weight off and I'm looking for suggestions. Please respond with ideas on how to structure it differently for this goal.

Week 4 Results

We're halfway there... are you on track to reach your goals?

Here are the results from week 4:

Dan Boxrud - 14 points
Nicole John - 10 points
Chris John - 9 points
Jon Stodola - 8 points (owes $.50)
John Ellis - 8 points (owes $.50)Tom Stodola - 4 poionts (owes $2.00)Nancy Boxrud - 3 points (owes $3.00)

Great rebound! See what a week without Turkey can do? We lost a total of 17 pounds this week!

Week 3 Results! (Gobble Gobble)

Week 3 (AKA Thanksgiving Week) Results:
John Ellis - 8 points
Jon Stodola - 8 points
Tom Stodola - 7 points
Nicole John - 7 points
Nancy Boxrud - 4 points (owes $1.50)
Chris John - 4 points (owes $1.50)
Dan Boxrud - 0 points (owes $3.00)

Not a great week for some but glad to see some were able to lose a lb or two.

Here's where we're at in total:
Nicole John - 26 points
Chris John - 24 points (owes $1.50)
Dan Boxrud - 23 points (owes $3.00)
John Ellis - 22 points (owes $2.50)
Jon Stodola - 22 points (owes $3.00)
Nancy Boxrud - 19 points (owes $3.50)
Tom Stodoola - 18 points (owes $4.50)

High and low points for each week:
Week 1: 10/5
Week 2: 13/5
Week 3: 8/0

Total pounds gained or lost:
Week 1: 16 pounds down
Week 2: 17 pounds down
Week 3: 5 pounds gained
28 Total pounds lost!

As you can see, Turkey day took a toll on some of us but hopefully this will be the week to rebound.

Week 2 Results

16 lbs the first week and 17 lbs the second. There is no way we can continue at this pace... is there? Prove me wrong. I promise to help contribute this week, even with Thanksgiving. Keep it up and we'll all be bikini ready before the New Year.

Here are the results for week 2:
Dan Boxrud - 13 points
Chris John - 10 points
Nancy Boxrud - 9 points
Nicole John - 9 points
John Ellis - 6 points (Owes $1.50)
Tom Stodola - 6 points (Owes $1.50)
Jon Stodola - 5 points (0wes $3.00)

Keep up the great work!

Week 1 Results

With only 7 participants, we lost a whopping 16 pounds... in one week!!!

Here are the results:
Chris John - 10 points
Nicole John - 10 points
Dan Boxrud - 10 points
Jon Stodola - 9 points
John Ellis - 8 points (owes $1.00)
Nancy Boxrud - 6 points (owes $2.00)
Tom Stodola - 5 points (owes $3.00)

Although each of us may have up and down weeks, the purpose of the 8-Week Sprint is to keep the focus for the entire competition. During 12-Week competitions, historically most people were able to maintain their intensity throughout the first 8 weeks. After that, well, let's just say some fall off. Let's stay strong and keep the focus throughout the entire 8-Weeks!

Good luck and enjoy the results.

Why Do You Want to Lose Weight?

Let's get this competition started off by identifying why you want to lose weight. Is it for health reasons, to gain more energy, or some other reason or combination of reasons?

Post your response in the comments section and good luck to every one.

8-Week Holiday Sprint

The holidays are a tough time for many. What better way to ease those holiday blues than by stuffing your face with candy, pumpkin pie, turkey, ham, potatoes, etc.? Mmmm... I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

But what if you watched what you ate instead and dramatically increased the amount of time you exercise? Imagine how great you would feel! The 8-Week Holiday Sprint will help you do that.

Want to compete? Be prepared to exercise EVERY DAY for the next 8 weeks AND cut back and/or change the way you are eating. The stakes are higher, the entry is the same but the weekly pay-in has increased. Stay out of the bottom 3 and you'll not only feel better, but your pocket book will thank you. Plus... earn $5.00 each week by having the most points.

Please let me know by Friday, November 7th if you will be participating and please be sure to record your starting weight.

Week 12 - FINAL RESULTS:

John Ellis - 14 (bonus $5.00)
Jon Stodola - 9
Don Running - 9
Tom Stodola - 7
Jason Skipper - 6
Mary Jo Running - 5
Tina Skipper - 5
Andrea Carver - 5
Drew Boxrud - 3 (owes $2.00)
Dan Skipper - 3 (owes $2.00)
Brad Bruhn - 3 (owes $2.00)
And the winner is...

Jon Stodola ended on top with an amazing 112 points and finished the twelve week competition not missing a single day of exercise! Also ending 28 lbs lighter and down 13.7% body weight. However, that wasn't enough. John Ellis fell 1 point shy of winning the point total but managed to sneak by in week 12 with an outstanding 7 lb loss, bringing his total % weight loss to 14.3%. Congratulations to both!

Money, money, money... money! (said like The Apprentice theme song)
Now for the part we've all been waiting for, or dreading.

John Ellis - $108.50 WON!!!
Jon Stodola - $78.50 WON!!!

Owes:
Brad Bruhn - $43.00
Andrea Carver - $26.50
Tina Skipper - $20.50
Drew Boxrud - $19.00
Mary Jo Running - $18.50
Dan Skipper - $18.50
Jason Skipper - $17.50
Tom Stodola - $16.00
Don Running - $7.50

Please send your payment to:
11770 Owatonna Court NE
Blaine, MN 55449

Payouts will be sent after all money owed is received.

Thanks for making this an exciting competition and I'm glad it was a success for many. As a group, we lost 155 lbs! Great job!!!

Week 11 Results

Question: What do these five things have in common: spring break, Super Bowl, vacations, birthdays and weekends? 

A. It is hard to control what we eat during each.
B. They automatically add 2-4 lbs to a person.
C. They each provide an opportunity to break a habit.
D. They are all fun and have nothing to do with weight gain or loss.

Answer: C

Whether caused by an event, stress, fun, or curing a sweet tooth we all have habits that have been learned over a long period of time. Each time you overcome these urges you move a little closer to a life of healthy living. Don't avoid them, acknowledge the craving and make a choice to skip it, and keep making the right choice each time. Sooner or later the cravings will dissipate.

Jon Stodola - 9 (bonus $5.00)
John Ellis - 7
Andrea Carver - 6
Tina Skipper - 6
Don Running - 5
Mary Jo Running - 5
Tom Stodola - 5
Drew Boxrud - 4
Jason Skipper - 3 (owes $1.50)
Dan Skipper - 3 (owes $1.50)
Brad Brun - 1 (owes $3.00)

We're in the final week of this competition - let's finish strong!

Week 10 Results

Congratulations to John Ellis for winning the 5-week total points! I knew I shouldn't have eaten that brownie.

Donald Running - 10
John Ellis - 9 (won $25.00)
Jon Stodola - 8
Tom Stodola - 7
Mary Jo Running - 6
Jason Skipper - 6
Dan Skipper - 6
Andrea Carver - 5
Brad Bruhn - 3 (owes $1.00)
Tina Skipper - 2 (owes $2.50)
Drew Boxrud - 2 (owes $2.50)

Only one and half weeks left. Let's end strong!!!

Week 9 Results

John and Jon tied, again! Their total points are now up to 36 for the four weeks. Who is going to be the biggest loser this week, or will there be another tie?

John Ellis - 10
Jon Stodola - 10
Tom Stodola - 7...
Tina Skipper - 7
Mary Jo Running - 6
Don Running - 6
Dan Skipper - 5
Brad Bruhn - 3 (owes $.50)
Jason Skipper - 3 (owes $.50)
Drew Boxrud - 2 (owes $2.00)
Andrea Curtis Carver - 0 (owes $3.00)

We actaully had a negative weight loss this week. (Does that make sense?) As a group we managed to gain two pounds! Only three weeks to go, let's finish strong!!!

Week 8 Results

Another week and another tie. Jon S., Jason S. and John E. all have 26 points for their three week total. There is now $20 up for grabs for the top point earner for the four weeks. Good luck!

Jon Stodola - 10
Jason Skipper - 9
John Ellis - 8
Drew Boxrud - 8
Dan Skipper - 8
Andrea Carver - 8
Tina Skipper - 7
Mary Jo Running - 6 (owes $1.00)
Don Running - 6 (owes $1.00)
Tom Stodola - 6 (owes $1.00)
Brad Bruhn - 2 (owes $3.00)

Note: We lost 15 lbs as a group this week and we are only 15.5 lbs per week away from reaching a group loss of 200 lbs. Can we push it during these last four weeks and achieve this goal?

Week 7 Results

Thanks to John Ellis and Don Running the weekly bonus will carry over another week. Here are the weekly results:

John Ellis - 9
Don Running - 8
Dan Skipper - 7
Tom Stodola - 7
Jason Skipper - 7
Jon Stodola - 6
Tina Skipper - 6
Mary Jo Running - 5
Andrea Carver - 4 (owes $1.00)
Brad Bruhn - 3 (owes $2.00)
Drew Boxrud - 2 (owes $3.00)

18 is the two week total and there is $15 up for grabs for the person with the highest three week total. Good luck, all!

Week 6 Results

Three way tie this week for the top spot bonus $. Will Jason, Jon or Don win the two week total or will someone else sneak into the top spot?

Jon Stodola - 10
Jason Skipper - 10
Donald Running - 10
John Ellis - 9
Tina Skipper - 7
Tom Stodola - 7
Daniel Skipper - 6
Mary Jo Running - 6
Drew Boxrud - 5 (owes $1.00)
Brad Bruhn - 3 (owes ($2.00)
Andrea Carver - 1 (owes $3.00)

Total weight loss this week significantly improved to 15 lbs. Nice job! There's another 6 weeks to go. Keep up the great work and let's finish this competition strong.

Week 5 Results

Based on the results this week we may need to adjust our group goal from 250 down to 150 lbs! We had a total of 6 lbs lost this week (four people gained). Stupid Super Bowl!

Week 5 Results:
John Ellis = 9 (won $5.00)
Jon Stodola = 8
Andrea Carver = 8
Tina Skipper = 8
Tom Stodola = 7
Daniel Skipper = 6
Mary Jo Running = 6
Jason Skipper = 5 (owes ($.50)
Don Running = 5 (owes $.50)
Drew Boxrud = 4 (owes $2.00)
Brad Bruhn = 3 (owes $3.00)

I hope we see a rebound next week. Keep up the exercising and watch what you're eating.

Week 4 Standings

We're one-third of the way through this competition. Now is the time to turn it on!

Drew Boxrud = 10 (won $10)
Jon Stodola = 9 (won nothing... again!)
John Ellis = 9
Tom Stodola = 8
Jason Skipper = 8
Donald Running = 8
Mary Jo Running = 7
Daniel Skipper = 7
Tina Skipper = 6 (owes $1.50)
Andrea Carver = 6 (owes $1.50)
Brad Bruhn = 2 (owes $3.00)

We now need to lose an average of over 19 lbs per week to reach the 250 lb goal. We're going to need everyone to push it hard in order to make these numbers happen. We can do it!

1/3 of the way through and here are how the points stack up:

Jon Stodola = 42
Drew Boxrud = 37
Don Running = 37
John Ellis = 36
Dan Skipper = 35
Tom Stodola = 33
Jason Skipper = 31
Tina Skipper = 31
MJ Running = 30
Andrea Carver = 27
Brad Bruhn = 13

Week Three Results

Why won't you people just let me win the highest point total for the week?

Jon Stodola = 10
Drew Boxrud = 10
John Ellis = 9
Tom Stodola = 8
Tina Skipper = 7
Dan Skipper = 7
Andrea Carver = 7
Jason Skipper = 6
Don Running = 5 (owes $1.00)
Brad Bruhn = 3 (owes $2.50)
Mary Jo Running = 3 (owes $2.50)

We lost another 12 lbs as a group, brining our total weight loss to 82 lbs. Through the first 3 weeks we have averaged nearly 2.5lbs per person/week.

Our goal as a group should be 250 lbs. In order to reach this goal we each need to average 1.7 lbs/week for the remaining 9 weeks, or 15 lbs. Some people do not have that much weight to lose so others will need to step up. If we reach this goal I will personally give everyone a special prize - and you will like it!

Remember, it is the combination of eating right and exercising that will allow us to reach our own personal goals.

I challenge everyone to go though this weekend without eating any deserts/treats. When you have a craving, think to yourself or say out loud, "I would love to eat ______ but I choose to Live Lean." And remember, you are not making the decision forever, just for that moment.

Living Lean - Top Tips

Whether you are a person who is influenced by self-talk or self motivation, here are a few tips I’ve been using to keep myself on track to eating “healthier” and exercising more:

1. Use MyFitness Pal to track your daily caloric intake. As painstaking as it is to record EVERYTHING you consume, once you do this for a week or two you will have a pretty good idea what you can and cannot eat throughout the day in order to stay on track. (For example, I splurged for breakfast one day and ate nuts and fruit for lunch to get me back on track.)

2. Use self-talk to strengthen your mind and help change your relationship with food. We all have triggers that create urges for foods that are not good for us. For me, I craved something sweet after every meal, especially dinner. However, I have eaten only two deserts in three weeks because I am reprogramming my mind to remove that urge. I use “I would like eat ______ but I choose Live Lean” to help remind myself what the long term goal is. This leads me to the third tip…

3. Don’t be afraid to expand your comfort zone. It’s not like I will never eat deserts again but I am retraining myself to not expect sweets after a meal. As a result, the urges I talked about above have gotten less intense and less frequent as the days/weeks go on. The same is true with exercise. Some days I can 4 miles without any trouble and others I can’t even make it 1 before I’m ready to quit. But the more you push yourself, the easier it will be in the future. REMEMBER, the discomfort is only temporary and the benefits are forever.

4. Live in the moment. If you eat poorly or choose not to exercise, you have not failed. I repeat, you have NOT FAILED! You simply made a decision to Live Lardy in that moment. You have a choice every second of every day and it’s up to you whether you choose to Live Lean or Live Lardy. The choice is up to you!

5. Do it for yourself. One of the main reasons I wanted to do this competition was to be a good influence for my friends and family, especially my girls who ask for a treat after every dinner. However, you must do it first and foremost for yourself. What is the main benefit YOU will receive by Living Lean? Think about that and you will accomplish the other.

Please comment if you would like me to continue with this Living Lean stuff. I realize it’s a bit hokey, or so it seams, but it is working for me and I have never felt better about my eating as I do right now.

Week Two Standings

Another amazing week! Without looking back I’m sure records were set for total points and weight loss. This appears to be one of the most fierce competitions in the Weight08 history.

As a group we lost another 26 lbs putting our total to 70 lbs in just two weeks. We also increased the outstanding performance on exercise points from week one (averaging 5.9 per person).

Congratulations to Don for taking the 2-week total bonus of $10 with his remarkable 24 point total (just one point more than me, might I add.) Here are the results:

Donald Running: 14 (won $10)
Tina Skipper: 10
Jon Stodola: 10
John Ellis: 9
Mary Jo Running: 9
Daniel Skipper: 8
Tom Stodola: 7
Jason Skipper: 7
Andrea Curtis Carver: 6 (owes $1.50)
Drew Boxrud: 6 (owes $1.50)
Brad Bruhn: 4 (owes $3.00)

TOTAL POINTS:
Donald Running: 24
Jon Stodola: 23
Daniel Skipper: 21
Mary Jo Running: 20
Tina Skipper: 18
John Ellis: 18
Jason Skipper: 17
Drew Boxrud: 17
Tom Stodola: 17
Andrea Curtis Carver: 14
Brad Bruhn: 8

Keep up the intensity!

LivingLean - The Six Criteria for Success

To be success with this course, or any program, it is important that you be willing to follow certain guidelines, which we call "Criteria for Success." They are listed below and will be discussed through the program.

1. Be willing to do this for yourself
2. Be willing to change your point of view
3. Be willing to stop proving you're right about not being able to change
4. Be willing to see that your fear of failure is less important than the benefits of Living Lean
5. Be willing to take responsibility for your actions
6. Be willing to tell the truth about munching

Assignment #1:Print and USE your Key To Success card each time you think of food. (Front) I'd like to eat..._________ and the choice is up to me.

Assignment #2:When eating, do nothing else. Make eating an exclusive activity.

Assignment #3:Identify your two (2) Main Munches or Compulsive/Obsessive foods (C/O's). These two foods plus your eating patters are primarily responsible for your being overweight. They are usually the ones to which you are most addicted.

Assignment #4:Record a minimu of five instances when you have chosen to BINGE or EAT your primary or secondary C/O over the last few days. Figure out and record why you consumed them at those times.

Assignment #5: Write your Number One benefit TEN times in a complete sentance beginning with an affirmative like: "I want and deserve to..." and then state you main benefit. For example: I want and deserve to feel empowered by the reflection I see in the miror when I take my shirt off.

Week One Standings

There were several records set this week, first is that we averaged nearly 6 (actual = 5.72) exercise days this week! The second is the total lbs lost in a single week = 44 (twice as many as last round and with one less person). Way to go!!! I regret to report the last record, which for the first time in W08 history, someone with 8 points is in the bottom three. Not only that, two people will be sharing the 2nd and 3rd lowest points for the week with 8 points each. Here are the results:

Daniel Skipper - 13
Jon Stodola - 13
Drew Boxrud - 11
Mary Jo Running - 11
Tom Stodola - 10
Donald Running - 10
Jason Skipper - 10
John Ellis - 9
Andrea Curtis Carver - 8 (owes $1.50)
Tina Skipper - 8 (owes $1.50)
Brad Bruhn - 4 (owes $3.00)

Note: When there is a tie for first the "Bonus Bucks" carry over to the following week(s) and the point totals are added from week to week until there is a sole winner.

LivingLean - Regaining Power Over Food

Do you have a wellness program through work or other sources of free/cheap support for your weight loss goals?

At Office Depot, we do. The program is called Vitality. Although there are many aspects of the program that encourage people to live healthier lifestyles, I am focusing on one that is specifically geared towards changing my relationship with food, called LivingLean. This is a 12 week program consisting of videos, reading materials and assignments. Yes, assignments! One thing I've learned over many years of running the Weight08 competition is that people get out what they put in. So if you're only giving 50% effort, you're only going to achieve 50% of your goal. Anything less than 50% effort, I’ve found, has a negative relation between effort and results. So make sure you are ready for this competition and that you have made a commitment (mentally) to living a healthier lifestyle of eating better and exercising more. Win or lose, you will be better for it.

Now let’s get back to the purpose of this post - Although I cannot share the videos from the Living Lean program, I am going to post some helpful notes from each session. These will be notes from the reading materials and videos. You can CHOOSE to follow along if you wish or ignore it all together, the CHOICE is up to you!

Victory Is Not Losing Weight…
and you will.
Victory Is Not Staying On A Diet…
there is no diet.
Victory Is Being Free!
I must admit, at first I was a skeptic of this program and although it’s only been a couple of weeks, I find that I am not reaching for my “Main Munches” often and when I do, I remind myself I have a choice and I choose to Live Lean, which helps the urge disappear within minutes. I do not feel deprived or isolated as I have a choice and I am making the choice each time I am tempted by past emotions. This may not be for everyone but it’s working for me and I love to help others where possible.

The mantra of this program is:My purpose is to be continually in the vision of Living Lean and to transform my relationship with food and eating so that Living Lean becomes a natural way of life.

The program is designed for you to make choices every day to Living Lean by becoming instantly in control of your “Main Munches” and reprogramming your mind in order to change your relationship with food.

Before we begin, it is recommended that you write down five things you don’t like about being overweight, or being a compulsive eater. Secondly, write down five things you would like about “LivingLean” naturally. Be specific, create a vision in your mind about what you would like to achieve. (It is suggested you hang these where you can see them everyday.)

Next, identify 5 addictive foods, and/or relationships with food and eating that may contribute to you being overweight, frustrated or unhealthy. e.g. Over eating, eating before bed, eating too fast, chocolate, deserts in general, fast food, alcohol, soda, etc.

IMPORTANT!
The last thing is to create a card that you can carry with you at all times. (I have not done this but I DO recite the front side when I’m making a choice to Live Lean over my impulse to munch.) The Front of the card should read: I’d like to eat… ___________ because I trained myself to eat…__________ in this situation. On the back you should have the program mantra, listed above.

Good luck! I look forward to all of us living healthier lives and being a role model for those around us to do the same.