9 pounds down, 111 to go!

This was a great first week! Although we only lost 9 lbs as a group I am excited to see a lot of exercise points. The first time around we had nine people lose just over 100 lbs. This time we have a few more people and a goal of more than 120 lbs as a group. I am confident we will hit that mark and I hope to exceed it.

Here are the results from week 1:
Laura – 10
Mary – 10
Dan – 10
Rolf – 8
Krissy – 7
Jon – 7
Mark – 6
Jan – 6
Nancy – 6
Tommy – 5
Erin – 3

Melissa - 2 (owes $1.00)
Heidi – 0 (owes $2.00)
Jenny – (-2) (owes $3.00)

Welcome to Round 2

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness..." (William Hutchinson Murray)

I read this quote several years ago and it is one that has stuck with me. It remains one of my favorite quotes because it is so true. Until we "actually" commit ourselves, there will be hesitancy, ineffectiveness, and the opportunity to walk away at the first sign of failure.

My hope is that this little challenge will provide an opportunity for all of us to commit ourselves to becoming healthier. Although there will only be one or two winners; as long as we all lose weight, there will be no failing.

Below is a list of people who are confirmed and hopefully committed!

1. Jon Stodola
2. Krissy Stodola
3. Tommy Stodola
4. Heidi Stodola
5. Rolf Bergerson
6. Jan Bergerson
7. Jenny Oien
8. Mark Grams
9. Dan Boxrud
10. Nancy Boxrud
11. Melissa Kriscunas
12. Erin Kriscunas
13. Laura Kriscunas
14. Mary Gruber

Note: There is a comments section at the bottom of each posting where you can leave your own message and encourage others. You can also use it as a place to share best practices.

Good luck to all!

12 weeks later & over 100 lbs lost!

Week 11 came and went without recording any points. I apologize to the winners for missing out on an extra $3.00 each. Not a single person called to post their numbers with Easter and all. I guess we’ll find out how well everyone behaved themselves with any weight gained this week.

As I mentioned in a previous post, we will be starting round 2 of the weight ’08 program next Sunday (April 6th) running through June 29th. Unless someone presents a compelling argument, all rules and pay-in/out’s will be the same. Feel free to invite friends who are interested in losing some unwanted pounds as well. First weigh-in (starting weight) will be April 6th.

Weekly Update & Standings:

Week 12 Results:
Krissy – 7
Jon – 6
Lynn – 6
Rolf – 4 (owes $.25)
Tommy – 4 (owes $.25)
Heidi – 4 (owes $.25)
Jan – 4 (owes $.25)
Linda – 2 (owes $2.00)
Jenny - 0 (owes $3.00)

Total $ owed from point totals:
Jon - $0.00 (only person who did not have pay in)
Krissy - $1.50
Jan - $3.75
Tommy - $5.75
Linda - $7.50
Lynn - $9.00
Rolf - $10.25
Jenny - $11.50
Heidi - $16.25

And the winners are…

Most points: Krissy – 78
Jon – 74
Jan – 72
Tommy – 68
Linda – 64
Jenny – 64
Rolf – 62
Lynn – 59
Heidi – 49

Highest % loss: Tommy – 8.8%
Heidi – 7.1%
Lynn – 6.9 %
Krissy – 6.8%
Jenny – 5.5%
Jon – 5.2%
Jan – 5%
Rolf – 4%
Linda – 0%

As a group we lost over 100 lbs…WAY TO GO!!!

Again, please let me know on or before Sunday if you are in again and please have those who are new contact me by the 6th as well. The best way to reach me is j_kstodola@comcast.net. Or if you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 612.669.2000.

Nearing the end in Week 10

The weight loss continues to be slow going, but many of you are still regularly exercising which will help you going forward. The group only lost a total of 2 pounds.

Week 10 results:
Jon - 7
Krissy - 6
Jenny - 6
Rolf - 6
Tommy - 6
Lynn - 5
Linda - 3 (owes $1.50)
Jan - 3 (owes $1.50)
Heidi - 2 (owes $3)

Two weeks to go - lets try to finish strong!

Week 9 was not so DIVINE!

We lost a mere 3 lbs this week while 7 people remained flat.

Week 9 Results:
Krissy – 6
Linda - 5
Jan – 5
Jenny – 5
Lynn – 5
Jon – 4
Tommy – 3 (owe $1.50)
Rolf – 3 (owe $1.50)
Heidi – 2 (owe $3.00)

There's only three weeks left and now is not the time to become lax in your efforts. Let's finish strong and try to make some extra time for working out.

Good Luck!

Weight 08 tip: Cut Down on Sugar

Be careful about sugar in coffee and soda pop. It can add up quickly, and these drinks aren't filling.

Watch for "hidden" sugar in processed foods like bread, ketchup, salad dressing, canned fruit, applesauce, peanut butter, and soups. And be careful with "fat-free" products. Sugar is often used to replace the flavor that is lost when the fat is removed. Fat-free does not mean calorie-free.

The greater concern with the insulin spike (above) is not that it tells our body to start storing fat. Whatever we eat and don't burn up eventually gets turned into fat anyway.

The greater concern is that the insulin spike is followed by a drop in insulin level that leaves us feeling tired and hungry and wanting to eat more. The unfortunate result of this scenario is that it makes us want to eat something else with high sugar content. When we do, we start the cycle all over again.

Regulating your blood sugar level is the most effective way to maintain your fat-burning capacity.

Only four weeks left . . .

As a group, we only lost 2 pounds this week. That means we'll have to work that much harder over the next four weeks. Here are this week's point totals.

Week 8 Results:
Krissy - 7
Jan - 7
Jon - 6
Tommy - 6
Linda - 6
Heidi - 5
Rolf - 4 (owes $1)
Jenny - 3 (owes $2)
Lynn - 2 (owes $3)

Since this competition is also focusing on percentage of weight loss, I thought I would update the group on everybody's percentage of weight lost so far. This will help you stay motivated over the next few weeks if you want to win part of that pot!

Tommy - 8.3%
Heidi - 7.6%
Krissy - 6.1%
Lynn - 5.7%
Jan - 5.4%
Jenny - 4.9%
Rolf - 4.5%
Jon - 4.2%

Another 13 lbs closer after week 7

We’ve averaged over 14 pounds per week up to this point, but only 9 over the last four. We need to average 10 lbs per week for the remaining 5 to hit that 150 lb mark. Let’s keep working hard and reach that number.

Good work group!!

Week 7 results:
Jenny – 9
Jan – 8
Krissy – 7
Jon – 6
Rolf – 6
Lynn – 6
Linda – 4 (owes $1.50)
Tommy – 4 (owes $1.50)
Heidi – 2 (owes $3.00)

Weight 08 tip: Eat More Fiber

Fiber makes us feel full sooner and stays in our stomach longer than other substances we eat, slowing down our rate of digestion and keeping us feeling full longer. Due to its greater fiber content, a single serving of whole grain bread can be more filling than two servings of white bread. Fiber also moves fat through our digestive system faster so that less of it is absorbed.

Refined grains like white rice and those used to make white bread and sugary breakfast cereals have had most of their fiber and nutrients stripped away. They turn into blood sugar (glucose) so fast that, like sugar itself, they can cause a spike in our insulin level. This tells our body that plenty of energy is readily available and that it should stop burning fat and start storing it.

Eating foods with plenty of fiber will help keep our blood sugar at a more consistent level.