And the $320 went to.......

With a weight loss percentage of 17.9%, Shanda was awarded the $320, and it was well earned!!!  She got to her goal weight and then lost some, inspiring all of us to push ourselves harder!

Here is her "before" picture.........

 

 ........and her "after" picture (wearing the same shirt)! Shanda started the competition weighing 175.4 pounds and lost 31.4 pounds!  Her weight-loss percentage was 17.9%!  Great job Shanda!

  

Second place went to Jaime!  (I never got a before picture, sorry Jaime)  But, here is her "after" picture and let me tell you, she looks amazing!!!  Jaime started the competition weighing 234.8 pounds, and she lost 40.2 pounds!  In 8 weeks!!!  Her weight loss percentage was 17.1%!  Great job Jaime!

 

And third place went to Liz!!!  Liz was as steady as ever with her weight loss!  Way to be consistent Liz!!!  Here is her "before" picture........

 

........and here is her "after" picture!  Liz started the competition weighing 272.2 pounds and she lost 14.2 pounds!  For a weight-loss percentage of 5.2%!  Way to go Liz!!!

 We hope this friendly competition has inspired many of you to change some eating habits, and get more active!  And there were many of you that DID lose weight, keep it going!!!!

Don't forget to hop over HERE and check out the final weigh-in participant stats!  Go see how the measurements dropped for our participants!!!!!!!! 


And stay tuned to this blog..........our first, second, and third place winners are all going to tell us what they changed in their diet, and how they had so much success in this competition!!!!!

A Great Reminder for All of Us!

Some of us may be giving up on this challenge because we may think, "What's the use."  Don't forget that there's more to this challenge than just winning the money.  It's about making a change for ourselves, our families, and our life.  I'm not perfect, no one is perfect.  Good days and bad days will come, that's life.  So, let's all keep moving forward.  If you can't make it to tomorrow's weigh-in, come to the last weigh-in next week.  Measurements will be taken, body fat percentage will be done....let's see how much you've changed, and let's celebrate the winner of this competition!  Keep going, don't give up.......it will be worth it!

The Results....Week 6 Weigh-In

We're almost to the end of our challenge!  Don't give up yet!  Hopefully you've found some new eating habits that you can incorporate into your everyday diet.  Our hope was that this competition would not only help all of us lose weight, but that we would start making changes to our diet for a healthier eating lifestyle.  Food substitutions is probably the number one way to make a change to your diet.  So get to work.....2 more weeks until the final weigh-in!  Good luck!

Home Remedies for Weight Loss

Well, Halloween is over, the candy is lurking around every corner, and all of us are still involved in a weight-loss competition but more importantly a lifestyle change.  I'll be the first to admit that I snuck more than a few pieces of candy last night, but I'm happy to say that I stopped myself, brushed my teeth, and said enough is enough.  I think it's important to realize that candy is not just going to go away just because we're trying to change our eating habits.  It'll always be there, especially if you have kids in the house!  But realize that you have the strength to stop after a few pieces of candy, you don't have to eat the whole pumpkin full of candy just because you messed up. 

Anyway, I found this wonderful website full of excellent tips for weight loss.  I found it very useful.  I hope you'll all read it, but more importantly we hope to see all of you at Friday's weigh-in!!!!!

Home Remedies for Weight Loss

The Results....Week 5! Plus some inspiration and some quick workouts!

We missed a lot of you this week!  Hope all is well!  The competition isn't over yet!  Finish what you started!!!!  Everyone had a great week last week and the weigh-ins showed it!  Great job guys!!!

Do you need a few words of inpiration to get yourself up and going again?  Me too!!!  So, here's a few that I found that really struck me:

 

Or, maybe you need some quick, intense, calorie burning, metabolism booting workouts that you can do straight from your living room!  Here's some:  I've tried them all and they really are awesome!  If you aren't sweating or breathing hard after these workout, do more rounds or try to beat your previous time!

The Results....Week 4 Weigh-In!

Wow, it's getting really cool to see how everyone is changing!!!!  There's been some pretty amazing weight losses!  I must apologize for my scale at this morning's weigh-in.  I'll be replacing the batteries for our next weigh-in!

Let's get down to business!!!!

Remember, the number above your name is your starting weight.  The first number after your name is your previous week's weight, the second number is your current weight, and the percentage is your total weight loss percentage to date.

If you are in a funk, (stuck), try switching up your diet a little.  Your body does get used to the way you eat.  For example, I cut breads and tortillas out of my diet this past week.  It's not that I eat the highly processed breads and tortillas, but just getting rid of those extra carbs and tricking my body with something different seemed to be what I needed.  Try it, it's just one week.  Don't forget to exercise every day.  It jump starts your metabolism to aid you in burning calories throughout the rest of your day.  You'll feel better too!  Great job everyone!

ONLY 4 WEEKS LEFT!  $320 ON THE LINE!!  A HEALTHIER YOU!!  A HAPPIER YOU!!  KEEP PUSHING!!  DON'T GIVE UP!!

One thought....

Read what "Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge" posted today.......very interesting indeed.  I've never thought of it like that. 

Burn those calories!

Before any of you think I'm perfect, let me confess to some self-sabotaging I've been doing lately.  I ate completely healthy yesterday, then got ready to go to bed, grabbed some chocolates and indulged.  Then I had a delicious lunch of grilled chicken and sweet potato fries today, and then I spied the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough in the fridge, pulled it out, and ate at least 2 cookies worth of dough.  I now feel terrible.  I'm gonna need to do some extra cardio to burn it off tonight.  I'm thinking a good game of tag with my boys at the playground or maybe jumping rope before bedtime. 

Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that THIS IS LIFE.  Everyday we are bombarded with yummy, fattening, enticing treats and everyday we have to make a decision whether or not to eat it.  If we choose not to eat it, then we are that much closer to our goal, but if we do eat it, become conscious, and remember that just because you tasted the sugar doesn't mean your entire day is ruined.  It's not!  Suck it up, get back on track, and pat yourself on the back for realizing what you were doing.

Need some ideas for calorie burning exercises?  Good, 'cause here's a few!

http://www.shapefit.com/cardio-exercises.html

Try 30 minutes of cardio today!!!!!!!!

The Results....Week 3 Weigh-In!

Awesome!  Awesome!  Awesome!  Way to go everyone!  We hope those of you who couldn't make it this week can make it next week!!!!  Remember, $320 goes to the winner!  

Ups and Downs....

I have to tell you that I've felt like this more than once this week, and I especially felt like this going into this morning's weigh-in....but I went and those that came and weighed in really inspired me!  All of you!!!  I am invigorated and more motivated to do my best.  I think it's important to realize that we are all going to have our ups and downs, and it's like moving 2 steps forward and 1 step backward, but we're always going to be ahead if we just keep moving!

Take a look at this article for one girl's experience with ups and downs...let her inspire you, like she's inspired me!

http://blog.biggestloserresort.com/2011/10/healing-at-fitness-ridge.html

And maybe you can turn that frowny face into this:

Believe in Yourself!

"I still had to do it! It was ME that still had to work, hurt, fight, and CHOOSE to do it every day."-Sarah Nitta, Season 11 Biggest Loser Contestant

These are some great words to live by!  If you're anything like me, you may watch "The Biggest Loser" (which airs tonight) and think to yourself, "Man, if I could just get on that show, I would lose all this extra weight so easy!"  I really have thought like that!  Then I found this small article that a previous Biggest Loser contestant wrote about her journey:

Diets in Review.com:  Biggest Loser Resort Inspires Sarah Nitta's Weight Loss Journey

There are so many inspiring weight loss stories out there.  Here's one:

Meet Hap! 

You really can achieve anything you want to. Anyone can! I sincerely do believe that. Often times we believe that anyone can do anything, but we don't believe the same for ourselves. It's time that we start talking to ourselves and believing in ourselves the way we do other people. THAT is when things truly start to change." -Sharon, BLRFRI trainer

Mini-meal it!

One of our Weight Loss Challenge participants (Jaime) suggested I do a post to remind everyone about the importance of eating small meals throughout the day...as in 5-6 meals a day, not 2-3.  So, I got online and got some good resources and articles that talk specifically about this.  Jaime has been eating small meals throughout the day and so far she's rockin' the competition! 

This picture pretty much sums up how "dieting" works!  Let's call our "diet" a lifestyle change.  Don't just diet, change the way you eat for good!

Another Reason Why Dieting Doesn't Work

15 Easy Ways to Cut 500 Calories

5 Tips to Eating Right
(You can read the entire post that this link goes to, or you can get the meat of the topic below)

5 Tips to Eating Right (credit to Dr. Rick Kattouf II)

1. Mini-meal it! You’ve probably heard this before, but in order to keep your energy level up and your workouts spot on, you have to fuel regularly. Aim for five to six mini-meals a day. If this seems unreasonable, just try splitting up your lunch as a first step. Have the first half at your normal lunch time, and the second later that afternoon. You’ll be amazed at how much better that small tweak can make you feel—especially if you work out later in the day!
2. Always eat before your morning workout. If you get up and work out like I do, the last thing you probably feel like doing is eating before you head to the gym or hit the pavement running, right? But it’s so essential to fuel your body before you do a long exercise session. So make yourself have a little something, like half of a banana, before you head out to get your sweat on!
3. Eat after you work out. You’re probably not hungry after you come back from the gym, but be sure to refuel as soon as you can after exercise. Your muscles need the fuel to rebuild and repair! Coach Kattouf recommends a protein drink or smoothie after a good sweat session, as it gets nutrition into your body quickly and easily!
4. Drink up first thing. One of my fave tips from the DVDs is to hydrate early and often. The first thing you should do in the morning—before eating and working out but just after peeing—is drink 16 ounces of cold water. When you wake up, your body is pretty much dehydrated from the night of sleep. Water helps to get your metabolism firing, improves energy levels and helps that brain function better. It’s how you start your day off right from the get-go. And if you’re a coffee drinker, this is especially important as coffee can further dehydrate you, so you really need that H2O.
5. Healthy doesn’t always equal “right.” Sure, yogurt and fruit are healthy, but when you eat the same thing every day or never have any protein or fat, you’re not doing your body as much good as you could. Make sure that your mini-meals have some carbs, protein and fat in them, and try to eat a variety of foods to make sure that you’re getting all your nutrients and vitamins.
Ladies, this stuff really does work! Skipping meals and cutting calories drastically just saps your energy. Eat regularly with the right foods, and you’ll set yourself up for some serious fit bottomed happiness! —Jenn

You never fail when you try!

Some of us may be feeling a little down after our weigh-in this morning (I know I am).  I didn't give it my all last week and I knew that I wasn't trying hard enough, and it hurts when the scale confirms that.  So in my determination to do better this next week, I started reading some of my favorite fitness blogs and came across this article:

How To Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough

Talk about motivation!  Seriously, go read this article.  A funny thing happened tonight.  I decided to have my cheat day today.  So, I took my boys out to dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe.  I had a huge salad, some pasta, and a slice of pizza.  Then I went to get the dessert pizza.....I took a few bites and then had absolutely no desire to continue eating it.  It was strange.  Usually I am all about the sweet doughy desserts.  In fact, here I am 2 hours later and I still feel sick.  I don't know what's going on?  A change in my thinking maybe?

My friend, Jenn, (some of you may know Jenn), has told me many times:

"Nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels!"

I hope Jenn doesn't mind, but I think I'm going to steal that saying as my own personal mantra.  See, I tried saying that to myself a few times last week and when I did, I found myself making better eating choices. 

Do any of you have personal mantra's that you repeat to yourself?  Do any of you use stick-it notes around your house?  (I'm seriously thinking of doing that!)

Good luck to everyone this week!  I know you (and I) can all have a great number on the scale!!!!!

Week 2 Weigh-In.....The Results!

Way.  To.  Go!!!!!!!!!!  I know that I will definitely be kicking it up a notch this next week!

The number above your name is your starting weight.  The first number after your name is your previous week's weight.  The second number after your name is this week's weight.  The percentage is your total weight loss percentage to date.  

Food for thought: Fad Diets!

 Check out the latest from the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge:

Fad diets always exaggerate weight loss results. The truth is losing weight requires work if you want to keep those extra pounds from coming back.

The latest trendy diets all claim success, but for how long? Chances are they are so low in calories that you will definitely lose weight but when you resume eating regularly, you’ll put that weight right back on.

Are you choosing a healthy lifestyle over fad diets?

Addicted to Sugar? Read this!

I have to thank a friend of mine from facebook for posting this article.....it was extremely informative for me because this is exactly what I am battling this week.....sugar seems to be screaming my name around every corner!  I've been using a small secret that my sister used when she lost nearly 75 pounds....she allowed herself one square per day of Ghirardelli's Dark Chocolate.  Besides that it is CHOCOLATE, there are actually some health benefits to eating DARK chocolate.  Here's some articles to consider:

A Dark Chocolate A Day Keeps the Doctor Away!

Health Benefits of Chocolate

 Now, here's the article about sugar addiction......

The Truth Behind the Legal White Powder – SUGAR – Know the facts and Outsmart your Body so You Lose Weight and Stay Healthy

 

Red Ribbon Run 2011

Here is a cheap 5k that we can all get involved in....the Red Ribbon Run!  Just click on the link and go sign up online.....

Here's some quick info......read, then go sign up!

Red Ribbon Run 2011

NEW! ONLINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE THIS YEAR

Register now for the 14th Annual Red Ribbon 5K Run and  1 Mile Walk

October 15, 2011

Cedar Ridge Middle School, 65 N.  200 W., Hyde Park

Race starts at 9:00 a.m

Registration is DUE by Tuesday, October 11th at 6:00 pm. 
To register and pay now, click "read more".
Registration Fees:
Registration without shirt: $3.00
Registration with shirt: $8.00
Day of race registration; no shirt: $10.00

Healthy Snacks....courtesy of Biggest Loser!

From the Biggest Loser site today: 

Healthy snacks:

*Egg whites/beaters with wasabi arugula.
*Egg white salads – look for spicy ranchero or egg white and chive options.

(click here for a great idea on where to get this delicious egg white salad.....or just make your own!)

*Hard boiled eggs.
 *Nonfat cottage cheese with salsa and veggies for a savory snack or topped with blueberries and strawberries for a sweet treat.
*Frozen fajita mix with corn tortillas. Top with a peeled reduced fat string cheese for a quesadilla feel.
*Fruit salad with unsweetened cocoa powder.

*Homemade minestrone soups, or low sodium soups.
*Mussels, shrimp, crab and clams.
*Corn tortillas – chop two into small slices in place of croutons in salad.
*Orowheat/Arnolds sandwich thins or Fillems.
*Air-popped popcorn. Add unsweetened cocoa powder and stevia extract for a kettle corn taste.

Week 1 Weigh-In....The Results!

Here it is!!!!  The results from our first weigh-in this morning!  Man, the competition is on!!!!!  Look at those numbers!  Good job everyone!  We'll see you all next Friday morning for week 2 weigh-in!  Remember, $320, winner takes all!

(by the way, the percentage is the weight loss percentage to date)

laugh it up!