Friday, December 16, 2011

Challenge Completed

The Carolina Wholesale Biggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge concluded Friday, December 9, and while my team came in 2nd place, I still have reasons to be proud of the results.

Final Weigh-in: 196.4 lbs

Final Weigh-in: 196.4 lbs

I lost a total of 19.2 lbs overall, which is 4.2 lbs over my weight loss goal, and 4th overall in terms of individual weight loss. Those above me lost 31.8 (!), 27.6 and 24.5 lbs, respectively. Collectively, the 21 participants lost a total of 216.6 lbs. That's about a pound more than my starting weight, meaning we lost an entire "Me".

I have posted a chart of my weekly results below:


Just because the challenge is over doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying to lose weight. The company is planning on doing another weight loss challenge that awards points for exercising and maintaining your current weight, among other things. I'm not sure yet if I will participate, but I would still like to get my weight down to 185 and maintain it while trying to live a healthier lifestyle.

Thanks for reading about the Weight Loss Challenge. Hope you've enjoyed it. Cheers!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Final Week

This week marks the last week of the Biggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge at Carolina Wholesale. Last week was my best week to date, in terms of weight loss, but was the result of a combination of work-related stress and a nasty cold that curbed my appetite for a few days.

12th Weigh-in: 197.4 lbs

I lost 6.6 lbs, but as I said above, it was mostly due to a cold and some work-related stress, as I barely did any exercise. Okay, I walked twice and played two soccer games, but that's it.

The final weigh-in for the challenge was originally scheduled for Monday, December 12th, but has since been changed to this Friday, December 9th. Well, I'm out of the office on Friday, so my final weigh-in will be Thursday (tomorrow), December 8th.

With my appetite returning to normal, I've already gained back 2 lbs since weighing in Monday morning, putting me right around my initial weight loss goal of 15 lbs. I would love to weigh-in tomorrow at 197 lbs, but I will honestly be happy to weigh in at 200.

My team currently sits in a very close 2nd place in the standings, so it looks like we will find out either Friday or Monday which team has earned the right to call themselves The Biggest Loser.



Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Holiday Hangover

Lots of food, snacks, dessert, beer and very little exercise resulted in gaining 2.2 lbs last week.


11th Weigh-in: 204.0 lbs


Okay, so there's less than 2 weeks remaining in the challenge. I'm 4 lbs away from my goal and my 3-person team is sitting in 2nd place.


My goal this week is to lose the 2 lbs I gained last week and put myself in a good position to reach my weight loss goal next week.

Edit: I would like to mention that all of last week's eating, snacking and drinking was done in the company of family and I would do it all over again. No regrets, had a great Thanksgiving and I hope all of you did as well.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have two weigh-ins to update this week since I forgot to write one last week.


9th Weigh-in (last week): 204.4 lbs

10th Weigh-in (this week): 201.8 lbs

So I gained a pound at last week's weigh-in, but bounced back this week by losing 2.6 lbs.

I am now less than 2 lbs away from reaching my weight loss goal with just under 3 weeks remaining in the challenge. This figures to be a tough week for anyone trying to lose weight, as Thanksgiving, and all the great food that comes with it, is tomorrow.


My goal for this week is simply not to gain any weight, while trying not to overindulge on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls, dessert and beer. Okay, perhaps I'll overindulge a bit, but counteract it with extra walking and I should be good.


Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!



Monday, November 7, 2011

Double Digits

So I lost 2.6 lbs this week which puts me at 12.2 lbs under my initial weight. Double digits! And now I'm less than 3 pounds away from my goal with 5 weeks left.


8th Weigh-in: 203.4 lbs


I'm encouraged that I was able to drop over 2 lbs this week after seemingly hitting the wall. This gives me confidence that I can continue to shed the pounds and not just reach my goal of 15 lbs, but possibly exceed it.


We're headed to The Lodge tonight, one of my favorite MNF spots, and I will be treating myself to a bison burger, tots and a few brews (Fact: I would have treated myself regardless of today's weigh-in, but at least now I won't feel guilty about it). Let's go Eagles!


Friday, November 4, 2011

Halfway Point

We've now reached the halfway point of the Biggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge, which means there are only 6 weeks remaining.

7th Weigh-in: 206.0
I did not lose any weight last week, but on the bright side I also didn't gain any weight.


Although I started this challenge off strong, I've only lost 1.2 lbs over the past 3 weeks. Despite my recent ineffectiveness, my 3-person team, Team Orange incidentally, currently sits atop the standings in first place for percentage of overall weight lost.

I created the chart pictured below to show how I have progressed through the first 6 weeks of the challenge, and it's obvious that I need to do something differently in order to continue losing weight. I have been stuck just under the 10 lb mark for a few weeks. I still believe I can reach my goal of losing 15 lbs total, I just have to do a few things differently although I'm not exactly sure what.

I started doing some jumping jacks this week immediately following my lunch-time runs at work, but I doubt that alone will make a difference. I will take the weekend to come up with something and post about it next week after my next weigh-in.



Sorry for another late post this week, but things like Halloween, laundry, soccer and general laziness got in the way. I will try to post results sooner next week. Hope everyone enjoys the weekend!




Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Nothing Worth Writing Home About

This week's post is a little tardy, but I guess I just wasn't too eager to inform you that I only lost 0.2 lbs this past week.

6th Weigh-In: 206.0
I am beginning to feel like I have hit the proverbial wall as we head into Week 6 of the Weight Loss Challenge. I've only lost 1.2 lbs over the past 2 weeks despite running an extra 1/2 mile every day during lunch.

I will continue to run an extra lap during lunch this week in addition to walking after work and eating healthy. Hopefully I see results at the scale, otherwise I will have to shake up my routine.






Friday, October 21, 2011

Knee Pain & Eye of the Tiger

So I've ramped up my running at work this week and today I struggled with knee pain after only two minutes or so into my run. I had a problem with my shins after the first week of running, but this was the first time my knees have really bothered me. Maybe it's the extra running this week or maybe it was an after effect from last night's soccer game. I'm not sure, but either way, my knees were throbbing.

I was about to succumb to the pain and decide to walk my 3rd lap when my iPod timely served up Eye of the Tiger. Visions of Rocky whoopin up on Clubber Lang (or perhaps, for you Modern Family fans out there, Phil Dunphy renewing his vows with Claire in Hawaii) successfully pushed me through the final lap.

I hope my knees don't become an issue throughout the rest of the weight loss challenge, but it's reassuring to know that if they do, it's nothing a little music and extra strength aspirin can't handle.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Still Losing...

Okay, so it was only a pound lost this week, but that's still better than gaining weight, right?

5th Weigh-in: 206.2

I'm now down to 9.4 lbs under my initial weight with 8 weeks remaining in the weight loss challenge.

I was really hoping to lose more weight, but I guess I'll just have to work a little harder this week. I ran an extra lap today during my lunch break in an effort to kick this week off right. The extra lap didn't kill me, so I think I'm going to try to do an extra lap every day this week and see how it works out.

I had planned to have dinner and drinks tonight while out for MNF, but that was before I learned I'd only lost a pound, so now I am rethinking it. The MNF Crew is headed out to Duckworth's and I understand they have an extensive craft beer list, which means I will be enjoying a few brews at the very least.



Monday, October 10, 2011

Bouncing Back

After last week's minor setback, I rebounded this week and lost 5.4 lbs.

5.4 lbs lighter this week.
4th Weigh-in:  207.2

Last week I added running to my walks during lunch and continued to make healthy meal choices. Jen and I also went walking in the evening 5 days last week.

The extra exercise certainly paid off and I feel pretty good about the challenge as we begin Week 4. I am currently 8.4 lbs under my initial weight and more than halfway to my goal of losing 15 lbs.

I'm excited to continue this trend and keep shedding the pounds, but tonight I'm going to enjoy a couple of beers and watch the Lions/Bears game on MNF. Cheers!