It's getting on toward that time of year when clothes get skimpier, swimsuits are worn, and the gut flops out over the beltline in all of its glory. There in all of its amorphous pudgy glory it flops- a little reminder of our trips to the sharps.
Tim suggested a contest for weight loss and I think that is a fabulous idea. I could use a little extra spending money. SO. Just to get the ball rolling- Let's say that if you are in, get an accurate weight, and set a lofty goal. If you don't have enough fat to lose at least 10 lbs, I don't think this is an appropriate contest for you. I can lose five just through sweating. Let's make this a little shorter term so people don't lose focus, and say it ends March 15th ( over 2 and a half months). $40 (yeah you heard me) per entry. Higher stakes=fewer steaks. Do you have the gut to pull it off? I know I do!
there are circumstances where people are trying to add weight, and we could talk about a goal there as well, but can't make that too easy.
Anyone have a problem with the above rules before we begin, please speak your mind.
I weigh 182, and my goal is 168. 14 lbs folks. Bring it on.
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7 comments:
have faith in your ability to lose weight. You'll have to avoid the treats, junkfood and even excessive juices, living in abject misery, eating instead apples, broccoli, and other filling but ultimately unsatisfying fare. For me personally, sugar is a lot tougher to quit than fats. The misery lasts about a week, but you will get used to it. It's only 2.5 months, not a lifetime banishment of treats for adults. What do the rest of you think abut $20 instead of $40. Remember, larry, you won't be able to win big unless you wager appropriately. Costs a lot less than jenny craig.
I can't participate because I refuse to get on a scale--too scary. How about if I can get into a size smaller pants by the ending date? That would be about 20 lbs., I think
Yeah, that seems ok, but you'll probably have to face the music at some point. I don't know. What do the rest of you think? Is this acceptable? I think you should weigh in every single day at the same time of day and you will become fully aware of the power of the contest.
Look at it this way: It is a temporary condition that will likely be different in a week. The best thing about these contests is there are a lot of us going through this experience together. The support group really helps. I have some very fond memories of walks with co-workers who were on the same program, boasting of short-term victories etc. It was crazy how proud we were that we had only a 1/2 bagel and fruit for breakfast etc. or lost a half pound. Larry brought up the concern about treats and visits. If we're all in this, none of us are going to want to blow it, and the temptation will not be there. People who are not involved at least for a while should eat their fats and sweets in private. When we do come down or you come up, let's agree on at least an hour of cardio per day whether that is a hike, basketball, or 5 hours of ping pong, or tennis. Oh, and share the contest with other people in the office-all people that will pose a threat to your success. There will very likely be people with the same desire, but without the same motivation. Motivate them and eliminate them as a source of temptation.
So, I recommend 2 things: A weigh-in and a discard of all ice-cream, pop, and chex mix in one fluid contemptuous movement.
Some real obstacles (probably all review and common sense):
getting extremely hungry followed by the binge: Pack food and water. You gotta eat to lose weight. This is something that kills me every time I try to lose weight.
eating too fast (and thus too much): the going number is 20 chews/chomps per bite. Remember, you shouldn't be hungry enough to be wolfing food. Put your fork down. Drink. Slow down. Another problem area for me
It's an issue of quantity, more than anything. And there are foods that you can eat a LOT of without any consequence; like yummy delicious broccoli and water. You may be eating brown rice, but if the serving is bigger than your fist, you're probably eating calories that you don't need. Think about substituting another food like a veggie if your plate is looking empty.
Drink lots of water: You'll feel fuller if you have an enormous glass of water with meals.
Keep yourself to a cup of juice/day:
You can get hundreds of calories with a glass of juice. For the time being, take a vitamin, drink water, eat an orange.
You're better off with clear hard alcohol, if you're in need of a drink. Bloody Marys are pretty good for dieters as an example. Lite beers are the same as low carb beers.
When you eat and drink simple sugars, do it around the time of excercise. within an hour of excercise (particularly anaerobic) your body can actually make use of simple sugars. At any other time, your body will choose to burn simple sugars over, say, burning fat. So no frivolous sugar consumption.
Don't skimp on protein. If you like hard boiled eggs, keep the yolk of only one. Discard the other yolks. Same with omelets etc. Suckers are 5 gms of fat apiece! not to mention cholestorol. There is no fat and no cholesterol in the whites, and they still add a nice texture to salads.
Do both anaerobic and aerobic excercise. Build muscle and burn fat more efficiently. Anaerobic will strengthen your skeletal system, and with a reasonably paced workout will keep your heartrate where it needs to be.
Park your car out in the boondocks and do it with style. Don't drive around for ten minutes looking for the closest spot.
And take the stairs.
Am I forgetting anything other than the fact that I'm only moderately successful at any of these things?
I just had the most delicious bowl of Ben and Jerry's -All But The Kitchen Sink. It had peanut butter, chocolate chunks, white chocolate, caramel and other yummy things.
I had a can of tuna.
179.4 this morning. that's about 2.6 lbs if I'm not mistaken. Probably the weight soggy ate in ice cream last night. That sounds very good btw.
Greyson,
I think this is a great idea. However, I weigh in at 181 and would actually like to transform this into 175ish with muscle instead of the current state of affairs. Is there a way to incorporate this goal into the contest.
Tim
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