Kiss Today Good-bye.......

...and point me towards tomorrow.....

Is anyone else struggling this week? Bill is fighting a vicious virus and I've been working from well before dawn until way past dusk this week. Makes it really hard to get exercise in (only one day this week so far for me) and even think about preparing a balanced meal!

It would be so easy to just give up, but I'm fighting myself not to. I'm hoping to leave work by 5:30 or 6:00 and am stating my commitment now: I will work out tonight.

There, it's in writing. What is in writing is more likely to come true (I think).

Hang in there with me.

- Lori

MicroBucks10X with a Skinny and Fat Report

Hello Super Losers,

The MicroBucks 10X team is fighting hard to stay in the thick of the race. Like everyone else, we are working hard to juggle work schedules with excercise time and trying to consume carefully.

Now, here's the skinny and fat part of the report...two items worth checking out...

SKINNY:

First, if you are really craving a little sweet treat that won't weigh you down...try one of Starbucks new "Skinny Beverages"! Tasty and low cal!

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/beverages.asp

FAT:

And if you ever feel like you just can't bring yourself to exercise...take a look at this clip. If she can do sit ups, well, so can you! (notice how she grabs a little reward at the end)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RpYJXr0Cc5o

x-er-cise....x-er-cise...x-er-cise....

Why does it feel like all I do is exercise??????? Since the LBS are slow to come off this body, I have been exercising like crazy......yesterday I really pushed myself, I really thought someone would have to carry me to my car and put the key in my ignition!! It was a great feeling after I went thru the killer of a routine on the tredmill, the endorphins were released like there was no tomorrow.....I did feel just fantastic afterwards but during the time I was exercising, I was just about dying......if this is what it takes, than I will be there. Today, I took it a bit easier. I have to confess, that it is a great "high" after you do have a hard work-out, but while you are there it is testing your limits. The sugar crave is just about gone, I just have to maintain it.....how is everyone else doing?????? Are we really only into week four???? Karen

ZZZZZzzzzz

At last- a behavioral goal that really works for Team MicroBucks10X! Turns out that we are champion sleepers and are bringing it home this week.
We learned from Jean Enersen that walking is a great way to prevent getting a cold.
http://www.king5.com/health/stories/NW_012608HEK_colds_KS.5fb51f64.html
It also turns out that if you didn't walk enough to stay cold free (sadly, that is me) it is possible to work out through the cold/ flu/respiratory crud that is circulating. Biggest loser success story for the week- for the first time in over a year I was able to wear the too expensive pair of tweed slacks I bought in the fall of 2006.
Looking forward to week 4!

Old Photos

Just in case some of you don't know me, I have uploaded a picture of myself shortly after I won last year's Biggest Loser Contest. Lori and I went to Cabo for a week to celebrate and she shot this. Sorry to say I have added a few pounds , but expect to get back to fighting weight before the end of this year's contest. Have already lost 8 pounds! Have a great 4th week.

Bill

Still Going

I've exercised 6 days in a row, trying new machines at the gym and actually feeling pretty good about it. My food consumtion is quite decent, I'm sleeping/resting 8 hours a night and life is good!! I still have to say, the weight is slow to come off this body, but you have not heard the end of me!! I'm motivated to keep this routine going and come hell or high water, I'm going to shed these pounds!!!
(I hope ) After all, I am WOMAN!!!! All you loozers.....kick some booty!! Karen

Who thought sleeping would be tough?

In terms of winning a challenge, I just don't think sleep is going to be my strong suit. While I've been more willing to go to bed and not find mindless things to keep me awake, I just haven't been able to put in one 8 hour day as of yet. Not really sure it will happen this weekend either.

But I do feel I sleep more soundly since starting the contest. The 6 to 7 hours of sleep I get now is a lot more re-energizing than the 6-7 hours I was getting prior to the contest. I have more energy in the morning, it's much easier to get out of bed, and I have more energy during the day.

Molly of Team Microbucks10x reporting for duty

Now that we are past those lovely miltary pushups and I've been to see the massage therapist for some serious assistance Week 3 is rolling along swimmingly. It was hard to beat my first milestone time on the run/ walk, but well worth the effort.
Team Microbucks 10X has conquered daily fresh fruit and lots of green vegetables and we are now up to the challenge of going alcohol free for 5 days this week. Amazing how that little glass of wine can take the edge off a bad day at work (can you say $1 short drip with free refills anyone?) but weekday abstinence just might teach me how to be reasonably cheerful and sober at the same time!

Burn those calories

Loree here from the Lean on Me team.

Ever wonder how many calories you are really burning while working out? I ran across some information that you might find interesting. Click on this link to an article on Spark People that lists the number of calories burned for various workouts. It breaks it down for men and women by weight.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=578

Hope you are all having a good week.....

Feeling Good

It is amazing to me how quickly we can adjust to needing a workout. A few weeks ago, I was not in this routine and getting up early those first few days, or heading up the hill to workout after work was just soooo hard. But now, I feel like I am depriving myself if I don't take time to exercise. I ran/walked close to a 13 minute mile this morning, which is my 6 week goal. Work is so crazy right now that it's good to know that I'm exceeding a goal somewhere in my life :)

Have a great week! - L

Amazed and Impressed!

This is Megan, the team captain for the AMDG team. I am amazed and impressed with the changes our team has endured over the last two week.... two week and two weeks only. I am amazed at what a little competition will do to motivate! WOW! Our team goal the first week was not eating after 8pm. Well, with two basketball coaches on my team, that wasn't such an easy feat. That week they had a 6:15pm game. I brought them dinner so they could eat right after the game.... however, the game started late and the last buzzer sounded about 1 min before 8pm . As I rushed over to hand them their dinner, they looked at the clock and refused to eat!!!
I'm amazed at our dedication. While my husband wrote about his slip on the ice and his rib injury, I'm amazed that all he worried about was his ability to continue on his workout routine. WOW, he wants to workout. I'm amazed at what 2 weeks had done from a fitness perspective. We all set some pretty lofty fitness challenges and I, for one, was really worried about hitting my benchmark this week.... we all sailed through with flying colors. What the human body will do when you treat it well! Bottom line, I'm impressed with my team. It feels good to achieve your goals. I hope you all have a little nugget of motivation from something you've achieved over the last 2 weeks. Whether it be weight loss, physical ability, dietary changes or the new found energy, use it to fuel your mind and keep you motivated.

This week our team goal is to eat fish twice this week (and tuna with mayo doesn't count). Have fun this week!

Ouch!

Week two winding down and I'm here to report the facts...just the facts. I have been injured. Ice, asphalt, angry with child, walking briskly at child, on my side very quickly. Fell on the ice on Wednesday, and after going to the doctor on Friday he said I've separated cartilage in my ribs. Not fun, but am trying to continue excercising by walking briskly and riding a stationary bike.

As for my teammates I'll take a moment to brag. Megan could only do 3 sit ups two weeks ago, and on saturday she pumped out 20 in a row! She also did 25 push ups in 5 minutes.

Brian is ridiculous. I think we found a "ringer." As of Friday, he had lost 9lbs. Yes 9lbs! And it's not like he's 5'4 and 330lbs. If he's not careful his fiance won't recognize him at the alter.

I think next weeks dietary goal is to give up all types of soda and sugary drinks.

Good luck to everyone,

Mike

The King is in the Building!!!

I'm Back!!! After 2 weeks of trying to blog and getting nowhere (I'm sure there was no conspiracy!!), the reigning king of the 2007 Biggest Loser is ready for challengers - however the Lean On Me is now a 3 person fight'n machine! Being away from the nightlife of the early morning, I realized how much I missed life in the inner city at 4:30 AM. Lori and I have reaquainted ourselves with the folk that wander our streets at that time. There are the people who sleep under the freeway on the Union St. Exit, sweeping their trash onto the street to give them more room, the young guys that walk by you as you feel for your wallet are to name a few. I also realized how much I missed the old gang at the WAC. I mean old gang. There are a group of 60 - 75 year olds that meet at 3:30 AM to begin their run among the Streets of Seattle! They all told me they missed discussing events in our lives as we sat in the steam room after our individual workouts. Yes, I am back and here's to a great contest.

Bring on week three!!!

Ya know, I'm with Lori....push ups????? OMG...someone must have been in a foul mood to come up with this torture...I'm here to tell you I could not do one...give me cardio any day. So, end of week two and tackling week 3.......I'm doing okay, but I don't think the pounds are melting off, will see tomorrow morning. I've been hitting the gym, working on my physical goal and eating less and healthy...I do feel great. Maybe I'm not leaner at this point, (it has to come soon!!) but I sure do feel good about having a plan and going for it. It feels good to be exercising, eating much healther and tackling a challenge. I made a very good tuscany bean soup that is quite low in calories and very satisfying. Our next dietary goal for the Lean on Me team will be three vegetables a day. Even though you are all competetion for me, I hope you have a lean weigh in tomorrow morning. We all rock!! Karen

What Sadist Suggested Miltary Push-Ups for our Weekly Goal?????

I tried, really I did. I even looked on-line to ensure that I wouldn't do them wrong and therefore screw up some part of my body for the duration of our contest...or my life. There are websites to find out how to do them, how not to do them, and better yet, why one should start SLOWLY and build up to them. As of today, I have completed five "military" push-ups (roughly one a day), if one considers the fact that my nose was nowhere near the floor, but I did go down a few inches before struggling to get back up. I have completed 10 (roughly two a day) "knee" push-ups. Since this event is about progress (note that my team is in last place, I need to focus on something to motivate me....), then my progress was in finding an "incline" push-up for beginners. I can do this right in front of my computer with a chair. I completed 10 of those this morning, and sad to say, but I did "feel the burn".

I realize that these may not count in the actual contest, but the fact that I even attempted to use my chair for anything but sitting my butt down is PROGRESS.

Now, on to recipes: the Provencal Vegetable Soup from the Jan 2 Seattle Times was really, really good. Throw in some chicken, and it would be even heartier. Let me know if you want the recipe.

Here's to week 3!

- Lori

Commiseration and Cold Weather

One of the biggest reasons I enjoyed this competition last year (and this year), is the commiseration that goes on among participants. It's always nice to know that others out there are going through the same stuff I am. With that in mind, I always enjoy hearing ideas about everyone else's approach to health and fitness, as well as share some of my own thoughts and resources.

To kick it off, I thought I'd share an article from yesterday's New York Times about running in cold weather. Seems appropriate for this time of year, given that I can't remember a time in Seattle when there was snow on the ground from four days ago! Turns out we have don't have to fear our lungs suddenly freezing inside of out bodies! Whoda thunk? That said, sometimes after a really cold run I think my ears and nose might just fall off my head. But now I know that at least I won't die.

Middle of the Week and I'm hungry

Is anyone hungry? I've noticed the more I exercise the more I want to eat and I don't want a piece of celery!! I want a big slice of pizza and wash it down with a cold one........but I can't let my teamies down, so I'm being good. This team thing sure keeps you on track...good move, Jenny. Today is day 13 with no sugar, I'm getting stronger....really it is getting easy. I'm feeling like I might almost be in control of that addiction. A good feeling. The exercise is going as good as it could get for me.....I'm hitting the gym and attacking my physcial challenge. How is everyone else doing? Karen

AMDG Checking in for week 2.  I now know why I've noticed most couples playing on separate teams.  For those that don't know us, Megan and I are on the same team and married.  I'll simply repeat that I now know why it appears all couples play on separate teams.  I should have known this considering we haven't played a game of Scrabble together since our first year of marriage. Obviously, I'm saying this tongue in cheek...sort of.

Anyhow, were on to servings of vegetables.  Thought it would be easy, but am amazed how easy it is to get to the end of the day and realize I have to eat a bag of carrots, a salad, and finish the meal with a V8.

Brian is the man!  I think he did 1000 military push ups on Monday (that's for the insane woman I heard did 11 hours of aerobic exercise, what the hell is that all about!)  On a personal note, I was proud I swam 550 yards today and ran a mile without stopping.  Not bad for me.  I hope everyone is having fun.

Mike

The fighting Lean on Me reporting for week 2

Hey!! the Lean on Me team is hanging in there and fighting hard....haven't come up with our 2nd dietary goal, but working on it. I think the three of us have done well. Lorre and Bill out did me on hours of cardio, but I don't think 240 minutes I did for the week is anything to cry about. YAHOO!! I'm a bit sore today as this makes 9 straight days of exercising for me. If any of you know me, exercising is not something I embrace, but hoping to change my ways. Military push ups???? All I can say is OMG!!!! This will be a challenge. The sugar thing is getting easier and easier. The weigh in is only hours away, the scale will let me know how I'm doing. You all will be the first to know.......Captain Stockton of the fighting Lean on Me team.......

One week down......

....and only 11 to go. I weigh in tomorrow, but unless I somehow fall off the wagon and eat in my sleep (a la Ambian) I'm sure I've lost at least a few pounds. I can tell by how my jeans feel....this, as Martha would say, is a good thing.

Four days of exercise, which is one less than I wanted to get in, but I also made a concerted effort to use the stairs when going from floor to floor in my office building.

My craving for sugar is significantly reduced, although I have to admit it's not gone entirely. Another few days and I should be ok there as well.

Everyone have a great week, and good luck with your weigh in.

- Lori

Old Goals Met...New Goals Set

Team MicroBucks-10X has met their lofty goal of consuming a piece of fresh fruit each day...and we are thrilled. Now, on to week two goal...it has been decided that we will each consume one shot of hard liquor daily. Morning, Noon or night, it doesn't matter. We expect other teams to follow our lead quickly. Actually, our real team goal is less fun...but quite attainable, consuming three servings of vegetables each day.

It was a respectable week of exercise for each of us(Kathy, John and Molly)...and we plan to hit next week with a bit more vigor! The tough part for two thirds of our team is our upcoming 4 day trip to the Sundance film festival. So many temptations. We just have to remember that what we are trying to do is look as slim and handsome/beautiful as the stars we are going there to see. Good luck to all you losers in week 2!

Captain Buster checking in............

No more excuses and tempations due to Seahawk playoff games! Ready for some serious dieting and exercise! Look out now the Gutbusters are ready to roll the competition! Marshmallow man is on board and in command!

What is this rumor we are hearing of some contestants running up and down flight after flight of stairs? Some of us are struggling with an escalator! Yow!

This week is veggie and fruit focus for busters (5 per day)! I have been told my non-fat yogurts do not qualify for a fruit. We have some tough evaluators. Is there an appeal board?

Have a great week and don't overdo it!

Do you notice how Carol is not eating anything from the frig? She is showing the kind of control that team Hot flash exhibits. Notice also she is leaning against lean poultry, at her feet are veggies and fruit and on the door milk. What a gal.

I had a slice of pizza for lunch today, yikes! Well weight in is just around the corner so I better be good. Hang in there everyone the weekends can be wicked especially with a Seahawk game Saturday.

Kathy

Good news: I can sit down now!

On Saturday I did a lower body weight routine for the first time in (how long has it been since we ended last year's contest?) a long while. Suffice it to say that today is the first day I can comfortably 1. walk or 2. sit. Until this morning, I got around by sort of swinging my legs in the manner of John Wayne or a pirate with moderate scurvy.

Well: here we are again. I am officially checking in for GutBusters (I ain't afraid of no gut) and we are kicking ass. Just so you know.

Our goals:

John T: working toward a weight routine consisting of military-style push-ups, bench presses and other assorted tortures.

Col: running a 10k in 75 minutes or less & completing a strength challenge.

Jen: running 10 miles (bwahahahahahahahaha!!! we'll see.) in under 2 hours.

So, are you like, totally intimidated? I thought so.

Scale Us To Win

My team members are Lori and Stephen (our captain) and we are Scale Us To Win. It's good to be back in the competition again and I think this new team effort will excite all of us in a way that individually didn't happen.

Like my teammate Lori, I had a major change in my work life that ruined my best intentions to stay on course, eating healthier and exercising regularly. This year is starting out right for me by getting into an exercise routine that will work with my life and schedule. Also this year, my husband Chuck has joined the group which I thought would make for some friendly competition at home. Apparently Chuck is way too competitive, 80 minutes of cardio in one day!! What's up with that! It's a good thing he is out of town for the next couple of weeks otherwise I would have to find a way to sabotage his over-the-top efforts.

I don't know about you all but I like re-focusing my life around exercise and eating right, instead of the TV and refrigerator. Maybe after March 31st we might want to consider a second round starting in June and going through the summer. Don't freak out, it's just a suggestion.

Rock-on everyone and may the best team kick-ass.

AMDG II

And My Damn Gut (AMDG) hurts too. So one unexpected benifit I have found from playing the game is I arrive to work earlier (on time now) because it is easier for me to wake up in the morning. As a matter of fact, over the last two days I have wakened in the morning before my alarm goes off. Unfortunately, it is because my body hurts so bad I can only sleep for a ½ hour at a time and I’m so hungry I can’t wait to eat any longer.

Our trainer has me walking in a way that most people ask me if I’ve hurt my legs. I say "No, I simply no longer have control of my bowels since adding fiber to my diet."

I wish to thank Jenny for making it clear to Kathy that I thought I was fat and inviting me to joy your little contest.

Mike

AMDG

And My Dear God (AMDG) what did we sign up for. I may not be a captain, but sometimes I like to ride in boats so I feel qualified to write for our team. Here is a quick recap of our collective day and a half in this contest:

Mike and I had a trainer who tried to kill us as we ran stairs, did push ups, thrusts, more stairs, jogging, and then some sort of love hand holding push up thing. You don't want to know, trust me.

Megan did not like her vitamin yesterday and then had the same trainer work her out for an hour and a half longer than she hoped today.

Oh and I drank like 12 glasses of water yesterday and proceeding to go to the bathroom every 14 seconds.

Thanks for including us!

Captain Stockton reporting for duty

Okay, you are hearing from the Captain of the Lean on Me team!! WWAAHHOOO!!!!!! That would be Bill, Loree and myself, Captain Stockton. Our first goal is no sugar for the week, we might need a little meth to get us thru this tough time. Here is to a good week to all of us losers..... Karen

The Hot Flashes have arrived!

Hi Everyone,

We are on fire! This week our goal is no sugar and Chuck logged 80 minutes of Cardio the first day. Watch out for the Hot Flashes we are not so lean but we are mean.

Good luck to all our fellow losers.

Kathy T

Goodbye Cake - Hello Treadmill!

Team MicroBucks-10X is now checking in!

John Schoonover, Molly Hancock and Kathy Thrailkill have combined the names of their respective companies(Microsoft, Starbucks and Attenex) to create their team name. Our team goal for this week of consuming at least one piece of fruit a day may not be overly ambitious but we think it's the perfect way to ease into our new super-healthy way of life.

So, best of luck to the other teams as we pound those vitamins, slug down that water and push our way through daily workouts! Go Losers!!

Weigh in tomorrow

What is it about these competitions and kick-off dates that cause me to eat stupidly? Until this last week, I was actually making good food choices (most of the time) and eating very healthfully (same). For the last five days I've been making really stupid choices, as if it's the last time I'll ever be able to eat chocolate or bread or drink a glass or two of wine. Ok, that's my confession for the week.

I am really jazzed about starting up the Biggest Loser Competition again, because it will mean that I commit myself to good habits around, not just eating, but fitness as well. Last year, Bill and I exercised at least 5 times/week until May 14.....when I found out that my company was being acquired by Microsoft. I have been on a whirlwind, stressful journey ever since, and found myself losing my interest and commitment to exercise. I didn't stray too far from my commitment to healthier eating, but at 51 years of age, it is clear that I have to focus on exercise if I'm going to enjoy anything besides carrots and water. And I do like the aforementioned chocolate, bread and wine.....and pasta, potatoes, real mayonnaise and butter, and margaritas and martinis......the list is endless. So, to enjoy splurges now and then, I have to focus on exercising on a regular basis.

I'm hopeful that starting 2008 in better shape than last year, with renewed commitment to a healthier lifestyle, will help me keep going once we get past March 31. No excuses this year. Nothing in my life should cause me to forget what's important to me: being a healthy woman with energy to spare.

So, BL's, here's to all of our efforts to enjoying a healthy life in 2008!

- Lori

Welcome to Biggest Loser 2008!

It's so fun to get this started again!

Please feel free to use the blog anytime you want to share a triumph or need encouragement. Of course, it's also a useful tool for talking smack to other teams.

Make sure a representative from your team posts at least twice per week (or suffer the consequences)!

To get you started on your first post, introduce yourself and share your 12-week fitness goal. Captains: make sure to let us know of your team's name!

And...it's on!!!!!