I am doing "The Biggest Loser'....

[chippers21]

Not really. But I am participating in a Biggest Loser contest at work. 50 members of the Y are participating starting tomorrow. I could use some support from my reality tv fans here at DOD.
Love you all, Liz/chippers

[ShainaT]

These seem to be very popular these days!

Good luck Liz!

[chippers21]

We had our first workout with our trainer today and it was really tough. Only one hour long and I was exhausted after 1/2 hour. We did intervals of jumping rope, running up stairs and jogging/skipping/sideways shuffling on the track.
I have heard that one of the trainers is even tougher, but I find it pretty hard to imagine.
Our first weigh-in for my Lean Green Weightloss Machine team is next Tuesday. I have workouts planned for tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I am taking Sundays off.
Liz/chippers

[Kegrilovessmu]

What is your goal weight loss? I admire anyone who decides to go out and get healthy! Keep us updated!

[chippers21]

Tomorrow is our 3rd week weigh-in.
My goal is to break 140 pounds. That is still too high for my height, but I am 57 and realistic. I have lost weight each week so far. But the second week I decided I was not 57 and could do sets of jumping jacks. Big mistake. My knees were so effected I had to do water aerobics for 3 days. Then when my knees were better in this third week, I got a horrible cold. No appetite. No energy. No exercise.
So, not expecting big things at tomorrows weigh-in.....BUT

MY Green Team is in first place!!!! It probably won't last, but I am enjoying it while it does.

We had a very good nutrition session today. I learned several useful bits of information I can use in this weightloss challenge.

[Kegrilovessmu]

That's fantastic! My mom is like 55... and she's disabled... She had a bad back and never did anything about it... After years of being inactive it just basically started to rot... I really should get off my duff and start exercising so I don't end up like her! I do get chiro care though! I'm in my weight range, but not happy with it! Do take it slow though! It's harder to work out when you're hurt =P

[ShainaT]

Glad it is going well!

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by chippers21

We had our first workout with our trainer today and it was really tough. Only one hour long and I was exhausted after 1/2 hour. We did intervals of jumping rope, running up stairs and jogging/skipping/sideways shuffling on the track.
I have heard that one of the trainers is even tougher, but I find it pretty hard to imagine.
Our first weigh-in for my Lean Green Weightloss Machine team is next Tuesday. I have workouts planned for tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I am taking Sundays off.
Liz/chippers

Good for you! JMO but maybe you should stay away from the high impact type of exercises. A good trainer should have some knowledge of each person in the group, and select various exercises for each. The key IMO is to have a program in which you lose weight gradually. That means a approach that involves healthy eating habits at least three meals per day, and a basic idea of how many calories you burn during a day compared to what you estimate you take in. You need to allow time for your body to recover from a workout-the older or less in shape the more time you need.
You could do cardio one day, then light weight training(higher reps-lower weights) the next day, maybe a light cardio with swimming the next day, walking day the next(building time as you go along), then light weight training,-well you get the idea(mix it up-so it doesn't get boring). You might consider watches that monitor your heart rate-so while your walking you get it up to a safe workout zone. Make sure to drink a fair amount of water about hour before you exercise, and bring some with

Keep it fun, and you will do just fine

[chippers21]

Mr. Bowler I appreciate the advice, but my trainers are excellent and they have told me all that and much more. In addition we have input from a nutritionist who gives great tips on proper eating for good health and weightloss. And..I have been working out for years, so anything I do now is in addition to what I normally do, which already included weight training a couple times a week with time to repair muscles in between, a lot of cardio in the form of aerobic classes and dvd's and just walking at different rates. I also throw in an occasional water aerobics class. I also row twice a week for a quick calorie burn and use some of the cardio balcony machines for a change-up. Bad knees have stopped me from jogging much, so I often wear a weighted vest (with 20 pounds) while I walk.
The problem I complained about here was not from anything my trainers told me to do. It came from overconfidence in my knees ability to absorb the impact of jumping jacks. I now know NEVER to leave the floor for my exercise.



Week 3 weigh-in Green team ended up in third place. Our biggest loser from last week lost only .3 of a pound this week and one person gained weight.
But I see my team members trying hard. My knees are back to normal now (slightly tender). Yesterday I got up early and did a basic training aerobic class with lots of power walking, light jogging, and weights. Today was my day of rest for the week.

[Kegrilovessmu]

Do you guys have a reward for your winning team for motivation? Or is it all just the benefit of good health?

[chippers21]

I think of everyone in the contest as a "winner" simply because each and every one of us is doing something really good for ourselves.

There are prizes however.

There is an as yet unspecified prize for the winning team. And there is a prize for the biggest loser woman and for the biggest loser man. I only know the prize for the woman. It is a full day spa treatment makeover and a $500 clothing gift card for a particular store.

I am in it for the good health. I have 150 clearly in my sights now and really hope to break 140 before the contest is over.

[Kegrilovessmu]

Hey, if you're in it for the good health, I'll take the spa treatment if you win! lol. It's good that you're in it for the health and not the prize... You'll be more likely to keep going with the exercise =)

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by chippers21

Mr. Bowler I appreciate the advice, but my trainers are excellent and they have told me all that and much more. In addition we have input from a nutritionist who gives great tips on proper eating for good health and weightloss. And..I have been working out for years, so anything I do now is in addition to what I normally do, which already included weight training a couple times a week with time to repair muscles in between, a lot of cardio in the form of aerobic classes and dvd's and just walking at different rates. I also throw in an occasional water aerobics class. I also row twice a week for a quick calorie burn and use some of the cardio balcony machines for a change-up. Bad knees have stopped me from jogging much, so I often wear a weighted vest (with 20 pounds) while I walk.
The problem I complained about here was not from anything my trainers told me to do. It came from overconfidence in my knees ability to absorb the impact of jumping jacks. I now know NEVER to leave the floor for my exercise.



Week 3 weigh-in Green team ended up in third place. Our biggest loser from last week lost only .3 of a pound this week and one person gained weight.
But I see my team members trying hard. My knees are back to normal now (slightly tender). Yesterday I got up early and did a basic training aerobic class with lots of power walking, light jogging, and weights. Today was my day of rest for the week.

Sounds like you have it all figured out. What are some of the reasons you believe have caused you to put on too much weight?-since you said you were working out before(if you don't mind sharing?). Do they use BMI?

What do you enjoy the most?

[chippers21]

I gained a few pounds with each baby that I was not able to lose. And then I got lazy for extended periods of time. I have always known the value of exercise, but I have not really stuck with it, until the last 3 years. I managed to get about 50 pounds overweight during those extended lazy periods. I took off 30 3 years ago and kept off 20 of it so now I figure I have about 30 to lose (have lost 14 of that so far with the Biggest Loser)
Reasons I gained/ or failed to keep it off:
I have a very slow metabolism and can only eat about 1600 to maintain my weight, so it is easy to gain.
I like sweets too much and tend to fool myself into thinking "it won't hurt me this time"
I went through periods of depression and no exercise.
What do I like the best?
The companionship of others who support my efforts or are actively participating in the program with me.

[Kegrilovessmu]

I have one kid. I gained SIXTY lbs during my pregnancy. I was a stick before. So I lost 30 in two weeks (must have been a lot of water weight?). I gradually lost another 10... So, for like the last year (he's only 20 months old) I have weighed the same no matter what! I've gone down two pant sizes, I know I lost weight! I thought my scale was broken... But if it is, then so is the doctors! Anyone know what the deal is with that? I guess I need a support team to motivate me to exercise more... I guess I feel unmotivated since I don't feel the scale will tell me the truth!