The Biggest Loser, Not Just a TV Show!

I don't know about anyone else, but in order for me to make healthy eating and exercising an actual habit, I need some kind of incentive. Of course, it is great that I will be healthier and maybe even lose a few pounds but I need a little extra push. Up until this semester, my "little extra push" was that I had a great workout partner, Ingrid. If it wasn't for her making sure we were training and working out, I'm sure I wouldn't have been as consistent and I definitely wouldn't have run my second half marathon.

This leads me to my point: it is always easier to do something when you have a support group helping and encouraging you.

At the end of last semester, my boss was announcing that his New Year's Resolution would be to lose weight. And as bets started to be made about whether or not he could do it, an idea came to me. Let's have our own "The Biggest Loser"! From there, everyone agreed, we set the rules and the starting date.

Here are our rules:

Initial Weigh-In: January 3, 2011
Final Weigh-In: May 9, 2011

1. There is a one-time entry fee of $25 due on January 3rd at the initial weigh-in.
2. Heidi will serve as the competition referee, meaning she will administer the weigh-ins.
3. Weigh-ins will happen every Monday at the start of the work day.
4. If, for whatever reason, you must leave the competition, your $25 will stay in the pot.
5. At the final weigh-in, whoever has the largest percentage of weigh lost will win the entire pot ($100).
6. The usage of weight loss products is not allowed.
7. Eat healthy and exercise!
8. Have fun and encourage each other!

I created a poster to hang in our office (pardon the bad quality of the picture):



So far we've had two weigh-ins. I'm really sad to report that even with the work I put into improving my eating habits, I gained a pound between the first and second weigh-in. To be honest, it was like a slap in the face to see that one pound weight gain. I thought: Why should I even try? I'm doing the right thing and I gained weight! I didn't expect to lose a ton but maybe a pound or two would have been nice. Either way, after going through the initial emotions of gaining that pound, I know it's only week one and it's just more motivation to continue figuring out what works for me. I'll keep you updated on my progress and I encourage you to start a "Biggest Loser" in your office, with your friends, or with your family!!**

**If you would like a spreadsheet that easily calculates the percentage weight loss, email me and I would love to share it with you!**