Biggest Loser- Day 47

I only lost 1 pound this week. It is to be expected as Holy week was a bit crazy for me. We had our semi-annual pie sale. (I had very little pie, but ate quite a bit pizza during our breaks) Despite the fact that I lost only 1 pound I have lost a total of 13 pounds over 7 weeks. It doesn’t sound like much but currently at 172 that 7% of my body weight. My BMI has gone from 25.8 (overweight) to 24 (normal range). I have five weeks to go so if I continue at this rate I will finish at 162.

Here are my weight loss strategies so far.

1. No more sugar soda- I used to hate diet soda. It has now become a treat for me.

2. Clif Bars for breakfast- I used to skip breakfast, and was very hungry by lunch which made me end up overeating. These bars are 250 calories and keep me full all morning. Thanks Andy.

3. Anytime Fitness- This is probably the real reason for the weight loss. I try to make it at least 5 times a week. I workout on the eliptical as the treadmills give me shin splints from time to time. I am curious how the weight training is effecting the weight loss. I am doing lighter weight and higher reps. I’m sure I have built some muscle, however my metabolism has increase as well.

Biggest Loser- Day 36 (The Wall)

This mornings weigh-in was my first big disappointment of this whole weight loss adventure.  I didn’t lose any weight this week.  The most frustrating thing is that I worked out the most this week. (5 days)  Maybe I loss fat this week but increased in muscle? Maybe I should just do cardio this week. Maybe I need to watch my calories a little closer.  Hmmm…

Biggest Loser- Day 32

So I am over the 1 month mark and I have averaged about 2.5 pounds per week of weight loss.  My last weight in on Monday I was down 9 pounds after 4 weeks.  In some ways this feels pretty slow, but in other ways I guess it is pretty healthy.  Part of me thinks I may need to be a bit more hardcore about counting calories.  I currently am working out 3-4 times a week, I would like to up that to 4-6 days a week.  It is just so tough with needing to give full attention to the fam and youth pastoring.  I guess what is key is that I am establishing new habits that I can continue after the contest is over.  The one frustrating thing is I don’t really feel like much of my gut has gone away yet.  Where did those 9 pounds come from?

Another Reason to get a Wii

Wii Fit arrives May 19th.

 thanks marko.

Biggest Loser- Day 17

I checked out a podcast/radio show suggested by Matthew McNutt on his blog.  It is a fitness program by Jillian Michaels.  I was pretty impressed with it as it really had common sense advice about weight loss, fitness and nutrition.  Good stuff!  Thanks Matt. I am loving the community aspect of this whole YS “Are You a Bigger Loser Than Marko” thing. 

Biggest Loser Day 15

It has been 2 weeks since I have started the “Are You a Bigger Loser than Marko” contest. I feel like things are going well for me. I loss a little more weight this week than I did last week. I am now down 5 pounds after two weeks which I think is a good healthy start. I am around 40th place in the % of weight loss for the contest. I moving up the rankings because I was tied for 50th last week. The comptition really motivates me.

Here are my top 5 food temptations. I think writing them down might help me stop thinking about them. (or not)

1. Wavy Lays Chips with French Onion Drip

2. Burger and Fries and a Coke

3. Popcorn with lots of Butter

4. 10 Piece Chicken Nugget Value Meal

5. Just more quantity of whatever I am eating.

The Biggest Loser- Day 12

The rankings came out for the “Are you a bigger loser than Marko” contest.  I am not in the top 10.  I really was not expecting to be.  Matthew McNutt posted on the forums that often you don’t see results early because you are building muscle, and muscle weighs more than fat.  I think this is the case with me as I have been working my butt off not only on cardio but also doing some light weight lifting.  I have been hitting the gym almost everyday and am feeling pretty good.  Drinking Cherry Coke Zero every once in awhile also has helped me fend off soda cravings. Hopefully I will lose another 2 pounds this week.  We will find out Monday.

The Biggest Loser- Week 1 finished

I think this weight loss thing is working out for me this time because I love competition. Here are my stats for week one.

1. I worked out 5 out of 7 days last week. (not including sledding and playing basketball after the T-wolves game)

2. Cut our sugar soda from my diet. I am trying to get to like Cherry Coke Zero.

3. I haven’t been counting calories but I have been watching what I eat more closely. I discovered this week why I have been gaining weight at a slow rate over the past 10 years.

4. Joined a gym for the first time in my life. So the fact that a laid a little money down for this whole thing motivates me to use the regularly.

5. Negative stat- Shin splints. I have them pretty bad this week.

I’m not suppose to post how much I have loss. However, it is not amazing amount for the first week, it is just a healthy amount. If I could do this every week I would be doing well.

The Biggest Loser- Day 4

I just can’t do the calorie counting thing. It is just too difficult. I am just eating less and really trying to pay attention to my stomach telling me when I need to give it something. I also could not go to the gym today, however I did take my kids sledding and walked up a big hill 6 times. So I guess that is something.

Tomorrow, we are having a father/student night with our JH/SH dad’s taking their kid to the Timberwolves game. At the end of the end they are having a pastor’s game on the Target center floor and I will be in the game. It should be fun. (embarrassing) My friend Erik is playing with me, and he really has some b-ball skills. Regardless, I should get some going cardio doing that tomorrow night. I am thinking about looking like this (below) on the Target Center floor tomorrow. I think it would be pretty funny to dress up.

Biggest Loser- Day 3

I am committing not the weighing myself until a week has past in fear of being discouraging.  I think it would be a reasonable goal to lose 2-3 pounds a  week.  My 2 workouts at Anytime Fitness have gone well.  My one set back last night was eating a chicken pot pie that I thought was 500 calories that was actually 1000.  My wife pointed that out to me after I ate it.  I also ate it much too late, as I was caucusing till 9pm.  Today I will workout during lunch break and grab another subway sandwich (ala Jared).