Relaxation Stations' Biggest Loser (Week 1)
CommentsWell today was the first day. I woke up this morning thinking what the heck did I do. I sent an email to over 200 people professing to be able to lose 50 lbs in about 75 days. Heck I didn’t think anyone would bit on this. I thought people would just be their normal selves and ignore it and go on with their lives. People have their own lives and own problems to deal with. Who am I to ask them to help and support me in my goals. Well to my surprise I received close to 50 emails between last night and this morning. I was shocked to see so many people write back telling me that they would help and support me. Day 1: Woke up at 7am feeling very tired this morning. Had a busy weekend working on Saturday and went to the movies on Sunday to see Tyler Perry’s “Why did I get Married”. Loved this movie!!! Also, working on my next big idea that was really just came to me on a whim. Not sure if I intended to follow this through or not. But now I have no choice since I have involved so many people. In case you didn’t know I thrive under pressure. Anyway, instead of going to the gym this morning I signed onto the internet and started reading emails. Then I kept getting new emails. It was great. At that point I hadn’t eaten breakfast and I was craving my usual. Thomas English Muffin with Jelly, Egg and a ton of butter. I don’t know how many calories this is but I know the numbers can’t be that good. So I passed on Breakfast because I didn’t have anything good(healthy) to eat and truthfully I wasn’t really that hungry. My mind just craved what it had been used to. I simply had a half glass of OJ and went back to my emails. Food for the day: Turkey sandwich on rye with mustard, lettuce and tomatoes. Ate half at 1pm after my workout. Ate the other half at about 3:30pm. Went to the supermarket and picked up some food that a person that wants to lose 50 lbs in 75 days would buy. You know, chicken thighs, yams, cucumbers, tomatoes. I will grab some broccoli tomorrow. Workout: went to the gym got on the treadmill and felt like crap. Only ran 1-mile and then walked for a mile and half. Total 33 mins. No weights. No workout tonight. Several of you commented on me trying to lose the weight so fast. I will address that in tomorrow’s entry. Until then BE WELL!!!
CommentsGood morning! I feel great this morning. Not hungry at all. In fact, I prepared an English muffin, with egg, butter and jelly for the wife. I passed on this. Getting ready to go to the gym to hit the treadmill. Be back later
CommentsJeff - I'm not going to wish you luck because you don't need it. I can hear the determination in your writing. I'm working to lose weight myself. Maybe I will send my scale photo to you. Let me think about it a little more.
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CommentsJeff - That was Gina Griffin who left thast last message. Congrats on not eating the english muffin with jelly and tons of butter. Remember, you have to eat to lose weight. I'm getting ready to get on the treadmill myself. Have a great day and eat well! Gina
CommentsHi Jeff, That "weigh in" is impressive! I lost 37 pounds in 10 weeks drinking my body weight in ounces of the water with greens and pH drops... I so so hope you use that as part of this quotidian fever you have set in place. (plus it will facilitate your energy level and maintain steady weight loss significantly!) Fat is an acid problem, not a fat problem...as we say "Get off your fat acid and go to health"... pee and poop your way to optimal healthy weight! I desire a little more of your enthusiasm before I commit to joining you (how lame and conditional!)...I would like to dejunk this vehicle, make less of my physical self, taking up less space...so and it wouldn't hurt to drop 24.5 pounds...I am on the fence...push me over! Keep me posted! Jeri www.OurInnerLight.com
CommentsGina & Jeri, Thanks for chiming in to the blog and sharing. Gina, I look forward to seeing your weigh in photo. As soon as I get a couple I will create a page with all the weigh-in photos. I took my photo with my cell-phone. Providing a photo is a sort of commitment to results. It’s a record. At that point you have no one to answer to but yourself. We will support you regardless of results. The fact that you take the first step is a success Jeri, I will depend on your knowledge and wisdom about Acid and Alkaline balancing. It will especially be helpful for me when I hit that plateau. I usually plateau around 250-255 lbs. Then the body simply says okay that's enough. Now you will really have to work to get this off. And at that time I start to justify and come up with excuses. Telling myself things like, "Well you've lost enough haven't you" or "I'm looking pretty good in my clothes if I lose anymore I will have to go out and buy new ones" and many other reasons to sabotage my goals. This time I plan on taking it all the way. I hope you will join us on our journey and be an example of wellness. So many of us can benefit from your knowledge and info let alone your services but first you must make a commitment to yourself before we can help you. Hop off the fence and we will be there to catch you and support you. My 10 year old Godson said it best. "Remember you are doing this for you". But when you make a choice to do good things for yourself so many others can and will benefit. But I'm not going to try and motivate you. LOL I keep a quote very close by and this holds true in my practice. "Illness is the doctor to whom we pay most heed; to kindness, to knowledge, we make promise only; pain we obey." Marcel Proust People often wait to come to me until they are in pain instead of establishing a regular plan of health and wellness which will often catch those problems while they are still manageable. Don't wait until it(whatever it is) becomes an unmanageable problem. So far the day has been good. Work-out this morning ran 1.5 miles and walked 1 mile. Felt much better. I forgot to tell you guys that I started on Sunday and last night with a laxative tea "Smooth Move" Cleaning that junk out of your body makes the process much better as you put in better foods. Be back later!!!
CommentsOh and that was Jeff by the way with the last entry.
CommentsI had to share this with you all this is an excerpt from an e-book written by Tom Venuto called "Big Fat Lies" enjoy an open your minds I write and speak about the role of genetics in fitness a lot and the reason is because I'm sick and tired of hearing people using their "bad genetics" as an excuse for why they can't get in shape. “Argue for your limitations and sure enough, they’re yours.” - Richard Bach, Author of “Illusions” It's amazing what a human being can achieve when they have a crystal clear goal and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. Need proof? Marla Runyan is a world champion middle distance runner. At the 2000 Olympic trials in Sacramento, Runyan captured third in the 1500 meters, finishing in 4:06.44; a time good enough to gain her a berth on the 2000 US Olympic team. At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Runyan was eighth crossing the finish line in 4:08.30. Is this disappointing? Not when you consider that Runyan has been legally blind since her 9th birthday. Marla suffers from a genetically inherited disease of the retina, called Stargardt's. She is considered legally blind because her condition cannot be corrected. Her vision is limited to the peripheral - she can only see shapes in front of her, and can't even make out the face of her coach ten feet away. Despite this so-called handicap, Marla Runyan is the eighth best runner in the world in the 1500 meters. The first U.S. paralympian to reach the Olympics, Runyan says she doesn't even look at her lack of sight as an obstacle; "I think my vision is just a circumstance that happened and I don't look at it as a barrier. I never said I want to be the first legally blind runner to make the Olympics. I just wanted to be an Olympian." "I have been legally blind for 20 years. I am very used to my eyes and how the world appears to me. In fact, I am so used to it that I often forget I see things differently from everyone else. The track looks the same to me as it did 15 years ago. Therefore, I do not consider my vision impairment a "handicap" when it comes to running. It is not a factor or an excuse for a bad race." Copyright 2003, Fitness Renaissance. LLC www.burnthefat.com And then there's Carl Joseph. Carl Joseph was captain of his football team. He could dunk a basketball. He high jumped 5 feet 10 inches. He threw shot and discus. He was also born with only one leg. Like Runyan, the difference between Carl and others with genetically inherited disabilities is nothing more than his attitude. Carl Joseph didn't make excuses: "A lot of people go through life wishing they could change this or that. God gave me one leg, and I'm just as happy and thankful to be healthy and to have done as much as I have. Ever since I was a kid I could do anything I wanted to. One leg or two, it didn't make any difference to me. It's all in the mind. My mind always told me I could do things, so I just went out and did them." - Carl Joseph When I first wrote about these two athletes as examples of what genetically disadvantaged people can achieve, I received an e-mail from an angry reader (who was very overweight and convinced that his genetics were to blame and there was nothing he could do about it). He wrote; “Tom, those are terrible examples. – Will a positive attitude restore Marla’s sight? Will positive thinking re-grow Carl’s leg?” I felt sorry for this poor fellow because he entirely missed the point, and because of his own “vision problem” he has limited his own development. The answer to his questions of course, are no; the chances of positive mental attitude growing back a leg or restoring one’s sight are mighty slim. But that doesn’t matter; the difference between people like Marla and Carl and the man who wrote to me is that Marla and Carl didn’t use their genetic disabilities as justification for their own failure and mediocrity or as an excuse for not even trying. Marla and Carl did the best they could with what they had. It was much harder for them; and even with all the effort, they still couldn’t reach the level of those without such disabilities. But being better than others was not the goal. What they did was to become the best they could be. They became champions in their own right. They got out there and played the game.
CommentsHello all! I am excited about this blog! I too am making the weightloss journey. I started at 178 pounds and I hope to be 150 by my 31st birthday in January. It's been slow and steady so far- I am down to 169lbs after about 8 weeks. It's a struggle day to day, especially since as a woman we have to deal with fluctuating hormones, etc. Glad there is a place to vent. BTW- I'd love more info on the pH drops. Never heard of it. Does that stuff work? I have all kinds of stomach issues, so I have been trying to get rid of the problems naturally. Any insight would be appreciated. Happy and healthing eating! CTG
CommentsGreat start Jeff! I'm behind you all the way!!! Zena
CommentsI said I would respond to the issue of rapid weight loss. I agree with the ascertions that starvation diets and rapid weight lose is not the best way to lose weight. However, I never go on a starvation diet. I always continue to eat (unless I'm fasting of course). What I do is simply correct my diet, cut out the sugars, simple carbs and alcohol, go to the gym like a madman creating a calorie deficit and the weight comes off with the blink of an eye. I have never lose 50 lbs before though so this will be a true challenge for me. Here is some info regarding the matter of losing weight too fast. Your body is 70% water, so it's easy to lose weight quickly. Any diet that dehydrates you will create quick, dramatic weight loss. Want to lose 10 pounds over the weekend? That’s easy! Just stop drinking water! Of course that would be pretty dumb and pretty dangerous too, but that's exactly what you're doing when you lose weight that quickly (you're simply dehydrating yourself - or even worse - you're losing lean body weight too!) The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), one of the largest and most respected health, medical and exercise organizations in the world, has established guidelines for healthy rates of weight loss. In their position statement on "Proper and improper weight loss programs," the ACSM recommends losing weight at a rate of no more than two pounds per week. This two pounds per week guideline has become recognized as the standard rate for safe weight (fat) loss. Time after time I see people get impatient and they attempt to violate this rule, only to lose muscle, slow their metabolisms and eventually gain all the fat back…and then some! Weight loss is not something to be rushed. You can lose 30 pounds of weight in 30 days, but you'll NEVER lose 30 pounds of fat in 30 days. There are virtually no limits to what you can achieve in the long run. You will absolutely STUN yourself at how much you can achieve in one, two, three years if you get on a supportive, healthy, long term nutrition and training program. You can reach virtually any fat loss or fitness goal that you’re truly committed to. However, you must be patient; there are definite limits to how quickly you can safely achieve fat loss.
CommentsHey CTG welcome to the Blog. Glad to have you aboard. Your accomplishment so far is awesome and I know you will reach your goal with no problem. Stay focused! Oh and Don't forget us men. We have to experience the effects of those hormonal imbalances. LOL
CommentsThanks, Jeff for the encouragement. Today was the first day that I am doing the twice a day work out. I hit the gym in the morning for an hour and a half (weights and some cardio) and the do about 40 min of cardio in the evening. I will say, I am gonna sleep tonight! You are right about losing the weight slowly. My trainer recommends that I don't step on the scale more than once every ten days. It is HARD! With all of the sacrifices that you make, you want results fast. But if you want to keep it off, fast is not the way. You gotta keep muscle in order to speed your metabolism and therefore keep weight gain at a minimum even when you stray off the diet for a day or two. Well, I am about to holla at the sand man! I am pooped! CTG
CommentsGood Morning!!! I hope everyone has a great day. I wanted to share some info with you about a new book on health and wellness. I received this email this morning. Also, if you want a copy of the free E-Books I have "Big Fat Lies", and AB Foods (rates which foods are good and bad on a scale)" shoot me an email. Here is the info on the new book. Most of you want to burn more bodyfat. I know I do. But most people are not in good health. Believe it or not, a foundation of good health will help you burn FAR more bodyfat with less effort. Wouldn't a few simple tips that can radically increase the quality of your health be like finding buried treasure? If they work? If they're proven? David Riklan, the President and Founder of the #1 Self Improvement website in the world, SelfGrowth.com, has tapped into the minds of some of the world's very best physicians, doctors and health gurus to create a book that you can start using to improve your health today. Right now. I love that approach. No nonsense! The book is titled "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health" and is a compilation of 101 proven strategies with reliable, tried-and-true ways to become a healthier person. "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health" is literally the "Who's Who" of the top health experts in the world. As contributing authors you'll be amazed to find Dr. Joseph Mercola, Gary Craig, Dr. Marcus Laux, Dr. Susan Lark, Dr. Stephen Sinatra, Dr. Julian Whitaker and many other leading health experts. If you care about your health, go here as fast as you can: http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=2115063 <== click If you are serious about: ** Achieving Great Vibrant Health ** Eating Well ** Losing Weight ** Reducing Stress ** Sleeping Better ** Reducing Chronic Pain ** and just plain feeling better . . . then now is the time for you to make an investment that will guarantee a hugely beneficial return. This book can - and will - change your life. That's not just a line...that's the truth. From holistic healing to natural supplements, diet and nutrition to improving your health through general self-improvement, this book covers EVERY single aspect of the health arena that you can possibly imagine. Don't expect to read the same old health tips you see everyday. David coaxed the experts in this book into revealing some of the lesser-known facts about health to ensure you learn everything necessary to make your body, mind, and spirit are as fit as possible. And because David wants to ensure that you are in absolute best health, mentally and physically, he has bundled this book with a goldmine of bonus gifts. The combined value of these gifts amounts, literally, to thousands of dollars, but you're getting ALL of them for FREE just by purchasing one copy of this book. David is so confident you will love it that he is backing it up with a completely solid guarantee. Go there and take a look for yourself - and make sure you check out the bonuses. I think you'll be astounded at the stuff that David's GIVING AWAY as a gift to you. Here's the link for you to go directly to his offer: http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=2115063 <== click In good health, Jon Benson Author, "Fit Over 40" and "The Every Other Day Diet" P.S. David is featured on the front page of my M-Power Fitness website for a good reason: he's one of the very best in the field of total personal transformation. That is not just about 'losing weight'...it's also about becoming as healthy and vibrant as you can. That's what his new book is all about. And that will help you burn that bodyfat off faster and easier. It has my complete endorsement, as it follows the same principles and patterns as my own book, "Fit Over 40." Naturally...two thumbs up.
CommentsWOW CTG!! 2 times a day is great. In my opinion there is no better way to burn calories than working out 2 times a day. Even if you split one long session to two shorter ones it works out better for some reason in the calorie burning department. I will do that after my first week. Once I get over the initial soreness from the once a day workouts LOL. However, I will take a session off as needed for recovery.
CommentsGood Morning!!! It's 6:15am and guess what. The Wife decided to join me in my quest. Now I am really on a mission. I have support from all sides. I watched this morning as she prepared a hard boiled egg instead of a fried egg and English muffin and jelly. That was great. Last night she ate a healthy salad. Ifeel pretty good. For dinner I had my grilled (george forman) chicken breast, yams and a chopped salad(tomato and cucumber) instead of salt I substituted Kelp granules which gave it flavor. And Kelp is excellent for the thyroid. During the day I had a veggie wrap with grilled chicken in it. (I know it's not a veggie wrap with the chicken but I need my protein.) I felt pretty tired after the wrap which means that it must have spiked my glycemic index up and causing a crash. Or I could just be tired. LOL Anyway, after recovering from my crash I felt okay. I had another wrap i purchased from Garden of light. This time it was truly a veggie wrap. Got a little tired but it wasn't as bad as the earlier one. I worked out for 40 minutes yesterday. Ran 2 miles total and walked one mile. I must say that I was pretty sore. So I had to break the running up. run/walk/run/walk. I believe in listening to my body and my body especially my legs said you've gotta be kidding me. Overall I feel pretty good this morning. I think instead of going to the gym this morning I will do a yoga session to attempt to stretch out some of these sore muslces. Maybe I will go in tomorrow. Have a great day. Oh and by the way I peaked at the scale yesterday and things are looking good!!!
CommentsJeff- way to get wifey on board. Family buy in is definitely helpful. My significant other (SO) has agreed to forego bread with dinner at and other meals we share together. He also agreed not to press me for fried foods and other things. This morning, he made himself a waffle, scrambled eggs with cheese and sausage. He knew not to offer me any. Instead, I had my protein shake before the gym. Then once I got to work ate two hard boiled egg whites, high-fiber oatmeal and a handful of grapes (I munch on them throughout the morning). So far so good. I will of course, drink about a gallon of water throughout the day. Got a little frustrated yesterday because I went to the doctor and got on the scale. It said 171. I was crushed. Even if you knock off 2 pounds for clothing (I took off my shoes), I am still 169. I've been going at it for nearly 10 weeks and only 9 pounds. It made me sad. But I am going to keep on plugging away! The last 20 pounds is always the hardest. I have lost inches off my waist and, unfortunately, two cup sizes in my bra (I know, the girls are starting to disappear) so something must be happening. I also am getting stronger and faster in my running (did an 11 minute mile on Tuesday for a total of 2 miles in less than 22 minutes). So progress is definitely being made. My goal is in sight and I am gonna run for it! Keep at it Jeff. Don't overdo it the first week, the soreness will be gone in no time. Talk to you later! CTG
CommentsCTG--- Don't worry about the scale. Remember you are lifting weights and gaining muscle. Muscle weighs more than Fat. What matters is that you're losing those inches. If you want to lose more weight you will have to make sure you're at a calorie deficit. You can do that in one of two ways. 1) Eat less (not recommended 2). Burn more calories ie more cardio. Work your way up to at least an hour of cardio even if that is only walking(at an incline). Then you can do some speed work. What I do is put the treadmill at a fairly deep incline at least 8.0 (working your way toward 10) and turn up the speed to 8 miles per hour. I recommend doing less maybe 6-7 miles per hour if your just starting out and since you're able to do 11 min miles you can probably do closer to 7 with ease. Do 15 seconds then rest for 45 secs. repeat that for at least 20 reps. during the 45 secs you can hop off the treadmill and walk around. This is not easy hoping on and off of a moving treadmill but once you get used to it you will see it's fun and you will look like wonder woman on the treadmill. This workout will contrast the jogging workout. It's more of an anerobic workout but you will burn calories like never b-4. You will aslo see your body start to build lean muscle mass. Looking more like a sprinter than a jogger.
CommentsThanks, Jeff for the advice. I am not a big fan of running, but I will try it. May not run on an 8 include (a sista already got big legs- trying to slenderize them LOL!). Gonna take a Bikram Yoga class this weekend. I hear that the heated yoga classes, which usually last 90 min, are phenomenal. It's a very, very intense workout. I'll let you know how it goes.
CommentsDay 5 ---- Good day today. Spent the entire day working didn't get a chance to workout think I will take a break and pick it up tomorrow. Craving something sweet today. Had baked Haddock, Rice and Veggies for lunch/dinner. Had an energy bar this morning. Weighed myself and the scale looked good. We're on schedule. My legs are feeling good also. So I should have good workout(s) tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing well and sticking to their plan!!!
CommentsYou have guts, charm, humor, and lots of courage Jeff and I'm thrilled to have you in my life. God speed and I am also working on the wieght loss with you. Only 1 lb so far but that is beter than the oher way. Love and light, Nise
CommentsDay 6 & 7---Saturday, Day 6 was fairly uneventful but very successful getting back to my workouts after taking a day off. It was much needed my body felt great and I did some interval work. Kept the food intake to good wholesome foods. The only thing I had that was not good for me was a bag of popcorn. I think my body was craving salt. Started with the PH drops in my water on Thursday. Went out shopping with the Wife and suffered a couple of times as I passed food places that had some sort of fans outside to blow the smell of their fattening foods in your face. But with the support of Z I held strong. Looking good!!! DAY 7---- good day today. Went to the gym and did 60 mins of cardio Running and Walking and interval work. Great workout!!!! Weight lose is on target so far. Did quite a bit of reading on different weight lose programs and what stood out was Will Brink's commentary on Aerobic exercise and reduction of calories. He emphatically says that reduction of calories will only take you so far then you will hit a wall. You will also lose muscle mass and water and some fat. He says that there is a way to train the body to burn fat. I've heard this b-4 and I do agree with it. However, this first two weeks I will be doing strictly cardio. I will begrudgingly concede and start doing some strength training after next week. Well the weekly weigh-in is tomorrow!!! Wish me luck!!! Jeff
CommentsHey Nise, glad you joined us. One lb. is great! We can only lose one at a time. Before you know it you're at your goal. Keep up the good work and thanks for the lovely and kind words!!!
CommentsJeff, I have enjoyed observing your self-motivation, will power and the inspiration that you give to others. You have certainly inspired me! This weight-loss journey with your family and clients is only a small fraction of the incredible things that you have accomplished and will continue to do for yourself and others. Keep up the good work. Peace, Wifey
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Thanks Wifey!!! And thanks for the great support you have given me. You are my inspiration ;-) I love you much!!!!
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