Saturday, January 7, 2017

Fitness after 50. Week 4. Weight Loss Challenge

New Year.  New Me.




2016 was quite a year in the health department.  It began with strange, lower abdominal pain and ended with two surgeries six weeks apart, along with a challenging three month physical therapy regime.  Hoo boy!  What a year!  During this down time, I gained a couple of pounds each month.  'Probably normal given such circumstances.   Now that I've been released to work out again, I am not quite sure what to do or where to begin.  If you'd like to read previous posts, here they are

This moment in time is quite overwhelming.  The goal of physical therapy was to get my injured side back to 80%, so there are some balance issues, one side is weaker, and, frankly, quite a bit of fear.  I've decided to write a series of posts about my journey, both physical and emotional.  I am certainly not an expert, but I'd like to tell you what works for me.  What am I?  A fifty something grandmother who enjoys mud runs, heavy lifting, and aerial fitness.  You can expect to see recipes and nutrition ideas along with book reviews, basic workouts, flexibility and running schedules.   I hope I have the courage to talk about the failures and disappointments, too.  We'll see!  Suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.  Right now, I need all the support I can get!

Week 4.

There is a "Biggest Loser" challenge at work that began January 2.  It lasts for three months.  Here's how it works.  To participate, each person pays $5 per week.  Every Monday we all weigh on the same scale in a quiet hallway, as time allows between conference calls and such, at breaks, or lunch or whatever.  (there has to be a witness for the first week and the final week)  Next, each participant emails their weight to Casey The Organizer.  No one knows that number each week except you and Casey.  Then, The Organizer emails everyone a spreadsheet that shows percentage of lost body weight.  At the end of three months, whoever is in second place gets their money back.  The First Place Loser gets the rest of the money.  Depending on how many participate, it can be quite a chunk o' change!

Interestingly, there are two factions that participate in The Biggest Loser Challenge.

Grinnin' Group 1 is very encouraging and sweet.  On certain days of the week, they organize Salad Day.  Each person brings a salad ingredient.  All the items are tossed together for a very tasty and affordable group salad.  Everyone digs in and enjoys a low calorie lunch!  These folks walk laps around the building together, talk about anything that is helping them, and celebrate even the tiniest successes.


Grumpy Group 2 is surprisingly competitive, and frankly, kind of mean.  They don't tell any of their weight loss secrets and can be pretty snarky.

Just to be clear, this girl is definitely a member of Grinnin' Group 1.

Positive people, positive results.

However

I am motivated by both.

When a negative comment is directed at me, outwardly, I am as polite as possible and just laugh it off.  When the mean remark is directed at one of my buddies, outwardly, I smile and help deflect.  Inwardly though,

I seethe.

Snide remarks?  When we all have the same goal?  Why?  I don't know, maybe it is the money.


At this point in time it's hard to know what is

realistic

for a weight loss goal over three months.  Somehow I feel betrayed by my own body.  It got injured and it needed surgery.  The darn thing is definitely taking its time healing.  So, I think my approach should be one of gratitude.  I plan to be grateful for any pound lost and every nutritious meal or snack chosen.  Decision by decision.  Bite by bite.  I hope I show kindness for Grinnin' Group 1 as well as Grumpy Group 2.  More importantly, though, I hope I show

kindness for me.

As always, I would love hear from you.  Have you ever been involved with a weight loss challenge?  If so, how did it go?  If not, what do you think of the idea?

;-)  -Marci

8 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear about those surgeries. Sometimes there just isn't anything one can do about those bumps in the road. The weight loss challenge sounds neat and very motivating. I've never done anything like a weight loss challenge before. Most the time it's me vs. myself when it comes to health and fitness. I've had a good year, but the last few months have been a struggle. Good luck to you!

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  2. Think weight loss challenge is great idea, sure will keep all of you accountable. I keep falling off wagon, by eating naughties, forget to take my calcium/Vit.D3. Who will keep all of you accountable at home?
    I will be very interested to see the final show down, who did better than others.
    Wish hubs would make me accountable, am home most of time, night time is worst and hardest time for me. Keep up good work.


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  3. I have never been in a weight loss challenge. The key to dieting is to stick to something, which is the most difficult. It does help if your hubby is on the diet too. My husband and I sometimes go on this apple diet. We usually lose 15 pounds in 4 weeks. Great post Marci. No worries about the duplicate links. I took care of it. Have a good week and thanks for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It.

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  4. I've never done a weight loss challenge but my hubby did a couple years ago at his job. It was actually great motivation for both of to get healthy and exercise. We both really need that motivation again so I just joined a girlfriend of mine in another challenge group.

    Good luck on your weight loss journey! Get that money and your health girl!

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  5. Great post! I love all these quotes! And there is some great info too!

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  6. It is hard to feel betrayed by your body. I needed two surgeries in nine months and I was not happy how it affected my workouts. Like you said, be grateful for all that we can do and give ourselves credit for good decisions. Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday and good luck with your challenge!

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  7. Oh the weight loss challenge at work sounds like fun except for the grumpy group but it sounds like you have the right perspective regarding them. I'm glad you have healed and are able to get to work out again. I love that you are just grateful, I think that's a wonderful place to be. Keep up the good work and great attitude! You can do this!!! :)

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  8. Due to the reduction of calorie intake during the early periods of using any weight loss product and in particular those especially designed to "supposedly" ingredientsonline facilitate quick fat reduction, the body is forced to release and burn its stored glycogen for energy fuel.

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