Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Don't get TRICKED, Avoid the TREATS!

Dear BHL'ers -  we're at the halfway point, and that is a HUGE milestone. A moment to reflect 
on your accomplishments to now is warranted - but don't dwell on the past!

If you've made progress, learned some things about staying healthier, and maybe about yourself, then be proud in that, and carry on!

If you're less than pleased with the first six weeks - well, there are six more - BUCKLE DOWN! Coach Wendy recently shared the secrets of success for those at the top of the contest - there aren't any secrets - it's your choice. 

Which brings me to last night's episode of NBC's "Biggest Loser" -  it was interesting and entertaining, if not as poignant or insightful as some - until the end. I loved Amanda's little speeches on "CHOICES" and how the results for success all lie within us - what we get is directly the result of the choices WE make. Choose for YOU!

Here's an example: Halloween is Saturday! Lots of ghouls and goblins, and lots of SUGAR!  For Halloween, over $2 BILLION of candy is bought. One-fourth of the entire annual candy sales. Does Halloween mean you HAVE to eat candy, or even hand it out to kids at the door? Nope - it's a CHOICE. It is possible to choose other things, to simply not partake, and to share the good habits that you've learned.(Some healthier ideas for treats: small little packages of raisins or sunflower seeds are available - carrots, too! Maybe you have one you'd like to share?)

Remember: DON'T GET TRICKED, AVOID THE TREATS!

Here's something else to consider, another choice to make - This Sunday, we change our clocks BACK an hour (spring forward, fall back, right?).  So, you go to bed when your body thinks it's 11 (or whatever), and you set the clock back to 10 - you still need to be at work at 8 (or whenever) so you get up at seven, right? Well, that's a choice. Another choice would be to get up when your body THINKS it's 7, which would be 6 on the clock, and use that hour to - you guessed it - EXERCISE!!  For all you people out there (and you know who you are) that are perpetually saying "I just don't have time to exercise"! Well, the State of Indiana and the conventional wisdom has presented you with a CHOICE that you COULD have time to exercise, and your body would hardly even notice! (At least for a day or two, and then you'd have to start going to bed at 10, I guess).

Half-Way: This is big - are you still committed!?!?!?!

 

Friday, October 23, 2009

And we have a WINNER!!

No, not in the weight loss contest, but in one of the challenges we threw out last week: A little quiz (which can be found in an earlier post from about 10 days ago).


JULIE WOLFE - our only respondent with 100% correct answers!!

Julie wins a "Wonder Foods" cook book, which she can collect from Coach Wendy next week. 

Stay tuned to this channel for another quiz coming at you in a few days!! Who knows, you might win a PRIVATE workout, or something just as cool.....

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Goin' Home...

So, I always think of Alvin Lee and Ten Year's After when I hear that phrase - especially the incredibly scorching live version from Woodstock (no, Coach Coop - I was not there!).....

Anyway, NBC's "The Biggest Loser" episode tonight (10/20)  had a little glimpse into the question, "So, what happens at the end of twelve weeks? What do we do when the contest is over and we need to carry on 'solo' "?

What do we order when we're eating out?
How do we handle the family celebration, or picnic?
To what level are the reactions of our friends re-affirming or damaging to our progress, and what do we do about it?

Each of you are living with this on a daily basis - unlike the non-reality of the reality TV show, you're not sequestered away in a private training facility where you can workout just as long and just as hard as you want (hey - I misspoke, each of you CAN work out as hard as you want, maybe not as long, though).

But there will be a time when you won't see your ProMotion Fitness coach as frequently as you are now - you won't have the luxury of checking in every week with a log sheet and receive prompt and useful commentary that helps on your healthy journey.  

So, what happens? 
Where do you go? 
What do you do? 
How do you handle it?

We're a third of the way through the program, and your ProMotion Fitness coaches and the RCI leadership team is already putting their heads together to see where it might land....

Namaste,

Sunday, October 18, 2009

WEEK FOUR UPDATE!!

And the beat goes on.....

So, at the end of week four, the tally in the RCI, ProMotion Fitness "Biggest/Healthiest Loser" program continues to grow and grow - are you ready? ARE YOU READY?

One thousand, three hundred and thirty-six pounds!!

(1336  lbs.)

That is 2.44% of the weight we started with!!

And for you "competitive types" - and you know who you are - here are the NEW and REVISED top ten list. There have been some notable changes, so take note:

1. Keith Miller = 9.00%
2. Matt Mays = 8.91
3. James Lewis = 8.44
4. Danny Dunn = 8.30
5. Suzanne Goodwin = 7.53
6. Mary Benson = 7.50
7. David Olson = 7.09
8. Christy Mathis = 6.47
9. Tonya Lamer = 6.17
10. Michelle Burke = 6.04

In addition to the top ten listed above, the following people are also winning so far in the "Charles Challenge":
Hassan Hammoud
Mary Worden
Terri Cecil
Kenneth Mayfield
Craig Spaid
Corey  Pritt
Paul Wheeler
Sam Schuppert
Katheryn McEntire

In closing, some VERY WISE words from Coach Chris - read carefully, it's always worth it when Coach Chris is being quoted:

"You may hear stories of others losing a lot of weight or being the current "biggest loser", and if so, let it fuel you to dig deeper and push forward rather than defeating you.  What I can tell you is that many of those who saw instant results and big numbers will soon see things slow down and progress at a more gradual pace.  What this means is that for those who have been consistent, or those just getting things dialed in have an excellent shot at being the overall Biggest (Healthiest) Loser."






Make it a Healthy Day, and EAT LESS, MOVE MORE!



 

LOCKER ROOM TALK - MINDFULNESS

According to yogic practice, our outer environments are a direct reflection of our inner environment.  Outer environments also effect our inner environment on many levels.  Thus, working to improve our physical and emotional health will be improved by seemingly simple things like planning, organization and removing clutter from our outer environments. Being mindful of others, courteous and kind clears the mind and makes way for more healthy decisions.  Crazy-Wisdom, don't you think?

As we continue our Healthy-Losing Journey together, may  we all remember to be courteous, kind and un-cluttered in our:

1) Thoughts toward ourselves and others.
2) Choice of Words when speaking to one another, and (if we must) about one another.
3) Choices in the Way we Honor our Space in the Fitness Center and Locker Rooms.

With regards to #3 specifically:

A) Wipe Down your mats after each use.
B) Wipe Sweat off machines after use.
C) Place Towels in the bins provided.
D) Place Trash (uh-hmmm....) in the trash cans.

Beside being courteous, such action helps us all in preventing the spread of germs.

Namaste,

Thursday, October 15, 2009

This is a TEST! This is a TEST! For the next sixty seconds.....

Okay, RCI Biggest/Healthiest Losers! ProMotion Fitness is sharing with you a special little QUIZ! Everyone who submits 100% correct responses will win fame, glory, their name on the board and the un-ending envy of their fellow contestants. The FIRST 100% correct response wins a very special "WonderFoods" cookbook! This is a special treat, and just might be crucial in helping the winner of the cookbook onto VICTORY!

Here it is:

RCI/BHL QUIZ

1.    How many calories in a pound?
2.    For weight loss purposes, why is it important to eat breakfast?
3.    What is the address of the RCI/BHL blog?
4.    In which week did we top 1000 pounds of weight loss?
5.    Which NBC “The Biggest Loser” season was Bill Germanakos champion?
6.    How many RCI/BHL ProMotion Fitness coaches are there?
7.    Name three of the RCI/BHL ProMotion Fitness coaches.
8.    Who said, “Nothing like a good beating to snap you back into reality”?
9.    How many different BHL class formats (yoga, boot camp, cardio core, SweatFest, No Knees) have you tried?
10.    Which is more important to weight loss: Consistent exercise, or controlling your diet?






Over and out from the helm...
 

 

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Tuesday Night "Biggest Loser" Update

So, last week on NBC's "Biggest Loser", everyone dealt with a particularly difficult challenge: They had to eat out for the entire week - carry out, restaurants, it was TOUGH. One of the primary weight-loss commandments, Controlling Your Environment, had been taken away from them. It's a challenge not unlike those of us at RCI that have to travel all the time, or those who take a week of vacation, or have to go to a wedding, birthday, funeral, etc.....

Well, this week, one contestant, and only one, got precisely the opposite: The ability to completely and totally control their environment by picking and choosing two teams for competing through the week. Conversely, everyone else was emotionally at the mercy of Tracy (the winner of the challenge). Tracy can stack the deck completely in her favor, and completely AGAINST those she doesn't like.

SO, how will they - how will WE - respond when the deck is stacked against? Will we wallow in self-pity? Or will we step up,  grit our teeth, and put forth every ounce of effort we can muster?

Some of my favorites from tonight's show: 

"Nothing like a good beating to snap you back into reality." (Jillian)


The coach can't do it for you. (The girl who tried and tried to hop onto the platform)


"I'm ready to choose my direction, rather than my direction choosing for me." (Danny) 

Sometimes your effort carries the team, sometime in order to succeed you have to let the team carry you. (The challenge where the team had to carry a member through the obstacle course)


Namaste, and see you in the gym tomorrow!!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Words of Wisdom

("Wisdom" - where knowledge meets personal experience)

The following thoughts come to you from John's high school track coach - yep, he's still in contact with his old coach, and they still share thoughts and ideas on a regular basis. Here are a few that came across recently that apply to all of our Biggest/Healthiest Loser contestants.

Excellence is a constant journey with many temporary finish lines-
      Every time we step on the scale for our weekly weigh in, we're at a "temporary finish line". We may be happy, we may be disappointed. But there is next week to work on and prepare for, so we let it go and get to work! In fact, even that final weigh in on December 8th is a "temporary finish line", isn't it?


One achievement promotes another, better one - 
      Take a look a the top ten "losers" so far - you think staying right where they are is going to get them to the finish near the top? You suppose others, lurking right below them, aren't seeing those names and saying, "I can take that guy"!!


Do the right thing when others are not - 
      When you travel, when you go to that tailgate on the weekend. When the gals next to you bring in the donuts and the bagels and the cookies. When every little breeze brings what sounds like a legitimate excuse to miss your workout: Do the right thing, even when others are not!  Doing MORE of the right thing is what will get you to where you want to be, and doing WAY more than the competition just might get you a victory!!


Yours in Health, EAT LESS/MOVE MORE!!


 

WEEK TWO - WOW!!

Check out the scale-graphic at the entry-way this morning at Vacation Plaza/Indy! One thousand, one hundred and eleven pounds! Yee HAAA!!

1111 Pounds!!

That's over half a ton! We're on a ROLL, now, RCI!!

Get to those classes -  and note that the weigh-in and group discussions have been relocated to Bahamas A & B for the remaining nine weeks of the contest.

Speaking of contest: Matt Mays and James Lewis are TIED for first place in the overall percent weight lost. But they're still within striking distance, so let's all give them a run for their money!!

Make it a healthy week!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Biggest Loser Bill and Week Two Results!!

NBC's "Biggest Loser" season four champion, Bill Germanakos, sent us the following message of encouragement to share with all of our the RCI "Biggest/Healthiest Loser" participants:

Hey folks,
Now that you're well under way with your "Biggest Loser" contest, you should keep
a few things in mind:

- Be sure to keep your goals reachable and attainable - That way you don't get dejected if you
can't ever reach your goals.  You should write down your goals and keep them posted in a visible
place.  Share your goals and aspirations with your loved ones so that they all know what you're
working towards.  For instance, do you aspire to run a marathon some day, or to walk your daughters
down the aisle in a few years, just like me.

- If you hit a plateau, you should not let it get you down.  This is natural, and occurs because your
body starts getting accustomed to your exercise or diet regimen.  You just need to change things up.

- Does this sound familiar:  Consider that some times, when we have a bad day ( as far as diet goes), we
resign to doing extra work in the gym the next day...   Keep in mind that having a really bad day, while we all
have them, is cause for really buckling down, as it could completely throw off your entire program.  If you feel
great and put in an exceptionally good day - meaning you really watch your diet and worked out an extra
90 minutes that night - you might burn an extra 500 - 600 calories.  Yet if you have a really bad day, it could mean binging and eating all the wrong foods, which could represent eating THOUSANDS of extra calories.
THAT'S the discrepancy that people fail to consider.  Therefore, try your best to avoid those really bad days,
and if you slip and have one of those days, you must make up for it by working extremely hard by having
SEVERAL excellent days.  After all, the key to losing weight is simply burning more calories than you eat.

- Finally, the only way to really keep track of how you're doing day-to-day is to keep a food journal.  If you
learn to write down every single thing that you eat, you will not only get a better idea of your daily exercise
requirements, but you'll also have second thoughts about binging or snacking on high calorie foods, because of the fact that you'd otherwise have to write it down and deal with the consequences.

For more tips on diet and exercise, visit my web sites at www.weightlosstwins.com and www.TeamDiets.com

Bill Germanakos
The Biggest Loser


And if you haven't seen the scale scoreboard in the entry lobby late this afternoon, then you might not know: After two weeks, RCI has lost 532 POUNDS!! In total, week two was even more successful than week one - let's all keep it up!! We're into the weekend now - chance to buckle down, turn a few more cardio laps, and start off week three in the right direction!

EAT LESS, MOVE MORE!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Update on Omelets in a Baggie, and the Green Fair!!

Yesterday, I posted a nifty little recipe for pre-making omelets in a ziplock baggie, then cooking by boiling in water for 15 minutes. Sounds very BHL-friendly and convenient: controlling our environment, pre-planning and pre-staging our meals, substituting egg-whites only and using a lot of fresh veggies in the bag....

Well, here's the rub: One of our fine coaches thought, "Hmm, I wonder if that would cause the BPA in the plastic of the bag to leach out during boiling?" Great Question!!

So I did some research, actually consulting a PHD chemist that I have known closely on a personal and business level for almost 25 years: The good news is - Plastic Baggies don't have BPA! They are made of polyethylene which does not contain BPA. The bad news, however, is plastic baggies contain plenty of dioctyl phthalates. When cold, or at room temperature, this is no problem - these bad boys stay inert and harmless. But 15 minutes in boiling water will certainly cause them to leach into the food - in this case, our yummy omelet.

So,  we've retracted the recipe and have gone back to making our omelets the old-fashioned way!

GREEN FAIR!!!

Today, at RCI, check out the Green Fair! There will be several local producers of wholesome, organic foods on site. You can learn how to obtain such produce, where and when to shop, what to look for, and the brands of locally grown food. With no dioctyl phthalates to worry about!!

EAT LESS/MOVE MORE!!