Office Weight Loss Challenge, Need Help PLEASE

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Four other people and I from my office are starting a Weight Loss Challenge...Our start date is March 3rd and we do it for 3 months until June 3rd. Whomever reaches his/her personal goal wins the monetary prize and if more than on person reaches their goal the pot will be divided.

I need to decide how much I think I can lose over the course of 3 months. I was thinking 25 pounds. Does this sound right to you guys? I am overweight at 225 pounds and I am 5'2" tall. I was thinking I could eliminate sodas and replace them with water and Crystal Light....cut out the unhealthy snacking (Doritos, cookies, etc) and replace snacking with yogurt and rice cakes, light popcorn etc. Have salads with light dressing and also meals with chicken or salmon and veggies....as far as exercise I was thinking of Walk Away The Pounds, which I already have at home OR Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. What do you think? ANY tips, pointer would be appreciated as I am not really sure what to do. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

plan to work out and eat with someone else who is trying to lose weight so that you don't cheat. you should be able to lose that much if you exercise and cut calories. good luck! stay strong and remember you can do it!!!

[Anonymous]

The basic rule is to lose 1lb you need to cut 3500 calories. That means if you can go into a caloric deficiit by 500 calories a day, then you will lose 1lb per week. You need to figure out how many calories a day you are consuming and then either cut 500 calories out of that diet or exercise enough to burn 500 calories. Please note, that after a few weeks, you body will adapt and you will probably begin to plateau and will then need to either exercise more or further cut calories. Latest study just came out that said dont focus so much on carbs, prtoein, or fat, jst cut the calories. Also, while 25lbs is a good start, you really need to think about a lond term plan. Your BMI is very high and for your own health you need to lose more weight. Good luck

[Anonymous]

This is a great free tool http://www.fitday.com/

You can track calories and activities.

Also http://www.bodiesinmotivation.com/

And if I am not mistaken Self Magazine starts a body challenge this time each year - yes here is the link http://www.self.com/challenge I've used link/set up as a challenge several times and it is great. I am currently expecting so I wont be doing it this year but it is great to use as a guide to lose weight/eat better/feel better.

[Anonymous]

I would do WW on line. I lost 22 lbs in 3 months and have kept it off for over 4 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do WW on line. I lost 22 lbs in 3 months and have kept it off for over 4 months.

That is awesome. Was this with WW alone or did you also exercise? I am almost post baby and want to have something lined up to use as a weight loss plan.

[Anonymous]

Ooooh, OP. Is this contest really going to encourage you? Or is it just going to stress you out more because it is a contest with co-workers? Are they really going to support you? Or try to make themselves feel better at your expense? I don't know the answer to these questions, but you may want to consider them.

The 30-day Shred is great. Your eating plan sounds reasonable. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

For 12:20, I am not the PP but I also used WW online and lost 8 lbs in a month (which was the rest of my baby weight). I do walk a lot (probably 3 miles a day 5 days a week), but do not do much exercise other than that.

[Anonymous]

I lost 60 lbs on WW. I excerised four times a week. I think meetings add the support so many people don't receive. I recommend the meetings and using the online tools.

[Anonymous]

In addition to eating less calories, just move, move, move. THAT is what will do it. Walk every morning even if it has to be before work - you'll feel energized all day. And hydrate all day (I like a tiny splash of lemon juice in my water). Keep moving every day!!

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of changes you are going to try and make over the next few months.

I would recommend that you step back and see which of these changes will be able to be permanent and knowing yourself what will work in the long term.

Having the fun competition with co-workers is great motivation to kick it all off.

Here is a tip that has helped me lose a few pounds: No food after 8PM

There is no need to eat at that time - and if I get home from work late, the exception that I will allow is to eat a yogurt.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I would also consider limiting the yogurt (unless it's plain and fat free, otherwise they are way too high in sugar) and rice cakes (not that nutritious)....buy a bunch of veggies on teh weekend and snack on those. Celeri, broccoli, cauliflower....have a tablespoon of hummus or peanut butter with them. Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

Aim for no more than 24 pounds. I'd say 20 so you have a decent chance of success.

You're likely to start out strong and lose a lot of weight relatively quickly, but it's common to plateau/become harder to lose.

Additionally, it's generally recommended to not lose more than 1-2lbs/week for best results. You want to make changes you can live with the rest of your life- not drastic un-maintainable changes for quick loss.

WW is a great system, but as long as you cut calories and increase activity you should do well!

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Also - every day is a new day.

If something did not go well yesterday forget about it. Try and understand why you made that choice yesterday and figure out a strategy so that you don't make that choice today.

[zumbamama]

Mix up your routine so you don't get bored. If you make it fun, you will put more into your workout and last longer.

Little healthy snacks throughout the day will help keep your metabolism up and appetite under control.