My Office’s Biggest Loser Challenge Update: Week 4
It’s been four weeks since I started participating in my office’s Biggest Loser Challenge. We’re one-third of the way done with the challenge. So far, I’ve lost 5.21% of my starting weight.
I have to admit that the competition made me feel a bit different than I expected it would. I’ve been fine weighing-in in front of my coworker. That doesn’t bother me at all.
But when the results were emailed out the first week, and I saw that I was in the top three, I felt a bit of competitiveness. I saw that I was doing well, and wanted to stay in the top. That feeling didn’t last very long, but I admit it was there for a second.
And I wasn’t expecting my coworkers to be so encouraging about the Challenge, but they are. Participating has actually opened up a lot of communication about health and fitness. I found out another coworker loves to run, and that another group of coworkers walk the stairs in our building at the beginning of their lunch break. I am not sure how long these conversations will be around, but I enjoy participating in them (I even laughed when someone, who ISN’T participating, saw that I was in the kitchen making oatmeal for breakfast, and asked what I had… wanting to make sure I was still in the competition… uh… yeah).
The most interesting thing I’ve learned, now that a month is over and I have tracked my progress, is how little my weight actually has to do with how I feel, what I eat, and how much exercise I am getting. One week, I ran around 22 miles, ate like a saint, but somehow gained .2 pounds. The next week, I spent three days eating nothing but carbs and sweets – I was in Denver, and I was there to have fun. I lost 3.4 pounds that week. So, my body is on its own path. What I weigh on any particular day is just a flux number – it doesn’t really mean anything. It goes up and down based on my hormones, how much water I drink, if I eat salty foods… you get the idea.
It’s funny that tracking my weight like this, what so many people DON’T recommend, is what has made me accept that my weight is JUST a number. I hope the challenge continues to let me become more accepting of my body!
Themocracy
If it helps you become more accepting of your body- good! Today we had these health researchers at our office and I found out I weigh more and am shorter than I thought. Not awesome.
sizzle – What is going on that you have health researchers at your office checking those things?! Strange! Were you off by much?
Well, I am glad you ignored us nay-sayers and are having some success!!
Maybe I need to get into a competition like this…I’ve not only fallen off the wagon, I’ve rolled under the dessert cart. 🙁
Good for you!! I think the majority of my office is their ideal body weight – most wear designer clothes and heels…it’s intimidating at times.
When I was doing really good on my eating and exercising last year, I had a really bad week and had a a bunch of cookies throughout the week…and that was the week I lost a few pounds, whereas the two weeks prior when I ate well and worked out–NOTHING. It’s so discouraging sometimes.
Keep up the good work-it’s inspiring to hear the success stories!
I’ve noticed the same thing as you. There are times when I’m good to my body and I feel fatter than I do when I’m bad to my body. I think we woman have monthly ebbs and flows (pun intended) that we must take into consideration when keeping such close track of our progress. If you’re feeling better, that should be the most important progress marker, not the tenth of a pound here and there that shows on the scale!
Being aware of you body is half the challenge. It is interesting to see how daily habits contribute to healh and well being. Plus taliking with people give you some more ideas and way to increae your goals.
Good luck styaing in the top!
Thank you so much for this post, namely paragraph 5. I really, really, really need to stop relying on that stupid scale no. I’m trying but for some reason I can’t help it! I should just go to the gym; continue eating better: and let my body do what it needs to do.
that’s really cool that the challenge has opened up communication at the office and that people are being supportive!! congrats on being in the top three!!! that’s awesome that you have realized that your weight is just a number and that this challenge has helped you become more accepting of your body!!!! actually, to me, it’s phenomenal!!! a very good, and priceless, lesson learned!!!! YAY for you!!! now if you can just beat that into my head i would appreciate it!!!! (surprisingly, so far, the competition sounds like it’s been a really good thing!!!)
=^..^=
i can’t decide if having a program like that would motivate me, or i’d realize everyone else was being more comitted than me and i’d use the fact that i was getting “beaten” as reason to completely stop trying. man, what i REALLY need is a freaking gym buddy.
That’s awesome. Very good to hear that.
I’m sad to say mine’s been on hold for a bit. I am working out at home, doing some exercise ball and free weights, but after Hawaii, I am going to find a gym and get back to it. One bonus is that my weight has not changed since Oct 1st.
diane – You naysayers all had legitimate concerns! It was too late though, I had already signed up at my last post 😉 It’s not too late for you diane, what do you think will help you get up from under the cart?
kaylen – It is so discouraging. That is exactly the right word. Not losing ANY weight when you are following everything you are supposed to is so frustrating. I like to think that changing things up a bit keeps my body guessing. But who knows 😉 Thanks for your encouragement!
SoMi’s Nilsa – Ha! Your pun pinpoints my up and downs exactly. But of course, I didn’t realize that until I started keeping track of my progress! Now the key is to keep that in mind instead of getting frustrated 😉
Christina – Thanks 🙂 The person who is running the competition sends out little tips each week with the update. So far, even though I’ve seen the tips before, reading them again has been refreshing.
Gina (Mannyed) – I am happy it helped. It’s hard not to live by what the scale says. Once a week weigh-ins don’t usually work for me, and I WAS frustrated the week I had a gain, but then I looked at the big picture and realized it all means nothing in the long run. Do whatever you need to to get to that point. Keep on doing your thing at the gym 🙂
CourtneyInControl – I wish there was a way to beat this into your head! Hee hee. I’ve read it before and didn’t get it until I experienced it first hand.
Alice – I wish I could be your gym buddy. Having a buddy keeps you liable! I kind of have my husband to keep me on my game…
martymankins – I was wondering how your progress was going. No gain is good news. I gained a bit over Christmas then maintained it for a long time. I was bummed, but hey, got what I deserved!