My Office’s Biggest Loser Challenge Update: Week 10
I wasn’t looking forward to weighing in today for my office’s Biggest Loser Challenge. Last week, I weighed in during my “loss of appetite” phase and showed a huge loss of 2.5%. At the time, I even said “I know some of that is going to come back.” Sure enough, it did – 1.15% (along with my appetite, thank heavens)*.
You know what I say to all this? A big “Who cares?!” I’ve gotten so used to my body weight going up and down and up and down. If this challenge has taught me anything, it’s that my weight doesn’t directly correlate to ANYTHING. So I really shouldn’t give it ANY power over me. My body seems to be on a path of its own – a path that doesn’t follow a straight line and is impossible to figure out. Sure, my body generally responds well to eating healthy and exercising, but it’s been throwing a few challenges my way lately – ones that are probably not appropriate to discuss here. I’ll just say, I really want to trust my body, but I’m starting to second guess its intentions. It’s probably nothing serious, and doesn’t affect my running at all, but I think I will be seeing a doctor just to check in.
My second cousin Denise is participating in her office’s Biggest Loser Challenge as well. She’s been doing it for four weeks now, and I am super excited for her! She is making great progress in eating healthier and being more active.
She’s already had to play the scale mind games though. After a smaller loss (in comparison to a big loss the week before), she emailed me saying she was “really disappointed” because she thought she had lost more. She recognized that her clothes were loose but she still felt the disappointment.
I tried to be encouraging to her and share what I’ve learned doing this challenge – that the scale is not always an accurate representation of your hard work throughout the week. And she knows that! She’s obviously making progress because her clothes were loose**. It’s just so easy to let those numbers dictate your feelings.
I hope participating in the Challenge has as positive of an effect on her as it has on me – both physically and mentally. Already, I know her participation has helped me – it’s given me a chance to reflect on the challenges of adapting a healthy lifestyle from a friend’s perspective. Encouraging someone else, and following their progress has made me realize how important it is to have a healthy mindset about this whole process. I’m not explaining it very well, but sharing our struggles back and forth in email has given me a broader perspective on the meaning of living a healthy lifestyle. It’s also helped me learn how to overcome my own struggles.
And it’s nice to have my own cheerleader as well! Encouragement is always nice, and Denise is very thoughtful.
*My total loss so far is 11.25%.
**I much prefer kapgar’s method of following weight loss – by how your clothes fit. None of my size 12 dress pants fit me right anymore. They are all falling down and have too much extra fabric in the butt. So… time to do some more “interim” shopping.
Side Note: I published this at noon, but something was wrong with it, so I’ve republished it.
Themocracy
I can gain weight from drinking a Diet Coke. I try to not get caught up in the daily/weekly weight, but try to see a difference over a month or so. A couple of months ago, I ate healthy and had NO sweets for almost two weeks—and I gained four pounds. Promptly ate six choc chip cookies and dropped six pounds. Wait a minute…six cookies, six pounds. I need to go make some cookies. 😉
Great job on your overall weight loss!
I am glad you are feeling better! Last year I did a work BL type thing and in 3 months lost 6lbs. I couldn’t take the “pressure”…just doing it myself, with some good bloggy support works much better for me.
I hardly lost anything in March, and I wanted to be disallusioned and quit…but then you focus on other stuff…running/clothes, and it isn’t just about the scale!
You are way ahead of the game if you realize that this weight will come off at its own speed. It took a while to put it on, and it takes a while to come off. When I’m working on my diet- I only weigh myself once per week. I hope you are feeling better soon hon!
Robin – I like this cookie idea! Isn’t it crazy that your body responds like that? That is why I am thinking more and more that my habits have no direct correlation. It seems like it is my body’s will to do whatever it wants.
Hotch Potchery – I can see how that would happen in the Challenge. I can tell it is really getting to some people in my office. It’s been bringing a lot of attention to me – attention I am not used to and don’t know how to handle! It ISN’T just about the scale! Forget about March! I had 2.5 months where I stalled… oh well. It’s in the past 😉
JavaQueen – Thanks 🙂 I actually was thinking about that yesterday – it doesn’t all come on over night – it won’t all come off overnight! I think slow and steady is the way to do it!
i’m really glad to hear that participating in this challenge has helped you in so many ways!!! it sounds like you are really learning a lot about yourself!!! and that is so awesome!!!! it’s really helpful to me if i have someone i can share what i’m going thru with- i’m glad you have Denise!!!
=^..^=
You really have the right attitude about losing weight, that how your clothes fit (or fall off) is what is important. I’m trying harder and harder to have the same mentality, but can tell you that it still bugs the crap out of me when the scale doesnt budge hehe.
As you well know, when you use exercise as a form of keeping weight off, you’re also building muscle. And while toned muscle looks lean, it weighs more than you think. I think you have a great perspective about dealing with your weight. And I’m all for following kapgar’s method of weight loss!
CourtneyInControl – I am excited too. When I first signed up, I was kind of worried about how it would go!
Scale Warfare – It’s taking me a lot to understand it and get to this point. I think the fact that I am running so much helps – it gives me something else to focus on besides the scale!
SoMi’s Nilsa – I think that is what’s happening – I am building muscle so my clothes are a lot smaller, but I don’t weight a lot less – fine with me!
Thank you so much for the encouragement!!! You are truly my mentor in my weight loss challenge. I couldn’t do it without your help. I enjoyed being a “celebrity” guest on your blog. 😀 It is obvious that your body is responding to your healthy eating and exercise by the fact that you now need size 10 pants. WAY TO GO,GIRL!!!! Your progress is inspiring!!!
Denise – Thank you Denise. I feel good that I am able to help someone. And YOU are helping me by being so encouraging and sincere. 🙂 I think that is what really makes it special – I know that you have my best interests in mind. Not saying other people here don’t, but at my office, a lot of people talk to me about my weight loss, but… just to talk, you know?
As I’ve said before on your blog, I’ve been the same weight for over a year now, yet that has no effect on the two things I want to reduce: my chin and belly.
Having been reading your exercise and weight loss posts here, I personally think you’ve done a great job and judging from the photos you’ve posted, you look great, too (please Steven, don’t kill me… i’m just a blogger) 🙂
martymankins – Marty, you’re so nice! Thank you 🙂 I wonder what you would have to do to reduce your chin. Has it been different when you were a smaller weight? I have been struggling with “face fat.” It would come off before, but doesn’t seem to want to now. Oh well 😉