Beth loves all the support from the group

By Mike Sadowski | Published: March 11, 2010 | 0 Comments
Friends are just as important as the weight loss.

Friends are just as important as the weight loss.

Three weigh-ins left.

The Great Pocono Weight Race. Are we nearing the finish line or getting ready for the marathon by doing a 5 K? I think for most of us this race will continue the rest of our lives. We won’t forget standing in the hallway at Elevations every Thursday waiting to see if the scale will be kind that day. Wondering how much different our home scale is this week. We’ve made friends and formed a support group.

For me I am so thrilled to have lost 22.7 pounds but I have found the group bond to be a much more rewarding experience. I can’t say that I’ve ever been in a group where I could speak freely about my weight. Even though I was involved in sports I was never the skinny one. I have had coaches in school force the skinny girl to give up her favorite shirt number because I needed the XL and there was only a medium left. Needless to say, this is embarrassing. 

I think everyone in our group has a story that goes something like that or maybe even more hurtful or more embarrassing. But in our group there is no judging. We are all in the same boat. Even if someone is more than 100 pounds overweight or just 30 we all are working toward the same goal and all doing it right this time. I am going to miss our weekly weigh-ins and training sessions but I will not miss (nor will I ever invite back) that 22.7 pounds.

Posted in Beth Lannon | Tagged , | 0 Comments

Is Jen part vampire?

By Mike Sadowski | Published: March 11, 2010 | 0 Comments
Stupid mirror.

Stupid mirror.

I must be part vampire. I say ‘part’ vampire because you know that whole “can’t see their reflection in a mirror” thing? I have that. Only it’s a little different. I can’t see in the mirror how I’ve changed.

I saw some people today that I haven’t seen since the night of our first weight-in.  These people will get a great sense of how much I have changed right because they aren’t seeing me each day. You know what? They all had GREAT things to say! They think I look really good, they can really see the change. I’m happy to say they are also following me regularly in the paper every Sunday. But I don’t see what they do. I look in the mirror and I look the same as I did when I looked in a mirror the first day of this contest.

I know that I really don’t look the same. There is no way that my clothes would fit so much better if I did. So I must be part vampire. Apparently the part of me that weighs less than 200 pounds is the vampire part because I just can’t see it.

I just keep focusing on the non-mental part. I feel better. My clothes feel looser. I fit in chairs better. The number on the scale is lower. The numbers on the tape measure are lower than they were. The mirror… stays the same. 

If it weren’t for the bad luck I would break that thing. I guess for now I will just have to ignore it.

Posted in Jennifer Crosby | Tagged , | 0 Comments

Exercise not just helping weight loss

By Mike Sadowski | Published: March 10, 2010 | 0 Comments
Who knew?

Who knew?

My rheumatologist had told me that some mild exercise and losing some weight would probably help my Lupus, and ease some stiffness and pain in my joints. And I remember thinking, “How can I exercise when it hurts so much to move in the first place?” Having Lupus also means a regimen of medications that needs to be taken every day, at regular intervals. In the spirit of being truthful, I have not always been a compliant patient.

When I was first diagnosed, I had a hard time adjusting to all the medications. Then I started to get into a pattern of taking my meds semi-regularly. When I became pregnant with my daughter I had to discontinue the use of most of my medications, until she was delivered and done nursing.  So, 13 months later, when she was weaned, I was then out of a job and no longer had health insurance. While some of my medication was affordable with $4 generics that some of the local pharmacies offer, my other medications were not. Again, I fell into a pattern of taking my medication intermittently.

This contest, though about weight loss, for me is also about getting healthy. Since the contest began in January I can say I have taken my meds every day, without fail. Not always on time, but every day. And apparently, my rheumatologist knew what she was talking about, because the diet, exercise and weight loss is helping. The amount of stiffness in my joints is decreased, and my mobility has increased.

Just got to keep it going now!

Posted in Nicole Padilla | Tagged , | 0 Comments

A new version of ADD for April

By Mike Sadowski | Published: March 10, 2010 | 0 Comments
Variety is key to a good workout routine.

Variety is key to a good workout routine.

I have currently diagnosed myself with Attention Deficit Disorder.

Being a school teacher I should have caught on to it much quicker. I have come to realize that I cannot maintain a good attention span on one activity for more than 15 minutes. I also cannot stand doing the same activity every day!!! I am bored easily and must move from one thing to the next to keep motivated in my exercise program. I will call my new diagnosis EADD — Exercise ADD.

Last week after a weigh-in that did little than frustrate me my husband bought me 5 training sessions with the infamous Alicia Colgan. Just a note — she is not as sweet and timid as she may look! We figured training one-on-one would help me get past my boredom and mix things up a bit. Well, I had my first session today and I can say this, there will be NO GETTING BORED! We fly through the workout at warp speed with no time to breathe, let alone get bored! So much for my EADD. My attention is now completely on the workout at hand because if it were not I would probably be made to run 30 laps around Elevations. I will add that it was very difficult but very rewarding in that I realized I can do some things I never thought I could. If THEY (the trainers) are reading this, I said CAN!!!

On another note, I will be sad when this contest is over. Only the contest is over, though. I have a long way to go. But, I will miss the interaction with everyone involved. Each contestant and trainer has been a blessing to me in one way or another, I thank you for that.

Remember, if you get bored — mix it up!

Posted in April Mills | Tagged , | 0 Comments

Confessions of a professional dieter

By Mike Sadowski | Published: March 9, 2010 | 0 Comments
Taking it off and keeping it off once and for all.

Taking it off and keeping it off once and for all.

I am a professional dieter.

This is my fourth time trying to lose 100 pounds in my life. The first time was with Optifast, a diet where all you have are shakes and I lost my weight. Then it was time to start working real food back into my life, and boy did they come back in. I put the weight back on plus more.

Next was Weight Watchers which was great — until I left a physical job and went to a desk job. The weight came back PLUS more again.  Than came another fad diet, I can’t even remember the name. All went well until it came time to work regular food back into the game. Well, guess what? All back PLUS some more. This last time I had gastric bypass surgery and it was hell.  I had complications and lost the functions of my kidneys, they thought I was not going to make it through the day of the surgery. I made it through that went on kidney dialysis for six months and regained enough of my kidneys to function on my own. I lost 120 lbs and was back to around 330 pounds.  Then that horrible trend started and I started to gain back the weight. Before it got out of hand this time I decided that enough is enough and this might be my last chance of making it happen and living a happy life.

This is a contest and I am competetive with everything — but this is something more to me. This is that turning point in my life, time to eliminate all excuses, with the biggest one being getting to a gym. This has been the right mix for me, get to the gym when it is possible and still maintain a good home life. Translated, that means get my butt out of bed in the morning and get to the gym.  I have been following a Weight Watchers diet for the most part. This allows me to eat right and “normal food.” It is just a matter of portion control and getting the right food groups represented. The last part is support which I have received from all angles and should be able to continue once the contest ends.

Posted in Robert Seaman (alternate) | Tagged , | 0 Comments

Using the other racers as inspiration

By Mike Sadowski | Published: March 9, 2010 | 0 Comments
Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

At the start of this race, almost all of us stated our hope was to lose at least 20 pounds in the 10 weeks.

At this time, almost 90 percent of the racers have achieved and surpassed that goal. Although the initial goal has been achieved, it shows how easily our psyche can work against us. Rather than being able to revel in the victory, there’s frustration that it’s not good enough. I know, in part, for me, some of this comes from seeing just how much work and commitment this takes to get to where I want to be. Like a child on a road trip, it’s easy for me to get impatient and each time I get on the scale. The question is always, “Are we there yet?”

I want to get to the destination as quickly as possible, with the least amount of bumps along the way. Unfortunately, the reality is there are detours that come up unexpectedly. Maybe it’s because I commute a long distance every day but the analogy of a long car ride works for me. Every day it’s a question whether I’m going to have a slow, tedious ride or can cruise to my destination effortlessly. Sometimes I’m going to be unfortunate enough to be behind that idiot who just keeps ticking me off and makes me want to turn around and just go home. No matter what I encounter, if I just keep moving, I’m eventually going to get to work. Although some days not as quick as I wanted to. 

I personally am in awe of the accomplishments of my fellow racers. Without knowing it, several people are responsible for giving me the courage to try things I didn’t think I could do or have helped to push me to levels I didn‘t know I could achieve. The excuses didn’t fly anymore when racers, most of whom are dealing with greater weight loss issues than I am, were achieving what I thought I wasn’t capable of.  “I can’t” just hasn’t been a part of anyone’s vocabulary. I think we’re pretty awesome and I’ll use this blog to say thanks to everyone who’s shown me and everyone following this race just how much we’re all capable of.

Posted in Barbara O'Neill | Tagged , | 0 Comments

Nancy already is a winner

By Mike Sadowski | Published: March 9, 2010 | 0 Comments
Think of the good things.

Think of the good things.

The way I felt last night during the weigh-in could be compared to scratching an instant lottery ticket.

You know what your odds are, yet you are hoping for that big prize. My 1.4-pound loss is the equivalent of winning a free ticket. I won and I should have been excited. Instead, I was disappointed I didn’t win more.

But I am already a winner. I have lost over 21 pounds and 22 inches since the start of the contest, I am eating healthy, and I am more energetic!!  I no longer use the elevator at Elevations!! This past week I used the elliptical for the first time and I rode on the bike for 20 minutes!!

As the end of the contest nears, I must realize that whether I finish in second place or last place, I am a winner. I now have the discipline to continue in achieving my ultimate weight-loss goal.

Posted in Nancy Padilla | Tagged , | 0 Comments

Learning what’s good and what’s bad

By Mike Sadowski | Published: March 4, 2010 | 0 Comments
Finding out what really is in her food.

Finding out what really is in her food.

We are now more than halfway through our journey. For me, it will continue to be a learning experience.

In exercising and eating, I have been doing what works best for me in real life. I’m currently learning a new way of eating to cut out all the sugar because I had no idea it was in so many foods that I thought were good or were “diet foods.” I am amazed by it. I recently bought a book on belly fat and I joined a six-week online program to learn more about menus and get help along the way. It’s only been three days — but what a difference already. 

I will never look at food the same again. I feel I wouldn’t have found all this if it weren’t for being in the Race, which has given me the motivation to keep going. Being the oldest in the race, I am proud of myself for the steps I’ve taken regardless of what the scale says each week. I’m certain when a few more months pass I will be looking fantabulous. I also bought a blood pressure monitor last week and am working on lowering my blood pressure through healthy eating. 

I couldn’t be happier!!! :)

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Just a couple weeks left, so Nicole wants to stay on course

By Mike Sadowski | Published: March 2, 2010 | 0 Comments
Please tell me why ...

Please tell me why ...

“It’s no surprise to me, I am my own worst enemy”

So begins the song by Lit, a delightful song that graced the airwaves in the late 90s and is something of an anthem for me these days. As much as I have these great accomplishments, both big and small, I am still plagued by my own fears, self-doubts and anxieties.

I have bought new jeans in three sizes smaller for the first time in two years, but all I can think about is the one pair that doesn’t zip yet. Yes, it is something to work toward, but is still undermining the work I have done so far. The almost 2 pounds I gained back last week is also mocking me considerably!

I have tried new things at the gym, like the TRX resistance straps, and kettle balls. I have increased speed and distance on the treadmill, but I am still absolutely terrified of letting go of the handles!  I have increased difficulty on the elliptical too, so I know that in the end all this will pay off in the inches.

I have gained flexibility, thanks to extreme stretching. I would like to gain some more, but I know that will come in time. Everything will come in time, but the Weight Race will end in a few short weeks, so it is time to really buckle down and stay on course.

Posted in Nicole Padilla | Tagged , | 0 Comments

Beth doesn’t want to lose this weight a third time

By Mike Sadowski | Published: March 2, 2010 | 0 Comments
Coming down to the wire.

Coming down to the wire.

It’s crunch time. Or should I say crunches time.

We only have four weigh-ins left for the Great Pocono Weight Race. Every bite counts and every day at the gym counts even more. I have to say I’ve done this before. I am now at the point in my weight loss where this is weight I’ve lost before. Meaning I’ve been here, lost it and gained it back with some extra. Losing weight you’ve already lost is not any more fun the second time around — a good motivator to keep it off. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s “after” picture. People who just see us in the paper are gonna be amazed!

24 days left.

Posted in Beth Lannon | Tagged , | 0 Comments