BIGGEST LOSER CHALLENGE - My Personal Weight Loss Journal

It all started easily enough. Becky and I were going to meet my mom and dad for dinner at the Outback Steakhouse and she said she had an idea.

Becky: "I think we should do a Biggest Loser contest. You and me, versus your mom and dad."

She went on to spell out the rules of the contest, which we tweaked along the way. I hesitated...

Me: "I don't know if mom would go for it...and if she did, I think she might quit if she didn't do very well."

In my mind, it was a reasonable excuse, but I also knew I wasn't sure that I could hold out and do it either. I was nervous I would quit, like I had so many times before. She reassured me it would be just fine, she always has a way to reassure me that it would be just fine.

We raised the question at the dinner table over steaks, bloomin' onions and loaded cheese fries. Mom and dad were excited and on board. We layed out the rules as follows:

1. 16 weeks
2. Weigh in every Monday.
3. Teams of two, each team puts $2 in the pot each week, the team with the lowest overall percentage of loss for the week added an additional $2.
4. Team with overall largest weight percentage after 16 weeks wins the cash.

It was set. The next day, while at a cookout at Becky's brother's house, we were talking about the upcoming challenge, and the third team was added...Becky's brother Albert and his wife, Tausha. They recommended a fourth team, the grandparents of Tausha's children, Glenn and Sue.

We added a new rule:

5. Team with the largest percentage wins 3/4 of the money, the individual with the highest overall percentage wins 1/4.

The game was on!

The following is my own weight loss journal. I will only speak in specifics about myself (with some kudos when necessary to the others!)

WEEK ONE

I stepped on the scale, and the number was a high one. 263 pounds. Yes, I know it is shocking. 32 years old, 6 foot one inch and 263 pounds. It was the highest weight I had ever been, and I was ready for the change.


(BEFORE - NOTE the double chin and large belly!!)

I had a plan: 1,000 to 1,300 calories a day. Three meals a day (because skipping meals or starving yourself is NOT THE WAY TO LOOSE WEIGHT!!) Exercise.

I decided on waffles for breakfast. Two waffles are 210 calories, syrup is 100 and a glass of milk is another 100. 400 calories...good start. I decided to not be super strict with myself and count every little thing. I wanted it to be a rough 1000-1300.

For lunch I had 2 lunchmeat sandwiches, whole wheat bread, slice of cheese on each. I wasn't ready to give the soda up completely, so I had one a day...with lunch. 500 calories.

Dinner was a Smart Ones box meal (or Lean Cuisine or whatever.) These are like 300 calories. Glass of milk...400 calories total.

Exercise for the first week was hard. I was doing a work out video when I could (which was hard with a 13 month old to keep entertained) and Becky and I started walking. 30 minutes a day.

NOTES ON WEEK ONE: I am never going to make it to the end!! I have to keep telling myself, "one day at a time, Tony, one day at a time." I asked Becky if she planned on walking everyday of the 16 weeks. She said yes. This is going to be a LONG challenge.

The first weigh in came, and I was nervous. The scale was nice to me, though.

WEIGH IN - WEEK ONE: 4 pound weight loss!! Becky had a good loss, too, and we felt great! Until the other team's numbers came in...8, 9 and 10 pound losses littered the field, the percentages dwarfed ours. We started in 3rd place after what we thought were great numbers! Becky and I calmed ourselves down and concluded it was a MARATHON not a SPRINT, and we would be ok...we just had to be steady, and watch as the numbers leveled out.

I set some goals for myself:

1. Loose 3 pounds a week.
2. Make it to 220 pounds in 16 weeks.

(Yes, I know 3 pounds a week would make 48 pounds total, and 220 is only 43 pounds after 16 weeks. It was just a week loss number and a overall number.)

GOAL UPDATE - 4 pounds down, 39 to go!!

WEEK TWO

I kept with my eating routine with no deviation. I was moving more and eating less...I had to loose weight, right? We upped the walking to an hour at a time, roughly 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 miles. During the day, I kept with the workout video and alternated it with a heavy bag routine.

WEIGH IN - WEEK TWO - 3 pound loss!! The other teams, as predicted, leveled out after the big first week. They cut their calories big and eliminated the soda so the shock to their systems lead to a big first week, but a modest second. Another big week for Becky lead us to be in first place for the week...but we still had a long way to go to climb out of 3rd.

GOAL UPDATE - 7 pounds down...36 to go!

WEEK THREE

Still feeling good. Working out, eating good. I needed to say goodbye to the soda, though. I dropped the one can a day to zero. It was hard, but I knew it would help.

WEIGH IN - WEEK THREE - 4 pound loss!! Once again, Becky and I took the top honors, but we were still way behind. Dad was putting up big numbers to keep his team on top. Albert and Tausha were dropping a good percentage, too. I was still confident because I knew Albert and Tausha were the smallest couple coming in and would eventually run out of weight to loose. Mom and dad I thought would struggle because of them being 60 years old and 53 years old respectively, and Glenn and Sue were struggling, so I thought we could stay above them. Not to mention I was the biggest guy starting and had the most to loose. Becky works HARD, so I knew even though she didn't have a big amount to loose, she would fight to the end and scrap out a few extra pounds down to the end.

I was about to find out, however, that you should never bet against my dad in a weight loss challenge!!

GOAL UPDATE - 11 down, 32 to go!

WEEK FOUR

No changes...still cranking it out and feeling good about the work outs. I am beginning to impress myself because I never thought I could hold on this long.

WEIGH IN - WEEK FOUR - 3 pound loss! I was still ahead of my 3 pound a week goal, so I was happy. A zero from Becky put our percentage in 3rd place...and Dad was a full 5 pounds ahead in total loss. 19 pounds in 4 weeks?!? He was going to be tough to beat...but I decided to go after him, hard!

GOAL UPDATE - 14 down, 29 to go!

WEEK FIVE

Rough week. After the week four weigh in, I had to go to the doctor. The verdict: Poison Ivy. I couldn't do the heavy bag (couldn't get the gloves on) and I slacked on my workouts. I continued to eat right, however. It didn't matter...

WEIGH IN - WEEK FIVE - 0 pound loss! Oh no!! Thankfully, Becky pulled a great number, and we finished 1st once again. The numbers were close this week, so we didn't gain much ground, but we were gaining. Marathon, not a sprint.

GOAL UPDATE - Still 14 loss, still 29 to go!

WEEK SIX

I needed a good week. Still unable to do the heavy bag, I picked up an exercise ball and started integrating a small routine to replace the bag. It worked!! Becky and I also instituted a "cheat meal." One meal a week, we could eat whatever we wanted. I was nervous, because of my zero the week before, but I thought it would help "shock" my system. I chose Baby Back Blues BBQ...loves me some pulled pork!! Started on diet soda...careful, it still has lots of sodium!

WEIGH IN - WEEK SIX - 4 pound loss!! Another 1st place finish, but still in 3rd overall! Dad had a big week, so we didn't gain ground on them, but we did on Albert and Tausha.

GOAL UPDATE - 18 pounds lost, 25 to go!

WEEK SEVEN

I changed my lunch to two hot dogs (I don't know the brand, but they are fat free, and, like 40 calories per dog...check the package. Mom told me about them (I think my cousin Tracee told her) and they are DELICIOUS!) It really dropped my calories per day, as now I was eating 250 instead of 500 for lunch!

WEIGH IN - WEEK SEVEN - 5 pound loss!! My biggest number yet! It was a good week for it, too, as Becky, mom, dad and Tausha all had zeros. We were the top team again, and gained lots of ground...still in 3rd, though!

GOAL UPDATE - 23 pounds lost, 20 to go!! I reached the 20 pound lost mark!! It was finally getting real for me!

WEEK EIGHT

I knew this was going to be a bad one, as it was the week of the Cubs game in Chicago. I ate deep dish pizza...I ate hot dogs at Wrigley...I had soda...it was bad! I fought hard the 3 days prior, and the 2 days after.

WEIGH IN - WEEK EIGHT - One pound loss. I'll take it! I thought I would gain!! Becky busted her BUTT to compensate for the bad week I knew I was having. We hit first once again. Six of eight weeks at the top...still in 3rd! (But getting really close!)

GOAL UPDATE - 24 pounds lost, 19 to go. Half way mark: I am still on pace, losing exactly 3 pounds a week over the first 8 weeks!

WEEK NINE

I needed to rebound...I worked hard. I switched to a two a day walking routine, cause I could do that easier with Hendrix. I would wait til he was tired, and walk while he slept in the stroller. I really worked hard this week.

WEIGH IN - WEEK NINE - 7 POUND LOSS!! My biggest yet! Another big loss from Becky made it 7 of 9 weeks on top, and we finally cracked into the top 2, just edging out Albert and Tausha in the overall. Dad was still cranking out big numbers, but we were gaining on them!

GOAL UPDATE - 31 pounds lost, 12 to go!! 30 pounds!!

WEEK TEN

I think I found the reason I lost 7 pounds. Volleyball. We had two matches the Sunday before the weigh in, and I think the 7 was a false reading...cause I fought the scale all week to get back to zero. I was up 1 or 2 pounds all week (once, I weighed myself, shaved, weighed myself again and gained a pound! Shaving??)

WEIGH IN - WEEK TEN - 0 pound loss! After being up all week, I consider myself lucky with a zero. I really don't want a gain through this whole thing! Our first last place finish...BOO!

GOAL UPDATE - 31 pounds still lost, 12 still to go.

WEEK ELEVEN

With only 6 weigh ins left, I was getting nervous that I wasn't going to reach my goal. I amped up the workouts, trying to walk faster, so a little more. But there was a snag...Little Caesars opened up a pizza shop 3 blocks from my house! $5 pizza?!? I tried not to think about it, BUT a LC's employee was walking in front of my house with a WE'RE NOW OPEN! $5 PIZZA! sign. Up and down my street, right in front of the window where I sit...all day. I called Becky, she picked up a pizza for us. (NOTE: We've had a pizza once a week since they've opened! Weeks 11 - 16!!)

WEIGH IN - WEEK ELEVEN - 4 pound loss! Yes, I'm back on track!! First again...and now we were in first overall!! I jumped from 5th place individually to 3rd. Becky was now in the lead. We needed to hold on to take the whole pot home!!

GOAL UPDATE - 35 pounds down, 8 to go!!

WEEK TWELVE

I forgot about the volleyball double curse!! I was up 3 pounds by Wednesday, and had to fight the scale once again...I was preparing myself for my first gain in the 12 weeks...but slowly, the scale started to move in the other direction. I learned something important...On tuesday, when the scale showed a gain, I tried to eat less. That does not work! Wednesday, I ate my LC pizza for the week, and Thursday the weight came down. Your body will shut down if you don't give it fuel. It will think it is starving and shut down. Keep your calories right!!

WEIGH IN - WEEK TWELVE - 1 pound loss! Whew!! Wasn't expecting that!! We came in second and kept our lead as it was a low week for all teams, except Glenn and Sue, who were finally catching their stride. Just as I had thought, Albert and Tausha were running out of weight to loose, mom (though not giving up!!) was having a rough patch, but dad was still going strong.

GOAL UPDATE - 36 pounds lost, 7 to go!

WEEK THIRTEEN

I knew I had a double volleyball match this week, so I was confident that the weight loss would be good. I wanted to push our lead and make it bigger, so I pushed myself hard this week.

WEIGH IN - WEEK THIRTEEN - 5 pound loss!! I wasn't expecting this much loss! I was happy, but worried...I knew I would struggle in week 14. Also unexpectedly, I was the ONLY PERSON to loose any weight this week! Becky, dad, mom, Albert, Tausha and Glenn drew zeros. Sue gained a small amount. I moved into 2nd on the overall, and FINALLY passed dad in total weight loss, and percentage weight loss!

GOAL UPDATE - 41 pounds down, 2 to go!! 40 pounds!!

WEEK FOURTEEN

The gain was on again early!! Stupid Volleyball double!! I had to push myself once again. The weather had turned, too, so I had to walk in the mall. Not my first choice, but what could you do? Becky and I were no longer walking in the evenings together because I reffed two days a week and played one, she played some, and it was getting colder. But we tried to hit the treadmill upstairs when we could. (I even started running a mile straight for the first time ever!!) I had to do more on my own, and I'm not a great self-motivator!! Would this be a gain week for me??

WEIGH IN - WEEK FOURTEEN - 0 pound loss! Another bullet dodged! A huge week for Becky helped keep us in the lead, but Tausha stole her thunder, doubling Becky's week 14 weight loss! Both the overall and the individual title were in doubt for us...we were confident we could win, but we had to start our sprint. Becky had surpassed her goal of getting back to her pre-pregnancy weight a few weeks back, but, like I predicted, she was scrapping for more to help us win. I need to pick it up these last two weeks!!

GOAL UPDATE - Still 41 pounds lost, still 2 to go! TWO POUNDS!! Come on, Tony, you have to do this!

WEEK FIFTEEN

I knew the dreaded double was coming...well, I shouldn't say dreaded, cause I do get good numbers from it...but I knew the numbers were elevated. I tried pacing myself. Walked outside Monday morning. Walked the mall Tuesday morning. But no evening work outs either day. Nothing at all Wednesday. Half hour on Thursday and little to no workouts the rest of the week.

WEIGH IN - WEEK FIFTEEN - 2 pounds lost! I wanted to hit my goal of getting to 220 lbs this week and I accomplished it!! I am so proud of myself for achieving this goal. One week to go, and I'm going to push it, hard!!

GOAL UPDATE - 2 pounds lost, 0 to go! I DID IT!!

WEEK SIXTEEN - LAST WEEK!

Walked the mall Monday and saw Allen from the Biggest Loser (which inspired me to go an extra 20 minutes.) Mall again on Tuesday for an hour. Wednesday I woke up sick!! Oh no! Took it easy the rest of the day, but hit the mall again Thursday for an hour. Some volleyball Friday, and I was able to walk outside with Becky Saturday and Sunday, as the weather was beautiful. I am so thankful that I was able to end the 16 week journey the way I started it...walking with Becky. (She had lost 28 pounds at this point.)


FINAL WEIGH IN!! - 1 pound loss. With the finish line in sight, I guess I got a little complacent. I'll take it happily, though.

GOAL UPDATE - 44 total pounds lost! I ended at 219 pounds, 1 pound under my 220 goal (but 4 pounds under the 3 pound a week goal.) I'm hoping to do the same thing my dad has planned, and keep the weight off for a year. We'll have to wait and see on that goal!


(AFTER - Lookin' a lot better!)


(Surprise, surprise! I went down 2 whole pant sizes!!)

TEAM WINNERS - Team Tony and Becky! Yes, we finished the marathon in first place!

INDIVIDUAL BIGGEST LOSER - Becky!

THE FINAL NUMBERS

Team:

1st - Tony and Becky - 17.43% (72 lbs lost for team)
2nd - Dave and Cindy (my mom and dad) - 14.48%
3rd - Albert and Tausha - 12.20%
4th - Glenn and Sue - 2.68%

Individual:

1st - Becky - 18.67% (28 lbs)
2nd - Dad - 16.93% (43 lbs)
3rd - Tony - 16.73% (44 lbs)
4th - Tausha - 12.33%
5th - Albert - 12.11%
6th - Mom - 11.05%
7th - Glenn - 4.21%
8th - Sue - 1.02%

What a journey! I can't claim to be a weight loss expert now or anything, and I'm not looking to brag any, I'm just proud of myself and everyone else for losing so much weight. It really wasn't about the money, it was about the people I love making a change in themselves for the better! I'm glad Becky came up with the idea, and we actually did it...I didn't like being so big!