By David S. Chang
More teams have decided to participate in our competition. Here is the update thus far! I will update as I collect the information from the other teams.
- Team B.F. Changs – 328 pounds (loss of 14 pounds)
- Team Blair – 369 pounds (loss of 3.8 pounds)
- Team In The Lead – 283 pounds
Please click here for the official rules!
Losing weight is never easy, which is why it is a $60 billion dollar industry and growing. Many people focus on the “what” instead of the “how.” If you get the “how” right in weight loss, it can help set the stage and foundation for not just yo-yo dieting, but a true lifestyle change. The first week my wife and I moved towards a change of cutting out as many carbs as possible. We emptied out our fridge of food not conducive to our diet, and shopped at Costco for a bulk purchase of lean meats, nuts, veggies, cheese, and pre-packaged salads. Despite missing the staple rice scoops and spam in our meals, not to mention my huge love of sweets, I personally felt much better physically after eating the healthier foods. Our team lost 14 pounds in one week by simply cutting out our carbs and unhealthy meats. We hope to continue our weight loss! Here are some tips that helped us really get started.
- Admit being overweight and be honest with weight issues. Food can be a crutch that can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle.
- Set a specific goal. When goals are specific, you have a higher probability of reaching your goals. Click here for more information on setting SMART goals. My specific goals are to lose 20 pounds with a body fat percentage of at least 15% by December 31st, then maintain that weight!
- Set a plan. Having a goal and vision is not enough. There needs to be a plan of action that can be executed to achieve your goals. My wife and I created a healthy shopping list with meal plans, got rid of any unhealthful foods, and set a workout plan using apps and my fitbit. More to follow on this!
- Keep each other accountable. Willpower is like a muscle, if you are fatigued, it is easier to fall into temptation of that delicious gummy bear. Holding each other accountable between my wife and I, as well as this friendly competition helps you stay committed when times get tough.
Stay tuned for more updates next week!