Back in early December a weight loss challenge started circulating around between mostly real estate people. The idea was to see who could have the biggest percentage weight loss between Dec 5 and Feb 1, 2009. Everyone participating has to pay $50 to the winners choice of charity.
Playing for the American Cancer Society, I weighed in on December 5th at a svelte 240 pounds.
Since then I’ve significantly changed what and how I eat, and I {gasp!} work out. No more daily Starbucks fat (and flavor) filled eggnog lattes. With rare exception, no more eating past the point of pain. I’m down to 2 – 3 Cokes a day (from 6 – 8 daily).
Oh, I’ve slipped up on more than one occasion. I’ve had three eggnog lattes (hey, that’s better than the twenty-three I would have normally had in this time span — that’s a “savings” of 13,600 calories, and $97). And I did sneak in some of Francy’s holiday baking though at nothing close to the rate I enjoyed in previous years.
I’m quite pleased to say that yesterday when I weighed in, the scales showed 231.5 – a loss of 8.5 pounds.
Last week, I took some of my winnings from my (ahem) championship in a Fantasy Football league and joined a fitness center.
THAT move may have been one of the best things I’ve done in a long time. I say this despite the fact that at this moment in time, I can’t feel my legs or move my arms above shoulder level.
I found what is (to me) the perfect fitness center. I joined Snap Fitness and work out daily in the Gilbert location at Higley and Ray.
What do I like about Snap Fitness?
Lots. It’s convenient. They have everything I need. They DON’T have things I don’t need (but would have to pay for somewhere else). I have 24 x 7 access via a key card so I can literally work out at 3:00am or on Christmas Day (which I did). There was no sign-up fee, and it’s month-to-month (though you can get a free month by paying for six).
And the folks that run it are friendly and genuinely interested in helping you achieve your goals. It’s almost like a neighborhood place. There’s no ‘meat market’ feel to it, and I’m not embarrassed to put my blubbery ass on the machines (though watching the lady in her 50s do 45 minutes on the elliptical set at level 14 was a wee bit humiliating).
Here are some pictures I took on Christmas Day. Apparently I was the only one dedicated / stupid enough to work out that day.
Main room. It’s about 3,500 square feet with cardio, resistance and free weights. There is also a circuit training room that I have named “Purgatory”
This is some sort of Medieval torture device
Granted it’s only been a week since I joined Snap, but I’m actually enjoying working out. Maybe it’s just in my head, but it sure seems like it’s already making a difference. I feel a lot more energetic, and while I’m still pitifully weak and have little endurance, that seems to get better every day.
We’ve “officially” got 49 people signed up on the wiki for the Real Estate Biggest Loser contest. There’s a lot of support there, and a little smack talk. The pounds are melting away, probably not as fast as we’d like, but it’s all good. Those participating are getting healthier, and some deserving charity is going to get a nice donation.
As for me, I’m not stopping on Feb 1. This is a lifestyle change that I plan to keep.
I'm Jay Thompson, and I have a little blogging problem... Welcome to The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, or "TPREG" as I fondly refer to it.
Comments