How not to lose momentum during the Holidays

As I write this the holidays are on the horizon.  Do you have any plans on how you are going to stay the course during the next few weeks?  My plan is fairly simple, to keep doing what I have been doing all along, but only better.  

I do have a slight modification to my plan.....  I plan on eating whatever I want on Thanksgiving, and then again on Christmas, but only those days.  By saying "what I want", I don't plan on going overboard, but I also don't plan on restricting myself to where I am miserable all day.  These holidays come but one time a year, and they are meant to be joyous times when we spend time 

with family and not worrying about what we are eating.  Remember, one day is not going to cost you the race, it is not about one day, it is about a lifestyle change.  I will not stuff myself, but if I see a piece of pie that is calling my name, I will answer the call..... and then later if a different piece of pie calls my name I will again heed the call..... but only on those days.

Do

 you need some extra motivation to keep you on track for the holidays?  One very effective way is to see the goal, or at least see what the goal may look like.  I just found out about a service called WeightView.  WeightView is a digital motivational weight loss tool that allows users to see themselves 10, 20 or even 50 pounds lighter.

Here's how it works:

• Users upload a full-body photo
  
• Specify how much you want to lose
  
• Then WeightView sends back an image of you at your goal weight (FREE of charge)
  
• Print it out and hang it on the fridge or download it as a scrensaver for visual motivation 
  

WeightView also released an application recently on Facebook with the same concept. They've built this user centric application that focuses on community motivation and support. Some of the features include:

• tracking your weight loss progress
  
• building a support system with other WeightView users on the application
  
• providing and receiving motivation to and from your support group
  
• gaining reward points toward for actual prizes including magnets, picture frames and even mugs with your picture at your goal weight.
  

If you're interested you can check out the service at www.weightview.com, or if you are interested in the Facebook application you can visit the WeightView page and add the WeightView application.

What are you doing to keep the momentum and motivation during the holidays?

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

Here are the results for me - not a real noticable change, but I like the quality of the service.

One of the many benifits to losing weight

I have just this past weekend experienced just one of the many benefits to losing weight and endeavoring to live a healthier lifestyle.

I have been horribly under insured as far as life insurance is concerned for many years.  During the years I occasionally looked into fixing this issue, but I was terribly disappointed and discouraged at the rates because of my weight alone, not to mention my sedentary lifestyle.  Each time I put this on the back burner saying that I would take care of it when I lost some weight.

Well, the time has come.  I told myself and my wife that once I hit my weight loss goal and kept it off for some time I would get my life insurance in order and make sure she and the kids were taken care of.  A couple months ago I started this process and just this past weekend I received the paperwork saying that the underwriting was completed and all I needed to do was send a check.

Now, here is the WHOOOOO HOOOOO! part.  I was underwritten at the best possible rate.  My changes in lifestyle and weight loss have paid off in saved premiums.... just one more of the many benefits to a healthier lifestyle.

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

The ups and downs

I have stopped posting my weekly weigh in and measurement reports, mainly because it is getting discouraging. I know that is part of the motivation behind it, but it is causing me to really hate keeping up this blog. I think this blog still serves an important role so I don't want to get a bad attitude towards it.

As you are aware if you have been reading for any time, I broke my collar bone four months ago running a race and have been able to do very little physical activity since. If you are unaware or are new to my blog, more information can be found on my running blog at blog.262quest.com. I am starting to get back into the running a little bit, but it is very uncomfortable still at this time.

One thing I have noticed, and is probably the biggest reason I have gained the 5 lbs over this past four months of inactivity, is that when I am not as active on a daily basis, I tend not to crave the same foods, but tend to crave the fattier foods and the foods that are generally not as good for you. Fruit has become less appealing, although I still enjoy it. It has just been easier to make bad choices and to continue to eat when I know my body has had enough.

I am not sure all the reasons behind this, but it is very real. I am trying to figure out what I can do to turn this around because I still have two more months before the surgery to remove the pin.

I hope to still actively post on this blog, but just will not be posting my weekly weigh in and measurements..... which most of you don't care about anyway :)

Until next time......

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

Monday Morning Stats - 9-22-08

Last weeks stats

This weeks stats:

Weight:
Scale: 169.0
Last Week Low: 167.2
Last Week High: 169
Average: 167*
Last Weeks Average: 168
Gain: 1

Measurements:
Waist: 34.5
Stomach: 35.5
Chest: 38

Body Fat Measurement:
Caliper: 16.8
BMI: 25.0 **

*According to PhysicsDiet.com rounded up - my official weight.

**According to the official BMI calculations and this BMI Calculator.

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

The Biggest Loser - The Social Network

The Biggest Loser: Families premiered last night on NBC. Also premiering right along with it was NBC's new Social Network companion, The Biggest Loser League: tbll.nbc.com

"The Biggest Loser League" will allow people to create their own teams and recruit members from their communities at any level – families, friends, cities, companies, schools, organizations and neighborhoods. The site will provide the tools and resources needed for team leaders to create motivational messages, grab tips and weight loss tracking widgets, and utilize a tool kit of food journals, workout logs and challenge tips. Teams will also be able to compete against other teams to start living healthier, more active lifestyles while earning points for participation.

In addition to user-generated challenges, there will also be a weekly challenge that relates to that week's on-air episode of "The Biggest Loser: Families." The site will include helpful features like profiles, message boards, photo and video galleries and blogs for teams and members, a weight/BMI tracker, exercise, diet and motivational tips and a robust search page to help users find new friends or teams to join. It will also offer welcome kits for captains, leaderboards to track top point-earning teams and members, and special promotions and offers from the NBC store and www.biggestloserclub.com. Select teams may also be featured online and on NBC's local affiliate stations.

"'The Biggest Loser League' is the perfect example of what can happen when great television meets an active online community. With NBC.com's social networking capabilities, the possibilities are endless," said Vivi Zigler, President, NBC Universal Digital Entertainment. "We're really excited to see how far these enthusiastic, engaged fans will take it."

One of the most important parts of my journey was the community aspect and others checking up on me and seeing how I was doing. This looks like NBC's attempt at doing the same thing.

Why not give it a go?

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

Monday Morning Stats - 9-15-08

Last weeks stats

This weeks stats:

Weight:
Scale: 169.0
Last Week Low: 166.2
Last Week High: 169
Average: 167*
Last Weeks Average: 167
Gain: 0

Measurements:
Waist: 35
Stomach: 35.5
Chest: 37.5

Body Fat Measurement:
Caliper: 14.8
BMI: 24.7 **

*According to PhysicsDiet.com rounded up - my official weight.

**According to the official BMI calculations and this BMI Calculator.

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

Monday Morning Stats - 9-08-08

Two weeks ago stats

This weeks stats:

Weight:
Scale: 167.6
Last Week Low: 163.8
Last Week High: 168.6
Average: 167*
2 Weeks Ago Average: 166
Gain: 1

Measurements:
Waist: 34.5
Stomach: 35.5
Chest: 37.5

Body Fat Measurement:
Caliper: 14.8
BMI: 24.7 **

*According to PhysicsDiet.com rounded up - my official weight.

**According to the official BMI calculations and this BMI Calculator.

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org