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Let's Lose a Person!!

January 30th, 2007 at 03:35 pm

Inspired by Nance (on PricePlus's blog), I want to start a 2007 weight loss challenge. Similar to the regular 2007 money challenge that we participate in...everyone sets their own goals and approaches it differently, but we post here so we can see our progress and encourage each other. My goal is to get enough people to join and succeed that by December, we can collectively "lose a person" (180 pounds?)

(Given the financial nature of this site, we can also tie it back to the financial implications associated with getting healthy...gym memberships, fewer meds, etc.).

So jump on board if you're interested. Here's my starting point (as of 1/1/07):

1. My "Kick in the Pants" was when...I went to the doctor for a checkup in December and my cholesterol was 263! It's usually around 212, and both the total and the bad cholesterol levels were up. She told me I had 6 months to lose weight and start exercising to get it down, or she would recommend that I go on medecine. That's all I needed to hear.

2. Goals:
Long-Term Goal (Dec.) - Lose 10% of my weight (17.6lbs).
Medium-Term Goal (Jun) - Get my cholesterol back under 215.
Short-Term Goal - Lose an average of 1/2 lb. per week, not sweating it if I lose 1 lb one week and nothing the next.

3. Age: 36
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 176 (on 1/1, 172 now)

4. My plan: Rather than follow a traditional plan (Atkins, Weight Watchers, etc.), my doctor told me to eat between 1600-1800 calories per day. I like the flexibility that provides, and it forces me to make good choices, because it's really not that much when you get right down to it.

5. Exercise: Walk on the treadmill at least 5x/week. I started the first week of January walking 20 minutes at 3 mph. Each week I increase it by 1 minute (and I lost track one week), so I'm now up to 25 minutes per day. My plan is to continue increasing 1 minute per week until I get to 40, then increase the speed.

6. Financial impact so far: +$35. Last year I averaged $35/month eating breakfast and lunch at work. This month, I've brought it from home every day and have spent nothing (with 1 day to go).

Join me. Let's see if together we can lose a person!

17 Responses to “Let's Lose a Person!!”

  1. nance Says:
    1170172424

    I'm in! In October, my cholesterol was in the 260's too. Same threat!
    I have not been doing much about the problem, and need to get serious.

  2. Aleta Says:
    1170172723

    This is very encouraging. Thanks for you role in getting us all serious about this.

  3. kalikala1980 Says:
    1170173926

    I would like to join in as well. I've gained about 10 lbs. since I started my current job and I don't like how I look. I'm only 5'1" so every extra pound shows! I do work out but I could definitely be better with my diet. I'd say 10% is a good place to start. If I could lose what I've gained then I'd be fine.

  4. Aleta Says:
    1170176074

    I heard the reason why most people fail at diets is because they set unrealistic goals. I have found that is is easier and wiser for me to eat the elephant one bite at a time. For me, making a chart and losing the first five pounds is the first goal. I've found that by weighing myself everyday that I can see what things cause me to gain weight whether it's excess water or what. I don't get crazy about the everyday weight thing: I just use it for a guide.

  5. Ima saver Says:
    1170177013

    I need to lose weight too. I did so well in cutting out sugar for a while and now I am back eating lots of sweets. Will you start a new thread for this so we can sort of keep track during the year?

  6. mjrube94 Says:
    1170177797

    Good Idea, Ima. I started a thread under the General Discussion board of the forums. See here for the link. Post updates as you have them...

    http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?p=119251#post119251

  7. PRICEPLUS Says:
    1170178120

    Okay I am in with you folks!

    My long term goal is to lose 80 pounds by the end of this year. Dec 31, 2007.

    Medium term goal is to get 10% of my present body weight off.

    Short term goal is to add more veggies and fruit to diet and cut back on snack foods and other junk!

    I am going to have a section called the 2007 Weight Loss Challenge!

    Thank MJ!

  8. mom-from-missouri Says:
    1170178436

    Count me in!

  9. JanH Says:
    1170179621

    This was one of my new year's goals, but I haven't done so well on it. It will be terrific to be part of a group challenge. I will do much better that way! Thanks for getting us all started to better health! I need to lose about 10 to 15 pounds. But most of all I need to get healthier and exercise.

  10. creditcardfree Says:
    1170181966

    I posted on the thread that I'm in. I have lost 9.6 pounds since January 3rd. I started eating between 1200 and 1400 calories. I'm now at 1200 everyday making sure that I get at least 25g of fiber and over 55g of protein. I also exercise 30 minutes of cardio and lift weights 5 days a week. I started at 163 pounds and my goal is 145 or less. I am 5' 6.5" tall. Good luck to us all. Hey...we may just end up losing more that one person!!

  11. jriessel Says:
    1170184199

    I am in also! I want to lose about35 lbs this year.

  12. crow67 Says:
    1170189346

    Count me in as well...would love to lose 20, but will be happy with 10 and go from there

  13. fern Says:
    1170193205

    Me, too.

    I want to lose exactly 10 lbs. but i don't want to take all year to do it. I will lose it by Memorial Day, the official start of SUMMER.

  14. mjrube94 Says:
    1170196176

    Excellent! At this rate we'll lose a small village. Edit the original thread in the forum by putting the amount you've lost next to your name so we can keep track...

  15. laceshawl Says:
    1170208679

    I'm not 180, but I'd like to lose 10 lbs. If 18 of us make that our goal, we will do it!

  16. StressLess Says:
    1170252266

    I'm in too. My weight is now 229 and I feel rotten. Frown Don't know what my cholesterol is at the moment; I've been eating oatmeal like mad in anticipation of getting my blood work done, hoping to get as good a number as possible. I don't need a doctor lecture about that, in addition to the weight! Not sure how I'm going to approach this as I can't face counting calories again.

  17. morningstar Says:
    1170259685

    OK, you have all inspired me. I'm in for 25 lbs for the rest of the year. I know we can do it together. Look at the success of other weight loss groups. Here's to all of you!

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