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Resolution Champions: Win by Losing!

January 14, 2015
5 min. read

Losing weight is frequently listed as one of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions each year. In 2014, the University of Scranton conducted a survey that listed losing weight as the number one resolution for Americans in 20141. A recent Gallup poll found that half of Americans want to lose weight, but only 26% are actively trying to do so2.

Our next pair of Resolution Champions here at Martin’s are two co-workers who are facing off against each other in a friendly, little weight-loss competition.

Their Motivation

Sometimes all we need is a little motivation!

These ladies got involved in an online weight-loss challenge (like “Biggest Loser”) through a mutual friend. Each week throughout January and February, everyone involved sends their weekly weigh-in via text. The organizer then computes each person’s weight-loss percentage and compiles their results onto a leader board so the competitors can track their progress.

At the end of the competition, half of the money collected is awarded to the top two competitors who had the largest weight-loss percentage and the other half of the money collected goes towards a charity benefiting needy orphans.

What a great idea! Not only do they have friendly competition to motivate them, but they also have a stake in the game from paying the entrance fee, a monetary motivation to win, and charitable motivation, so that no matter what happens they are still helping a worthy cause! Talk about a win-win.

Is this something you think you would enjoy? The best thing about this challenge is that it is totally homegrown! Get together with your friends and start a contest like this one! A little competition and a charitable outcome could be just the motivator you need to “go for your goal!”

Find What’s Best for You

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Despite participating in the same competition, these two co-workers are utilizing two very different strategies. One co-worker has decided to utilize Weight Watchers; we’ll refer to this Resolution Champion as “The Counter.” The other is focusing on portion-control and increased exercise; we’ll refer to this Champion as “The Conventionalist.” We will be following these Champions throughout their competition to see how each of them is doing in the coming weeks.

Just like in the above example, there are a variety of options that may work for you if you have a similar goal of losing weight. Different approaches work for different people and everyone has their own comfort levels and limitations. It might help you to test a variety of strategies to determine what works best for YOU.


Diet Ideas

Are you looking to make a change in your diet or lifestyle? Check out this list of some of the most popular diets today3.

  • Weight Watchers Diet: Participants are asked to count the points associated with each food item they eat, staying within a desired range and aiming for a target BMI. There is also an important focus on support networks with tools available for meal ideas, newsletters, success stories, and an online community.
  • The Zone Diet: Consists of 3 meals and 2 snacks per day, each with a nutritional balance of 40% (good quality) carbs, 30% fats (like olive oil, nuts, etc.), and 30% (low-fat) protein.
  • Mediterranean Diet: Consists of a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, cereals, seeds, heart-healthy fats (like olive oil), low-fat dairy, lean proteins, and minimal amounts of wine.
  • South Beach Diet: Focuses on controlling insulin levels and choosing the right carbohydrates (unrefined, slow carbs versus fast carbs) and the right fats; it also emphasizes foods high in fiber and nutrients.
  • Vegetarian Diet: There are various types but most include not consuming animal products except for eggs, dairy, and honey. There can be certain health benefits from this type of diet, but you should make sure you still get the nutrients your body needs, such as vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and zinc.

For the full list, visit: www.medicalnewstoday.com. Remember to consult a medical professional before starting any new health program.


Exercise Ideas

Are you interested in adding more exercise to your routine? There are plenty of programs and workouts available and there is sure to be one that’s right for you!

If you’re looking for ideas, check out this list of some of the top exercise programs4: (per http://mashable.com/2014/01/08/top-fitness-searches)

If any of these interest you, look into them further or give them try! Try asking a fitness coach or professional for advice on what would work best for you. Maybe you can try out several programs with a friend until you find your favorite!

If you’ve always hated exercising, it’s probably not the best idea to rely solely on increased physical activity to lose some pounds. But keep in mind that you might hate exercising because you’ve only ever tried a few types. It’s a new year…why not try something new? What about swimming, or kick-boxing, or a group sport you could play every week? If you’re still not feeling those, check out our previous blog post for some tips on staying active during the winter.

Nutritiously,
Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls and Bread

Resources:
1 http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/
2 http://www.gallup.com/poll/179771/americans-effort-lose-weight-trails-desire.aspx
3 www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/5847.php
4 http://mashable.com/2014/01/08/top-fitness-searches/
http://www.webmd.com

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Update from Katie

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Hi Guys! Things have been going pretty well for me this week! I managed to run on all three of my allotted running days! Saturday proved to be my most challenging day…the cold spell that hit the northeast caused the temperature to drop to a chilly 9 degrees! I’d already run indoors on Thursday and I much prefer running outside, so I ended up bundling up in three layers, warming up inside with all these layers on, and then taking a brisk jog. I also managed to do my cross-training workout on both of my allotted days for it. Stay tuned for next week’s hump day post where I’ll talk about my workout schedule and the importance of having one!

 


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