The First Week Down!

The National Day of Feasting, a.k.a. Thanksgiving, has come and gone in a tornado of temptatious gluttony. Turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie and whipped cream rained upon us in all their greasy, carbohydrateous, sugary fury! (Sounds terrible doesn't it ;)) On Sunday we got to see who fell prey to its demise, and who withstood the storm.

Team Dreyer
-Weighed in at 342.8 pounds, which puts them in the lead at 3% total weight loss.
When it comes to competition and losing weight, these two mean business. When I asked Nicole what she and Eric have done to accomplish this weight loss she said "I have been eating a lot less sugar and bread and eating more veggies instead. Portion control, Yoga 5 days a week, and cardio 30-45 minutes 5-6 days a week. Eric has a strict diet with NO soda, gym four days a week with weight training and cardio."

Team Jones
-Weighed in at 347.6 pounds, 2% total weight loss.
Don't place your bets too high yet because these two are close behind the dreyers. How did they do it? Says Kara, "I made sure to eat a high protein, no carb breakfast within 30 minutes of waking everyday. Protein and veggies for lunch with no carbs. I ate whatever I wanted for dinner. Only water to drink. I worked out only once this week. Thanksgiving was the only exception to all this."

Team Bruce
-Weighed in at 379.8 pounds, 1% total weight loss.
Team Bruce may be a bit behind but the end is still a long way away. I am proud to say I lost seven pounds the first week. How? NO SNACKING. No cheeze-its, bowls of ice cream, cookies, candy, brownies, etc., etc., etc...... I have been doing short distance walking with a 12 lb baby strapped to my chest and have been eating lots of fresh spinach and healthier portions. When I get the overwhelming urge to munch without being hungry, I try to drink a glass of water or snack on vegetables that I had pre-cut for the occurrences.

Team McVey
-Weighed in at 297 pounds, 1% total weight increase.
Though this team has taken a step backward, Kelsi is determined to pull the team up. "I'm going to the gym everyday no matter how tired I am. It is hard and I am limiting my snacking." Mom says she may be walking the dog more.

Now that the first week has passed, I am sure the competition is a little more real for us all. It has felt good to all of us who have stepped on the scale and seen a difference! Will the Dreyers be in the lead next week, or will someone else have passed them up? Stayed tuned to find out!

Meet the Contestants!

It seems like most people start their weight loss resolutions every January, but why not get a head start? How about starting before the Holidays? That way you limit yourself during Thanksgiving dinner and by Christmas you will be starting to feel good about yourself during all the camera flashing and video making that tends to go on around that time. Practicing restraint and self discipline around all of the savory foods and delicious baked goods is not an easy thing to do, especially when we plan and look forward to indulging ourselves in the festivities of feasting. For this reason I have invited my family to join me in the quest to lose weight. I am sure most of you have heard of the TV show The Biggest Loser, what better way to stay motivated than by a little competition?

Here is the game plan:
Over the next three months (start date: November 18, end date Feb. 17) we will be competing against each other in teams to lose weight. Every weekend we plan to get together and "weigh in" and calculate the percentage of each team's weight loss. By the end of the three months, the team with the highest percentage of weight loss wins.

The Prize:
Most of the weight loss competitions I read about include a cash prize where everyone in the competition pays a fee and the winner gets to keep it. I did not want to involve money because this is family and I am not really into that sort of thing. For me, all I need is the competition. However, in order to make things a little more exciting, all of the losing teams will pitch in to buy the winning team's dinner at their choice of restaurant. I suppose this inadvertently involves money, but this way we can all celebrate our amazing feat of self discipline together as well as reward the winners.

Meet the contestants:

Team McVey

 

 

Mom (Sheri McVey)-

"I am a mother of four and grandmother of four. I also play the piano and sing. I work for an Aerospace company and I get to play with very expensive metal. If I really try I can win this because I have already lost twenty pounds."  

 

 

Kelsi Jo McVey-

"I am a cosmetologist in training. My mom needs to marry off her last daughter; I am going to win because I want to look good for my future hubs"

• Combined weight 295.2 pounds.

 

 

Team Jones

 

Randy Jones-

"I am a professional network marketer and carpenter. I love what I do. When I'm not working I love to hunt, fish, camp, shoot my guns, and be outdoors! I'm gonna win so that not only will I look good, but my wife will have to eat a habanero pepper. Yep, thats part of our deal."

 

Kara Jones-

"I am a network marketer who loves to travel, meet new people, and just have a BLAST! My favorite place to be is the beach, sooooo I gotta win this thing so I don't have to wear a T-shirt over my swim suit ;)"

• Combined weight: 353 pounds.

Team Dreyer


Eric Dreyer-
"I am the father of three boys and the general manager of a familt restaurant. I am really good at getting into shape when I am motivated so this competition will be a piece of cake."


Nicole Dreyer
"I am the mother of three boys and a group fitness instructor. I am also fairly fabulous at cooking. I'ma win this competition 'cause that's how I do."

• Combined weight: 354 pounds.

Team Bruce


Leonard Bruce-
"I am a senior at ASU getting ready to graduate with my Bachelor's in sociology. I have a beautiful family consisting of my wife, Courtney, and my 3 month old daughter, Aria."


Courtney Bruce-
I am an artist about to graduate from ASU with a BFA in ceramics. I just gave birth to my beautiful daughter, Aria Marie, on August 27th and she is our pride and joy. I am the initiator of this competition and also the author of this blog. I am going to win because, well... I need to :)

• Combined weight: 384 pounds.

It seems pretty obvious who needs to lose the most weight here >.< but that is why I am doing this! :)
Anyway, now you have met the teams so you can start rooting and placing your bets :P kidding, but seriously.. GO TEAM

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