Read
about eleven participants who took the holiday challenge from Dec. 4, 2008
through Jan. 8, 2009. The rules were:
Journal eating episodes each day
Journal exercise each day (had to reach 2.5 hours of exercise a
week)
Two prizes consisting of a 60-minute massage from the Aurora Women's
Pavilion and a personal training certificate from the Wisconsin Athletic
Club (West Allis location) were given. Names were placed in a drawing for
those who journaled each day of the challenge. Out of eleven participants,
six participants journaled each day. Two prizes were awarded on January 8,
2009!
I have been journaling 6-7 days a week! My eating is most definitely
different from the journaling. I am aware of what I am eating and how
much ... it's not that I didn't have all the fabulous stuff I was just
aware how much I was sticking in my mouth .... and how many "BLTs
(bites, licks, tastes) I was consuming and trying to be careful not to
over due it! My main goal was to "maintain" because I know very well
that without this I would have eaten and drank my way through the
holidays and not thought another thing about it (plus most likely would
have added another 8 -10 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!) Participant
number 1; nine-month program participant
I pre-planned my eating for Sunday so I could send my log to you
today. I will send my last log to you on Thursday January 8, 2009. This
was a good idea to keep us on track over the holidays. I didn’t lose as
much as I wanted to but I didn’t gain any weight either. I am looking
forward to seeing you on January 9, 2009. Participant number
2; nine-month program participant (lost 3.2 lbs.)
I thought this was a great idea. I don’t know if I would have lost
weight during the holidays without it, and I didn’t feel I missed out on
anything because I wasn’t eating what a usually ate. I definitely made
better choices both at home and when going out.
I actually kept a
journal the entire time!!! Even though it's not my favorite thing. But I
am very motivated to do well! Have a great week! Participant
number 4; nine-month program participant (lost 6.2 lbs.)
Things have been going great as far as exercise. I have been able to
do something almost everyday. I got snowshoes for Christmas and a yoga
DVD and have been enjoying them all during the winter break. As far as
food journals, not good. The first week, I was like a single parent. My
husband snowplows and was gone almost 14-16 hours each day and I had to
hold down the family fort. I just couldn't do it. Once I wasn't able to
do it the first week, I just gave up trying because I knew I was already
out of the drawing. Bummer! Maybe an idea for next time - put your name
in the drawing multiple times - once per week. Then people who aren't
able to do it one week, feel they still have a chance. Just a
suggestion. Participant number 6; ten-month program participant
(lost .6 lbs.)
I liked the holiday challenge as it showed me that if I am ever
having a hard time with my weight and staying with the program, all I
have to is start journaling. This was a real leaning experience and now
I know that it will work even though I do not like to do it. Participant number 7; ten-month program participant (lost 2.8
lbs.)
You asked that I respond to my feelings about the holiday challenge.
I think that the challenge gave us an extra incentive to lose weight
besides trying to reach our goal. I was surprised to find that I lost
weight because it was very difficult given the food distractions that we
all faced. I found that I had to up my exercise to offset the additional
calories. Participant number 9; ten-month program participant
(lost 1.2 lbs.)
I think it motivated me to keep on track for the holidays. I would
encourage you to continue this since it helps one to keep in touch with
what they are eating and how much exercising they are doing. It was also
helpful when the reminders from Jeanne and Kerry sent out. It may also
be helpful if they would call us during the challenge to see how we are
doing. Another idea is to have someone that you can send your food to or
commit your food to on a daily basis since that would help you to focus
on working the program. Great Idea! Participant number 10;
ten-month program participant (lost 8 lbs.)
Thanks for the challenge and the prize, which I'll gladly use in the
near future! The challenge helped me get through what is traditionally a
very difficult time. The contest was certainly part of the incentive to
maintain my food and exercise logs over the holidays. It's clear to me
that I need to journal in order to hold myself accountable. Over the
holiday period I modified behavior and usual patterns. I didn't allow
myself to "let go/what the heck" which I would have done in the past on
certain days, especially for Christmas dinner and New Year's. I
moderated the amounts and chose healthier foods (with the exception of
two or three cookies--total, really!). Participant number
11; ten-month program participant (lost .2 lbs.)
This is a great program and I hope it continues. I received a great
deal of information on healthy living and how to lead a healthy
lifestyle. I especially liked Katie’s sessions (not just because she
brought us food!) because she gave us better options for food and taught
us what to look for on nutrition labels besides how many calories are in
the food. I now pay more attention to serving sizes, fiber, and protein
when looking at labels. Participant number 3: year-long
program graduate (lost 1.4 lbs.)
The Holiday Challenge was a good idea and facilitated positive
“Living Well” results because… (a few ideas):
It “re-grounded” participants to make wise food choices,
and to enact food portion control over the very challenging holiday
period.
It offered friendly accountability for us, as we knew that we
were going to have to report back at our next session.
It reinforced the effectiveness of food journaling (even
though some of us don’t like it so much).
It also assisted to keep me on track with my fitness
routine.
Participant number 5; year-long program graduate (lost .8 lbs.)
I can't believe a whole year has gone by since we started. I know I
gained a couple of pounds over Christmas, but I also know it could have
been a lot worse. I plan to continue to use the living well program and
keep exercising. This program has brought me a new way of thinking and I
actually enjoy the exercise. It also helped me to get the help I needed
for my diabetes and I can't thank you enough for that. Thanks for all
your help. Participant number 8; year-long program graduate
Read
about eleven participants who took the holiday challenge from Dec. 4, 2008
through Jan. 8, 2009. The rules were: