Lewis/Suggs Family Biggest Loser/Gainer Contest
	Summer 2009											Updated 6/22/09
Name	June					July				August				Aug. 31Final/Goal
	1	8	15	22	29	6	13	20	27	3	10	17	24
Gary Lewis	231.5	230.9	228.3	226										200
Loss/Gain	N/A	-0.6	-2.6	-2.3
Total Loss/Gain	N/A		-3.2	-4.9										31.5
% Loss/Gain														13.61%
Shellee Lewis	188.6	186.4	186.4	183										160
Loss/Gain	N/A	-2.2	0	-3.4
Total Loss/Gain	N/A		-2.2	-5.6										28.6
% Loss/Gain	(Shellee had lost 25 lbs. before)													15.16%
Name														125
Stacey Lewis	N/A	140	138	135
Total Loss/Gain	N/A		-2	-3										15
% Loss/Gain			-2	-5										#DIV/0!
Name	Current weight													Enter Goal Weight
Kelly Webster	135.1	135.6	133.9	133.5										115.1
Total Loss/Gain	N/A	0.5	-1.6	-0.5										20
% Loss/Gain			-1.1	-1.6										#VALUE!
Name	Current weight													Enter Goal Weight
Kimberly Lewis	N/A
Total Loss/Gain	N/A													Goal for Pounds to lose
% Loss/Gain														#VALUE!
Name	Current weight													Enter Goal Weight
Mark Webster	278		278.9											258
Total Loss/Gain	N/A		0.9											20
% Loss/Gain														#VALUE!
Contest Rules/Guidelines
1. The contest will runJune/July/August of 2009
2. Three catagories with the following prizes:
a. Most Weight Lost (gain for the gainers) - $250.00
b. Most % Weight Lost (same for gainers) - $250.00
c. Most % attainment of physical goals (in case none of the two above fit) - $250.00
(No cost to participants except Papa/Mama Lewis/Suggs - they are the judges and financiers)
3. Voluntary signup and reporting weekly (understanding that a support group and group pressure help). I will try to send out a report each week to remind everyone.

By the way, can't we put the spreadsheet on the blog somehow? I can't download attachments from my email at work so I never am able to look at how everyone's doing, but I can look at blogs.

I think I've eaten more celery and cucumbers in the last week than i have in my whole life. I didn't realize how often I munch on things until I forced myself to look for alternatives to the chips and cookies that they keep in the kitchen here. I guess it helps that they're cutting back costs and now all we have here is granola bars, yogurt and string cheese. I haven't been able to find much time to exercise but I think I've been taking the right steps toward eating better, which is both easier and harder than I thought it would be. When you get busy, it's easy to just grab whatever. I find that I have to plan a little more if I want to eat things that are good for me. I cut up my vegetables right when I buy them and put them in snack bags, that helps. I've got to try the cinnamon thing, I love cinnamon!

Cinnamon

A great food to add to your diet., Plus it's easy to add.


Cinnamon. The spice mimics your body's insulin, which stimulates fat cells and allows excess sugar to move out of the blood. Try to get a teaspoon a day—top oatmeal or applesauce with it.

Little tidbits

I was just reading an article the other day that had some interesting facts. One tip is to drink extra cold water during your workout. When they did a study people who drank cold water as opposed to just cold tap water burned 25% more calories. The main reason why was that extra cold water helped people feel more refreshed and energetic thus working harder during their workout. I thought that was a fun little tidbit and I thought that I would share. Another tip I have to buy a bunch of those disposable ziploc containers (the small round snack ones) and use them to keep easy access to low calorie snacks. I use mine and make a batch of jello to put in them for both the kids and I. I also put applesauce in them and occasionally pudding. They are much more economical than the single servings you buy from the store and I am much more likely to not eat something I shouldn't. I do the same thing with the little ziploc snack bags and count out 100 calorie snacks. This works especially well if you have something that is hard to give up. Just count out 100 calories of whatever that you can have occasionally. I do much better if I don't try to eliminate completely because I just feel restricted when I do.

Momma Lewis --I'm committed for life!!

I hope that this "biggest loser" will help me to continue my weight loss. I gained more than 9 pounds on the cruise but boy did I enjoy every bite! The first five pounds came off easily--mostly water weight, I think. I started last week at 188.6 pounds---ughh, I hate to have to put that in writing. By last Saturday, June 6, I was down to 186.4 so I lost 2.2 more pounds. I know I have to get exercise back into the mix to be successful. Maybe by next week I can be down to my pre-cruise weight. I must admit that I feel good about a lot of the changes I have made in my diet. I think they are things I can continue doing throughout my life and in the end, that is what this is all about, a change in lifestyle.

Here's my tip for the week--First, I've been really careful to watch the number of calories in the type of bread that we buy. I've found one whole wheat variety that is pretty good and only 50 calories per slice (sorry, I don't remember the brand name). My sweet stick-with-you snack is a piece of toast with a tablespoon of peanut butter on it. I sprinkle a packet of splenda on the top and spread it in. It's almost like peanut butter with honey toast and only about 150 calories. It's really great for a quick breakfast (just add a piece of fruit) or an afternoon tummy growling stopper. Have a great week! Love, Mom

Kelly's Weight Loss Goals

I emailed Dad my stuff already but I will post it here as well. As of Thursday June 4 th I am 135.1 which is frustrating because I was at 131 before we left on the cruise. I gained 7 lbs. on the cruise! I thought it would come off right away like last time but it didn't. I went down and then as soon as I got back to my exercise classes I started to gain weight because of the muscle I was putting on. Unfortunately, I am not down to my pre-cruise weight yet. My goal for this summer is 20.1 lbs to lose. I hope I can do it. I have been kinda of at a plateau for the last month and a half or so. I think having to report my weight each week will help though. Good Luck everybody! I am new to blogging so hopefully I can do this right!

Slow Starter-Kim

I thought this could be a great way for all of us to keep up with each other and keep each other motivated with our tips and secrets! I'd like to report my startoff weight at 145 pounds on June 1st, 2009. My goal is to lose 20 pounds and so far this week has been a drag. I haven't done very well at all. I need help!! How is everybody else doing thus far? Post please!!!