Category Archives: Our Fittest Loser

Week 11 “Are You Kidding Me”

Posted on April 24, 2012 | Comments Off

From Brian:  OK,  so week 11 of the Fittest Loser begins. I drop my wife off at the airport and she is going to be gone for 9 days at a conference in Orlando. Me and my son have a free week and half together….BOOM! He gets ill and is puking…..I think typical teenager…out with friends eating everything and now he’s sick….next day he can’t go to school still sick. Hhhmmmmmm. Sunday night into Monday morning I am sick – same thing….geez! Tuesday morning…..Hey, I feel better (or so I think), head into Push Fitness and work out with Super Steve…..Feel good heading to work afterwards…..by 2:30 PM..uh oh……..not feeling so good. by 5:30 have 101 fever and stomach is a mess. This goes on for 2 more days……can’t eat, can’t work out….start feeling a little better today late Thursday and son is back at school. Get a call from son….backpack stolen out of the gym at school with new iPhone4, his new glasses, his graphing calculator and all his course work………Now had I still been 275, I have no doubt I would be on the floor with a full on stroke but since I’m in much better shape, I’m not even winded going all out gorilla about the whole thing. No idea what the scale will say this week but having a great frame of mind definately helps deal with things when life happens…….Serenity now!

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Back on my feet … for real

Posted on March 6, 2012 | 1 Comment

It's been a long road to recovery, but I am back on the trail!

From Cathi:  I actually got on the treadmill last night! SQUEEE!!

It’s the simple things excite me these days.

I’ve been off the treadmill for almost a month since I fell down four stairs, tore the collateral medial ligament in my left knee, landed in a brace, and wound up with an entirely new workout plan.

By the time the diagnosis part was over, I think I recruited most of Central DuPage Hospital to join Team Catherine. Props to everyone who helped get me back on two feet!

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Boot Camp is a Knockout

Posted on February 11, 2012 | 1 Comment

From Cathi: Well, we had our first Boot Camp this morning at 7 a.m., or the Crack ‘o Dawn as I like to call it. Though I’ve been terrified about it for weeks, boy oh boy, was it fun!

Punching things was the order of the day. What’s not to love?

I’d never strapped on a pair of boxing gloves before, which was probably evident by the fact I had a heck of a time un-strapping them after every rotation of activities. I’m sure there’s a secret to using Velcro when you’ve only got one opposable thing and a big stuffed, blob of fingers, but I haven’t figured it out.

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Fittest Loser – Week One

Posted on February 11, 2012 | Comments Off

From Brian: Been given a great opportunity by Push Fitness, the Daily Herald and supporting sponsors to do what should have been done for some time now. Get back in shape, re-tool my diet and change my lifestyle. Everyone has been supportive and welcoming. My fellow competitors are great as well. Looking forward to the next 11 weeks.

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Breaking 150!

Posted on May 27, 2011 | 2 Comments

From Gerry: 150 pounds is a barrier I thought I’d never get below … but two weeks after the Fittest Loser Challenge ended, I did just that. The scale hit 148 and gave me a nice round 40 pound total weight loss. At least the number is round instead of me! My weight-loss journey continues with three-times-a-week workouts with my trainer, Tony, and three more days of cardio. That number in the 140s makes it all worth while! Stay tuned …

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And the winner is …

Posted on May 16, 2011 | 1 Comment

Gerry gives all the credit for her weight loss to her trainer, Tony.

 

 From Gerry:  Me!

I didn’t actually win the 2011 Fittest Loser Challenge, but I’m doing a victory dance all the same.

In 12 weeks, I lost 36 pounds. My body age went from an astounding get-your-papers-in-order-to-sign-up-for-Social-Security 60 years to an amazing 42 years of age.

Or, as my husband put it, “From menopause to trophy wife in just 12 weeks.”

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She’s stuck. Any advice?

Posted on April 18, 2011 | Comments Off

From Eileen:  Gerry’s column this week is about being stuck. Anyone who has ever been on a weight loss program  knows that feeling when the scale won’t budge. Gerry’s trainer, Tony,  told her to drink more water, do an extra hour of cardio and stretch.  Sounds reasonable, I suppose.

But who wants reason when you’re stuck? Anyone else have advice on what to do when you reach a dieting plateau? We’re talking sensible advice here  … Actually, the question should be how do you keep your motivation up when you have hit a bump in the road?

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Mirror, mirror on the wall. Is that me?

Posted on April 7, 2011 | 1 Comment
From Gerry:  When you look in the mirror, who do you see?

For most of my life, the answer to that question was no one … because my eyes were closed. It’s a great coping mechanism for someone like me who can only see flaws. I’d include a list of those flaws here but it’s long and depressing. Besides, I’m guessing many of you have a list of your own and don’t need to hear mine.

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Weighty commitment making her a little cranky

Posted on April 1, 2011 | 1 Comment

From Gerry:  When I was offered the opportunity to participate in the Fittest Loser Challenge and write about the experience, my co-workers were quick to offer suggestions on what to name my column. “The Whiniest Loser” was by far the biggest vote-getter. As they learned more about the rigors of the contest, I think they felt sorry for me and decided to opt for the kinder, gentler “Our Fittest Loser.”

Seven weeks in, I’m thinking they should have gone with their first instinct. I’m definitely whining now. I realize over the last several weeks, I’ve complained, pouted and told long-suffering tales of the travails of exercise, all with a hint of humor. Not today.

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Exercises you love to hate

Posted on March 28, 2011 | Comments Off

From Gerry:  This week the contestants are talking about the exercises they love and hate. I wouldn’t mind sharing the same thing, but I hesitate to put anything in writing because I fear my trainer Tony will use it against me. I said as much to him the other morning, but he swears my likes and dislikes are of no interest to him. He says he has a well-designed plan already laid out for me.

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