12/12
Today was the final weigh in!! Many contestants lost a lot of weight and are on their way to reaching their goals! Watch Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. when we reveal the winner.
--Elizabeth
11/24
It's not a secret. Thanksgiving food is not healthy. Well, some things can be.... but most aren't. And they're the delicious ones, right? Before you load your plate and go for seconds, here are some calorie counts I found on Thanksgiving favorites. (Sorry) Plus, I listed some options if you want to eat your Thanksgiving feast, but trim calories. --Elizabeth
From WebMD:
A typical Thanksgiving meal can add up to 3,000 calories or more. If you snack throughout the day or eat two big meals, you could easily double that for the day.
Pecan pie -- one slice with whipped cream: about 800 calories
Roasted dark and white meat turkey with skin -- 450 calories
Homemade stuffing with gravy -- 600 calories
Cranberry relish -- 200 calories
Candied sweet potatoes -- 400 calories
Green bean casserole -- 190 calories
Pumpkin pie with whipped cream -- 400 calories
Cup of eggnog -- 400 calories
From diet.com:
The Mega Meal Plate:
1 turkey wing with skin
1/2 cup stuffing
1/2 cup mashed potatoes (made with butter and milk)
1/4 cup gravy
1/2 cup cranberry sauce
1/2 cup peas
1/2 cup green bean casserole
1/2 cup candied sweet potatoes
1 dinner roll with 1 teaspoon butter
1 slice pumpkin pie with whipped cream
2 glasses wine
Grand Total: 1,876 calories, 60 g fat, 2453 mg sodium
The Calorie Conscious Plate:
1 turkey wing, no skin
1/2 cup stuffing
1/4 cup mashed potatoes
2 tablespoons gravy
1/4 cup cranberry sauce
1/4 cup green peas
1/4 cup green bean casserole
1/4 cup candied sweet potatoes
1 dinner roll
1 slice pumpkin pie, with light whipped cream
1 glass wine
Grand Total: 1,202 calories, 32 g fat, 1488 mg sodium
The Portion Savvy Plate:
3 ounces white turkey meat
1/2 cup wild rice stuffing
2 tablespoons gravy
1/4 cup candied sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
1/2 cup steamed broccoli
1 whole wheat dinner roll
1/4 cup lower fat green bean casserole
1 small slice lower fat pumpkin pie, no whipped cream
Iced tea
Grand Total: 743 calories, 10g fat, 845mg sodium
Here's a comparison from Glamour magazine's website:
You can have this:
1 cup mashed potatoes with 2 tsp. butter and 2 tbsp. gravy
330 calories, 18 grams fat
Or this:
3 oz. turkey breast with 2 tbsp. gravy, 11/2 cups green beans with 1 tbsp. slivered almonds and 1 cup roasted baby potatoes
330 calories, 8 grams fat
11/23
Thanksgiving is a day of eating... and eating... and eating. Not what our contestants need!! But, they have plans to get them through the day. Here are what a few of them think about the holiday of food. --Elizabeth
Thanksgiving… the beginning of the overeating season! The biggest change I am going to make this year is portion control. Although I would LOVE to eat two huge helpings of green bean casserole I am going to resist the urge. Over the past year, I have come to realize something very important that has helped me lose 40 pounds since last Christmas. I don't need three cups of any one food to satisfy me and I don't have to eat different food than everybody else. These are two valuable lessons. In the past "diets" have not worked because I thought of them as just that…a diet. This has been a change of life. That mind set has helped me be successful this time. Because it is a change of life it is totally unrealistic for me to say, "I am never going to eat pecan pie again". How long would this life style last? Not long and the first time I see a pecan pie I would eat half of it. So if I allow myself to eat 1/16th of a pie I do not feel the need to over-indulge. I have realized that I don't need to eat a huge amount of the foods I like to get satisfaction. A small portion of three bites of foods that are less than healthy satisfy me just as much as 30 bites of it. I have also realized that because I allow myself the freedom to eat anything I want in moderation I do not have cravings that cause me to overeat. This may not work for everyone but it does for me. Limiting yourself to certain foods is not a realistic way to live especially if you have a food addiction. So this Thanksgiving I am going to eat anything I want…..in moderation. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!! -Theresa Denton, Moweaqua
Think about the average sized dinner plate. Most are 10" or 12." In the past, there has never been enough space on my plate for all the wonderful food at Thanksgiving. However, this year I most definitely intend to see parts of my plate. The first two bites are always the best and that's the best it will ever be. Rather than loading up my plate and stuffing myself to the point of misery, this year I'll take a different approach. Leaving space between my food, leaving parts of my plate exposed, and eating in extreme moderation will help me enjoy the holiday without the misery and guilt. I've worked way too hard to ruin it now. Have a great Thanksgiving. -Kevin West, Decatur
Fellow contestants, remember your portion sizes this Thanksgiving! It is 100 times as hard to lose the weight as it is to gain it! ~ Happy Thanksgiving everyone! - Amy Erickson, Springfield
Health is often a motivation for people who want to lose weight. Tuesday at 5:00 p.m., you'll meet two contestants with their medical issues in mind as they slim down. See what they face and how they're taking charge.
Here are some potentially serious health problems that people who are obese could face, according to the Mayo Clinic:
Blood (fat) lipid abnormalities
Cancer, including cancer of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, breast, colon, rectum and prostate
Depression
Gallbladder disease
Gynecological problems, such as infertility and irregular periods
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Metabolic syndrome
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Osteoarthritis
Skin problems, such as intertrigo and impaired wound healing
Sleep apnea
Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
11/3
Tonight's story at 5:00 p.m. shows you how the Springfield-based contestants are learning to make healthy snack choices. If you're looking for some healthy options, check out these links I found for some ideas:
10/27
Here's a little reality check before you dig into the plastic pumpkin stuffed with candy.
I found these calorie counts for Halloween treats at WebMD:
-Dots: 150 calories and 22 grams sugar in two mini-boxes
-Fruit Gushers: 90 calories and 12 grams sugar per pouch
-Heath Miniatures: 115 calories, 7 grams fat and 13 grams sugar for 3 bite-size pieces
-Hershey's Cookies 'n Creme: 73 calories, 4 grams fat and 6.3 grams sugar per fun size bar
-Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins: 170 calories, 10 grams fat and 16 grams sugar per package
-Ding Dongs and Hostess Scary Monster Cupcakes: 180 calories and 7-9 grams of fat each
-Little Debbie Devil Squares and Cosmic Brownies 260-280 calories and 11 grams of fat per package
If you need a sweet treat, WebMD lists these in the "not-so-bad" category:
-Musketeers Mint fun-size bars: 63 calories, 2.3 grams fat and 9 grams sugar per bar
-Dove Dark Chocolate: 84 calories, 5 grams fat and 7.6 grams sugar for two foil-wrapped pieces
-Peanut M&Ms: 90 calories, 5 grams fat and 9 grams sugar per mini-pack
-Little Debbie 100 Calories Chocolate Cakes: 3 grams fat and 12 grams sugar
-Hostess 100 Calorie Pack Twinkie Bites: 2.5 grams fat and 11 grams sugar
10/25
The contestants stepped on the scales for their second weigh-in today! Some have lost a lot-- A LOT-- of weight. Others are seeing more of a difference in losing inches. It seems like everyone says they have a lot more energy. A few people have been able to wear clothes they haven't fit into for a long time. We'll show you how some contestants did Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. You can see full results on all of them Tuesday on this website. The next weigh-in is the FINAL one!
--Elizabeth
10/20
This came in our blog feedback section tonight from Stacy Newman:
I am Will Wade's niece, I know HE CAN DO IT. We are rooting for u.We love u.
10/20
Tonight at 5:00 p.m., meet the man and woman who weighed in the most at the first weigh in. Mandy Wood of Springfield weighed 357 pounds; William Wade of Paxton weighed 452. Both are looking for a big change at the second weigh in Saturday, October 24. See what they're doing to make that happen and why losing weight is so important to them.
--Elizabeth
10/18
Halloween can be a tempting time with treats everywhere you turn. But our contestants are fighting the urge to splurge and sticking to their new lifestyles. For some, sweets aren't an issue so they can make it through this sugary day without a problem.
Here are some responses I received when I asked the contestants how they'll face Halloween:
Oh the evils of Halloween candy! It is a dreaded holiday for us who are watching our caloric intake and fat! This holiday ranks up there with Easter. Candy is everywhere. Every store has little displays of candy to entice you to purchase. I am not much on candy. Candy and sweets have never been my downfall. I haven't purchased a single bag of candy yet. My goal is to wait until a couple days before Halloween to purchase. That will cut down on the chance we will eat it before we get any trick-or-treater's. This will be the first year my children will not go trick or treating which will cut down on a huge amount of candy they normally get. In years past I have always requested my family members get "different" treats for my kids (notebooks, fruit, lite popcorn, toothbrushes, lotions, lip gloss, and trinkets). This seemed to work well especially as they got older. So my plan this year is to definitely not over buy on the candy. I will not purchase candy that I know I am particularly fond of in order to reduce the urge to splurge. I will also make sure my kids stick to a "serving" size if they chose to eat a particular candy. I have decided I will pre-package the candy in serving sizes and they will get one serving per day. --Theresa Denton, Moweaqua
As for the halloween candy, I am not going to buy any. I have two small children and we go trick-or-treating so we are never home to give candy out. If I do buy some candy it will be the kind I don't like. The hard part will be the candy that the kids get trick or treating. When I was little my mom let us eat whatever we wanted on Halloween and then all the other candy was put together and my dad took it to work. There were six of us so that was a lot of candy. I just may do that. We still have some candy from last year in the cabinet that the kids haven't eaten. --Kerry Hall, Urbana
Halloween candy hasn't been a threat for me, I keep an assorted mix out for my guests, but my motto is..... "nothing tastes as good as being thin feels." I love Halloween and always look forward to greeting my trick-or-treaters with candy. Keep your mind on your goal. --Gigi Ramsey, Chatham
I haven't yet decided how I'm going to conquer Halloween. In the past it hasn't been much of a problem, but my son is old enough this year that he understands the concept of trick or treating and we're sure to come home with a load! Not to mention, my birthday is the 30th - I've got to figure out how to work some cake into my diet! --Martha Rice, Rantoul
I feel very fortunate that I do not like candy or chocolate. So, resistance during the Halloween season should not be a problem for me. However, if a popcorn ball comes home that could be a challenge. It's important to remember that you won't win every single battle that comes your way. Never give up though. You don't have to win every single battle to win the war. --Kevin West, Decatur
10/17
Here are a few updates on how our contestants are doing so far:
I have found it easy to lose the weight, but to keep it off is difficult. It is the weekends that are the temptation. I have been to the gym twice a day Monday to Friday. Good luck to everyone. -Herb Worker
I am pleased to announce I'm doing very well. The instructors at the Decatur Athletic Club are working our group very hard and we are seeing results from everyone. I have a great support group at the club, home and office. My wife has been especially helpful and is giving me extra workouts in the racquetball court. She is the 21st ranked women racquetball player in the state so I feel good when I take an occasional game from her and she doesn't feel so bad when I win on the tennis courts. My hunger has been manageable and I've had no issues there. The weight is taking care of itself and I am feeling better everyday!!! -David Hunter
10/13
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This Tuesday, the contestant we're featuring is a breast cancer survivor. Shawna Stear first noticed signs of the disease after reading about the symptoms in a magazine during a Breast Cancer Awareness Month years ago. Go to the websites listed below to learn information that could save your life or the life of someone you love.
10/12
Eating healthy can be hard, especially when you have a family to feed too!! Here is how contestant Theresa Denton is dealing with that:
This week I set a goal of trying new recipes for supper. I have a new cookbook so I am trying different things out. I will let you know how it goes! I felt like we were stuck in eating the same old stuff every night. So I am going to spice things up a bit. The hard part is finding something that everyone will eat. I have 2 children that seem to be a little picky! I am a firm believer that I am not a "short order" cook and will not make a separate meal for the children. Besides it doesn't help if I am eating healthy but feeding my kids frozen pizza! The message isn't being sent. I don't what them to struggle with weight therefore I am teaching them to make the right choices now so it will be their way of life.
10/12
This week's story focuses on Shawna Stear, a contestant from Jacksonville. She is a five year breast cancer survivor!! Shawna has such an amazing, inspirational story of a tough battle with cancer. She is finally feeling healthy enough to lose the weight she gained while fighting cancer. She put on about 60 pounds and lost 16 before she even joined the contest. She has a fabulous, supportive family helping her along. You'll see how she's using martial arts to help her lose the weight. Being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, her story seems extra special! You'll see it Tuesday at 5:00 pm.
--Elizabeth
10/6
This Tuesday's story features the oldest and youngest contestants. 19-year-old Laquisha Burries is from Decatur and 58-year-old Gigi Ramsey is from Chatham. No, I am not saying 58 is old. Not at all! She pointed it out to me! It's a fact, though. It's harder to lose weight with age. But, I don't think Gigi is going to let that stop her. She has a great attitude! Laquisha has a great attitude too and a great reason to get healthy- two adorable kids!
Tonight, we interviewed Shawna Stear. You'll see her story next week. She's a five year breast cancer survivor! She had quite a struggle and it's amazing what she went through. During that battle, she gained weight and is now finally feeling healthy enough to lose it. Her husband and children are so supportive. Shawna and Jerry, her husband, own a martial arts studio, so she is taking classes and it seems like a great workout! She has a very inspiring story!
--Elizabeth
10/6
Here is an update from contestant Lisa Tomlin:
Everything is going great. The hardest part for me right now is learning how to use the machines the right way. But as far as working out I have been working out everyday and I have been feeling really great and it seems like it is working. I am starting to feel better even though I have a while to go. But for the most part it has been wonderful. And the other contestants have been very helpful.
9/27
Make sure to watch Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. for our latest story on the contestants. This week, we focus on Bob and Sandy Bantz from Mahomet. They're married and cheering each other on. It was great getting to know them, and I think you'll like their responses when I asked if this is turning into a friendly competition between the two of them. It sounds like they are great support for each other.
Also, here is an update from another one of our contestants:
It's Fall Y'all....what a great time to get outside and walk! I usually start my mornings with a brisk walk to rev up the psyche. The food journal is very important, I've learned..."if you bite it, write it". It's amazing how quickly even healthy snacks add up. I feel extremely privileged to be chosen for this challenge and appreciative for the opportunity. Our Springfield team has a great group of people. As I read the profiles of the other two teams it appears we all have a common goal. Best of luck to everyone, keep a positive attitude and know at the end, we are all winners! --Gigi Ramsey, Chatham
9/23
With the first week in the books, here is what two contestants have to say:
First meeting was interesting. Looking forward to seeing a change as the time passes. I'm using muscles that I haven't used in a long time. I realized that exercise and eating healthy are very important parts of your daily activities. I am very excited about the program. --JoAnn Gooch, Decatur
I am also off to a great start. I have enjoyed my first week of training. I have found that a mixture of weight training, water training, walking and yes yoga. Also the food diary that we keep is very important. It sure helps with the accountability. --Juli Ward Wright, Decatur
9/22
Dan Wright, who was a contestant in last year's competition, wrote in to our blog today. He lost 103.4 pounds and came in second, just 1.3% behind the winner. Here's what he wrote for the contestants:
Congratulations everyone, stay focused, make a mantra of why you want to succeed. Intensify exercise in baby steps don't over do it and get sore or injure yourself, dont get hungry, keep your metabolism revved up by eating healthy snacks and small balanced meals throughout the day, every calorie counts, Ill be watching tonight. Good Luck!
Also, here's an update from Martha Rice. She's a current contestant from Rantoul:
I feel great! I can't believe how much a week of daily exercise and healthy diet has made such a difference. Loving all this energy!!!
9/21
More than a week in and everyone seems so motivated!! I just came back from the Decatur-based group's workout at the Decatur Athletic Club. They didn't waste any time jumping into the workouts! They're mixing cardio blasts and strength training. Several hit the gym other times in the week and do things like cardio and water aerobics. Many of the contestants told me how they're changing their diets by eating more fruit and vegetables. Also, they're cutting portion sizes. It seems like they are off to a great start!! That group is the focus of our story that will air Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. We talk about how working out in a group helps with motivation.
-Elizabeth
9/20
We are now a full week into this competition! I am really enjoying getting to know the contestants and I can tell how much effort they are putting into this already.
Here are a few more updates they emailed me:
This week was hard to change my whole routine and outlook of working out. The hard challenge is to change the way I cook and go to the grocery store. I have been eating a lot of veggies and fruit. --Herb Worker, Springfield
I have been working on a plan to get the weight off but preliminarily, I will be changing the foods that I eat and when I eat. I am a night owl so I love to snack at night, which is a big problem. I have cut out soda completely and have upped my water intake drastically. I have five children so anytime we go to the park or even chasing them around the house is a workout to me. I have been investigating aquatic exercise and I seem to enjoy that as I am receiving a great cardio workout coupled with strength training. I have found out that many people fail diets because they are just so overwhelmingly hungry all the time and the easiest thing to do is to feed the body and release the stress. This is my current battle and I try to eat an apple and a bottle of water during those times. (But so far its not working, I'm still hungry)
My current weight of 390 is the heaviest I have ever been in life and I feel the impact that it has had on my life in so many different ways internally and externally. Although, I have grown comfortable in my skin and I feel that I am still a sexy man at almost 400 lbs. I feel that for my family I need to lose this weight so that I am around for them when they need me. I currently have severe sleep apnea which over the past few years has been a tremendous strain on my family and my body. My goal is to have a great night of sleep without having a machine strapped to my face. I would love to run in a 5k and as my journey continues I would love to turn this sentence into reality.
Once I get motivated to do something I go after it with a vengeance and this part of my life and the competition I treat no different. --Kevin Lindsay, Springfield
9/18
The first week is underway! The contestants are already working hard to reach their goals.
Here are a few updates they emailed me today:
Elizabeth it is going great. I am really excited and I know that this is going to be a great experience for me and maybe I will feel better about myself. I learned that if I just work really hard that good things will come of it. And with the right diet and exercise things will go good. I have been doing workouts here at home as well as walking. We have a good group and they fun to be around. -Lisa Tomlin, Springfield
The first week has been really good! I was anticipating far worse, but I've managed to work out every day and haven't eaten anything not on my plan - even once! The temptations, of course, are still around and thriving. Like, for instance, tonight I'm making a yummy homemade pizza for my family, but the flour content will be far too high for me to get to enjoy any. But, I'll make a pizza on a wrap for myself and I have to say I think I'll enjoy it just as much without feeling guilty afterwards! It's amazing to see how this slowly affects other around you. One of my best friends just emailed me a note of encouragement this morning and asked if we could be workout buddies in the evenings. This healthy thing has a way of being contagious! -Martha Rice, Rantoul
The first week has been one of awareness. I was so rattled about having to be weighed on two scales at my initial weigh in that I made it my goal to get my weight low enough by the next weigh in that it would only take one scale. It's nice to think that at that moment, that's the heaviest I'll ever weigh again. In my journal I'm keeping throughout this experience I've noted many times to remember all the hard work I have to do to lose the weight. I'm hoping this will encourage me to never put the weight back on and make this a lifestyle and not a diet.
I've had to pay lots of attention to what I'm eating and what I'm doing every moment of every day. I write down everything I eat all day long. Each night I review what I've eaten and I plan to make the next day better. I'm enjoying most of my exercises. I particularly enjoy the group workouts. I'm having so much fun. Even though the group workouts are hard, I lived to see another day. Today's pain is tomorrow's victory.
I'm thankful for the encouragement from the mentors at the Decatur Athletic Club, and the trainers. It gives me the strength to "Keep on, keep on, keep on moving....gotta keep on, keep on, grooving..." (Quoted from the Brandy Bunch). -Kevin West, Decatur
09/15
Welcome to this year's Central Illinois' Biggest Loser contest. Visit this blog often for updates on the contestants, previews of our weekly stories and health tips. You'll see an area where you can comment. Send in encouragement for the contestants, your tips and your weight loss stories! Let the 13 weeks of competition begin!
--Elizabeth Moors
