photo credit: aaron_j_o
Real Estate Biggest Loser
As you may remember, what started as a friendly $50 bet to see who could lose more weight in two weeks between between Jay Thompson and Dean Ouelette, grew into Real Estate’s Biggest Loser. Anybody could participate, all it cost was $50 towards the winners charity of choice and a commitment to lose some weight.
The whole thing started when Steve Belt, upon hearing Jay Thompson was a (former) avid cyclist, had been proding Jay for a long time to ride with him. After witnessing another prodding on twitter, Dean Ouelette issued a private challenge to Jay to lose weight. Jay thought it would be fun to get few other to join in and from that, the Real Estate Biggest Loser was born.
What's Your Motivation
I run marathons for Team Semper Fi and raise money for Injured Marines and their families. The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund provides financial assistance and quality of life solutions to:
- OEF/OIF Marines and Sailors injured in combat, training, or with life threatening illnesses
- Their families- to help defray the expenses incurred during hospitalization, rehabilitation, and recovery
- Other OEF/OIF service members injured while in direct support of Marine units and their families
- Help with expenses associated with the purchase of specialized equipment, adaptive vans or vehicles, and handicap home purchases and/or modifications
I coupled the Real Estate Biggest Loser contest with my training for the February 14th Myrtle Beach Marathon. So I not only took this as an opportunity to lose weight for my charity, I took this an an opportunity to push myself to run and swim harder and longer than I've ever done before.
How's it Going?
Everybody seems to be doing pretty darn good. Folks have lost anywhere around 5, 10 or 15 pounds so far. We're watching what we eat and we exercise more. Over the last 7 weeks, I've seen tweets about going to the gym on Christmas Day, elliptical training, lifting weights, walking, treadmills, mountain biking, cycling, running, swimming, hiking, diets, weekend activities, lower pant sizes, satisfaction because 5 pounds were lost over the Holidays instead of gaining 10 lbs, trying to figure out how to schedule in extra workouts because of a busy schedule, etc...
Me? I've lost 7.5 lbs since December 1. Although, I've gained a pound and a half in the last couple of weeks. But, I'm faster on the road and stronger in the pool and I owe it all to the Real Estate Biggest Loser mojo. Everyone particpiating motivated me, we motivated each other.
The Final Stretch
The Real Estate Biggest Loser contest ends next Sunday February 1 and it's going to be an exciting finish. Somebody's charity is going to win, but let me add to that. No matter what, everybody that participated has won. We'll all finish strong.
You know what I think? While the contest may end next week, the training won't. I bet many continue to do their thing... lifestyles have changed.
Nice write up Craig! I sure hope I won't stop on this. Even though I feel that I could do much better if I concentrated harder on the workouts, still - RE Biggest Loser, definitely, made a big dent in my current lifestyle and I will try to keep it this way. My biggest weight loss during this competitions was 13lb, but I started lifting weights as well and I think I gained about 3 lb back. I feel much better thought about myself, and the knowlege that I certainly can do it, motivates me even more :) Go #REBiggestLoser! And good luck to all participants after the finish ;)
Nice summary Craig. I'm down about 13 pounds. Actual weight loss has slowed in the last couple of weeks, but I'm in Max;s camp -- I started cardio and weight training and appear to be losing fat and gaining muscle mass. And that's A.O.K. with me!
REBiggest Loser has most definitely made me change my lifestyle. I eat less, eat better and work out 5 or 6 times a week. I feel better than I have in a long time and love having to pull the belt in a notch or two.
The competition may end Feb 1, but these changes are just beginning. I won't "win" the contest, but it'll be the best $50 I've ever spent....
Hi Max - I'm going to miss pics of those nice meals you posted on flickr.
Hi Jay - I won't win either. But, you're absolutely right about it being the best $50 we've ever spent.
Hi Craig,
Congrats on your weight loss! This challenge has inspired many to change their lifestyle. Thanks for the update, I was wondering how everyone was doing. Best of luck to all! :)
Hey Suzanne - Thanks. Just a few more days!
Craig ... thanks for this post and best wishes for your training and Myrtle Beach Marathon. That's great.
Did you actually raise some money for Semper Fi Fund? Best wishes. Harrison
Harrison - Yes I did! Not specifically from this group, but I did from posting tweets about #rebiggestloser.
Was wondering how everyone finished up on this quest - I am sure you were all winners!!!
Hi Kathleen - Thank you for following up! Derek Reynolds from Blacksburg, VA won Real Estate Biggest Loser! He ROCKED!
Great job! So what's next? Curious to know, thanks for sharing.
Hi Craig...Congratulations on your successes in the contest and best wishes for your continued health and activity! :-)
Craig- A thought has been bouncing around my head for the last couple years about holding a 5k race at a local horse race track to benifit our troops with injuries. Ive never done this but have run several races any advice about how to organize one? Thanks, Larry
Craig,
Thanks for the inspiration. I am down a few pounds by simply running more. I also need to watch what I eat. I hope the challenges have helped create new healthy living patterns.
Cal