Winning feels great, still on cloud nine

The week of waiting is finally over. Was spoilt by my hairdresser this afternoon to a lovely new hairdo and sporting my size 40 slacks off we went to the prize giving of the Weight Loss Challenge. When Big Dave walked in to attend the prize giving it really made my day. We just couldn't have gone ahead without him. When the certificates were being handed out eventually my name was called. There were still a lot of certificates left in the pile on the table, so after receiving my cash prize for the title of The Most Centimetres Lost I then settled down to see who the winners of the competition were. Then Dave was called for 3rd place. Like wow, if Dave was 3rd then who of the other competitors have surprized us all and taken the overall title of the Weight Loss Challenge. Still feeling very chuffed with my title of Biggest Centimetre Loser the 2nd place was announced. I had a feeling that Imran would sneak in somehow. And then it happened, you could have knocked me over, could this really be, that I had actually won the Biggest Loser title? All my hard work had paid off, wow, thank you to everybody who helped make this happen, Carol for your fantastic coaching, Big Dave for challenging me, Vishana for your e-mail support, for the encouraging compliments from the other competitors and of course Herbalife for the wealth of knowledge that I have left the competition with. A very big thank you for the prizes. Total weight lost 14.1 kg and 96 cm in 12 weeks = 13.8% of body weight lost.

How I did it?

The Weightloss Challenge is a 12 week program run by Herbalife with Carol Gore being our Personal Weight Loss Coach. Already a member of Vitality Healthy Foods, Run Walk for Life, together with a wealth of knowledge from Weighless and Weight Watchers, I started this new journey in my life.

Two weeks into the challenge I joined the Virgin Active Get Fit Challenge 2010.

The big reveal ... Before and After

Well today was the last day for the Weightloss challenge. How the weeks have flown by, it almost seems as though we started just a week or two ago. It was a very exciting day for us all, we had measurements taken and posed for our after photos. Everybody looked absolutely stunning. I was very excited to have had another huge weightloss and even more excited about my centimetre loss. I cannot believe how well I have done during the challenge. So the resistance training has really paid off. I am totally amaized. Only thing is, because the competition is based on percentages we will not know who the overall winner is until the prize giving next Friday when the announcement will be made, so with baited breath we WAIT!

Won the "Biggest Loser" title again this week

Well, well, what can I say! Was the Biggest Loser this week again. Although this weight loss was over a 2 week period I am very pleased with my efforts paying off. Worked harder at the weights and drank much more water than I have been drinking in the past. Finding it easier to say "no" to cheats. One more week to go for the grand finale. These eleven weeks have definately been a challenge for me. But looking back, I could have put more effort into it. But am happy with the results so far, I have almost reached the goal that I have for myself.

This weeks Biggest Loser

WooHoo, was the Biggest Loser this week. Had a great loss of 1.7 kgs. It was my turn to dip into the lucky dip packet at the Weightloss Challenge today. Dedicated my week to working harder on exercise sessions and longer walks, added swimming and aqua to my exercise routine.

As we go, see the difference

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Need to focus more – Weightloss has slowed down a little

Went to gym early this morning to make sure I have a good weight loss this week. Worked out for 1.5 hours and spent 15 minutes in the sauna. Got to the Weightloss Challenge offices only to find out that I have lost .3 kg this week. Bummer, and I tried so hard this week. Well tomorrow is my second road race so I'm sure I'll have a much better loss next week. Being on holiday, watching what you eat is not easy. Days have become very erratic, missing meals and then trying to catch up the missed meal. Doesn't work. I've thrown away 2 weeks now so I'd better get my mind right and try harder.

Oh no, weight gain this week....

Holy cow, I gained 1.1 kgs this week, and I had to pay a fine of R15 nogal. Almost threw the scale out of the window. This sucks and I did a back to back training session last night of 13 kms. Thank goodness I'm on holiday now and will be able to put some more effort into the Challenge. But I still feel like a million dollars about my loss so far. Got so many extra outfits to wear because they fit again. Let's see what next week brings. So how has the challenge changed my life so far? I can now reach my toes and give myself a pedicure. Haven't been able to do that in years. Also managing to tie my shoelaces without having to hold my breath all the time. If I drop something on the floor I don't have to stand spread eagle like a Giraff to try and retrieve it. Getting in and out of the car is easier and my bath towel now wraps around me comfortably without creating a V. And the bonus, I have improved my time of 6 kms by 6 minutes.

Start of seven weeks

Wow, had a great loss this week. Lost 2.7 kgs. Very happy with this weeks weightloss. What did I do differently? Stopped snacking on popcorn and biltong. Increased exercise in the last two days taking part in the Get Fit Challenge beach sessions on 2 consecutive days. Reduced a dress size from last week to this week. Tried on the same dress this week but in a smaller size and it fitted nicely so I rewarded myself and purchased it. Big Dave had a fantastic Loss this week. So far he is leading the competition in the for the biggest loser so far, so for the rest of the challenge the pressure is on me to maintain the lead in centimetre loss. Got a tough couple of weeks ahead of me. But looking forward to it. Have received a couple of compliments today that I am glowing and happy.

Start of six weeks – Measurements

Bummer, only point 1 of a kg down this week. What happened? What did I do differently? One thing, I did not drink much water, so this coming week I am going to up my water intake. Now for the good news, measurements were taken this week. I have lost a total of 48 cms in six weeks. I am currently running first in the Weightloss Challenge for the highest amount of centimetres lost so far. Whoopie! I can do this!

End of five weeks – Before and after photos

End of week four

Yippie, lost 1.3 kgs this week. Now tipping the scales at 97.4 kgs. Third place "Biggest Loser" this week. Hot stuff! I knew I can do this! Ate less carbs this week. Total loss of 4.8 kgs in 4 weeks. Since the assessment which took place 1 week before the start of the challenge I have lost 6.7 kgs in 5 weeks. Yahoo....

97.4 kgs after 4 weeks

End of week three

Gained point .4 of a kg this week. Not many of us had good results. Added carbs to my diet. So this coming week, no more carbs. Our lifestyle coach Carol Gore is trying something different this week. We now have a buddy to communicate with and encourage each other through this next week. Meetings are very informative. And how these couple of weeks have flown by. I can do this!

End of week two

Weighed in today at 98.3 kgs. Down another 1.1 kgs, a total of 3.9 kgs lost in 2 weeks, but since I had my assessment I've lost 5.8 kgs to date. Feeling rather good about the program and looking forward to the results at the end of 12 weeks. The challenge is keeping me on track.

Weighed in at 98.3 kgs = Total loss to date 3.9 kgs

End of week one

Start of the second week on the Weight Loss Challenge, Weighed in at 99.4 kgs. Total loss of 2.8 kgs this week. Second biggest weight loss out of the challengers, excluding Big Dave of course! Winner lost 4.3 kgs.

Start of Challenge

Well, today is the day for the start of the challenge. Weighed in today 102.2 kgs. Already down by 1.9 kgs since my assessent last week. Feeling a little apprehensive as not sure of what to expect and what the other competitors will be like. After the measurements, weigh-in and introduction of the program, the before photographs were taken and there was a buzz of excitement as a couple of challengers have already claimed the prize money and that they will win. Wish me luck, I can do this!