Lifestyle Makeover Contest Winners
During November, LIVE FOR LIFE received over 50 entries for the Eat Wise & Exercise lifestyle makeover contest. During the 10-week program, the winners will provide regular updates as they start eating wise and exercising! For more information about the contest winners (including their winning essays), click here.
Week 5: February 11 - February 15
Posted February 18, 2008
Individual Winner: Craig Galunas
So, I was out of the country last week, which was a challenge trying to keep on "the program." I did pretty well, I think. I really tried to watch what I ate (lots of grilled fish!) probably too much beer, though! Oh well, back in the gym this week and working hard. I feel like I am getting much stronger. I have a lot more energy, too!
I was on a mission trip to Belize. It involved a lot of physical labor that I don't think I would have been able to do before I started this workout program. So I know I am making progress. I've lost 7 pounds so far! Not quite as much as I'd like but my trainer (Vicky) says the weight loss will come. Must have been those extra beers in Belize!
I went to the grocery store with Kay, the nutritionist, this week. That was great! I thought I was a pretty savvy shopper, but I did learn a few valuable lessons. For example, I learned about the "Rule of 5s" for purchasing cereal. It has to have at least 5 grams of fiber per serving and 5 or less of sugar per serving, ideally. I found out that potatoes can be pretty high in calories and that they are adding plant sterols (supplements) to some foods like low fat milk and orange juice. Plant sterols have been proven to reduce cholesterol, by the way.
The whole experience has been great so far. I am into a routine now. The early morning workouts really start my day off with a bang. I actually miss them if I can't make it, like last week in Belize. I guess I am developing the "exercise habit." Go figure! Everyone keep up the good work and have a great week.
Group Winner: School of Nursing
Nutrition Advice Appreciated
I appreciate and enjoyed the LIVE FOR LIFE nutrition consult with Kay Pratt because it was about and for me. Kay listened instead of rushing to give the established spiel about portion size and/or the caloric equivalent of each gram of protein, carbohydrate, or fat. She listened as I shared information about past successes and as I shared my desire to focus on long-range health achievement/maintenance as opposed to another stint of short-term weight drop.
Kay listened and coached as I shared my plans to resume journaling — a strategy that has proven to be successful for me. "What can I help you with today?" — that's how my nutrition consult with LIVE FOR LIFE's nutrionist, Kay Pratt, began and ended.
Submitted by: Izy L. Obi, B.A., (s) M.A., Administrative Coordinator — Graduate Placement
Group Stays Strong and Supportive
In a conversation earlier this week among several of the group members we were noting how much the group is supporting each other. For example, one member found a free web site to record food and exercise information — easier for many than writing it down. Other group members have shared their good experiences with Dream Dinners. In a lunch meeting the other day, three in the group split dessert, rather than each having a dessert to themselves. This gave everyone a taste, without feeling guilty for wasting food.
The information and support is also spreading to the larger School of Nursing community. Faculty and staff members frequently ask group members how the program is going and cheer us on. Yesterday for Valentine's Day the administrative staff presented their supervisor (me) with a lovely vase of flowers and a card. The hand written note in the card said, "This Valentine has officially met LIVE FOR LIFE standards: Zero Calories! Zero Fat Grams! Zero Sugar! Zero Cholesterol!"
Submitted by: Debra Mattice, MS, MPA, Director, Academic Support Operations