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 6: February 18 - February 22

Posted February 25, 2008

Individual Winner: Craig Galunas

Craig Galunas works out with LIVE FOR LIFE trainer Vicky Yeingst.

A Training Lesson

I am over halfway through the program and still making steady progress. I learned a valuable lesson this week. I should listen to my trainer! I pushed myself a little too hard and paid the price. I was feeling so good that I got a little carried away with the number of spin classes I took this week. As a result my energy level was way down from where it had been. It felt like I had hit a brick wall or something. That's because according to trainer Vicky and nutritionist Kay, I was burning up all my energy stores. I thought if I did more intense aerobic exercises like spin class I would accelerate my weight loss, which is probably true short term, but the long term effects would not be good.

The end result was I was dragging, even though I was exercising more. I got caught up in the "Biggest Loser" complex, I guess. No more of that! Vicky has straightened me out on that front. So FYI, it really is better to lose weight gradually like all the experts tell you. I have consistently been losing weight and I just need to be patient. I am feeling stronger and really do feel great. I am looking forward to the coming weeks. Vicky and I sat down after our last training session and she mapped out what she wants me to do and made me promise that I would not go "crazy" again!

Group Winner: School of Nursing

Catherine Taylor has a healthy lunch with Jane Siegfried.

Weight-loss Realization

This week, I've realized that eating the appropriate amount of calories will still let me lose weight. In years past, I decreased my calories to 1400/day in order to lose weight. I was doing that until my nutrition evaluation that said I needed about 1800 calories to lose weight. With some misgivings, I increased my calories to 1600-1800 per day only to see my weight increase for two weeks. However, I stayed with that calorie level and now am seeing a gradual decline. Along with exercising 3-4 times per week and increasing my daily activity by using stairs and walking further to my car, I think I am on track now to reach my target weight in the next few months.

Jane Siegfried also shared a list of available dance classes in Durham and we've been talking about a couple of people taking the classes together.

Submitted by: Catherine S. Taylor RN, MSN, BC, Manager of Clinical Placements, Clinical Associate