Biggest Loser TEAMS kicks off!

Welcome to all our newest Biggest Loser participants! We had 92 people sign-up for this current 10-week challenge that runs through June 25th. Hope you all head to bed tonight with a great anticipation for what's in-store for your health!

46 TEAMS so far.... I say so far because the same thing always happens. All our participants are energized and ready to start making big changes in the way they eat and the way they exercise! Friends, family and coworkers quickly get wind of what you are doing and lament that they wish they had known about Biggest Loser...they would have joined.... Tell them all it's not too late! We will take late registrations from now through next Monday's weigh-in. They can still sign-up, still participate in the TEAM CHALLENGE, but they can not make up for the days they lose by dragging their feet. The challenge is over June 25th for all of us, even the late sign-ups. So get them in here ASAP to sign-up.

The following times have been set aside to sign-up late registrants:
Wednesday, April 16th at 6:15am and between 5:00pm-5:30pm (reservation required)
Friday, April 20th at 6:15pm and between 5:00-5:30pm (reservation required)
Monday, April 23rd from 4:00pm-6:15pm (no reservation needed)
To take advantage of one of these times, they need to contact Patti in advance at 209-634-4935 (work number at Monte Vista Chapel) between 8:30-5:00. If no one calls, no one will be there to weigh them.

I don't know about all of you, but I'm excited to start making a big difference in how I approach my health! Hope you are too! More information coming Wednesday evening!

Biggest Loser Turlock offers weekly weigh-ins, big pay off

Take a look at the article on us in the Turlock Journal today!
Biggest Loser Turlock offers weekly weigh-ins, big pay off

Congratulations Kristin Cooley!

Kristin Cooley, at 19.6%, you are Turlock's Biggest Loser for our 12-week New Years Challenge and you have won $1, 250.00! Way To GO!


Here's the final top 10 and their winnings:
1. Kristin Cooley           19.6%      $1250.00
2. Scott Jerner               19.1%      $525.00
3. Juan Aispuro              18.9%      $400.00
4. Lynn Martin               17.2%      $275.00
5. Kristi Mills                 12.4%      $150.00
6. Lynda Struckmeyer    11.9%      $140.00
7. Jayson Cooley            11.5%      $130.00
8. Debbie Porter             11.0%      $120.00
9. Rick Holt                    10.4%      $110.00
10. Diane Aispuro           10.3%      $100.00

Thank you all for participating! Our next round of Biggest Loser Turlock kicks off on April 16th with a fun TEAM twist (See below)

Biggest Loser Teams!

Biggest Loser Turlock 10-week TEAMS Challenge begins Monday April 16, 2012 and runs through June 25, 2012. Individuals participate as a TEAM together, with their individual weights tracked and then added together to calculate their % of weight-lost as a TEAM! On kick-off day, just tell us who your partner will be, make sure they register, and give us your official Team Name. Then get going on encouraging one another and holding each other accountable!

• Same rules apply as in previous challenges. $30.00 participant fee per person.
• $5 penalty for a missed weigh-in. You will have (2) skip the scale passes...one to be used on Memorial day (May, 28) and another to use where you need it (but must be pre-arranged) 
• $1 per pound penalty for any weight gained from one week to the next.

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO PRINT A FLIER!

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/3723936/10-week-team-flier-pdf-march-26-2012-2-00-pm-109k?da=y

Weigh-ins will be at the same locations, Monte Vista Chapel, from 4pm-6pm beginning Monday, April 16th with a final weigh-in on Monday, June 25th!

Coming April 16th!

Watch for more details beginning March 28th!

5 Mind Games You Need to Stop Playing

These Common Tricks Never Motivate--Find Out Why
  -- By Megan Coatley, Behavior Expert

Motivation is like cold hard cash: You can never have too much! And when you’re trying to lose weight (for the umpteenth time for many of us) you know that you need a wealth of motivational strategies you can count on. But, with so many motivational tips and tricks to sift through, why are we so often losing our motivation rather than reaping the rewards?
 
One reason is that some of the most popular motivation strategies people use are mind games—games that don't really work for the long term. At first glance, they all seem helpful, but most are actually bound to fail. Instead of playing Russian roulette when you’re choosing a weight-loss strategy, read on to find out how you can beat the odds and pick a winner.
 
Mind Game #1:  Going for the Gold
You have your perfect weight and pants size in mind. With a big, bold goal to aspire to, you start biking to work, cooking lighter, packing your lunch, skipping that morning latte, and taking the stairs. Then, three busy, butt-busting weeks later…the scale hasn’t really budged and you’re trying on the same size in the dressing room. Deflated, you start snacking a bit here and slacking a bit there, and your dream of a whittled waistline slowly fades from view.

Motivation Makeover: Going for the gold is a great way to start your weight-loss plan; setting a long-term goal can help you to keep an eye on where you’re headed. But it’s also important to remember that your goal weight is far from the only benefit of incorporating healthy eating and exercise—and it could be a long ways off. Taking note of smaller, more subtle changes (more energy, better sleep, lower cholesterol, better mood, etc.) can help you stay motivated, even if the pounds aren’t coming off as quickly as you’d hoped. Setting some shorter-term goals (1 pound, 5 pounds)—especially ones that aren't based on the scale (like getting to the gym 5 days a week) can also help you stay on track.

 
Mind Game #2:  Starting Out Super Strong
It’s Sunday evening and you realize that you spent the weekend indulging on brews, barbeques, and binges. A twinge of guilt has you psyched to start speeding down the road to wellness first thing Monday. So you restock your pantry with healthy eats, download a hardcore training app to your phone, and plan out the next month's food and workouts. You figure that going full throttle is the way to reach your weight-loss goals as quickly as possible. And why not? You're excited for it! But two weeks into your overhaul, your muscles are so sore you have trouble rolling out of bed, you’re sick of salads and you’re already thinking about throwing in the towel.

Motivation Makeover: Maintaining motivation is like running a marathon. Instead of starting at full speed and running out of steam, it is better to focus on simply putting one foot in front of the other. Set small, achievable goals so that you can build momentum and feel successful in the beginning, and pat yourself on the back when you conquer each one. No matter how long it takes to reach the finish line, you’ll be reaping the rewards for years to come.

 
Mind Game #3:  Taking the Road Less Traveled
There will always be a new diet or exercise program that promise fast progress and fantastic results. Reading about the latest food fad or watching a perky personal trainer push sweat-drenched clients through an infomercial workout can definitely spark your motivation. Who wouldn’t want to try an effective 4-minute workout or slim down fast with a celebrity-backed diet supplement? Deep down, we all know the truth: People are getting paid for those advertisements and whatever motivation you’ve mustered up during the commercial break will fade fast if you don’t get those "as seen on TV" results that were so motivating to you. Trying every new fad that comes on the market may leave you broke and brokenhearted.

Motivation Makeover: If you want a plan that works long term, stick with the tried and true. Keep your eating close to the earth with whole fruits, veggies, grains and lean meats. Get up and moving with whatever activity suits your style and schedule. Remind yourself that following through with real nutrition and fitness habits is a process: It takes the proper planning and commitment that can’t be found in a book, a box or a bottle.

 
Mind Game #4:  Flying Under the Radar
You’re already feeling self-conscious about losing weight, so you certainly don’t want your friends and family making more of a fuss. Besides, you’re confident that you can do this all on your own! So what if your plan to be stealth has you skipping out on lunch with friends and sneaking veggies to parties in your purse? Going it alone may seem like a good idea, but it is actually counterproductive. Soon enough, you’ll be feeling lonely and left out, and that’s no way to maintain success in the long run.

Motivation Makeover: Call in the recruits! Whether it’s a neighbor down the street, a fellow play group parent or a Facebook friend, get someone to join you on your weight-loss journey. Studies in behavior science show that changes that you make in the public eye have a muchbetter chance of sticking in the real world. Plus, sharing your weight-loss goals with friends opens you up for great personal payouts like counsel, camaraderie, and accountability from the people who know you best. SparkPeople Community, anyone?

 
Mind Game #5:  Staring Down the Scale
There’s a scale in your bathroom and one next to your treadmill. You check in twice a day and diligently track your weight on a chart on the fridge. Still, even though you’re eating well and exercising, some days the numbers just don’t show it! Seeing real, objective results can be super motivating but being tethered to the scale often becomes a burden. Even though you know that body weight fluctuates throughout each day and hydration (or lack thereof) is usually responsible, unpredictable digits can be deceiving and downright disheartening. If you find yourself frowning at your feet during morning weigh-ins, then your scale is likely sapping your mojo.

Motivation Makeover: Stick that scale in the closet and find inspiration in other numbers(besides your weight). Track specific behaviors to gauge your progress; how many push-ups you can do in a minute, how many miles you walk or bike each week, how many flights of stairs you take each day at work. Keep tabs on a variety of positive results and you won’t be left wanting for fitness focus.

 
 
Making use of motivational mind games can really boost your fitness morale. But sometimes, techniques that seem perfectly logical can end up leading you astray. Mastering your own motivation doesn’t have to be a crap shoot. Bet on the time-tested strategies above to get your mind right and you’ll be sure to cash in on long-term wellness! 

7 Things that Separate Weight-Loss Winners & Losers

How to Stay on Top of Your Game

-- By Megan Coatley, Behavior Expert

As you've probably figured out, winning at weight loss is about making long-lasting, life-altering change. Just like any sport or skill, you might start out a little rocky. Choosing healthy foods, trying different workouts, and finding the strategies that work for you will take a little practice.  As you find your stride, those habits will get easier and you'll start knocking down more barriers that try to get in your way. Your momentum will start to build and you'll be ticking away at your weight loss goals one by one. Soon enough, you'll reach a fantastic tipping point when you feel a shift in the energy and really enter "the zone"—the stadium starts to flutter, the crowd starts to cheer! And you are winning at weight loss!
 
Whether you’re focusing on your diet or hitting the gym, the commitment to long-term weight loss takes the mindset and mental stamina of a champion. You’ve got to have a supportive team and a great playbook to get on a winning streak. In this head-to-head match that lasts a lifetime, it’s all about preparation. Your success will be determined by how well you set your strategy and play the game.
 
We're opening the playbook on the weight-loss game. Here are the winning strategies you'll need!
 
Winners Set Small Goals
It seems so straightforward: Your main goal is to lose weight. So, now you can just decide how much to lose and power through to the finish line, right? Unfortunately, simply knowing how many pounds you want to drop may not be enough to help you win this game. Rather than only focusing on the end zone, a better strategy is to set lots of small milestones on your weight-loss journey. Perhaps you want to run a 5K, curl 20-pound dumbbells, squeeze more veggies into your diet, or fit into a smaller pair of jeans. All of these are great goals and tackling each one can keep you motivated to keep fighting the good fight. Plus, meeting these smaller benchmarks gives you the opportunity for more frequent pats on the back. If you only focus weight loss as your main achievement, you’ll miss out on celebrating all of the other small victories!
 
Winners Take Breaks and Timeouts
When you first set out to shed pounds, it is easy to overdo it. We all know that the best way to lose weight is by eating fewer calories and increasing physical activity. But, if you set too many harsh rules and regulations at the start, you’re likely to get overwhelmed by a too-strict diet and a tough-to-follow workout schedule. When you’re developing your weight-loss game plan, make sure that you pencil in time for breaks. Take a diet timeout to enjoy a slice of cake at friend’s birthday party. Schedule a relaxing soak in the tub on your day off from the gym. Be sure that your weight-loss rules include moderation and flexibility for you to spend some time (and calories) on the things you love in life. This will help you stay on track longer and reach lasting weight-loss success.
 
Winners Are Proud of Themselves
Publicly stating your goals and achievements has been proven to help people make steady progress. Everyone needs some support and accountability, so it’s important to let people around you know that you’re working on your weight loss and fitness. Plus, the more pride you show in your new skills, the more likely you’ll be to keep practicing them over time. Bring healthy snacks to family gatherings and share the recipe. Challenge your gym buddy to step up to a higher pace on the treadmill. Dare a co-worker to stay away from desserts for one whole week along with you. Letting others in on your goals will make you feel like a champion and can help you take your game to the next level.
 
Winners Take On New Challenges
Starting out with small, achievable goals is important for boosting your ego and scoring you some points early in the game. But be ever-mindful of the dreaded boredom that can set in as you adapt to your exercise and diet routines. Challenge creates change! So, when your yoga lessons seem stale, your salads are in a slump, or your local bike trail stops calling your name, you know it’s time to mix things up. As you start winning at weight loss, it will be crucial to keep assessing your emotional state and mental focus.  Make a habit of stepping out of your comfort zone and stepping up to new challenges. 
 
Winners Keep Score
How do you know how well you're doing if you're not keeping score? While "pounds lost" isn’t the only important digit to tally, it's important to track your progress in as many ways as possible. Start recording each move in the right direction: how much water you drink each day, how many servings of veggies you eat in a week, how many minutes of exercise you log, and more. Keeping track of more than just the numbers on the scale will help you realize progress when it happens, and this will motivate you to stay on course.
 
Winners Are Part of a Team
There is no "I" in "success." We often think of weight loss in terms of individual goals and meal plans. But many others currently share in your same struggle.  If we really want to reverse the obesity epidemic, we need to start thinking of weight loss and healthy living as a team sport. And with all the resources available today, from in-person support groups to online forums to workplace wellness committees, no dieter or fitness newbie should feel they have to go it alone. One winning strategy is to reach out within your office, your school, your family, your community and get others psyched up to slim down. The more team members you can recruit to join your weight-loss challenge, the more likely youand your team will rise to victory!
 
Winners Make It Fun
What do parents tell their kids the first time they try a new game or sport? "It isn’t about whether you win or lose. Just have fun playing the game!" The same advice applies to weight loss. Worrying too much about your waistline can actually cause you to engage in stress eating or become too depressed to work out.  When you’re trying hard to stick to your game plan, it is easy to underestimate the joy of the process. Do whatever you can to make healthy choices more fun. Whether you’ve discovered a new dog park near home, convinced a neighbor to start a vegetable garden, or counseled a walking buddy through a tough time, getting healthy has likely brought some great experiences your way. Step back every so often and remind yourself to enjoy the game and appreciate the important lessons you’re learning along the way!