Fittest Loser 2020 teams stay the (uncharted) course
Many of us have transitioned to working from home, and all of us are feeling the effects of the stay-at-home order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Fittest Loser teams have told us how they are coping with this lifestyle change and what measures they are taking to stay motivated and active in a time full of unknowns.
Shelly Bremer of NEC Display Solutions' "Waist Management" team out of Downers Grove says she is getting a lot more accomplished at home. "I did 23 floors yesterday, but not as many steps as usual when working at the office."
Jan Brottman from Palatine of team "Cast-A-Weighs" says she enjoys doing situps, lunges, squats and using light weights while at home.
Other participants say they have been taking advantage of the outdoors by taking brisk walks in the neighborhood, hiking and biking.
Some participants have experienced issues finding their usual healthy food items due to the decimated grocery shelves. However, they are making adjustments to keep their diet structured.
Since joining the program, Juilanne Baker of TTI Inc.'s "Waist Watchers" from Schaumburg, says she has been cooking more and eating less and plans to enjoy more cooking during the quarantine.
Denice Sbertoli of "Fab Friends" from Wood Dale says "eat to live, not live to eat" is helping her cope. She fills her plate with three-quarters vegetables and one-quarter protein.
"Bike Fight Fit Black" of Wood Dale Park District says team members are still working out, eating healthy and staying positive. They continue working as a team by motivating each other through Facebook chats and sharing home exercises and healthy recipes.
We're thrilled teams have taken steps to continue the challenge by uniting as groups to keep each other motivated and provide resources to get through this crisis.
To help participants adjust to their new lifestyles, a resource page is now available that features content related to home fitness, healthy pantry cooking and other resources to help during the stay-at-home quarantine.
Kimberly Jurkowski, captain of Schaumburg Park District's "Schaumburg Shredders," shares her thoughts on fitness and health during this unprecedented time of our lives: "Staying healthy is important now more than ever. As a society, we take for granted all the options we have at our disposal, like gyms and community centers within five miles of our homes, as well as, healthy food options always available at our local grocery store."
• The Fittest Loser Team Challenge will honor top teams and individuals as determined by weight loss and participation in challenge activities. Those awards, as well as a team captain champion, will be announced at the Fittest Loser Finale on Tuesday, May 12, at Chandler's Banquets in Schaumburg. Participants and the general public are invited and can register at events.dailyherald.com. Follow the teams' progress and join the discussion on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheFittestLoserDH.