Fittest Loser At Work teams resist temptation to ease up
In their fifth week of weight-loss competition, the At-Work Challenge teams are digging deep for grit and determination to make it to the finish line.
Right about now, the novelty is wearing off and temptations are tough to fight, but members find strength in leaning on each other.
“Losing weight in the past was so lonely, but now being part of a team is a true gift,” said Donna Eliades, of Elk Grove Park District's Team Wii Gettin Fit.
Schaumburg Park District's Team Schaumburg Shredders spends their Monday nights with a kick-butt trainer. “I'm surprised at how much our team is into group training,” said team captain Alyssa Danca. “Our trainer focuses on lunges and squats, so there's lots of sore muscles. A great sense of humor and not wanting to let the team down keeps us motivated.”
Team Schaumburg Shredders boasts all hands on deck for this fitness competition and shares motivation at weekly company meetings that keep the team on track. “For snacks, our boss has started to shift from coffee cakes to offering healthy options, such as cut vegetables” Danca said. “And that helps.”
Benefit Express's Team The J-BACKS, likes to feel the burn with Cross Kicks workouts. This new experience zoomed the team out of their fitness comfort zones. “The great thing about Cross Kicks is the circuit training,” said team captain Ann Haller. “Before you have time to get bored, the friendly staff switches up the exercise.”
Team The J-BACKS sees the motivation other members bring to the group. “I wouldn't have tried Cross Kicks had my teammates not gone with me,” Haller said. “I enjoyed seeing the team push themselves and accomplish things we were hesitant to try. Having them there kept me going.”
Carol Stream Public Library, Team Improving Circulation, finds it easier to get back on track with everyone's support. “The free app, myfitnesspal, helps track what we're eating along with food searches and you can connect with team members to help with motivation,” said captain Mary Pellico.
They're also spending more time in the gym. “I've actually made it to work out four times a week since the challenge started. What keeps me motivated is the desire to not let my team down. I know they are all working hard,” she said.
Speaking of dancing, the Hanover Park Police Department's Pounds for Blue shook off some pounds with a dance-fitness class at the police department. The team has lost 69 pounds so far.
Canton Middle School Team I AM AV enjoys variety with its exercise activities. Fellow team members Cheryl Romeo and Vanessa Rosales have been burning up the dance floor with Cize, a 30-day exercise challenge.
“My family is dancing along with me, and I have lost five pounds so far,” Romeo said.
Rosales has been dancing for five weeks. “My energy level is unbelievable. No more excuses from me on why I can't accomplish my fitness goals,” she said.
Team Wii Gettin Fit captain Johnny Pacheco says his team is learning a lot.
“The biggest surprise is knowing that we can push ourselves more than we ever knew we could,” he said. “Our trainer showed how to work out smart and feel the benefits. Most of us have started and quit exercise routines more than we can count.”
To help the contestants keep track of their progress, LifeSpan Brands of Elk Grove Village donated high-end Detecto Glass Body Fat Scales to team captains. The digital scales record weight, body fat and body water.
People who are trying to lose weight and frequently weigh themselves report feeling better equipped to handle certain situations that could trigger them to overeat, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology/Lifestyle 2016 Scientific Sessions.
Your At-Work Challenge quote of the week: “Challenges are what make life interesting: overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” Joshua J. Marine