Fittest Loser At Work teams motivated by results, each other
Contestants in the Fittest Loser At Work Challenge are beginning to see results. In Week 5 of the challenge, they are reporting an increase in energy, significant weight loss and an overall desire for a healthier lifestyle.
When it comes to their workouts, they have their likes and dislikes. They're learning to deal with sore muscles and have discovered that their bodies are capable of more than they imagined.
The Elmhurst Shrinking Waistliners, a team from the City of Elmhurst, say they are surprised how energized they feel after their workouts. Team members say they never imagined some of the exercises their bodies are capable of performing - like bench and parallel bar dips to strengthen their triceps.
Some team members also discovered that exercising made it easier to give up guilty pleasures. "I never thought I could exercise this much and not drink pop," says one team member. Another member celebrated St. Patrick's Day by drinking a green kale fruit smoothie instead of beer.
While they are enjoying their workouts, they are paying for it with achy muscles.
"I have pain in my calves. They feel like rocks from all the soreness," says one team member.
To help alleviate the pain, some members have tried massage therapy and hot baths while others discovered that certain dietary supplements, like L-Glutamine and branched-chain amino acids, helped lessen the pain.
When it comes to staying motivated, the team often finds inspiration in their family and friends. "My daughter is my motivation. I want to be healthy and fit to live many years and enjoy my baby to the fullest," says one team member.
Another team member adds: "My son had a heart felt talk with me, telling me he wanted me around to live a long, healthy life to enjoy his family and grandchildren. Who wouldn't be motivated by that?"
Meanwhile, the Weight Warriors, a group of semifinalists from the Fittest Loser Challenge, are learning that hard work and dedication are paying off. Team members have been doing a mixture of strength-training, cardio and working out together at the Biggest Loser Resort in Bloomingdale.
"I'm surprised at how fast the pounds are dropping off," says team member John Lander. He loves fast-paced workouts and enjoys strength-training.
"Never in my imagination did I think I would have fun working out," Lander says.
Team Captain Erik Lozano says that team members are extremely supportive, often calling and texting each other for motivation and reinforcement. Lozano especially enjoys working out with other members at the Biggest Loser Resort.
"We push each other to extreme limits and feel the burn from the workouts," he says. "I love the trainers (at the resort). They won't let us give up and, if we do, they will push us right back up."
Lozano says he is starting to see himself getting stronger as a result of his workouts. He's learned to do squats correctly and "I notice now that my cardio has pickup. I can actually run for a long period of time," he says.
Another team member, Ted Sciaky, says that though he initially joined the challenge only to lose weight, he's discovered other benefits. "I love the fact that the step to return to a healthier individual is underway," he says. "What surprises me is my long term goal might be easier to reach then initially thought. There is nothing I imagine that I can't do."
While team members are enjoying their workouts, they're feeling the pain as well. To alleviate sore muscles, team members have been doing a lot of stretching exercises, massage therapy and visiting the sauna.
"But I tell myself, soreness is just weakness leaving your body," says Lander. "I am actually excited to do this. Never in my life did I think when I signed up for this that this would be the best three months of my life. I'm happier. I'm more upbeat about things. This is truly an amazing journey."
Besides family and friends, team members say that the results they feel are keeping them motivated.