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Physical, mental, & emotional changes for At Work contestants

As the Fittest Loser At Work Challenge continues, the teams are facing a few bumps in the road - mainly around food choices. Yet, encouragement from family and friends is keeping them going on in their weight-loss journey.

As Lisa Kelley, team captain for Anderson Lock Company's Waisting Away, says, that the hardest part of weight loss is dealing with the mental changes while making major lifestyle changes.

Throughout the challenge, participants struggled with poor diet choices, but with an open mind and some healthy tips, teams have been making progress.

Cortney Kinzler of AVS Companies' 4 Queens and a Joker says, "One of the biggest changes is in our lunch diet. Before it was burgers, Italian beef and fries. Now people are either ordering salads or bringing in lunch."

Floria Jhang, team captain of Amita Health La Grange Memorial Hospital's The Fantastic Heart Girls, says her team has been struggling with poor food decisions, but are definitely more conscious of their selections.

The Schaumburg Shredders team captain, Charissa Tischauser of Schaumburg Park District, says her team has been feeling discouraged after spring break, the holidays and many tempting food choices. Despite these challenges, her team keeps encouraging one another and also plans to meet with a nutritionist and have a healthy potluck lunch to help recharge everyone's spirit.

Participants may struggle with mental challenges, but with words of encouragement from team mates, family and friends, they refuse to give up!

Irene Faciano of Elk Grove Park District's Elk Strong mentions that after her 17-year -old son returned home from spring break and saw her in the kitchen, he said, "Wow Mom! You've lost weight!"

Brook Truman, team captain of RSM US LLP's Team RSM 0BS LBS says, "My clothes are bigger on me and they fit a lot better and I'm starting to look better in pictures."

AVS Companies' teams 4 Queens and a Joker and Lotsa Guts have switched from eating fast food for lunch to having healthy, home cooked meals and salads. From left to right, Eileen Schreiner, Vince Gumma, Michelle Lopez and Tony Shamma Courtesy of AVS Companies' teams
At Work teams met with Jewel-Osco dietitians Samantha Wolfe and Melissa O'Brien for an in-store tour, discussing simple meals and snacks. Photo courtesy of Lori Urbaniec
We 5 Losers' Garry Kiekens' hard work and determination to become the Fittest Loser is paying off with a pair of looser trousers. Photo courtesy of Garry Kiekens
Kelsey Bowen, left, and Brooke Truman, right, pictured here working out and having fun together. Unable to schedule a team meeting during work hours, Team RSM decided to meet afterward, several times each week to exercise and discuss how everything is going for each participant. Photo courtesy of Team RSM
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