Welcome to Week 6 of the Team Lean Challenge!

 

Congratulations... You have made it to the half-way mark of the challenge!

 

Team stats will be reported with next week's announcement once mid-challenge weigh-ins are complete. Is your team in the lead??? (steve@265andfalling note ---- no, we're not even close...d'oh!)

 

On average, associates are losing 1.6 lbs per week – this is good, steady, healthy weight loss. Way to go... let's keep going!!!

 

"The best inspiration is not to outdo others, but to outdo ourselves." 

 

Just a few more weeks to go with Team Lean Challenge – not where you hoped you would be?

 

Don't give up!

 

With just a few weeks remaining in the challenge and the holidays upon us, now is the best time to rejuvenate your efforts.

Remember the Basics

What is Weight Gain All About?

People gain weight when they consume more calories than they burn. You will start to lose weight when you shift this balance -- burning more calories than you consume.

Suggestion: Aim to lose about a half pound to 2 pounds per week. A pound of body weight is equivalent to 3,500 calories. To lose half a pound a week, you need to burn 1,750 more calories than you consume each week, or 250 calories per day. To lose one pound per week, you need to burn 3,500 more calories than you consume each week, or 500 calories per day. Remember, this can be done with a combination of reducing caloric intake and increasing calories burned. For example, eating 250 less calories each day AND burning 250 more calories each day can help you reach your goal of losing one pound per week.

Exercise is essential

The CDC recommends adults get a MINIMUM of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity (such as brisk walking) physical activity per day, most days of the week OR a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous-intensity (such as running or jogging) physical activity 3 days a week. Additionally adults should do resistance, strength-building and weight -bearing activities two days a week with a goal of completing 6-8 strength training exercises, with 8-12 repetitions per exercise.

 

Suggestion: To move toward a healthier weight and prevent weight gain, aim for about 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity on most days.

 

 

Overcome Setbacks

 

We've all hit that bump in the road, the setback, the problem. What sets people apart is how they react to that bump. Are you one to spin out of control, in despair? Or do you grab a hold of that wheel and steer yourself straight? Keep in mind that a setback is only temporary and greater things lay ahead. So how can you react when something doesn't turn out as you've expected?

First, be objective. Step back and look at the situation. Take responsibility where it is due, but don't place blame on others. Is your setback really that significant, or will it just require a little extra exertion on your part? Come to terms with it and then start planning your next move. Ask for help. Don't be afraid or ashamed to do this. Oftentimes, people are more than willing to give you support and advice, maybe even after being in a similar situation. You don't have to be perfect; after all, nobody else is.

 

Bounce back. Reevaluate the goals you should have set for yourself at the beginning and retool them as necessary. Goals should be realistic and specific, but that doesn't mean they can't be flexible and are allowed for minor impediments. Instead of looking at your obstacle as a disaster or failure, view it with success. Concentrate on how great it will feel after it is finally done, after you have put your all into it. Instead of focusing on a possible unsatisfactory performance one single time, take a moment to sit back and reward yourself for all that you have accomplished.

Above all, don't live with regrets. Approach life with perseverance and dedication to the things that matter most to you.
Success is never easy. It remains up to you whether you will give up, or fight through the tough battles to earn whatever it is you want.

Keep reaching for your goals and you will achieve them. One minor setback is nothing if you really want something and are willing to work for it.  

Courtesy of bhsonline.com