Terry Farrell
Record staff
Eight weeks into our 60 in 60 program, and Erica and I are proud to say we are still on track.
We have combined to lose 25.8 pounds to date, and have lost at least two pounds every week.
The goal is to lose 60 pounds between the two of us, in 60 weeks combined, so the average is two pounds per week. So far, it’s working.
We discussed some of the “secrets” to our success so far, and came up with a few things.
First of all, the accountability has kept us honest.
With the monthly updates in the paper, and the weekly updates on The Record website, people have been able to follow us throughout the journey.
The other thing about being so public in our quest is the encouragement we are receiving from those following us. It’s been great to get feedback from others who have done the same thing, and those who have joined us in tackling some health issues of their own.
Record co-workers have started their own routines. Friends from Alberta have made their own challenges - we even have a friend and his son tackling weight loss as a team.
That brings us to another aspect of our challenge that helps: teamwork.
It’s been said by countless fitness coaches, but it never hurts to reiterate: having a partner helps with the motivation. It’s much easier to say “I don’t feel like going to the gym today” when there isn’t someone else waiting for you there.
There have been times where one of us has not wanted to head to the gym. Every time, the other one makes the call.
(It helps that the alternative is doing laundry. I’d take a Stairmaster over ironing any day.)
Earlier this week, Erica was out of town and I was working late. I received a simple text message from her: “30 mins on eliptical; 30 mins on treadmill. Feel great.” It was all I needed to pull myself away from the desk, lock up the office and head to the gym. We are helping each other, even when one is out of town.
I’ve often heard about the “addiction” of running. I can tell you, of all the addictions I have ever faced, it’s the easiest one to kick. If it weren’t for Erica’s encouragement, and timely texts, I’d have been on the couch (or at the office) every night during this series of storms, using the weather as an excuse not to go to the trails. Instead, I’ve been at the gym.
Admittedly, this does not happen without some sort of eating adjustment. While we haven’t altered our meals to any great extent, we have made two significant changes to our consumption.
My big weakness has always been my sweet tooth. I’ve yet to meet a chocolate bar I didn’t like. So I have quit eating chocolates and candy. This has been the hardest part of the entire process, for me. But in the past eight weeks, I have only caved once.
Erica’s vice was the late-night snack. Note the past tense. We’ve had cheese go bad in our fridge this month, due to the lack of the cheddar and cracker trays being made at 11 p.m.
Again, it’s the encouragement from the partner, and the idea that if we cheat, we are not only cheating ourselves, but also each other, that keeps us on the straight and narrow.
So find yourself a partner, and get healthy. What have you got to lose? More to the point, how much have you got to lose? Set a goal and get there.
Terry Farrell is the editor of the Comox Valley Record