The Biggest Loser competition  in New Hampshire started today, January 2nd. I will be following the progress of the participants on a weekly basis.  I want everyone to meet the participants. At this point, none of the guys are interested in having their pictures taken! Maybe as they lose the pounds, they’ll change their minds.

 Meet the Participants:

What are your stats?

Participant #1   R.C:   Age 34, Height 6’1”, Starting Weight 202.1, Weight loss goal: lose 30 lbs.
Participant #2    R.G:   Age 34, Height 5’9”, Starting Weight 229.6, Weight loss goal: lose 24 pounds 
Participant #3   GenX’ er:   Age 38, Height 5’ 7”, Starting Weight 195.6, Weight loss goal: lose 23 pounds 
Participant #4   J.C:   Age 40, Height: 6′1  Starting Weight 195.7 pounds  Weight loss goal: lose 20 pounds
Participant #5:  John Ingemi   Age 43, Height 5’ 10, Starting Weight 233.3 lb, Weight loss goal: lose 42 pounds
Participant #6 T.L:   Age 37,  Height; 6’ 2’’, Starting Weight 234.9 lb  Weight loss goal: lose 30lbs 
Participant #7 :  no info available except Starting Weight: 202.1 lb

Briefly describe your current exercise routine:

R.C:    I have not been exercising since this summer.
R.G:    Up until 3 weeks ago I was running 10 to 15 miles a week. Some weight training. Spinning class an hour one night a week
GenX’er:   Not much at all.
J.C:     2-3 days a week, aerobic treadmill or bike, P/U basketball
John Ingemi:   On average I currently work out 5x per/week for 60 to 120 minutes per workout using a  combination of running, cycling, weight-lifting & most recently boxing.
T.L:    Running

What kind of exercise routine do you plan on doing for this competition?

R.C:   I plan to run and do light weight work at the gym.
R.G:    A lot of treadmill, elliptical, some bike, light weight training.
GenX’er:      Aerobic and anaerobic.
J.C:    Same but more of it and some weight training.
John Ingemi:   I plan on doing all the above, but more of it. Example: On several days I will do multiple workouts in one day. Perhaps stationary bike cycling before work, followed by lunch hour work-out, and on occasion an evening workout.  (This photo is not one of the participants!)
T.L:    Running

List what you eat now on a typical day (breakfast, lunch, dinner and typical snacks). 

R.C:   Typically, I have toast and peanut butter, banana, or yogurt for breakfast.  For lunch, I’ll have either a salad or sandwich.  Dinner consists of chicken, pasta or beef. 
R.G:    Breakfast – Egg and bagel or oatmeal, maybe some yogurt. Lunch – Roast Beef or Turkey Wrap with apple or banana Dinner –  It Varies; Steak, potato, other veggies (broccoli or corn); Chicken with veggies; Spaghetti, Try to have fish at least once a week
GenX’er:    Breakfast (coffee w/cream, bagels, breakfast sandwiches from DD, oatmeal, cereal) – anything really
Lunch (pizza, subs, Wendy’s) Ginger Ale
Dinner (anything my wife makes – spaghetti, pork roast, rice & bean, pizza)
Snacks (chips, granola bars, peanut M&M)
 J.C:    Coffee, breakfast sandwich,  sandwich w/chips and gatoraide. Usually some type of pasta and meat for dinner and ice cream
John Imgemi:  I eat & drink whatever I want. It’s awful…I am probably consuming in the range of 3,500 to 4,000 calories p/day, and usually overdo my evening intake significantly.
T.L:  No Breakfast, Light Lunch (soup, meat and small amount vegetable. Dinner meat and vegetables.

How alcohol do you typically drink in a week?

R.C:     I seldom drink alcohol. 
R.G:     6 beers.
GenX’er:  Two drinks a month if that…
J.C:   Not much, 2-4 drinks per week.
John Ingemi:   Too much. Probably on average 16 beers or drinks ( scotch or wine) per week.
T.L: 30 drinks

How long have you had a weight problem for?

R.C.:   About 6 years
R.G:    All my life, Type 2 Diabetes.
GenX’er:    Good question.
J.C:   I wouldn’t say I have one.
John Ingemi:   I started to put on extra weight in my late 20’s, when my body’s chemistry started to change, and my activity levels went down ( I also got married around this time…)
T.L:   Since I was 8
 
What are the biggest problem area that you have with regards to eating healthy and/or controlling your weight (i.e.  not enough exercise, too much booze, too much snacking, huge appetite, too much snacking,  eat out too much, etc.)?

R.C:  My biggest problem is laziness and lack of motivation.  Once I stop exercising, I do absolutely nothing!  Additionally, I’m a late-night grazer with sweets and cakes.  I eat when I’m full.
R.G:    Not  enough exercise, ,too much snacking, huge appetite,  like fattening foods, etc.
GenX’er:   Eating big portions, not enough exercise.
J.C:    Bad food choices, not enough exercise.
John Ingemi:   Not  enough exercise, too much booze, too much snacking, huge appetite, too much snacking, like fattening foods, eat out too much, etc.  I have a naturally slow metabolism. This, coupled with a giant appetite and an enjoyment for alcohol, is a recipe ( excuse the pun) for disaster. Especially for a 43 Y/O male.  One of the secrets to me winning this contest ( and I will win) is that I will track every calorie and every work-out, on every day.
T.L: too much booze, too much snacking, huge appetite, too much snacking, like fattening foods, eat out too much.

Have you participated in these competitions before? How much weight did you lose? How much did you keep off?
 
R.C: I am a past weight loss champion, but have struggled to regain my “winning ways”!  I lost over 30 pounds and did a pretty good job of keeping it off through a proper diet and exercise.   Once I stopped exercising most of the weight came back on.
R.G:    2003 – Started: 270 Ended: 246
2006 – Started: 228 Ended: 206
2007 – Started: 238 Ended: 213
GenX’er:  Yes, last year. I lost 12 lbs without exercising, just cutting my portions and watching my intake.  I kept 6 to 8 lbs off until Thanksgiving.
J.C:     Yes..I’ve lost around 15 lbs and generally indulge too much over the holidays and put it back on.  For most of the year I weigh around 185.
John Ingemi:   I am the original founder of this contest, having started it almost 10 years ago. I “won” that contest, losing a whopping 7 lbs…  Two years ago I really, really applied myself and came in second, losing 36.6 lbs. Started at 224 and finished at 187.4. 
Uhm… Well I kept most of it off for almost a year. I was motivated to do so cuz I was training for triathlons. After the season ended I took a break and gained weight. Then, last January, I started to compete in the annual weight loss contest, but trained too hard, too fast and injured myself. I am now back to above where I started when I came in second last time. 
T.L:  Yes, I have participated before. I lost 25 pounds and kept off  ½ of that weight.

Do you think you will be able to keep the weight off that you will lose in this competition?

R.C:    I hope so!
R.G:   I hope so. I want to make sure I stay under 220 at least.
GenX’er :   Yes, if I continue to exercise regularly.
J.C:    Yes, as long as I don’t slip back in to the junk food routine.
John Ingemi:    Yes, at least most of it. I have learned from my mistakes.
T.L:  No

Other info:
J.C:    I live on a farm w/my family and we have a number of horses, so I get quite a bit or exercise doing chores as well
John Ingemi:   I am no longer married so there’s added incentive to stay lean and fit… 

Best of luck to the participants.  BTW - we would love some pics of you!!!  Please post any diet questions that come up as you are going through the competition.

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