Darlene McCoy’s July 25, 2008 Update

BOY OH BOY...I am proud to say that not only have I maintained my original weight loss of 15 lbs., but have lost an additional 3 lbs., bringing my weight loss total to 18 lbs. I have 12 more to go! IT HAS BEEN ROUGH AT TIMES...With my travel schedule eating right has had its share of challenges. My diet primarily consists of lean protein and lot of vegetables and fruits with small amounts of carbohydrates and of course, plenty of water. Somehow since I have been eating right it almost feels like a sin to eat wrong. My appetite has changed so much. I don't even have a taste for the foods I was accustomed to eating before. In Atlanta we are building my team support through the radio station Praise 97.5. One of my goals is to visit different churches and encourage participation in the program by sharing my successes, offering ideas on nutrition, and exercise tips. GETTING HEALTHY is the ultimate goal of the program. I wish that the GMC viewing audience would join me on the challenge. Visit 50millionpoundchallenge.com and join Team Darlene. And let's keep up the great work!

Regards,
Darlene

Host of The Kitchen Sink, Elle Duncan’s Update

Hey everyone! Wow! So it’s been some weeks since I vowed live on The Kitchen Sink to participate in the State Farm 50 Million Pound Challenge by losing 10 pounds! I'm happy to report I am halfway there! I've lost 5 pounds and counting!

I've been working hard at the gym with my trainer at least 3 to 4 days a week. On the exercise part of my program we emphasize keeping my heart-rate high while focusing on tone and definition. So my trainer starts me on the bike for about 15 minutes to get me breathing hard (and trust me, I am)! We focus on exercises in sets of three. For example, I'll do 15 reps of lunges for my legs, followed by 15 reps of squats for my backside, 20 jumping jacks and a lap around the track, and I'm ready to move on! I suggest if you're trying to lose weight but keep some tightness and firmness, make sure to do at least 30 minutes of cardio at least 3 times a week. Don't want to run? Walk! Lift coke cans, anything to get you moving and your heart rate up.

On the food side, I will admit it, I hate breakfast! I just never tend to be hungry in the morning, nor do I have time to make a big breakfast, but it’s so important to get your body fueled and ready for the day. So oatmeal with honey or hard boiled eggs with no yolk are a great, quick and easy alternative to sugary cereals or nothing at all! For lunch it’s usually a salad with grilled chicken or fish, a fruit cup for a snack while I'm at work, and then lots of vegetables and a protein for dinner! And people, no one is perfect so I suggest that you give yourself at least one day where you can treat yourself to whatever snack or dessert you've been craving! Mine are Sundays! After church, I eat a nice big lunch of whatever I please followed by a dinner with family where I don't even think about what it is I'm eating! Just how much! Portion control is big. I think that keeps you sane! No one wants to eat brown rice forever! It’s boring and you'll cheat anyway!

So I'll keep checking back with updates and details! I hope to lose 2–3 more pounds by next week. Good luck to everyone out there making an effort to change their lifestyle. That’s really what it's all about. No diets, they're temporary, but lifestyle changes can lead to a whole new way of thinking.

Talk to you soon,
Elle