Gold's Gym 12-Week Challenge

Gold's Gym 12-Week Challenge

Topic Author: Lauren Whitney

Posted: 1:03 PM Jan 12, 2011

Replies Posted: 14 comments

Save

Recent Blog Topics

Font Size:

When I buy cookies I eat just four and throw the rest away. But first I spray them with Raid so I won't dig them out of the garbage later. Be careful, though, because that Raid really doesn't taste that bad. - Janette Barber

With the New Year, like a lot of people, I made a resolution to lose a few pounds and get healthy. I'd been telling myself for the past few months I need to get moving, but hadn’t really gotten my act together. I’m one of those “I'll start on Monday" types, and Monday comes and goes with no starting. This Monday was different - I signed up for Gold's Gym 12-Week Challenge and committed to joining dozens of others in a quest to not only lose weight, but to get strong and fit.

This week I bundled myself up against the cold and went to Gold’s Gym to register and weigh-in. It wasn't the most pleasant moment, but it seeing the scale was certainly good motivation. I wasn't alone. There were plenty of other people doing the same thing and it felt good to know we’d be supporting each other.

After the weigh-in, measurements (yuck), and before pictures (more yuck), I felt slightly depressed, but also ready to go. Though I don't want my jeans to feel tight anymore, it's more than just losing a few pounds. I want to be a healthy person. I knew signing up for the 12-Week Challenge was the right way to jumpstart myself into a new lifestyle.

I’ll be meeting regularly with my trainer Mark, who you may have seen this week with me on 11 News at Noon. He's the guy who’s going to keep me on track for the next twelve weeks, and I’ll be honest, I'm already nervous about how sore I’m going to be. In addition, I signed up for a boot camp at Gold’s Gym and more Pilates classes at the Pilates Space in downtown Grand Junction. Go big or go home!

I'll keep you updated on my progress over the next twelve weeks. If you're doing the Challenge, please let me know how it’s going so we can commiserate and/or rejoice together. If you have tips or tricks to stay motivated, recipes, or any sort of inspiration, leave a comment here. I know I’ll need a little help to stay on track, so let’s do it together. And if you see me at the gym, please say hi so we can high five ourselves.

[If you missed the first signup date, it’s not too late - January 17^th and 24^th are additional start dates for the Gold’s Gym 12-Week Challenge.]

KKCO firmly believes in freedom of speech for all and we are happy to provide this forum for the community to share opinions and facts. We ask that commenters keep it clean, keep it truthful, stay on topic and be responsible. Comments left here do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of KKCO 11News.

by Lindsey Location: Logan Ut on Feb 14, 2012 at 03:04 AM

I am also doing the 12 week challenge! good luck to you! it has been a month now and I have to say its been really tough for me. Im training with my trainer danny and he is great but the rest is up to me. I have been keeping a food journal and working out 4-5 times a week ( probably 6-8 hours total) and i am not losing any weight. I actually have gained 2 pounds. It is extremely discouraging and i can't figure out where I am going wrong but it has to be my food. Anyway, I hope your having better luck than me! Im going to go over my food journals with my trainer on wednesday and see whats going on. Good luck to everyone!

by Corinne Location: My kitchen on Jan 24, 2011 at 10:25 AM

Ok, so you've been doing the Challenge for 12 days now. How's it going?

by Lauren Whitney Location: KKCO newsroom on Jan 14, 2011 at 09:32 AM

Thank you all for the wonderful comments! Diana, I am going to try your tea recipe this weekend, thank you for sharing it. I'll see if I can make it to a dance class, I have two left feet, so don't expect any great moves from me! Julie, walking is great. The first few times are hard, but it's great you've started! Keep me posted! You can do it! Cammie, Terry, Jody, Helen, Amy Jo, and Corrine- thank you for the support. I'll keep you posted on my progress!

by Cammie Location: GJ on Jan 14, 2011 at 08:20 AM

Losing weight is simple, but hard. Simple in that you have to eat less and exercise more. Hard in that you have to eat less and exercise more. One tip is to drink a big glass of water before you eat. It helps fill you up. When I'm at a restaurant, I pour a glass of water over my food once I'm full so that I'm not tempted to continue eating. It's hard to count calories and eat healthy at restaurants because even the salads are full of high calories stuff, so eating at home as much as possible makes it much, much easier. Good luck, you're beautiful!

by Amy Jo Nelson Location: Grand Junction on Jan 13, 2011 at 10:11 AM

Just noticed the Raid quote! I laughed out loud!!

by Amy Jo Nelson Location: Grand Junction on Jan 13, 2011 at 07:38 AM

I'm going to get a lot of flak for this comment, but for me, a good way to keep the weight off is to skip breakfast. I know, I know, it's supposed to be the most important meal of the day, but I'm not hungry when I get up in the morning and usually don't feel like eating until around lunchtime. By then I have a healthy meal, I never feel tired, and it works for me. I do have coffee or tea, and I just don't feel like eating.

by Jody Location: Grand Junction on Jan 13, 2011 at 05:35 AM

Lauren you are mu inspiration if you can do this with your hectic schedule then so can I!! Thanks.

by Helen Location: GJ on Jan 12, 2011 at 08:30 PM

Ah, YOUTH! My 37 year old daughter started the New Year with a 10 day macrobiotic CLEANSE. She and her husband survived the migraines from caffeine withdrawal after Day 2-Day 5. Seeing 64 New Years come and go, I absorb the SPIRIT of a BETTER YOU FOR THE NEW YEAR. But I take it slow and with baby steps. Keep being an inspiration for a BETTER YOU in 2011! We all need Life's cheerleaders! BRAVO!

by Terry Location: Grand Junction on Jan 12, 2011 at 04:21 PM

Lauren, Good for you, your chances for success are high. Why? You have taken the very hard first step, you aren't going it alone and by going public you increase your chances of accountability. From a diet stand point proteins and fats will keep you the most satisfied and full, add raw vegetables and fruit sparingly and lots of water and you are good to go. I look forward to hearing your progress and am cheering you on to your goal!

by Corinne Location: GJ on Jan 12, 2011 at 04:01 PM

Diana, I agree that a warm drink in the morning is soothing. I'm into Rooibos tea at the moment - no caffeine. I'll have to try yours. Julie - good luck, keep it going!

by Julie Location: GJ on Jan 12, 2011 at 03:45 PM

You go girl! My goal is to just start walking, I've done it one night. tonight is night 2. Go Me!

by diana Location: grand junction on Jan 12, 2011 at 03:37 PM

Congratulations! If you want to also join me for a fun workout every now and then, I co-teach a jazzercise class at the Lincoln park barn. you can come the first week for free to check it out! Great music, fun moves, amazing workout - cardio, strech and strenghtening... It would fit in your 12 week challenge! As a food suggestion: start your day with a wonderful healthy, warming drink. I know it sounds odd, but it's fantastic for your health and appetite: Tulsi tea. Tear 4-5 fresh basil leaves in a cup, squeeze a wedge of lime or lemon in it, (drop the whole thing in after you squeeze it), add 1/4 tsp. Steevia and hot water. let steep for about 3-4 minutes and drink before anything else or before you eat anything. let me know what you think when you try it! Diana

by Corinne Location: Grand Junction on Jan 12, 2011 at 02:55 PM

Good luck, Lauren! For me, the hardest part of working out this time of year is leaving my warm house to get to the gym. It's so much easier to take a walk in the summer or play some tennis. And in the winter all the flab is covered up by fleece and bulky sweaters. I think once you get going and make yourself get in shape, it's easier to keep it going.

There are currently no active polls at this time.
Click here to view other polls on our site and past poll results.