Fitness Challenge (July 09)

This summer, our fitness contest participants are ready to take the heat. Even with trips, backyard barbecues and the ice cream man to reckon with, they won’t back down from their fitness goals. Here are their mid-year updates.

Katie Kitchen · SPRINGVILLE
Lost 33 pounds, 7 waistline inches Age 16

I can’t believe we’re at the halfway point already! I am excited to report on my progress.

Late April and early May were rough for me. I lost and gained the same five to seven pounds for almost a whole month. It was frustrating to be working hard and see little results on the scale and sometimes even a weight gain. I knew I was continuing to get stronger, but the scales were frustrating.

Kami has been so great! We have developed a great friendship, and she continues to motivate me and keep me focused.

Since the end of school, I have started to see a steady loss — back to the usual one-and-a-half to two pounds a week.

My mom and I run a lot together, and she challenged me to see how far I could run without stopping. (Our usual four-mile route is a run/walk combination.) At the beginning of the year, I couldn’t run a block, but the other day I ran a whole mile without stopping! Now I push a little further each time.

Each summer, our family hikes Mount Timpanogos. It is an all day adventure climbing to the 12,000-foot summit and back. It has always been difficult for me, but this year I will be much stronger. I am dedicated to working hard this summer and will go back to my senior year in high school as a lean, mean fighting machine!

Mike West · LEHI
Lost 31 pounds, 11.5% body fat
Starting Weight 230 pounds
Current Weight 199 pounds

These past few months have been phenomenal. For the first time in more than nine years, I am below 200 pounds! Because of the weight loss, I have been able to reengage in former hobbies that I have been unmotivated to do because of the extra 30 plus pounds I was carrying around. Mountain biking, hiking, running and going to the gym have all been enjoyable again and my body has literally been craving the activity. I even joined an indoor soccer team.

I attribute this round of weight loss to two things: strict, smart dieting and regular activity at the gym or elsewhere. The activity has been easy because I am just doing the things that I love to do.

The biggest shift with diet from past weight loss failures is that I am actually eating a ton of food and not starving myself. I am just eating the right foods on a more frequent basis. It’s manageable, sustainable and has made a world of difference.

Thank you to all those who have been helping and supporting me with this endeavor. I hope you all know how much I appreciate it. Next stop: 190 and below!

Amy Weiland · CEDAR HILLS
Lost 31 pounds, 7.7% body fat
Starting Weight 217 pounds
Current Weight 186 pounds

Many fairy tales have large stone walls protecting a fair princess.

“You work hard, my dear,” the wall says to the fair maiden. “You deserve to sleep in this morning and not go to the gym.”

She replies with a thoughtful “Yes, wall — I do work very hard. What a good idea … Zzzzzz … ”

I’ve loved the wall for letting me sleep in and for giving me the excuse to eat comfort food if I’ve had a long day. I’ve also hated the wall, in the past, for making me gain back all the weight I’ve lost (and then some.)

Losing the first 30 pounds through a lifestyle change of correct eating and exercise, I was able to maintain my weight during my latest “dance” with the wall. But 30 pounds is not my goal, so I’ve had to recommit myself and tell the wall to take a hike!

That’s what this princess will be doing this summer!

Roylence Croft · LINDON
Lost 21 pounds, 7 waistline inches
Starting Weight 245
Current Weight 224

Kevin Croft · LINDON
Lost 10 pounds, 6.25 waistline inches
Starting Weight 208
Current Weight 198

Summertime brings vacations and swimming suits. (We will get to those later.) We are so happy to be able to share these fun times with our family.

Kevin has been able to maintain his weight very well. His workouts are always 110 percent. He is getting very strong, and he watches what he eats but can still afford to treat himself once in awhile.

As far as I (Roy) go, I thought I was doing really well. My clothing size is very much on its way down. People have been very complimenting, and life is good! Well, summer hit and it was time to take my daughter Kylee and her friends to Seven Peaks. The swimming suit came on and reality hit — I still have a long way to go!

John is so wonderful to us and helps us every day. Here are two of his nutrition tips that have helped us:
• Even if you know what’s good for you, if you aren’t prepared when it’s time to eat, you’re doomed.
• View each meal or snack as an opportunity to improve your body. Make sure each meal has a good protein source, a good fat source, and a good amount of fruits and veggies.

It’s easy to talk the nutrition talk, the million dollar question is, do you walk the nutrition walk?

We know for a fact that John walks the nutrition walk — and he’s helping us get there, too. Thank you, John!

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