Posted 11:01 pm Sunday, February 10, 2013
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Group picking selves up after holiday stumbles
BY COSHANDRA DILLARD
cdillard@tylerpaper.com
Like many people who find themselves on a weight-loss journey, a Tyler group is struggling to overcome obstacles.
But Team Wii Get Fit, one of the participants in the Fit City Challenge’s Lighten Up East Texas, is still on the right track. By December, it had lost a collective 30 pounds. Previously, team members had found some success through healthy living initiatives at their jobs, Horizon Inc.
Today, the 12-member team has lost at least 48 pounds, collectively. With three months to go until the final weigh-in, members are getting ready to rev up their fitness regimen to shake off extra pounds gained during the holidays.
The Tyler Morning Telegraph has been following the team since the initial weigh-in November.
The weight loss contest, which goes through May, encourages East Texans to lose at least 5 percent of their body weight.
Wii Get Fit team members include Pat Spenla, Lisa Hamlett, Donna Milliken, Pam Crawford, Linda Moore, Sheila DePriest, Jan Lynch, Craig Ellis, Terri Zifchock, Tim Dawson, Seth Wilson and Paquita Felix.
cdillard@tylerpaper.com
Like many people who find themselves on a weight-loss journey, a Tyler group is struggling to overcome obstacles.
But Team Wii Get Fit, one of the participants in the Fit City Challenge’s Lighten Up East Texas, is still on the right track. By December, it had lost a collective 30 pounds. Previously, team members had found some success through healthy living initiatives at their jobs, Horizon Inc.
Today, the 12-member team has lost at least 48 pounds, collectively. With three months to go until the final weigh-in, members are getting ready to rev up their fitness regimen to shake off extra pounds gained during the holidays.
The Tyler Morning Telegraph has been following the team since the initial weigh-in November.
The weight loss contest, which goes through May, encourages East Texans to lose at least 5 percent of their body weight.
Wii Get Fit team members include Pat Spenla, Lisa Hamlett, Donna Milliken, Pam Crawford, Linda Moore, Sheila DePriest, Jan Lynch, Craig Ellis, Terri Zifchock, Tim Dawson, Seth Wilson and Paquita Felix.
MAKING IT WORK
They have different work schedules, some have experienced some illness, and a few have a visual impairment but they say it won’t deter them.
“We’re trying to cheer each other on, because of a lot of sickness going on right now,” said Ms. Lynch, who has been the self-described cheerleader of the bunch.
“I feel like the cheer has kind of left a lot of the team, but I think they’ll get back on because these are some determined people. They clap for each other. They get excited for each other. We have a camaraderie that is really nice.”
Sticking to a plan over the holidays was challenging and some team members put on a few pounds. Ms. Lynch said she now knows to eat before special occasions and holiday events.
“I’m in a yo-yo (phase), but I have upped my exercise to five hours a week,” she said. “That should start shaving it off. I had three weeks where I just plateaued.”
Ms. Lynch, 58, has lost 55 pounds in the past year and about 13 pounds since the regional contest started.
Team members have taken advantage of different activities — such as Zumba and ballroom dancing — to burn fat. Ms. Lynch recently added water aerobics for extra benefits.
“I picked water aerobics, because I can do a whole lot more in the water,” she said. “I think I’m getting addicted to exercise like I was addicted to food.”
Team members also have taken advantage of special offers. Their employer will offer a free Weight Watchers class and the team was offered a free membership at a local gym to help with its participation in Lighten Up East Texas.
“We’re trying to cheer each other on, because of a lot of sickness going on right now,” said Ms. Lynch, who has been the self-described cheerleader of the bunch.
“I feel like the cheer has kind of left a lot of the team, but I think they’ll get back on because these are some determined people. They clap for each other. They get excited for each other. We have a camaraderie that is really nice.”
Sticking to a plan over the holidays was challenging and some team members put on a few pounds. Ms. Lynch said she now knows to eat before special occasions and holiday events.
“I’m in a yo-yo (phase), but I have upped my exercise to five hours a week,” she said. “That should start shaving it off. I had three weeks where I just plateaued.”
Ms. Lynch, 58, has lost 55 pounds in the past year and about 13 pounds since the regional contest started.
Team members have taken advantage of different activities — such as Zumba and ballroom dancing — to burn fat. Ms. Lynch recently added water aerobics for extra benefits.
“I picked water aerobics, because I can do a whole lot more in the water,” she said. “I think I’m getting addicted to exercise like I was addicted to food.”
Team members also have taken advantage of special offers. Their employer will offer a free Weight Watchers class and the team was offered a free membership at a local gym to help with its participation in Lighten Up East Texas.
MOTIVATION = SUCCESS
For inspiration, Ms. Lynch keeps a pair of pants and jacket she’d like to fit into one day. She also celebrates simple things that she may have taken for granted before.
“I’m motivated because I’m able to do things that I couldn’t do,” she said. “My mom is older, and she really needed me to do something, I was able to bend over easily and help get her shoes on.”
Craig Ellis, 52, has lost 15 pounds since Christmas with what he called a “very light workout.” He’s stepping it up though, as his neighbor, a former football coach, volunteered to act as his personal trainer.
He wants to lose 90 pounds but believes he may hit the 60-pound mark by the final weigh-in.
The support of his team and coworkers is what keeps him motivated.
“It seems like every time I open my email, there’s somebody with a success story or encouragement,” he said. “Even if somebody missed some workouts or gained a little weight, they are still encouraging. It’s a good strong team. Everybody’s rooting for each other to do well, to be healthy.”
“I’m motivated because I’m able to do things that I couldn’t do,” she said. “My mom is older, and she really needed me to do something, I was able to bend over easily and help get her shoes on.”
Craig Ellis, 52, has lost 15 pounds since Christmas with what he called a “very light workout.” He’s stepping it up though, as his neighbor, a former football coach, volunteered to act as his personal trainer.
He wants to lose 90 pounds but believes he may hit the 60-pound mark by the final weigh-in.
The support of his team and coworkers is what keeps him motivated.
“It seems like every time I open my email, there’s somebody with a success story or encouragement,” he said. “Even if somebody missed some workouts or gained a little weight, they are still encouraging. It’s a good strong team. Everybody’s rooting for each other to do well, to be healthy.”
