After gaining the first week of the challenge, for the third straight week I have recorded a loss, this week I was down 1.6 pounds. This brings my net weight loss in this challenge to 4.2 pounds in four weeks.

When I started the challenge, I set myself a personal goal of losing 12 pounds; I figured I  could lose two pounds a week. I have accepted the fact that I may not reach my weight goal. But, I will continue to work hard and do my best for the next two weeks.

The program has definitely got me to think about my food choices and read labels, which will help me after this challenge ends. Although I would have liked to have lost more weight by now, I can’t measure my success in the weight loss alone.

This week, my co-worker John Maguire said that I seemed to have more energy. I noticed that, too, but was it certainly uplifting that someone else noticed.  I also notice my pants feel looser, which is encouraging.

Although it’s tough to get up and out by 5:45 a.m., to attend our mid-week kickboxing class, I realized this week how beneficial it was to me. It not only woke me up, but it energized me for the entire day.

At the March 25 punishment workout session, I had choice of taking the beginner course, which I have done to this point in the challenge, or doing the intermediate course. The beginner course consisted eight rounds of eight repetitions of eight different exercises. The intermediate course was ten rounds of ten repetitions of the same exercises. I decided to challenge myself and was able to complete the intermediate course.  

Coaches Lisa Hall, Kristina Phillips, and Maureen Craney have all been very supportive and encouraging. When our Wednesday morning kickboxing class got canceled at the Wiscasset Community Center due to the storm, they maneuvered their schedules to get our workout in on Thursday morning. Its evident that really care about your success and provide all the tools to achieve it. Other participants sharing recipes, offering encouragement help make for a positive experience.

After going a whole week without adding Equal or Splenda to my coffee, I realize I enjoy my coffee just as much without it, and probably won’t go back to adding anything to it. Craney offered a tip:add a little bit of cinnamon to the coffee before brewing, which was great. For the nutrition challenge (staying away from any sugar and dairy), I earned 30 of 42 points. I had difficulty giving up cheese, but did manage to go three days without it.

For exercise this week I did less walking as my ankles were sore. But I did few extra cardio classes; I prefer Zumba. Our team completed the team portion of the challenge on Wednesday and began collecting bonus points

The Week 5 nutrition challenge urges us to drink plenty of water and eliminate dairy, grains and artificial sugars, and watch our carb intake. We can also earn points for keeping a food journal.

This week we will accumulate points doing cardiovascular exercise. Hall encouraged us to try something different. “We are at the point in this competition where it's not only about the points. We need to focus on burning calories.”