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| | Sarah, who lives in Stoke on Trent, was interested in the Big Challenge right from the start.
Once she was over thirteen stone, and she has been losing weight gradually, but she was attracted to the challenges because they are NOT about faddy diets or sending people to expensive health clubs.
They're about simple, constant ways to keep us all healthy.
Want to find out more about the campaign?
Click here |
Each week the TV show throws out a different challenge to the nation - something simple and achievable, such as clenching your buttocks, or taking up an activity like rounders.
Sarah's DIARY
 Diary for Week 8 (04/11)
This week's task is to walk 10,000 steps a day which was something I always endeavour to do.
I wear my "bonus buddy", which is the Weight Watchers' equivalent of a stepometer; and when I've reached a healthy level of steps it beeps to let me know. Any beeps I get beyond that point mean that I'm earning bonus points so that I can eat extra food, yummy!!!
It's a great idea to wear one. I find that thinking I can eat a little bit extra encourages me to get out and do abit more.
You also start getting a little bit competitive with yourself by trying to outdo yourself just a little bit more every time.
That's all for this week, as I'm struggling for time!
Diary for Week 7 (27/10)
This week's challenge is to do some different form of exercise.
Over the last 6 months I have upped the exercise quite a bit with walking, swimming, horse-riding and have even started to jog (albeit a little), I quite fancy trying badminton or some salsa classes but am still talking the husband into both these activities.
At my weekly weigh-in this week I faced the scales after my croissant eating expedition in Paris and managed to get off quite lightly with only 1lb gained which I was ecstatic about.
This has encouraged me to keep on track this week.
Fortunately for me but unfortunately for my diet I am away again this weekend and so will have to endeavour to keep control - fingers crossed!
Diary for Week 6 (20/10)
This week has been rather a struggle. Paris does not help!
Croissants, red wine and cafe au lait are so high in points it doesn't bear thinking about it - so I didn't!!!!
The challenge this week is to eat more fruit and veg. I am quite good at this now, especially with salad veg, every week I buy in loads and my favourite lunch is a huge chicken salad with no fat dressing which only costs me around 3 points, I really enjoy it.
Fruit is a bit of an issue as over the last year I have gone off it completely but in keeping with the Fat Nation plan I bought bananas, jaffa oranges and grapes to encourage me to eat more.
I think that oranges in the evening are a great diet saver as quite often you eat because you just want something to do with your hands, peeling an orange is therefore like a food with a purpose. It all helps!!
Another good way to eat more veg is to bulk up your own favourite receipes with some, if ! you are making a spagetti bolognese put in loads of onion, tomatoes, mushrooms and peppers, it will fill you up and will do wonders for your health.
Roll on this week's challenge.....
Diary for Week 5 (13/10)
The challenge this week was proving a little difficult to organise.
It's rounders!...they want us to have a game of rounders.
Having not been in the area that long the challenge is proving rather challenging. The squirrels in the park and my dog just aren't getting the rules!!!!! Perhaps I can get some of my slimmer friends to participate in a game!
I think it's a great idea to encourage team games as you forget that you are actually exercising and its fun so all in all great stuff.
On a good note I have been out "jolking", ie half jogging and half walking, and I've found that if you do your bum crunches whilst walking you seem to go a little faster, as if powered from behind!
Food hasn't been the easiest this week as I've had family visiting from the Isle of Man and I'm afraid oatcakes were in order.
Back on track now though although a weekend in Paris is going to be another big test.
Hopefully this weeks challenge is eating croissants and sightseeing!
One can only hope!!!!!!
Diary for Week 4 (6/10)
This week our challenge is to do some healthy cooking in the home. Again this is a good challenge for me.
I have many of the Weight Watchers cookery books and so if I'm going to do a recipe that's what I would be using.
They are great as you never feel like you are eating low fat food and you get much more food on your plate than you would if you were buying a ready meal.
The other benefit is that you know exactly what's on your plate and that its not full of additives etc.
Yes it takes a little more preparation but in the long run I really think its worth it.
Diary for Week 3 (29/9)
... Feel like I've gotten off lightly again this week as the challenge is portion sizes.
Being a Weight Watchers' leader this is the stuff that we teach to all our members and so it is pretty much ingrained in my day to day routine.
However I'm still doing the bum crunches and other stuff.
My exercise is still increased and I think it makes you feel alot better about yourself if you can just get out for a 20 minute walk.
Unfortunately a few treats and a buffet crept in over the weekend and so my weight has stayed the same this week. Got straight back on track on Monday and so if I can battle my willpower (or save a few extra points) I should have a better weight loss next week.
Its a long term plan and so life will occasionally get in the way the key I think is to keep going which I will!!!
Week 2 (22nd September)
Watched Fat Nation last Thursday night and was quite relieved at the Challenge (do a fridge laundry) - and have probably got off quite lightly this week, as being a Weight Watchers' leader there aren't many things that creep into my fridge without being low in points anyway.
I thought the psychologist was a great help with the issue of cravings and this really helped me when a cheesecake arrived in my fridge on Sunday courtesy of the husband!
I didn't touch it and am very proud of myself.
My exercise was increased this week and I managed to go riding, get to the gym and walk most days; plus I did the exercise routine from the Fat Nation programme and really enjoyed it.
I had a few drinks on Saturday night but pulled back my points on Sunday and Monday; so that on Tuesday at the class, I weighed in 2lbs lighter, so was delighted.
My class at Walton are sponsoring me to do the challenges and are raising money for Migraine Awareness - so hopefully this week's programme will be something manageable again.
Fingers crossed!
Week 1 (15/9 - nearly one week since the first Big Challenge Programme)
After undertaking to take part in "The Big Challenge", I watched the first Fat Nation last Thursday night with trepidation as to what the challenge was this week.
I was relieved to see that "butt crunching" was the topic for the week and felt confident that I would be able to do this.
While the programme was on, I was in front of the TV doing the exercises along with the show!
On Friday I was doing my crunches in the car, on the sofa, pretty much every time I thought about it - although soon realised that if you do them too quickly you can't do as many.
The weekend proved a little more tricky as its not something you do whilst socialising!!!!
The show encouraged me to be more active and so I've managed to get some more walks in this week and thankfully at my weigh-in on Tuesday I had managed to lose a pound... so, off to a positive start.
I am determined to do the Fat Nation exercise routine this week but also am sure that after my riding lesson on Friday I will have a sore bum anyway.
I hope that this week's challenge is something I am able to do and so am keeping my fingers crossed.
I am hoping to raise some money for charity at my Weight-Watcher meetings so the pressure is really on...
SR
Big Challengein Staffordshire
 In this county, the local CSV (Community Service Volunteers) office is overseeing much of the advice and organisation.
For more information on how to get a copy of the Get Out – Get Active information pack, on how to get involved in local sports groups in the area - from Archery to Water Polo -, and even how to claim your FREE Boots cholesterol test, the contact is the CSV Action Desk, which can be contacted on 01782 221 225 or by emailing csv.stoke@bbc.co.uk
The BBC campaign
The Fat Nation Big Challenge is a ground-breaking TV show broadcast every Thursday evening this autumn, working with the residents from a street in Birmingham.
With the help of a small team of experts (the F team - exercise coach, psychologist, and Miss Chiplash the nutritionist) they will attempt to turn their lifestyles around.
A range of programming, across BBC 3, local radio and regional and interactive BBC TV, will be encouraging viewers and listeners to do the same.
The Big Challenge supporters' pack costs £3.99 and contains pedometer, fridge magnet and tape measure and can be ordered by calling freephone number 0800 066 066 or online. |
