CCJer's! Top 7 List for Week 3!!

Tonite wrapped up another great week of weight loss for the awesome ladies in the CCJ group! The Top 7 Losers in the group to date are.....

#1. Sherry Fleck..................5.3%

#2. Bonnie Kuester.............2.8%

#3. Lana Wessell.................2.4%

#4. Brandi Stiles..................2.3%

#5. Lois Mason....................2.1%

#6. Sharon Kunkel..............2.0%

#7. Marilyn May..................1.7%

Let's hear it for these weight loss winners!!! Keep it up, ladies!

Tonite we had a fabulous speaker, Robin Norris, talk to us about none other than FOOD! She had a ton of insight and I, personally, loved how she keeps her food and eating so simple. I'm definitely going to put alot of what she talked about into action. Thank you, Robin, for coming and speaking to our group!

Weekly challenge this week is to do something active/excercise at least 3 times a week! And, remember, drink your water and keep your food journal! :) Until next week......

CCJer's! Top 7 List for Week 2!!

Since this group is a wee bit smaller than the other, I think we'll just announce the Top 7....sound good to you? If not, voice your opinion by either commenting on this post just let me know at the next meeting! So, without further ado.....

#1. Sherry Fleck...................3.9%

#2. Bonnie Kuester..............2.8%

#3. Brandi Stiles...................2.3%

#4. Wanda Jones..................1.9%

#5. Nicole Weisman..............1.7%

#6. Lana Wessell...................1.4%

#7. Carla Popp.......................1.3%

Let's hear it for these fabulous ladies who worked their booty off this week.....and it shows! :) Awesome job, ladies. For the meeting tonite, we all just kind of shared what worked for us. We put the Top 3 in the spotlight and one trend that I couldn't help but notice was that all 3 of them had cut out drinking DIET sodas, which was the challenge for the week!

The challenge for this week....keeping a FOOD JOURNAL!! Trust me, I know, it's alot of work, but you will be so surprised after keeping one for a week! If you can, try and keep track of your water intake + how many hours of sleep you're getting in your journal as well.

We also would like for everyone to write down your goal. Put it somewhere you're going to see it everyday....in your food journal, in your folder, on a post it and slap it on your bathroom mirror. I don't care, just get it written down so that you can see it! Know what you're working toward! Write down or know how you're going to reward yourself when you reach your goal.

Next week.....we are having our very first speaker, Robin Norris! So, please make sure you stay and listen to our wonderful presenter! Oh, and if any of you see Dan around, make sure you talk him into coming back! ;)

Celestine groupies! Top 10 list for week #3!

The moment you've all been waiting for (and way early in the week, too! Don't get too used that, ladies! LOL!!) Let's give it up for......

#1. Melinda Gutgsell...............4.6%

#2. Amy Lewis........................4.6%

#3. Carol Fravell.....................4.3%

#4. Deb Meyer-Benton..........3.9%

#5. Leslie Burgan....................3.7%

#6. Nancy Rohl........................3.6%

#7. Carolyn Langill..................3.7%

#8. Stacy Greener...................3.0%

#9. Angie Sander.....................2.7%

#10. Erin Whaley....................2.7%

WOW!! Look at these awesome ladies GO!! Keep up the fabulous work!

Tonite we enjoyed listening to Dawn Stemle come and speak about how she sets goals, tips for getting motivated to get your booty off the couch and excercising, overcoming obstacles by training for a half marathon and having bad knees and rewarding ourselves (NOT with food!!). Thanks, Dawn! Good luck in the half marathon in April!!

The challenge for this week is......EXCERCISING at least 3 days! Remember, this also included drinking only water AND keeping your food journal. Angie also gave us all an extra challenge that her trainer has told her team to do in HealthPointe's Biggest Loser contest: do 20 push ups, 20 crunches, 20 reverse leg lifts, and 20 wall squats every evening.

Celestine groupies! Top 10 list for the week!!

I know, this is what you've all been stalking the website for all week and it's finally here!!! Please, bear with me....I know, I'm not any more busy than everyone else out there, but I am, quite possibly, more disorganized than most! My pink laptop that I usually brought to the meetings bit the dust. Everything on the hard drive is unrecoverable, which included the awesome spreadsheet my dear hubby fixed up for me to keep track of the weight loss for everyone. But, he's created a new and IMPROVED spreadsheet on my new laptop! Yay! (But, I had to wait for him to have time to make it...hence the delay).

Since we didn't get to announce the Top 3 Losers for the week at the meeting, here they are first!

#1. Melinda Gutgsell.......3.9%
#2. Amy Lewis..............3.8%
#3. Carolyn Langill........3.1%

Let's hear it for these girls that had one amazing week!! And, on to the big Weekly Top 10!

#1. Melinda Gutgsell......3.9%
#2. Amy Lewis.............3.8%
#3. Carolyn Langill.......3.1%
#4. Leslie Burgan.........2.9%
#5. Erin Whaley...........2.5%
#6. Stacy Greener.........2.2%
#7. Renee Merkel..........2.2%
#8. Carol Fravell.........2.2%
#9. Rachelle Beckman......2.1%
#10. Stacy McCracken.......1.9%

Awesome!! You ladies inspire me! Keep up the great work!

This week's challenge to the group is to keep a food journal. This challenge is near and dear to my heart. I totally believe in doing this. It is such a huge eye opener for anyone who is watching their weight. I know, it's hard, it's a big pain in the booty, but so worth it.

Remember, our challenges build, so don't forget to drink your water (and cut out the sodas!! Regular AND diet!)

Have a great weekend and see ya next Tuesday!

Weekly Top #15!!!

No excuses this week, ladies.....I just plain forgot to post it! Thanks, Amy B for reminding me about it! So, here it is....

1. Michelle Allen......................14.9%
2. Renee Merkel........................13.7%
3. Kris Gutgsell.........................11.5%
4. Becky Beckman....................10.4%
5. Linda Partenheimer...............8.2%
6. Amy Beckman........................7.4%
7. Becky Kunz............................7.3%
8. Denise Gutgsee.....................6.8%
9. Laura Rickenbaugh...............6.6%
10. Joyce Gessner......................6.2%
11. Rachelle Beckman................6.0%
12. Audrey Weisheit...................5.8%
13. Kristi Brinkman....................5.7%
14. Paula Britt..............................5.7%
15. Breanna Hasenour................5.5%

WooHoo Top #15!!! You are lookin' awesome!!! And, CONGRATS to our weekly winner last week....Rachelle Beckman! Rachelle won a gift card to Winkler's and she already knew what she was going to use it on!

The challenge this week was to do something nice for yourself. Give yourself a little reward for doing so well, which went along with the talk about stress by Johnna.

For shame, for shame!

My bad....I know it's not an excuse, but it's been a crazy week and I'm just now getting to the top #15!! Please forgive me!! So, here they are....

#1. Michelle Allen....................13.3%
#2. Renee Merkel .................12.1%
#3. Becky Beckman.................10.8%
#4. Kris Gutgsell.......................9.9%
#5. Amy Beckman....................7.8%
#6. Becky Kunz.........................7.3%
#7. Linda Partenheimer..........7.2%
#8. Joyce Gessner....................7.1%
#9. Denise Gutgsell.................6.8%
#10. Laura Rickenbaugh.........6.6%
#11. Kristi Brinkman...............6.3%
#12. Paula Britt.........................6.0%
#13. Jennifer Herman..............5.8%
#14. Kelly Birrell.......................5.5%
#15. Breanne Hasenour...........5.5%

Congratulations, ladies!!! Awesome job, keep up the excellent work you all are doing!

The weekly winner was Becky Kunz! She won the book "Eat This, Not That!". Congrats, Becky!!

At last week's meeting, we just had a round table discussion about what the top #15 have been doing to keep themselves up there. Everyone had something to share, but, I hope all of you realize the underlying pattern.....EATING HEALTHIER FOODS, WATCHING PORTION SIZES, WATER, & EXCERCISE!!! I know, it's hard work, and sometimes slow going, but it's what works!

The weekly challenge was issued by Audrey Lichlyter....to actually sit down and eat a meal, no grazing! Thanks for the challenge, Audrey!

Next meeting, Johnna Breitwieser will be speaking about STRESS. I think a lot of us will be able to relate to this subject. See you all then!!

Oh, and a big shout out to all the ladies who walked or ran the 5k at the Dubois Septemberfest! Sharon Donnerman and Dawn Stemle won awards!! Sherry Schnell and Amy Beckman ran the whole thing!! Other people who made awesome time....Renee Merkel, Kris Gutgsell, Rachelle Beckman, Tiffany Bauer, Michelle Meny, Christine Sander, Rita Schroering, Audrey Weisheit & Kelly Birrell! WTG, ladies! (I hope I didn't leave anyone out! If I did, let me know!!)

Weekly Top #15!!!

I'm so sorry it has taken me a couple of days to get this out. It's been a busy week! So, without further ado.....

#1. Michelle Allen.........11.4%
#2. Becky Beckman.........10.7%
#3. Kris Gutgsell.........10.5%
#4. Renee Merkel..........10.5%
#5. Linda Partenheimer..........9.4%
#6. Amy Beckman..........7.6%
#7. Kelly Birrell..........6.4%
#8. Kristi Brinkman..........6.3%
#9. Laura Rickenbaugh..........6.1%
#10. Joyce Gessner..........5.9%
#11. Denise Gutgsell..........5.9%
#12. Breanne Hasenour..........5.5%
#13. Rita Schroering...........5.3%
#14. Paula Britt..........5.2%
#15. Becky Kunz..........5.2%

WooHoo!!! Let's hear it for the awesome Top #15!! I am so proud of everyone on this list, and NOT on the list.....keep up the AWESOME work, ladies!!

Our weekly winner this week was Kris Gutgsell!! Kris won a pair of walking weights. CONGRATS, Kris!!

Our presenter for this week's meeting was John Marks. John is an avid runner and has run in multiple half marathons and marathons, including the famous Boston Marathon! He shared insights as to what motivates and inspires him, nutrition, type of shoes, training, etc. Thanks, John, for a great presentation!

Our new challenge was taken from the Weekly Challenge box that is out at each meeting. One of our fellow meeting-goers is challenging us all to drink half of our body weight in ounces of water every day! I know it sounds tough, but I know you can do it! Look at how many of you thought you could never give up sodas! Give it a try! You may be amazed at how good you feel!

Also, a reminder....I know we all want to stand around and share how well we all did with each other after we weigh in at the weekly meetings, but if you could just keep in mind that weight is a very personal thing to alot of ladies, so let's try not and hang around the weigh in area. We have full use of the community club, so let's put it to use and spread out a bit and give just a wee bit more privacy during weigh in! Thanks, ladies!! You're the BEST!! :-)

Tomorrow morning, I have a really great post that is kind of long to read, but full of WONDERFUL information, so check back!!

Weekly Top #15!!!

Here it is, ladies!! The ever-awesome Weekly Top #15!! Let's give it up for....

1. Michelle Allen..................................15.8%
2. Renee Merkel....................................8.9%
3. Becky Beckman.................................8.3%
4. Amy Beckman...................................6.9%
5. Joyce Gessner...................................6.1%
6. Kris Gutgsell.....................................6.0%
7. Laura Rickenbaugh..........................5.7%
8. Denise Gutgsell................................5.4%
9. Becky Kunz.......................................5.2%
10. Kelly Birrell.....................................5.1%
11. Chris Howard..................................5.1%
12. Linda Partenheimer.......................5.1%
13. Paula Britt.......................................4.4%
14. Audrey Weisheit.............................4.4%
15. Breanna Hasenour.........................4.3%

Congratulations and Awesome Job to the Top #15!!! Our weekly winner this week was Lisa Recker!! Lisa took home a prize of resistance tubes! Congrats, Lisa!!

And, our presenter for this week was Lisa Recker. Lisa and her friend, Michelle, ran a half marathon in Nashville several months ago. Angie and I couldn't wait to get Lisa to talk to the group about setting goals, what motivates her and how she went about accomplishing her goal of doing a half marathon (13 miles!). She and Michelle are currently training to do a full marathon....26 miles! Wow! Good luck Lisa and Michelle!

Our new challenge for the week is something a bit different than normal. We took a suggestion out of the Weekly Challenge box that is set up at the meetings, which is sit with new people at the next meeting! Completely do-able, right?! So, we expect to see everyone next week for the meeting, sit by new people and make new acquaintances!! Remember, the weekly challenges are something you do every week, so last week's challenge of staying and working out with Johnna OR making 3 laps around the club are on for the rest of the 6 weeks!!

See ya next week!!

Weekly Top #15!!!

Well, the number of people weighing in at the meetings seem to be dwindling down. I hope the group is everything you had hoped it would be. If it's not, please do not hesitate to talk to Angie or I with comments or suggestions!! This isn't "our" group....it's YOUR group! We are here to help YOU achieve your goals!!

That being said, we still have a great amount of people coming to the meetings, weighing in and HAVING HUGE SUCCESS!!! It's seriously awe-inspiring! I loved how many people that I, alone, weigh in just keep losing weight week after week!! Angie had mentioned the same thing, too!

So, now the moment you've all been waiting for....

#1. Michelle Allen.................................10.2%
#2. Renee Merkel..................................7.9%
#3. Becky Beckman..............................6.8%
#4. Amy Beckman.................................6.3%
#5. Kris Gutgsell...................................6.0%
#6. Joyce Gessner.................................5.7%
#7. Linda Partenheimer.......................5.7 %
#8. Laura Rickenbaugh........................5.3%
#9. Paula Britt........................................4.5%
#10. Rachelle Beckman.........................4.3%
#11. Chris Howard.................................4.3%
#12. Kelly Birrell....................................4.1%
#13. Cindy Hembree.............................4.1%
#14. Becky Kunz....................................4.0%
#15. Hillory Werner..............................4.0%

Let's give these ladies a round of applause!! Way to go! Keep up the awesome work!

Our winner for this week was Denise Gutgsell! She won a yoga mat! Go Denise!! She shared with me at weigh in that she's started to keep an online food journal on one of the sites we have here on the blog!

Our presenter for this evening was Misty Bohnert who is a yoga instructor (just to name one of the things she does!!). What a great speaker she was! She showed us some yoga moves to do in a chair, we all participated in some yoga moves standing up and she even stayed later with those who wanted and did some more strengthening and stretching excercises! Awesome!! Thanks, Misty!!

This week's challenge is to A. Stay after the meeting next week for Johnna's workout OR B. Stay after the meeting and try and walk 3 laps around the community club lake (1 lap=1 mile).

Thanks to Amy Lewis for having another yummy recipe up on the board for us! She does an awesome job at coming up with new recipes every week! If you have a kick butt low cal/healthy recipe, let her know at the next meeting!

How did everyone do with last week's challenge of keeping a food journal? I know it's a lot of work, but it's a lot of work that will pay off at the end of each day! I cannot stress enough how important that is to do. You will be surprised how fast those calories add up. And, as you see that, you will start to look for better and healthier ways to use up those calories!!

The Weekly Top #15!!!

Week #4 brought some new names to the Weekly Top #15! Let's give it up for....

#1. Michelle Allen.................8.2%
#2. Becky Beckman...............5.3%
#3. Renee Merkel..................5.3%
#4. Joyce Gessner.................4.4%
#5. Jennifer Herman.............4.3%
#6. Linda Partenheimer........4.3%
#7. Laura Rickenbaugh.........4.3%
#8. Amy Beckman.................4.1%
#9. Becky Kunz.....................4.0%
#10. Kris Gutgsell..................3.8%
#11. Cindy Hembree...............3.6%
#12. Hillory Werner...............3.4%
#13. Paula Britt......................3.2%
#14. Amy Lewis......................3.1%
#15. Rita Schroering..............3.0%

Awesome job, ladies! Keep up the great work! And, let's not forget about our Week #4 weekly winner.....Renee Merkel!! Renee won a body ball! And, our speaker this week, Erin Meyer, informed us all that just sitting on that ball while watching TV or on the computer will help burn an extra 80 calories an hour!!!

Also, the challenge for this week is to KEEP A FOOD JOURNAL!!! I know, it seems like a big pain the the boot-ay, but, believe me, you will be amazed at all the calories you are consuming in a day. It will make you more aware of what you are eating. In my food journal, I write down how many hours I slept that night, keep track of how much water I drank for the day, my caloric intake for breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2-3 snacks for the day and what my excercise for the day was.

So....to recap the Weekly Challenges (that you should be following every week, remember, these challenges all build off each other!):

-Weekly Challenge #1.......cut out the soft drinks and drink more water!

-Weekly Challenge #2.......excercise at least 3 times a week/excercise longer or more often.

-Weekly Challenge #3.......try a new recipe. Keep from being bored by trying out a new healthy recipe at least once a week! If you come to the meetings, we give you a new recipe to try!!

-Weekly Challenge #4.......keep a FOOD JOURNAL!

And, I want to extend a H U G E thank you to Erin Meyer, our speaker for the meeting this week. Erin is a Dietitian and a Diabetes Educator at Memorial Hospital & Health Care Center and gave us an extremely enlightening presentation on the food pyramid and serving size portions! Wow. I don't know about you all, but I learned so much tonite. Definitely makes me look at how much I'm eating in a new light. I will be posting her info on the blog later in the week. She was sweet enough to give out her direct line at work if any of us have any questions at all!

Until next time.......