Metro Spirit 01.31.2013

Raisin’ Kane I fell off the wagon. Yep, I sure did.

First Thanksgiving, then Christmas and, before you knew it, I put on the extra 10 holiday pounds. Actually, when I got on the scale January 1, it was more like 15 pounds.

What happened? I did what many of us do in November and December. I got lazy.

The running stopped and the eating did not. I was as out of town a bunch during this stretch and I enjoyed the he holidays a little too much. January 1 was an eye-opener ene n r for me. Hopped on the scale and gained 15 pounds. ds.

Really, 15 pounds?!?! At that moment, I knew things nggs had to change.

The change for me began as soon as I got off the he scale. I set up a step-by-step program that would al aallow lo ow me to get back on the right track.

First step: No more fast food and soda. I’m suree the fine folks at local Wendy’s establishments miss ss my multiple weekly trips through the drive-thru.

Nobody loves Mountain Dew more than me, but utt that was gone as well. Now it’s only water and better food shopping decisions for me.

Second step: Get back on a weekly running program. This was a must, especially as I was preparing to run in my fourth Augusta HalfMarathon in late February. I went back to 3-4 mile weekday runs and one long run on the weekend with the Augusta Striders. Getting back into a daily running routine was easier than I thought. Think about it... 3-4 miles per day only adds up to about 25-34 minutes of actual running time. Everyone’s schedule is different, but it shouldn’t be hard to set aside 30 minutes a day for running or some sort of exercise. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you are just getting into running, check out the Augusta Striders group. I’ve found it easier to do long runs with a group than by myself.

Third step: I joined Team Lean. My employer, WJBF-TV, is a big supporter of this annual 12-week weight loss campaign.

I’m on a team with some co-workers and this really makes you accountable. The scale doesn’t lie. Each day, we discuss what we ate the day before and how much exercise we did. You better believe that we are honest with each other. Again, the scale doesn’t lie and we have to weigh in each week. I love being held accountable each week and Team Lean certainly does this.

So, how are we doing so far? Since implementing these three steps, I’ve dropped nine pounds in 21 days. I doubt I can keep this pace up, but if all goes according to plan, I’ll be back to my ideal weight by Masters Week. This process is a marathon, not a sprint. When I know that I can When Chelsie Lee entered Phase 4 of the Fit to Be Gold Challenge in the spring of 2012, she had comfortably button my suit coat again, I know that already had some experience with losing weight.

I’ve successfully crossed the finish line!

“I had lost weight for our wedding day,” she admitted. “But I gained all of it back and more.”

Chelsie’s close win in June, however, provided her husband Grady with the motivation he needed to Super Bowl Prediction step up to the plate in Phase 5 of the contest, which began in September.

San Francisco 23, Baltimore 20.

“A lot of the reason I entered was seeing the change that Chelsie went through,” he said. “That was No way can I pick against Augusta a big motivator for me. I wanted to see that change. It really had a big impact for me and it helped native and former Butler HS star me to eventually get where I am today.”

Carlos Rogers. Look for the 49ers star Just like his wife, Grady won Phase 5 of the Fit to Be Gold Challenge, hinting at a little bit of DB to come up with one interception competitiveness that they seem to enjoy in their relationship. against Ravens QB Joe Flacco.

Though both won, they both admit that they’re not done. Grady and Chelsie both have more weight they’d like to lose and have made time at the gym sort of like dates.

Chris Kane is a Gold’s Gym member and But still that competitive streak comes through. he co-anchors Good Morning Augusta and “We love training with our trainer together,” Chelsie said.

News Channel Six at Noon weekdays on WJBF“We’re able to challenge each other during workouts,” Grady added. “We get a little TV. competitive.”

“We’re not vicious or anything,” Chelsie laughed, “but we’ll tease each other about