Weight Loss Competition: Day One

A fitness challenge begins today that is being held by my place of employment. For a $20 entry fee, anyone in the company can enter and compete for over $300 in cash prizes that will be split between the top three challengers.

I can really use the cash and really need to lose the weight.

The contest begins with a private weigh-in and optional body fat percentage measurement. Contestants are allowed to set their own fitness goal. The actual requirements for winning have not been established yet, as all of the contestants come from very different fitness levels.

I have decided to enter the contest with the specific goal of simply losing weight. A contest like this, and the idea of competition might finally be what I need to make positive changes to my health and lifestyle.

Weight has been basically a lifelong battle. It has been winning the last few years as my weight has ballooned in very little time.

The duo of obesity and poor stress management has probably removed several years from my life expectancy and has not made living particularly enjoyable. With a beautiful wife and child, I intend to stick around for a while and not only improve my quality of life but also the quality of life for my family.

At the weigh-in, I stood at 6'2" and weighed 340 pounds, fully-clothed. That is obviously ridiculous for a 25-year-old, much less anyone who does not work as a professional wrestler. This is officially the most I have ever weighed. Doctors have told me that my height would necessitate a weight of 185 pounds. To get started, I have set a competition goal to lose 40 pounds. Not only would this be a great start to continued weight loss, but I think would ensure victory in the competition. I am obviously the super heavyweight of the group and if I put up big numbers I would do quite well.

For the duration of the contest I am not going to jump on any fad diets or new age programs. I am simply going to try to eat less and exercise more. My current level of exercise is nonexistent. I can smell the different fast food restaurants. I absolutely love ice cream, so removing all soda and desserts will not be fun.

I am going to write updates periodically to keep a public record of my progress over the 12 week contest period. Hopefully requiring me to take this seriously and keep up with it.

With several events coming soon and the hellish heat of summer in Phoenix, Arizona, there isn't a better time to get on track and start making some positive changes to my attitude, appearance and lifestyle.