Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Another News Paper Article Update

Here's the link: http://http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/living/health/15782518.htm


New food habits are becoming second nature
Check out how the contestants of WichiTalk's Weight-Loss Challenge are doing midway through their commitment.
BY KAREN SHIDELER
The Wichita Eagle

Halfway through their three-month commitment, WichiTalk's Weight-Loss Challenge team members have discovered that dieting doesn't have to be a drag.
"I know salads are my friend and not a punishment," says Andrea McClellan.
"If you plan, you do well," says Toni Harden.
The six began their efforts Sept. 1, after being chosen from 65 people willing to go public with their weight-loss efforts.
Here's a look at how the six are doing:


Ken Rawson
Rawson, 30, director of student ministries at First United Methodist Church, hopes to lose 15 pounds.

"I've lost a whopping 8," he says. But at that pace, "in two years, I'll be a whole new man!"
He's the one who suggested the Weight-Loss Challenge, because a friend in another state is part of TV's "The Big Loser." Rawson thought the public accountability would motivate him -- but has found that it takes more than that. He's trying to make small changes, inspired by the Kansas Health Foundation's "Change Something" campaign.


Jamie Goltz
Goltz, 23, who works for the Army National Guard and the Wichita Marriott, wants to lose 25 to 30 pounds. She has lost 20, she says.

"I feel that my low-calorie, small portions are really working out," she says. She recently spent a week in Topeka, caring for family members during a health crisis, and found herself craving the fruits and vegetables she's gotten used to.
She didn't turn to food for comfort in time of crisis, and "it was really good to see myself not doing that. I was really proud of myself."


Toni Harden
Harden, 46, is a paraeducator at Wells Special Education Center and wants to lose 20 to 30 pounds. She has lost 6, she says.

She has learned the difference between "plan, plan, plan versus busy, busy, busy. If you plan, you do well.... I do much better when I plan my meals."
She has also learned the perils of going public: A woman at a movie theater recognized her from The Eagle's stories and asked whether popcorn was on her diet. "I promptly threw it in the trash," Harden says.


Tom Allen
Allen, 43, a teacher and coach at Northwest High School, wanted to lose 40 pounds and now realizes that was unrealistic. He has lost 10.

He has learned that changing habits takes work. "I have to work on it every day," he says.
He and his family have joined the YMCA and are going to start working out together -- as soon as they get through a move to a new house.


Crystal Iseman
Iseman, 26, a stay-at-home mom, day-care provider and college student, wants to lose 25 pounds and says she is halfway there.

Being busy used to mean turning to junk food because it was convenient. But "I have learned that sometimes being so busy makes it easier to skip the junk food," she says. "It has not been that hard at all."
She has a difficult time meeting her workout buddy at the gym on a regular basis but is fitting into smaller sizes -- and realizing how supportive her family and friends are of her efforts.


Andrea McClellan
McClellan, 31, a stay-at-home mom, hopes to lose 25 pounds and says she has lost 13.

She finds herself craving fruits and vegetables when she's hungry. She also thinks before she eats. "Sometimes your brain says to eat but your body says 'no more food,' " she says. "You have to know why you want it and then decide to eat real food" instead of junk.
In addition to working out with a personal trainer, McClellan takes a belly-dancing class and practices while she's vacuuming or doing dishes -- moves "that work your booty off while having fun!"

Cheer them on
When we started the three-month Challenge, we invited readers to share encouragement or advice. Several of the six team members say they read what you write. Tell them more on our WichiTalk blog: Go to http://blogs.kansas.com/wichitalk/ to post your comments.

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