Big Meal Challenge: The Results and The Winner
I can’t believe it is over already! Man how time does fly when you are having fun and really this was a great time for me because I got to torture them.
First for those of you new to the game let me remind you how it started. You can find the first challenge post here.
http://avidityfitness.net/2008/10/17/action-assignments-for-new-life-and-body-the-challenge/
Caught up? Great!
I have a video coming up but wanted to get the Midnight results in. I had to wait on a last min check in so the video is coming and should be up by morning. Without further ado here are the final results of the challenge and my crew!
Holy Crap you are not going to believe these results.
…….
…..
….
Nope, you can’t handle it yet….
…..
…..
Okay okay fine….
Aleks
Was 233 Now 222.4
Total Weight Loss- 11.4
Bf% Lost-4.1%
Pauline Stats
Was 108.5 Now 104.5
Total Weight Loss-4 pounds
Total Inches Lost-5 inches
Bf% lost-1.5-2.0%
Push up Increase-From 3 to 16
Mike
Was 224 Now 220
Total Weight Loss-4 pounds
Total Inches Lost-9 inches
BF% Lost-4.5%
Karen
Was 129 Now 124.8
Total Weight Loss-4.2 pounds
Total Inches Lost-7 inches
Bf% lost-2.0%
Annelle
Was 151 Now 139.8
Total Weight lost-11.2
Total Inches Lost-8
BF% Lost-3.8%
AND THE WINNER WITH 22 POUNDS LOST IN 30 DAYS?!!
JIM!
Jim Stats
Was 241 Now 219
Total Weight Loss-22 pounds
Total Inches Lost-16 inches
BF% lost-5.5% body fat
I can’t believe it, more to come!
Edit: Here is the You Tube dedication Video!
PS-Still more to come, I am off to bed!
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Lori
I took a chance that you might have posted the results already since I was up late…. woohoo! O.M.G….. what incredibly impressive results for 30 days worth of work! Congrats everyone… I’m speechless. (and trust me, that doesn’t happen often!)
November 16th, 2008 at 12:20 amAleks
CONGRATS EVERYONE that was in the game! An awesome effort by everyone! O, o, o both in visuals and numbers, amazing! Special congrats to Jim as well, if I didn’t see it and played I’d say it is not possible!!!
Aleks
November 16th, 2008 at 12:27 amDebby
Congratulations everyone!!
Wow, what transformations! All of your hard work certainly paid off.
November 16th, 2008 at 12:51 amJosh Aronovitch
What fantastic results! Congratulations to everyone who participated. Thanks Leigh for putting this challenge together.
I ended up losing 11 pounds, going from 206 to 195. My waist shrunk from 36 to 33.5 inches, my belly from 35.5 to 32.5. You can see more details (and pics) at http://jba2008-30meals.blogspot.com/
November 16th, 2008 at 1:03 amSinead
Oh my gosh, you guys look absolutely amazing! The changes in body comp are really remarkable and WOW Jim!! Way to go, everyone! You should be so proud of yourselves for all of the hard work!!
November 16th, 2008 at 1:11 amCalling it
No way is that 30 days. Bull.
November 16th, 2008 at 2:27 amshari
Here are my 30 day results, these are the start to end pictures , there is also the shrimp enchiladas i made
Weight 156 to 149 = -7 pounds
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31598602@N08/sets/72157608151197485/ this is first day to last day pic!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31598602@N08/sets/72157608360521749/ this was end of week 3
BEEN fun thanks so much LEIGH
i am gonna keep this going for myself
SHARI
November 16th, 2008 at 7:11 amWarasa
Woo hoo for everyone. Congrats to Leigh’s crew. And Josh! Wow Josh, what a transformation!
I have lost 3.5 lbs during this 30 days going from 122.5lbs to 119lbs and I am thrilled. I aim for 3 lbs more for the next 30 days. Yeah!
We should keep in touch somehow. It was an awesome 30 days having you guys as a support group.
November 16th, 2008 at 7:30 amJosh Aronovitch
Great job Warasa! 3.5 pounds is a lot for someone at your weight, and I bet there is a real visible difference.
I don’t plan on going anywhere, so you’ll be able to find me in Leigh’s comment threads, and on my transformation blog (though I may have to change the name now) if you ever need a supportive friend.
If Leigh is willing to give us a OBM alums open thread, we can keep checking in on Saturday’s, even without a formal challenge…
November 16th, 2008 at 7:39 amshari
everyone has done a great job!!!! congrats to all of you!
November 16th, 2008 at 8:04 amCynthia
Wow, congrats everyone! Jim… that’s just nuts how well you did! Great job!
Shari, Josh, Warasa… way impressive! Josh, I really like the idea of the OBM alumni open thread! I’ll be around, though maybe not quite as active on the computer for a while! Today has been over the top in that regard!
Here’s my final challenge check-in!
http://www.garbagethatgoo.com/2008/11/16/final-challenge-check-in/
-Cynthia
November 16th, 2008 at 8:31 amCynthia
The cool thing is, Leigh can’t chew me out for being up all night working on my check-in post, because she’s up too! I just saw her add a video to this post.
Time for me to sleep as well!
-Cynthia
November 16th, 2008 at 8:37 amETANA
Leigh and everyone, check out Cynthia’s SONG FOR LEIGH
“So, for you Leigh Peele… a little song!”
http://www.garbagethatgoo.com/2008/11/16/final-challenge-check-in/
I couldn’t wait to see everyone’s results!!! Wowee!! And over at BFL they all say, “be patient, results happen in week 8-12!,” when you complain that you’re not losing… We proved different with results in week 4!
Congratulations to the chosen and the steadfast, for
- perserverence in the middle,
- pull to the end, and
- compliance when you “didn’t wanna!”
My results to come. Yesterday I looked bigger than week 1; my belly was still so bloated from my medical procedures this week, but after about 4 servings of ducolax , I think I might come in with some nice changes to report today. Gotta measure, photo, weigh, etc…
-Etana
November 16th, 2008 at 9:29 amDanielle
Absolutely amazing EVERYONE (home participants too)! Congratulations!! What a great start to an approach you can now carry into the rest of your lives.
November 16th, 2008 at 9:34 amETANA
Question: when you count how many inches you lost, do you count every part you measure, and total that? …. or only bust + waist + hips?
Etana
November 16th, 2008 at 10:28 amGinger
Wow! Congrats to everyone!
November 16th, 2008 at 10:49 amJOY
Ok those are amazing. Nice job!!!! I am sooo impressed. My results aren’t quite as drastic but I’m incredibly happy.
http://fitandhealthygal.blogspot.com/
Thanks Leigh. This has really been a fantastic experience!! You rock!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:19 amRoland
Wow! Congratulations!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:27 amkrispy1138
Great job everyone and congrats to Jim!!!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:48 amCalling it
Great job on photoshop work. No way that is 30 days everyone.
November 16th, 2008 at 11:55 amDanielle
LOL to “Calling it” – folks, that is about the highest compliment you can get!! HA!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:58 amMike
Awesome job everyone!
Annelle, your photos stick out to me the most. I don’t know if it was just a timing fluke but in your first photo you’re staring at the ground as if to hide from the camera because that’s your only way out of this uncomfortable situation. Your final photo is someone who has a lot more confidence and is ready to charge into the next challenge, whatever it may be. Hmm. You wouldn’t happen to be the photographer in the family, would you? I ask because I’ve hidden from cameras my whole life by being the guy operating them, and now that guy is dead. When I see your pictures it’s almost like looking into a mirror for me!
For everyone else that’s following along, here’s my Lost & Found pic. It doesn’t have the same impact here as it does at the gym, being that the “lost” pic has been up for a couple years and people not only don’t recognize it’s me, they ask if that guy is actually still missing.. but nonetheless, it’s a drastic change.
http://www.stickerpimp.com/skinnypimp/lostnfound.jpg
November 16th, 2008 at 12:26 pmKatie Nemargut
Etana You add up all of your measurements
November 16th, 2008 at 12:30 pmLeigh Peele
Will be back later, keep the check ins coming everyone is doing amazing!
As for Calling It, really subtle name, normally I would delete you but these guys will appreciate the compliment
November 16th, 2008 at 12:34 pmKatie Nemargut
Aleks, Pauline, Mike, Karen, Annelle, and Jim You have all done an amazing job. Your dedication really shines through and you should all be proud of yourself for not only helping yourself but inspiring others
.
I can’t wait to see everyone else check in!
November 16th, 2008 at 12:35 pmKaren
Couldn’t check in till now as I can’t get the page to open at home.
Jim, way to go–you did AWESOME!
Annelle, I noticed the same thing about your pictures. Nice to see you looking up at the camera rather than at the ground
.
Aleks, Pauline, Mike, it was nice to do the challenge with you! You all did so great! You’ve been good company.
Karen
November 16th, 2008 at 12:54 pmSinead
Calling It, all you have to do is look at the progress pics each week and you’ll see that the results are real and not photoshopped.
Mike, I love the Lost/Found pics! That’s awesome!
back later. i’m working now and have to go entertain the kiddos while my hubby goes to have some quiet time watching football.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:31 pmStephanie
All I can say is awesome!!! Aleks, Annelle, Jim, Karen, Mike, and Pauline you all did what all of us lurkers were hoping we could do. You stuck with it and your hard work is very apparent. Congratulations to each of you!
November 16th, 2008 at 2:00 pmDiane
Congratulations to all of you! I think you are all winners with the results you had in 30 days! Great job!
November 16th, 2008 at 2:14 pmHayzel
Update at my training log: http://forums.jpfitness.com/challenge-training-logs/35143-positive-change-flesh-2.html#post643627
I’m down to 111 lbs
Congratulations to everybody who took part in the challenge and thank you to everyone who posted their support!
November 16th, 2008 at 3:31 pmPauline
Everyone has done such a great job! Leigh, thanks for your patience and sharing your expertise with all of us! Mike, thanks for sharing the lost and found pics! Jim, congrats on being the BIG winner!! Annelle, Karen, and Aleks, you guys did a fantastic job! It was great to be in a company of such dedicated folks. Many times when I thought I couldn’t do something, I thought of Leigh, my fellow challengers, and all your bloggers and just didn’t want to let you down. You kept me going! Thanks for the fun ride, everyone!!
November 16th, 2008 at 3:55 pmDiane
My update is found here: http://diane-journal.blogspot.com/. I was happy with my loss of 5.8 lbs. But, after looking at the pictures posted here, I decided to look at my own pictues more closely. I am very happy with the change, but it is still scary for me to look at!
November 16th, 2008 at 4:01 pmETANA
Here are my results:
Lost 9 pounds from 175 – 166
Lost 19.5″ in measurements
Wahoooo!
I’m counting (from day 1 10/20 [end of REPAIR] to 11/16 today):
-4____Chest (wearing a bra at nipple line)
-2.5__Ribcage (just under breasts)
-1.5__Waist (at narrowest part)
-3.5__Stomach (at navel)
-3____Hips (at widest part)
-2____Thigh left (7″ down from tan line)
-2____Thigh right (7″ down from tan line)
Wooweee!
I have never measured before in a diet. Perhaps I wouldn’t have been frustrated and given up in the past, had I taken measurements.
I’m still numb to the emotions I feel, losing 9 pounds in a month.
175 to 166 today!
I am the gal who did BFL for 3 years with no results, HIIT, lifting heavy; then Turbulence Training and 1200 calories for 5 months only lost 5 pounds.
This OBM challenge was with
- very diligent calorie tracking and compliance, 1375 healthy calories
- 3x/week 60-min cardio,
- 5 day/week recovery mobility & stretching & foam roller
- light to no resistance 1 or 2x/week
Photos, including OBM photo… note, I don’t see any difference in the photos, but I am still bloated from my medical procedures this week. I look forward to seeing changes in the photos this coming month.
http://s426.photobucket.com/albums/pp341/etana2008/Photos%202008-current/?action=view¤t=OBMBroccolibeefcasserole.jpg
- Etana
November 16th, 2008 at 5:33 pmETANA
… Oh, and I was conscious of my NEAT general daily activity, choosing to move rather than sit. … I’m sure this added to the results…
Congratulations to all. This has been so motivating, when I faltered, there was the game and the deadlines and the reporting to be accountable, and this picked me up when I was losing steam. Thank you all who took the time to comment on anything. I learned so much.
WHAT I LEARNED:
1. Count/weigh all food
2. Weightwatcher says vegetables are “free.” They are not free.
3. It may look like 1T peanut butter, but it may actually be 1.5 T;
therefore 2T may actually be 3T
4. NEAT: non exercise activity: you lose fat from the hour of
exercise; but if you are exhausted from it and sit on the couch the
rest of the day, it could be less effective than moving around all day
5. Sleep: If I don’t get 7-8hrs sleep or more, I drag around during
the day. This is a numbing of my metabolism. Sleep is more important
than I’d imagine.
6. Because of my foot problem, I’d tended to be less and less active
outside of the exercise hour, which caused me to burn less calories.
7. Protein should be 1 gram for every pound. So if I want to weigh
145, my target is 145g protein per day.
8. Water lots of water
9. It works best when I plan all food the night before or the morning,
and write it down and that’s all I eat (in fitday.com); I have
resisted this for years, but I found it let me be very calm and
peaceful about the evening’s food
10. WEIGHTLOSS HAPPENS IN THE KITCHEN; can’t stress this enough!
- Etana
November 16th, 2008 at 5:39 pmRachel
That is so awesome everyone! You guys are amazing! I have been having camera problems, but I have my updated stats. My final weight today is 125.8 from 132 at the start. I will post my measurements later, hopefully I will get this darn camera working. Again, congratulations to everyone.
November 16th, 2008 at 5:53 pmCynthia
Love the lost/found picture Mike! I can relate to what you said about Annelle’s pictures, I’ve always preferred to be behind the camera, not in front of it!
Joy, Hayzel, Etana, Diane… you all rocked it!
The best part for me is seeing 218+ on the scale… that hasn’t happened since late 1999/early 2000 I think! Anyway, I am stoked. Do need to eat some today and DRINK! Boy, that was a marathon session for me with the camera and the computer yesterday. I hardly ate, I hardly drank! I will rectify today, I have chicken breasts defrosting and also rice and quinoa.
I’m still in awe of Karen’s pull up picture!
-Cynthia
November 16th, 2008 at 6:06 pmshari
“My update is found here: http://diane-journal.blogspot.com/. I was happy with my loss of 5.8 lbs. But, after looking at the pictures posted here, I decided to look at my own pictues more closely. I am very happy with the change, but it is still scary for me to look at!
November 16th, 2008 at 4:01 pm”
DIANE!
I WANT YOUR THAI CROCKPOT CHICKEN!!!
please share that recipe and the salad with the peanut dressing i think that is what that was cant remember now! but either way please share!!!
thanks
November 16th, 2008 at 6:38 pmshari
Diane
Shari – I posted the recipe here with pictures: http://diane-journal.blogspot.com/. I adapted a recipe that I had; it was good enough that my husband said I could make it again and very easy!
Enjoy!
November 16th, 2008 at 7:09 pmCeebee
Stellar job, each and every one of you. Congratulations!
November 16th, 2008 at 7:40 pmLori
I haven’t had a chance to go check everyone’s log yet, but I’m headed there in a minute! Needless to say, there has been some AMAZING progress in the past month… thank you Leigh and everyone for all of the support that has been provided to all of the challengers! WOOHOO!
Here’s a link to my training log entry:
November 16th, 2008 at 8:19 pmhttp://forums.jpfitness.com/challenge-training-logs/33232-committed-endeavor-11.html#post643606
(note… I forgot that I wouldn’t be able to go back and edit, so the food pic is a couple of posts down.. sorry!
Diana
Hello everyone,
Just wanted to say congrats to all, amazing progress. I decided not to finish the challenge but my progress for three weeks is in my log. I’m checking on all logs but may not be able to post so wanted to let everyone know I appreciate all the sharing.
And thanks Leigh, for letting everyone follow along it was really fun. I hope you do this again.
Diana
November 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pmhttp://forums.jpfitness.com/training-log/35177-dianas-journey-health-2.html
Matt
Hi everybody!!!
Congratulations on fantastic progress!!! It’s so great to hear everyone progresses towards a better life
Leigh, we all owe you big time for this. I do wonder how much did we lose all together.
Jim – you are my hero. I put a link to your photos on my blog. Is that’s ok?
My update: This week – 1.7 pounds. From the start: 10.1 pounds.
Details and pics:
http://www.permanentfitness.com/my-weight-loss/weight-loss-challenge-finish-101-pounds-in-30-days/
November 16th, 2008 at 9:32 pmDebby
Just wanted to say congrats again to everyone!
I haven’t really done a deficit in about 10 days. Have been on a surplus due to the fact that I’ve been concentrating on getting back into a strength-training routine. I didn’t bother taking pictures today. I seem to have trouble with lighting. I can see body changes – putting muscle back on, but I don’t think my pictures look any different week to week.
My starting weight was 128.4 and I was 124.6 this morning.
(I literally ate 3 pounds of 80% ground beef daily from August 1st til Oct 18th, (less on the days when I ate beef shortribs and beef babyback ribs) to gain weight after being sick for 2 weeks in May. And no, I don’t have high cholesterol, well HDL is 100, but tri is low, and total is good.
That isn’t a true weight loss though, because I’d have to continue eating like a pig to maintain the previous weight.
I’d like to thank you Leigh for presenting us with this challenge! You made it possible for a lot of people to work together on a goal with specific instructions to make it possible. It brought a lot of great results and a lot of “fun”.
Looking forward to the next Fitcast podcast. Keep Kevin in line.
November 16th, 2008 at 10:11 pmSinead
You guys are rockin’! I’m so proud of you all–what amazing changes you have made this month!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:15 pmDebby
And thank you Sinead for being so supportive and positive!!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:18 pmLeigh Peele
Lori- Everyone did fantastic! I couldn’t be more proud of my crew and everyone else that played along!
Aleks- Thank you for working so hard and Thank you for being such a role model!
Debby- Thank you for being so encouraging!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:54 pmLeigh Peele
Josh- Wow! Your transformation is amazing! You really did a fantastic job.
Sinead- You are the greatest cheerleader ever. Thank you for being so supportive to everyone through all of this
Shari- 7 pounds! That is so great. Thanks for working so hard even with road blocks!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:54 pmLeigh Peele
Warasa- That is fantastic. I can’t believe you lost that much at that light of a weight.
Josh and Warasa- Feel free to comment here! I may be working something out in the future
Cynthia- Down 10 inches! That is so impressive. I am glad you stick with it
Congrats! Oh and I love the Song! There should be more songs for me 
November 16th, 2008 at 11:54 pmLeigh Peele
Danielle, Ginger, Krispy, and Roland- Thanks for the cheering
Joy- I do rock! So do you, you did a great job. You went from 20 to 30 pushups that is fantastic!
Mike- I love your Missing and Found Pictures! I completely agree with you about Annelle
November 16th, 2008 at 11:54 pmLeigh Peele
Karen- You did amazing, thank you for pushing yourself so hard!
Stephanie and Diane- I really appreciate you being so supportive and encouraging to everyone!
Hayzel- Down 4 pounds! Wow that is so amazing at your weight. You really did a great job!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:54 pmLeigh Peele
Pauline- Thank you for sticking through all of this and working so hard. My patience wasn’t testing once through all of this because you all worked so hard.
Diane- Wow I can’t believe you are down 13.5 pounds. Your pictures look shocking. You really look great
Etana- I am so proud of you. I know this was hard for you to get through but look, you did it you finished and you look amazing!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:54 pmLeigh Peele
Rachel- I can’t wait to see your pictures!
Lori- That is not the same woman in those pictures! Wow you really look great, and down 11 inches! I am impressed
Diana- I am sorry you didn’t finish but you still lost and I appreciate you posting today
November 16th, 2008 at 11:54 pmLeigh Peele
Matt- Oh my god your pictures…your stomach disappeared
You look great!
Debby- I think you will enjoy the fit cast today
Thank you for going though this and I am glad that you Lost and now are set on your next goal 
Sinead- Sweet Sinead, I just wanted to say thank you again. I know that you have helped so many people get through this challenge and kept everyone focused and excited about the challenge. Thank you for being your smiling wonderful self!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:55 pmETANA
I had a bit of a refeed today with 1 restaurant meal in an Indian restaurant, about 2000 cal of clean healthy refeed!!! (I did this because this week had a 4-day medical fast of 350 cal/day, and I didn’t want my calories to be so low for the week; the average was still about 1000cal/day)…
Tomorrow is another day of the same actions that I did this month to give me results: my food is planned in fitday, my exercise routine set, going to bed on time tonight, need to pay attention to my water intake which never quite makes a gallon…
Best of luck to all of you… we have really seen that we CAN cause results, and Quickly… Let’s all GET IN AND GET OUT of this darn deficit/diet cycle, and learn the challenges of maintenance, sooner rather than later!!
cheers! Etana
November 16th, 2008 at 11:58 pmAnna
I went from 122.8 at the beginning to 116.4 this morning. Sorry so late! Pics sent to Leigh.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:00 amAnn (or Anninator)
Congratulations, earthlings!
Sorry for the late post – down 7 pounds from beginning of challenge, and can crank out 30 kick-ass push ups.
Next time I do this, I’ll take measurements as well.
Great job, everyone!
November 17th, 2008 at 8:08 amDiane
Leigh – I lost 5.8 pounds total for the challenge, not 13.5. I really like the results, though. I am really glad you had us take pictures. It really showed me how much my body changed in just 30 days! Thanks again and sorry for the confusion on the pounds lost.
November 17th, 2008 at 8:29 amAnnie
Hi All
I haven’t posted much, but have been following your progress. Major major Congrats to all. It takes Hard Work and Dedication to go thru a challenge like that. You are champs!!
Leigh, I don’t remember the name of it, but if this were hockey you’d get the coach of year trophy!!
November 17th, 2008 at 12:20 pmLeigh Peele
Haha sorry Diane I meant inches when I put pounds! I was tired
November 17th, 2008 at 1:12 pmDiana
Thank-you Leigh for the comments. I’m ok with not finishing, under the circumstances it was the smartest thing to do. (I’m the one who did the hatchet job on my hand earlier this week.) It would have been too easy to contaminate the wound with food prep especially the raw meat. This has been enough of a pain in the neck as it is so I’m all for following dr’s orders and doing whatever I can to avoid infection. Plus I don’t think it would be fair to the others to continue as I didn’t do 30 days of food prep.
I still enjoyed the challenge and learned a lot.
Diana
November 17th, 2008 at 2:16 pmJim
Hi all,
Sorry I’m so late in posting, I was at hunting camp since Friday and I wasn’t able to get on-line.
Congratulations to everyone!! The results are amazing. Aleks, Pauline, Mike, Karen and Annelle, it was my honor to be part of the crew with you all. I can’t wait to see what we do with this going forward…
Calling it–That is the biggest compliment of them all–thanks.
Leigh–I’m ready to get started with whatever you have planned for me.
Congrats again to everyone.
Hey, how much money is getting donated to St. Judes?? and how much did the guys lose?? (I owe you some money).
November 17th, 2008 at 2:59 pmKatie Nemargut
Jim- All of the Guys ended up losing 68.5 pounds! And Leigh left the link to St. Judes on her newest post!
November 17th, 2008 at 9:30 pmLeigh Peele
Anna- Fantastic! I obviously did get you pictures in email.
Ann- You did a great job! Thanks for checking in and very cool with the push ups!
Annie- Miracle? I love that movie. I am amazing
November 19th, 2008 at 7:02 pm