The Science of Weight Loss: YouTube Style

For our program this week (2-20-14), we watched video segments about weight loss and then discussed the different topics. One of the videos (“What Visceral Fat Does To The Body“) was from The Doctors TV show and two others, “Scientific Weight Loss Tips” and “The Science of Appetite – Beating Overeating” were produced by ASAP Science. Below are links to the videos with a brief description.

What Visceral Fat Does To The Body?

This video from The Doctors discusses visceral body fat, which is the fat that surrounds the organs and explains the hormonal and biochemical consequences of too much of this type of fat.

Scientific Weight Loss Tips

This video from ASAP Science discusses the science behind proven weight loss strategies. Check it out, and you may be surprised at how easy it would be boost your weight loss by incorporating some of these tip into your daily life.

The Science of Appetite – Beating Overeating

What do hormones and neurotransmitters have to do with weight and overeating issues? Find out in this video.

What Does that Number on the Scale Mean?

How Important is the Number on the Scale?scale-gravity

Do you have a healthy relationship with your bathroom scale? As stated on the left, the scale only reports a number, but we are much more than a number.

We live, breathe, work, play, and have successes and losses. We are wonderful and we are fallible. We laugh, cry, and pick ourselves up from our bootstraps.

While the scale can be a useful way to keep us on track toward our weight loss goals, we must keep the results in perspective. The number on the scale does not measure all of our achievements nor does it measure our value as a person. It is a number.

What is Your Relationship with Your Scale?

I have a love-hate relationship with my scale. Sometimes I let my mood for the whole day be dictated by one readout that morning. This only compounds my problems of controlling my diet. What is your relationship like? If your answer isn’t listed, be sure to comment!

Thanks, Patty, for finding such a great image!

Spring into Summer Fun Challenge


spring
Into
summer fun

Our latest challenge is the “Spring into Summer Fun” challenge. We are all challenged to have a net loss in the next 12 weeks. Here are the details:

RULES OF THE 12 WEEK CHALLENGE
SPRING INTO SUMMER FUN

This challenge is to maintain and lose weight during the
following 12 Week Challenge period:
Thursday, January 30 through Thursday, April 24th 2014!

 May 1st is announcement of awards:
1st Place TOPS       TOP TEN TOPS       1st Place TOP KOPS!

This is a TOPS fresh weight challenge so if you gain it is a net loss/gain overall for the total weeks weighed. The weight recorder will take your weight on January 30th and subtract it from the weight on April 24th for TOTAL NET LOSS. A Top Kops will be awarded by the weight recorder too. The TOPS and KOPS with the best weight loss record will become the OK#13 Chapter Challenge Stars!

Be sure to take your ruler and highlight each week your weight loss. This will encourage you to continue to increase TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS! If you have a gain just make a small tally backwards and ENCOURAGE yourself to Exercise/make a small Food Modification and ENSURE a weight loss the following week!

Some of you might want to set a GOAL and see your movement towards that GOAL!

GOOD LUCK TOPS!
WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER DO IT
ONE WEEK AT A TIME

We can use the ruler that was printed onto cards that Ali handed out  to measure and highlight our progress for twelve weeks. Also, the TOPS Best Loser of the week will get to pick a surprise egg to encourage weight loss during the challenge.

When we achieve our new weight loss, we can be “happier, healthier, and more flexible for summer fun.”

Click below for a copy of the pdf handout.

Spring into Summer Fun pdf

Meeting Highlights Feb. 13, 2014

Meeting Highlights

The meeting was called to order by Bert.

Roll Call:
Darcy called roll.

There were 15 TOPS, 2 KOPS, and 1 visitor for a total of 18. Our visitor, Gerry White, is a friend of Gayle’s, and is also from Perkins.

We lost 6.25 lbs and gained 29.25 lbs for a net gain of 23 lbs.
Darcy was the TOPS best loser and Wayne was the best fresh weight loser.

Minutes:
Minutes were approved with the following correction: the area captain’s name is Maria.

Announcements:

Hilda and Tom Trimbal and Carlita Brown donated to TOPS in memory of Helen Petermann. Their donations will go to TOPS medical research for obesity.

Patty discussed meeting cancellations. She explained that when she sends an e-mail about meetings, it is on behalf of Bert. She also discussed that the decision whether or not to have a meeting would generally be made by 2pm the day of the meeting. A response to the e-mails is encouraged because that is the only way to know if the e-mail has been received.

Spring into Summer Fun Challenge:
Ali announced a new challenge: We are all challenged to lose 12 lbs in the next 12 weeks. This way, we will be “happier, healthier, and more flexible for summer fun.”
For more details, see the post, “Spring into Summer Fun Challenge.”

Fundraisers:
We discussed having a Tupperware fundraiser. As I understand, we can choose to sell select items, and our profit will be $4 per item. OR, we can sell another group of items and receive 40% of the item price. Ali, please correct me if I am wrong.

Other fundraising options we discussed included a bake sale and a trinket sale. For the trinket sale, we would buy items for $1 and sell them for $5. Thus, $4 per item would go to our SRD fund.

The fundraising topics are slated for more discussion at the next meeting.

About Helen:
Helen joined TOPS in 1970 and was a KOPS for 30+ years. We dearly miss Helen and our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this stressful time. However, we know that just like our serenity prayer says, she is supremely happy in the next life.

New business:
Our chapter will donate $25 to TOPS medical research for obesity.

We exchanged valentine gifts and cards in lieu of a program this week.

Wayne Has Reached a New Low!

Best Fresh Weight Loser

Wayne was the best fresh weight loser at the 2-13-14 weigh-in.

Wayne was the best fresh weight loser at the 2-13-14 weigh-in.

Wayne was this week’s best fresh weight loser. This is the second weigh-in in a row that Wayne has has taken this TOPS honor. Way to go, Wayne!

TOPS Best Loser

Darcy was the TOPS best loser at the 2-13-14 weigh-in.

Darcy was the TOPS best loser at the 2-13-14 weigh-in.

Darcy was this week’s TOPS best loser. Congrats, Darcy! Way to go.

Maria Presents ‘Walking for Weight Loss’

Maria Alexander, TOPS Area Captain

Maria Alexander, TOPS Area Captain

About Maria
At our Jan. 30, 2014, meeting, we were joined by our Area Captain, Maria Alexander. For those of you who don’t know Maria, she is the Area Captain for Garfield, Kay, Kingfisher, Logan, Pawnee & Payne counties. She has been a TOPS member for 12 years and achieved KOPS status in December of 2011. We were glad to have you visit our chapter, Maria, and appreciate all your hard work!

Note to readers: At the meeting, every time Maria said “exercise” we marched in place 5 steps.   Thus, to keep in the spirit of the program, every time you read the word “exercise” march in place 5 steps. At the conclusion of the article, I’ll tell you how many extra steps you’ve taken.
A Little Exercise Each Day Goes a Long Way
Maria presented “Walking for Weight Loss.” She shared the story of one member, Beverly, who lost 200 pounds by walking. She did it by walking a little more each day and eventually began competing in 5K races.

Walking is something everyone can do.
–Beverly, TOPS member

Maria tells about 'Walking for Weight Loss'

Maria tells about ‘Walking for Weight Loss’

Walking is Good for the Mind and Body
As you may know, exercise has many health benefits. Exercise combats obesity, heart disease, levels blood glucose, and lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. But, did you know that exercise has positive effects on your mental health? Exercise increases the production of serotonin and other endorphins, which improves your mood and combats depression. In addition, exercise increases relaxation, which is also good for both mind and body. Reduced appetite and increased motivation to lose weight are other benefits of exercise. Exercisers have also been shown to have a longer life than non-exercisers.

If the Shoe Fits…
Shoes are the only equipment needed for walking, but wearing a good pair of athletic shoes is important. Shoes, when worn regularly for walking, should be replaced every 4-6 months. When buying a walking shoe, keep the following 3 criteria in mind: comfort, support, and reduced impact. Your entire body will benefit from shoes that perform well in all three areas.
Ready…Set…Walk!
zeus leashMy dog, Zeus, is ready to exercise. Are you?

Congratulations, readers! You have added 60 steps to your total today.

Jan. 30, 2014 Meeting Highlights

The meeting was called to order by Bert.

Darcy called roll.
There were 3 KOPS, 15 TOPS, and 1 visitor, for a total of 19
There was a loss of 11 lbs and a gain of 23 lbs for a net gain of 12 lbs.
Jim was the KOPS best loser and Wayne was the TOPS and fresh weight best loser.

Announcements:
The 50/50 basket from Fun Day in Blackwell profited $32.
Care Pals will be revealed next week.
We will take up a collection next week to make a donation to TOPS obesity research in memory of Helen Petermann.

Minutes were approved as read.

Patty gave an update about SRD plans.

Maria presented Bert a tape measure because she really “measures up.”

Maria presented “Walking for Weight Loss.”

The meeting closed with prayer.

Ahoy! Pirate Cruises are Near

Biltmore Hotel, OKC

Biltmore Hotel, OKC

Arrr Me Hearties! Come One, Come All
Sate Recognition Days (SRD) will be in the Biltmore Hotel May 22-24, 2014. Rooms are $69 per night. The hotel has two floors, and although there are no elevators in the hotel, there are many rooms on the ground floor for those who need one. Just request a ground floor room when you make your reservation and again upon check-in.

Shiver Me Timbers! So Much to Do
There will be activities galore at SRD, but Patty says that there is only one mandated activity: to have fun. Our pirate cruise will begin at 6:00 PM on the 22nd. Then, aqua zumba in the pool until 7:00 and a share session at 8:00. Activities continue throughout the meeting, and there will be several costume and decorating contests, including the following:

  • Chapter pirate flags
  • Decorated name tags
  • Chapter pirate ships
  • Doorway to Capt. Jack Sparrow’s cabin (decorated doors)
  • Dress alike chapter costumes

There will be a place designated for men–the “man cave,” and baskets. We will need to bring our own container and tickets. Finally, we will be able to spend our pirate coins on some as yet unannounced loot.

Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of…Diet Coke?
One thing is for sure: we will have a blimey good time. Many will be able to catch up with those they know, and everyone will be able to meet new people. Start getting the creative juices flowing and let’s think up some great costumes and decorations. We want to put our best peg leg forward!

Water Challenge

What: Water Challenge
When: 1/16 to 2/6
How:
1. Set a daily goal in ounces and write it on the sign up sheet.
2. Drink water.
3. Report how many days you reached your goal.
Why: The person who reached their goal the most days will win a water bottle. In the case of a tie names will be drawn. There will also be a few little prizes along the way.
Oh, yeah, PLUS: It will help us reach our goals!

Drink up!