How Are They Doing?

For the first time in the 16 year history of the Community Corporate Cup, Valley United Way will be participating with a dynamic team. Already committed to participate with the "Valley Vipers" team are staff and board members: Joseph Andreana, Dave Grant, Bill Nimons, Fred Ortoli, Joseph Pagliaro, Jr., Bill Partington, Melissa Pucci, Jimmy Ryan, Russ Stockman, Larry Thomas, Lynn Ortoli, and "Athletic Director" Jane Snaider.

Last year’s winners of the Healthy Team event were our very own….. Jack Walsh & Jane Snaider. However, Jack has been dumped and replace by board member Joe Andreana- and they are off to a good start. Immediately following the pre-test, they both stopped into the Griffin Library to get their books, ( a requirement). Jane, a world famous baker checked out the newly published, Mayo Clinic cookbook and prepared healthy blueberry/corn/oat muffins for the Marketing Committee. Each muffin contains a healthy 167 calories- committee members gave them decent reviews--- "not bad for a healthy muffin" quipped Joe.

Joe and Jane’s primary goal is to lose 40 pounds between them- they will weigh in weekly and their progress will be reported on line. They were brave enough to take "before" pictures seen above, and they will be reporting on-line on a weekly basis. Come back regularly to see how they are doing!!

Report for week 10

How time flies when you're having fun!

We can't believe it's 10 weeks since we started.

This morning was weigh-in time......Shoes, jackets, watches came off! Well---how do we look? See any improvement? We are delighted to report that we lost as of 5/12, 15 1/2 pounds or 40% of our goal- a little shy of what we hoped to do, but Monday is our official post test and weigh-in and we hope to increase our weight loss a bit. Will report our final results.

Today was the last healthy meal- the teams enjoyed Chef Kerry's pancakes, fruit salad, granola, yogurt and coffee. Looked good, but I held my own and ate my 8 ounces of dried apricots---Everyone raved about the pancakes- the recipe came from Dr. Katz's new cook book. 

Joe is feeling lots better since he started healthy team - he's ready for his reunion and is looking forward to comments like....Joe, you haven't changed one bit since I saw you last.....

We didn't get to do our meditation - that will cost us 10 points and we didn't get our CPR or first aid certification- another 16 points..... Thanks to Jack, Sue and Karen for all their hard work in creating a really fun event.

Joe and I wish all the Mom's, dad's , aunts, uncles, friends a Happy Mother's Day. I'll be brunching at my favorite restaurant with my daughters and treating myself to an omelet,  New York bagel with lots of peanut butter!!

Report for week 9

Those Belgium chocolates were really good - I enjoyed about 5! Now I am really getting serious about my 20 pound weight loss goal - 4 weeks before the post-test-don’t have that much time……and I don’t want to disappoint my partner Joe. So I’ve started my favorite diet - sorry Dr Katz it’s not yours, but it’s sort of the same theory…. It’s called the Beverly Hills diet and it works for me. Since Monday I’ve already lost 4 pounds - it’s lots of fruit for the first 2 weeks – the theory of this diet is about combining foods that promote good digestion - it’s a good time of year to start because I can get good, ripe fruit. Day 1- I ate pineapple all day - that’s it; Day 2: alternated between papaya and mango; Day 3, Papaya and pineapple - Day 4, watermelon all day!!! It’s a 45 day diet – I have not wavered once - in fact a friend brought me my favorite cookies from Trader Joe’s – chocolate chip dunkers - and I haven’t had one. In fact last night a few of my friends were drinking wine and eating the cookies and Belgium Chocolates- and somehow I resisted the temptations…… now that takes willpower!! Jack doesn’t think I’ll reach my goal by the post-test- I hope to prove him wrong.

I’m keeping up with my aerobics and weight training. Today I read an article about a 2 year study of overweight and obese individuals who were given an exercise routine to reduce their tummies. One group lifted weights, the other did general exercise. The weight lifters reduced the tummy fat way more than the other group. I plan to spend a little more time lifting!

I rented a wonderful yoga tape from Griffin Library- it’s yoga aerobics-never experienced the two combined- it’s a really good workout and body stretcher - I’ll return it in a couple of weeks. Check it out!

I’m off to the Cape tomorrow to spend the weekend with friends- they are great cooks and are planning a couple of dinner parties- no pate or champagne for me…..I’ll be eating my fruit!!

Report for week 8

I decided today was the day to welcome spring/summer- I usually do this by either eating a lobster or hot dog- this year's choice was a Duchess hotdogs and  today was the perfect day to get into my summer routine sooooo..... I treated myself to two hot dogs with the works at Duchess.....but I didn't eat the roll! A Belgian friend of mine bought me authentic Belgian chocolates that are waiting for me on the kitchen table- It's been a week now and I haven't opened them--- I was told that this particular brand has the highest calories of any chocolates in Europe. Anyone like to a piece once I open them - glad to share!!

 Didn't get over to Griffin for my Friday weigh-in-continuing with regular exercise and aerobic classes however- Joe and I are looking forward to the meditation class--- and here is the update from my partner....Joe

Jane,

My update today is a series of "Good News - Bad News"

Bad News - I didn't drop any weight this week Good News - I didn't gain any weight this week

Bad News - I didn't get to the Meditation Session this week Good News - I have continued to work out for a minimum of 60 minutes five times per week

Good News - I felt fine this morning as I parked at Griffin to get weighed in Bad News - When I got out of my car, a hospital employee in a golf cart asked me if I needed a ride to the front door!

Your Partner

Joe

Keep up the good work Joe----you are a loyal partner----How sweet of the man to offer you a ride - I hope he asks me next time I'm there!!! It's nice to see RESPECT in the workplace.

Report for week 6 & 7

April 21- Sorry folks for not updating our report last week- I was away, but Joe did send me his for week 6... and here it is.....Went to Griffin this morning. Down a pound. Worked out four times this week, 45 - 60 minutes each time. Attended another Healthy Meal at Griffin.

I just got back from my weigh in at Griffin- which I really wasn't looking forward to doing, because last week I ate some really BIG dinners prepared by friends. Much to my surprise I lost one pound- EXERCISE really pays off-- I have increased my workouts to include two aerobic classes at least 3 times a week plus the usual weight training. I am trying to attend two Yoga classes each week-- a great way to equalize your body and soul. Walked 30 minutes on the Derby Greenway- it's a lovely spot- nice breeze and wonderful sounds of flowing water, fish jumping and birds squawking....the path is about 3 miles long and follows the river---- one of the entrances is across the street from BJ's- plenty of parking.

Our goal of 40 pounds.... we are both at 25% of our target weight. Think we'll get there?   Stay tuned.

Joe and I haven't done the meditation yet- but we hope to go next week.

If anyone wants to share their story contact either Jack or Jane.

Report for week 5!

See Jane & Joe eating yummy broccoli at the Healthy dinner prepared by Griffin's chef extraordinaire!

Forty pound goal for the two of us! Wishful thinking on my part. Last week I wish I was sun bathing and hiking in southern California-but much to my surprise it was colder there than in Connecticut- so eating became my primary recreational activity-and when I hopped on the scale hesitantly I gained.....ready.....1/2 pound- not bad after indulging in a few glasses of California wine (allowed) and too many pieces of SEE'S chocolate candy- my favorite.

I got back to my routine until today-- I was unable to resist eating  CT's #1 best cheesecake from Derby's Stockbridge bakery- which Catherine brought to our staff meeting. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it-it was worth the calories- 3 hours at the gym tomorrow!!!!!

While in California I did workout at the gym twice, taking 3 classes each time-yoga, step and kick-boxing -and did lots of walking as I shopped!

Joe has informed me that he has stepped up his daily workout from 3 days to 5 and working out for 1 hour daily rather than 45 minutes...wonder why? His reunion is getting closer!!!! He has lost a total of 5.5 pounds- congratulations Joe! Joe enjoyed the healthy lunch and dinner and is looking forward to the meditating class  in the next few weeks.

         Report for week 4!          

We're not sure how Jane and Joe did this week! Joe was spotted weighing in and also earning some additional bonus points from Friday's healthy luncheon. Jane was missing in action, but reportedly had scheduled some special workouts and meals while enjoying life on the west coast. So we'll just have to wait to see just how much progress they actually made!

Report for week 3!

Well, you learn something new every day. At least you do when you have Jane as your Healthy Team partner. Today, I learned that she is a "mesomorph" which is a great excuse for NOT losing weight. Instead of losing weight you gain muscle. What that means is that Jane has gone from a slack size 10 to an 8 and still has not lost any weight. That's your medical lesson for the day.

She has worked out four times this week and was able to compete in the Corporate Cup Darts competition without killing a YMCA staff member - not bad. The BAD news is that she is planning a Dinner Party this evening and I expect to get more of the mesomorph stuff next week.

I have worked out three times this week and dropped another pound which brings me to a total of 4 1/2 pounds over the past three weeks. I didn't get to the Darts competition, but I did pick up two more books on Men's Health at the Griffin Hospital Resource Library. If you haven't checked out the library, you are missing a great opportunity to find out some great info on your health and life style and the connection between the two.

More next Friday.

Report for week 2!

 Dedicated: Webster defines it as devoted to a purpose- and clearly that's Joe. Let me explain why. Last night friends of mine from Japan were dying for Krispy Kreme donuts and asked if I would  drive them there. Of course, I couldn't  say no.....need I say more!!! Well I'll be honest, I had THREE!!! they were soooo good. Well if that wasn't bad enough, this morning I indulged myself in leftover bacon, eggs and yes a small piece of yummy french toast prepared by our very own Dave Grant. So, there was no way that I was going to weigh in today- somehow I had to find a way to avoid meeting my partner at Griffin. What to do? Well, at first I thought I would just keep myself busy and conveniently forget to call...yes, that was going to be my game plan.

My partner was not going to let me get way with that! To my surprise, I received a call early in the morning from my dedicated and very committed partner, letting me know that he would not be able to meet me for our Friday weigh -in, but not to worry, because he stopped in at Griffin before going to work to step on the scale-- another 1.5 POUNDS-- congratulations Joe!!

Although I'm not recording my weight loss or gain this week, I am pleased to report my exercise routine is going well- and today instead of lunch, I walked on the Derby Greenway with Sue Cole, Corporate Cup Coordinator for Checkfree. It's a beautiful walk, and our very own Jack Walsh was instrumental in getting it built. Thanks Jack.