A few thoughts for the Red Team on Tuesday morning...

Good morning (again), guys... just some thoughts:

The blue team has 3 men; we only have 2.

The blue team has 2 ladies who started at over 300 lbs.; we have 3 ladies who all started at 261 or less.

We have the lightest player in the entire competition on our team.

They have a trainer who has done the Biggest Loser thing for 3 years running.

On paper, we should be inferior. But we're not.

We are not fighting this battle on paper; we are fighting it with determination, desire, and direction. It must be fought in the gym, in our workplaces, and in our homes. Every day. ALL day.

Most of you said last night that you wanted to pull double digits this week. It is possible, but not without stepping up our game. Whether it's tightening up the diet, more time on stairs (welcome to your new upstairs life, Nandy!), or making sure you get your extra 10,000 steps or more, do SOMETHING to take it up a notch. If you want radical results, you have to make radical changes. Our bodies are used to this new level of activity, and if we do not change it now, we will send our metabolism back into hibernation. Don't get comfortable, don't be satisfied, and don't be lulled to sleep by a false sense of security.

Stay humble; stay confident; execute all phases of the game with precision and determination. Ask questions - these people who are helping us are full of knowledge that will help us on the way. Sometimes we can learn more in the 5 minutes after a workout or a nutrition meeting than we learn during the actual session itself. Set your goals higher than you think you can achieve, and if you come up a little short, be proud of the fact that you accomplished more than you would have without that goal. If you aim for nothing, you'll hit it every time.

Tammy, there is not one person on this team, including Johnnie, who is disappointed in you. We are all disappointed for you, but do not think for one single second that you have "let us down." You're getting your body used to moving around; once you get those thyroid issues under control again, you will be just fine. You are contributing as much to the group dynamic as anyone else, and as the saying goes, there is strength in numbers. If anyone don't think the whole "working together" thing is important, go to the gym when you know you will be there will be all by yourself, and then see how motivated you are to push yourself.

Be proud of what we have accomplished so far, but remember the next weigh-in is only 6 days away!

Ed

P.S. - The blue team is not the enemy - our extra pounds are the enemy. Stay focused!