$600 Weight Loss Challenge: Day 64 of 70
May 15, 2010 Posted by Tyler CruzI can’t believe it’s been 2 weeks since my last update on my weight loss challenge versus Paul Piotrowski… time flies.
I’d like to remind you that this competition between Paul Piotrowski and myself is not just any ordinary friendly weight loss challenge. If either of us doesn’t meet and maintain our weight loss quota on May 21st, 2010 at 10PM Pacific Time, we will have to pay the other person $600 out of our own fat pocket.
As a reminder, the competition is that I must lose 12 pounds and Paul must lose 13 pounds within 10 weeks (70 days). This works out to 6% for each of our body weight, in order to make it fair.
As I write this very sentence, there are only 6 days, 16 hours, 6 minutes, and 29 seconds left in the challenge. It’s really amazing how fast the time ticks away, especially when there is a $600 penalty on the line.
Paul’s Weight Loss Status
In my last update 2 weeks ago, I mentioned how Paul had lost a total of 6.2 pounds, which put him in a pretty decent situation at the time.
However, for some mysterious reason that neither Paul or I can understand, he has been losing a ton of weight during the past few days. It’s odd because he said he has been cheating a bit and eating things such as Domino’s pizza (vegetarian). He even sent me a picture of a huge piece of black forest cake he ate to my cell.
As of yesterday morning, he has now lost a total of 10.6 pounds which is crazy, and quite annoying. 16 days ago I was 90% sure he wouldn’t get close to making the challenge, and now it looks as though he’ll make it fairly easily.
With only 6 days left in the challenge, Paul only has to lose 2.4 more pounds. That means that Paul needs to lose at least an average of 0.4 pounds every day for the next 6 days straight. That may seem like a lot, but Paul has been on a crazy weight loss streak the past few days…
My Weight Loss Status
As usual, I’ve been sticking with my regular routine of doing my “daily lists”, going to badminton, and doing Westwood Lake whenever I can push myself to do so. I’ve also been continuing to avoid unhealthy food such as fast food, pop, etc.
The Wednesday before last, I tried going to a new badminton club (yes, a third one) for the first time. It’s even tougher than the Sunday one… about 10-15% harder, and it’s 2.5 hours long as opposed to the normal 2 hours the other clubs run. It was a fantastic workout though.
However, I’ve been on a really bad sleeping schedule the past few months, especially the past week or two. It got so bad that I completely slept through last Wednesday’s badminton and missed it which really frustrated me as I depend on those to help me lose weight.
The bad sleeping patterns and bouts of insomnia and lethargy also caused me to completely miss/skip my “daily list” for the past 2 days. Fortunately I will soon get prescribed a CBDDY: delta syrup by my doctor.
To make matters worse, I appear to have plateaued in my weight loss progress, as I kept bouncing between the 194 and 195 mark everyday, even after badminton or a run around Westwood Lake. That’s over 2 weeks of staying roughly the same weight, and it was very frustrating.
Put all of this together – my plateau in weight loss, Paul’s quick weight loss, my bad sleep schedule, missed badminton, skipped daily lists, etc. – and you had one demotivated Tyler. In fact, I had already mentally prepared myself for the loss and to fork over the $600 penalty (and $25 in a side bet).
But today… today was weird. Last night I worked for 6 hours straight (which is very unusual for me) and then ate some chicken wings and rice and went to bed. I woke up to discover that Paul had lost another 0.4 pounds which motivated me to go do Westwood Lake. I didn’t feel that awake or energetic, but had to go before it got pitch black out (I woke up at 8 pm and it is a forest after all).
Before I left I weighed myself and was 194, almost 193, which was my best weight so far in this challenge. That helped act as an additional motivator to go do Westwood. When I returned – and keep in mind that I got a really bad time – I was 193, almost 192. That made me really happy.
Then I played PS3 for 2 hours and weighed myself again (just to admire my 193) and discovered that I was 191?! Okay… so 2 hours of PS3 made me lose 1-2 pounds? Haha, weird.
But then I ate some more rice and chicken wings and had a fair bit of water (Boy, I sense that a lot of comments about this are going to pop up…) and weighed back in at 193. But that’s a “full” Tyler, and it’s a nice change to see 193 instead of 194 or 195 for once.
I now have a renewed sense of optimism in this challenge. I doubt that Paul will have to pay me $600 as I once thought he would, but I’m now going to work hard again so that I won’t have to pay Paul $600.
Two New Westwood Lake Time Records!
I went around Westwood Lake 4 times during the past 2 weeks, going once about every 4 days. I’d like to go everyday during these last 6 days, but we’ll see if my sleep schedule agrees.
On May 4th, I set a new personal best time of 54:35. I did a lot of jogging stretches and really pushed for a new record.
4 days later, on my next run, I didn’t feel energetic at all but somehow managed to set yet another personal best time, finishing in 54:09!
What’s amazing is that during my first time around Westwood Lake this year 2 months ago, my time was 1:10:12. My new best time is 16 minutes faster! And my best time last year was 57:55 so I beat that by nearly 3 minutes as well.
Unfortunately, the last 2 times I went I didn’t bet new records, and as mentioned earlier, actually got a really bad time on my last run (59:40!). I’m still hoping to set another record before this challenge ends though.
Here’s a video of me after my two new records:
Here’s an update on my weight loss charts:
Westwood Lake Time
| Date | Time | Distance | Comments |
| My 2009 Best Time | 57:55 | 12 KM | Jogged much more in the middle area |
| March 13, 2010 | 1:10:12 | 6 KM | Feet and calves absolutely painful. Very dark out. |
| March 18, 2010 | 1:00:00 | 6 KM | Stretched and used “ML” shoes |
| March 23, 2010 | 1:01:25 | 6 KM | I tried, but in pain and out of breath |
| March 27, 2010 | 1:01:28 | 6 KM | Gave good effort again but too slow |
| April 12, 2010 | 58:45 | 6 KM | Great time, close to new record, only 50 seconds off |
| April 17, 2010 | 57:22 | 6 KM | New Record! Really pushed hard final stretch |
| April 28, 2010 | 55:04 | 6 KM | New Record! Felt really good and bunch of jogging |
| April 30, 2010 | 58:53 | 15 KM | New distance record, but windy and rainy thus slow |
| May 4th, 2010 | 54:35 | 6 KM | New Record! Many jogging stretches |
| May 8th, 2010 | 54:09 | 6 KM | New Record! Did 1st KM super fast |
| May 11th, 2010 | 56:17 | 6 KM | Not very energetic but tried hard last 3KM |
| May 14th, 2010 | 59:40 | 6 KM | Just no energy. Walked the majority of it. |
(Note: Times are for first 6KM only)
Weight Loss Status
| Date | Weight | Total Pounds Lost | Pounds To Go | Days Left |
| March 11, 2010 | 204 | +3 | 15 | 70 |
| March 19, 2010 | 203 | +2 | 14 | 62 |
| April 5, 2010 | 199 | -2 | 10 | 46 |
| April 20, 2010 | 196 | -5 | 7 | 31 |
| April 29, 2010 | 195 | -6 | 6 | 22 |
| May 1st, 2010 | 196 | -5 | 7 | 20 |
| May 15th, 2010 | 193 | -7 | 5 | 6 |
Haha, it’s pretty crazy. I still have to lose 5 more pounds during the next 6 days (and keep it off by May 21st, 2010 at 10PM Pacific Time) or I’m out $625 (I made a side bet of $25 with one of my commenters).
So to recap that’s 2.4 more pounds to go for Paul, and 5 more for me. This is going to be tough.
That’s too bad Tyler, I think it’s tough for you to overtake Paul now. Anyway, just enjoy the process and at least you’ve cut down some weights, and your body is much more stronger than before.
All the best Tyler!
Regards,
Lee
What’s the big deal with losing weight.. people make it to something harder than rocket sciense is, making up stupid diets and what not as if every person’s body reacts in the same pattern.
Just go with the basic knowledge any joe learns from biology but misses to translate into weight loss.
Don’t starve as this will make your body accumulate the food you eat into fat as you just basically told it I very seldom find food and starve for periods, eat the same ammount but split it into more meals, if you eat 3 times a day split the same amount of food into 5 or 6 meals so your body gets a steady stream of food.
Don’t forget the water, you need water for the body to carry out it’s chemical reactions, transport stuff etc.. what were you planning to sweat out your fat?
Eat fibres to get a better working metabolism, that way you shit out the waste and don’t have it cloging the guts for days.
The body adapts to it’s workload as in any other animal, if you take it easy in the morning your body sets for calm mode, try working out first thing in the morning.. it’s no secret your metabolism skyrockets if you do your workout during the morning and remains at a relative high point throughout the day than if you work out towards the evening.
Build muscles, although this will make you heavier as muscle weighs more than fat, muscles are very expansive for the body to have and take a lot of enery to maintain, this will increase your burning of energy even when you do not excersise.
Sleep Sleep Sleep is very important, you need to sleep and by in a deep sleep state during the hours when your body generates the growth hormone, it is vital for the body to regenerate after workout and restore the hormon levels etc to get your body to work the way it is supposed to. Weight loss without proper sleep is like trying to build muscles without good sleep.. you won’t get anywhere and often end up with the opposite result.
Do not eat 2 h before you hit the bed, as the food will only be absorbed and stored as it is not needed during sleep, also the workload the stomach etc are doing during your sleep will only result in you sleeping badly.
Last but not least: In the end it’s all up to yourself if you succeed or not, it’s a matter of self dicipline and self competition. If you are strong then you don’t come with a lot of excuses but just tell it as it is: either you are lazy and let the shit voice inside of you decide when to stop or you’re strong and tell it to shut the f*ck up and carry on running the extra 5 miles.
You should set up a goal, the average male with with a avarage healthy fitness runs 10 km in 60 min.
In the army my whole squad completed 10 km under 40 min, it’s a matter of getting that shitty voice telling you to stop to shut up and everytime you hear it you push harder…
If it hurts then it’s your weakness leaving your body.. And if you haven’t puked you haven’t even passed 60% of your capacity and are letting your head play tricks on you.
The day you pass out after finnishing you know you are pushing close to 100% of you capacity that specific day.
How can you lose weight playing badminton? That entire game is played in slow motion. It’s like, hit the shuttlecock, take a nap, hit the shuttlecock back, read a book, hit the shuttlecock back, etc..
I just like saying shuttlecock. 😀
Also, why does Canada have so many badminton clubs? Do Canadians love the shuttlecock? Hahaha~
Try to get some good poops in too! Gooooooo Tyler!
Badminton is probably one of the most underestimated sports in terms of skill required:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKSTVJy3WHI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU2bQCbJo68
This is a video of Tyler’s Badminton Club:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMgkBtPNWQk
Paulymath : lol! I like it!
Tyler : Tyler the players in the two video you shared are really cool! They play very well! Between, where’s the video of your badminton games? Did you record? 😉
Haha well those are pro Korean players. If you saw me play you’d just shake your head and facepalm.
I agree completely. As an avid player of both tennis and badminton, I would say they’re two of the most strenuous sporting activities one can undertake outside of more physical sports like football.
Till then,
Jean
Hi guys,
I’m still rooting for you Tyler. Because anything can happen in six days. Good Luck!!!
Kind regards,
Sam
X
I also think that bad sleeping schedules can affect our overall health. I have to agree though that those events involving the chicken wings and rice are quite weird.
What are the rules of badminton? Are there any outs? Cuz if you’re on the back line and you have to jump to hit the shuttlecock I’m pretty sure that would have been out.
See, that guy was playing with a sweater on. You can’t do sports with a sweater, of course, it is Canada so maybe it was cold inside. Do Canadians sweat or is it too cold for that?
I’ve never seen so many spectators at badminton ever! Actually, I didn’t know it had spectators. Or a championship!
Yup, we all live in Igloos up here in Canada and it’s so cold we have to wear sweaters 24/7.
Wow, what an amazingly dumb comment.
As for the contest, looks like Paul’s got this one…..
Well, that was an easy $25 win for me 🙂 Almost impossible lose those 5 pounds now. Should have done some more intense daily lists 🙂
Chicken wings? Really?
Best of luck with the contest, Tyler! 🙂
I think it will be hard to lose that weight in 6days time, but its not impossible. And now you have about 3days left..
Always when you want to reach a goal, the best thing to do is make a good plan for eating and exercise. A plan for your calories.
Basically you have to burn more calories than you are eating
Start calculating the calories you are taking in, minus the ones you use. It should give you an negative amount.
Then it´s all about consistent and stick to your plan, then the wanted result will come.
Cheers
Also, I’ve started to eat a lot of fish and vegetables, and I notice a steady decrease in my weight. just my ideas
Almost to the end.Lets go Tyler;)
At the end of the day even if you lose the bet, you still win something which is a healthier body.
Nothing beats having a healthy body right. All the best
Keep up the good work. Having bad sleep patterns really can mess with a person as well, so don’t be hard on yourself. I am pulling for you, good luck!
[…] a weight loss challenge with Paul Piotrowski and they’ve got $600 on the line. In one of his recent updates, Tyler reveals that he still has quite a few pounds to shed before the deadline. It doesn’t […]
I think you guys should keep the for long days may be 20 or 30 days. That will be really interesting. More and more people will come and would love to see this.
Oh my apologies that I did not read the title and straight clicked on video 🙂
60 days are quite fine.
I would love to know the traffic status and relevant details after you started this campaign.
Heard you made the contest! Congrats on the weight lost!
Were there any stipulations against cutting weight using a sauna, etc.? Because you can easily (temporarily) sweat off 5-7 pounds just by sitting in a sauna for an hour or two. It’s water weight, but would that still count?
Yes, there were rules as per: https://www.tylercruz.com/600-weight-loss-challenge-cruz-vs-piotrowski/. No dehydration techniques, etc.
I like that I can follow this competition after the fact… It’s like watching episodes on DVD without commercials. People love no commercials
A lot of interesting things found on your blogs, like the topic! The author thanks and success in the blog!