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Where to start for a contest?
The hospital that I work for is having a "biggest loser" contest that offers a $1000 prize for the overall winner. I am seriously considering entering this contest. I don't have that much to lose (30-40 lbs) but the entry fee is only 10 bucks, so why not? I say I have that much weight to lose, my overall goal is to really dig in to a workout routine and begin eating a lot cleaner and healthier. I want to walk away with a new lifestyle not just money. I plan on doing a lot of cardio leading up to some serious HIIT cardio and yoga, as well as changing diet. I am being realistic and not expecting to lose 30-40 lbs in this 10 week period (that's just the full goal amount) and I know it may not be actually healthy to even attempt more than avg 2lbs lost per week. All this said, is this a good starting point? I know any activity is a good starting place, but I was wondering how to start?
(Note: this may be worded horribly, I am sorry. I spend all day at a computer, it wears me a bit thin in the thinking department. Thanks for getting this far.)
Re: Where to start for a contest?
Well they say losing weight is 80-90% diet and 10-20% exercise. So I'd start by focusing on your diet. Look into a free website like livestrong, myfitnesspal, or sparkpeople. You can enter your current weight, goal weight, and exercise level and it will give you a calorie range you should stick to. I used sparkpeople to lose about 20lbs a few years ago and LOVED it. Found it really eye opening since I thought I was eating healthy - but my portions were way off.
I'd also make a goal of 1lb per week not 2. To lose 2 pounds per week you need to have a calorie deficit of 7,000 calories (or 1,000 calories per day). And unless you are WAY over eating right now to have that high of a deficit you'd either need to cut your calories way too low or ramp up your exercise at a likely unsafe rate.
I'd also add in some cardio and weights, but just be sure to build up slowly (depending on what your activity level is now).
And good luck!