Alternative Forms of Motivation

There is no doubt a variety of motivations at work among our various ECG competitors -- look better, feel better, get healthier, don't let teammates down, win the money! Here's a gym that provides a novel form of motivation (you pay more if you don't go!)... http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/01/24/gym_pact_bases_fees_on_members_ability_to_stick_to_their_workout_schedule/

Another interesting form of (negative) motivation: In an email response to the "pay more for not going to the gym" concept, someone wrote: "My sister once lost several dozen pounds after writing a large check to the David Duke campaign and giving the check to my brother with instructions to mail it if she didn't lose the weight by a set date. It worked."

Given I've been in last place in ECG and need some more motivation, I think I'll try this latter strategy. So: Annie - my check to Sarah Palin's presidential campaign is in the mail. If I do not weigh 190lbs or less by May 15, then please proceed with mailing it in. No turning back now!

Week 5

Check out this week's results here. Notice there is a column with each person's team number too now (thanks, Greg D.), so you can assess your competition.

Also, in case you haven't noticed the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is out now. I wouldn't use it as motivation, but in case you need a bathing suit for the triathlon, ladies...

Week 4. Let's do this.

This was a weak week for most. Get in the zone, people. I got excuses such as steak dinner (Chris), or large popcorn at the movies (Dea), or discovering City Bakery hot chocolate is available in take home containers and having a day's worth of calories in one evening's margaritas (me). Remember, it's what you eat in a week, not a day. And the occasional splurge is a necessary indulgence, but Ben and Jerry's Everything But The is probably over doing it. Even if it's really, really, really good.

Here's where you can now track the El Cubanos:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AibMsY-sIqNfdEZ6Zk1ZY243SlBhSW1JWFpINTlranc&hl=en&authkey=CMTm7oQM

Walk this way

Hey fellow ECG'ers. thought i 'd let you in on a trick that's not quite working for me. Yet. Walking to/fro work each day. It's around 2 mi each way, from stuytown to times square, and bitter cold most of the time. Also trying to take the stairs up to and down from my apt on the 11th floor. Started this experiment on Monday, so we'll see how it works. Even if it doesn't help lose much weight, it could stave off dementia.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/taking-your-brain-for-a-walk/?scp=2&sq=walking&st=cse

Week 3 Results

Overall Results for Week 1 (MG takes First Place)

El Cubano Gordo Weigh In Week 1