News-Record.com

She is a city government reporter whose health has done some flip-flopping. He is a High Point reporter whose fitness is at a low point.
Together, they decided to choose being fit over fat and to take part in the Get Healthy Guilford Challenge.
The goal: Lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks. Here’s how they did.

Ten weeks ago, Amanda and I began the Get Healthy Guilford Challenge to eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise more and, hopefully, lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks.

We began a blog called Cheesefry Nation to share our progress (or lack thereof). It has been excerpted in the News & Record's Life section, which has added print readers to the online folks who've been giving us tips, encouragement and the occasional scolding.

At the end of the challenge, I'm at 209 pounds -- 10 pounds lighter. I've lost about 2 inches off my waist and am back in the pants and suits that were fitting too snugly before. I'm feeling better, sleeping better and looking better.

But I've decided that with the 10 weeks up, I'm going to keep it going. I’m going to try to lose another 10 pounds in 10 weeks -- because I can, I should and what made this 10 pounds hard was trying to change bad habits I'd accumulated over the course of many years: too much fast food, soda instead of juice or water, eating too much meat and not enough everything else, eating in front of the TV.

I haven't completely licked all of those. But I've licked enough of them that I think the next 10 pounds will come off much easier. That would put me down to the weight at which I’ve been happiest -- about 200 pounds, much of it muscle. Getting that muscle back will be a major part of my next 10-pound leg of this thing -- and I think it can be done.

— Joe Killian

Last Tuesday, Joe and I ate at home for the first time in about 10 days. It was the first time in more than a week we have had food and cooking stuff (cutlery, dishes, pots, pans) in our kitchen and not stuffed in moving boxes.
I'll blame this nomadic existence for my total lack of recent progress. I'm guessing I'm not the only person who is missing the 1-pound-a-week weight-loss goal.
When I checked in with Get Healthy Guilford Director Leslie Armeniox last week -- the final week of the 10-week weight-loss challenge -- I realized I am full of practiced excuses.
The nomadic existence. The new job that threw me off my exercise routine. The stress that sent me into an Easter candy crave session.
Bottom line: As the deadline approached for our 10-week adventure, I was down only 8 pounds. I was discouraged, but Armeniox gave me some good advice.
"If you mess up, just let it go," she said. "It’s a relapse. Just get back on your program. Try not to get caught up in feeling bad."
She's right. It's time to recommit and brush off the setbacks. I'm going to make the end of this challenge the beginning of 10 more weeks of weight loss for me. I'll aim to lose 10 pounds again.
And if you are one of those 500 people who joined up with Get Healthy Guilford 10 weeks ago and you are bummed that you haven't lost 10 pounds yet, chin up. Armeniox says get with the program.
No more excuses.

— Amanda Lehmert