It aint over 'til...

...now.

83kg

I should also appologise for not mentioning that I've been training for a half marathon for the last two months (ran it on Sunday... bloody freezing but I finished). I think that's fair enough given that Meatpopsicle didn't mention that he's been training for the world hotdog eating championships for the last two months.

Well, it was a good fight. I thought I was screwed when Meatpopsicle got sick that time and was down to 78kg or so. But I guess it's the classic tale of the tortoise and the hare, as I already suspected on the 2nd of June (if I knew how to do it there would be a link here). The meat jumps out of the blocks, takes a massive lead, then gets lazy and falls asleep before the finish line, allowing me to waddle past, slowly but surely.

What was it? The golden arches called you once too often? You forgot what the F in KFC stands for? Your wife got pregnant and you are having some kind of sympathetic response?

Still, in both % and kg lost terms, meat wins hands down. Well done... your arteries can thank me later.

What next?

Game Over

Well it's reached the moment of truth. After many weeks of hard toil and many months of not so hard toil, it has come to today. As you might have guessed, I have been updating infrequently because I was actually off the diet and not exercising. As such, my weight is now... (drum roll)...

86.0kg!

We have a winner and I am sad to say, it is not me. Great effort Holland, your keg will be in the mail and I will make sure to write "do not shake" on it.

Holland - weigh in (06/10/05 08:30 BST)

Missed a couple of weigh-ins through overseas commitments and general forgetfulness, so let's see where we're up to....

83kg

Of course.

Only about 6 weeks to go by my reconning... let's see if Meatpopsicle can hold out for just a little bit longer... or has he finally caved-in to the allure of the fast-food diet?

Holland - weigh in (29/08/05 09:30 BST)

Woops! Time flies when you are stuffing your face silly.

84kg.

At last some movement, but not in the right direction. At least it might give me some impetus to actually try a bit.

Anyway, if the result is a tie, I think Meatpopsicle wins on a countback, having lost the most weight.

Woon - wiegh in (25/08/2005 AEST)

81.5kg.

I was thinking, we never put a clause in the contract to cover the outcome in case of a draw. Any suggestions?

Holland - weigh in (11/08/05 08:30 BST)

Yaaawwn... 83kg.

I think my body has decided that 83kg is a good weight, and that no matter what I put through my gut, that is how it will stay, barring loss of a limb in a bizarre letter mailing accident.

So I think the new challenge -Mr. Meatpopsicle - is, can you stay below 83kg for another two and a half months?

Woon - weigh in (11/08/2005 07:30 AEST)

After receiving 2 reminder notices from the gym, finally returned on Wednesday.

79.5kg

Being pigging out lately too. I have a nasty habit of eating all the left over food on the table at the end of a meal. It's just so anonying to have one piece of vegatable or one bowl of soup or one peice of steak left over.

Holland - weigh in (28/07/05 08:20 BST)

No diet... just the regular routine, eat, sleep, play a bit of sport.

83kg

I give up. I'm ready to accept that 83kg I am and will remain until such time as I get lazy and become like Marlon Brando on a pacific island.

And I think I'll pass on the panadol and ulcers diet, thanks.

Woon - weigh in (28/07/05 07:45 AEST)

I have cracked the great diet code.

78.5kg

Stay in bed for 3 days and have only Panadol. On the 4th day, you should have enough ulcers and sores in your mouth so that it prevents you from eating anything solid. Continue until you reach your ideal wieght.

On another note, I got a reply back from Kellogg's.
"The Kellogg's Drop a Jeans Size 2-week challenge is a kick-start to a healthier lifestyle and an effective way to begin a weight loss programme. For two weeks, you should eat a 45g bowl of any Kellogg's cereal with semi-skimmed milk for breakfast then another bowl instead of either lunch or dinner and ensure you eat normally throughout the rest of the day - you do not need to change any other aspect of your diet. Kellogg's recommend that at the third meal you eat a balanced mix of foods and remember to include plenty of fruit and vegetables. In tests carried out at Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh participants lost up to 6lbs with an average weight loss of 4lbs (2kg). The weight loss is purely dependent on the reduction in energy intake by eating cereal instead of lunch or dinner. The rest of the day's diet remains unchanged - you can still have your snacks and drinks like you normally do."

I'm A Loser

So it's been two weeks since the Kick Start Challange and we have a winner. You might have noticed that I didn't actually give an update, and the reason for that was I actually didn't start the Kick Start Challenge. I tried though, I bought the product and the skim milk (which I got told off for since Marcus does not drink skim milk) and actually had two bowls over two days. Anyway, no excuses, I lost, gave up, quit, threw in the towel, whatever.

So what's next Holland?

p.s. I think we should report to Kelloggs and try and get some form of reimbursement for those 4 boxes that you consumed.

Holland - weigh in (16/07/05 09:00 BST)

After the 2 week kick-start challenge I am now down to the amazing weight of...

83kg.

Which just goes to prove my theory, Special K isn't just boring, it is also a complete waste of time. Today I am on the bacon and brie baked potato diet, tomorrow it will probably be the left-over spaghetti bolognaise diet, and the day after that, who knows. I feel happier about my body already (well, at least about my taste buds, which have been feeling a little left out recently).

And for those that are interested, my jeans still fit just fine, exactly the same as they did before.

Woon - weigh in (15/07/05 07:00 AEST)

Testing the technology here. I am posting this update via email.

82.0kg

First serious rise. Could this be the beginning of the end or just extra motivation

56" and dropping... maybe

Special K is fine f0r breakfast. For lunch, it sucks dogs balls. I've been going with boring, regular Special K for breaky, followed by a treat for lunch, Special K red berries or Special K apricot and peach.

I'm pretty sure I'm losing weight, although I haven't checked since last week, but is it worth it? Food is a beautiful thing. Special K is merely roughage with a bit of sugar, and a few added vitamins and other % daily requirement crap. Hello taste?

Here is a list of the things I miss most so far.

1. Leftovers (e.g. pizza, roast chicken, fajitas, tuna puff).
2. Pub lunches. Baked potatoes, big, juicy burgers, omelettes with cheese, ham AND mushrooms.
3. Bacon and eggs. Just once a week or so, a full English breakfast breaks up the cereal routine nicely.

I have to stop writing, my stomach is complaining.

Diet Experiment #1: The Kick-Start Challenge

The weigh-ins are getting monotonous so we have decided to run a series of Diet Experiments. First up "The Kelloggs Kick-Start".

More info can be found here, but the gist of it is to:-

"For two weeks, eat a bowl of Kellogg's Special K (approximately 45g) with semi-skimmed milk for breakfast then another for lunch or dinner."

By the end of the two weeks, the participant should have dropped a jeans size. We have already taken our BMI and both Holland (BMI 25.6) and Woon (BMI 26) qualify.

Task:- Both subjects will follow the instructions outlined in the above link and report waistline measurements now and in two weeks time. "A jeans size" definition can be found here. We both fall into the Regular Table and it looks to be 2" for a size difference.

Woon - weigh in (01/07/05 08:30 AEST)

Two weeks seem to pass so quickly. Still out of wit, but I got something good for when I hit the 70's.

81.0kg

Holland - weigh in (30/06/05 08:30 BST)

83kg.

What can I do to get out of this rut I'm in? I'm treading water at the moment, but I really need to start swimming, swimming towards that golden keg I can see on the horizon.

Swimming? That gives me an idea... how to lose a bit more weight... no wait... it's gone. Oh well, plenty of time to go, and I do have the advantage of youth.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing how the witless wonder is going.

I remember now... swimming... golden keg... I need a beer.

Woon - weigh in (18/06/05 08:30 AEST)

81.5kg

I am out of wit! We must recolonise immediately!

Holland - weigh in (16/06/05 8:20GMT)

83kg

And once again, we're yet to hear from the Meat, even though he's had a good 19 hours to hit the sauna since his weigh in was due.

And I'm quite chuffed that my big birthday BBQ on the weekend didn't add to my very slowly receading gutline.

Woon - weigh in (02/06/05 08:30 AEST)

Sorry, I was in the toilet bring up lunch.

81.5kg

I am thinking we need to take a new set of photos, I am at the 10kg mark so there should be some visible difference.

Holland - weigh in (02/06/05 08:30 BST)

83kg and dropping.

I don't see any post from the meat. He must be in the sauna trying to lose some of the 4kg he put on in the last fortnight before he makes his post.

This hare and tortoise race may just be turning my way.

Holland - weigh in (19/05/05 08:20 BST)

Hmmm...

84kg.

I think my new regime might be working, because I've been eating like Nibbles the last week (travelling with the parents-not quite in-law with lots of free meals out) and yet still managed a whole digit off.

So, my latest formulla is football x2+ kempo x2+ squash = keg.

P.S. New rule: If you starve yourself to death or otherwise die in some bizarre weight loss accident (eg impaled on your exercise bike, choking on your heart monitor), you lose, and the keg comes out of your estate.

Woon - weigh in (19/05/05 07:20 AEST)

Have been sick the last few days and didn't get any exercise in, but yet I am still...

82.0kg

I might have found a new way to lose weight. All I need now is a catchy product name...
"The Go Sick Diet"?
"The Through The Nose Diet"?
"The Fat Out With Phlegm Diet"?

Holland - weigh in (05/05/05 08:20 BST)

85kg.

Holy shamoly!

I could be seriously screwed here. Time to bring out my secret weapon. I just joined a Shirenji Kempo club... 3hrs, 2 nights a week. Hopefully combined with soccer 2 lunchtimes a week and the odd swim, jog or cycle I should get back in the contest. If not, at least I can beat the crap out of anyone who makes fun of my weight (in self-defence of course, for that is the way of the Dojo).

Now, if only I hadn't had Burger King for dinner last night?

Woon - weigh in (5/05/05 08:45 AEST)

Almost at the 10kg mark.

83.5

I will consider the delivery of a keg as acceptance of your defeat at anytime.

Holland - weigh in (21/04/05 08:45 BST)

Now I'm in trouble...

86kg.

I lay the blame on this slip firmly on my recent 1 month free DVD trial and Pringles... I popped, and I couldn't stop. Or maybe it's some hormone imbalance, or maybe my bones suddenly got bigger, or my scales are faulty. So many possible explanations as to why I am now a bigger fatarse than the Meat. So anyway, I guess I'd better pull the finger out, tighten my belt (if it will still fit around my waist) and retake the lead.

Well, I'm off to the liposuctionist, I mean gym, so next time I'll be a lean, mean, Meatpopsicle crushing machine (or maybe I'll just take up penguin tossing).

Woon - weigh in (21/04/05 6.45AEST)

The usual conditions; breathing out when the scales take a reading, etc.

85.0kg

Had a fitness assessment at the gym the last couple of days. Oxygen usage ideal, heart rate borderline ideal/average and a proper BMI measurement (with fat pinch calipers which I swear they sharpen) average. For your information, the scale is fit->ideal->average->poor. I could go into the debate about how wieght is not the one factor that indicates fitness and that bone density and muscle mass all contribute to the overall health of the body, but that would be taking it too far. I'll play that card probably closer to my birthday.

A New Challenger

Was just browsing the comments section of the blog and noticed a real bias in them. This R. Greenwoood person is really beginning to stir me, hence I challenge him. Woon -vs- Greenwood! I have thrown down the gauntlet, so choose your weapon of choice.

(1) Bench press 30 reps. One who benches the greater wieght wins.
(2) Greatest distance on the penguin toss game
(3) OptusNet CS 03 WC3 #1, reset XP, first to level 4.

He who wins, gets bragging rights over the other while the loser has to wear a "MeatPopsicle 0wnz j00" shirt (or whatever your tag maybe) So bring it on nerdy boy!

Holland - weigh in (07/04/05 08:45 BST)

Post-shower, pre-breakfast, pre-huge dump... 83kg. I was very good last week, exercising and avoiding particularly bad food, and so-so this week, but still keeping ahead of the meat, which is all that really counts, and after that huge dump I'm sure to be even further in front.

Woon - weigh in (07/04/05 8.00AEST)

Post-shower, pre-breakfast, naked.

87.0kg.

Been a bad couple of days. Was down to 85.5kg at one stage, but was slack yesterday and this morning hence it did not move.

Holland - weigh in (25/03/05 8:10 GMT)

Woohoo... 84kg.

Just gotta keep a buffer between myself and Meat so he doesn't get to thinking he might actually win this. I am impressed by his progress though, 5kg. That's easily enough to get yourself on a Jenny Craig ad.

"This is Meatpopsicle, and he lost 5kg in just 4 weeks!"
"It was easy... all I had to do was follow Jenny's advice... exercise a bit and eat a balanced diet. And I don't miss those lazy nights in front of the X-box or those sweat, juicy burgers, golden fried chicken, big, cheesy pizzas and salty snacks one bit!"

Only 8 months to go.

Woon - weigh in (24/03/05 8.20AEDST)

Post-shower, pre-breakfast, naked. I'm getting desperate...

87.0kg.

Man this wall is fricken huge. I gotta change things up. Better add $59/month for gym membership.

Holland - weigh in (11/03/05 08:35GMT)

85kg as always.

I'm impressed with meat's progress. I might have to pull the finger out and actually do some exercise. Or maybe I'll just have 3 pints tonight instead of 4.

Bad luck about hitting the wall. There is of course the catch-22 where you get to a certain point in your exercise regime where you start replacing fat with muscle, which is a lot denser.

Woon - weigh in (11/03/05 9.10AEDST)

Morning weigh-in , pre-breakfast, post-30 minute cycle, pre-shower, post-shit...

88kg

By the way, I've hit the wall, been stuck on that for 5 days now. (And no, "hit the wall" does not abbreviate to KFC)

Return On Investment

Bought myself a Polar A3 Heart Rate Monitor last Saturday, $140. Also, been going swimming, $5, and for the HRM to be held underwater properly I got myself a rash shirt, $45. Still sticking with squash each Sunday, $4.5, but needed a racquet, $30. Jogging is going well especially with my Manchester United 3rd Shirt 2003/05, $60, and Fila running shoes, $33.

Having a healthy diet: I don't mind. Seeing the notches on my belt run out: comforting. Not panting like a dog on a hot day whenever I walk upstairs: could be useful. Kicking Hollands ass: priceless motivation.

(So, the theory is to keep the heart rate at about 114-135 BPM. This is the ideal fat burning pace as the body has enough oxygen to burn the fat and not the carbs. Also, it does not force you to go too hard and hence continue exercising.)

Under Pressure

I took my blood pressure today, 113/86. I'm no doctor and I have no idea what that means, but apparently that's in the healthy range, and my heart should not explode in the near future. Clearly the stress of the competition has yet to get to me. Now that meatpopsicle has embarked on his intensive exercise and diet programme, I wonder whether he will be spured on by the possible benefits, such as a reduction in blood pressure, leading to a lower risk of heart disease and an increased lifespan. Or maybe the keg is motivation enough.

Re: Additional Rule Clauses

I would say that unless an injury requires long term hospitalisation, then any competitor who wusses out half way through (due to a sore toe, or more likely a large double quarterpounder meal) has to wear a T-shirt for the rest of the time which says "I am a big FAT loser".

Additional Rule Clauses

Got a slight tingling sensation in my right foot after the bike exercise this morning and it got me thinking about the "Contest" in the event of an injury. And that got me thinking if we should insert a early exit clause at the half way point if either of us wants to wimp out. Something like if you quit, you only have to buy half a keg.

Not that that either of those scenarios is going to happen to me of course.

Oh oh.

If you are what you eat, then I guess I'm a KFC Chicken Fillet Burger and golden syrup dumplings with ice-cream. I find the best way to lose weight is with subliminal learning, where thoughts are implanted in your head without you even realising. But then there are some that think that's just a load of rich creamery butter.

You are what you eat...

Trying to give up rice and all the high carb foods but it is not as easy as it looks. Had a good look at all the nutritional information on the products at the supermarket and figured out a few things.

Energy and calories are in all things. It is either divided into carbs or fats. For example, canned fruits, lots of card (re-sugar) and very little fat and peanuts, lots of fat but very little sugar. I have yet to find a tasty product with little of both.

Currently, I am having cereal and grapefruit for breakfast with a glass of metamucil. A small can of tuna and rice crackers for lunch with a banana and a small bowl of rice with lean pork and mushrooms for dinner. Hopefully what will work.

Holland - weigh in (25/02/05 8:20GMT)

85kg exactamundo... just as I suspected.

The only exercise I've had today is running after the Queen's car after she drove past our building. My motivational music for the day... "God Save the Queen". Brings a tear to me eye, it do.

Inspirational Music...

30 minute jog last night and 30 minute exercise bike this morning. This was my inspirational music. (Caution. May induce some air guitar and air drum action)

link (gmail invitation to whoever can name the movie it was from)

Woon - weigh in (25/02/05 8.30AEDST)

Morning weigh-in, pre-shower, pre-breakfast.... 91.5kg. I guess I only lost 500g while on holidays.

Rules?

Simple...

Person with the lowest weight on the 24th of November 2005 wins 1 slab or keg from the big fat arse on the other side of the world.

Supplementary rules to keep the competitive juices flowing.

1. Every two weeks, an update is required.
• Weight to be measured pre-breakfast, naked, on an accurate bathroom scale, or one of those scales they use to weigh witches before burning them.
2. Regular updates on exercise and eating regime. And remember, playing sport on X-Box doesn't count, but pizza does have all five food groups in one delicious serving.
   
3. Taunts to be used for motivational purposes only, eh chubby.
   
4. No crash dieting... that's just for Jockeys and celebrities getting ready for the Oscars

More to follow...