When I first met a few of the other male contestants in Seattle Sutton's 2010 Slim Down Challenge our one "big" question was the same.
Even before the official Jan. 4 televised launch at WGN TV Studios in Chicago, contestants had already met one time previously, back in December to record some radio spots for WGN Radio downtown at the Tribune Tower.
In particular, I remember one contestant -- a fireman -- saying how he believed the contestants might be given the choice to opt for the Seattle Sutton 2,000-calories-a-day meal plan or the 1,200-calorie plan.
And I have to admit, I had the same thought.
However, our group -- spanning all ages -- was told the three fresh-prepared provided meals we'd be dining on each day for the next 14 weeks would be for the 1,200 calories plan, with of course, a total of 200 calories of each day's allowance coming from two glasses of skim milk.
Here's how I'm doing so far.
This week, my three pound loss was shy, in comparison with some of my fellow contestants' losses.
For Week Five, Donna lost the most with a minus of 4.8 and Mike (the fireman) shed 4.5, followed by Tim dropping 4, Linda losing 3.9 and Paul leaving behind another 3.5.
However, I still lead in total pounds lost to date, with my drop of 29 pounds.
But for the first time, the folks at Seattle Sutton also factored the totals to date for our body weight percentage loss, which reveals Paul is in the actual contest lead having reduced his overall body weight percentage so far by 13.75 percent and I'm in second with 12.61 percent and Denise is right behind with 11.24 percent.
Now, back to readers' questions about Seattle Sutton's two meal plan options.
Here's one of the typical reader questions, this one from Steve Meadows, of Wheatfield.
"Philip:
My starting weight is near yours at about 240.
I want to get down to about 190. I didn't see the start up of this article series, but wanted to know if we have to go with 1,200 calories with Seattle Sutton or can you also lose weight on the 2,000-calorie diet? I know, I know 'Talk to your doctor first.' I will do that next week, but I can't see how you can sustain a 1,200-calorie diet at our weight for more than a week without being hungry and overwhelmed. I am 54 and 6 feet, 3 inches. I know that matters also. But thanks for the encouraging articles. Keep working at it. I've gotten started on the walking/exercise part of my plan. Now, I'm working slowly on the diet part. I'm thinking very seriously of going with Seattle Sutton's plans, but I have to get the calories figured out. Thanks.
Steve Meadows, Wheatfield"
For Steve, and the many other readers who have been asking questions about this same topic, I posed this question to Seattle Sutton's daughter, Paula, who assists with the calories counseling for her mother's popular healthy eating program and here's her answer:
"Hi Phil and Steve,
Weight loss always boils down to 'calories consumed versus calories expended.' If you take in less calories than you burn off each day, you will lose weight. The converse is also true. So, our most popular plan is the 1,200 calorie one. Many men also see great success on our 2,000 calorie plan. It's important to weigh yourself once a week and track your progress. If you are not losing weight, then you are consuming more calories than you are able to burn off. Also consider ordering the 1,200-calorie plan and adding in a bit more (carefully) for a daily total of 1,400 or 1,500 calories.
As always Phil, your readers can call me anytime if they have questions or concerns at (817) 689-0265.
Paula Marie Heaton, RN, BSN
Director, National Home Delivery
For an update of how all of the contestants are doing and their complete biographies, visit seattlesutton.com
Next week, I will answer some reader questions about the exercise program I've been using in conjunction with the Seattle Sutton meal plan.
And until then, it's just weight and see...
Phil's Progress
Goal Weight: 178
Starting "weigh-in" weight: 230
Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 201
This week's loss: 3 pounds
Total loss to date in four weeks: 29 pounds
So Who's in the lead just for Weight Loss?
1. Philip Potempa, 39, Chicago, Ill. - - Start Weight 230 - - Ideal Weight 178 - - Weight as of 1/11/10 Monday weigh-in: 218 - - Weight as of 1/18/10 Monday weigh-in: 212 - - Weight as of 1/25/10 Monday weigh-in: 209 - - Weight as of 2/01/10 Monday weigh-in: 204- -Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 201- - This week's loss: 3 pounds
* Total loss to date: 29 pounds
2. Tim Gallivan, 51, Aurora, Ill. - - Start Weight: 297 - - Ideal Weight: 185 - - Weight as of 1/11/10 Monday weigh-in: 287 - - Weight as of 1/18/10 Monday weigh-in: 282 - - Weight as of 1/25/10 Monday weigh-in: 277 - - Weight as of 2/01/10 Monday weigh-in: 273 - - Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 269- -This week's loss: 4 pounds
* Total loss to date: 28 pounds
3. Paul Quaglia, 40, Westmont, Ill. - - Start Weight: 200 - - Ideal Weight: 158 - - Weight as of 1/11/10 Monday weigh-in: 192- - Weight as of 1/18/10 Monday weigh-in: 185 - - Weight as of 1/25/10 Monday weigh-in: 179 - - Weight as of 2/01/10 Monday weigh-in: 176 - - Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 172.5- -This week's loss: 3.5 pounds
* Total loss to date: 27.5 pounds
4. Denise Akande, 50, Hazel Crest, Ill..- - Start Weight: 201 - - Ideal Weight: 145 - - Weight as of 1/11/10 Monday weigh-in: 188.5 - - Weight as of 1/18/10 Monday weigh-in: 184.1 - - Weight as of 1/25/10 Monday weigh-in: 184.5 - - Weight as of 2/01/10 Monday weigh-in: 179.9 - - Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 178.4- -This week's loss: 1.5
* Total loss to date: 23.1 pounds
5. Michael Koch, 41, Spring Grove, Ill. - - Start Weight: 219 - - Ideal Weight: 180 - - Weight as of 1/11/10 Monday weigh-in: 215.5 - - Weight as of 1/18/10 Monday weigh-in: 209.5 - - Weight as of 1/25/10 Monday weigh-in: 207 - - Weight as of 2/01/10 Monday weigh-in: 204 - - Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 199.5- -This week's loss: 4.5 pounds
* Total loss to date: 19.5 pounds
6. Linda Russell, 50, Palatine, Ill. - - Start Weight: 155 - - Ideal Weight: 130 - - Weight as of 1/11/10 Monday weigh-in: 152 - - Weight as of 1/18/10 Monday weigh-in: 151.2 - - Weight as of 1/25/10 Monday weigh-in: 148.4 - - Weight as of 2/01/10 Monday weigh-in: 147 - - Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 143.1- -This week's loss: 3.9 pounds
* Total loss to date: 11.9 pounds
7. Andrea Lasticly, 46, Flossmoor, Ill. - - Start Weight: 201 - - Ideal Weight: 168 - - Weight as of 1/11/10 Monday weigh-in: 197.8 - - Weight as of 1/18/10 Monday weigh-in: 196.7 - - Weight as of 1/25/10 Monday weigh-in: 194 - - - - Weight as of 2/01/10 Monday weigh-in: 191.8 - - Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 189.8- -This week's loss: 2 pounds
* Total loss to date: 11.2 pounds
8. Donna Nelson, 64, Bloomingdale, Ill. - - Start Weight: 194 - - Ideal Weight: 135 - - Weight as of 1/11/10 Monday weigh-in: 190.6 - - Weight as of 1/18/10 Monday weigh-in: 189.2 - - Weight as of 1/25/10 Monday weigh-in: 188.6 - - Weight as of 2/01/10 Monday weigh-in: 189.2 - - Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 184.4This week's loss: 4.8 pounds
* Total loss to date: 9.6 pounds
9. Heidi Wolfrom, 23, Chicago - - Start Weight: 187- - Ideal Weight: 140 - - Weight as of 1/11/10 Monday
weigh-in: 185 - - Weight as of 1/18/10 Monday weigh-in: 180 - - Weight as of 1/25/10 Monday weigh-in: 179 - - Weight as of 2/01/10 Monday weigh-in: 177.3- - Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 179- -This week's loss: GAIN of 1.7 pounds
* Total loss to date: 8 pounds
10. Martha Ibarra, 61, Chicago, Ill. - - Start Weight: 215 - - Ideal Weight: 166 - - Weight as of 1/11/10 Monday weigh-in: 214 - - Weight as of 1/18/10 Monday weigh-in: 210 - - Weight as of 1/25/10 Monday weigh-in: 212 - - Weight as of 2/01/10 Monday weigh-in: 209 - - Weight as of 2/08/10 Monday weigh-in: 210 - - This week's loss: GAIN 1 pound
* Total loss to date: 5 pounds
* Check out next week's Update to see how all of the contestants measured up for Week #6 of the Seattle Sutton's 2010 Slim Down Challenge! And remember, the final winners will be determined by total amount of weight lost, based on body weight percentage.
