Weight-loss challenge contestant hits the scales

It's week three for photographer John Bisset and reporter Emma Bailey who are taking part in the 12-week community weight loss challenge, which means meeting once a week for classes on nutrition and lifestyle choices. The group of 40 will go head-to-head to see who can lose the most body fat.

 John Bisset

This was not the best week to start writing a food diary, especially after attending the March Hare motorcycle rally. Imagine the disapproving look on our weight-loss guru's face if I had filed following:

Saturday morning, two sausages, two eggs on toast with chipped spuds. Lunch, bottle water, potato fritter and seafood roll. Saturday night, six 440ml cans bourbon and coke, one hot-dog, two pottles of chips and a steak pie.

Sunday morning, mince pie, sausage, two bits of bacon and a hash brown washed down with coffee. Then there was Sunday night takeaways, one spring roll, two fish, two scallops and chips. And, should I write down that piece of home-made cheese cake for lunch?

A quick calculation of calories gave me a total of 6979, around 3400 calories more than I was allowed for the weekend. Action was needed and fast. I burnt my food diary and drank lots of water. With a belly full of guilt I arrived at Wednesday night's weigh-in. I rushed past the food diary help desk and headed to the weigh-in room. Removing my shoes, wedding ring and trouser belt I stepped lightly onto the scales.

The digital display went through its cycle and finally stopped 104.7. Exactly the same weight as last week, no loss but there was no gain either.

I didn't deserve to lose any weight. I hadn't changed my eating habits enough or followed the programme. But I had made a conscious effort to drink at least two litres of water daily.

The benefits of water became obvious as soon as my measurements were taken. Between my hips and neck I had lost a total of 9.5cm. This week I'd better look at my calorie intake and fill in that food diary. Maybe!

Emma Bailey

Like Oprah, I love carbs.

Apart from the ability to talk a lot, that is where the similarities end although I do understand the battle to balance a diet with enough protein when my first instinct is to chow down on carbohydrate goodness.

Week three of the weight loss challenge has brought about new challenges. Drinking two litres of water a day requires planning as well as plenty of tinkle stops.

Encouragement comes from the most unexpected of places. As I hover around the sugary treats in the work cafeteria, co-worker Martin kindly tells me the diet isn't working and I look like I have put on weight. I ignore this, convinced it was his weighty moustache that instructed him to say that. On Wednesday night it is time to weigh in again. I am nervous. The thought of being in the weight gain group again has me limit the amount of food and water in the afternoon to ensure the best result.

As I dress for work I think about the lightest clothes I can wear for the meeting straight after work. I contemplate wearing my togs, although I could be blamed for a sudden drop in Timaru Herald subscriptions.

John "Mr Chips" Bisset and I line up for the moment of truth.

John is removing his belt, I fear his pants are next. Thankfully for his wife and me it is just the belt, all 10 grams of it.

Success, I have lost 1.3kg. I am euphoric and float back to my chair. The food diary is paying off, especially as it makes jamming food indiscriminately into my mouth impossible to do without feeling bad.

This week I need to add weights to my exercise routine ... does constantly lifting a water bottle to my mouth count?

- © Fairfax NZ News