Obliterate Obesity

25 Responses to “The Big Give Health Challenge: An Invitation From Bob The Teacher and Scott Tousignant”

1. Mike Paetzold Says:
   April 28th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

   Combination of ankylosing spondolitis and too much computer time have allowed me to add 40+ pounds since I stopped working for others.

   The hardest challenge is to schedule it into the day although a bit easier now that the snow has disappeared. Doing exercise consistently is the biggest challenge and finding things that I can actually do because of the AS makes it even tougher.

   Getting motivated and following through would increase my energy level and get me out with the nephews more.

2. Andre Arnett Says:
   April 28th, 2008 at 5:19 pm

   Hey Scott and Bob,

   I wholeheartedly agree with what you are doing. I have seen first hand what the affects of obesity can do to you. I went to the doctor one day for a blood test during a check up and when I returned I was told that I had developed Type II Diabetes, which was a real eye opener for me. I have been seeing an Endocrinologist and one of the first things he said to me was “lose some weight”. I went on the South Beach Diet and have loss 25 lbs, from 210 to 185, which I thought was good. But my doctor wants me to lose another 20 that he says would be optimal for me. It would also remove me from the insulin that I have to take. I have kept this weight off for three years now and the fight continues for the other 20. So, I could use the extra kick.

   Either way whether I win or not I will fight on and I think this is a great thing you guys are doing. Keep up the good work.

3. Lani Gossett Says:
   April 28th, 2008 at 5:21 pm

   I am 65 years old, and reasonably fit for my age, but I still have some issues with a bit of belly fat. I dance, do yoga, and hula hoop to stay fit, and have lost probably 10 pounds since I’ve lived in the mountains (4 years), but my tummy is still not flat enough for my satisfaction, so I’m interested in what you have to offer.

4. Judy Rodenhiser Says:
   April 28th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

   My biggest health challenge has been a lack of energy since I have sleep apnea. I’m always tired and rely on caffeine to help me make it thru the day. I also take naps which cut down on time that I can be productive.
   Once I lose a good 50lbs. I probably won’t have sleep apnea and because I’ll be sleeping better I won’t have to rely on caffeine and once that happens I’ll be naturally energetic. With this new me and more energy I can spend more time with my kids, put in more hours in getting my sites up and running but most of all I can feel better about myself and know that I’m a good role model for my kids - happy, healthy, energetic.

5. Sim Garner Says:
   April 28th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

   My biggest challenge reaching and maintaining optimal health basically boils down to will power. I haven’t been able to stay on any type of exercise regime and eating right with the way my wife cooks is very hard.

   I could go into the health problems I have as an overweight pencil pusher at 58 years old but that could be helped tremendously with appropriate exercise and eating right. Also by my taking the responsibility to do what is necessary to get in better health it would act as an example for my wife, son, and granddaughter.

   Being that example would improve my life, hopefully my families lives and I would have so much more energy that I would have no, I feel bad today, excuses to lean on when I am procrastinating. It would also make it so much easier to get chores done around the house with all that excess energy.

6. Richard Says:
   April 28th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

   Obesity starts long before a child knows what has hit him or her. It starts in the parent/parents’ attitude about food. Once the fatty-laden eating habits are embedded, with few exceptions can a child hope to grow up fit and healthy.

   My struggle with and and conquest over food and the lifestyle habits which lead to obesity have never been longlasting. Four times in my 57 years on this planet I have lost and regained more than 80 pounds.

   My health has gone from disgusting to prime to disgusting in what has often seemed a blink of an eye. My latest rebound (from which I am resiliently and sensibly recovering from) put me in the emergency room for angioplasty surgery and implantation of a stent.

   Obesity IS NOT inevitable or in your DNA, but is definitely related to how you think and react under stress. I had a mantra before my rebound and subsequent surgery: “I may be happy and I may be sad, but food is NEVER the answer.”

   Noble and profound as it may seem, these days I have a humble realization that my control over food is still only temporary. That is why I want to be the winner of your Big Give Health Challenge. I’m not a wanna or haveta person; I just need a blueprint. My mind is tough.

7. Doz Says:
   April 28th, 2008 at 6:10 pm

   Hi….I am 53. My father had heart disease. I am worried. I am probably 20-25 lbs over optimum weight and I do feel it some days. Climbing stairs has started to result in shortness of breath. I do wake up once in awhile with chest pains, but doctor says I am more or less ok. A bit of high blood pressure. A bit of a gut.

   My ‘problem’: I am just at my life after a stupid career of working my tail off for others that I now have my own business with certain time and monetary benefits for the first time ever. I now have the opportunity to enjoy life more, spend more time with my grown family, and freedom to travel to explore. I just am scared I am not fit enough to enjoy this new phase of my life. I hate gyms, I try to watch my diet, but being a bachelor again, it is a bit hard. I am also adjusting to my activities. My new work puts me at the computer for quite a bit of time, and while I do not miss the old ‘running around’ of my past sales careers, I know that I have become a bit slothy.

   If your programs can help, I will utilize them to the most and tell everyone! A lot my work is based on the internet, so I know how to get the message out there virally.

   Now that I have got this far, Help me live my dream! Please!
   Best regards,
   Doz

8. mike logan Says:
   April 28th, 2008 at 6:18 pm

   Hello Scott and Bob,

   Enter me in the contest.

   My biggest challenge is coming home from work late, exhausted and emotionally drained, and eating way, way too much right before bed. I eat for comfort rather than nutrition, and I have not been able to get a handle on the late night eating with will power. I am about 40 pounds overweight which makes teaching my son about baseball, which he is excited to learn about from Dad, doubly difficult. I cannot move very well in response to his needs. He is 9 years old and I want to be around for grandchildren. By the way, I am 60. I could be your senior citizen poster child. And since I live not far from Chicago, I can get to Oprah’s studio fast. Thanks for your consideration, and good luck with the contest. Mike Logan

9. Ferdinand Says:
   April 28th, 2008 at 6:21 pm

   I don’t have problems with obesity, although I could use some form of regular workout. It’s a good idea to address health problems specific to people immersed in a relatively static activity and exposed to radiation like online entrepreneurs. In my case, I use good antioxidant supplementation to alleviate free-radicals damage relative to the radiation coming from monitors. I also make it a point to have an alarm clock to tell the time. Surfing and doing online business is like gambling when it comes to meals; we tend to forget them. I also try to do some stretching and light calisthenics for fitness maintenance. My biggest problem in relation to wellness and health would be time management. A well-organized fitness work-out would be a big help.

10. Marie Brady Says:
    April 28th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    Hi Guys,
    I love what you are doing. I only just started trying my hand at marketing on the internet a few months ago and still have a lot to learn. My day job consists of sitting at a computer all day. I do walk 3 or 4 times a week on my treadmill and have The Total Gym at home that I use also 3 or 4 times a week but really don’t feel that I am pushing myself enough to take off the weight that I have put on over the past few years. In the past I did aerobics, running, kick boxing, weight lifting, you name it, I have tried it and also caused several injuries to my back and knees. My husband and I both share in the cooking. We grill a lot of our food, hardly ever eating fried foods. We steam our veggies, eat salads and love fruit. I also LOVE chocolate. I really need help burning calories. It does get harder as we get older. Thanks so much for listening to me whin.

11. Gladys Cagle Says:
    April 28th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    My biggest challenge in reaching maintaining optimal health is that I have diabetes, type 2; heart problems; weight problems. The diabetes has caused infection in my left leg and I get tired easy. I am determined to lose weight and have already weigh less than 3 months ago.
    How would achieving my goals improve my life, family, business, etc.? I would be challenged by the fact that I had achieved a goal. One goal down and I would have more energy, more go-power, be more encouraged, and I would have that “I-can-do-it” attitude. When you start achieving goals, each one gives you the get-up-and-go to continue. What can stop you now? See you thinner, as a winner.

12. Cheri Sigmon Says:
    April 28th, 2008 at 9:21 pm

    Below are succinct answers to your two-part question:

    1. Challenge? Severe time constraints and a very hectic but sedentary lifestyle (and stress).

    2. Results? More energy, an enhanced sense of well-being, and a more active lifestyle which would yield better focus and ROI’s in career and business.

    Regards,
    @DoxieDenDiva
    http://DoxieDen.blogspot.com

13. Flo Says:
    April 28th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    I am just beginning to learn about internet marketing. I divorced 6 years ago and since have almost finished a Masters in Library Science with the intention of moving to a large city and getting a job as a reference librarian in a large university. I have lost 28 pounds the last few months. My favorite activity is to walk this small city’s greenway trails. I walk an hour a day when the weather cooperates. I also joined Curves, and started eating better. My biggest challenge is finding time in the day for everything. Thank God for Daylight Savings time, when the weather is good and I don’t stay too late at work doing homework, that is great. But it is hard to work Curves in as well. I am looking for something I can do in the house after coming back from the Trails. I believe that cardio and weight training are both important. My blood pressure was inching up, but what bothers me the most is no one has asked me out in 6 years. I am ready for that to change. I started at 208 and am now down to 180. I would like to lose the same amount this year that I did last year. I am also wearing younger clothes that fit closer to the body, and changing my hairstyle etc. Help me put the package together.

14. Cynthia Says:
    April 28th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    Hi,
    I have fought the losing battle against being overweight almost more times than I have fingers on one hand. Food has always been a comfort measure, but then of late, that comfort measure has only made me more uncomfortable (being now 55 years old). The times that I have lost weight (using everything from hormone shots, to pre-prepared meals, to liquid supplements, to taking fists full of vitamins and herbals)I have lost 50-100 pounds at a time. The weight always came back. I felt so deprived when I did diet. I recently watched Paul McKenna on TLC and have begun losing weight slowly by eating what I want and listening to my body so that I don’t stuff myself.
    Unfortunately, I am not able to earn a stay at home income with my online business yet. I work as a nurse and try to come home and work at the computer. I always end up falling asleep at the keyboard. I need motivational help and your 10-15 minute workouts sound great.

15. Bob Marconi Says:
    April 29th, 2008 at 12:05 am

    I am 65, forcefully retired form my job after 14 years, have type 11 diabetes and am overweight. It’s been extremely hard to keep the blood sugars in line and keep the weight off.

    The passing of my mother recently placed a great deal of stress on me, since she did not have insurance and the scramble to pay the necessary expenses was hard.All this and more I could tell you about ahs combined to make life ‘just a bit hard’ to say the least.

    Stress, Stress, Stress, Stress…

16. Renée Says:
    April 29th, 2008 at 1:27 am

    I’ve often said that the person who can develop a way to get people “over the hump” of just NOT BEING ABLE TO GET STARTED with weight loss will be a multi-millionaire. It is, without a doubt, the biggest challenge. Because of the added weight you’re carrying, you just don’t feel like moving. Then the mental component gets in the way: beating yourself up because you haven’t gotten started. That exhausts you and the cycle is in full gear. That’s me.

    ANY kind of improvement toward optimal health would provide LIFE-GIVING ENERGY. It’s as simple as having an improved intellect (the better to make decisions), feel better (emotionally), and just having more control(and yes, balance) over my life. Sustaining someone until they can capture lasting momentum would be invaluable.

17. Michael S. Copeland Says:
    April 29th, 2008 at 7:14 am

    To answer your question, my biggest challenge when it comes to reaching and maintaining optimal health is time and dedication for the most part. I mean this is a serious question and it requires an honest answer. I’m a computer guy and am unfortunately not as active as I should be. I travel and while I’m in hotels, I get on the computer rather than go to the gym. I need a serious mindset change. When I’ve worked out before, I loved it. The pain was great and I felt exhilarated. I want to make sure that the little time I have is maximized and that everything is done right.

    Achieving my health goals would improve my life immensely. My goals are to be more active with my kids and wife. I want to see my kids grow and see their kids. I want to grow old with my wife. For business, it will reduce stress levels and give me the core energy to allow me to do more with less fatigue. There’s so much more in this world to experience and I want to be able to do that with my wife and kids.

    My town was rated as the fattest city in Illinois, based on driver’s licenses. That’s not an award we’re happy about. My wife drew a logo for the initiative “Activate” and she won an award for it. I was somewhat embarrassed to stand up there with everyone being “thinner” than me.

    Bob is a great guy and I greatly appreciate this opportunity. People who sit in front of the computer are inherently fatter. Yes, I use the word fat instead of big, or whatever else. I’m straight and to the point. It takes one to know one and yes, I’m fat. I want to be healthier, energized, and I want to inspire others to do the same. Bob has inspired me, I just need to make sure I do it right.

18. Barry Roy Says:
    April 29th, 2008 at 8:38 am

    It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy: You work hard instead of smart and you wreck your health, then, after you wreck you health, you can’t work hard or smart. I’m a classic example. In my former life I worked as many as 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. I ate 2 meals a day at my desk. Vigorous exercise was trying to reach the end of concourse ‘G’ at Hartsfield International before my flight left. All that got me was a stroke and a heart attack. Being a professional multitasker, I tried to keep up the same pace as an Internet marketer. Guess what, more heart attacks. Duh! I left the Army at 165 pounds.At my worst I’ve added over 50 more. Obviously it’s time to re-evaluate and re-prioritize. Thanks to you and Bob for opening my eyes.

19. Romona Says:
    April 29th, 2008 at 9:45 am

    Let me try and keep my story short. LOL.

    I have a website dedicated to my dad who died of lung cancer in 2001. My website has been online for a year and a half now and I have made very little money from the internet. Matter of fact, I have spent way more money than I have made. But no matter, I have looked at it as a cheaper education than going to an actual school.

    Last summer I joined a group. We are all researchers. Researchers of our own health. We pay a monthly fee and our supplements are given to us at cost. Our formulas are made just for us.

    Anyway, I took the supplements for about 2 months. The 1st month I was rather speradic about taking them. I did pretty good the second month. I was feeling much better but really couldn’t pinpoint any one thing that was different.

    That was when I decided to do a personal experiment. My original plan was to quit the supplements and go back to eating french fries and pop for a month. I would keep track of different things that I could test for myself. I had plans to start a blog showing my progression. This was the middle of October.

    Then I decided I would wait till after Christmas to start. Well, it is after Christmas. I have continued paying my monthly fee but I have not bought any supplements for over 5 months.

    April 6th I finally started keeping track of test results again. I decided to start my experiment with quitting pop and drinking more water for a month to get a good starting point, before starting my supplements again. I then plan to add one supplement or basic change every 2 weeks. Since I quit my supplements I have gained 8 pounds. “Oh my gosh!”

    My biggest challenge in all of this is my lack of focus. I sit down in front of my computer to do some work and I feel like I’m in a fog. I have a hard time accomplishing my projects. I get them started okay but I don’t seem to get much farther than started.

    Exercise is a good change to see if it makes a difference in my numbers. I am currently tracking 14 different things. Examples: weight, body water %, ph, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, etc. I take these tests when I first get out of bed, to keep my numbers as scientific as possible.

    Now, I just need to get my blog started. Tomorrow’s another day. Procrastination, another problem I face. I have been working with the mind mapping software that you showed us a couple of weeks ago. Awesome stuff.

    Thanks for the boost of inspiration,

    Mona

20. Philip Walker Says:
    April 29th, 2008 at 10:56 am

    Thanks for your mails. This last one, received today deserved a reply - just to put things into perspective. Just so that you will understand, I am a very happy guy. However when I look into the mirror I see a survivor.
    Twenty years ago I stopped working full time to set up the ‘Campaign Against Age Discrimination in Employment here in the UK. As a result I spent twenty years in full time politics (but unpaid). My rewards for my endeavours started 12 years ago when I contracted thyroid cancer (two years of hell). Eighteen months later I had two heart attacks followed by major heart surgery. A year later I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease Within a year my aesophagus and upper bowel failed (paristalsis). Three years ago I was diagnosed with cancer of the Pancreas (one of the worst cancers). Fifteen months later in 2007 I had a 13 hour ‘whipples ‘op’ and spent six months in hospital. A year ago I retired from the Campaigning and started to get involved with the Internet. Maybe I’ll see some success in the next few years. I now work on the principal of ’slowly, slowly catch the monkey’ stress is not good for your health. As you can see, I’ve been there - got the teeshirt. Thank goodness when I find time to look in the mirror I see a happy man. I am a slender 11 stone, 5′11″, hoping to play badminton again next year when I will also be celebrating my 76th birthday. I prefer to take the weight from off my mind these days.

    Good luck, Philip

21. Lou Vozza Says:
    April 29th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

    Hi Scott and Bob,

    My biggest challenge is to overcome making excuses, step out of my comfort zone and face the facts head on. In the past when I have done this I’ve been successful (both business and personal). Three years ago I had cancer and today I’m cancer free. I took the challenge of a healthy lifestyle and lost 50 pounds and went from 35% body fat to 17$ body fat.

    I’ve since gained back twenty of those pounds and want to get back to “fighting weight”. Your program is a great way to accomplish my goal. The increased energy and improved self image you get from looking and feeling better will easily translate into improvement in running my business and will help me keep up with my 6 year old son playing sports and my 3 year old daughter who is learning karate.

    Plus not being tired and lethargic will keep my mind sharp.(That will help me keep up with my wife!)

    I’m prepared to take the challenge whether I win the contest or not. I know these products are the right waty to go.

22. Steve Chesterfield Says:
    April 29th, 2008 at 3:00 pm

    Scott and Bob,

    Three years ago I developed neuropathy in my right leg and foot.
    Since then I have put on about forty pounds. My biggest challenge is
    getting up and around due to pain and weakness, primarily during the cold winters here in Illinois.
    This inactivity has lead to other health concerns which will lead to more severe health issues down the road.

    I started internet marketing about a year ago and have learned a lot.
    Taking this knowledge to the next level is being hampered by my overall health.
    I believe losing the extra weight would improve my energy to a point where I could concentrate better, improve my families financial situation and grow my business with enthusiasm that sometimes has been lacking.

    This obesity problem has spread through my family and I would also like to be able to help my wife and daughter.

    If your program could help me, that would be terrific.

23. Bob Jenkins Says:
    April 30th, 2008 at 10:15 am

    The contest is now over… Scott and I are reviewing the responses above and will choose the winner soon.

    Be sure to take advantage of Scott’s Big Give Health Challenge special offer: The Fit Bastard AND The Fit Chic for just $19.95 (his & her combo), plus Unstoppable Fat Loss for $19.95.

    Thank you for all the great entries. Each of you have made this extremely difficult for us to choose!

    Bob Jenkins

24. Big Give Health Challenge Winner Announced From Bob The Teacher And Scott Tousignant Says:
    April 30th, 2008 at 2:11 pm

    [...] Wow - there were so many great responses to our Big Give Health Challenge! [...]

25. Bob Jenkins Says:
    April 30th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    To see who won the contest, please read this post.

    Bob Jenkins