Jennifer Wills and David Paynter are shedding the pounds in the Live Health Bermuda 100 Day Challenge and both have agreed to write about their success and challenges. In the second part of their weekly dispatches for The Royal Gazette, both talk candidly about how they are faring in losing weight.

Jennifer

Thursday, January 24

Had a good workout tonight. I got my heart rate going and I was puffing away on the elliptical machine. A friend of mine came into the gym while I was finishing up. She said, "Wow! You look ... tired." I think by "tired" she meant "a lovely shade of tomato!"

Friday, January 25

Everyone at work has been very supportive of the Challenge and there have been quite a few healthy lunches appearing in the fridge alongside mine. Friday, however, is take-out day and no one messes with take-out day. My boss tried to help me out and tell me I wasn't allowed to order anything. I told her that I might have to go home because I couldn't handle being in the same room as the greasy delights that I wasn't allowed to eat. They let me have a burger.

Saturday, January 26

I decided to offer up my journal to the Gazette as a form of motivation ... if everyone knew I was trying to lose weight then it would be really embarrassing for me to fail with so many witnesses. Everyone certainly seems to know about it but it's disconcerting having people try to see what I'm eating at restaurants or ask me if the things in my grocery cart should be there considering I'm supposed to be on a diet. Disconcerting but effective - I returned a third of my grocery items to the shelves on my last trip to the store.

Sunday, January 27

I went to the gym on Friday and Saturday this week. Three days in a row! I definitely like the elliptical machine best. I tried the stationary bike for a bit on Friday. I felt the burn in my legs but overall I felt like I was cheating a bit ... I mean, I was sitting down to exercise and I certainly was nowhere near my usual tomato-faced state when I left.

Monday, January 28

A few people have asked me how Scout, my dog, is doing. Unfortunately, due to her joint problems and current lameness I can't really take her for walks. Swimming is much better for her but isn't necessarily practical on a daily basis. She did have a good long, hour and a half swim on Sunday after which she napped for the rest of the day. She's also on a strict diet. She's not happy about it. Her skinny, doggie brother gets twice as much food as she does and she stares pathetically at him while he keeps eating long after she's licked the pattern off the bottom of her bowl.

Tuesday, January 28

After a good workout on Monday, I wasn't quite as inspired today which was frustrating. I'd been looking forward to going to the gym, but I lost my rhythm and enthusiasm halfway through my workout. Not sure what happened.

David

His quest for a healthier lifestyle has lead to neighbourhood basketball games, a better planned week and increased energy, even as the weight loss slows.

David Paynter agreed to let this paper follow him as he participated in the Live Healthy Bermuda 100 Day Challenge.

Last week, after only ten days on the programme, the father of one had lost ten pounds by increasing his exercise and watching what he ate.

This week, however, the weight loss has slowed to a total of 14 pounds, but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing his exercise regime.

David said: “I’m not progressing as fast, but I didn’t expect to. But I am still doing an hour on the treadmill each night.

“Over the weekend Alyssa, my daughter, and I played basketball with my two nieces who live next door, Sam and Ally, and a friend who lives next door too.

“I’m glad to have them and they’re excited. The other thing that’s nice is having the energy to do it. I’m not just sitting on the couch.

“The first week I had the focus, but now I have the energy. It makes me want to drive forward.”

One thing he has found shocking, however, is the money he is spending at the store — buying healthy has left deep holes in his pocket.

But he says so would eating out which he and his wife have stopped doing. He said: “What I have found is we are spending more at the grocery store then before.

“But then you price what your life is worth and it’s cheaper then the doctor’s bills and the medication you would need. And we haven’t eaten out which means we have probably spent less money in the end.”

He finds this also means he plans better and each week the family has a meal plan that makes the shopping easier and healthier.