WCHV News Director Melissa Neeley

The Final Outcome

2010-08-17T06:08:00.001-07:00

Well when all was said and done I lost 7 pounds and went from a size 13 to a size 9.

You can see the video blog here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FToENszk52s

I really like to thank Sherry Ramsey again..and I promise I'm not quitting. I still have more to go, especially since my 20-year high school reunion is coming up. Motivation!!!

I want to let everyone know of a wonderful website livestrong.com which Sherrie turned me on to. It was founded by famous bicyclist Lance Armstrong. It helps you keep track of how many calories you take in a day and lets you know if you're over. It also keeps track of you workouts.

I hope everyone gets off the couch and gets going. It takes time and effort, but you can do it! Good health is worth it!

Also please don't forget about the Hope Community Center. They always need volunteers and donations for the wonderful work they do here in Charlottesville.

www.hopecommunitycenter.org

Thanks for following me along my journey this summer,

Melissa

Almost To The Finish Line

2010-07-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

Well, kids, the final weigh in is almost here. It happens this Saturday July 31st. I'm still not sure I have lost many pounds but I have gotten at least two sizes smaller and I now have muscles showing where there weren't any showing before now.

I'm making an extra effort this week for my final push. I've made it to the gym twice everyday and I'm lowering my caloric intake. Along with that, I'm doing my usual participation in my acting and dance classes. My trainer, Sherrie Ramsey, has introduced me to a wonderful website http://www.livestrong.com/ It allows you to keep track of how many calories you intake per day, week, and month. It compares that info to how much exercise you get...hey and it includes EVERYTHING! Including typing! You can tell the program how much weight you would like to lose and it will give you how many calories you should eat per day based on your weight, age, and height. I LOVE this website. Thankyou, Sherrie!

I also want to encourage everyone to donate either their time or money to the Hope Community Center. They do some wonderful things for the Charlottesville community.

I'll let you know the results of the weigh-in in my next post!

Work it,

Melissa

To Learn more about The Hope Community Center and how you can help go to http://www.hopecommunitycenter.com/

Looking Better

2010-06-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

June 22, 2010

Well things are going great on my Biggest Loser Cville adventure. My trainer Sherrie Ramsey is definitely working her magic. As of the one month weigh in I have lost 2lbs! Ok, I know it's not much, but we have been doing a lot of strengthening exercises and weight training. I have gone from a size 13 to a size 9. I have lost about two inches off my waist and the abs that I wanted are starting to show!

Sherrie has been helping lots of people in the BLC program by holding her fitness class at 8am on Saturday mornings. I got to witness on this past Saturday at McIntire Park. This class was in the same style as her Bootcamp for Women classes and the personal workouts she has stylized for me.

See the new video blog on our WCHVNews Channel on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/WCHVnews

I am still eating healthy by including more veggies and less junk in my diet. Sorry McDonalds we just can't see each other anymore. However, if I have to see you (McDonald's) while I'm traveling or some other reason, I get a salad instead of a burger and fries. Wendy's has an excellent Southwest Taco salad.

Well, I'll keep you updated on my progress! Get out there and get fit Charlottesville! You can do it!

-Melissa

To learn about Sherrie's bootcamp go to
http://www.essentialsfitness.com/

To learn more about Biggest Loser Cville go to http://www.biggestlosercville.com/

To Learn more about The Hope Community Center and how you can help go to http://www.hopecommunitycenter.com/

Biggest Loser Begins

2010-06-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

My friend Joshua Bare came to me a few months ago about the summer fundraiser for the Hope Community Center in Charlottesville. He was very excited and explained they would be doing a variation of the hit T.V. show " The Biggest Loser". The weekly show follows obese people as they compete to see who can lose the most weight. Joshua's idea was very simple. Have people donate about $30 to enter the contest that last 10 weeks. Winners will receive $1000 in cash. Former UVA Star Football Tackle Jon Copper has joined in to offer support for those involved in the contest. He sends e-mails of encouragement almost daily to participants and offers advice on nutrition and exercise. Patty Workman has also offered her services and is holding free workout sessions.

For my part in this I have decided to join in and be a contestant myself. Although I'm not expecting to win, I am expecting to get into better shape. I am a mother of three and in my mid-thirties. I have found being a working mother lends itself to all sorts of bad eating and exercising habits. I hope to retrain myself this summer with the help of my trainer Sherrie. I want to share my experience with you and hope it may inspire you to get off the couch or bar stool and get into shape.

At the weigh-in on May 22, 2010, I weighed 161lbs. See the video
http://www.youtube.com/user/WCHVnews#p/a/u/1/5nTghvl77bc

I'm not sure of my measurements, but I'm sure they were not what they were when I was a svelte 125lbs. My goal is not necessarily to get to that weight again, but I do want to lose some. I just want ABS OF STEEL or to just look good in a swim suit. After meeting with my trainer Sherrie, we decided I would work out twice a week on my own jogging, doing pilates and yoga. (I used to teach yoga and pilates, so Sherrie felt comfortable giving me those tasks) We also decided I would work with her twice a week on aerobic and strengthening exercises.

My first workout with Sherrie we decided to meet at Pen Park at 1:30 in the afternoon. Which means it was HOT! We jogged on the beautiful fitness trail and made stops at stations to do strengthening exercises. See the video http://www.youtube.com/user/WCHVnews

At the end of the hour workout, I was sweat covered and exhausted. I jokingly yelled out "She's killing me!" referring to my actually very sweet and kind trainer Sherrie.

I'm now on my second week and I'm feeling great! I have kept my promises to Sherrie about my solo workouts and now I'm working on improving my diet. One thing Sherrie insist I should almost give up ...Coke! (And of course I mean the soda pop. ) I love the sweetness and I find the sugar rush helps me get through those busy news days. But it's got to go now if I plan on meeting my goal in only 9 more weeks. I do one good thing and that's drink lots of water. Since I talk a lot during work, my mouth is always getting dry. So lots of water is required if I'm going to keep my broadcaster voice in tact. Sherrie also suggested I stay away from processed and fried foods. Not easy sometimes when I just need a quick bite. So my answer. Storing up on lots of fruit I like. My favs are apples and bananas. If I need something now, I just grab one of those and I'm good until I can have an actual meal. Yogurt is also another snack I like.

I'm not sure if I've lost weight yet, but I feel like I'm definitely toning up. And I made it through my workout this week much easier than the one last week.

To learn more about Biggest Loser Cville go to http://www.biggestlosercville.com/

To Learn more about The Hope Community Center and how you can help go to http://www.hopecommunitycenter.com/

Get off the couch and get going!!!!

-Melissa :)