By the Numbers

The Challenge is over. (Did you hear that? I think it was angels singing!) It was actually over 2 1/2 weeks ago, but we're a little slow on the blog updates around here. Plus, we just wanted to keep you in suspense. So as not to have you lose any more sleep over anticipation on hearing how we ended up, here you go... (Are you on the edge of your seat with excitement? If not, scoot forward and then continue reading... go on, scoot...)

First of all, let me share with you that on the day of our final testing, it SNOWED. And if you remember from our initial testing (where it was super hot for the mile run), our mile run is done outside. So yes, we had to run a mile in the snow. And if you continue to remember from the initial testing, I don't like to run at all (that hasn't changed). And if you know me at all, you know that I don't like to be cold. So it wasn't all sunshine and roses like it should have been to be at the very end of this madness The Challenge. But we were all smiles at the end of the run, as evidence from the picture below with our coaches who endured our bitching supported us through each step of the way. If you'll excuse the Lifetime television for women moment here, I honestly don't think I could have done it without them! Thanks Jen & Mike!

So, here are our results...

Push-ups: Brandy went from doing 17 in a minute to doing 51 in a minute. Lawrence went from doing 23 in a minute to doing 64 in a minute.

Sit-ups: Brandy went from doing 23 in a minute to doing 35 in a minute. Lawrence went from doing 42 in a minute to doing 58 in a minute.

% Body Fat Lost:  Brandy lost 3.4%. Lawrence lost 5.6% (aka boys suck- why weren't they created with big butts and wide hips?!?)

Mile Run: Brandy shaved over 2 minutes off her mile time. Lawrence ran his final mile in 6:05. (in the snow, mind you!) Crazy fast!

# Pounds Lost: Brandy lost 14.4 pounds. Lawrence lost 16.6 pounds.

We still have a ways to go but we're both pretty pleased that it's over with our results. (Well, I still have a ways to go. Lawrence is already down about 6 pants sizes and if he gets any smaller I'm going to start to have a complex and flashbacks to my junior high boyfriend, neither of which are good for an almost 30 year old!) So... we've decided to continue with the Maintenance Plan. The Maintenance Plan is just like The Challenge except you don't have any food nazis coaches and there is no end in sight it is a monthly workout fee rather than a specific 9-week program. But you still work out 6 days a week and you're still supposed to watch what you eat. (Pay no attention to my previous blog entry about ice cream, Jen! I made it all up, I swear!)

So, morale of the story, now that we've finally come to then end of the tunnel, we've turned right back around and entered it again. This time, we're a little less fluffy and more hydrated starting off. But don't you worry, after taking two weeks off from any physical activity beyond throwing a frisbee, our first day back working out on Monday was almost just as painful as the first time around. Only this time there were a lot of familiar friendly faces in the room with us.