We’ve decided to change the focus of our “Five-Pound Challenge.” We are rephrasing it to be something about each of us getting to our ideal weight/body place. Leslie’s personal challenge is losing five pounds; Richard has decided that his is about his clothing size, belt size and blood pressure, not just total weight loss.

This change in focus becomes significant when you note that Richard has already lost 7 pounds. He’s the one who suggested we change how we think about this challenge, because he’s already lost the five pounds and he’s not done.

Richard Ha reports in:

I was on the verge of getting a larger size shirt. That went away. Same with my belt – I was at the last hole and struggling. That went away. Jimmy suggested that I rely on those types of measurements, more than my weight.

I’m doing a combination of light weight-lifting and walking for a 45-minute period. I exercise with a heart rate monitor and make sure I’m in the fat burning zone or more.

My resting heart rate is now in the 60s. When I started, it was in the 70s. My blood pressure went down and has stabilized; it was very erratic when I first started.

Leslie Lang reports in:

I still weigh exactly what I weighed when we started. I have maintained this impressively consistent weight by only working out on the elliptical trainer twice since the challenge began, while simultaneously not cutting back on food much at all.

Oh my, and it was me that issued the challenge in the first place. I am slightly horrified to have to admit my lack of effort and progress, and hope to have a much better report next time. Must. Pull. It. Together.

If you are following our weight loss challenge in search of inspiration, you might want to be paying more attention to Richard’s efforts. I too will look at Richard’s efforts for inspiration and motivation. Wow!