Saturday, January 16, 2010

Weekend edition

Hello all --

Just a recap of the Eleanore Brainstorm Weight Loss Challenge with updates on a couple of new participants and a photo or two.

First, Eleanore in a fit of modesty is agitating to rename this programme the Tennis Hotties Weightloss Challenge, but I think we should reserve judgment on the "hotness" word until the 8-weeks is up, don't you? However, in the interests of economy, I am willing to abbreviate the name of our programme for now -- to Tennis Hotties Weightloss Andfitness Challenge, 'kay?

That's THWACk! for short.

Yes, yes, I know it's not quite right. So sue me. Actually don't. The stress might make me eat more.

Anyhoo, here are the participants and their goals. And whether they've paid or not, just so I can get it right ONCE regarding the Sharons.

SA 15 lbs, paid
DB 10 lbs
ED 15 lbs, paid
KH 15 lbs
SM 15 lbs
EM 10 lbs
DM ?? lbs
PS 10 lbs, paid
ER 15 lbs, paid
ST 8 lbs, paid
DW 8 lbs, paid
MW ??

Maybe we'll update this at the halfway point in later Feb so you can revel in your own progress, and buy peanut M&M's for your frenemies.

Dori and Matt, get with Eleanore and then email me your weight and goal (pounds to lose). Everything about your actual weight stays top secret. Once the figures are written down, they stay locked up in my desk on that little yellow sheet of paper, along with the total kitty that is now up to $300!! My memory is worthless, so your secrets are safe with me. Remind me at the end of all of this where I locked up the money and the list, okay? In my desk, in my desk. In my desk.

We are going to bend the rules a little for Matt and we won't make him buy lingerie with his winnings (IF he wins) unless he really wants to and it's for his wife.

Finally, a few last bits and pieces on other fitness opportunities.
  1. Patrice and I have swum at 2:15 pm two Saturdays in a row so far, and I'm looking to add in at least one or two other times per week, probably Mon, Weds, and/or Friday afternoons. Let me know if you're interested.
  2. Patrice recommends HOT YOGA, 8-9:30am Saturdays. I was going to join her today, but almost forgot I had a hair appointment at 8am today with my HOT AND EXTREMELY RIPPED HAIRDRESSER, Felipe. How could I forget this, you ask? Easy. My bangs were falling in my eyes and I couldn't see a teleprompter any more. Anyway, I'm going to try Hot Yoga next week. Patrice says to get there a bit early, as it's usually crowded.
And finally, to make up for yesterdays quite disappointing "swimmer" photo, I give you this:



Here's a photo of me and my boyfriend Michael Phelps, after a swim. You can't really see much more of me than my arm, but that's not important. What is important to notice that both of my boyfriends, Marat and Michael, have tattoos. In fact, Michael also has "Ellie" inked on his backside, but his Speedo covers it up. I would hate for my husband to find out but fortunately M is pretty discreet.

And that's it! Enjoy your weekend,

x ellie

Friday, January 15, 2010

Appetite Suppressants -- Don't Do It!!

Hi Ladies --



Good job on completing the first day of our fantastic Eleanore R Brainstorm Weight Loss Challenge!! Even though it's only the morning of the second day, I thought I'd "weigh in" [guffaw guffaw snort snort snuffle choke urk] to give you some extra moral support as you begin your 8 week journey.



Here it is: Okay, girls, we've all heard the warnings about diets, and appetite suppressants, and the dangers of artificial substances until it's coming out of our EARS. No, no, and NO! You know the difference between right and wrong, and I expect you to take the high road, every time. We're doing a normal kind of diet, just fewer calories and perhaps a bit more exercise, with the idea in mind of losing 1-2 lbs per week. This is supposed to be healthy, not extreme, and developing positive lifestyle and eating habits.



You know you can do it, and the rewards will be long lasting. Just imagine yourself floating around the tennis court, lighter on your feet, able to move quicker, feeling less tired. Dropping those pounds will do it for you! I guarantee it [your results may vary; objects in mirror are closer than they appear; consult your doctor before beginning any weight-loss program].... Right-y-o. There, disclaimers done.




Frankly, as for myself, I always prefer to take a natural approach to everything I do. Locally grown vegetables, no drugs or artificial supplements of any kind, and yes I do have four children and they were all planned, why do you ask?




Anyway, AS I WAS SAYING, I prefer to take a natural approach to appetite suppression, so with that in mind, I give you this:




Bear in mind this photo came up on a Flickr search for "man shirtless swimmer".

Obviously I need to refine my techniques a bit. Subsequent searches will include the words "olympic swimmer".

Good luck on moving on through days two and beyond.

Feel free to send in suggestions or appetite suppressing ideas of your own. Clever recipes will also be published. Creative thinking and useful tips welcomed!


Best, ellie

PS ... If this is one of your husbands, ladies, then I do sincerely apologize in advance. Ever so sorry!



Thursday, January 14, 2010

Tennis's biggest losers -- US!!

Not losers at playing tennis, sillies! Don't get your knickers in a twist.

It's the big Eleanore BRAINSTORM of the day, the Weight Loss Pool! Get your floaties on everyone, because it's sink or swim. We should all be light as air in 8 weeks (and sinking more rapidly in the pool if any of us are actual swimmers, because everyone knows fat floats!)

Here are the rules:
  1. Everyone kicks in $25. (Paid so far: Ellie, Deb W, Eleanore R, Patrice S, Sharon T) As we have 10, that makes a kitty of $250. Give Ellie the dosh when you see her, and she promises she won't use it to buy Oreos. Or booze.
  2. If you meet your target goal, you win your $25 back, plus you're graced with a new more fabulous body. You can use that $25 to buy yourself a new (smaller) bra -- sorry girls, that's just the way it goes! Check with Mitzi for best lingerie advice. Everyone meets their goal, everyone wins. What could be lovelier?
  3. If you don't meet your goal, your money stays in the kitty and gets divvied up amongst the goal-meeters. Should we say "winners" here? Or "losers"? I don't know. You get the idea. If only one person doesn't meet their goal, then everyone walks away with their own $25, plus their share of the last $25 -- or 25 divided by 9 which is $2.77777777. Someone will definitely need to bring a calculator because this could really get ugly. Two people don't meet the goal = two people crying bitter tears, and 8 receiving $25 plus $3.125. You get the picture.
  4. Weigh ins Tuesdays right before drills. Eleanore is the soul of discretion and the keeper of the weights. No one else will know your actual weight. No penalty for missing a weighing in -- it's mainly for your own mental record-keeping.
  5. Weigh ins = shoes off, clothes ON! Please. We don't want to have a breath of scandal at the club!
  6. In the interest of supportiveness, we're seeking lo-calorie appetizers and dessert nibbles for the team party on Thurs Jan 21st at Deb's. Please, though, don't be horrid and just bring carrot and celery sticks -- once people have a few glasses of wine, that could spell violence. Use your heads, ladies!
  7. No extraordinary measures. We're not trying to incite eating disorders or naughty behaviour, so as Austin Powers, would say, "BEHAVE!" Generally, we're working on the honour system, so... let the games begin!

  8. FINISH DATE: 8 weeks from Tuesday, March 16th. This will be just in time for Easter hols, and you'll be able to have (one) extra Cadbury creme egg or 10 jelly beans for all your trouble. Weigh in can be after drills, so you can sweat off the last few ounces!! (We don't have a home game that week, and I don't imagine we want to do our final weigh in at Oakbrook Racquets, do we??) If you're on a different team, consult Eleanore to get your final weigh-in time.





(This is just to motivate you, in case this kind of thing works on you. However, do remember that Mr. Safin is MY boyfriend so hands off please.)


Other opportunities for exercise and burning off more calories:
  1. Eleanore and I train with Emily for a 1/2 hour Mondays at 10:30. You're welcome to join us for that PT session
  2. Patrice and I are trying to make a plan to swim regularly. Ask either of us for more information
  3. If you're interested in Pilates, it's a great toning/strengthening workout. The free classes at the club are really good (I went to the 7:30am Friday one -- excellent! -- and there are lots more all across the week) Also, if you want to try signing up for a studio pilates class, they work out to $25/hour and it's actually a much better deal than doing an hour of personal training, and equally hard work. Don't tell the PT department I said that though.
  4. Cardio tennis -- ask Matt about that one. Deb W does this regularly, as does Mitzi W.
If you see any problems with the plan, let me or Eleanore know right away. If you have any other workout suggestions let us know that too. If you have still other opinions, then we probably don't actually want to hear about them, but we'll try to be polite whilst you're talking. It's the least we can do.

Have fun, girls!