McGugin's Biggest Loser for 2010

For the second year, Team Gold and Team Black faced off in an all-out Battle Royale of Weight Loss over seven potentially grueling weeks. Truth be known, the Commodore student-athletes are not the only ones in McGugin that need an outlet for some intensely competitive activities.

The final results are in and Team Black redeemed itself after a loss in 2009 as the 12 person team shed a total of 62 lbs or 2.51% off the original weigh-in total. Team Gold lost 49 lbs or 2.07% from the first weigh-in. Brett Wulke (Operations) reprised his role as the Incredible Shrinking Man by losing 9.67% of his body weight to gain the Top Loser spot. Heather Warf Business Office) was the top female Loser melting away 3.69% of her total body weight. Both Heather and Brett received a prize pack from Glaceau and Coca-Cola and Chick-fil-A for a year courtesy of the Rivergate store.

Thanks to our fantastic sponsors: Glaceau, Coca-Cola and Chick-fil-A or Rivergate. Team Black members received a case of Glaceau SmartWater, a case of Coke Zero, and a free meal at Chick-fil-A in Rivergate featuring the new salads and wraps. Team Gold cashed in with a six-pack of SmartWater, a six-pack of Coke Zero and a free Chick-fil-A entree from Todd Hunley, owner and operator of the Rivergate store. Look for a new twist next year and stay active. Have a great summer.

McGugin's Biggest Loser Update

For McGugin's Biggest Loser, Spring Has Sprung
By Eric Jones

The contest is now officially in the final stretch, so everyone that has been saying that they are waiting for it to get warmer outside to workout, is out of excuses. I mean, come on, even head baseball coach Tim Corbin is wondering what must be going on to have a 75 degree day in early March. Usually it is snow and ice for that guy, but he always gets in nine innings.

The weather is getting nicer just in time for what is proving to be a tight race. Team Gold lost some of their momentum this past week, staying even at 97.5 lbs lost (2.524% of body weight lost). Team Black gained the momentum losing 7 lbs on the week while increasing their team total to 92 lbs lost (2.187% of body weight lost).

Top Five Losers for each team are:
Team Gold:
Brett Wulke (12.3%)
Beth Turner (4.76%)
Greg Allen (4.50%)
Brandon Barca (4.29%)
Candice Lee (4.12%)

Team Black:
Jason Silvers (7.85%)
Eric Jones (5.75%)
Tim House (5.05%)
George Midgett (4.62%)
Lindsay Rutledge (4.05%)

All 40 Biggest Loser participants also got the chance to sample Vitamin Water at a tasting event in McGugin Center. Triple X emerged as the favorite flavor among participants, but it rebuffed some myths about sports drinks for me personally. It's not the Kool Aid packets that your mom used to buy at the grocery store and likely more nutritious. I was disappointed however that it did not allow me to run faster on a treadmill and or be any closer to spelling pomegranate (an extract that is supposed to be good for you that is in Triple X) without spellcheck.

I hope it didn't make for any hard feelings between Glaceau and Coke, but apparently not as Coke was also nice enough to drop off some Coke Zero for participants along with two iPod nano's have been donated by Coca Cola as prizes for the top female and top male (largest percentage of body weight lost) on the winning team.

Next blog, what does spring weather mean for workout routines.

The Wall: A McGugin's Biggest Loser Obstacle in Week 5.

Officially powering the 2009 McGugin's Biggest Loser Competition

The Wall: No Time for Gold Brickin'

By Eric Jones - Five weeks in and half way there (Whoa-oh, livin on a prayer) for McGugin's Biggest Loser. The Wall looms large now at the halfway point as it is tougher to fight one's own human body. Half pound losses are valued much more. If not for Brandon Barca's first weigh-in since week one, Team Gold would have gained two pounds. As it happened Barca's 10 lbs (over five weeks) pre-wedding weigh-in put Team Gold down by 8 cumulative pounds for the week. Overall, the team is down 80.5 lbs which equates to 2.0844% cumulative weight lost. Team Black also gutted out a shallow week losing just 2 lbs and is 5 lbs off the Gold pace with 1.7832% total body weight lost.

But make no mistake, the Wall looms large for many contestants. It's amazing how you think you are doing well, eating an apple for lunch for a whole week then you find out, you gained a pound. Stupid Jared, and his "Five Dollar Footlongs." More than one teammate was muttering, "I should have just eaten a bag of Kettle Corn at the UK game."

I am personally attacking my own Biggest Loser Wall by attempting to find a way to download my old copy of Pink Floyd's iconic classic "The Wall" onto my iPod. The only thing this is successfully doing is making my head hurt, as I try to understand the lyrics of Roger Waters. Maybe that burns calories too or maybe I just don't have the proper laser light show package for my treadmill.

There has also been an increasing interest in some team sports including a renegade noon basketball game several days a week that has already popped at least one creaky hamstring.

At least next week we will get some help from our sponsors as Smart Water will be introducing some new flavors to both teams on Friday, February 27. If that doesn't work, it's back to leaving Ho-Ho's and donuts for members of the opposing team.

McGugin's Biggest Loser Powered By Coke Zero and Smart Water

McGugin's Biggest Loser has officially hit the big time as Coke Zero and SmartWater have signed on to be partners in what is becoming a tight race between Vanderbilt Athletic Staff. I wrote this next thought to my teammates on Team Black to encourage them to eat healthy and exercise this weekend leading up to the Monday morning weigh-in. There aren't too many iconic names out there that truly represent the American way of life. At a time when many traditional American companies are selling out to investors in Europe, it's great to know that Vanderbilt has got one of the big ones, in Coca Cola. In addition, Coke Zero and Sprite Zero are starting to disappear from the Vanderbilt media room cooler much faster these days, because some of us just don't want to give up our cola. Now Smart Water is coming into the picture with more of our student-athletes carrying it around McGugin. Take heed Biggest Loser Teams, there might be a lesson there.

Here are this week's stats:

Team Gold: 54 Total lbs lost (1.39% of total body weight lost)

Team Black: 44.5 Total lbs lost (1.06% of total body weight lost)

Next time around, answers to the probing question: What's on your iPod, or in my case Walkman when you get on the treadmill or for a walk around your neighborhood? I can't help but think some of my fellow Loser contestants have a Kenny Loggins or Frank Stallone blast from the past banging off the inside of their heads while in the Zone (Danger Zone that is).