How did you do?

Well yesterday was the official end of the 10-week Guilford County Mayors' Challenge.

As you can see from the article below, I lost six pounds. Not ten pounds.

But you know what? I even worked out this morning. A full day after the end of the challenge. Now that's an accomplishment.

Any other participants in the Mayors' Challenge want to share their stories?

Final story

Here's the final installment of the weight-loss chronicles:

Lost 6 pounds, gained healthy habits for life

Amy Dominello
Staff Writer

When I woke up early on my birthday to go to the gym, I knew a transformation had taken place.

In the past, I would have never worked out on my birthday. Ever.

But during the past 10 weeks I've been participating in the Guilford County Mayors' Challenge to lose 10 pounds. I did it to get a little healthier — and because I could easily spare 10 pounds.

I lost 6 pounds, not 10.

I thought it would be easier than it was. I slacked off at times. My diet wasn't always great.

But I gained a lot. I learned how to eat better. I became reacquainted with working out.

Most importantly, my mind-set has changed. Although the 10-week challenge is over, I still plan to keep it up.

Even on birthdays and holidays. At least most of them.


Best comment: "I thought you'd be fatter."

Newly discovered favorite form of torture: The elliptical machine

An epiphany: Getting up early to work out is not that difficult. I'm just lazy.

The bunny was looking at me funny: An after-Easter tangle with a chocolate bunny was my weakest moment.

Full list of snarky comments and story here.

Don't forget

If you're looking for a little exercise, don't forget the walk this weekend:

GREENSBORO — The Guilford County Department of Public Health is hosting “Get Healthy Guilford,” a walking event Saturday at Festival Park.
Registration and a short program will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a community walk at 2 p.m. The event is free and will be held rain or shine. Walkers may register on site at Festival Park or by logging in here before the event.
The first 100 walkers to arrive and sign in will receive a free pedometer. For information, call 641-7777 or go to www.guilfordhealth.org.

Rough week

I've lost some momentum this week.

A trip to New York for Easter really started me on a downward spiral. Couple that with a busy week and it hasn't been pretty.

I started off with good intentions. Really, I did. But between traveling, Mom's cooking, Easter candy and pizza, temptation was hard to resist. (On the plus side, I did work out two of the three days I was in New York, even running along the beautiful Hudson River.)

But the downward spiral of eating poorly seems to have continued this week. And I haven't been to the gym that much this week. It feels like once I let myself eat bad food it's really hard to get back to being healthy.

Protein bars

This question comes from a reader who is looking for the names of some good, high protein bars.

"I need help from you. I, too, need to lose 10 pounds. Please share you honest tips, and particularly the name of the higher protein bars. Every time I look at them sugar is high and so is the fat."

Clearly, I'm no expert. I'm reluctant to name the brands that I've been eating because I'm probably wrong.

Anyone want to offer their advice?

Advice from Jeannie Sykes

Here is more advice from my interview with Jeannie Sykes, a clinical nutritionist from Moses Cone Family Practice. (Related to today's story on willpower and diet.)

On cultural norms:
"I think that plays a big part of what we're drawn to and avoid. Taste preferences are mostly learned. What you like is what you're exposed to."

Facing the buffet:
"Did you really get more of your money's worth when you eat more than you want and ruin your weight loss effort?"

On overeating:
Listen to whether or not you're hungry and get joy from your food.
"When we live in the area of all or none that's when we're in a dangerous place."

Eating at events:
Eat something before you go.
"While you're at home you have control. Take the control you have while you have it."

Peer pressure:
We've all been there when someone tries to push another serving or dessert on your plate. You don't want to look like a jerk.
Try asking for a piece to go, recommends Sykes. And usually people want you to eat more to justify their own desire for that extra serving or piece of cake.
Or you can take just one bite of dessert and that usually gets a food pusher to leave you alone. But Sykes added, if you know that one bite will lead to a downward spiral, avoid it at all costs.

Changing others:
You can set a good example and help reshape cultural norms, Sykes said.

Today's article

UPDATE: And I wonder where I get it from! My family spent about 30 minutes over the weekend dissecting what makes a good sandwich and where to get the best in the New York area.

Mind over mouthful

Amy Dominello
Staff Writer

Editor's note: Buff — or buffet. That's staffer Amy Dominello's dilemma. She likes food too much to ever starve herself. But she's been trying to lose some weight and get healthy as part of the Guilford County Mayor's Challenge, which ends Sunday.

I had a moment the other night.

Eating dinner at a friend's house, I took my first bite of homemade lemon chess pie. I actually closed my eyes and made a noise that sounded close to what Homer Simpson does when he looks at a doughnut.

I didn't even realize I did it until he called me out on it.

Relationships are complicated. As I try to watch my weight, I'm finding my relationship with food is a little twisted, even obsessive.

I love food.

I like talking about it.

I like planning and thinking about it: New York-style pizza. Girl Scout cookies. Wine. Bagels. Those little pieces of chocolate that sit out on everyone's desk. The twisted chicken burrito at Fishbones.

Buffets and potlucks are like winning the lottery.

And like every junkie, I don't go very long without a fix.

Full article here.

Check out Gibsonville's mayor

Also from the folks at the Mayors' Challenge:

Gibsonville Mayor Lenny Williams and his daughter and grandson were on WFMY's Good Morning Show today at 6:45 a.m.

Click here for their inspirational story. All three generations will motivate you and your family!

Their story will also air tonight at 5 p.m.

Things that make sense

I know these thoughts I'm about to put down aren't exactly rocket science.

But I had a really bad workout today. I didn't eat so great yesterday. I went to bed late and didn't sleep that well.

And I think that really messed me up today. It's just further proof that you've got to take good care of yourself to really function well.

Today's story - Carb Queen

Today's story on my addiction to carbs:

When I decided to track what I eat for a week with a food diary, it was only natural for my good friend Andrea Mitola to look at it and offer suggestions.

Not only have we known each other since our days as college roommates, but she's also completing her doctorate in nutrition at Johns Hopkins University.

She knows what she's talking about. More important, she held me accountable:

I have decided you are the carb queen! Carbs are not all bad, so this is not a complete diss, BUT you do need to discriminate.

Full story here.

Update

I'm down six pounds with a little more than two more weeks to go.

I probably won't be able to hit the goal of losing 10 pounds in 10 weeks, but I'll be close.

As my editors can confirm, I usually push my deadlines as far as I can. So maybe I'll be more like 10 pounds in 12 weeks.

Capoeira

Last night I went to a class on capoeira, a Brazilian martial art.

I initially told a friend who has become a self-described "capoeira addict" that I would go to watch. And yet somehow last night I was attempting cartwheels. Not quite sure how that happened.

The class was a little out of my comfort zone. Grace and coordination are not exactly my strengths.

But I enjoyed myself. And I obviously worked some different muscles, because I am sore today.

Here's a cool multimedia package of what capoeira is supposed to look like, although you can trust me on the fact that I looked nothing like these people.

THURSDAY UPDATE: I take it back. I am REALLY sore today. The back of my calves feel as if someone has repeatedly kicked me.

Week 7 update

Yikes, only three more weeks to go in the Mayors' Challenge. Good luck everyone!

An update from the folks coordinating the challenge:

Getting Outside: Now that the weather is beautiful again, take advantage by getting your exercise outdoors! Enjoy a walk in the neighborhood, invite friends over for a game of volleyball, shoot some hoops with the kids or kick a soccer ball around the yard. You can work in some extra steps and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Walk for Your Heart: Research shows that 30 minutes of walking per day can bring down your blood pressure. This small amount of physical activity can also regulate your blood sugar, help control your cholesterol and make you healthier in general.

Health on the Web: Find healthy recipes and other tips here.

Mark Your Calendar: Don’t forget to invite your friends and family to finish off the Mayors’ Challenge with the Get Healthy Guilford walk on Saturday, April 14. The event will take place from 1-3 p.m. at Festival Park in downtown Greensboro. Come out and enjoy a 30-minute walk on one of eight beautiful downtown Greensboro trails.

Success Stories: "Happy to tell you that I lost 21 pounds… I am so glad to be a part of the challenge ... I look forward to meeting all April 14." -- Lori Collins
Do you have an experience from the Mayors’ Challenge you’d like to share? If so, simply email your story to us at: www.gcmayorschallenge.org

The Mayors’ Update: Our mayors have lost more than 50 pounds so far with just three weeks to go!

Chinese food

Seriously, I might not ever go out to eat again.

Well, that's a lie. But this was in the news last week if you didn't see it:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The typical Chinese restaurant menu is a sea of nutritional no-nos, a consumer group has found.

A plate of General Tso's chicken, for example, is loaded with about 40 percent more sodium and more than half the calories an average adult needs for an entire day.

The battered, fried chicken dish with vegetables has 1,300 calories, 3,200 milligrams of sodium and 11 grams of saturated fat.

That's before the rice (200 calories a cup). And after the egg rolls (200 calories and 400 milligrams of sodium).

"I don't want to put all the blame on Chinese food," said Bonnie Liebman, nutrition director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which did a report released Tuesday.

"Across the board, American restaurants need to cut back on calories and salt, and in the meantime, people should think of each meal as not one, but two, and bring home half for tomorrow," Liebman said.

The average adult needs around 2,000 calories a day and 2,300 milligrams of salt, which is about one teaspoon of salt, according to government guidelines.

In some ways, Liebman said, Italian and Mexican restaurants are worse for your health, because their food is higher in saturated fat, which can increase the risk of heart disease.

While Chinese restaurant food is bad for your waistline and blood pressure — sodium contributes to hypertension — it does offer vegetable-rich dishes and the kind of fat that's not bad for the heart.

However — and this is a big however — the veggies aren't off the hook. A plate of stir-fried greens has 900 calories and 2,200 milligrams of sodium. And eggplant in garlic sauce has 1,000 calories and 2,000 milligrams of sodium.

"We were shocked. We assumed the vegetables were all low in calories," Liebman said.

Also surprising were some appetizers: An order of six steamed pork dumplings has 500 calories, and there's not much difference, about 10 calories per dumpling, if they're pan-fried.

The group found that not much has changed since it examined Chinese food 15 years ago. That's not all bad, Liebman said.

"We were glad not to find anything different," she said. "Some restaurant food has gotten a lot worse. Companies seem to pile on. Instead of just cheesecake, you get coconut chocolate chip cheesecake with a layer of chocolate cake, and lasagna with meatballs."

The group says there is no safe harbor from sodium on the Chinese restaurant menu, but it offers several tips for making a meal healthier:

—Look for dishes that feature vegetables instead of meat or noodles. Ask for extra broccoli, snow peas or other veggies.

—Steer clear of deep-fried meat, seafood or tofu. Order it stir-fried or braised.

—Hold the sauce, and eat with a fork or chopsticks to leave more sauce behind.

—Avoid salt, which means steering clear of the duck sauce, hot mustard, hoisin sauce and soy sauce.

—Share your meal or take half home for later.

—Ask for brown rice instead of white rice.

Greensboro's biggest loser

Tina Firesheets had great stories yesterday and today about the Greensboro man, Ken Canion, who was on the NBC reality show "The Biggest Loser" and how his life has changed.

He's now helping others in Greensboro, including his wife, to lose weight.