Shannon's Story - 4 weeks down!

It's cold out. Okay, it's freezing. I mention this because there's something about the cold weather that makes me search for comfort foods. Yes, the Pound for Pound Challenge is difficult when it's cold and the last thing I want to do is drink water. However, I am making progress...6 pounds gone!

It is exciting to watch the pounds pledged across the country increase online day by day. Northern Illinois Food Bank has been holding steady at 5th place for all Feeding America food banks!

If you have thought about pledging but haven't yet don't worry. There's still time to make your New Year's resolution AND help raise funds to feed our hungry neighbors here in northern Illinois. It only takes a few minutes of your time!


The Pound for Pound Challenge ends on June 30, 2010. Visit http://www.pfpchallenge.com/ and follow these easy steps to make your pledge:

1. Click "Pledge Now"
2. Enter your birth date
3. Enter your zip code
4. Enter your weight loss goal
5. Enter your registration info (name & email)

Thank you and good luck!

Shannon :)

Shannon's Story - 2 weeks down!

If you had told me a year ago I would be taking the Pound for Pound Challenge and sharing my journey so publicly, I would have said you were crazy. Not that I mind being in the spotlight. I have a strong theatre background and continue to participate in community performances on and off the stage. It's just so much easier to play the role of a character other than myself. And so much easier to have fun and deny that it's time to make a change. It is no accident that Jerry and Estella Hayes are now part of our lives at NIFB.....and part of my life. The time to make a change and live a healthier life is now. Thanks to the inspiration of Jerry and Estella, I have pledged to take the Pound for Pound Challenge. They are an amazing example of how much fuller life can be when you feel good and know that you've done something beneficial not only for yourself but for your family, as well. I want to be around a long time so I don't miss a single moment of my 5-year old's life. I want to be an active part of it, too! Gaining a better quality of life is the most important lesson I've learned from Jerry and Estella since I met them about 2 months ago.

I watched The Biggest Loser this week. Unfortunately, I have many evening commitments on Tuesdays and do not often get the opportunity. Dr. H. was talking to each team about how their lifestyle of not exercising and unhealthy eating habits has aged them in astounding ways. The internal age of one of the contestants is 57....she's only 27! That spoke to me. She's lost 30 years lost because she likes to eat fast food instead of taking the time to prepare a meal, and sit on the couch instead of getting up and moving. How many years have I lost? It's not worth it. Why do I think I have another day and can make a change tomorrow? The truth is none of us really don't know how much time we have left so we need to do something today!

I started eating more carefully and planning my meals and snacks a few weeks ago before the January 5th kick-off date. It's been amazingly easy for some reason. Very few cravings and I don't feel like I'm missing anything because I'm eating lots of vegetables and fruits....and of course, I've been drinking lots of water! Yesterday, I had a challenge. I spoke at a luncheon meeting at Maggiano's. Family style lunch with large bowls and platters of lasagna, ravioli, potatoes, and the largest piece of tiramasu I've ever seen. I am proud to say I made better choices today than I would have made a few weeks ago. I guess you could say I chose ME instead of food. The chicken, salmon, steamed broccoli, and salad were delicious and satisfying. Amazingly enough I was able to pass the crusty bread and butter to my left and turn it down again when the very nice man next to asked if I wanted some more. I don't know about you but bread and butter are my favorite....THIS was an achievement for me.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: Small steps can make a BIG difference in your success.

Good luck on your personal journey! Remember that you're worth it. And know that your pledge is helping so provide food to so many people who desperately need it in your community.

Shannon :)

Promotions Manager, NIFB

Biggest Losers & NIFB Challenge Champions Volunteer

Jerry and Estella Hayes, the white team from Season 7 of The Biggest Loser, paid a visit to Northern Illinois Food Bank in St. Charles on Tuesday, January 12th. The oldest contestants in the history of the show continue to prove that it is possible to eat healthy and lose weight while at home. Jerry won the $100,000 prize for losing the most percentage of his body weight at home. They have inspired their daughter to lose 90 pounds (so far!) and as a family have lost almost 400 pounds!

Their visit to NIFB on Tuesday was to film a segment for the Pound for Pound Challenge that will air on NBC's The Biggest Loser this season. John Paszylk and many employees from General Mills came out to help pack Senior Meal Boxes. Jerry and Estella encouraged volunteers and staff to pledge their personal weight loss goals and reminded them that anyone can get healthy if they put their mind to it. They also had an opportunity to share their reason for wanting to get involved with Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Pound for Pound Challenge. Jerry has been volunteering to help the hungry for over 30 years through various organizations. Estella, while also a volunteer, once received a box of food as a child. She didn't realize it at the time but her family was poor and feels blessed to have been on the receiving end of someone's generosity. Jerry and Estella knew that this was the right time to "pay it forward".

Our visit ended at Winfield Woods where Deanna Dang, one of Jerry and Estella's daughters, works as an Administrator. The Hayes' journey has inspired so many people to strive towards their own goals. The residents at Winfield Woods were so inspired that they decided to turn one of their TV/lounge rooms into a gym - the "Winfield Workout World"! A generous vendor donated equipment so that the residents had the right tools to reach their goals. Almost 30 people pledged their weight loss goals yesterday and helped to feed even more hungry people served by the Northern Illinois Food Bank. It's amazing the ripple effect that Jerry and Estella's journey has had on so many different people. If you are inspired by their story, please checkout http://www.pfpchallenge.com/ and see just how easy it is to get started. Tell everyone you know that you are signing up and encourage them to pledge, too. Life is just too short not to make a change today and help change other's lives!

NIFB Takes the Pound for Pound Challenge!

Northern Illinois Food Bank employees are stepping up and taking the Challenge!  Individuals and teams have already signed up. Some teams are even brave enough to get on the warehouse scale together and

weigh in periodically. Pictured here the Volunteer Department has challenged the Agency Department to see who can lose the most percent of their team weight.

Volunteer Department's Goal:  To lose 66 pounds as a team.

Agency Department's Goal:  For each team member to reach their own personal goal.

Let's hope the winning prize isn't a pizza party............let the Challenge begin!

The Pound for Pound Challenge Has Begun!

On January 5th, the long awaited Pound for Pound Challenge began! Northern Illinois Food Bank has been preparing for many months and was excited to get started and spread the word. For those of you who haven't heard yet, let me give you some background. The Pound for Pound Challenge, as seen on NBC's The Biggest Loser, is in its second year. Feeding America and NBC's The Biggest Loser, is again partnering with General Mills, Subway, 24 Hour Fitness and Walgreen's to encourage Americans to lose weight through the Pound for Pound Challenge. Built around the incredible success of The Biggest Loser, the program allows anyone to shed pounds along with the show's contestants by pledging their weight-loss goals at http://www.pfpchallenge.com/. For every pound of weight you pledge to lose, the Pound for Pound Challenge will donate 14 cents to the Food Bank that serves the hungry in the area where you live. It's that easy! There is no follow up as to whether you reach your goal or not. However, we'd love to hear your stories so please feel free to share them at http://www.pfpchallenge.com/ or via our blog.

If you haven't met our Challenge Champions yet, take a look at some of the photos from our Pound for Pound Kickoff & Premier Party which was held on Tuesday, January 5th in Wheaton. Almost 100 people signed up to pledge their personal weight loss goals that night at the party! NBC paid a visit and filmed all the fun. NIFB was mentioned on the evening news that night! A healthy dose of inspiration from Jerry and Estella Hayes, the white team from Season 7 of The Biggest Loser might be just what you need to get motivated and take the Challenge!

Tell all your friends, family, and co-workers about the Challenge. It's a great way to spread the word and get more support to help feed our hungry neighbors. Northern Illinois Food Bank is currently in 5th place as the Food Bank with the most pounds pledged across the country...help us move up to the top spot!