The Biggest Winner team 2015 is well on their way   This year we had over 80 good applicants so very hard to pick the team but we feel like we have a good group who are trying hard to win back their health.   They are willing to show up weekly to meet with me and other team coaches and also get advice from RD Karen Lacey of MMCenter.    They have a trainer at Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center named Chris O'hearn and have many mentors like Bryan Pashcall, Joe Mitchel, Dolynn Loy, Kelsey Kane and manager Tonya Stoutt Brown.   Most are training for a half marathon (Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon (1/2) and for many it's their first.    www.covenanthealth.com/biggestwinner is a site to keep up with their journey as well as on FB

Big turnouts for Get on Local trail

40 signed up for entire series in two weeks time.  This is fundraiser for Legacy Parks & health awareness campaign for Thompson Cancer Survival Center & Covenant health 

Hike one from outdoor knoxville to James white greenway to Morningside park 

Nice 3.8 miles without too many hills 

Folks pleasantly surprised how knoxville has so many nice parks greenways right downtown area and Alex Haley satue a cool turnaround destination 

Some of us got to try out paddle boarding at Billy Lush paddle boards right down from outdoor knoxville which was fun.  

Next up Meade Quarry at Ross Marble area where some went to keyhole and white sand dunes w others starting at em Hastie park and heading back along urban wilderness trail system thru Marie Myers to Ross Marble to quarry 

Cumberland Gap hikes

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What a pretty spot to hike.   Cumberland Gap national park on corner of TN Ky Va 

We left car by Daniel Boone visitor parking then drove few miles to area close to campground cabin area  

Started there and had one mile climb straight up.   Few cool caves to pass by then started seeing great views on the top.    1.7 miles along top to pinnacle lookout.  Also old cannon replica from civil war battles.    You can look down and see the C gap tunnel below.   We wound around and once took wrong trail and came out on other side of tunnel but enjoyed this new area to check out more trails in the future 

Can't out run bad diet day

Saturday is training long day for Biggest Winner Team ego join w KTC w Health Shoppe training runs.

 But today w monsoon I have group option run in rain at 8 or hit mall w Missy & Tonya *** as we had full day planned to hear RD Karen Lacy talk at 1030. So tough guys headed out in the rain (& BJ wife Miranda) we hit mall.  

And we still did 4-5 miles plus some planks !! Former BW members Lee Ann Bowman Heidi Paranuk & Carol Osborne also on hand.

  Then we went to Food City for grocery tour which was awesome.   Karen pointed out what to avoid (high sugar ) and showed us good choices   She also had studied the NuVal Progran Food City uses and agreed its an easy way to compare which bread is healthier, granola bars, juices etc sometimes it's not the pricey brands that have best values too.  

Fresh produce best choice like 100 value (best) slaw mix and

Brussels sprouts    Our team had good questions and were taking notes 

  They are doing great w exercise but know you have to watch Portions and find nutritious foods that fill you up while not adding too many bad calories to your diet.    I'll have handouts on our biggest winner page soon or call 541-4500 to ask for copies to be mailed to you ! 

No excuses

This 2014 team is "getting it" quickly this year.   Even before Jan 1 they were meeting at Fort sanders health fitness center and texting each other encouraging words.   We have already faced some rainy Saturdays and last week start temp 15-17 degrees ! But sticking to a plan works already 134 pounds lost and making new healthier habits 

Team Work KEY ingredient for Success

 The more I help with our Biggest Winner teams for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, the more I see that the ones who "get it" and really make changes that will stick are those who pour themselves into being a TEAM.    The ones who encourage each other, help others up a tough hill, or who email someone who is having a rough week.  

  Plus the ones who make the kinda changes that will last, show up even when it's not convenient.   BUT  you don't have to be on "our" team, you can do that in your neighborhood, church, office, book club etc.   But when you make a "group" commitment it tends to make you more accountable.  PLUS its more fun!!!  Here are some shots of our Team run/walk with the KTC/Health Shoppe series which meets every Saturday for 4 months.  Most are training for the half marathon at CHKMarathon, few the full, and some the relay or 5k.  We met at 7:45-8 in 29 degrees but HEY we were supposed to be there.. and after 5 minutes we were happy and glad we came!