The above title was named in our internal broadcast as “Her Loss, Their Gain” … Aptly titled by the Corporate Affairs people at the place where I work. Now that Project Loser is over, I’ve lost over 13 KG and restored sight to 20 people by raising S$1,000 for Seeing is Believing through my weight loss journey.
Here’s the extract of the broadcast. I’m no celebrity or miss-know-it-all when it comes to weight loss. In fact, I’m still learning but the journey has been fun even though frustrating at times. Perseverance plays a huge role in weight loss and there’s no shortcut to it, just like how there’s no real shortcut to having an easy life. So here’s the story … I’m extremely encouraged by the support and as mentioned in my previous post, this is not the end of it. You’ll definitely see a leaner me before my big banquet, that’s my goal.
If this is inspiring enough, then what are you waiting for? Get moving!! 
—————————-
Jamie Yeow from Energy, Metals & Mining, Origination and Client Coverage lost over 13 kilogrammes and helped restore sight to 20 people by raising S$1,000 for Seeing is Believing (SiB) through her weight loss.
Ably supported by her friends at the Bank, Ng Kee Win, Jonathan Tan and Chu Kheng Sin, Jamie came up with “Project Loser” where for every kilo she lost, funds would be contributed to SiB. Here’s her inspiring story about her journey from being a person who could not run on a treadmill for 30 seconds without panting, to one who recently completed an eight hour non-stop bike ride.
Why you came up with this initiative?
I got to a point where I was neglecting my own health and putting on a lot of weight. I was also suppose to get married but I stalled it for 1.5 years due to my weight. So I got my act together and decided I will do this seriously and not let it be one of those ‘passing phase’. Apart from losing weight I wanted to make sure I keep it off and changed my lifestyle entirely – eating the right way and exercising regularly.
How did you achieve it?
I told 3 of my good friends (SCB Staff: Ng, Kee Win, Johnathan Tan Kum Fei and Chu Kheng Sin) that I want to shed 20kgs in 1 year (2009). They were very supportive of it and during our discussion, we thought it would be a great idea to have a “Project Loser” initiative where every kilo I lose, funds will be contributed to the pot and it goes towards SiB. To do this, a Term Sheet was even drafted to capture the milestones, payments and even bonuses.
I was already a member of Fitness First but never went there for more than once a week! Once the term sheet was finalised, I got a personal trainer and told him of my goals and the SiB initiative. I told the trainer that I needed someone to be committed as there were funds to be raised for charity.
I signed up for about a total of 180 personal training sessions (at an average of $80 per session) and went for training three times a week at 7am. Apart from these sessions, I also worked out for at least an hour at the gym during lunch everyday. Towards the second half of 2009, I was training two hours almost everyday – 7am and 12 noon. Notwithstanding the rigorous training, I was also monitored closely my food intake and my trainer checks my food log (which I still keep to this day).
Who are your strongest supporters?
My three pledgers who agreed to contribute and support this project together with my family and friends. As the weight dropped off, so did the encouragement and that spurred me even further. Afterall, I was going to get married (27 March) so everyone around me – whether in office, gym or even my regular health food shop that I go after gym daily for lunch – was very supportive.
Any other words of encouragement for those who want to do this?The best part about this initiative was that I was able to donate more to SIB with every kilo lost. Every time I ran, I thought about some kid being able to see a rainbow and appreciate colours again. It was a big push for me.
The journey has been a blast but I won’t be stopping here. I still have unfinished business. Since I didn’t achieve 20kg which was the original goal, I’m working towards getting rid of the balance 6.6kgs and my penalty is to run a 21km this year. It has been a long and tough journey. I started this journey as a person who could not run/walk without panting on a treadmill at speed 6 for 30 secs to one who now runs in small marathons and have a huge passion for cycling. I recently completed 8-hour non-stop bike ride during international fitness week and hope to start training for traithlons soon.
Weight loss isn’t about how fast you reach your targeted weight loss. It may sound strange saying this but one needs to go through and ‘enjoy’ the journey no matter how long it takes because it will remind you how hard you have to cycle/run to burn e.g. 1 egg tart off (1 hour to be precise)
————————
I’ve received many encouraging emails and it definitely lifts me up! I’ve already had offers from people to run the 21km with me … uhm, I’m still running at a ridiculous snail pace so I need time to ramp up my running momentum. I’ll post some before and after photos soon. All this can’t be said without thanking one person – Adrian Tan – who has helped me to get where I am today and totally changed my lifestyle around and make me appreciate exercise and not hate it.
Have a great week ahead people!
