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Out of Control Fat Roll!
Last spring, four young professionals in Austin griped that their jeans were too tight. They complained about failed diets, office snacks and weight that kept creeping up.
They were out of control!
What to do?
Determined to whip their unwanted expansions into shape, they launched a friendly competition. They became the Out of Control Fat Roll gang, hatched a blog, opened a Facebook page and started a Twitter account. They would make exercise a part of their lifestyle and kick junk food to the curb.
“Four girls unite because their jeans are too tight,” they screamed.
But they needed incentive. Real incentive.
So Jenni Balthrop, 27; Meredith Budwin, 26; Ashley Sparger, 26; and Kristine Gloria, 25; added some motivation.
Whoever lost the greatest percentage of weight by Oct. 6 would get a new pair of (hopefully smaller, sexier) jeans — purchased by the other three. The loser — and this is harsh — would have her photo taken in a bikini and posted on the blog.
This was serious.
They drafted spreadsheets. They scheduled office weigh-ins and began charting their weight publicly, on their blog and on a sheet posted in the office kitchen where two of the women work.
They made public confessions when they had what they termed failures — indulgences in unhealthy food or skipped workouts. They created their own lingo and drafted wanted posters for Fatroll Offenders — people who brought unhealthy food to the office.
“We’ve had huge support from friends, family and coworkers,” Budwin says.
They joined boot camps and organized weekend runs, took pilates and yoga. They even organized a team for the upcoming Silicon Labs marathon relay.
And they’ve found a supportive following in blogosphere with their updates at www.outofcontrolfatroll.com, which tracks their weekly progress. Their (very hilarious) Twitter account is at @fatroll.
“When you put yourself out there publicly, it makes you very approachable. It’s amazing the support you get,” says Sparger, who wears a pedometer on her left pump.
So far, they’ve each shed between 7 and 15 pounds.
“We’re not striving to be super models, we just want to reach a healthy body mass index,” Balthrop says.
The final weigh in is Thursday, Oct. 8.
After that? A maintenance round to get them through the holidays.
We’ll keep you posted.
Any tips for the Fat Roll girls?
The photo above shows the gang. From left to right, that’s Meredith Budwin, Jenni Balthrop, Ashley Sparger and Kristine Gloria. Beautiful, aren’t they?
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By @energeticspace
September 15, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this
These girls are awesome!! They deserve all the kudos because they are all making an effort at improving their lifestyle instead of crash dieting or getting into the latest exercise trend. Plus, the added incentive at the end is something everyone can relate to! Go FatRoll!
By Sarah
September 15, 2009 8:35 AM | Link to this
Way to go you guys! You are all an inspiration and look fabulous!
By Amy
September 15, 2009 8:42 AM | Link to this
Awesome idea! I love the blog and twitter posts. Both are hilarious, inspiring, and REAL! I think anyone can relate to these girls - whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 100!
By @energeticspace
September 15, 2009 8:47 AM | Link to this
These Ladies are AWESOME!! It’s great to hear that they are trying out different things and making lifestyle changes instead of just focusing on the latest diet or exercise trend. I also love that they have set up an incentive for the winner and the loser! Yet in the end, they all lose unwanted pounds and come out as winners. Genius!! Good Luck FatRoll Girls, I think you’re on the right track.
By Amy
September 15, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this
I love the blog and twitter accounts - both are hilarious, inspiring, and REAL! Anyone can relate to these girls…whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 100! Keep up the good work!
By Miriam
September 15, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
Good luck! We are rooting for all of you. Sure will suck to be the loser!
By Debbie
September 15, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this
Well, this is way cool (as I sit here eating a chocolate chip cookie). We have had contests in the past, but this puts a whole new spin on things! Wish you all luck - although, I realize someone has to win and someone has to lose. Jenni, hope you are the winner!!
By Apron Adventures
September 15, 2009 9:06 AM | Link to this
I’ve been an avid follower since the site’s start and absolutely love it. The variety of posts, frankness and relatability makes it such a good read. Keep it up Fat Roll Girls!
By Feldman
September 15, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
So proud of @fatroll! They are truely inspiring more and more people. Much love from San Fran!!!
By Matt McGinnis
September 15, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this
Its been fun to watch your progress on the blog and to learn new lingo like pullin a DJ Tanner. I admire the whimsical approach and the serious dedication. Good luck to each of you at the weigh in next week.
By Rebecki
September 15, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
This is such a great idea!! I know that when you strive to make a lifestyle change, it needs to be for yourself, but it sure does help to have your friends threatening….er….motivating you!!
By Rebecki
September 15, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this
This is such a great idea!! I know that when you strive to make a lifestyle change, you should do it for yourself, but it sure does help to have your friends threatening…er…motivating you!
By CO2creator
September 15, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this
Wouldn’t it have been much easier to buy bigger jeans ;-)
Serious suggestion is to read in the ingredients in what you eat asking yourself is this what you want?
By Rico
September 15, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
I have been following these characters since the start and I am fortunate (depending on how you look at it) enough to know 3 of them personally, so it’s fun to read their tweets and blogs. Their personalities are evident in their posts and are seriously entertaining. See the phrase “pulling a DJT”. Good luck ladies.
By Nicole
September 15, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this
Way to go ladies! It’s hard enough to lose weight these days with our busy lives. Having friends join you and the motivation is a bonus and a boost! The honesty and organization is amazing and a great inspiration! Go for it!!! I hope to follow in your fat roll steps!
By Jenni
September 15, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
I’ll admit that at first, I did buy a pair of bigger jeans, but then you want to keep your old pairs around “just in case”, which turn into a constant reminder of your previous weight! So I’m glad we did this - though my original jeans are starting to fall off! Can’t ever win ;)
By kat
September 15, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this
Keep it up ladies! You all look great! Its great to make working out and eating well a lifestyle choice, as you all know. Good job! :)
By Karen
September 15, 2009 4:51 PM | Link to this
Great story on these four girls. Can’t wait for Oct. 8 to find out the winner!
By Jennifer Melson
September 15, 2009 5:59 PM | Link to this
You girls are inspirational! Keep up the great work!
By Elizabeth
September 15, 2009 9:58 PM | Link to this
There is something so candid and clever about this blog that it taps into my psyche about weight loss just like the “Confessions of a Shopaholic” series did about my feelings on shopping. You think you’re the only one until you read this blog and you find that when we are candid about an issue so near and dear to our hearts, you can unite, inspire, and most importantly, laugh at yourself! This blog is revolutionary and these girls are innovators. LOVE IT!!
By Josh
September 15, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this
Congrats girls! Keeping each other accountable is such a great motivator. Keep up the great work!
By Ashley
September 16, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this
Thank you everyone for all of the great feedback! We truly put ourselves out there not only to help ourselves but to help others as well. It really adds another level of inspiration and satisfaction for us to hear that so many readers can relate to us.
By Rebecca
September 17, 2009 2:21 PM | Link to this
There is nothing funny about trying to lose weight, which is why the hilarious, real, OCFR blog is a drink of cool water to a girl in the desert! Weight loss sucks so YAY for the girls making us laugh and giving moral support through it all! And I’m sure laughing burns a few calories right?!
By Kim
September 17, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
Congratulations first and foremost on developing this contest and making it such a success! You ladies are doing great and are quite inspirational to so many just like yourselves. You are showing everyone the power of dedication and will.
By Jessica
September 18, 2009 1:50 PM | Link to this
So proud of you girls! Keep up the great work!
By Justin
September 19, 2009 1:50 PM | Link to this
I wish i was married to one of the fatroll girls. And maybe even 2 of them.