The North Shore Shape Up 2014 Weight Loss Challenge is up and running! While the challenge is going, Shorelines wants to bring you stories of bank employees who’ve lost weight and improved their health. If you have a story you want to share — or know someone who does — email shorelines@northshorebank.com.

Rebecca Madsen

Mortgage Loan Originator Rebecca Madsen, who joined the bank in December and works out of our Sturgeon Bay East office, sent the following email to Wellness Coordinator Lynn Jack a couple weeks ago:

“I have been doing really good! I have been going to the YMCA Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings! Only for a half hour per time, but I tell you it is the first time I have ever stuck to working out. I have been going for three whole weeks now! I feel so good for FINALLY getting off my butt and moving. I even feel like I have more energy, and my being heavier than normal is not making me feel so depressed, since I am doing something about it! I owe this motivation to you. Thank you so much!”

Rebecca has lost about six pounds since the Weight Loss Challenge began at the end of January. Even better, she’s feeling great, too.

“I can tell you, the difference between now and the beginning is, I have a lot more energy,” she says. “I’m a lot less sluggish, even during everyday tasks like getting the laundry. Plus, it’s a nice self-esteem booster to know I’m doing something about my weight.”

Over the years, Rebecca says, she’s put on about 20 pounds more than she’d prefer. “I’ve done lots and lots of yo-yo diets, and they haven’t been working.”

A couple of things have helped this time. For one, she’s now on a pure protein diet — she consumes about 60 grams of lean protein per day, and only about 30 grams of carbohydrates. That has helped her lose weight and improve her eating habits.

“It’s not extreme like the Atkins diet,” she notes. “I have lean proteins like turkey, chicken, fish, and lean cuts of beef. I have a protein shake for breakfast, and I don’t feel hungry at all till lunchtime. I was always a breakfast skipper, and then I’d be starving by lunchtime and eating whatever I could find.”

The other thing that has helped is being part of the Weight Loss Challenge, Rebecca says.

“It’s kind of nice having Lynn sort of in front of your face, reminding you to stick to it,” she says. “Weeks can go by so quickly when you just put off doing anything about your weight.”