New You Resolution update
Week 7
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From left: Kimberley Everett, David Peck, Kathryn Burkholder, and Michael and Pam Kirkbride.
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Dr. Sanjay Gupta's weekly check of Kimberley, David, Kathryn, Pam and Michael tracking their progress in the 'New You Resolution.' (February 17)
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(CNN) -- During the eight weeks of the New You Resolution program, CNN will check in with the participants and report on their progress, problems or any worries they might have. Below are updates for Week 7:
Kim Everett
Kim Everett started the New You Resolution with two key words: variety and routine. And this week her trainer added another key word to Kim's vocabulary after she missed some workouts: planning!
"She needs to have a plan B which is working out after work or another day to catch her in case she falls," Kim's trainer Melinda Gore said.
But is her five-day-a-week workout schedule too demanding?
"[Kim's] conditioning her body and now she's like, 'I can do five days, three days will be nothing,'" Melinda said.
The nutritional maintenance may be harder.
"With exercise, all she has to do is show up. Nutritionally, she's got to do even more planning," explained Melinda. "Going to the grocer, preparing food at home."
She has to plan to keep those calories down to 1,500 a day.
Melinda is still not allowing Kim to weigh in. "The scale is not our friend," Melinda believes. "Once you become more active, the scale weight may go up a little, but you'll notice inches lost."
Kim does feel like she has more energy and she's noticed her jeans fit differently. It's what keeps her sticking to the plan. "I want to look good," said Kim.
Melinda's best bit of advice for Kim?
"Don't fall off the wagon and let it run you over. Just get right back up."
Kathryn Burkholder
Kathryn credits her prescription medication as the top reason for being a "former smoker."
"There's virtually no way I could quit without it. Maybe if you locked me up in a prison cell or something," she laughed.
When smokers try to quit, the absence of nicotine leads to withdrawal symptoms like depression, irritability, trouble concentrating, restlessness and increased appetite. According to the American Cancer Society, smokers have only a 3 percent chance of quitting on their own.
But a doctor can prescribe medication to increase the chance of success. And adding counseling triples the chances.
Kathryn's doctor prescribed a smoking cessation program with a personal counselor for an entire year. It also provides a nutrition and exercise plan. Kathryn gets in touch with her mentor in person, by phone or via the Internet.
Involving family and friends is Kathryn's last key to success.
"If you include them, when you don't have resolve, they do, and that just makes all the difference in the world," she said.
At least 15 minutes of exercise a day and a diet with plenty of vegetables has helped her keep the weight off.
"I feel like my plan is working for me. It definitely is. I'm not smoking and that's the big goal."
Pam and Michael Kirkbride
With only one more week of the New You Resolution, the Kirkbrides can't believe how much they've changed while on the program.
"We were living icky," Michael said.
"We were eating anything in sight," agreed Pam.
Michael doesn't think he could have made it through without Pam.
"I don't think I would have done as well without her. I think I would have taken the easy way out a lot more often," he said.
As for Pam, she is excited about where they're at with the program and the changes they've made. "We've basically got our pre-baby lives back."
David Peck
David Peck is worried that Week 7 has him stuck in a holding pattern.
"I think I've kind of hit a wall a little bit where the weight just sits there," he explained. "I'm hanging out at about 198 pounds."
He's also concerned about sticking to the lifestyle after the program is over.
"There have been times when it has been rough with the food. You just get that hunger," David said. "After the camera's gone, am I going and continue on the path I'm on?"
