After Health Kwest Wrap - Up

Wow, can you believe it? The Health Kwest has finally ended and to be honest, some are happy and some are sad. It was wonderful to see all of the khantestants finish and the results, you might ask? We couldn't have been any happier. In our eyes, everyone was a winner. For 90 days, our Health Kwest khantestants dedicated themselves to achieving a healthier lifestyle and in the end, many lost 20-60 lbs while dining at our restaurants everyday. The hard work all of these khantestants did never went unnoticed.

It was hard to pick the winner since everyone did a tremendous job but we had our team tallying up the votes and only one winner had to be chosen...

On that note, let's give it up for our GG Murfreesboro Khantestant and Health Kwest 2011 WINNER, Brandon Sanders! Check out his before and after photo. A whopping 60 lbs lost! Brandon did a great job in blogging, tweeting, facebooking, posting pictures on flickr, and doing local - store marketing for his store and himself. He had the GG staff at Murfreesboro pose with his bowl for everyday and as the 90 days went on, the GG Murfreesboro team became family to him! Check out the photos. We are dying to know what you think! Let's hear it....

Before

After

Brandon with the GG Murfreesboro family

This contest was the perfect remedy

First Name: Tyler
Last Name: Avnet
Post Your Status Update: #gghealthkwest - Well, tonight was the last night of the khantest, and it was somewhat bittersweet for me.  I did not really disclose this to anyone, but the day I found out I was going to be a contestant in this contest was also the day I found out about my father's passing.  This contest was the perfect remedy; getting me out of my apartment, keeping healthy, and being social with all of the servers and wonderful staff at Genghis Grill.   To close out the Khantest, I had a bowl with a tiny sampling of all the different meats, and veggies, some khan pao sauce and sprial pasta.  It was about 700 calories, and was great.  This Khantest has inspired me, as I have lost about 27 pounds, and do not anticipate the kwest to lose weight will end here.  Thank you,  Ghengis Grill for allowing me to participate.  Tyler A., Tempe, AZ

Last words

First Name: Darren
Last Name: Martin
Post Your Status Update: #gghealthkwest Darren M. from Wichita, KS here.  It was the last bowl today and I finished with what's become a new favorite.  A Garlic Lime Chicken Bowl with Lime Chicken, Citrus Garlic Herb, Black Pepper, Cilantro, Classic Stir Fry Mix, Jalapenos, Mongo Peppers, Green Onions, Snap Peas, Garlic Water, Chili Garlic Sauce, Brown Rice (398.6 cal / 2 fat / 56.4 carb / 11.6 fiber / 32.3 prot).  Don't forget that this nutritional information may be off slightly.

To celebrate I had a group of friends and family join me for supper.  It was great.  A couple of them had never been to Genghis Grill until I started making posts for the Khantest and now they are hooked.

For exercise today I did some walking around various stores.  Just some light activity.  My goal during this who thing has been to try to keep to a normal life.  Don't starve myself.  Don't kill myself exercising.  Just try to work in good food and moderate exercise.  I have to be able to live a life in my new body and doing something to quickly loose weight does nothing for me in the long run.  I have to change the way I live to permanently change the way I look.

I'm happy I was able to accomplish something with this Khantest.  I'm happy I was able to spread the word about my dad and raise a little awareness for committing to a better lifestyle.

I want to again thank everyone at the East Wichita Genghis Grill.  You guys have been great.  In some ways I'll miss not seeing you every day, but I'm not sure how much longer I could have realistically kept it up.  I'm sure I'll stop in from time to time to catch up on the gossip.

Blog Link Here: http://building-better-me.blogspot.com/

YouTube Link Here:
Flickr Link Here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28926455@N03/?saved=1

Day 90!

First Name: Belinda
Last Name: lacoste
Post Your Status Update: DAY 90!  Thanks Genghis and Medical City Hospital for an awesome journey.
Belinda L., Addison, TX

Thankful and Grateful

First Name: Mark
Last Name: Pearson
Post Your Status Update: For my last bowl of the khantest I decided to have my all-time favorite bowl at GG, my Little Italy Bowl--chicken, sauasage, shrimp, pepperoni, crushed red pepper, mongo mix, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, roasted tomato sauce, and half brown rice--558 calories, 48g protein, 23g net carbs, and 12g fat.  Today I did some cleaning around the house and also played outside with the kids.
Let me say that I am so thankful and grateful to GG for this opportunity and for allowing me to participate in this 3-month journey to a new healthier lifestyle.  I look and feel great!  This has truly been a life-changing experience!  I will truly miss seeing the wonderful staff at my local GG in Chattanooga, TN everyday!  Although I will still visit GG often!

-Mark P, Chattanooga, TN
#gghealthkwest

Farewell Folks

First Name: Adreana
Last Name: Delarosa

Post Your Status Update: #gghealthkwest - Adreana D. from Dallas, TX here to say farewell folks. What an incredible 90 days I've experienced. I am grateful to have been chose to be a part of this life changing journey and wouldn't have changed my progress for anything. Tonight's dinner was spent with my mom and I choose lime chicken, mushrooms, onions, cilantro, citrus garlic herbs and khan pao sauce with tortillas for 336 calories.

This is my last night as a 2011 Health Kwantestant.

First Name: Donna
Last Name: Fincannon

Post Your Status Update: #gghealthkwest Tulsa-  This is my last night as a 2011 Health Kwantestant.  I am so grateful to the Genghis Grill team – I have learned to make healthy choices and persist in the quest to regain my health.  I especially have been blessed getting to know so many of the Tulsa Genghis group.  John & Chris have been exceptional managers and have become friends.  I have felt so supported by the many great  “Warriors”  and will miss them so much.  I will continue to be a Genghis Grill fan, although my visits will be less often : )  I will weigh in next week – so far I know I have lost 25 lbs and am committed to hanging in there for the rest of the year.  Thanks to all my family and friends who voted for me and encouraged me.  Thanks to Linda and Mary Jo and Kelly who have given me rides, eaten with me, and stayed after me.  I am in need of retraining in the kitchen so I may have to get a job at Genghis to stay fed!  My last bowl was a combination of beef, broccoli, Mongo mix,, garlic, pepper, and brown rice topped with Khan Pao and Stir Fry sauce for 526 caLs.  I will enjoy the last of my leftovers tomorrow for breakfast .    I did some manual labor at the ReStore today, gardened a bit, and will go for a walk tonight if anyone is game.  Thanks again for this great opportunity.  Donna F., Tulsa, OK

Last day!

First Name: Stacy
Last Name: Rogers

Post Your Status Update: #gghealthkwest  Last day, last day, last day!  Took pictures of everybody today with the Genghis Guy, which I took home with me!  Not sure what I am going to do with it, but it's mine!  lol  Said goodbye and I didn't even cry! I am going to miss everyone, I just hope the next time I come in, I don't see a bunch of faces I don't know.  I know that will happen eventually, but these guys and girls here at Central and Tyler Genghis Grill in Wichita, KS are the best, hardworking group of young people I have ever met!  Thank you to Genghis Grill for this amazing opportunity and thank you to the staff for putting up with me for the last 90 days and for putting up with my kids, my friends, my weird hours and my silly needs and even feeling pretty bad when I showed up a couple of times!  This has been pretty easy to eat here every day aside from just needing to get up and get here everyday, whether I wanted to leave my house or not and I think I will take a "in house" vaca for a couple of days, but this has been an uplifting, eye opening and incredibly positive expirience that I will never forget!  So with this I close my last update in this khantest and anxiously await the results!!!  Stacy R in Wichita, KS

Thanks, Genghis Grill.

First Name: Chris
Last Name: Robbins

Post Your Status Update: Looking back at the past 90 days on my #gghealthkwest, I came to several realizations and saw some interesting "trends" I'd like to share.

I ate the following bowls ("+" = frequency):

Heart Healthy Bowls included Khan Pao (+++); Chipotle Steak (+++); Mexican Jalapeno (+++); Mongolian Spaghetti (+++); Dragon Calamari (++); Chili Garlic Steak; Ginger Citrus Shrimp; Ginger Herb Shrimp; Mongo Mix Chicken; Mongolian Fiesta; Mongolian Turkey; Sweet & Spicy Shrimp (++); Asian Chili Scallop (+); and Pineapple Steak (+++).

Signature Bowls included Thai Chicken (++++++++); Firecracker; and Bayou.

My own "Custom Creations" included the Cajun Bowl (+++); Beef Fajitas(+++); Steak Fajitas (++++++); Chicken Fajitas (++++++); Combo Chicken & Shrimp Fajitas; Lime Chicken Fajitas; Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos; Hibachi Bowl (++++); and various Veggie Noodle Bowls (+++).

Following these recipes - especially the Heart Healthy Bowls from Medical City Dallas - has changed my way of thinking about what and how much I eat, and I've lost weight and feel GREAT!

I visited and ate at the following GGs:

Garland – Firewheel Town Center (my home store); Plano; Dallas–Uptown; Dallas–Technology; Arlington; McKinney; Woodlands & Clearlake GGs (Houston area); Georgetown (North of Austin); the NEW GG in Austin; Little Rock; Moore (South of Oklahoma City); and the NEW Buckhead GG (in North Atlanta).

Some were because of family events, some were due to business trips, and some were while traveling to race the Genghis Grill Mazda MX-5. I also promoted GG at CJ Wilson's Childrens Charity event for Cook Children's Hospital at Splitsville in S. Arlington, practically across the street from the Arlington GG. All were equally enjoyable to eat at, but I especially enjoyed meeting the wonderful Warriors and Leaders and talking about my Health Kwest!

I introduced hundreds of co-workers, friends, and family to Genghis Grill. I took them to lunch and/or dinner with me. I got dozens of them to "friend" the GG facebook site. I posted pictures and stories on bulletin boards and blogs about my Health Kwest. I appeared in a CBS 11 "Get Healthy Texas" story on TV. I even decorated my car with Genghis Grill decals and drove it to & from work daily, throughout the region and state, and raced it at a SCCA National event (and won!!!).

But, for all I did, I'm most proud of the way I've changed my eating and exercise habits. And I did it in a way that I can sustain...I didn't kill myself or succumb to some crazy "short-term" strategy that will go away when it's all over. I'll keep this up. Forever.

Thanks, Genghis Grill.

Mission complete!

First Name: Vicky
Last Name: Hallenbeck

Post Your Status Update: Completion!

 “A project is complete when it starts working for you, rather than you working for it.”  —Scott Allen
The Health Kwest is not an end in itself.  It's a tool—an exceptional one—to encourage us in the right direction.  Now that it is complete, I'm ready for the hard work I've completed to start working for me: more energy, more endurance, more fun!  Thank you, Genghis Grill for the opportunity and for the jumpstart toward better health!
Mission complete!

Blog Link Here: http://tinyurl.com/healthkwest

YouTube Link Here:

Ryan Sidhom's Updates

First Name: Ryan
Last Name: Sidhom
Post Your Status Update: My Blog Post for Day 87 – Familiar Faces!
Ryan S.
Cordova, TN
#gghealthkwest
Blog Link Here: http://myhealthkwest.com/?p=210

 

First Name: Ryan
Last Name: Sidhom

Post Your Status Update: My Blog Post for Day 88 – Are You Calling Me FAT!?!?!?

Ryan S.
Cordova, TN
#gghealthkwest

Blog Link Here: http://myhealthkwest.com/?p=212

 

First Name: Ryan
Last Name: Sidhom

Post Your Status Update: My Blog Post for Day 89 – Tool Shower

Ryan S.
Cordova, TN
#gghealthkwest

Blog Link Here: http://myhealthkwest.com/?p=214

 

First Name: Ryan
Last Name: Sidhom

Post Your Status Update: My Blog Post for Day 89 – Tool Shower

Ryan S.
Cordova, TN
#gghealthkwest

Blog Link Here: http://myhealthkwest.com/?p=214

 

 

Final Day

First Name: Brandon
Last Name: Sanders

Post Your Status Update: Today was the final day of the Genghis Grill Health Kwest. I got a picture with the entire staff on-site today for one last picture. It's been an unbelievable journey, and I feel so much better being 60 pounds lighter after only a few months. More energy, too small for ANY of my clothes, and getting compliments and encouragement from so many friends.

Here's today's team of warriors at the Genghis Grill in Murfreesboro, TN!

And below is my Heart Healthy bowl: Dragon Chicken and Calamari!
It included Chicken and Calamari (of course), seasoned with spicy Dragon Salt and Cayenne, tossed with Broccoli, Celery, Spinach, Tomatoes, Jalapenos, and Garlic Water and mixed on the grill with steamed rice and Ginger Citrus sauce. A total of 538 calories, 47g protein, 72.7g carbohydrates, 5.9g fiber, 4.1g fat, 320mg cholesterol, and 758mg sodium.
Blog Link Here: http://ggboro.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-90-complete.html
Flickr Link Here:

4 Inches down in waist size. Blood Sugar Down. Cholesterol Down. Blood Pressure Down. Energy up. Attitude up. THANKS GENGHIS GRILL!

First Name: Mark
Last Name: Morrison

Post Your Status Update: #gghealthkwest - Mark M. Tyler Texas.  DAY 90. 55 lbs. Lighter. 4 Inches down in waist size. Blood Sugar Down. Cholesterol Down. Blood Pressure Down. Energy up. Attitude up. THANKS GENGHIS GRILL!

Went to the gym this morning for an hour workout on the stair-stepper. Then home to clean house with the wife, then off to Genghis where the Warriors met me with cheers and applause! Dave the operating manager and Samantha (Warrior Bartender) brought me out my LAST :-( bowl for the competition. It was a great journey for me, as I know it was for many in the HealthKwest Challenge. I want to encourage all of you to keep up the hard work and you will reach your goals towards a healthier life! Good Luck!

Blog Link Here: http://twitter.com/#!/markdmorrison

YouTube Link Here:
Flickr Link Here:

Last Day of Health Kwest

First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Mace

Post Your Status Update: #gghealthkwest Jeff M Kansas City, MO Day 90! It’s my last day of the healthquest. It had been an amazing journey! I couldn't have done it without the amazing people at Genghis Grill. Today's bowl has chicken, shrimp, pepperoni, black pepper, dragon salt, granulated garlic, onions, zucchini, mushrooms, snap peas, garlic water, kahn pao sauce, and brown rice. The very best, and only 562 calories. Thank you so much Genghis Grill.

Blog Link Here: http://mygenghisskinnyblog.blogspot.com/

YouTube Link Here:
Flickr Link Here:

Goodbye GG Contest

First Name: Elishia
Last Name: Marsh

Post Your Status Update: Goodbye GG contest, it is a bittersweet end. All of the yummy food that I did not have to go home and cook but I will not miss having to write about it everyday. It did show me I can make anything happend for at least 90 days. I just wish life had been alot less crazy and I could have capatlized on the opprotunity.