Wasatch County Biggest Loser!

I have heard the stories of people who lost weight without the help of surgeries, reality tv shows, special products, etc. But I never thought I would be one of them. Until now.

On April 2, 2011, Scott and I started in a competition that we hoped would be a kickstart to a better, healthier lifestyle. The Fit Stop in Heber City put together their own Biggest Loser competition to get the community motivated and healthy. Even the creators of this program were shocked at the results! Who knew that in 10 weeks, 35 people could lose a total of 1,029 lbs??? How cool is THAT!?!?

35 contestants were chosen - all different ages, sizes and personalities. We were put into teams of 5 and given some of the most amazing trainers that exist in this world. We had two weekly team workouts, full access the the gym and rec center, and weigh ins every Saturday. Scott and I were put on different teams, due to our opposite work schedules, which actually turned out to be a really great thing.

Scott was put on the orange team, with 3 AWESOME girls and one, well, not so awesome guy. Their trainer is one of the most experienced and qualified trainers around. Scott's trainer teaches a Dynamics class that I attend every Monday and it never fails to kick my trash. Scott loved every minute of his workouts with his trainer and it showed.

SCOTT LOST 58 LBS IN 10 WEEKS!!! He ended up winning third place overall!!!!

Check out that skinny boy!!

My team and my trainer turned out to be the PERFECT combination of friendship and motivation. Every woman on my team is a very special and unique person, with incredible strength!! We worked together like a charm, motivating each other to do our best during our workouts. My trainer, who hails all the way from across the pond (Manchester, England) is one of the most amazing people I have ever had the privelage of meeting. When I first met Juliette, all 101 lbs of her, I knew I was in for a real treat. She is a little spitfire, with a personality that is way too big for her tiny little body! But she showed me something that no one in my life ever has: That I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to. Juliette saw things in me that I couldn't see in myself. She pushed me in the gentlest, most comforting way to break through my limitations and accomplish greatness. I owe her so much. She will never know just how much she has affected my life for the greater. I am excited to be able to spend every Wednesday night at her kickboxing class, as well as Saturday morning soccer games!

In 10 weeks, I lost a total of 27 lbs. AND I RAN A 5k!!!

Let me tell you something about this 5k. My sister, Amy and I decided to run it together. She could have run ahead of me, and gotten a great time, but she stuck with me, and I am SO glad she did. People have always told me that there comes a point in your run where your body kind of just, well, clicks on, and you no longer feel tired or out of breath, but you can just RUN! I had never experienced that until today. Amy would set little goals for me - she would say, "Let's just run to the mailbox and then walk for a bit". So we'd run to the mailbox and then we'd walk, briskly of course! For the first 1.5 miles, that's how it went. After we passed the halfway point, we began to run again. She set another goal for us, another mailbox, and as we approached it, my body changed. My breathing became smooth and even. My leg muscles loosened up. My mind cleared. And I knew that I would finish this race without walking. I would run the rest of the way. And you know what? I did. I ran that full mile and a half without a second thought. I felt like I was floating. I don't remember ever feeling so good. As I rounded the corner toward the finish line, I saw my parents, Scottie, and all my new friends that I've made in the past week, standing there cheering me on. Amy told me to sprint to the end, so I did. When I crossed that line, I was overcome with emotion. I had accomplished something - something I never thought I could EVER do. Now I know that 3.2 miles doesn't REALLY seem like that much, but for someone like me, who's been overweight my whole life, who's never been able to run for longer than a minute at a time, this was HUGE.

That moment will stick with me forever. It will continually give me strength to do things that I never thought I could do. When I'm struggling with something in the future, I will look back at today and KNOW that I can do anything that I put my mind to.

Today was a wonderful day. These past 10 weeks have been nothing short of amazing. And now I have a clear picture in my head of how my future will be. No more sitting around at home wondering what it would be like to be healthy and fit. No more feeling those jealous pangs when I see beautiful, thin women shopping at normal clothing stores at the mall. No more worrying about needing a seatbelt extender on an airplane. No more having to request tables at restaurants because the booths are too small. No more feeling uncomfortable through a movie because I am too large for the seat. No more stares from people who are secretly thankful they don't look like me. And more importantly, no more fears of what medical ailment I'll fall victim to due to my unhealthy weight. My life will be carefree, healthy and full of joy!

To all the people that have been there for me through all of this: THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You never realize just how important it is to have support until you start to do something you think you won't be able to do. To my teammates: You are AMAZING and I am so thankful I was able to spend such a wonderful 10 weeks with you - and I look forward to many days together at the gym! To my trainer: Thank you isn't not NEARLY enough - you've given me hope, you've given me life, you've given me dedication, and above all, you've given me heart. There is a very special mansion for you in Heaven - I submitted the request the day you taught me that I COULD do 5 more pullups...

I look forward to what the future will bring- I should be at my goal weight by this time next year. That will be a total weight loss of 144 lbs. It's a ways to go, but I'm already on the road!


My awesome team before the 5k!


The best trainer in the WORLD!



Scottie and I after finishing the 5k