winnipeg's biggest loser

The next in the “Team West Series of Updates,” here’s Barb’s. Again, unedited, raw and honest.

We are just completing the final week of Winnipeg’s Biggest Loser and I feel like I had won the lottery being chosen for this competition.  When we were picked as one of the teams I was extremely excited and couldn’t believe it…I knew in my heart that this was something that was going to change my life forever.  Who wouldn’t want a personal trainer for 3 months! 

I have been trying for years to lose weight, tried all the fad diets which never work and usually gain more weight in the mean time.  I use to feel uncomfortable standing in fast food lines thinking everyone was staring at me as I was overweight.  I was always told that I had a pretty face, but I knew that rest of me need some help…

Just to let everyone know the only diet that works is to eat healthy, drink your water and exercise.  Soon thereafter, you will see the pounds coming off and the definition of your body changing everyday.  I had lost 32 pounds from Dec 1, 2009 to Feb 1, 2010.  What a great start I’m thinking.  Since working out at Impact Fitness Feb 1, 2010 to present I have lost another 22 pounds.  I see so many differences in my body, I have curves again, definition on my arms and have lost quite of few inches in the stomach area.  My goal for this competition was to lose enough weight to wear a dress to my daughters 18 birthday in October 2010.  I have never worn a dress in 18 years as I was never comfortable or to big to wear something nice.  I want to eat healthy and exercise as I want to be around for my 4 children and my awesome husband.

When we first got picked and met our trainers, I was kinda apprehensive and didn’t know what they had in store for me.  After what I thought was our first ‘workout’, it turned out to be just the evaluation.  I couldn’t move for at least 3 days. As we started to attend the gym on a regular basis, five and sometimes seven days a week, I got comfortable with the workouts and for once felt like I fit in.  

I loved working will all my team members, and I would like to give a big thank you to Sean Brown and Katelyn Combs for there undivided attention during these past 3 months.  I would like to thank the other staff at Impact Fitness they are amazing as well, a big kudos to Erin, Dave and Danielle you guys are awesome.  I big thank you as well to Hot 103 /QX104 for making this happen, if it wasn’t for you we all wouldn’t be on the road to a healthy life.

The following is Aleks’ story. Unedited. Raw. Honest.

3 months ago when I got the news about being a part of the biggest loser I had really no idea what to expect.  I immediately set goals not thinking through whether they were realistic or not. My goal was to lose 40 pounds. Since day 1 I have managed to drop 21 pounds for a total of 39 lifetime pounds lost…and I’m still going!  But how do you measure the weight?  I look back at what I had written at the beginning about feeling sexier and wearing cuter clothes, and you know what?  I am doing JUST that!

I have a LONG way to go yet…but what this experience has give me is exactly what it was all about to begin with.  Are we going to win the competition? Probably not.  Do I see myself as a winner? YES!  I have something I didn’t have a month before this whole thing.  Confidence. Self worth. Self esteem.  I’m learning to love myself…I’m learning to love life.  I don’t hide at home anymore because I’m worried about seeing my fat.  Now I walk in the room, with lots of fat still, but I feel beautiful.  I colour my hair, I paint my toenails, I wear makeup and wear nice clothes! I believe in myself and the changes I have made.  I am amazed to rediscover who I truly am!  I have goals and dreams..I have a bucket list!

 I go to the gym 5 days a week whether with a trainer or on my own I know that this is what it takes for my life to be in control.  When I have to miss a day at the gym it’s like missing a meal.  It’s really become a part of my life.  Being overweight will always be a struggle for me, the gym is my medicine…just like a diabetic needs insulin.  When you train hard at the gym, you’re more aware of what you are eating and everything falls into place.  You really just have to believe in yourself and make the commitment. You are worth it!

I would like to thank Hot 103/QX104 and everyone who made this possible.  I would like to thank Sean Brown and Katelyn Combs and all the staff at Impact Fitness for being so patient and supportive.  It is such a great atmosphere!  What I would love everyone to realize is that you don’t have to wait for an experience like the Biggest Loser.  You just have to take that first step…the hardest one, and I promise, it gets easier with each and every step!  No one makes this change for you.  At the end of the day it’s about YOU making the commitment to yourself and being honest with yourself.  I promise no one is going to judge you for making a good choice!  You can even come to Impact and I’ll work out with you! : )

This is just the beginning.  My life has changed.

Aleks