Biggest Loser contest entrees share secrets Published April 3, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Anita Bostic 90th Force Support Squadron F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Our overall goal was to make a life style change for our biggest loser competitors. I'm really pleased to see the change and cant wait for the upcoming biggest loser reunion challenge in May. Barbara Allman Overall female winner My wake up call was my 4-year-old daughter. One day, we were playing, and I could not lift my legs to play kung fu panda. I could not keep up with her. I was sitting and taking breaks, because I was out of breath. She said, "Mommy, you need to lose weight so you can play kung fu panda." It brought me to tears. I realized I needed to make a change. The next day, I went to the gym seeking a personal trainer. I was surprised it was free and became really excited. I put my name on the waiting list. A week later, I got a phone call from member of the gym staff. I began a workout routine. After getting started, I saw the advertisement for the Warren's Biggest Loser competition and was so excited. About a month later I started the contest and began my journey to success. The circuit training helped with my workouts because it was the camaraderie that helped keep me going. Our team leader helped motivate us with e-mail and thumbs up. He did not give up on us, so I felt we could not give up on him. I had never been a dieter but the nutrition classes helped me to cut out fried food from my diet and to learn portion control - when going to restaurants I ask for a to-go box before I order. The rest of the meal is great for another day. Meal planning helped me to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet. I had my biggest support not only at the gym but from home as well. My family made the life style changes with me were great support. I would like to thank my husband for his support. Cindy Mulcahy Registered Dietitian The lifestyle changes I teach in the nutrition classes for the Biggest Loser are meant to help our members learn about their behaviors and allow them to make small gradual changes resulting in weight loss and healthier eating. Members build a confidence in their abilities to make these changes, and the results empower the members to maintain the changes and therefore maintain the weight loss. Staff Sgt. Theadore Fife Overall male winner What was my motivation to win the Biggest Loser? I realized I was tired of making excuses and barely getting by. Not only was my lifestyle affecting my health, but also my performance in my career. If I was going to make a change, I needed to do it now, or I never would. Joining the Biggest Loser gave me some accountability, motivation and a start for me to reach my goal. For the first time in my career, I was in the gym on my own account. I did not have to prove anything to anyone except myself. Once the weight started to come off and I noticed the difference in myself, it motivated me even more and made me push myself even harder. Our team leader also did a great job in keeping us motivated and pushed the group and myself to excel from the beginning of the contest until the end. Not only am I proud of myself for losing the weight but sticking with it and making a change for the better. Master Sgt. Ron Detillion Male Blue team winner What helped me the most with the Biggest Loser were the nutrition classes. I learned I was eating way too many calories in one day. I always thought I deserved the reward of that super-sized meal at a fast food restaurant after a long run. After learning how many calories I need to consume in one day to either maintain or lose weight, I began my food journal which really helps me to not overeat in a day. I was amazed to learn just how much the normal portions in the United States have grown. It has opened my eyes when I go out to eat. I now find myself getting the junior-sized meals if I have to go to a fast food restaurant or not eating everything on my plate when a restaurant piles a large plate full of food. I am not too macho to eat only half my meal and ask for a to-go container. Finally, nutrition classes taught me to not eat my day's worth of calories in one meal like I did so many times prior to Biggest Loser. If anyone wants to lose weight and keep it off, I highly suggest joining the Biggest Loser the next time around. Thanks Biggest Loser! Alison Morrell Base exercise physiologist The fitness classes I taught for the Biggest Loser were geared toward educating members on what physical activity really means and introducing them to hands-on training they could do at home with little or no equipment. Once people realize fitness means more than just going to the gym, it makes physical activity a bit more manageable. Group exercise sessions are a great motivator for a lot of people, so we have decided to continue teaching the circuit training class. Classes will now be taught on Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon. For more information call 773-6172.