By Mary Wiley
Winner of the Gym’s 2009 Biggest Loser Contest

Thanks to everyone who congratulated me for winning this year's Biggest Loser event. I never dreamed that being called a “loser” would result in such esteem! Prior to the onset of the contest, my husband, Tom, and I were confronted with health concerns that forced us to admit that we needed to make some changes. The Biggest Loser gave us a convenient benchmark in pursuit of those changes. On this journey, we learned some important facts which I would love to share with our friends.

Someone recently said to Tom, “You know, this diet thing isn't rocket science!” She was right, but the process begins with admitting some realities. Most definitely, everything we've all heard about weight loss is true. Healthy weight management is truly a lifestyle process. Period. Secret diets, magic pills, and exercise gadgets will not “quickly and easily open the doors to instant health and fitness,” despite television claims.

Tom and I learned that it takes a multifaceted plan to reach significant weight-loss goals. This plan includes awareness, diet, and exercise.  Awareness begins by identifying food weaknesses and pitfalls and eliminating these. We both had numerous poor eating habits that needed to be corrected in order to maintain a healthier lifestyle. It also includes re-learning what's healthy and what's not and using that knowledge when reading labels and tweaking recipes.

I hate the word “diet.” It smacks of all the quick-loss gimmicks that have been offered over the years! So our plan began with a 3-week period of alternating very simple, basic meal plans—lots of fruit, vegetables, salads, chicken, and fish. After that, we expanded our menus with healthy tips we researched and learned about.

The last part of a successful weight-loss plan is exercise. Becoming part of the Wimberley Fitness Company community really worked for us. Personal trainer sessions, group classes, and nutrition seminars at the gym provided us with essential tools. But, friendships and encouragement from other members were no less important. Really, everyone who is a member of our gym is a winner, whether they enter a weight-loss contest or not.

At the conclusion of the Biggest Loser Contest, I had lost 20 pounds and eliminated 6% body fat. Our plan worked, and most importantly we learned that any plan that really works is one that the individual can live with for the rest of his/her life. We are pretty sure that we have reached this point and will find continued success. And if that is the case, we will be real winners.

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