The five participants in the Daily News Flab to Fab Fitness Challenge - and their trainers - talk about the first week of the 12-week program. For some, it's been about going to the gym for the first time. And at least one participant has learned that there's more to vegetables than french fries.
MARY LEONARD
Yes, I'm still alive, even after a few workouts with Gabriel. At times, I did think I was gonna die, but he was wonderful and kept telling me I was doing good and that I could do it.
He had me doing things I have not done in years - skipping, jumping rope - things that I thought, oh, can I do this? Well, let me tell you, it was not as easy as it was when I was younger.
After my first training session, the next day my body was a little sore, but after the next one, it was not so bad. I really enjoy the one-on-one, because that's what I need to push me. I really feel good after one week.
My diet: I just never realized how unhealthily I was eating. Now I'm eating healthy and drinking a lot of water, which really does make me feel full. I can't believe in one week I did not cheat once. (Yes, there were times I actually caught myself. Some habits are had to break.)
On Saturday, my husband and I worked out together and that felt good. So here we are, on to week two.
TRAINER GABRIEL GASKIN:
Mary hit the ground running and is progressing nicely. We reviewed her diet and made some necessary adjustments in her eating plan.
The first week, she performed body-weight exercises. This week, we'll begin a circuit training routine and, quite naturally, review her diet.
B.J. WILSON
My first week at the gym was really a confirmation of what I have known all along, which is that I am badly out of shape.
My first weight-lifting workout produced up-and-down results. I struggled with my leg exercises to the point that I had trouble walking normally afterwards. That was a little disconcerting to me, not to mention a little painful when the soreness set in.
It has been a painful week for me, but I am going to push through it and keep going until my muscles are used to constant work.
It's hard to not eat the way I am used to, but I am finding some very good alternatives. All in all, I am happy with my first week and I hope to make steady progress over the next 11.
TRAINER JIM HART: B.J. has a competitive spirit. He has a determined, "do whatever it takes" attitude.
He has surprised me in his capacity for exercise. In his initial interview, he said he could hardly walk up steps without getting winded. On the second day after our initial session he had walked (on his own) 45 minutes on the treadmill! He has done that almost every day since we started.
Talk about commitment and determination!
BJ has never worked out at a gym and so I was surprised at his stamina and endurance during our first session. I pushed him a little harder the second time and found his tolerance point - he was totally wiped out.
BJ does not eat green vegetables (although on the inside he is a "green as Patty's pig Irishman"). His favorite vegetable is french fries!
To work around this, I've introduced strict portion control on the foods he loves, and healthy snacks. He is eating Lean Cuisine dinners - meatloaf and mac and cheese - and snacking on fruit and nuts.
I am taking him shopping this week and we will see if there are other things I can get him to try. This week, I will examine his food journal and give him a calorie range to follow.
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CYNTHIA SANTIAGO
If there was a time in my life when my inner strength and character have been put to the test, this is it!
After going over my assessment with Kimberly, I realized that this is one of the greatest challenges of my life. I am excited but at the same time nervous about what my new. healthy lifestyle is going to bring.
Am I going to have the determination to follow through and overcome my weaknesses? I am so focused right now. I do not want to wander off into the unknown, but that's the demon that I have to personally fight. I know that this is a daily challenge.
I did not know what a workout was until you had me do a few core building exercises, Kimberly. There are workouts and then there are YOUR workouts! I really thought I could do push-ups and sit-ups. Wrong! I am still sore, girl. I am feeling muscles I never thought existed. But that's a good thing.
I have been so in the dark about nutrition and how my body functions, it is almost a crime. I am starting to understand that in order to achieve optimum health, there must be collaboration between nutrition, exercise, inner strength and other factors that even I am not aware of.
TRAINER KIMBERLY GARRISON: Cynthia is eager and gung-ho about meeting the challenge. She was surprised at her inability to do pushups and sit-ups, but in a few weeks that will surely be a thing of the past. Additionally, Cynthia needs to improve her diet with more fruits and veggies, and avoid processed and fast foods.
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VAUGHN MORRISON
My first week of Flab to Fab was marked by the furor of our picture on the front page of the Daily News. That was not only an added treat for my wife, Cynthia, and I, but was well-received by my co-workers at SEPTA, fellow members at Christian Stronghold (Baptist Church), and my entire family as well.
Talk about starting with a bang!
Even more importantly, I was able to meet with my trainer, Melissa, twice. I have a solid sense of where I am and what I have to do. I prepared a Challenge Calendar and set my personal goals.
What surprised me most was my lack of strength for my size and bulk. I am facing some limitations due to overall age and unfitness - that's a given. But I never considered myself a 260-pound weakling until now. Yet I discovered in the process a liking for the fruit of the sweat, pain and strain of the training. That fruit is ultimately a brand new me. Can I get an amen!
I have also started watching more closely what and when I eat. Fruit, salads, soup, fish, poultry and portion control are the order of the day, and a good restful sleep is the order of the night.
Cynthia is my live-in accountability partner and cheerleader, and she keeps me focused. I am motivated to do well and eager to succeed, and with the Lord's help I will.
TRAINER MELISSA KOLCYNSKI: Vaughn and I spent this week making a plan for his work that week and in the coming weeks. Vaughn has limitations due to some physical problems, so we are trying to ease into the process. Also, Vaughn and I will need to work with his health-care providers to ensure that his special needs are being handled in a responsible way.
Otherwise, Vaughn has done very well. He has a lot of strength but lacks the endurance to sustain his strength throughout the workout. This week, I'm meeting with him and his wife to give them things to try together. I think the support of friends and family will be essential to Vaughn's success.
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SHERITA JACKSON
I just finished at the gym. This first week has been strenuous. I have gone from not exercising to exercise being a part of my daily routine. I look forward to the remaining weeks as the Challenge continues. I lost 10 pounds!
TRAINER JEFF SHABLIN: Sherita has jumped 110 percent, and completed three training sessions so far.
Her first session was a little rough. She hadn't eaten quite enough that day and, consequently, her blood sugar levels dipped. She learned a great lesson though, that eating too little is not the way to weight loss and overall wellness.
Her hour [working out] is intense, starting with 20 minutes of interval training on the treadmill, and it is nonstop movement. We incorporate weight training, medicine ball and cardio movements throughout her workout. She is also doing 30 minutes of cardio every morning at home, as well as learning the value of keeping a food diary.
Her determination impresses me so far, and I'm sure we can keep her motivated to stay on track. No matter how the Challenge turns out, all participants win with the abundance of knowledge they are all gaining!