12 weeks and 148 pounds later, they've gone from flabby to fabulous
YES, IT REALLY does take a village. If we've learned anything during the Daily News From Flab to Fab Fitness Challenge, it's that we need each other's support to lick the obesity epidemic that plagues our affluent nation.
Over the past 12 weeks of the Challenge, our five participants repeatedly cited the encouragement of family, friends and co-workers, and the guidance and support of their trainers, in helping them stay focused on their fitness goals.
But each challenger also demonstrated an inspiring personal commitment despite the challenges life threw at them. All of them can proudly proclaim themselves winners, having shed a total of 148 pounds and 40 years in body age. Not to mention dropping from a size 20 to a 14 in some cases.
Paradoxically, the person who began this contest dead last, Sherita Jackson, ends up stealing the show and has been declared the overall winner. She'll get a free year's membership at the 12th Street Gym, plus free training with Optimal Wellness Training as she gets ready for her September wedding.
Sherita is proof positive that it's not where you start but where you finish that counts. She made the most overall improvements in four out of the five key areas: cardiovascular, strength, flexibility and body fat.
B.J. Wilson took first place for weight lost, shedding a whopping 37 pounds in 12 weeks.
The challenge has been a truly gratifying experience for me. It's been a lot of work for everyone, but it's been so worth it. We'll continue to follow our five challengers, too, checking back in three months to see how they've maintained their new fitness lifestyle.
Kimberly Garrison
Sherita Jackson
Age: 30.
Height: 5-foot-3.
Weight: 237 pounds before; 206 now.
BMI: 42.0; 36.5.
Body fat: 39.7 percent; 32.6 percent.
Strength: 50.0; 69.0.
Flexibility: 8.0; 14.7.
VO2: 23.1; 40.7.
Body age: 40; 27. Obtainable goal: 18.
What surprised her? "I never expected to feel so confident about my self-image."
Biggest challenge: "Fitting exercise into my daily routine."
No problem! "Changing my eating habits."
Her advice: "Read food labels, watch calories per serving, drink plenty of water and exercise daily. Pray hard and be consistent. If you go off course, don't try again next week; change your next meal."
Looking ahead: "My next challenge is to continue my healthy lifestyle and look diva fabulous on my wedding day."
Mary Leonard
Age: 45.
Height: 5-foot-8.
Weight: 189 pounds before; 163 pounds now.
BMI: 28.7; 25.5.
Body fat: 35.9 percent; 30.1 percent.
Strength: 48.0; 62.0.
Flexibility: 13.1; 15.0.
VO2: 23.0; 37.1.
Body age: 54; 40. Obtainable goal: 31.
What surprised her? "How easy it was. The first week was the biggest adjustment, just planning my meals and a workout routine. Once I got that down, everything just fell into place."
She never expected: "I felt like I always had more energy. It was crazy. I was actually doing so much more! I was doing cardio, weights, walking [but] that sluggish feeling was gone and replaced with energy."
Biggest challenge: "Staying focused when life threw me a few curves. But I just pushed myself, and by doing that, I was able to handle my few little curves so much better. The second hardest thing was staying away from sweets."
"Some people just need to be pushed. Having a personal trainer gave me that push. So don't be afraid to ask for help." Looking ahead: "I would still like to lose 10 more pounds and maintain it. I just need to stay focused on working out, eating the same way I have in the last 12 weeks, giving myself one cheat day a week, knowing the next day I will push myself a little harder."
Vaughn D. Morrison
Age: 56.
Height: 5-foot-10.
Weight: 263 pounds before; 230 pounds now.
BMI: 37.7; 34.0.
Body fat: 31 percent; 29.5 percent.
Strength: 57.0; 81.0.
Flexibility: 4.9; 6.1.
VO2: 29.1; 31.6.
Body age: 64; 59. Obtainable goal, 45.
What surprised him: "How weak I was for my size."
He never expected: "To lose 10 percent of my body weight [26 pounds] in eight weeks."
Biggest challenge: "Cardio exercising limited by arthritis."
No problem! "Doing whatever Melissa [Kolczynski, his trainer] wanted."
His advice: "Do your own Flab to Fab Challenge."
Looking ahead: "My next challenge is losing 20 pounds by the three-month follow-up."
B.J. Wilson
Age: 31.
Height: 6 feet.
Weight: 253 before; 216 now.
BMI: 34.3; 29.3.
Body fat: 30.1 percent; 25 percent.
Strength: 68.0; 86.0.
Flexibility: 6.6; 11.8.
VO2: 35; 38.9.
Body age: 42; 36. Obtainable goal, 20.
What surprised him: "I was able to resist bad foods (especially cheesesteaks!) for the duration of the challenge."
He never expected: "That I'd enjoy some of your healthier' meals, such as Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers."
Biggest challenge: "Getting up and getting my butt down to the gym."
Easiest challenge: "Nothing. None of it was easy, but it was worth it in the end."
His advice: "Don't think that you can't do it. If I can lose 37 pounds, ANYONE can lose weight."
Looking ahead: "My next challenge is to keep the weight off and lose a few more pounds without Jim's [Hart, his trainer] guidance."
Cynthia Santiago
Age: 45.
Height: 5-foot-5.
Weight: 181 before; 160 now.
BMI: 30.1; 26.6.
Body fat: 34.0 percent; 31.2 percent.
Strength: 61.0; 63.0.
Flexibility: 15.0; 15.4.
VO2: 37.8; 37.8.
Body age: 44; 42. Obtainable goal: 32.
Her biggest success: "Achieving a level of physical, mental and spiritual health. The physical transformation is extraordinary, and I am stronger as a result of all the exercising."
What surprised her: "My ability to follow through. I usually come out short. Not this time. Now, I am able to achieve whatever I set out to do."
Biggest challenge: "Dealing with the negative side of myself that always wanted to give up, bring me down or just settle for the few pounds lost."
Easiest challenge: "None. They were all challenging. But I was able to rise to the challenge with a positive, non-defeatist attitude."
Her advice: "The only person who can make it happen is the one who decides they love themselves enough to make a change."
Looking ahead: "My next challenge is to join one of the fitness contests in Oxygen magazine. If I can do it now, I can do it again."
Comments (2)
Congrats to all of the challengers. It is very inspiring to see what they accomplished and I hope they keep it up.
Will there be another fitness challenge in the future?
Posted by Kim | May 15, 2006 5:16 PM
Posted on May 15, 2006 17:16
b j just wanted to say hi and u look amazing....u did good kid
Posted by d sweeney | August 11, 2006 5:52 PM
Posted on August 11, 2006 17:52