While the weight-loss slowed down a little for The Biggest Loser Club Second Chance team, enthusiasm was up.
The at-home contestants, losing weight with the support of The Biggest Loser Club Meal Replacement Program, have found tricks to take control of their cravings as they stride towards achieving their weight-loss goals in time for their appearance on the reality TV show The Biggest Loser Finale.
Biggest Loser Couple
Friends: Ben and Kate
A strong focus on both food and exercise helped Ben and Kate win the weigh-in. The party friends, who met on a bus from New York to LA in 2004, dropped a total of 6.2kg, which is 2.5% of their combined body weight.
“I stepped up my gym and exercise routine a notch this week,” Kate says. “I had a one-hour session with my personal trainer. I also did lots of gym sessions on my own and some home workouts.”
Kate also found a way to enjoy food without eating it. “I made some sweet treats for friends and family the other day, including after-dinner mints, chocolate balls and shortbread. I didn’t sample or taste-test anything at all.
“Instead, my husband Mark and friend Michelle did the tasting and do you know what? I got as much satisfaction from the looks on their faces than if I had eaten them myself.
“This whole process has been so empowering. It’s incredible. I really feel that I can continue with this healthy lifestyle.”
Overcoming difficult times at work
Daily challenges face the Second Chance team members at every corner, but together they're learning how they can overcome these hurdles and stick to their weight-loss plans.
Personal assistant Tanya Gathercole said the past week was the best of the Challenge so far. “I had to deal with a lot of food in work meetings but I was prepared,” she says “I ate beforehand or afterwards, instead of eating all of the cakes and slices provided. The best part was that nothing seemed to faze me so I must be doing something right!”
Her partner, Conrad Makin, also managed some difficult situations at work. At one point during the week his bosses ordered pizzas for everyone, ignoring his request of a healthy option, but he stayed away.
Later in the week, Conrad’s team had a 'foodie' day. Party pies and other weighty options were spread out on the desk beside him. He moved desks. His reason: “Out of sight, out of mind”.
Their resolve helped Tanya and Conrad post a fantastic loss of 4.4kg combined.
A new way of life
Other members of the Second Chance team are also finding that cravings and temptations are becoming easier to manage as they settle into The Biggest Loser Club Meal Replacement Program.
Victorian public servant Craig Debono says, “It’s not really a ‘diet’ at all. It is becoming clear that this way of life is all about being more aware of what I eat.”
His fiancée, Jodie Curran, agrees. “I can honestly say that I'm not tempted by any food that I know will get me off track from my goals. The really liberating part of being involved in this program is that I now know and understand the ramifications of every morsel I eat,” she says.
For 20-year-old retail assistant Jesikah Sarkezi saying “no” to cravings and tempting foods was still a struggle. “I know that I have to say no. It’s not worth all the hard work to see it unravelled in a quick slip up,” she says.
A highlight of the week for both Jesikah and her stepfather Alex Beggs was finding a gym they both liked. “We’ll be doing a lot of personal training. We plan to get involved in a few boot camp sessions too. I’m really excited.”