Forty-year-old Jodie Weber teamed up with her sister Kellie to lose weight as a couple with the Second Chance Challenge. By following the Meal Replacement Program, Jodie reached her healthy goal weight and now feels more confident and happier than ever before.
Back then
Jodie comes from a very sports-orientated family and was never overweight during her childhood. She says, “I used to play indoor cricket and touch football, I went to the gym three times a week and I even danced at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.”
All this changed when Jodie got married in 1998. She weighed 86kg at the time, but with married life and the arrival of her two boys, Jodie found that the whole focus of her life changed. She explains, “All of my physical activities stopped and my two boys really took centre stage; they began to do all the sports.”
It was Jodie’s sister Kellie who applied for The Biggest Loser Couples and asked Jodie to be her partner. Although they were very upset not to be chosen for the show, things looked up when they were invited to take part in The Biggest Loser Club Second Chance Challenge, and so they decided to make the best of this unique opportunity.
Click to enlarge photos
Jodie before
Cutting the kilos
Working out
Jodie after
Jodie at Finale
Support system
Jodie admits that she was struggling to even lose a few kilos on her own before joining the Second Chance Challenge. However once she had the support she needed, she was on the road to success.
“Having the support of The Biggest Loser Club and following the Meal Replacement Program helped me recondition myself to make the changes I needed.
“I used the Shakes and Meal Replacement Bars twice a day and opted for a good family dinner in the evenings. As a school teacher, I sometimes had lunch at the canteen. This used to be a bit tricky, but they offer a lot more healthy choices now. Sometimes I take a Shake if I am running late and have it for breakfast on the run and I keep some Meal Replacement Bars in my handbag, plus a Snack Bar or two just in case I am in need of a light bite. For dinner I often have meats and fish like turkey and salmon and always have salad on the side.
“During the Challenge I also did lots of physical training with my personal trainer Matt. He has definitely helped me find my love of exercise again."
Education
Jodie knows that she has taken away values and tools from the Challenge that will last her and her family a life time.
“Having kept a tab on what I am eating by using the online diary, I feel I can take away what I need to know for the future. When eating out I am not shy now about asking how foods are cooked before I make my choices. I even ask the waiter to pass on a message to the chef to say that I am allergic to certain foods as people tend to be more understanding to this.
“The children have also changed the way they eat. My oldest son was always a healthy eater but my younger son is now more aware about his eating as well. I think that if you can educate them young, you can turn lives around for the better. I also know that it is important to be positive and be a good role model for your family’s behaviours.”
Life for the better
While Jodie has lost weight, her confidence has grown, “Before the Challenge, I would have made an excuse not to go the beach. Recently though, we spent two weeks in Cairns where we hit the beach and I even wore a red bikini and it felt great! It was also a goal of mine to wear a size 12 dress by the time The Biggest Loser Finale came round and that’s what I did.
“My family is very proud and they’ve noticed a real change in me. I am more energetic and so much more outgoing, plus we go out as a family more now too.”
At the start of her amazing journey, Jodie weighed in at just over 100.1kg. She has now lost 20.3kg and 20% of her starting weight. With the help of the lessons she’s learned throughout the Second Chance Challenge, she is determined never to go back!