Catch up with Biggest Loser star Joe Medway

When he entered Camp Biggest Loser 2010, Joe Medway was determined to turn around his fast-food eating, beer-drinking, party-loving ways. With hard work and determination he lost over 80kg. But four months on, has it been possible to sustain such a colossal weight-loss? Find out in our exclusive catch-up with one of our favourite Loser winners.

Queenslander Joe Medway was prepared for some big changes when he entered Camp Biggest Loser along with his twin brother, Rick. The sports-mad brothers only gained weight once their school years ended and they discovered beer and partying. In just two years, the 20-year-olds were dangerously overweight.

At his first weigh-in at Camp Biggest Loser, Joe weighed a massive 179.9kg. He threw himself into every opportunity to turn his life around and as TV viewers everywhere will know, his long Biggest Loser journey featured memorable moments, from a unique training session with Sydney’s rugby union team, The Waratahs, to an unforgettable hot, dusty and gruelling experience in the desert with the formidable Commando. By Finale, a terrifically trim Joe was 82.7kg lighter and missed out on the 2010 title by just 300g to his friend, Lisa Hose.

Four months on and a lot is happening in Joe’s life. Although he says that his experience on The Biggest Loser hasn’t changed him completely, it has definitely altered his outlook on eating, exercise and the need for balance. So, staying at a steady weight range hasn’t been as difficult as others predicted.

“People told me that it would be a big challenge to keep the weight off afterwards but it hasn’t been too hard. Right now, I weigh around 102kg which is 5kg or so above my Finale weight; it feels awesome to be fit again to exercise to the limits,” Joe said.

Fitness and footy

And speaking of exercise, Joe is happy to report that he can now play a full game of rugby league once again with his beloved Caboolture Snakes Rugby League Club. In fact, Joe is now a bit of a role model at the club. “Friends are always asking me how they can lose their tummy and train harder, which is great and a new experience when I think about my pre-Loser days,” he said.

Joe now plays for another club in addition to The Snakes and, with two games each week, twice-a-week training, gym workouts, indoor cricket and participating in western rodeos, Joe is really fighting fit.

Local celebrity

Both Joe and Rick are often spotted in their home town of Caboolture and stopped for autographs or photos. “Little blokes often ask for a photo with me and it is great but it still feels a bit strange,” he said.

Joe is also getting a lot more attention from the young ladies around town. “Girls come for a hug or a photograph or an autograph and I am very happy with that,” he said. But is Joe’s long-time girlfriend, Lucy just as happy?

“She doesn’t mind at all,” laughed Joe. “She knows that she will always be my number one girl!” The couple are currently saving to buy a home together and planning a holiday to New Zealand. “We are taking things slow and steady and we are both happy about that."

Family and friends

Joe used The Biggest Loser Club during the show and said that he learned a lot during his time about diet and exercise. He still logs on to see what is going on and has even inspired his mum, Helen, to use The Club. “She just loves the diary and she is slowly losing the weight that she needs to. Looking at both Rick and I, she knows it is achievable. In fact, she is even hoping get on series six of The Biggest Loser Show," Joe revealed.

Sister Sarah, who had been desperate for her baby brothers to lose weight before the show, is thrilled that both boys are now fit and healthy.

The Medway family has grown since the cameras stopped rolling on the show, too. Rick and his partner Mel welcomed baby Isabella into the world the day before Anzac day earlier this year.

“The whole family is delighted and as proud as punch,” said Joe, who added that Rick has dropped off in training a little, partly as the result of a couple of injuries. “Another reason is that Rick is running around after baby Isabella,” added Joe. "But even so, he has kept his weight to around 108kg, which is great.”

Both Joe and Rick stay in touch with their fellow contestants via Facebook, phone and face-to-face meetings. Joe and “and AFL legend” Wayne have become particularly close. Having been through so much together, Joe expects to always be friends with the whole Biggest Loser clan.

The future

Joe continues to work as a council machinery and truck driver and has started training to be a qualified personal trainer. Joe said: “It might take me 12-18 months to complete the course because I am still working, but I will do it.

“Rick is doing the same course as I am at our local gym, a place which has supported us so much. Given my experience in the Northern Territory with The Commando, the gym wants me to run boot camp soon – which I am really excited about!”

So that’s life for Joe right now, but if we were to catch-up with him again in six months or so, what could we expect from positive thinking, straight-talking, life-loving Joe?

“I don’t think much will have changed in the next few months. Perhaps I may be an engaged man by then – I think it will probably take me six months to think about a good way of popping the big question to Lucy,” he said. “Life is pretty great. I thought I had a good life before but life is excellent right now. If fact, it is better than I ever thought it could be!”