When Michael Gaffney was rejected from the army due to being overweight, he used this as the ultimate motivation to shape up and size down. With his brother at his side for support, he took on the Second Chance Challenge in 2010 and he didn't stop until he met his life-long goal.
Michael Gaffney moved to Victoria to live with his older brother Chris, who was also his partner in the 2010 Biggest Loser Club Second Chance Challenge. Before the Challenge, when the duo weren’t working, they spent much of their time having fun, eating and drinking without considering the effects their 'good times' lifestyle was having on their health.
Michael says, “I moved interstate to be with Chris and the two of us were just having fun. I had no idea about food and what it was doing to me. I was totally having a good time.
“Chris used to do most of the cooking and we would have lots of meat, which was either fried or grilled. We had potatoes and bread instead of veg or fruit and this was washed down with lots of soft drinks including cordial. There was also a fair amount of beer and a lot of takeaways.”
Click to enlarge photos
Michael before
During the Challenge
The brothers midway
Michael after
Michael at Finale
Michael
The turning point
Twenty-year-old Michael loves the AFL and has wanted to join the army for as long as he can remember, but he didn’t realise how much his weight would hinder him until he went for an interview to join the defence force. His rejection letter, which cited his weight as the reason that he wasn’t accepted into his dream career, was pinned to his wall as a constant reminder of why he needed to make some drastic good health changes.
“Chris and I decided to apply for The Biggest Loser Couples seriesbecause we thought it would be a great way to get back into shape and into the army.” While both Michael and Chris were disappointed not to get a place on the show, they were delighted to be offered a place with The Club's Second Chance Challenge.
Embracing the change
The duo found adjusting to the eating and exercise regime a struggle at first, but Michael says, “I knew I had to do something fast and, with the encouragement and support of friends and family, I really gave it a go. I can’t say it was easy to be more organised and disciplined at first, but I got used to it.”
Soon after, Michael started to feel happier and more motivated. Just a week or two into The Biggest Loser Club Meal Replacement Program Michael had a lot more energy and enthusiasm and was beginning to enjoy his whole new way of life. He says, “It felt so good to finish my workout and still have some energy left to put into other things."
Using the tools
During Michael's weight-loss journey he relied on both the Meal Replacement Program and The Club website in order to educate himself when it came to eating well and exercising regularly.
“Being involved in the Second Chance Challenge was a bit like turning on a switch and a massive change in attitude began for me. I started to learn about food and exercise and how each are linked. I used the online diary to learn about what I was eating and how it was affecting my weight and my health.
“After a few weeks, I started to count up everything I ate and drank and the exercise I was doing in my head. When I went off track I got straight back onto my diary and it explained why things had slowed down, which really helped me regain my focus.
“As well as eating fruit and vegies and not frying anymore, I used the Shakes for breakfast and lunch. Later, I found that having a big breakfast and the Shakes for the next two meals worked for me. I liked the Banana, Double Choc and the Choc Mint flavours best. Both Chris and I got into the habit of training five to six days a week too.”
Living the new live
With Michael's weight-loss success came newfound compliments, but initially he struggled to see the results. "Seeing myself every day, I didn’t really recognise any big changes, but others began to notice and a few times friends walked past me as they didn’t recognise me! Hearing people saying what a great job I was doing gave me that extra bit of encouragement I needed to carry on and to work that bit harder.
"I knew I had lost a lot of weight, but I suppose it wasn’t until we went to Finale and had the ‘after’ photos done that it really hit home. It was completely unreal to see the photos of myself and all the others from the Second Chance Challenge and how far we'd come. There are some of the other 'Second Chancers' that I am now good friends with and think that I always will be.”
With Finale in the past and nearly 30kg lighter, Michael is happy to report that his health plans have not gone ‘off the boil’. Michael is playing his beloved footy for the first time in his life and he has reapplied for his dream job in the army and is waiting to hear back. Michael’s weight is now under the army's required BMI of 30 and he is so much happier and more confident.
Michal says, “I just can’t put into words how this whole experience has changed me. It has given me my life back. Looking back, I realise that I didn’t have much of a life before. I was lethargic and would sleep in and generally had no energy. Now, I wake up ready for the day ahead; I throw back the covers and look forward to making the day happen. I am living in a whole new world – one that’s full of fun and has lots of potential.”