Conrad lost 48.8kg
Conrad: I feel like a completely different person!
It was the third time that Conrad Makin had applied for The Biggest Loser and the first time that he had reached the audition stage. Needless to say, Conrad was devastated when he didn’t win a place in this year’s Couples series.
However, Conrad finally got his chance of a healthier lifestyle thanks to The Biggest Loser Club Second Chance Challenge and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, so much so that he went on to win the title of individual Second Chance Challenge Biggest Loser.
Click to enlarge photos
Conrad before
Working out
Meeting the trainers
Conrad after
Conrad at Finale
Old clothes
Taking on the challenge
Starting the Challenge at 166.2kg, the Customer Service Specialist from SA says, “I have always been competitive and once I had decided I would take up the Challenge and use The Biggest Loser Club Meal Replacements to help free myself from this weight prison, it was as if a light switch had been flicked on.
“My weight had got so out of control that I needed some help to get started. While I needed to be accountable, I knew that I needed support too and the Second Chance Challenge ticked all of these boxes.
“By using The Biggest Loser Club and following the Meal Replacement Program, I began to understand that ‘all or nothing’ isn’t the way to lose weight and keep it off. It has to be workable; it has to become a way of life. Both exercise and food are important and you need to face up to some sacrifices. Sacrifice is not a bad word. It can be liberating. I made sacrifices because I wanted to feel better on the inside and look better on the outside. I stopped going to pubs and parties. I refused to have ‘just one’ because I was totally sick of abusing my body. The food I was putting into my body was slowly killing me."
Following the Meal Replacement Program
“By using the online diary on The Club website I learnt how food affected my body. It helped me weigh up whether it was worthwhile eating that extra portion and what a portion should actually look like, as mine were far too large before.
“I used The Biggest Loser Club Meal Replacements throughout the Challenge. They were a great way to kick-start my journey and I plan to use them for some time to come in order to achieve my goal weight and maintain my weight loss. The Double Choc Shake is a favourite and I found the Meal Replacement Bars a good and convenient way to control my calories.
“In fact, my enthusiasm and my changing shape has inspired a fantastic 10 people at my office to use the Meal Replacement products too. To be able to inspire one person would have been great, but to see that I have motivated so many people is awesome."
Buddying up
“I had not met my Second Chance partner, Tanya, before the Challenge started, but she and I have become really good friends. There was no way I was going to let her down as she has helped me through the Challenge so much. We speak regularly, sometimes morning and afternoon. I know I can rely on her for words of sympathy, empathy and encouragement when I have a bad moment or when I need a little help with my personal life. Tanya, you’re fantastic!
“At the end of the Challenge I have lost nearly 50kg and I am completely stoked! My ambitions have changed now, too. When I get to my goal weight and maintain it, I will work part-time and train to become a personal trainer. I know that when you start something like this at my size training can hurt, but I also know how to turn things around and encourage others to recognise it as good pain. It is only when you experience that pain that you are going forwards in your weight-loss journey.
“I feel so much more positive. I feel fit and healthy and that was my main motivator. I am no longer taking anxiety medication, which I took for five years, and my blood pressure is now fine. With a history of diabetes and heart disease in my family, that’s a huge relief!
“I am going to frame my ‘before’ photo and stick it on the wall together with one mid-way shot. Phase two comes when I weigh less than 100kg, so I have 17kg to go. Phase three then kicks in, which is my maintenance phase and I intend it to be a life-long one.
“At the end of this Challenge, I am such a different person. I am still me but I’m not big anymore – except in confidence. My mum and dad are so proud and my sister is stoked. What can I say? I am so happy. I feel fantastic.”