On a mission to shape up and get fit, Jessica teamed up with her sister Emma and father Kevin to compete for the Second Chance challenge crown. Here she shares her journey...
Update 1
Monday
Greatness lives on the edge of destruction – that’s where you will find me for the next 12 weeks. I will face my fears and at the end I will still be standing …
Friday
Define a warrior: hill runs in the pouring rain!
Well, Diary, it’s the end of week one and what a week it has been. Meeting the other teams was great – and everyone involved – it made it feel real.
This week I have really pushed myself to work out where my limits are in regards to working out and doing shift work and on top of that, of course, there have been the floods that have just made the last week of work so hectic. It’s been an amazing week, testing me and everyone around me.
I am happy with how this week has gone with the Meal Replacements. They really work – I haven't felt hungry at all. My workouts have been fun and challenging, but even over one week I can feel myself getting fitter. It’s so amazing how quickly you can start feeling better. I think this challenge will change my life and I am so excited. Don’t get me wrong, I am buggered, but I feel like I deserve to be. I love this thing called "Biggest Loser," lol. Awesome. Great first week.
Update 2
Wednesay
Bad day – I have tonsillitis and feel terrible. I can’t really swallow so I’m not getting enough food or water and I only went on small walks. I think this week will be disappointing in the weight loss area.
Thursday
Still sick – this better go away soon. I can’t afford to not be working out and eating. Thank god for The Biggest Loser Meal Replacement shakes.
I’m joining Jets gym today as the owner there has offered to gives us some one-on-one personal training which is great. I really need to get back into training tomorrow – it just doesn’t feel right not doing anything.
Friday
Weigh-in day tomorrow – I wish I could say I was looking forward to the results but with being sick half the week I know I just haven’t done enough to get a big result. Well hopefully I will be feeling better soon and can start kicking butt. Looking forward to a new week and new challenges.
Saturday
Well my weigh-in was what I expected – 0.8kg loss. But a loss is a loss so I’ll take it. Tomorrow is a new day and new week and I intend on making the most of it and taking over the number one spot on the leaderboard – so Dad better watch out.
Really happy with Emma’s numbers – she is doing so well and it is helping with her self-confidence. Dad is determined and doesn’t really need any encouragement but I’m proud of him.
Update 3
Wednesday
Hello, I’m back! Sorry I’ve neglected you this last week, but I was in hospital with tonsillitis and dehydration. I’m okay now – don’t worry!
I have to say, the only thing I could get down when I was sick was The Biggest Loser Meal Replacement shakes. Seriously. If I hadn’t had those I’d have been in big trouble. I love them, especially in the blender with ice…
I’m hoping to have a better week than last week, both in health and in weight loss. I’m missing my exercise, I was really getting into it! But never fear, I’ll be back on the bike next week – literally.
Saturday
Yay! A 3kg loss! I’m very happy. This week was more about maintaining the weight I lost at hospital than losing more, but still, it’s hard to keep weight off when you haven’t done any exercise.
I’m so happy. I have to say I wasn’t sure about the Meal Replacements to start with, but now I truly believe they work. After three weeks I still haven’t been hungry, which is a huge thing considering I sit all day and snacking is so easy.
Dad is doing great. I saw him the other day and he looks fantastic! And you can really see the difference in Emma – her clothes are getting too big for her. Way to go Youldens! Keep it up!
Update 4
Monday
Off to a good start this week – feeling okay. I did a good workout yesterday, and hopefully by the end of the week I’ll be back in full swing.
Tuesday
Starting to feel pretty good again. I hit the gym last night for a PT session with Christie, the owner of the Jetts gym in Ashmore. She’s great. The program she’s made for me focuses on burning sugars by doing weight circuits and then burning fat on the bike and cross-trainer.
Everyone at work is so supportive. They’ve even started their own Biggest Loser comp.
Thursday
Not sure I will see much of a result this week after having such a good number last week, and not having done a lot of work last week. But I know I have done the work and watched my food, so in the long run I will get the results I want. Plus, I’m starting to really feel good in the fitness department. I’ve had to amp it up the last few days! I’m really enjoying the exercise and I am in love with The Biggest Loser Club latte and vanilla shakes and The Biggest Loser choc mint snack bar – and they are so convenient.
Saturday
Weigh-in day! I didn’t do too badly, considering I thought I was going to gain weight this week.
My mission this week is to fine tune my food and exercise so that I get as much out of both as possible. Christie, my PT at Jetts, is a really great support. ‘This is a marathon, not a sprint,’ she said.
Update 5
Tuesday
Not feeling very motivated at the moment: I have plateaued and I don’t understand it. I work out so hard and it’s all for nothing as far as I’m concerned.
Update 6
Sunday
It was great to get out and have a good ride today: the weather was perfect for it. I’m happy with my progress this week. I was a little unsure how I would go, as I didn‘t have a great finish. I’m back in full swing this week though.
Feeling good so far this week – going jogging and to the gym this arvo.
Monday
Off for a jog soon – can‘t wait. I’m really liking the jogging. I’ll be working 7am to 3pm all week, so hopefully I can get some good exercise done. Fingers crossed.
Tuesday
We did our interview with the Bulletin today. It was a bit of fun: I had to do push-ups in the grass in my uniform!
Feeling pretty good, as I can feel my body changing. Loving the exercise – and am still in love with The Biggest Loser Club snack bars. Choc mint – it’s like having a chocolate biscuit! Yummy.
Wednesday
Some stats. My first Sydney weigh-in: 102.5kg. Second weigh-in: 94.5kg. The at-home weights were 100kg and 92kg.
Dad’s weigh-in at Sydney: 11.5kg. Second weigh-in: 108.4kg.
Update 7
Thursday
I was jogging this morning, and it was a lovely morning until some crazy bike-riders crashed trying to zip around me! I had to do a strange hop, skip and a jump over them and have twisted my hip and knee. I can assure you it wasn’t graceful! Anyway, nothing a little rest and ice won’t fix, but I have to give the jogging a miss for a few days.
Other than that, I’m feeling pretty good. I went jogging with Josh, my brother, last night and he was impressed with my progress. Two weeks ago I jogged with him and couldn’t make 1km – last night we jogged 5km, walked 1km and jogged another 1km. I’m happy with that. Gold Coast marathon here I come – well, the half-marathon, anyway.
Update 8
Monday
Feeling good, feeling fit. I’m trying to walk the half-marathon distance so that I know I can do it, and I got to 16km today. I’m happy with that. I have to look at my shoes, because I have major blisters, but it’s all good. No pain, no gain.
Wednesday
Rest day.
Update 9
Tuesday
Pack-walk out at Dad’s – it’s a great workout and the start of my training for Kokoda. Also, Dad and I are booking our Goondiwindi-to-Brisbane ride tonight. Very excited.
Thursday
Feeling good. I’ve changed my food a bit on the advice of The Biggest Loser Club dietician, Susie Burrell – hopefully it pays off.
Friday
Happy with my workout yesterday – had a good jog. I need to jog longer now, as it’s becoming a little easy.
It’s getting close to the end now, and Dad is coming down today to celebrate getting under 100kg – first time for him in 20 years. It’s amazing! I’ll be really happy if I can get to 80kg by the end of this.
Saturday
Weigh-in day. I’m very happy this week: 1.8kg loss.
Update 10
Monday
Been working really hard this week – increased the intensity of my workouts and I’m at Dad’s, and it’s always full-on training with him. Did a PT session with him this morning – geez! It was a great work-out, really pushed me.
I’ve changed my food around this week on the advice of nutritionist Susie Burrell. I really hope it works! I’m not used to eating this much food – I’ve added over 200 calories to my diet.
Thursday
Today is my birthday, and I’ve been having a great day with the family.
This week I’ve really worked hard. I went out to Dad’s and did three two-hour sessions each day with him: it was great.
Feeling a little sore and have injured my foot, but it will be okay. I did the pack-walk and got Emma doing it too. She’s not too bad at the exercise, she just doesn’t enjoy it.
Saturday
Not happy with my weight this week.
Update 11
Tuesday
It’s halfway through the week, I’m feeling good. Happy with my food this week, and have really dug deep in the work-out department.
Friday
I’ve been watching my calories so I’m hoping for a good loss this week. Only two weeks to go now – it’s getting close to the end.
Saturday
Sydney in another week and a half. So close now.
Latest update
Friday
Well, weigh-in day tomorrow. My loss won’t be as big as last week as I’ve been pretty tired this week. I’m looking forward to the finish.
Saturday
Happy with my result. It’s the end of Week 12 and it’s been a good process. Now to continue to get to my ultimate goal of 70kg!