“I’m still in shock but so happy with the results!”
Young and handsome, with the world at his feet: that’s what you think when you meet Leigh Westren. He radiates positivity, health and vitality, and looks like he’s never had a care in the world.
But at just 23 years old, Leigh has already undergone one of the most radical physical transformations of any Biggest Loser contestant. He lost 57.7kg and is our 2011 runner up.
“I’m still in shock but I’m so happy with the results,” he told The Biggest Loser Club, just after Finale aired. “I’m stunned by the whole thing. Facebook has been going crazy!”
Keeping it in the family
He may have been beaten by a nose to the Biggest Loser crown but Leigh is enjoying one of the most meaningful successes of the season. He’s not just revelling in a personal victory but a family one too. The Westrens were the biggest losing family of the season, shedding a combined 193.4kg – 41.1% of their total weight – which means they took home a sweet $100,000 prize too.
“My family has transformed! They’ve changed mentally. My mum and dad especially, they’re two completely different people now. They’re more united as husband and wife. They enjoy doing things together, they’re happier, they go for walks on the beach.”
Being surrounded by healthy people makes losing weight much easier, Leigh says. “It’s actually one of our coping strategies now that we’ve left the house. Lara and I are trying to hang around with people who feel the same about health and fitness so that we don’t get into bad habits.”
Just the beginning
Things have changed dramatically both inside and out for this boy from the NSW Central Coast. He’s gone from a lazy comfort eater with no direction to a man with a plan. And that plan involves a new career – he and Lara are about to start studying to be personal trainers.
“I’m more determined and focused now. I know where I want to go in life. I can finally make decisions and actually stick to them – and that’s because I now have the confidence to back myself up.”
Click to enlarge photos
Leigh before
At the beginning
Up for the challenge
Leigh transformed
So how did he achieve his dramatic turnaround?
Leigh claims his overhauled diet made the biggest difference to him, but adjusting to smaller portions was the biggest challenge. “I used to eat massive amounts. I didn’t mind switching to healthier options, but I was always hungry. I dealt with it by going for long walks to take my mind off food. After a while I couldn’t eat as much anyway, and now I don’t miss it.”
He controls his diet by using The Biggest Loser Club diary. “It’s really, really helpful,” he said. “At first I thought counting calories was silly but the more I started using it, filling in my measurements, my weight and what I’d eaten, the more I could see patterns. If I put on weight I go back and see where I went wrong. And I use it to play with my meals throughout the week to see how I can save a few calories here and a few there. I save them up for a treat at the weekend – usually a dessert on Saturday.”
The diary puts food and exercise in perspective, Leigh says. Learning how much exercise he’d have to do in the gym to burn off 300 calories – or a chocolate bar – was a revelation, and a rude one.
“I did far less training than the other contestants, although I did go for lots of long walks. I preferred to control my calories with my diet.”
He allowed himself one treat meal a week and the occasional Skinny Cow ice cream to stop him going insane.
“I’m on the same diet now, but I’ve added in more meat. It’s fine, I feel satisfied and I’m feeling great,” he said, adding that his current favourite lunch is a homemade chicken wrap with low-fat cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato.
Looking at his glowing skin and cheeky grin, this feels like a redundant question, but it’s got to be asked ... Are all the sacrifices worth it?
“Absolutely. You get to a stage when your body just feels gross from all the junk food. When you start eating healthily you notice the difference straight away. You jump out of bed in the morning and don’t feel lethargic any more. And, once you start losing weight, you feel totally fantastic.”
Secret of the star
The boy that Shannan kept telling to “man up” has done just that. And he’s got a few words of advice for our members at home who have a similar journey ahead of them.
“Start by accepting that you need to make a change. The hardest thing is taking that first step. So get some help, start eating properly and keep a diary. Start counting calories and get your head around how much exercise you have to do to burn off a treat. And walk. Walk every day for one hour and it will completely change everything.”
Congratulations Leigh, you’re amazing! If Leigh is your inspiration, share your thoughts on our Facebook page.