Chris Byrnes has always been the best of mates with his younger brother Michael, who was also his partner for The Biggest Loser Club Second Chance Challenge. Chris has lost more than 30kg and together the duo came third in the competition with a weight loss of more than 23% of their combined starting weight.
Chris applied for a place on The Biggest Loser Couples show because he wanted to improve his own health and also help Michael realise his dream of joining the army. When he was not picked for the show Chris was distraught, especially as it was his second application for The Biggest Loser. However, he was thrilled to be asked to take part in the Second Chance Challenge and he puts his great achievement down to one thing: focus.
Click to enlarge photos
Chris before
At home
The brothers midway
Chris after
Healthy and happy
Chris at Finale
Old habits die hard
Although Chris was completely committed to his weight-loss goals, he found it difficult to shed his old ways. Chris explains, “I was so deeply in a rut and, although I knew I needed to make big changes to my eating, boozing and non-existent exercise, I actually questioned whether I could do it.
“Before the Second Chance Challenge, I used to eat whatever was quick, easy and convenient. I was working with food all day and was so busy that I would just pick on burger and chips all day. It wasn’t unusual for me to have 12 meals a day and all of it was junk. On the other hand, I could go 14 hours straight without eating. Due to my messed up eating, in just two or three years, I had piled on 25kg. It sounds strange, but I didn’t really notice it.”
Taking on the Challenge
Despite having so many unhealthy habits to overcome, it wasn’t long before Chris was completely focused on his new lifestyle and seeing the results on the scales.
He says, “Once I got my head into Challenge mode, I really started to focus and followed my eating plan thoroughly. Using the online diary was a great way to get to know the calories in foods and how many I could eat. Plus, I started to go the gym and found that I really liked it.
“I was a bit hesitant about using the Meal Replacements to start, but the results were amazing and this really spurred me on. I lost a 3.5kg in just the first week or so. I found that I liked the convenience of the Shakes, and had them at least twice a day.”
Valuable tools
Over the course of the Second Chance Challenge Chris lost more than 32kg, equivalent to over 20% of his starting weight of 155kg.
He says, “I can honestly say that although my food tastes have not changed that much, my appreciation for the good stuff, like vegies, salad and fruit, has sky-rocketed. I have always worked in the hospitality industry, so I have developed an appreciation for good food and wine, but my eating was all about comfort and convenience.
“In the last few months I have bought lots of kitchen utensils and I really enjoy experimenting with the recipes from The Biggest Loser Club. Having used The Club website I can now also ‘guesstimate’ the calories in foods. I think about things differently now and I also know that I can do without alcohol!”
Dreaming the dream
The Challenge may be over, but for Chris his new lifestyle continues and his plans for the future grow every day. “As for me, my motivation is high and I plan to keep it up there! I have made some good friends with other members of the team. Plus, I am so pleased that Michael is much slimmer and fitter now and there is nothing standing in the way of his dream of getting into the army.
“Since my experience with the Second Chance Challenge my whole mindset has changed. I have seen a lot of changes in myself, not just in my size. I am now so much more confident and happier. I am even thinking about a change in career too.
“Weight wise, I now plan to weigh under 100kg by the end of the year. I have no problem with doing things slowly, because I want to make my weight loss sustainable. I am going to continue to use the Meal Replacement Program and aim to get as much out of life as possible.”