When 29-year-old Trish Stow from Charlestown, NSW, heard that her colleague was taking part in The Biggest Loser Club Corporate Challenge she immediately knew this was her chance to lose weight and get fit. Without any hesitation Trish joined her work friend Hayley Puckeridge, plus six other nurses, to form the Fighting Fit Nurses weight-loss team.
After the three-month challenge Trish had lost 10kg. Not only that, but her team went on to win the Corporate Challenge and a workout with The Biggest Loser's no-nonsense trainer, Commando Steve Willis.
Click to enlarge photos
Trish before
Trish after losing 10kg
Feeling the burn
Under supervision
Before the challenge
As a food lover, Trish was still feeling the weighty effects of Christmas before she started the Challenge in February 2009. From ham and Christmas pudding, to the many chocolates given to her by grateful patients in the aged care wards where she works, Trish had overindulged.
Trish says, “My energy levels were down and I didn’t feel good about myself. I wanted my old body back, or as close as possible. I also wanted to learn more about what sort of foods I should be eating and find out about the kind of exercises that are right for me.”
Let the competition commence
Soon after Hayley had organised the Corporate Challenge it was time for the group to gather and get their diet and exercise program underway.
Trish says, “Even though I knew that it would be a great opportunity for my health and was keen to get started, I still had a lot of self-doubt.
“I questioned whether I could really do it. I told myself that it would mean no chocolate and no bread for weeks and that would be very difficult for me. So, it was with a mixture of trepidation, self-doubt and excitement that I and the rest of the Fighting Fit Nurses started our three-month journey."
Dining like a Queen
Trish soon discovered she was wrong about having to give up her favourite foods. “I was so glad when I learned that The Club had lots of tasty menu plans. I was even happier when I realised that both bread and chocolate weren’t banned at all. It was (and still is) all about moderation!
“I downloaded lots of tasty recipes from The Club website. I have a sweet tooth, so I particularly loved the figure-friendly puds! Plus, there were good, healthy choices for takeaway. The wide variety of foods was great and I could even pick the difficulty level of cooking to suit my talents, which are less than gifted in the kitchen department!
“Having lots of information at my fingertips in the privacy of my own home was a bonus. The support network was a life saver as well – having the forums, my team mates and advice from The Club gave me help when I needed it and generally encouraged me daily.
“The flexible nature of the plan was also a winner. My job involves shift work and I was worried that after a shift, when I often feel a little sluggish and grumpy, that I might have to go to bed hungry. However all I had to do was type in my preferences and I could have my main meal whenever it fitted into my schedule."
Working it out
As well as getting to grips with food, Trish ensured that exercise became a regular part of her regime by following The Club’s online exercise programs.
“Before joining The Biggest Loser Club, I used to work out but I wasn’t very consistent – I would exercise and then do nothing for a week or two. I used to get puffed pretty easily too, thanks to a 14-year smoking habit. So I started with 20 minutes of exercise each day and increased it by ten minutes or so. I really got into the exercise and it helped me fall asleep, so I was more refreshed the next day.”
Trish soon became committed to her program and enjoyed the encouragement and the rivalry that came with losing weight at work with the Corporate Challenge. She is now a regular at the gym and has also stopped smoking.
Healthier and happier
Speaking at the end of the challenge, Trish reveals, “I went from a size 14 to a size 8 in 12 weeks and I lost more than 10kg in weight. It was achievable and it wasn't that hard once I learned that I just needed to change my eating around a bit, alter how much I ate, plus do a bit of exercise. I’ve learnt that it is more of a lifestyle choice, as opposed to a crash diet or detox.”
Trish says, “I really recommend The Biggest Loser Club as a great way to lose weight and get fit. The support network is amazing and the website is so easy to use and convenient. I have encouraged family and friends to get involved so they can feel as energetic as I do. My partner Tim wants to shift some kilos and he and his workmates are just setting up their own Biggest Loser Club Corporate Challenge.
“I am definitely happier and more confident and I have loads of energy. If you want to lose weight but are finding things difficult, join The Club. Take part in a challenge; it keeps you motivated and it’s the best advice I can give. It worked wonders for me!”
If you're inspired by Trish's story, why not start your own Biggest Loser Corporate Challenge today. You can pre-register for our new 2009 Spring Challenge now!