Biggest Loser Winner – Esther Connealy
Posted on 01. Apr, 2010 by Karen in Biggest Losers
When Esther Connealy entered the Biggest Loser competition her goal was to lose between 40 and 50 pounds. Esther, a childcare clubhouse attendant at Bashas grocery store, exceeded her goal and ended the contest with a total weight loss of 65 pounds. Her biggest challenge when entering the contest was finding a balance between work, working out and home.
“The difficulty for me was that in order to participate in the program I had to take all the weekend shifts at work,” she said. “I missed all the contest events, sponsored events and missed time with my family.”
This challenge did not discourage her from reaching her initial goal. Esther remained consistent to four workouts a week and kept her eye on the prize.
“I kept reminding myself that the reason I joined was to lose the weight,” she said. “If you’re joining for the monetary prizes, you’re joining for the wrong reasons. You’ve got to do this for yourself and push as hard as you can. Anything else is sugar on top.”
After six weeks Esther began to see results. She was able to do simple things such as a push-up or sit-up. She also ran her first 5K in 43 minutes.
“I got a lot stronger,” she said. “I thought if I can do this, I can do anything. Emotionally I feel stronger, like I can take on any challenge.”
Another factor that helped Esther to stay on track was variety in the workouts. Included were the Hour of Power at Fitness 1 gym, weight training, boot camp training and swimming. Swimming was her favorite workout. 
She was excited and happy to learn that she had won the Biggest Loser contest, but she also felt satisfaction with the fact that she had reached her personal goal.
“It feels great to be the winner. It also feels good because I know I accomplished something I set my mind to,” she said.
Esther plans to stay at her current weight by continuing her workouts and changing the diet, not only for herself, but for her family as well. Currently, Esther is working out six days a week and is keeping variety in her workouts. She is doing water aerobics, gravity classes and is trying yoga for the first time.
According to fitness coach Stephanie Fogelson, Esther was on board with this program 100 percent from day one.
“She took on tasks such as making us healthy snacks, giving us daily motivational quotes and she kept us in the loop for healthy food sales at Bashas,” Stephanie said. “Her journey was so consistent, she just kept doing exactly what was asked of her and great things came of it.”
Esther stated she would recommend this competition to anyone needing to make a healthy change in his or her life.
“If your heart wants to be healthy, then do it for yourself,” she said. “Don’t compare yourself to other people. What they lose is different from you. Keep focused, stay on a straight path, and you’ll get there.”
