Fit To Fabulous Winner – Randy Peetz
Posted on 01. Apr, 2010 by Karen in Biggest Losers
Randy Peetz joined the Fit to Fabulous competition to make significant changes to his health. Randy, an IT director at Banner Del Webb hospital, started the competition with a main goal of weighing less than 200 pounds. Randy met his goal and lost 27.4 pounds.
Being a smoker and diabetic, Randy entered the contest with major health challenges. He wanted to make a change in order to live a healthier, longer life. Randy said his main motivations were his wife and daughter.
“It helped knowing I wanted to be there for my 19-year-old daughter,” he said. “I wanted to extend my life to see her wedding and children. I wanted to be there for my wife as well. Those were the motivations that kept pushing me through everything.”
Randy’s wife, Mary Peetz, won the Biggest Loser competition last year. Both husband and wife competed against each other this year in the Fit to Fabulous competition. According to Randy, competing with his wife was a huge support to him.
“I saw the amazing results my wife got from the first contest, and I thought I would try it,” Randy said. “It really helped to have her guidance when it came to food, and I enjoyed planning and cooking meals with her.”
Randy also felt the length of the program was one of his biggest challenges. Initially, he had difficulty with being mentally prepared for the six-month duration.
Randy soon found a workout that helped him with this difficulty.
“I really enjoyed running,” Randy said. “I’ve never been a runner before but I’m finding that I’m liking it. It’s a challenging workout because you have to talk yourself into it. At any given time it’s easy to stop and walk. So to run and not stop was a huge accomplishment for me.”
Throughout the competition Randy participated in two 5K runs and shaved four minutes off his mile time. He started at 12 minutes a mile and at the last assessment he ran a mile in 8 minutes and 34 seconds.
This physical accomplishment gave Randy the confidence to quit smoking after more than 30 years.
According to fitness coach Stephanie Fogelson, Randy has become a totally new man.
“He went from Mr. Quiet to an amazing, outgoing class clown,” Stephanie said. “He literally rolls up his shirtsleeves so we can all get a good look at his guns. People at the hospital he works at are so inspired and now look to him for tips and advice.”
When his name was announced as winner Randy was in complete surprise.
“I had no clue I was going to win,” he said. “I was going to be excited either way. Just knowing that I made it through the six months is great and I am better for it today. My health has improved dramatically.”
Randy said he will participate in West Valley’s Biggest Loser 3 starting this April.
“I would say, give it a chance and don’t let your mind talk you out of what you can do.”
Randy is an inspiration to us all! His personal changes have been dramatic! He is a visible example of how this program REALLY works!