WVBL 3 MID-WEIGH EVENT
Posted on 11. Aug, 2010 by trish in Biggest Losers
Participants, sponsors and supporters of West Valley’s Biggest Loser 3 made a splash July 10 at Wet ‘n’ Wild water park as they celebrated the halfway mark of the six-month program. Contestants were given free admission tickets for a day of fun in the sun as a reward for their hard work during the last three months. Presented by West Valley Magazine, the event included talks from WVBL lead trainer Stephanie Fogelson and a new addition to the program, Marti Burton, nutritionist from MJH Nutrition services. Program sponsors in attendance were Fitness 1, D&S Enterprises, Massage Envy, Topline Foods and IMS. Fogelson provided details about WVBL’s 3-6-9 program beginning Aug. 30. In addition to this information, the top two contenders for each category, Biggest Loser and Fit to Fabulous, were announced. After an official crowning and photos of the top contenders were taken, all contestants were asked to come onto the stage for recognition. A highlight of the event was the contestants collectively holding a piece of caution tape that stretched across the stage. The length of tape matched the total number of inches lost in the last 90 days from all 25 contestants combined. The total cumulative inches, pounds and body fat percentage lost during the first half of the program are 217.7 pounds, 258.75 inches and 37 percent body fat. A resounding applause from the audience followed the announcement. In addition to the caution tape, a row of plastic buckets lined the front of the stage filled with water representing the amount of pounds lost. As the contestants posed for a photo behind the buckets both trainers, Fogelson and Mike Logan, were surprised as the buckets of water were dumped over their heads. The event continued and contestants showed that they can not only work hard, but play hard, as they spent the day riding several of the water slides, relaxing in the wave pool and floating down the lazy river. Four contestants had much to celebrate as they enjoyed their day with family and friends. Chad Nelson and Mary Anne Jimenez, both first time contestants, were announced as the top two contenders for the Biggest Loser category. Kelly Reiter, WVBL photographer, and Nichole Sanchez won the top two spots for the Fit to Fabulous category. “I had no clue I was in the lead,” said Jimenez. “Everyone works so hard in our sessions I thought we all must be very close. It’s a great confidence builder knowing the hard work pays off.” Jimenez not only changed her eating and exercise habits in the last three months but also completed her first walking half-marathon. “WVBL has helped me become stronger physically and helped me believe I can achieve my goals of becoming more fit,” she said. Jimenez attributes her success to the support system of the other contestants, trainers, family and friends. She has lost 22 pounds and plans to lose even more as she continues on her journey. Reiter was surprised to find out she had won a top spot in her category. “In doing the program I haven’t really thought about the winning aspect of it,” she said. “I feel great and I hope to keep up the progress, but I would also love to see others start beating me.” Reiter believes one of the most important keys to succeeding is commitment. “You have to show up to workouts and you have to commit to what you eat,” she said. “Cheating is not an option.” In the last 90 days Reiter has dropped her body fat percentage by four percent and says she intends to double that number by the end.
