Out of college I was training to enter military service.  I was in shape and weighed 179 pounds.  Due to other events, I ended up not going into the military and lost the motivation to stay in shape.  A few years later, I met my wife and began courting her.  Because of our jobs we had many periods of managing a long distance relationship and I began eating less and eating more.  Then I became sick and was diagnosed with Migraine headaches and exercise was a distant thought and was replaced with more eating and really bad nutrition habits.  When I kicked my illness I continued on with the horrible habits I had developed and found myself nearly 100 pounds heavier than my stealth 179.  Now at 31 years old at my first weigh in for the BLH, I weighed 272.  I want to be the biggest loser so I can regain my energy, be the confident man I was before and enjoy life with my beautiful wife.

When I got married, I was 24 years old and was a fit and trim 190.  In the past five years, I have yo-yo’d between  280 and 260.  I have been under a lot of stress from running a small business in the re cession and was had to sell it in 2011.  I have tried many things and lose weight temporarily, but I always gain it back.    Now at 52 I really  need to get this done for me and my family.  My knees hurt from the weight and the snoring I do now because of the weight is driving my wife crazy.  I need to be around for a long time.  I am ready to make this change permanently and set a good example for my family.  I want to show people that weight gain doesn’t “happen to them” and that permanent change can be done. 

My health has been improving.  18 months ago, I weighed 272 and was diabetic.  I have struggled on my own and have lost 50 pounds.  It sure has been slow.  I knew I had to do something to escape my unhealthy weight, the sadness, isolation and fatigue.  I’ve been stalled for quite a time now and I am trying not to get discouraged.  Exercise I s the hardest part for me.  I never did it as a child and not really much as an adult.  I am a little scared but I know that to get better and stronger it is what I have to do.  I believe with  the support of the program I can do it.  The first 50 pounds I already have more pep in my step, more energy and more confidence.  I know I can do it.  I want to do it.  I need the help.  For 30 years, I have been a caretaker; my elderly parents, my disabled sister, my children and my friends. Even though I have fewer people to care for, I still have not placed myself at the top of the list and need to take a bigger leap to get where I want to go.  I have the support of my family, my job and most importantly, I am committed to me.  I can’t wait to finally be who I am on the inside, know I can be healthy as I age, and I can’t wait to look better in my clothes.

I have struggled with weight since I was very young.  I was overweight until the 7^th grade.  I wanted to play on the football team and there was a weight limit.  I actually cut weight to make the team.  I continued to play team sports through my college years, but when I entered the work force after college, I quickly gained weight.  IN the 2 years after college, I went from a lean 190 pounds to 220.  I always seem to be too busy to workout consistently, and the active lifestyle gave way to long work days and eating out.  As time went on, I gradually gained weight by 2001 reached 290 pounds.  I lost 50 pounds before my wedding in 2002, but have gradually gained it back.  I want to participate for 3 reasons:  I have a 2 and 4 year old and want to set a good example for them and the be around for them.  I know my weight will ultimately lead to health problems.  Secondly,  my wife and I long for an active lifestyle and I remember what it feels like to run and hike and play sports.  I want to feel that way again and for the rest of my life.  Lastly, I am an extremely competitive person and I respond well to physical and metal challenges.  I feel this program will give me the structure that I need to get me back to the level of health and fitness that I desire.  I want my kids to be proud of me, I want to look in the mirror and feel good and I know I can do this!

I am 35 years old and have battled with my weight as long as I can remember.  I was an athletic person in high school and even though I weighed 175, I was fit and felt good  about myself.  In college my weight went up and down and after college when I moved to charlotte, I thought for sure 235 was going to be my highest weight.  I started working with a nutritionist and made some progress with a 50 pound weight loss but then I became involved in a relationship and the weight came back on.  If I don’t lose the weight, I know I am going to have health problems.    I am determined to lose weight and get healthier.    I need help getting motivated and sticking with a regular plan.  Being part of this program seems just what I need to get on the right track and learn what I need to learn to make a permanent change and avoid the dangers of being so overweight.

I gained an excessive amount of weight when my Dad was diagnosed with lymphoma.  I dropped my life in North Carolina and became the primary care giver for my him for six months.  In the first four months, I put on 70 pounds and didn’t even realize it.  As I took care of my Dad, until his death and when it was over, I didn’t get out of bed from nearly two weeks I was so exhausted.  Since then, I have continued to put everything and everyones needs ahead of my own.  I am the one who is always there for everyone but don’t find that others are there for me when I need something.  So, I have had to learn that saying no to others is okay and that I need to take care of myself as well as I have taken care of others.  I wanted to be selected as a participant because I know I deserve this and can do it.  I am tired of being FAT!, I no longer want to be held hostage to poor health and I want to put me first for a change.  .  I am worthy of such needed change and I am ready to take this courageous step and become the Kristen Winseman, the girl, that I know is hiding inside.   

I have never had trouble with my weight until I had babies and given some terrible news.  When I got married in 1997, I weighted 120.  Between 26 and 30 years old, I had three babies.  Then at 32 I was diagnosed with cancer.  Needless to say, exercise was not on  my mind.  I when through the surgery and had a 12 inch scar on my abdomen.  I had lots of abdominal pain so I was unable to exercise.  The muscles in my abdomen were cut and had not tone.  I now look six months pregnant and people often ask me if I am.  I have struggled with my weight  since that happened.  I really need someone to keep me focused and lead me in the right direction.  I need the accountability.  I am a nurse and want to be an example to my patients.  But most importantly I want to be healthier for my family and me.  I am at the point of being sick and tired of being sick and tired. 

I’ve always had a battle with my weight.  When I was younger I was much more active and my weight wasn’t as much of a problem.  As my activity level has dropped dramatically since I lost my job in February 2010, my health has deteriorated and my weight keeps going up.  I have hope for 2012 that I may still be able to turn things around.  Being part of this group is a great start.  I am determined to improve my health, make myself more employable and get my confidence back!

I have struggled with my weight for over fifteen years. My daughter Zoe was born on Christmas Eve 2004 with a genetic disorder called Finnish Nephrosis. She received a kidney transplant in Nov 2004 at 11 months old and came home from the operation on Christmas Eve 2005. She has had a few setbacks but overall she has been doing fantastic since then. When my daughter turned seven this past Christmas Eve I started thinking if this little girl can overcome all these obstacles she has had before her, then I should be able to overcome a thing like obesity. I am hoping I can take what I learn from this experience and use it to help Zoe, her mother Susan, her big brother Zachary, and myself to live healthier lives.  I want to live to see my children graduate from college and get married, I want to be physically active and improve my health and well being so I can enjoy life with my wife and kids.

I have been married for 11 years to a very supportive husband and have been blessed with four wonderful boys.  We tragically lost our daughter several years ago and that has changed my life forever.  I turned food into an outlet and a way to manage the stress of life.     I am tired of feelings of self pity, I am tired of being fat.  I am ready to make the necessary lifestyle changes because I want to feel better about myself.  I know that not just talking about being in a different place and taking action now is the right thing for me NOW.  I am emotionally ready to take on this journey to better myself and the lives of my husband and four boys.   I can’t wait to have more energy, better health and be the confident person I know I can be.

Wow, what a difference a few years make 170 to 235 in five years.  I went from a fairly active individual playing tennis several times a week to a sedentary 52 year old time bomb within a few years.  I’ve been told by my physician if I do not lose weight I am a prime candidate for diabetes, high blood pressure or worse a heart attack or a stroke and for an individual that hates to take medicine, that’s a wakeup call in itself.  I am now ready and willing to commit to making this happen but I need major help.  I’ve struggled making a commitment to exercise and eating properly, with fits of starts and stops at several different diets and workout programs.  Each time, I seem to hit a brick wall with minor injuries that I just do not know how to cope with or overcome.  As a result I revert back to the sedentary lifestyle and overeating, which is very easy being an individual that LOVES to cook.   I am grateful to be a candidate and know I am ready to make this happen.