Assistant principal graduates to new body, routine

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John Novak did not only have to lose weight in front of friends, neighbors and family. He had to do it in front of an entire high school student body.

Novak, an assistant principal at Hersey High School, was one of five Daily Herald Fittest Losers who applied for and were accepted into a three-month program of fitness training and diet in an attempt to lose weight.

The contest, sponsored by Push Fitness, ended April 30. Although Novak did not win (the winner was determined on greatest weight loss by percentage), he did lose 77 pounds, or 23.6 percent of his body weight.

“I feel awesome,” said Novak, 47, from Mount Prospect. “The whole experience was phenomenal. Health-wise, I feel better than I have in years. Emotionally and mentally, it changes your whole outlook on your future and your plans. I was told this would be life-changing, and it has been nothing short of that.”

Novak signed up for the contest wanting to improve his overall health in order to keep up with his two sons, Andrew and Brian, and to live a long life with his wife, Cheryl. However, he did not know if his lifestyle would accommodate the demands of the training and diet.

“The eating part was easy,” Novak said. “The workouts were tough. My life, with my job and my kids, it gets crazy, and trying to schedule all that in, it was difficult. There were a lot of times we were going through workouts, I was thinking ‘Why am I here? What am I doing?’ But Wade kept me focused on the ultimate goal.”

Wade Merrill is a trainer from Push Fitness who works with Novak.

“With as much as (Novak) had going on outside of the gym during the competition, I have no doubt that the nutrition and exercise have now become a way of life,” Merrill said. “He never brought baggage into the gym, and he got hit with some heavy stuff during the 12 weeks, but it didn’t slow him down once.”

Going into the contest, Novak admitted he was a pizza guy. With all the post-school activities requiring his time, Novak was always looking for a drive-through to get in a quick meal.

That stopped when the contest started, and Novak plans to keep it in check now that the contest is over.

“The biggest thing for me is the nutrition,’’ Novak said. “I have to stay with that plan. Now it is a matter of self-discipline. I will continue to work with Wade. I still have more pounds to lose. It is a matter of staying focused.”

Novak said his wife is surprised he now looks at labels on food he buys.

Novak’s efforts appeared in the Daily Herald on a weekly basis, and his actions were watched closely by the students at Hersey, as well as their parents, who sent him encouraging emails. They said his efforts were motivating the kids to get healthy as well.

“Before the contest, it was just basketball he would be playing,” said Brian Novak, John’s 13-year-old son. “Now he goes out and plays baseball with me. It’s a lot of fun. I had faith in him, but I had no idea he would lose that much weight. It is definitely a big change in our lives.”

When asked where this accomplishment ranks in his life, Novak thought about it before responding.

“This ranks right up there,” Novak said. “I set a lofty goal for myself, and I hit that goal and a little bit more. I told Wade they have instilled a belief in me that you can go further, you can do things you did not know you could do.

“My ultimate goal is to give back to my family,” he said. “I want to spend healthy time with my wife and I want to see my boys grow up. That is a big motivator,” he said. “I am on a journey and I have to continue that journey.”

John Novak, 47 years old, Mount Prospect

Height: 5 feet, 11 inches

Starting weight: 324

Final weight: 247

Pounds lost: 77

Percent lost: 23.8

Starting body fat: 34 percent

Final body fat: 20 percent

Waistline inches lost: 9

Starting body age: 58

Final body age: 45