Trainers sound off about the contestants
Their trainers have opened the door. But the contestants in this year's Fittest Loser Challenge, organized by the Daily Herald and Push Fitness in Schaumburg, must learn to walk through it on their own.
In the past three weeks of the competition, contestants have been asked to drastically alter their diet and adopt a rigorous cardiovascular and weight-training program.
Some are excelling at the physical aspect of the program. Others have adapted to their new diet very well.
But the combination of both is unquestionably taxing for everyone involved.
Each candidate has their own strength and weakness. In the upcoming weeks, participants must learn to hang on to their strengths and surrender their weaknesses; to push themselves through the door of change. If they're successful, that door will lead them to a healthier lifestyle.
Each contestant has been paired up with a personal trainer, who serves as a guide in the journey toward change. Though it's still early in the competition, trainers are already beginning to see some changes in their candidates.
We've asked the trainers at Push Fitness to sound off on the progress of their candidates so far. Here's what they are saying about the contestants:
Michelle Amsden/Bob Coniglio
Having trained last year's Fittest Loser winner, Michelle Amsden is tough. That's how she gets results. So, it seems fitting that she was paired up with a cop.
Bob Coniglio, a veteran crime fighter for the Arlington Heights Police Department, seems to share her steely attitude.
“We work really well together because I'm tough and he's tough,” she says. “He's determined to do anything I tell him to do and that's what you want in a contestant.”
Coniglio, who suffers from an elevated diaphragm, has already come a long way since he first started training with Amsden. In his first week, he had difficulty getting through a full set of exercises. In his last few sessions, he's been able to get through each round without stopping, she says.
“He's really hard on himself. My strategy is to keep encouraging him and to challenge him more and more each week,” Amsden says. “I couldn't be more happy to be training someone who is truly sincere about making a change.”
Steve Amsden/Deanna Bec
One of the first times Deanna Bec worked out with Steve Amsden, she got a little sick.
The intense exercise program that the contestants have been asked to adopt would leave anybody breathless. But it's even tougher for people who are not accustomed to serious physical activity.
“I think the overall intensity was hard for her to deal with,” says Amsden, who is training Bec. “But she's pushing through it. She started slow but I already see a huge improvement.”
Amsden describes Bec as being positive, hardworking and disciplined. He says that Bec's greatest strength is how she's adapted to her new dietary plan.
Each contestant is being asked to follow a diet that requires them to eat five to six times a day and eat a mixture of carbs, proteins and fats with every meal. According to Amsden, Bec puts “100 percent” into everything she does.
“She's very enthusiastic, dedicated and has a fantastic attitude,” says Amsden. “She comes in with a smile and leaves with a smile.”
He believes that Bec's determination and positive attitude will take her far.
Brodie Medlock/Cindy Uribe
Determined, open-minded and willing to do whatever it takes is how Brodie Medlock describes his contestant.
Cindy Uribe of Hoffman Estates has been adapting extremely well to her new diet. Before joining the challenge, she had already lost about 65 pounds over two years through diet alone. Though the Push Fitness dietary plan is somewhat different from her old diet, she has embraced it.
“Her willingness to change the dietary side and her existing knowledge base is very helpful,” Medlock says.
The fitness element of the program is a bit more challenging.
Uribe, who has never been an athlete, found it difficult to perform some of the exercises smoothly and with coordination in the beginning, he says. Though she has improved, Medlock wants to increase her self-confidence.
“I want her to feel confident in the gym,” he says. “I want her to work as hard as she possibly can and not be afraid. She's not really sure how far she can go yet.”
Already seeing some positive changes, Medlock has faith in her. “She's a special person,” he says.
Wade Merrill/Heidi Wiltse
Wade Merrill is usually the one who does the pushing. When training people, he demands they follow the program and pushes them an extra step or two above their limits.
But in the case of Heidi Wiltse of Arlington Heights, he doesn't have to push too hard. She's been propelling herself forward fast.
“She's one of the most well-rounded people I've trained so far,” he says.
This means that she's been diligent at following her nutritional plan as well as the exercise program, Merrill says. When it comes to working out, she pushes herself hard and does more than what's expected.
“She gets in early and leaves late,” Merrill says of his training sessions with Wiltse. “She's very committed.”
He describes Wiltse as determined, focused, resilient and refers to her as “an amazing person.” The only aspect that worries him is Wiltse's sleep schedule. An oncology nurse at Good Shepherd Hospital and mother of three children, Wiltse is juggling a busy schedule.
“She doesn't get enough sleep,” Merrill says.
Patrick Stille/Robert Patterson
When it comes to physical activity, Patrick Stille couldn't be happier with his contestant. Robert Patterson of North Aurora doesn't mind being pushed to his limits. In fact, he appears to enjoy it.
“Even when I get done running him into the ground, he's still smiling,” says Stille. “He has an amazing work ethic.”
A retired chief petty officer in the Navy, Patterson is no stranger to tough training. In the gym, he works hard and displays enthusiasm for challenges. Still says that Patterson's military background is evident when he trains.
While Patterson excels at the physical aspect of the challenge, following his new diet has proved somewhat less enjoyable. Large meals involving pasta, potatoes and meat have been a part of his diet for a long time. His new diet forbids pasta, limits potatoes and calls for eating smaller portions several times a day.
“His biggest thing was working on portion control,” Still says. “But in the past three weeks, he's done a good job staying on top of his diet.”
By the numbers
<h3 class="breakHead"><span class="fact box text bold">Deanna Bec,</span> 30, Berwyn </h3>
<span class="fact box text bold">Starting weight:</span> 207
<span class="fact box text bold">Current weight:</span> 199
<span class="fact box text bold">Weight lost this week:</span> + 1 pound
<span class="fact box text bold">Total weight loss:</span> 8 pounds, 3.9 percent
<h3 class="breakHead"><span class="fact box text bold">Bob Coniglio,</span> 51, Arlington Heights </h3>
<span class="fact box text bold">Starting weight:</span> 304
<span class="fact box text bold">Current weight:</span> 283
<span class="fact box text bold">Weight lost this week:</span> 5 pounds
<span class="fact box text bold">Total weight loss:</span> 21 pounds, 6.9 percent
<h3 class="breakHead"><span class="fact box text bold">Robert Patterson,</span> 56, North Aurora </h3>
<span class="fact box text bold">Starting weight:</span> 255
<span class="fact box text bold">Current weight:</span> 241
<span class="fact box text bold">Weight lost this week:</span> 6 pounds
<span class="fact box text bold">Total weight loss:</span> 14 pounds, 5.5 percent
<h3 class="breakHead"><span class="fact box text bold">Cindy Uribe,</span> 33, Hoffman Estates </h3>
<span class="fact box text bold">Starting weight: </span>280
<span class="fact box text bold">Current weight: </span>274
<span class="fact box text bold">Weight lost this week:</span> + 1 pound
<span class="fact box text bold">Total weight loss:</span> 6 pounds, 2.1 percent
<h3 class="breakHead"><span class="fact box text bold">Heidi Wiltse,</span> 43, Arlington Heights</h3>
<span class="fact box text bold">Starting weight:</span> 286
<span class="fact box text bold">Current weight:</span> 271
<span class="fact box text bold">Weight lost this week:</span> 3 pounds
<span class="fact box text bold">Total weight loss:</span> 15 pounds, 5.2 percent