Proper diet and exercise are a dynamic duo
Trainer: Laura Philbin
In late December, Janet Ford was a health professional on a mission for answers to her fitness struggles: She followed what she taught to be a nutritious diet, only to continue gaining weight.
"I was in the worst physical condition of my life and very unhappy," Ford says. Beneath all that extreme frustration, the real Janet Ford was crying to get out.
Both surprised and terrified with being chosen for the Fittest Loser competition, Janet initially held concerns about the public nature of the contest. "I thought this to be the scariest, but most fabulous opportunity to get myself back into shape," she says. "I hesitated at first, but my gut won out and I forged ahead."
Working in the health care field, Janet saw how long hours and varied shifts wreak havoc on nutritional and fitness goals. "The Push Fitness food plan taught me the importance of meal planning, especially on days that run longer than expected," says Ford. "For me, that meant much less temptation to run through a fast-food drive-in late at night."
Learning in-depth information about food turned Janet's life around, including the change to eat gluten and dairy free. "Now I know the timing and content of meals to be so important," Ford says. "Stocking a daily cooler with fresh produce, protein entrees and shakes has allowed me to incorporate more smaller meals into a busy work day."
One aspect of the Push Fitness program made Janet a converted believer in its path to weight-loss success.
"I never thought it possible to fit regular workouts into a busy schedule like mine," says Ford. "Now I easily exercise seven days a week with help from my family on home chores!"
Before stepping foot into the Push Fitness studio, Janet thought personal training to be a luxury. After twelve weeks of early morning workouts with trainer Laura Philbin, she now sees the benefits personal training offers. "It's easy to find an excuse not to exercise," Ford says, "When no one holds you accountable." That's no longer an option for Janet, as she plans to continue training with Philbin.
For three months of the competition, Janet kept her focus upon meeting the running challenge of an April 30 5K race. "My goal was to run the entire race without stopping," she says.
Philbin saw the race as an opportunity to push Janet out of her comfort zone. "Together we worked on increasing her stamina and endurance," Philbin says.
"I feel a special achievement, losing 28 pounds and running the entire 5K race," Janet says, "And that inspires me to keep moving forward after the competition!"
- Annie Overboe
Janet Ford, 51, Elk Grove Village
Height: 5'9"
Starting weight: 226
Final weight: 198
Pounds lost: 28
Percent lost: 12.39
Starting BMI: 33.4
Final BMI: 29.2
Waistline inches lost: 5