Fittest Loser candidates soldier on with support
Like any journey, it's always better to go through it with the support of others.
Contestants in the Fittest Loser Challenge, organized by the Daily Herald and Push Fitness in Schaumburg, are discovering that support is coming out of the woodwork. Friends, family and co-workers are rallying behind them. Their trainers are helping them push above and beyond their limitations. Even strangers, who have read about them in the newspaper, are offering words of encouragement.
This network of support is instrumental for the contestants. They are being asked to alter their lives in major ways. Not only are they changing what they eat and when they eat, they're participating in a rigorous physical fitness program that includes “boot camp” every Saturday. Without support, the challenge would be much more difficult — and it's difficult enough already.
Here's what the contestants are saying about their network of support:
Deanna Bec
When it comes to having pillars of support, Deanna Bec is a lucky woman. Friends, family and loved ones have been rallying around her since she became a contestant in the Fittest Loser Challenge.
At home in Berwyn, her live-in boyfriend has been her No. 1 fan. Matthew Murguia helps her cook healthy dinners and avoids bringing junk food into the house. In addition, he also started working out with her at the gym.
“This was a really big change, not only for me but for him,” Bec says. “And he's been really supportive … He's been changing his lifestyle as well.”
Outside the home, Bec has a network of friends who check in with her on a regular basis and offer healthy eating tips — especially Nayelli Guzman and Maryann Hernandez. Even Bec's sister, Marina Dolan, who lives in Hawaii, keeps a close eye on her.
“She'll text me supportive messages and ask how my weigh-ins are going,” Bec says.
Last but not least, Bec is grateful to her trainer at Push Fitness, Steve Amsden. If Bec has questions or issues about her diet or exercise routines, Amsden is always willing to listen and offer suggestions. He even sends her inspirational text messages to keep her motivated.
Bob Coniglio
Bob Coniglio has found that lots of people are willing to eat for him. Since his new diet is restrictive, friends and family are more than happy to gobble up the foods he can't eat — eliminating the temptation from his sight.
His teenage children, Angelo and Julia Coniglio, have been doing a good job of cleaning out his pantry.
“They come over and support me by eating all the food I can't eat,” he says, chuckling. “But I'm making healthy meals for them as well.”
Coniglio, who retired from the Arlington Heights Police Department this month, received similar support from Police Chief Gerald Mourning. When they rolled out the cake at his retirement party, the chief was more than happy to help eat his cake.
“He said 'I'm supporting Bob so he doesn't have to eat his retirement cake,'” Coniglio says.
Besides eating away his temptations, Coniglio's supporters have offered plenty of other support. His kids bought him a Fitbit (a wearable wireless device that tracks various activities such as number of steps walked and calories lost) and a NutriBullet blender so that he can make healthy smoothies.
His trainer, Michelle Amsden, has been excellent at pushing him along through his exercises, offering advice and answering questions about his diet. Coniglio has even found support from strangers, who have read about him in the newspaper.
Robert Patterson
Since he started the challenge, Robert Patterson has had a beneficent eagle circling above his head. Her name is Mary.
“She's my watchful eye,” he says. “If I didn't have her support, I would have been off the wagon a long time ago.”
That caring creature is his wife. Mary makes sure he stays on top of his diet and helps him plan his meals. While she hasn't adopted his diet entirely, she's altered her own eating habits to include more fruits and vegetables, he says.
Besides his wife, Patterson has a network of supportive friends — including his fellow school board members from West Aurora School District 129 — as well as his son, Carl Patterson.
“He's been very supportive,” he says of his son. “He says he's going to kick my butt if he finds out I've messed up.”
Patterson, of North Aurora, also receives a great deal of support from his trainer at Push Fitness, Patrick Stille. Outside of the gym, Patterson often texts his trainer with questions about diet and healthy food choices — especially when he plans to eat out at a restaurant. Stille always responds with helpful feedback, Patterson says.
Cindy Uribe
Having an empathetic friend is a treasure. Cindy Uribe has found that in Lysey Santoyo of Chicago.
“She's my biggest emotional support through this journey,” says Uribe.
The two women exchange recipes, text each other photos of their meals and challenge each other through their Fitbits. In addition, Santoyo and Uribe have planned to run a 5K race together in June.
Besides her friend, Uribe also credits her son, 11-year-old Branden, with helping her through the challenge. Uribe has significantly altered her diet and her son has no complaints.
“He eats what I eat and he's always willing to eat healthy foods,” says Uribe of Hoffman Estates.
Uribe's trainer at Push Fitness, Brodie Medlock, has also been instrumental in pushing her forward. If she has a question about the program, Medlock is always quick to answer.
“And he never gives just a yes or no answer,” she says. “He always explains why.”
Even though they are competitors in this challenge, Uribe and Heidi Wiltse have developed a supportive relationship. If anyone can understand the stress of being a contestant in the Fittest Loser Challenge, it's another contestant.
“We exchanged numbers last week and we've been texting each other,” Uribe says. “She seems to have a lot of the same struggles.”
Heidi Wiltse
Cooking has become a family activity in Heidi Wiltse's household. Since starting the challenge, she's discovered that her three children — Nicholas, 15, Abby 13, and Victoria, 9 — have become her troops in the kitchen.
“They help me grocery shop and cook. They love to be in the kitchen with me,” says Wiltse of Arlington Heights.
Her husband, Vincent Wiltse, has also been pulling his weight around the house. To give her time to go to the gym and grocery shop, he's been taking over a lot chores, she says.
Wiltse has also received support from her sister, Amy Towers, and her best friend, Susan Brady. Towers has mailed her a kitchen scale, herbal teas and inspirational cards. Brady has been Wiltse's emotional rock — always willing to lend an ear and offer advice. The two women exchange recipes and often work out at the gym together.
“She's probably my biggest cheerleader,” Wiltse says. “If I'm not working out with Wade, 90 percent of the time Susan is there.”
Wade Merrill, Wiltse's personal trainer at Push Fitness, has become her confidant as well. She feels comfortable sharing her struggles and goals with him.
“He's really amazing,” she says. “He listens to me and has a very intelligent outlook on life … If I have questions about anything, he's available and gets back to me right away.”
By the numbers
<h3 class="briefHead">Deanna Bec, 30, Berwyn</h3>
<b>Starting weight:</b> 207
<b>Current weight:</b> 197
<b>Weight lost this week:</b> 2 pounds
<b>Total weight loss:</b> 10 pounds, 4.8 percent
<h3 class="briefHead">Bob Coniglio, 51, Arlington Heights</h3>
<b>Starting weight:</b> 304
<b>Current weight:</b> 282
<b>Weight lost this week:</b> 1 pound
<b>Total weight loss:</b> 22 pounds, 7.2 percent
<h3 class="briefHead">Robert Patterson, 56, North Aurora</h3>
<b>Starting weight:</b> 255
<b>Current weight:</b> 236
<b>Weight lost this week:</b> 5 pounds
<b>Total weight loss:</b> 19 pounds, 7.5 percent
<h3 class="briefHead">Cindy Uribe, 33, Hoffman Estates</h3>
<b>Starting weight:</b> 280
<b>Current weight:</b> 270
<b>Weight lost this week:</b> 4 pounds
<b>Total weight loss:</b> 10 pounds, 3.6 percent
<h3 class="briefHead">Heidi Wiltse, 43, Arlington Heights</h3>
<b>Starting weight:</b> 286
<b>Current weight:</b> 267
<b>Weight lost this week:</b> 4 pounds
<b>Total weight loss:</b> 19 pounds, 6.6 percent