Despite aches, pains, Fittest Loser contestants seeing results
Contestants in the Fittest Loser Challenge are becoming accustomed to swimming in sweat. A few weeks ago, some of them had never even heard of a "burpee." Now they're cranking out 30 to 60 per day. Terms like "squats, planks, dead lifts, burpees and lateral shuffles" are becoming a daily part of their vocabulary.
The term "mummy" no longer applies to an ancient Egyptian artifact. Instead, it's a 70-pound weight that resembles a body bag wrapped in duct tape - and they're forced to push it back and forth from one end of the gym to the other.
In the past five weeks, contestants have been participating in a rigorous exercise program at Push Fitness in Schaumburg, which is co-hosting the 12-week competition with the Daily Herald. They've already made a number of positive self-discoveries. An increase in energy, significant weight loss and an overall sense of better health are among the benefits.
At the same time, they are paying for it with sore muscles, aches and pains. There have been days when they have found it necessary to crawl out of bed. But their motivation to get healthier and lose more weight keeps them pushing forward. Let's look at how the contestants are embracing their new workout regimen.
Deanna Bec
As soon as she heard that annoying noise coming from her alarm clock in the morning, Deanna Bec would hit the snooze button - repeatedly. But that's changed. A few weeks after starting the challenge, Bec has discovered that her mornings aren't that dreadful.
"I feel better. I have more energy. My clothes are fitting looser and I wake up easier," says Bec, a resident of Berwyn.
At the gym, Bec is able to complete more repetitions in her workouts and feels a difference in the way her body moves. This is especially the case when it comes to strength training and weightlifting.
"I lifted 20 pounds the other day and I was shocked because I had zero upper body strength when I started," she says. "I'm shocked that I can do as much as I can."
Her favorite activities in the gym include weight lifting, pushups, squats and even burpees (as long as they don't involve lifting a bosu ball). Cardio workouts and jumping jacks are not at the top of her list, but she pushes herself through it.
In the beginning, Bec experienced extreme soreness in her legs. "I've never done squats, and now I'm doing squats every day. My legs were on fire," she says.
To deal with the soreness, Bec has learned a number of different stretching exercises and would often visit a sauna and occasionally pop a few Advil. Though she's still a little sore after a workout, it's much more manageable. Plus, she's beginning to see results.
"I'm getting compliments from my boyfriend and friends," she says. "It's nice to hear that the hard work is paying off."
Bob Coniglio
Shortly after starting the challenge, Bob Coniglio bought himself a massage chair, joined a wellness center, and frequented the sauna and whirlpool at his gym. That's how he got through a lot of the aches and pains from his workouts.
Though the physical workouts have been challenging, Coniglio feels himself becoming stronger. He doesn't feel as exhausted, breathes better, feels more energetic and is able to get through his workouts with more repetitions - without stopping.
"The more weight I lose, the easier it becomes," says Coniglio, of Arlington Heights. "I'm able to do a lot more than I thought I would do."
Coniglio enjoys upper shoulder strength training and boxing with his trainer. Cardio exercise and kettle bell swings are not his favorite, but he's getting better. He's also not a big fan of the 70-pound weight bag (that looks like the duct-taped body of a mummy) that contestants are often required to push around the gym.
"That was probably the worst of the bunch," he says, chuckling.
Coniglio, who has a very competitive nature, says that the desire to win the challenge keeps him motivated. "But I also want to be healthier," he adds.
Robert Patterson
Robert Patterson likes to roll with the punches. He doesn't give up. He doesn't complain.
"Sometimes I feel like my trainer is beating me up, but I like it," says Patterson. With a laugh, he adds: "Maybe I'm a masochist."
Since starting the challenge, Patterson has experienced an increase in energy and his wife has noticed an improvement in his posture. Overall, he enjoys his workouts. His favorite activities include lower body strength training and cardio exercise.
"I feel great and I have fun in my workouts," says Patterson, a resident of North Aurora.
But his workouts would be much more fun if he didn't have to push the 70-pound mummy around the gym and do pushups, he says.
Like the other contestants, Patterson has experienced his share of sore muscles. It varies from week to week, but he's discovered that a proper warm-up and stretching exercises help a great deal.
Like Coniglio, Patterson also finds motivation in competition. But he also enjoys how his workouts make him feel.
"I really like how I feel after a workout, and the continued weight loss is great," he says.
Cindy Uribe
Her workouts aren't getting easier, but her body is definitely responding better. In fact, a few minutes after working out, Cindy Uribe feels great - both physically and mentally.
"I love the way they make me feel 5 minutes after I'm done," says Uribe, of Hoffman Estates. "Today, I was out of breath. I was sweating. But by the time I got to my car, I felt great. It made me feel like I can really do this."
At the gym, Uribe enjoys cardio and weight training - especially with kettle bells. She is surprised at how far she has progressed with weightlifting.
"The first week, my trainer told me that I would be doing dead lifts at 100 pounds and I was thinking there's no way," she says. "And I just did it on Wednesday. And it was 115 pounds."
About the only activity that Uribe does not particularly enjoy is anything that involves jumping - that includes burpees. She could also live without pushing the 70-pound mummy around the gym.
When it comes to sore muscles, Uribe has found Epsom salt baths, weekly massages and stretching exercises have helped - especially in the first few weeks.
"I also have a DVD about stretching that I do every Sunday. It's very light and it feels great," she says.
Uribe says that beginning to see results helps to keep her motivated along with the sense of accomplishment she feels after a workout.
Heidi Wiltse
It's a difficult thing to admit. But Heidi Wiltse admits it freely and with refreshing honesty.
"I've never really taken care of myself," she says.
Though she was an athlete in high school, she spent most of her adult life relatively inactive. That has obviously changed in the past five weeks since she joined the challenge.
"Now I'm beginning to embrace it. And I'm a better mom and a better wife as a result," says Wiltse, of Arlington Heights.
Armed with more energy and a newfound strength, Wiltse looks forward to her workouts.
"I feel like a million bucks. I have a better outlook on my day and I'm more positive," she says.
She particularly enjoys activities that strengthen her core such as situps and loves to lift weights.
"I feel like anytime I lift weights, I'm getting stronger," she says. "I'm able to push myself harder and I recover faster."
Though she enjoys most of her workouts, she dislikes the mummy push and burpees. To avoid getting sore, she's found stretching exercises helpful and has massaged essential oils into her skin after workouts.
She stays motivated knowing that her workout will improve how she feels that day.
"I want to be that athlete again," she adds.
By the numbers
Deanna Bec
30, Berwyn
Starting weight: 207
Current weight: 195
Weight lost this week: 2 pounds
Total weight loss: 12 pounds, 5.8 percent
Bob Coniglio, 51, Arlington Heights
Starting weight: 304
Current weight: 278
Weight lost this week: 4 pounds
Total weight loss: 26 pounds, 8.6 percent
Robert Patterson, 56, North Aurora
Starting weight: 255
Current weight: 232
Weight lost this week: 4 pounds
Total weight loss: 23 pounds, 9 percent
Cindy Uribe, 33, Hoffman Estates
Starting weight: 280
Current weight: 265
Weight lost this week: 5 pounds
Total weight loss: 15 pounds, 5.4 percent
Heidi Wiltse, 43, Arlington Heights
Starting weight: 286
Current weight: 264
Weight lost this week: 3 pounds
Total weight loss: 22 pounds, 7.7 percent