Halfway point: Contestants see major changes in just six weeks

After six weeks of competition, the 2019 Fittest Loser contestants are reaping the fruits of their labor in big ways. Double-digit weight loss, better sleep, and renewed energy are just a few benefits of their new, healthier lifestyles.

Now at the halfway point, the contestants are ramping up their training to prepare to run a 5K later this month as well as give themselves the best chance of winning the coveted Fittest Loser title in May.

The competition is heating up, but the contestants are still finding ways to cheer each other on and move through this journey together.

“Everyone seems very supportive of one another, but still very competitive. That's a favorable atmosphere to see some great results,” said Joshua Steckler, owner of Push Fitness in Schaumburg where the contestants are training.

Those great results are bolstering all the challengers' confidence, but more importantly, the experience is leading them to make lifelong changes to their health and fitness routines.

Eating right and exercising regularly is no longer the daunting task it was before. It's their new way of life and they couldn't be happier about it.

Annamarie McMurray

Annamarie McMurray has made tremendous progress in the past two weeks. About three weeks into the competition, McMurray's trainer, Mick Viken, and Push Fitness parted ways, leaving her without a personal trainer to help her reach her goals.

The setback was frustrating, but McMurray is thrilled that she is training with Joshua Steckler for the time being. She recently began running again and Steckler incorporated treadmill intervals into her exercise homework in preparation for the upcoming 5K.

“Annamarie has made great progress over the last couple weeks with her overall mobility, and in turn, has seen a big strength gain on exercises like squats, dead lifts, and push-ups,” Steckler said.

McMurray said the workouts are getting easier.

In the beginning, she struggled to do two or three push-ups and situps during a circuit training routine. Now she can easily do 10. McMurray said she's been walking up a storm outside of her personal training sessions and attends Tabata and Pilates weekly, which has improved her balance and overall strength.

““I feel more energetic and I don't tire as easily,” said McMurray, who also reports improved sleep.

Exercise alone isn't responsible for these positive changes. McMurray has completely changed the way she eats — cutting coffee, bread, and starches out her diet.

She's also aiming to drink half her body weight in water every day. While that is still challenging, she's drinking more water than ever before and cut out juice and other sugary drinks that can be high in calories.

At first, cooking was challenging for McMurray, but she's learned to cook enough food for several meals at a time, which saves her time and ensures she's eating healthy every day. The time in the gym, and planning out her meals is paying off. McMurray's clothes are looser, which makes her feel great.

“I'm not doing this as a one-time thing. I'm doing this because I'm getting older and I want to stay healthy,” McMurray said.

Bob Sinclair

Bob Sinclair used to avoid mirrors, but today he's not afraid to stand in front of one.

He's lost more than 20 pounds since the start of Fittest Loser and he couldn't be more thrilled with the results he's seeing, such as a flatter stomach, and the confidence he's gained as a result.

“The competition is wonderful. What's going on for me is totally amazing,” Sinclair said.

Sinclair is still following the fitness plan laid out by his trainer Steve Amsden. During their sessions, Amsden mixes up Sinclair's workouts so he is continually improving his fitness level and overall strength.

In addition to his training sessions, he's participated in a few group classes at Push Fitness. He loved Tabata and is considering trying Pilates at the urging of his friend and competitor Annamarie McMurray.

While his time in the gym is no doubt playing a major role in his weight loss, the complete 180 degree turn in his diet is making an impact too.

Sinclair changed his approach to shopping and cooking once Steckler led him and his fellow competitors on a tour of Jewel-Osco and taught them about healthy options and proper portions. Sinclair now passes the deli section, which is hard, and the bakery section, which is even harder, to shop the perimeter of the store and fill his cart with fruits, vegetables, fish, and lean meats.

“I'm continuing with this after the 12 weeks are over,” Sinclair said. “I'm not going back to my old habits.”

Rick Meyers

A lot has changed for Rick Meyers over the last six weeks. He has much more energy, his mood has improved, his workouts are getting easier and he's lost over 20 pounds.

Meyers said he's definitely seeing results, although he'd love to be progressing even faster. Heading into the competition, Meyers thought following the nutrition plan from Push Fitness would be challenging, but it's not been as difficult as he anticipated.

He's significantly cut down his caffeine intake and, while he knows a few cheat days are inevitable in the future, his new clean eating habits are here to stay.

“The eating plan is something that is going to become a part of my life moving forward,” Meyers said. “The diet plan is something you can sustain for a lifetime.”

Meyers has accomplished a lot in six weeks and he's hoping for even more results in the gym during the second half of the challenge. He just started running again and is looking forward to taking his cardio outside as soon as spring weather arrives. He's also aiming to get two workouts in a day whenever possible.

“I want to do as much as I can without burning out,” said Meyers, who hopes to lose 75 pounds total by the May finale.

Melissa Hood

The Fittest Loser has been good to Melissa Hood. Some of the items in her closet that were deemed “aspirational clothing” are no longer aspirational.

She's wearing those garments now, her other clothes much looser than before. Increased leg strength has afforded her another pleasure — wearing her first pair of heels without pain in several years.

“I feel more comfortable in my skin,” said Hood, which was one of her main goals for the challenge.

Hood believes her newfound confidence comes from the intentionality of the whole Fittest Loser program, from being mindful of what she's eating to making exercise a priority.

Hood said, for her, the contest is about developing a lifestyle that acknowledges that her whole being is important and living in a way that honors taking care of her mind and body.

She's enjoyed sharing her experience with members of her congregation and the public because she hopes it will help others. For Hood, the journey is as much about self-love as it is weight loss.

“This journey is about loving yourself and making that love visible so others might be inspired to do the same,” said Hood.

Another way Hood is sharing and finding love through the challenge is in the kitchen. A mother of six, Hood has always cooked, but she found that over the years she lost of the joy of cooking for herself. Feeding her family was a way to please people and a necessity, but through Fittest Loser, she's begun to enjoy cooking again.

She especially likes making a nice piece of fish, lean meat, or egg dishes such as a omelettes, frittatas, or scramblers.

Hood has noticed changes in the gym too. A few weeks ago, she could barely get into a plank position; now she can hold a plank for 45 seconds. She's continuing to attend her sessions with her trainer Nicole Caliva and work out at home.

“I look forward to working out,” said Hood said. “The workouts are still challenging, but I miss it on the days that I don't exercise.”

Ed Poczatek

When Ed Poczatek's son told him that exercise is medicine a few years ago, Poczatek didn't quite understand what he meant. Six weeks into the Fittest Loser, he's grasped the concept.

Thanks to the diet and the exercise routine he's following, Poczatek has dropped over 20 pounds and his resting heart rate has gone from 65 to 53 beats per minute, according to the new fitness tracker he's purchased.

“This has been really, really, really terrific,” Poczatek said.

One significant change he's noticed is his belt size. He's able to buckle belts two to three holes tighter than before.

In addition, pants he loves, but have that have been left hanging in his closet because they were too tight, now fit comfortably. The swelling and pain in his hands has decreased, his flexibility has improved, and overall, he feels great.

“I wake up and bound out of bed,” said Poczatek. “I look forward to the treadmill.”

Poczatek is pleased with his progress, but said there is more work to be done. He'd like to lose more weight around his stomach and make more strides with running. He completed the Chicago Marathon four years ago, and while he may not be gearing up for 26.2 miles right now, he'd like to up his mileage over the next few weeks.

He also plans to continue following his diet and abstain from items such as bread, pizza, hot dogs, and beer. He's learned to turn down old favorites like corned beef and pastrami in favor of strawberry protein shakes or salad with lean protein, and said he doesn't miss these items at all.

Poczatek definitely wants to keep improving and hit his goals, but the Fittest Loser means more to him than the final number on the scale.

“Even if I come in last, but achieve a level of fitness that I can maintain, then I am the big winner,” said Poczatek.

• To see the Fittest Loser contestants' latest weight stats, visit pushfitnesstraining.com/fittest-loser/