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Hi Designer Whey! My name is Maggie and I am 29 years old. I am happily married stay at home mother of two great children and this is my story…
 
My battle with weight began in 2002 when my son was born. I figured I was young and that my body would bounce back after I had him…boy was I wrong! The 75 pounds (yes, you read that correctly) that I gained during my pregnancy stayed and over time I gained even more! I dealt with some postpartum depression after the birth of my son and that made it all the more difficult for me to get motivated to get healthy again. If anything the depression made me want to eat more! I found myself in a vicious cycle and I could see no light at the end of the tunnel. In 2005 I became pregnant with my second child, a little girl. I gained the “normal” 25 pounds during that pregnancy and after her birth I was weighing almost DOUBLE what I did before I had children. At that point I think I was feeling comfortable in the life I was living. I wasn’t educated on healthy foods and the benefits of a proper diet and exercise. I was feeding my family processed garbage and exercise wasn’t even a part of my life. I had been ignoring warnings from my doctor about diabetes and I was getting used to the CPAP machine for my sleep apnea. I honestly figured I’d just be fat for the rest of my life and that there was no getting “me” back. I was stuck…
 
In 2007 my mother had to undergo emergency brain surgery to clip an aneurysm. This was the scariest time of our lives. I had never been so close to losing a loved one and it really impacted me in a serious way. I knew that I had to start taking my health seriously and change my life…for myself and for my children. They didn’t deserve a mother who couldn’t run and play with them…a mother who lost her breath after a trip up the stairs. I knew I had a lot of weight to lose (over 100 pounds) and I wanted to So I started looking into gastric bypass surgery and after a year of educating myself on the risks and meeting with doctors etc. I underwent the surgery on August 17th of 2009 at 240 pounds. I am happy to report that I have lost 96 pounds and counting! I have completely changed how I eat and how I feed my family. I exercise every day and I’ve never felt so good mentally and physically! It’s amazing! I have my life back and it’s better than ever! The surgery was a huge tool in my weight loss and I know that unless I keep up with a proper diet and exercise that I will just gain it back. I am determined to not let that happen. I can’t imagine going back to that!
 
Your products have been a huge help in my weight loss journey. I have tried lots of protein products and nothing compares to Designer Whey! Thank you so much for making such great products!
 
Peace & Love,
Maggie St. Jean

DESIGNER WHEY is challenging you to Get Healthy. Get Strong. And Get Results. For the next 90 days, we want you to set a few fitness goals for yourself and track them, posting your weekly results on our Facebook page. At the end of each month during the challenge, we’ll pick a few people who are on track with their goals to receive free products.

With a solid and well thought-out exercise and nutrition plan, you can achieve your fitness goals, no matter what they are. Whether you want to lose 5 or 100 lbs, to run a marathon, to lift more weight in the gym or to just have more energy, Designer Whey is with you every step of the way.

Let’s start with Goal Setting. Most everyone’s heard of S.M.A.R.T. Goals – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Using the S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting System will ensure you’re set up for success. Using the worksheet found on Facebook, write down your S.M.A.R.T. goals. Here’s an example:

Specific: I want to lose 20 pounds in 3 months and reduce my B.M.I from 33% to 24%. Replace my morning coffee with Green Tea; Eat 5 servings fruits & veggies daily; Get at least 75 grams of protein daily.

Measurable: I will write down my progress in a fitness journal everyday. I’ll evaluate my success at the end of every week so I can plan accordingly for next week.

Attainable: The goals I’ve set above are easily achievable. If anything, I will make sure I’m going over & above in my daily efforts so I am pleasantly surprised at the end of the 3 months.

Realistic: Losing 20lbs in 3months breaks down to 1.6 pounds every week. I can do this!!!!

Timely:  At the end of three months, I am going on a vacation to Hawaii with my family. That’s a REALLY nice reward when I reach my goals.

Once I achieve my short term goal, I’ll re-evaluate my goals to include a few long-term ones, like running a marathon or eliminating caffeine from my diet altogether.

Make a list of 10 things you can do right away to get on track. Here’s mine:

1)     I’m going to use a fitness journal to track my daily progress. I like fitbook – it’s the most comprehensive and user-friendly tool of its kind. It fits right in my purse or gym bag so I can take it anywhere. I also like the daily nutrition checklists. There’s even a multivitamin reminder! Research says: write down everything you eat and you can cut your intake by 500 to 1,000 calories a day. To learn more about fitbook, visit them at www.getfitbook.com

 2)     I tossed out all the junk food from my desk drawers and kitchen. I threw away Oreo’s, Diet Coke and lots of candy. I feel healthier already!

 3)     Every morning, I put 2 big bottles of water on my desk. I don’t leave at the end of the day until every drop is gone!   

 4)     I won’t eat or drink anything after 7pm except maybe a scoop of DW in 8 oz of skim milk to keep me satisfied until the morning.

 5)     I exercise BEFORE work so there’s no excuses after work (too tired, family obligations, etc).

 6)     I’ve stocked my kitchen with fresh fruits and veggies. I put fresh cut veggies in baggies so I can easily grab them every morning before work.

 7)     I won’t deprive myself of any treats, but I will eat CONSCIOUSLY, meaning no more mindless grazing in the afternoons and I will read labels.

 8)     I am going to eat 6 smaller meals everyday as opposed to 3 big meals. That way my energy will stay up all day long and I won’t cave in so easily to my cravings.

 9)     I’ve enlisted a couple of friends who also want to drop a few pounds and get healthier & stronger. We put together a workout schedule for the week that includes 3 yoga classes, 3 power walks and 2 weight-lifting sessions at the gym.

 10) Last but not least – I put pictures up at work and home of my upcoming trip to Hawaii: the resort pool, the beautiful beaches and a KILLER bikini that I’m going to buy for my trip. My motivation is always right in front of me.

 We’ll provide daily fitness & nutrition tips as well as LOTS of motivation & inspiration. Together, we can do this!

My reward

Let’s face it. One of the best things about vacation is actually taking a break from everyday life. For most of us, everyday life includes watching what you eat and working out. If you truly enjoy a complete escape from your everyday existence,  you eat & drink anything and everything. The result: a blissful week full of fun memories and an extra 5-10 pounds to contend with upon returning home.

If you’re motivated to stay on track with your fitness goals despite going on vacation, it can be done!  If you make a few small changes while you’re away, you can actually return from your vacation leaner and healthier than when you left (or at least return home at the same weight). So pack your bags and have a blast on your vacation without busting your bikini.

Let’s start with the first potential gut buster: getting there. If you’re flying and experience a long layover, beware of those sugary, high-calorie foods comfort foods typically found at airport. A couple of hours in an airport terminal can easily turn into a couple of thousand extra calories. For example, nosh on a Cinnabon while you’re waiting at the gate and you’ve ingested 700 calories. A Starbucks blueberry crumb cake? Another 800 calories. Worst of all, high-sugar, high-carb foods just don’t cut it when it comes to reducing your hunger. What are they good for? Spiking blood levels of insulin, a hormone that stimulates fat storage. Ugh.

Travel Tip #1: Pack travel-friendly foods like snack packs of StarKist Tuna Salad, whole grain crackers, almonds, trail mix, and protein bars. Don’t forget your Designer Whey Protein 2Go packs – they are beyond perfect for travelling. Note: be selective when choosing your bars. Read labels people!! Watch out for high sugar, carbs or fat content. Look for a bar that provides a minimum of 20 grams of protein to keep you satisfied and fuller, longer.  

If you must eat airline food, pass on anything overly “carby” – pasta for example. Opt instead for a protein dish (chicken, beef, or fish) as your main entree; and request seconds of any fresh vegetables they serve.

When it comes to in-flight snacking ask for nuts or fruit instead of pretzels and chips. And choose 1 percent milk as your beverage of choice (other than water). Its perfect combination of protein (8 g), carbohydrates (11 g), and fat (2 g) will fill you up and keep you that way better than nearly any other snack. Better yet – mix a scoop of Designer Whey protein powder with your milk. Instant protein shake in the air!

Travel Tip #2: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Water is your best friend during flights. Every traveler knows that airplane cabins use recycled air and have a very low humidity level. But most travelers don’t realize that breathing dry air can turn you into a blimp. Dehydration due to airline air is a major cause of fatigue, and fatigue, in turn, makes you want to eat.

What to do? Start drinking water long before your flight to keep a grip on your appetite. Drink at least 8 ounces of water before your flight. Bring one 16 ounce bottle of water for every 2 hours you’ll be in the air, and down it all before you land. 

Travel Tip #3: Plan to exercise or get at least 30 minutes of physical activity everyday to offset extra calories you’re sure to be eating and drinking.  Even while on vacation, you still have lots of options to stay physically active. Check out your hotel gym or any fitness classes being offered.  Most resorts offer state-of-the-art exercise facilities and fun group activities such as water aerobics, power walks, yoga, pilates, volleyball and more. If your hotel doesn’t have a gym (or the equipment is outdated), go for a swim in the hotel pool.  If the hotel pool isn’t big enough for laps, just tread water for 10-20 minutes – you can burn up to 200 calories. Last but never least, plan a leisurely walk to take in the sights. Ask your hotel concierge for their recommendations on what to see & where to go. Lace up your sneakers and get moving!

I recently received some devastating news, and like most other humans, I handled it by retreating, pouting, and drinking enough red wine to cater an Irish wedding. I’m not saying I’m the first person to suffer a broken heart, but the person who coined the phrase must have had one. It really gives you physical pain in your chest.

Shortly thereafter, I was reminded of a statement an old football coach made to me that has stuck with me since. He said, “Life is a series of disappointments, and how we handle them determines our value as people.” Then he cussed me out for the mistake I made. But he was right then and it applies now. We had a choice to make. Keep pouting or do something about the things we can control. And fortunately for most people, our physical and mental wellness is something that is in our control.

I talked to my trainer and told her it was time to get in shape, really in shape mentally and physically. When she took a look at what I was doing she suggested a major lifestyle change. As we get older our metabolisms slow down, and a way to jump start it happens early in the morning. She suggested, or really insisted, that I do thirty minutes of cardio BEFORE breakfast. That requires an earlier wake up, and a bit of discipline for a “night owl”.

The biggest obstacle was a lack of energy early in the morning. But Designer Whey products have helped cure the problem. A scoop of protein in a shake at bedtime has given me the necessary energy. And after just two weeks of this lifestyle change, I am five pounds down. We have to make sure we look forward to each new day, and if you face the sun, the shadows will always be behind you.

Jul 27, 2010

As many of you know I have been on tour with Famous Footwear this summer criss-crossing the country.  It has been so much fun.  One of the things I didn’t realize is that being on the road is completely different then traveling a lot.  Yes I travel ALL the time but usually I am home in between, so most of my trips are between 24 to 48 hours.  Because of such short trips and so many different airports and hotels I often feel like George Clooney in Up In The Air.  I am a pro at what to pack and how to pack it so that I get through the security in the shortest amount of time and out of the airport as soon as I land, so as you can imagine I only check a bag under dire circumstances, which hardly ever happens.  Until my Mind, Body, Sole tour, that is.  You see although the tour was only 20 cities, I would spend 2 days in each city doing all different things like Twitter workouts, hospital visits, TV appearances, radio, and store events and then of course I had travel days to get back and fourth from one place to another.  I also had all the other stuff I do already scheduled so Famous Footwear planned around my existing schedule like the Healthy Woman speaking events I do, I went to the GNC show with Designer Whey, where I met Erin Stern. I was so excited to meet her and she was so excited to meet me.  I had so much fun and my Chocolate Mint Protein shake was a huge hit, I love when people love what I love :)   I also had different races and Health Expos and such so I literally had to change my whole routine.  I could just pack a carry-on when I wasn’t going to be home for anywhere from 4-6 weeks at a time and most importantly my traveling food routine wasn’t going to work!  Usually I would pack enough food for my entire trip just in case my options on the road weren’t the best, I swear the TSA thinks I am completely nuts with my food bag.  On any given trip it would not be unusual for me to have a bag filled with chicken breast, hard boiled eggs, fruit, almonds and of course my 2Go Protein packs.  These days my one and only staple has been the 2Go Protein which has been a God-send for me and the new Protein bars are an answer to my prayers. Look for them on the shelves SOON.

One of my favorite accidental discoveries this summer has been my Lemonade popsicles.  You guys have to remember I am from Arizona, so as you can only imagine I love me some popsicles!  I had mixed up a new Lemonade 2Go pack in my bottle water and stuck the unfinished bottle into a hotel fridge which must have been set wrong because when I went to grab it, it was slushy, which was the bomb!  Since that time I have taken all the flavors and made little popsicles and they are fabulous!! I either make it in little Dixie cups or even a ice cube tray sometimes.  You should try it – especially if you have kids.

So I was thinking…and you guys need to let me know… maybe we should do a poll or something to get together for a race of some sort.  I’m up for almost anything from a triathlon, cycling, or running.  My idea is that we all pick a race somewhere in the States and train together through the blog here and have a huge presence at one of the races, what do you think?  Send in your ideas and let’s figure something out.

If you haven’t heard of Krav Maga (pronounced “krahv muh-GAH”), you will soon. It’s an intense, calorie-torching workout that’s sweeping the nation. Developed by the Israeli army, Krav Maga literally means “contact combat.” Developed by Hungarian boxer and wrestler Imrich Lichtenfeld in the 1930s, the technique was first used by Israeli underground paramilitary organizations. When Israel became an official country in 1948, Lichtenfeld was appointed Chief Instructor and Combat Trainer for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Since then, Krav Maga has spread, and it’s now practiced in over 30 countries around the world.

If you’re in need of shedding a few pounds AND looking to learn a little self-defense, Krav Maga might just be the ideal workout for you. The following are a few advantages that you can experience from Krav Maga training:

1.  It’s a Great Way to Get in Shape. FAST. Krav Maga is one of the most physically demanding forms of self defense in the world. As you train you’ll start losing weight while building up muscle. You’ll build up stamina, strength, as well as flexibility and endurance. Most Krav Maga trainers report that a one-hour class can burn up to 1,000 or more!

2. You’ll Be Able to Defend Yourself and Others. Krav Maga will teach you how protect yourself in almost any dangerous situation. Learning how to keep yourself safe in actual day to day situations is important, and Krav Maga can help you learn these techniques.

3. Build Self-Confidence. Having self confidence is important in everything you do. Krav Maga helps you work on your “reactions” and the more you learn and train, the more you will build up your self-confidence.

4. Improved Self-Awareness.  When you are learning Krav Maga you will learn how to be aware of your situation at any time. This is an important technique to learn because self defense on your part will actually begin with you being aware of your surroundings.

5. Stress Relief. Taking Krav Maga is great for relieving stress, since you’ll learn how to deal with stress and how to function even when you are under great amounts of stress. The physical activity will release endorphins, help to clear your head and reduce overall stress.

6. It’s Fun.  Many people who train in Krav Maga say that it’s a really fun way to get in and stay in shape. You’ll enjoy getting to meet new people who are on the cutting edge of fitness as well as learning invaluable ways to protect yourself.

Well, I wanted to get to everyone today and just touch on a few subjects. First, I came back from my 10-day long vacation and found that I had lost 2 pounds! That’s pretty good considering I didn’t do a lot of working out over those 10 days, other than some taking some walks and moving a lot of furniture. It just goes to show that so long as you stay dedicated to your diet, and do just a little bit of exercise, you can still lose weight. Now, to be fair, I would have loved to lose more than 2 pounds over those 10 days, but without access to a decent gym (yes, I’m a little spoiled!) it was difficult for me to get a proper workout. And, I didn’t take my running shoes, since I already had a full suitcase, so that didn’t help me either. But the important thing is that I stayed focused on my goals and I was able to shed a couple of pounds, which kept me going in the right direction. So for all of you that are planning late-summer vacations, feel free to keep up that diet and do a little exercise, and your summer strives towards skinniness won’t be shot down the drain.

Next, a matter of relaxing by the TV. I do it A LOT! To be completely honest, I probably watch way to much TV to be healthy, but I really enjoying keeping up with all of my favorite TV shows, even if they are re-runs during the summer. But that doesn’t mean I can’t get a good workout in. My best friend Jessi is always telling me to add a workout to my couch potato time, and I’ve finally taken her advice. I do 20 push-ups during the commercial break, which takes me 20-30 seconds. It may not sound like a lot, but with the average 30-minute TV show having 3 commercial breaks, 1 every 7-8 minutes or so, watching TV for a couple of hours will also bring in well over 100 push-ups in a night, with plenty of rest in between. The first couple of sets go by pretty easy, but once I’m at that 4th or 5th set, they get a lot harder, and that’s when you’re getting your benefits. All put together, those push-ups will work the majority of your upper-body muscles, burning calories while sitting on your bum, and if you’re watching TV at night like me, it’ll burn calories while you sleep too, using calories to rebuild the muscle tissue. How about that, losing weight while you sleep! Nobel Prize, please!

Another thing to think about is that diet. I struggle probably more than anyone with overeating, because I’ve been doing it for years. I can out-eat almost anyone (except Joey Chestnut, the world-record setting Nathan’s Hot Dog eating champion), and I’ve been known to put down an entire large meat-lovers pizza by myself, in one sitting. Now, it doesn’t take an expert to tell me that that is neither healthy nor good for my weight loss plan. However, I’ve done it, and there’s nothing that can be done about it now. But that doesn’t mean I should keep doing it! That goes with everything bad for you, like eating a bucket of ice cream or tons of cookies. That little bit of cheating on your diet will take you several steps backwards in your weight loss goals, and you’ll only feel guilt and shame afterwords. Instead, you have to find something to snack on in between meals, and your meals need to be sensibly sized and portioned in order to keep up your weight loss. In the long run you’ll be a lot happier that you had a turkey sandwich instead of a whole pizza.

Finally, just to put everyone in a positive mood and the right frame of mind, as of today I am down 30 pounds from when I started my diet and exercise plan! I’ve had my share of downfalls, pitfalls and stumbling blocks, as well as a few “I quits” in there, but overall I’ve kept at it and have continued to lose weight in the long run, and that’s the important part. I am much, much lighter than I was in January. I may not be where I wanted to be as part of my original plan, but I’m still headed in the right direction, and that’s what really matters! So, even if you didn’t lose your 20 pounds in 21 days (which was my goal over my summer break from school, which I didn’t meet), having lost weight over that time period is still a success, so take pride in that and keep going. Eventually, you’ll reach that goal, and when you do, you’ll be more proud of yourself then you thought possible. Keep it up everyone!

So you’ve just decided you need to get in shape. You know that setting a fitness goal would be a great idea to keep you on track.  Running a 5K is an excellent goal for new runners. It’s smart, realistic, and attainable. A 5K (3.1 miles) is the perfect distance for first-timers. You’ll also find that finishing your first race is very rewarding. Most first-time 5K’ers have a blast crossing the finish line and can’t wait for their next race. If you want to join the thousands of happy runners who complete several 5Ks every year, here are a few tips to get you started.
1) The first thing you need to do is find a 5K. Summer and fall are the most popular seasons for road races, but you can find ones all year in some areas. Active.com is a great resource for finding a race in your area. Once you register, make sure you tell everyone you know that you’re running your fist 5K. It’ll be easier to stick to your goal once you make it public.
2) It’s time to start training. You can find lots of information online, in running magazines and in books about how to properly train for a 5K. Below is an eight-week training schedule to help get you to the finish line. It assumes that you can already run at least 1.5 miles. If you’ve never run before, follow this step-by-step plan for building a running base. If those programs don’t seem challenging enough for your running level, try this advanced beginner 5K training schedule.

If you haven’t had a recent physical, visit your doctor to get cleared for running.

Notes about the schedule:

Mondays and Fridays: Mondays and Fridays are rest days. Rest is critical to your recovery and injury prevention efforts, so don’t ignore rest days. Your muscles actually build and repair themselves during your rest days. So if you run every day without taking days off, you won’t see much improvement.

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays: After you warm up, run at a comfortable pace for the designated mileage. Make sure you cool down and stretch after your run.

Each week, you’ll increase your runs by a quarter mile, which is a lap on most outdoor tracks. If most of your runs are on the road and you’re not sure how far you run, you can figure out the mileage by using sites such as MapMyRun.com. Or, you can always drive your route in your car and measure the mileage using your car odometer.

Wednesdays: Do a cross-training (CT) activity (biking, swimming, elliptical trainer) at easy to moderate effort for 30 to 40 minutes. If you’re feeling very sluggish or sore, take a rest day.

Sundays: This is an active recovery day. Your run should be at an easy, comfortable pace, which helps loosen up your muscles. Or, you can do a run/walk combination.

Note:
You can switch days to accommodate your schedule. So if you’re busy on another day and prefer to workout on a Monday or Friday, it’s fine to swap a rest day for a run day.

5K Training Schedule for Beginners
Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
1 Rest 1.5 mi run CT or Rest 1.5 mi run Rest 1.5 mi run 20-30 min EZ
2 Rest 1.75 mi run CT or Rest 1.5 mi run Rest 1.75 mi run 20-30 min EZ
3 Rest 2 mi run CT or Rest 1.5 mi run Rest 2 mi run 20-30 min EZ
4 Rest 2.25 mi run CT or Rest 1.5 mi run Rest 2.25 mi run 25-35 min EZ
5 Rest 2.5 mi run CT or Rest 2 mi run Rest 2.5 mi run 25-35 min EZ
6 Rest 2.75 mi run CT 2 mi run Rest 2.75 mi run 35-40 min EZ
7 Rest 3 mi run CT 2 mi run Rest 3 mi run 40 min EZ
8 Rest 3 mi run CT or Rest 2 mi run Rest Rest 5K Race!
3) Make sure you stay hydrated, especially on hot days. Here’s some great information on staying properly hydrated.
4) Last but NOT least, nutrition is key to a successful training period and run. You should eat healthy, wholesome foods and get at least 1 gram of protein for every pound of your body weight. Designer Whey shakes make great in-between meals during training. And don’t forget your Protein 2Go packs to hydrate and nourish your muscles after your run.

Q: Tell us what your current eating plan looks like. Did you look at several diets (i.e. Atkins, Weight Watchers, South Beach, etc)? If so, how did you decide which one to go with?

A: There isn’t a diet I haven’t tried or a plan that I haven’t been on, but because I have decided to make a total lifestyle transformation I knew it was vital to start with my diet and focus of the quality of the foods I was using to fuel my body.  Right now I am sticking to a diet of 1200-1400 calories a day. I created a meal plan document that I print out and write in each meal and snack by day for the week using the meal/snack blueprint provided in The Biggest Loser Fitness Program book. It breaks down your meals into the following segments: Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, Dinner and 200 calories for additional foods, healthy fats and condiments. They tell you what different types of proteins, whole grains and fruits and veggies you need to eat with each meal and snack. It’s super helpful and because it’s a generic structure I can pick foods from those food groups and tailor my meals to the healthy kind of foods I love to eat!

Q: Everyone has days when they just want to blow off going to the gym or swing by their favorite fast food joint. How do you stay motivated to stay on track?

A: 2 HUGE motivators would be music and the support from my fans on Facebook and Twitter! I think there is really something to be said about accountability and having a support system around you. In addition to the outpouring of comments on my fan page and Twitter, if I have a moment of weakness, I can ask my fans for support at that very moment and they are right there to cheer me on and it pushes me to get through that tough time. For example, one night a few weeks ago it was after 10pm and my gym was closing at 11. I was so tired, so I posted a quick impromptu video on my fan page and instantly I got comments and messages reminding me of how much I was inspiring other to keep on going and that I need to do the same and get my butt downstairs to the gym! LOL! Another key motivator for me is definitely music. I’ve been singing since I was a little kid. And I literally incorporate it into almost every aspect of my life! Most importantly, I have always used music in the gym to push me and drive my workouts. So back in 2006, I decided to take the same club hit “Don’t Stop Movin’” that motivated me to lose over 80lbs, went into the studio to reproduce, record and release the single on iTunes in addition to performing it at health and wellness events in hopes to motivate others to believe in themselves that they can achieve great things if they put their mind to it and stay focused.

Q: Tell us about the ups and downs you’ve experienced with your weight since childhood.

A: As a little kid I always chubby and you could definitely tell I had a weight problem. In 4th grade, I weighed 144 pounds and was obviously the biggest kid in my class. I’ve always gone through life being heavy and most of the time dieting and exercising to try to lose the weight. I can’t even imagine the amount of weight I have lost and gained in my lifetime, and through it all what I have come to realize is that even with all the hard work and going up and down on the scale, I have absolutely no idea what it’s like to be at a healthy weight for my age and height.

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Q: Did your weight loss journey start when you decided to audition for The Biggest Loser, or were you trying to lose weight before the audition?

A: I’ve been on a weight loss roller coaster since I was in 5th grade, way before Biggest Loser even existed. I’ve tried every diet or plan imaginable! And now in hindsight, I realized it’s not the plan you follow, or the diet you are on, it’s all in your head. You have to want the change and see the change in your mind in order to get there in your body. And before Biggest Loser, I had spent years trying to do anything possible to lose the weight that has followed me my entire life. It’s been a dream of mine to be known as a beautiful person on the inside and out, instead of being know as a beautiful person on the inside with such a pretty face as I’ve been told my entire life!

Q: How did auditioning for The Biggest Loser change your life?

A: First of all, let me say I had no idea that going out for the Biggest Loser would have literally changed my life without even being cast for Season 10! Throughout the entire process I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and from all walks of life. From Season 10 hopefuls, past contestants and the wonderful people that make the show possible, each one of them has really touched my life in one way or another. It really was after being connected with all these people and hearing their stories and having their support that it made a light bulb go off in my head! I realized that we all have similar struggles and things in life to overcome, and that it all comes down to one simple thought, “What’s most secret is most common.” While obesity may be a global epidemic, before that light bulb had gone off in my head, I always felt very much alone in my struggles to lose weight and overcome them so I could live the healthy and vibrant life that I have always wanted to live! Inspired, I am now so determined and super motivated to use myself as an example and take control of my life to put it out there for people to realize that they aren’t in this alone, and that they have support and people all around them that will help them if they just ask for it!

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1,350 Calories. 90 grams of fat, 40 of which are saturated and 3.5 of which are trans.  2,780 mg of sodium.  That’s what’s in my go-to burger at Wendy’s, the 3/4 lb Baconator.  Add the large fries, large Coke along with it, and I’m looking at probably over 2,000 calories in all.  For 1 meal.  That costs me around $10.00.  What am I thinking? Well, specifically the fact that I don’t like to make food, especially complex meals like lasagna or meatloaf (both of which I love) because I’m a terrible cook and I’m lazy in general.  But what about thawing out some burgers and firing up the grill and making my own? Well, that requires at least some planning in advance, which as a bachelor I tend to not do very well (you can ask my BFF Jessi, she’ll tell you all about it).  So instead I walk over to Wendy’s every couple of days or so, and guiltily order up a serving of heart attack with a side of obesity.  Let’s be honest people, I’m about 75 pounds overweight right now, and I personally keep the fast food industry afloat.  That’s not good.  So, I’ve stopped.  At first I said I just wasn’t going to eat beef for a while.  Well….that didn’t work because my roommate kept firing up the grill and grilling burgers.  Which was great, because he’s a way better cook/grill person than me, and his burgers taste way better than mine.  So the whole “no beef” thing didn’t pan out.  Then I said, “I’ll just eat less fast food.”  Well, when one of your meals is over 2,000 Calories then less is still not enough, especially when you want to lose weight.  So for the last couple days I’ve eaten no fast food, and less in general, and my weight loss has picked up again.  So hurray for me!

Furthermore, the whole fast food thing is expensive. Over the past month or so, I’ve spent over $382 at fast food places.  That’s disgusting! That’s almost 2 months worth of food at the grocery store for my whole apartment, which has 4 people in it! What am I thinking?!? Well, it ends today.  I’m back on my no-fast-food diet in an effort to save money and lose weight.  I’ve also stumbled upon an article that says that fast food can actually become addictive, decreasing dopamine receptors or something, so that’s probably not good either.  Regardless, the amount of science and nutritional information and financial information is all overwelmingly against fast food, and my only justification is laziness.  Well, laziness never got anyone anywhere in this life, so I’m going to stop.  Time for me to turn the page over and start a new chapter in my life.  I mean, I just turned 28, what better time?  See you all later when I rant and rave some more about how I suck at dieting.