The reality weight loss show—The Biggest Loser—has been my motivation for a number of seasons. I felt no more joy than the moment with Ali from Days of Our Lives says, Congratulations, you ARE the Biggest Loser! [Note that I’ve capitalized the B and the L. The capitalization indicates a positive title.]

Well, today I’m the biggest loser [with no capital letters].

Jennifer Panaia

I love competitions and I’m always up for a challenge, so when Jennifer Panaia invited me on a 60 day workout journey against her at Stark Training, I did my best tough girl impression and said, Bring it on, trick! I can eat you for lunch. Because really, she’s a retired NFL cheerleader who I can snap in half if I hug her hard.

I’m taller than her, wider than her, and thicker than her; ergo, I had more to lose. The challenge was a piece of cake [mmmmm, birthday cake…]. Or so I thought.

Sixty days in, two Paleo diets completed, and one champion later, I am two pounds heavier than when I started. [I’m still holding on to the whole muscle weighs more than fat thing as hope that I’m not a complete failure.]

Over the phone she informed me she had dropped to 119. Yes, as in one hundred and nineteen pounds. To which I sardonically replied, I haven’t been 119 since I was nine years old. She laughed. I was serious.

Here’s the thing, she looks amazingly radiant and I can bounce a quarter off her derriere, as solid proof of her buns of steel. There’s no other competitor who I’d do it again with and I’m honored she asked me to do this with her. To hold up my end of the deal, I had to blog about the outcome. Win or lose.

This is the truth: I loved the workouts and even the dietary changes. I learned so much about myself, my physical strength, and even the emotional baggage I still have about my weight. Recalibrating my mind is something I need to do more often and taking this challenge has allowed me the space to do so.

I may not have been the Biggest Loser, but I did win a new perspective. This post would be remiss without a sobbing ending and angry vow from a reality show loser, This isn’t my end! You’ll see me again, Simon Cowell. I’m going to be famous!

This isn’t my end,
B 🙂

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