My Team Won The ‘Biggest Loser’ Challenge–I’ve Learned So Many Life Lessons

I've been working my butt off and eating right since Jan. 11--and for good reason! I was part of Rejuv Medical's 'Biggest Loser' challenge and my team WON!!!

It definitely wasn't an easy battle at first. There were so many days I didn't want to get off of the couch. I would have given anything to go home, take a nap and eat some pizza. But, I really didn't want to let my group members down. It took a few weeks, but eventually I stopped craving the junk and enjoyed going to the gym. It was nice to have a support system and a network of people going through the same thing I was.

This is the longest period of time in my life that I've ever consistently worked out on a regular basis--it's also the longest period of time I've ever stuck to a strict diet. I lost a total of 17 pounds in the competition and I'm down 20 pounds total since Jan. 11. So, what's my secret? Well, I don't really have one.

My weight loss has been all about making good choices when faced with a decision. I finally realized that your health is all about small choices you're faced with everyday. To sit on the couch today or not...that's the question. I thought for the longest time that getting older meant gaining weight. I thought that was just a part of life--and it's such a flawed way to think. For a very long time I thought that my body was just different and I couldn't lose weight even if I wanted to--and for good reason. I tried nearly every "crash" diet and "fad" diet you could think of and nothing seemed to work for me.

It's all about eating healthy and working out regularly. That's the secret, and it's not really a secret. There's no magic pill to make things better--just hard work and time. I know it sounds so cliche, but in a few months from now you'll be happy that you got off the couch today. When you start saying "no" to sweets and treats it's really hard at first--but, eventually you become a force to be reckoned with. Somehow, and honestly I don't know exactly when, I gained some pretty amazing will power. It's funny because before this, I didn't have any!

You don't have to join a gym or a program to get healthy either, even though it helps. Go on walks after work, cook homemade meals and eat more fruits and veges. Treat your body like a machine and only put in enough food to fuel your body and keep your machine running. One of the trainers that I worked with told me, "You're not a dog, you don't need a treat." That quote stuck with me throughout this processes. Even though the competition is over, I'm going to continue the healthy habits I've learned! I hope I can inspire someone to get off of the couch and change their life too!