This past week, the contestants of the Florence’s Biggest Loser reached the halfway mark of this year’s competition.
After five weeks of nutrition guidance, intense workouts, changing habits and weigh-ins, the fifty-four contestants have lost an incredible 590.8 pounds and 226 inches. They have also raised more than $1,200 to help those in need in the community through Fan-Favorite votes.
Now that the contestants have made it through half of the 2018 Florence’s Biggest Loser, we asked them to reflect on the past five weeks and share how their experience with the competition has been so far.
>> Ravyn Miles-Dean: “I have learned so much in this competition so far! I’m so much stronger in the gym than I thought I was, and I learn to push myself in different ways every time I go. I love the support that the contestants give one another. I have also gained so much nutrition knowledge to better my eating habits.”
>> Rick Melton: “I can’t say all I like about the program in a few sentences, but the highlight of the program is learning the proper way to diet and new ways to exercise. The weekly weigh-ins also gives me the accountability I need to stay motivated, especially now that you can be disqualified if you have two weight gains. The weekly sessions with our demanding but encouraging trainer, Joy, are awesome. Icing on the cake is that I’m seeing results and making lots of new friends. The Florence’s Biggest Loser rocks!”
>> Valda Brown-Graham: “It has been just a wonderful experience so far. I have nothing against the other weight-loss programs I have participated in, but what has set this program apart is being able to interact with the other people doing it. We are all trying to lose together, and we can support each other as we get healthy. I’ve even seen some contestants bring in their children to workout with them and get healthy, which is just great. And even if I end up not hitting my goals with weight by the end, I feel good knowing that we are helping those in need through the money we are raising.”
>> Clem Coleman: “So far this has been an awesome experience! I have met people that hold me accountable daily, as well as the weigh-ins every Thursday! This program is very informative from the nutritionist to the trainers. The rest is up to you.”
>> Dr. Erin Lusher: “I have enjoyed the competition so far. I have a great team to train with that helps push me during the group workouts. I have improved my stamina quite a bit already and have noticed that my clothes are fitting better and some are even getting too big.”
>> Nikki Haffner: “It’s five weeks in, and we are at the mid-point of the competition. I’m feeling good and having fun. I’m at the weight I ended last year’s Florence’s Biggest Loser event with, which is where it gets tough for me. I’m hoping that the new workout routines will help me get past this point and achieve my goal.”
If you would like to help encourage the contestants to finish these last five weeks strong, you can show your support by voting for them as Fan Favorite at burnandlearnflorence.com. One vote equals one dollar, and all of the funds raised through the Fan-Favorite voting process will be added to the United Way of Florence County’s annual campaign.