Motivation can be a powerful force. It can be the reason you do something as simple as get out of bed a little earlier in the morning or the reason you finally achieve a life-long goal. It can even be the reason you decided to learn how to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. Eighty individuals recently found the motivation to do just that by dedicating the next ten weeks of their lives to participating in Florence’s Biggest Loser. We asked several of those individuals what was it that motivated them to take the plunge and participate in this year’s competition.

After my divorce, I wanted to make a new start. So I began working out with a personal trainer, George McElveen (Body2Body), I lost over 25 pounds, dropped 5 dress sizes and my blood pressure stabilized without medications. Over the past few years, due to my finances and just being lazy, I stopped training and working out, which has caused weight gain and higher blood pressure. I heard about Florence’s Biggest Loser and it sounded like an exciting way to get started working out again, but I did not apply. Then recently after reading about Paula Moses's weight lost in the January issue of She Magazine, I was motivated to start the process of losing weight and becoming healthy again. I applied to join Biggest Loser. - Janice Albert

The reason I am joining Biggest Loser is that I witnessed my mother go through a slow, horrible decline, due to be obesity and diabetes. I don't want to put my wife and children through that. I have always been overweight, but relatively healthy, so it was never a "pressing" issue in my life. Last year, I had several minor, yet painful health episodes that have opened my eyes to how badly my health can get if I don't get my weight under control. – Matthew Baird

My biggest motivations to join this year are my wife and kids. I want to be healthier so I can be around longer with them. I feel like I can take away things that I learn from this and apply it at home so we can be healthier as a family. My wife Dawn is also a big motivation for me as she has done this competition before and it’s something we can experience together. - David Carter

I'm diabetic and became extremely overweight! Although I was very active when I was younger (playing tennis and joining in various adult sports team activities), exercise has become almost non-existent! Although I've tried to lose weight, I haven't kept it off! Now I’m in my 50's and the father of five children (including a 7th and 3rd grader), I realize it's time to step up! I feel the Biggest Loser will give me the opportunity to get back in shape, lose weight, and get me back to living once again. This will provide someone to push and encourage me on one hand and also have the guidance and supervision to get back properly without doing the wrong things! Ultimately I realize I need someone to give me that push to aid in my motivation to regain my health and stamina! So here go's nothing, kids! I’m going to give this my all. See ya own the other side of ten weeks! – Mark Carter

One of my biggest motivations was my grandmother. She has been pushing the topic for a few years. Another is my son. I want to be able to be there for him like I should. - Ariel Calcutt

My motivation is that I want to learn how to form a relationship with exercise, and fall in love with it, then I want to marry it, and make it the biggest part of my everyday life.- Renee Evans

I was motivated to join the Biggest Loser competition because I wanted to gain full control over my life. Ever since I was a young kid I have always been heavy set, I remember always being the biggest kid in any of my classes, and that has stuck with me forever. I am getting married in October of this year and want the competition to help jump start my weight loss and help create healthy life habits as I move on to the next chapter of my life. I have a very supportive group of close companions that I know will help keep me grounded throughout the program. I want to have children one day and I want to be around for them as long as possible. With both of my parents suffering from diabetes, I have seen first-handed what unhealthy habits can lead to, I am simply trying to be the best version of myself as possible and I do believe the Biggest Loser can help with this. I have a loving fiancée who means the world to me, and I want to be there for her as long as I possibly can. I’m doing this not only for myself, but for my friends and family to show that when you set your mind to something, hard work beats talent every time. I am prepared to out work everyone involved and win this competition! – Travis Fox

Throughout my life I've had issues with body image and trying to live a healthy lifestyle. I know I feel better and make better choices when I'm working with others toward a common goal. I also like helping and motivating others to reach their goals. - Lloyd Flores

My husband and I started the journey toward parenthood last year. After a miscarriage and being diagnosed with PCOS, I have changed the way in which I eat but have not tackled exercise yet. I decided to join Biggest Loser Florence to keep me accountable and have support while on this road to motherhood. - Sarah Jeffery

I'm kind of excited and kind of scared about this choice to participate with the Biggest Losers this year. There are many reasons that have provided my motivation to join y'all. Weight gain after marriage, the death of my parents and my decision to quit smoking has affected my life in the health, happiness, and well-being categories. I simply want to feel better and look better. And I want to have the positive outlook I used to have years ago before I started to change my life to suit others. This is the way I has chosen to start refocusing on a lifestyle that will offer me the freedom to serve my God and those He steers me to in my walk. – Stella Miller

My motivation was I felt this was a great way to kick start my weight loss for this year. I started my weight loss journey in 2016 and have lost 50 pounds but I didn't feel like I was motivated enough. I feel that Florence’s Biggest Loser will help me in this area. I have heard good things about the program from several different people. I also want to show other people that you CAN lose weight through diet and exercise. - Donna Poston

I chose to join the Biggest Loser this year after being fed up (pun intended) of my weight limiting my life. I'm 44 years old, have a beautiful wife that loves me, a great job, an incredible circle of family and friends, but for much of my life I have been unable to fully enjoy it due to my size or the anxiety that comes with it. Can I go to the beach and feel inconspicuous, fly on an airplane and fit in the seat, go to Broadway show and not feel like my presence is a burden to those around me and myself... all of those circumstances are experiences that have defined my life for too long. It's time for a change, and for change I need discipline and a program- the Biggest Loser seemed like a perfect fit. - Shaw Thompson

Since my father's passing on December 16, 2016, I've had the urge to honor him in some way. He has always been my "SUPERMAN". So I heard about FBL on 95.3 w/Ken Ard and Dave Baker along w/Rachel Baggett and I asked myself, "Myself, why don't you change your obese habits and do this FBL to get you started?" Consequently, "Here's to you SUPERMAN".  – Tim Wood