Extreme Weight Loss - Heidi Takes the Lead, Pushing Through PTSD

Normally you see Chris Powell's smiling face and passion for helping people reach their goals every week, but this time is different. It's his wife Heidi who takes the lead in helping Melissa, who reached out to Heidi specifically because she can relate to her as a mom.

Heidi's the one who tells Melissa she is chosen and does most of the work in this year-long journey, but Chris is still there to assist. It's obvious, however, that Melissa chose the right trainer, since Heidi sees more in her than Chris does. Chris does come around, but Heidi is the one who believes in Melissa from the beginning.

Melissa has been through a lot in the past few years.  Her husband Mike came home from serving our country and had a difficult time adjusting after everything he witnessed in Afghanistan.  He had post-traumatic stress disorder, and it took him to such a dark place that he took his own life in an even more horrific fashion than most people who commit suicide do.(I don't even want to write the words to describe what he did...it's too terrifying to even picture.)  This left Melissa to take care of the kids, with one of them also being diagnosed with PTSD.

She had gained over 100 pounds since her husband's death, and when she started this journey with Heidi she weighed 301 pounds.  There were a lot of ups and downs, including Melissa wanting to quit on the first day of boot camp.  But with love and support she persevered.  She even organized a special 10 mile run in honor of her husband, which she finished with flying colors.  It was amazing to see her town (making me proud to be an Ohioan!) lift her up and support her through everything, including the race.

Heidi and Chris planed a vacation halfway through the year in New Zealand for Melissa and her kids, and while they were there Heidi and Melissa jumped from a building - after running the stairs all the way to the top.  I don't think I could have been brave enough to leap off of a building, especially after the run to the top.  But Melissa rocked it!  And so did Heidi...not long after giving birth to her fourth child.  No wonder Melissa looks up to her - she is amazing!

Before the year was up, Melissa had met a man and started dating.  He seems very supportive of her and her family, and just as proud of her as Heidi and Chris are.  Melissa qualified for and had the skin removal surgery, and kept moving toward her goal.

At the final weigh-in, Melissa surpassed her goal of 164, making it to 159 and losing 142 pounds in a year.  Words that Chris said earlier to her (and truer words were never spoken) came back to me - "The more you want something, the more life will test you."

Melissa had been severely tested over and over again, but she wanted to reach her goal so badly that she did what she had to in order to keep going - and she got there, looking gorgeous on the outside but feeling even better on the inside. 

I appreciate how difficult all of this was for her, and she inspires me to get past my fears and struggles to get to my goals.  Thank you Melissa - you, along with Heidi, are now and will always be one of my "She-roes"!

Extreme Weight Loss - Chris Powell Takes On Twins!

It's the start of a new season of Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition, and I couldn't be happier.

I need a summer fix of motivation when Biggest Loser is done for the season, and fall seems far away. (which is OK with me, since I love summer!!!)  And let's face it...summer can be a time when people slack off from their fitness and healthy eating habits, whether they are on vacation or just enjoying favorite summer foods on a 3-month staycation.  Those staying at home are more likely to binge on treats, because they feel they deserve it since they can't afford to go away somewhere special - and they don't have the incentive to fit into certain clothes for a trip. Plus, people who go on a vacation tend to splurge only while on the trip, not for months on end.

Enter Chris Powell, who begins the third season of EMWLE taking on twins, brother Dave and sister Becca.  They are 23 years old and live with their dad, who is extremely hard on them about their weight.  My first thought was the fact that their dad needs to lose quite a bit himself and get healthy, and that he isn't helping their self-esteem.  The next thought was that he probably wants better for his kids than for himself, and doesn't quite realize that the example he sets hurts them as well.

Chris surprises them on their birthday, and takes them away for the first week of training.  He gets them to open up about things that have bothered them for a long time, such as Becca's admission that she feels she never made her father proud.  The real kicker was Dave breaking the news that he was once addicted to painkillers and alcohol, and was ready to commit suicide when an out-of-the-blue phone call from his dad stopped him.  Even Becca didn't know this - only Dave's close friends knew.

Chris decided that he needed to separate the twins for the first 3 months, because they were so close and so good at sabotaging each other's efforts.  At first they were upset, but as the days went on they realized it was the best thing for them.  Dave went home while Becca went to Arizona and worked with Chris' wife Heidi, along with one of last year's success stories, Jacqui.  (It's so wonderful how Jacqui wants to pay it forward!!!) They both did well during the first 90 days...but slipped a bit when back together again for the next phases.  It got to the point that they could hardly even speak to each other.

After 9 months, they weighed in and met the doctor to discuss skin removal surgery.  Dave qualified for the procedure, but Becca did not.  A light bulb went off for Dave that his sister had worked much harder than he did, but he was the one who qualified.  Chris makes the decision to separate them for the final 3 months of the journey.  Dave needed to recover from the surgery; Becca needed to go home and keep working toward her goal of getting the surgery. 

During this time Dave finally talked to his dad about the addictions and overdose.  His father was already beginning to realize how he had affected his kids for years...but this admission from Dave really sent him over the edge.  He wanted to repair the relationships with his children and be a more positive role model for them. Becca and Dave also came to the conclusion that even though they love each other, being separated for now is better for them physically and emotionally.

By the final reveal, each of them had lost over 200 pounds.  Becca qualified for the surgery and decided to go back to nursing school.  Dave chose to go out to Arizona for college. They both look amazing, and it shows from the inside out.  Look for these two to take on the world now!

And also look for more inspiring episodes of EMWLE this summer.  Help yourself stay motivated and keep going - I know I will!

Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition - Lessons From Sally the Surfer Girl!

I missed this episode this first time it aired because of the Olympics...but I'm so happy I was able to watch it tonight.  I learned several valuable lessons from Sally that I will use in my own journey.

Sally is 45 years old, which makes her one year younger than me.  A lot of times she mentioned to Chris and his wife Heidi (who also helped train her) how hard it is to get back into shape when you're older (which it is!) but she never gave up.  She struggled a lot, falling short of her first three goals for the year.  Still, every time she failed or fell short, she got back up and kept on going, pushing herself to do better and reach her final goal.  First lesson: You are never too old to be who you want to be and reach your goals! 

She still lost a lot of weight, even though she didn't hit the particular numbers that were set for each weigh-in.  In fact, she visited the doctor who said she had gained a lot of muscle - and her body fat percentage had dropped quite a bit.  She certainly looked slimmer, going from a size 22 to a 12.  Second lesson:  The number on the scale isn't the only measure of your progress.  If your clothes are way too big, you've lost inches, and your muscle mass has increased...you are definitely doing something right.  Fitness is not a particular number set in stone on the scale. 

When Sally got started, her husband didn't seem all that supportive.  He would complain that she had to work out too much, and when they went out to dinner he insisted on eating all of her favorite fattening foods in front of her.  He didn't really realize how hard this journey was for her and how his actions affected her progress.  Once Chris arranged a meeting with him, Sally's mom, and her best friend, she was able to let them know how much she needed their help and encouragement.  They all told her they were on her side, and things started to go a lot better after that conversation.  Even Sally's adorable son told her she looked like a princess, because she was pretty and strong!  (That's the kind of princess I like...both beautiful AND strong!!!)  Third lesson:  If you feel you're not getting support from family and friends, ask them to help and let them know you need support.  And find other people who do support you and can relate to what you're going through.  You'll be surprised at how much better it will be if you just ask!

Sally also used pictures and thoughts of her former fit self from when she was younger to keep her motivated.  I have those pictures around as well...I lost a lot of weight when I graduated from high school and kept it off for about ten years, and I refer to those often.  (In fact, one of them is up on my Facebook page so I can be inspired daily!)  She used to surf, and on this journey she was able to have a lesson with pro surfer Laird Hamilton as she was cheered on by his wife, volleyball player Gabby Reece.  She was thrilled to have a great lesson and can't wait to try other things she's always wanted to do.  That surfing excursion alone boosted her spirits and helped her get to the next level.  Fourth lesson:  Remember the times when you were at your best, and realize that with hard work and perseverance you will get there again.  Make a list of activities you want to be able to do again, or that you've never tried but want to.  (For me, getting better at tennis and horseback riding - and learning ballroom dancing - drive me to push myself harder.)  Think of your list whenever you're having a rough day and don't feel like working out or eating right.

Finally, Sally didn't qualify for the skin removal surgery at the nine month mark...but the doctor gave her a second chance to lose enough in the final three months to be evaluated again.  She started the year at 335 pounds, and finished at 197...losing 138 pounds total.  It was enough to get the surgery.  Fifth lesson:  If you are given a second chance, take advantage of it.  And if you want something badly enough, you will find a way to make it happen!

So I want to thank Sally for sharing her journey with us, through all of the many ups and downs.  The truth is, we learn just as much in the moments of struggle as we do in the moments of success.  And I will continue to cheer Sally on...because she is a true fighter!