Member Spotlight: Bryan

Hello, everyone. I’m Bryan Wayne and am one of the few males in our BLCL group. Recently relocated from Boston to Reno, I have had a bunch of “life-changing” events in the recent past, namely cross country move and pending nuptials, that have served as a launching point to live a healthier lifestyle. I had tried (and failed) many times in the past but always seemed to be lacking that accountability that a monthly weigh-in and group of people waiting for you at the gym can provide.

This group has served a few purposes for me: it has allowed me to meet some amazing people in my new hometown, as well as being a jump-start to a “new” healthy Bryan. I have always had difficulties controlling my eating habits and finding motivation to exercise, and have found this group to be extremely supportive in addressing these two common downfalls.

I work from home for a company based out of Boston, and as a result  have to travel (domestically and abroad) for work quite often. This generally does not promote healthy eating habits and easily disrupts any exercise regiment. I have used this as an excuse for too long and am finally starting to find some success in losing both inches and pounds.

I am the winner for the month of March, with a total weight loss of 23 lbs since January 1st (as a member of BLCL) and a total weight loss of almost 55 lbs since my move to Reno in late August 2009. In addition to the lost inches and pounds, I have seen vast improvements with my asthma, increased energy level and mood. It’s amazing what a few changes can do.

While I still have a lot of work to do, I have to credit my success thus far to the support provided by my old friends and family back east, my new friends in Reno, and of course my beautiful fiancé Meghan. I look forward to the second half of the competition and hope to be posting more success stories in the future.

Member Spotlight: Sara

Hi, I’m Sara, and I’m February’s winner with 12 lbs lost last month (23 total since January 1)!

I joined this group in January with very little hesitation. I know where I am physically; my mirror and scale don’t lie. I am extremely blessed to have a man in my life that loves my body the way it is… but I don’t. And I haven’t in a long time.

I have joined “loser” competitions before, on a smaller scale, and for shorter time frames. They worked, but I always gained the weight back. I think the reason for that was the short time periods: crash diets and crazy exercise doesn’t work long term.

But I keep joining because I crave competition. It is one of the only things that drives me… even to the point where I have been accused of being “too competitive.” But it’s what I need, and I know it! Thank goodness I have good friends that are willing to be friendly competitors with me!

I have struggled with my weight on and off all of my life, from being bulimic as a teenager, to just giving up the “purging” part as an adult (an unfortunate side effect of bulimia). Binging has always been my downfall. I have also always had a problem with boredom eating and obsessing over food. I still do. But now I’m trying to keep things like frozen grapes and plain popcorn around, so when I do eat out of boredom, I’m not adding an extra 1000 calories a night.

Every single day is a struggle. Getting up in the morning early to go to the gym is easier when I know that people are waiting for me and will be upset if I’m not there, but I won’t lie, there are days when it’s easier to sleep in. I’m just praying that I have more days that I want to get up and go.

Winning is great, but that isn’t my ultimate goal. My ultimate goal is permanent weight loss, and looking good in a wedding dress in September. Better than good! With 23 pounds lost so far I’m off to a good start…45 to go.

Member Spotlight: Shannon

My name is Shannon Kimbrel. I am 36 years young and a full-time working, single mom of three. I am new to the Reno area, having transplanted here from Tahoe City in May of 2009.

People describe me as a “thick” girl. I would like to know when “thick” became the politically correct way of saying someone is fat? I have lived, complacently, as a fat girl for most of my life. Not really happy, not really unhappy.

When my marriage ended, I spiraled downward into depression for the first time in my life. Food was my medication. I realized I was an unhappy person with no passion for life. I was EXISTING.

I was home with a sick kiddo on New Year’s Eve when I stumbled upon the listing for The Biggest Little City Losers on Craigslist. I had been considering joining Weight Watchers (again) and thought that this would be a great alternative. I signed up and almost immediately, had a response and welcome email. The following day, I found myself in the South Reno Athletic Club with 30+ strangers. It felt right from the start. It was a diverse group with a common goal.

January was a great month! For the first time I enjoyed, not dreaded, going to the gym because I saw friendly faces there. Members became friends! Group events and meetings kept us motivated and energized. We experimented with different classes and had a bowling night. Plans for February include roller skating, rock wall climbing and a cooking challenge! We are learning and what we learn, we share with the others on our own website. The support is amazing!

On January 30th, after a long month of eating right and working out, 30 of our members attended our first weigh in. I am very proud to say that I was the biggest loser for the month of January! I lost 18 lbs and 9% of my body weight. I am pleased with my accomplishments but what excited me were the achievements of all my new friends. For me, it was a group victory!

People ask me daily, “What is your goal?” I don’t have a definitive goal. It’s not a number on the scale. I do not want to run a marathon or fit into a bikini by summer. I will say this, though: I want to find my passion in life. Being “thick” has held me back from trying new things. I want to climb a mountain and repel down. I want to go white water rafting. Most of all, I want to learn to scuba dive. For the first time in my life, I feel like these things are within my reach.

Three things that are keeping me on track:

Support – We, the Biggest Little City Losers, want each and every member to succeed in their goals. They are there to push me harder when I want to quit, teach me things I have yet to learn, and lend a shoulder if I need to vent.

Accountability – Yes, my new friends and team will hold me accountable. However, I refuse to disappoint these people, therefore I hold MYSELF accountable for what I am putting into this process.

Motivation – I want it for the right reasons. I want it for me! I refuse to waste anymore of my life just “existing” and I WILL find my passion!!

February is going to be great! I can see it, I can feel it! The energy and enthusiasm is infectious!

I’ll be back with more on February 28th!