WICHITA, Kansas -- Losing weight is a challenge for so many Americans, but with diet, exercise and a support system, it can be accomplished.
Over the course of 13 weeks, we’ll be giving you an inside look at the struggles and sacrifices it takes to shed the pounds as ten Wichita area residents work to change their way of eating and exercise to become KSN's Biggest Loser.
The contestants were selected from more than 200 applicants. They are split into two teams, red and black. Making up the red team are Rowdy Farrington, Tedd Gibson, Carol Price, Yolonda Smith and Crystal Yaeger.
“If I lose a pound I'll be happy,” said Farrington.
Gibson said, “I want to feel better. I want to be around for my kids.”
“I know what I'd like to be at is 199,” laughed Price. “Anything under 200.”
“I'm more concerned about the inches I lose,” said Smith.
“I don't feel good about myself being this heavy,” said Yaeger.
Together, they weigh a total of 1,592 pounds. But over the course of 13 weeks, the Red team is working out and eating right, striving to drop enough poundage to surpass their competitors, who have a combined weight of 1,808.
Making up the Black team are Joe Boyd, Cameo Donerson, Matthew Pewewardy, Kathy Turner and Jeff Vollen.
“I want to be able to lose a pound a day,” said Boyd.
“I want to live a happier and healthier life,” said Donerson.
“I was big in kindergarten. I was big from day one,” recounted Pewewardy.
“There are so many things you can't do when you're fat,” said Turner.
“I’d like to be able to move easier and fit in airline seats,” said Vollen.
With the guidance of a nutritionist and personal trainer, the ten contestants are learning how to be healthy. And while they knew it would be an uphill battle, some of them experienced quite a challenge right from the start.
“The hardest thing for me is the insomnia,” said Yaeger.
Yaeger and her teammate Farrington have had problems with sleepless nights, especially since they have to be up at 4 a.m. to be at the gym by 5.
“It's so hard to get here and then work out when you haven't slept at all. I just feel dizzy sometimes when I'm working out and I don't have enough sleep,” said Yaeger.
“The first 5 days is certainly the most difficult,” said Dr. Gregory Lakin.
Dr. Lakin is with Weight Solutions, a weight loss and maintenance clinic, helping the contestants during this challenge. He says the insomnia is a result of vitamins they're taking, designed to increase their metabolism.
“It would be like drinking a Mountain Dew before bed so you'll want to do that earlier in the day,” said Dr. Lakin.
That seems to have done the trick. Now Yaeger and Farrington are well-rested and ready to go.
“I've got more energy. I'm not hungry. I just feel good,” said Yaeger.
They’re feeling good about their journey to become KSN's Biggest Loser.
We'll be following the contestants' progress over the 13 weeks. Unlike The Biggest Loser television show, no one in this contest will be eliminated. You can keep up with the Red and Black teams by clicking on the Biggest Loser banner in the middle of our home page.
