“Biggest Loser” Coming to Kennewick

America met Ken Coleman during Season 3 of “The Biggest Loser” – a televised reality show known for producing rapid life-changing weight loss. At this point in his life Ken, who lived in Washington State, was dealing with the affects of being an obese adult. He suffered from many major medical challenges: sleep apnea, asthma, high blood pressure, depression, constant chronic back pain, arthritis and elevated cholesterol. “I’m going to die fat and happy,” Coleman said. “That was basically my mentality until my father died.”

Coleman recalls his childhood years growing up in Germany: “I did all the typical things kids do. I was very active, playing football, baseball and soccer. There were zero video games at home back then.” Participating in sporting activities led to many injuries for Coleman. He had 26 stitches in his knee, torn knee ligaments and two broken collar bones.

As a teenager Ken moved back to the States. “I was in for a real culture shock,” he admits. “It took awhile to get comfortable living in the US. Pizza in the States is big and greasy. I also learned real fast that I have a fascination with hamburgers and French fries.” Ken’s activity level remained high as a teenager so he didn’t gain much weight, even with his new found eating habits.

Coleman started gaining weight after a major back injury in 1983. He had surgery 10 years later and the weight just kept piling on. He was in a wheelchair for nearly six months. “The fact was I was a little older and a lot less active. Not thinking about changing the way I prepped my meals,” he admits, “was a big mistake.”

Coleman’s father died in 1997 from a massive heart attack. He was 58 years old. Coleman realized he was headed for a similar fate if he didn’t shape up. “I wasn’t living the lifestyle that I wanted for myself or my family” he says. After his father’s passing, Coleman became a hermit. He didn’t leave the house and avoided his friends and family. Aware of how close he was to the age when his father died—a mere fifteen years away—Coleman knew he needed to change his lifestyle. He tried different types of diets and weight loss programs. Nothing worked. With a daily consumption of 8,000 – 20,000 calories, Coleman knew his time was running out. “I was,” he reflects, “literally eating myself into a diabetic coma.”

During this time he started following the television show “The Biggest Loser”. In 2005 he heard that the program was offering tryouts in Seattle, he jumped at the opportunity: “I attended an open casting call. After a full physical and a battery of other tests, Kim Lyons (Biggest Loser trainer) chose me for the red team.” Ken went on to lose 161 pounds over 16-weeks on the show.

"Even now that the show's over, I still work out six to seven days a week, three hours a day," Coleman says. Of course, you don't have to become a gym rat to slim down. But, as Coleman explains, you do need to increase your activity in as many ways as possible.

These days you’ll find Ken Coleman working as a personal trainer at the Cascade Athletic Club, in Gresham, Oregon. He leads a fitness group that emulates the techniques he learned on the show. He also travels the Portland-metro area doing motivational speeches about his experience losing weight and eating right. And that’s what brings him to the Tri-City Court Club. Ken will be speaking at the opening ceremony of “I Lost it at the Club”, 2011. Don’t miss this great opportunity to be motivated by someone who has definitely been there, done that—and won. For more information about our weight loss contest contact Ryan Vogt (fitness director) 509.396.3712 Ext. 127

Different Goals - Same Race: Q & A with Steve & Ronnie

L to R: Steve, Shalece and Ronnie

Trainers Corner: Shalece Hibbert

Steve’s goals of losing weight and training hard for the 2011 Penticton Ironman in Canada, allow me to push him to new limits. He always comes in with the attitude of becoming better. The best changes usually start with a thought. Steve’s determination and drive turn these thoughts into reality.

Ronnie has a slightly different goal.  He wants to gain weight and improve his strength while training for the Penticton Ironman.  I look forward to the challenges from Ronnie because he wants me to push him to his max every time.

Steve and Ronnie each completed the Aquaman Duathlon and the Lake Stevens Triathlon this year.  Both of these guys have a great work ethic and have been easy to lead to their goal. Like Dwight D. Eisenhower said when defining leadership:  The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” Dwight D. Eisenhower

What was your goal when you began your training program?

Steve: To reach 190 pounds. I started my program at 228 pounds and I currently weigh 208.  I
have less than 20 pounds to go, so hopefully I’ll reach it by New Years.

Ronnie: I’ve always had trouble gaining weight. I started my program weighing 135 pounds. I’ve gradually gained weight while training with Shalece.  It’s been great! I am currently up to 150 pounds.

How has Results Personal Training helped to change your life?
Steve: It has helped me become a more active, healthy person over the last few months.  It’s probably the best money I’ve ever spent. Shalece works me harder than I could possibly work myself, so I am constantly testing new limits.

Ronnie: Shalece keeps me on target by holding me accountable to my workout routine.  She shows me new workouts every week that are extremely effective.  They are always tough, but when I’m finished I feel like I really accomplished something.  She also reinforces positive eating habits—a longtime weakness of mine.

Have your personal goals changed since you started training?

Steve: A fit lifestyle has been my personal goal for some time. Now I’m actually achieving it.

Ronnie: My athletic goals haven’t changed much, but I am closer to reaching them.  However, my newly achieved fitness has led me to consider a profession in the fitness industry.  I feel like I would enjoy the work and the people.

Do you view yourself differently now?

Steve: I know that I can do things that I would not have been able to do a few months ago, and my self-esteem is higher.  I still have work to do, but seeing actual results is very motivating.

Ronnie: I feel so much better about myself.  It seems like I get a better response from people on first impressions and I feel like I carry myself with a lot more confidence.

What are the biggest factors that contributed to your success?

Steve: Knowing that Shalece would hold me accountable for whatever I did on a weekend or what I ate when I went out.  And I now have a burning desire to actually do something for myself.

Ronnie: The help from the Tri-City Court Club has been amazing.  I always enjoy my time with my trainer, Shalece. I also have to give a shout out to some of the other trainers. Josh Thompson and Catiana Coghlan have given great advice and also worked with me on some of my racing weaknesses.  Erin Holmes has been great at giving me advice on my swim technique. She makes me feel so welcome every morning when I come in to workout. I have told lots of people that my personal trainer is the best thing I have ever paid for and I maintain that.  It’s amazing to have someone to work with towards your goals.

Do you have any other thoughts or words of inspiration?Steve: “Ever tried.  Ever failed.  No matter what.  Try again.  Fail again.  Fail better”.  –Samuel
Beckett.

Ronnie: I think that everyone has their athletic or physical fitness dreams they want to achieve.  It’s hard to keep motivated on your own.  I recommend getting all the help you can.  You won’t regret it especially after you see the amazing results. I would just like to thank the Tri-City Court Club again.  I have wanted to give triathlons a shot for a long time. I even tried training for one on my own but just couldn’t stay motivated.  Now I’m aiming for the hardest one—an Ironman—and it feels great!

What are your current/future goals?

Steve and Ronnie: To finish the Ironman Triathlon in Penticton, Canada on August 28, 2011.

My training is making a difference: Q & A with Kelly Foster

1) How has Results Personal Training helped to change your life? I like being accountable for appointments and making progress. Catiana and I set goals and she helps me to achieve them. To date I have lost 35 pounds. My goal weight is 150, give or take 10 pounds.

2) Have any of your personal goals changed since you’ve started living a fitness lifestyle? My goals are to be more active and eat better to improve my cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight. I still have the same goals—but what I have to do to keep achieving them is evolving. Catiana has me to the point where I am fit enough to try different group fitness classes. Three of my goals are: try a 5k, attend Group Ride and do a month of boot camp. The 5k is checked off my list and Catiana is working Group Ride into our training sessions. I still have a long way to go to meet my goal weight. But Catiana helps make sure that I don’t fall back into old habits.

3) Do you view yourself different now? I felt out of place in the Club before, but now I’m starting to feel more physically fit and that I can do things. I want my kids to see me as someone who can accomplish anything. I don’t want them to think that I can’t do something because I’m out of shape.

4) How do you think others view you now? I think others view me as someone who is serious about getting in shape and not just one of those people that go for the month of January or someone who is going to lose interest after a while.

5) What are the biggest factors that you feel contributed to your success? Personal training has made all the difference. If I had started exercising on my own, I would have lost interest or hurt myself. Also, having my family involved in healthier eating and physical activity has contributed greatly to my success. I ran the Spring into Summer Fun Run sponsored by the Club and my whole family participated. We had so much fun! My husband pushed the baby in the stroller and my 3 and 5 year old ran with me for a little while. Plus, my husband does not bring junk food in the house and makes sure that I can attend all the fitness activities that I have scheduled.

6) Do you have any other thoughts or words of inspiration? My health insurance has also been a big part of this process. I visit a health coach and a nutritionist every few weeks. They help plan my diet, suggest fitness tools and talk with me about personal challenges. My plan is to continue long-term due to the amount of weight I need to lose. It is a challenge to make sure that I keep moving forward. I’m afraid to slip backwards.