Biggest Winner competitors see progress near halfway point
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Joe Manning gets instruction from trainer Kortlyn Carr during a boxing workout.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Megan Lindley stretches as part of her workout with the Observer- Reporter’s Biggest Winner team.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Lynn and Joe Manning stretch during a Biggest Winner team workout.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Ashley Subasic, right, throws a ball to teammate Megan Lindley during a Biggest Winner workout.
It’s been only a few weeks since the Biggest Winner competition began, but the six members of the Observer-Reporter team already are seeing and feeling progress.
“So far, so great,” says Nikki Popielarcheck, who is on the team with her husband, John. “Yes, we are sore, but it’s the ‘good’ sore.” Nikki and John join the other four members of the O-R team four mornings a week for workouts at the Washington Health System Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center with personal trainer Kortlyn Carr. Nikki says Carr makes them work hard but keeps it interesting. “Her attitude and positive energy are amazing,” says Nikki. “I am keeping track of our daily exercises so I can go back and do them on my own once the contest is over.”
Nikki says a meeting with a dietitian and a six-week meal plan with recipes is helping. “It’s funny, but I feel like I am eating more now than I did before,” she adds. “The difference is that the food is healthier and helps my energy level instead of putting me in a food coma. Our first official weigh-in is coming up, but I am happy to say that both of us lost weight in the first week.”
John Popielarcheck says he’s actually excited to work out now. “It’s been a long time since I had that drive,” he said. “I really missed it.” One of the things John enjoys most is the group aspect of the exercise. “We have a great and supportive team, so it takes away the worries and/or embarrassment of not being able to do certain exercises. The team is supporting you, and Kortlyn is great at working with us.” As for the change in his diet, John says it’s been easy. “I definitely have more energy even after only a week. Eating several small meals instead of the one huge one like I did for a long time has made a big difference.”
Washington husband and wife Joe and Lynn Manning are also seeing progress but say it hasn’t been without effort. “I gotta say, I hated it the first week, mainly because I threw my back out,” Lynn said with a laugh. “But overall it’s been a learning experience. I discovered that even though I work out regularly, my workouts weren’t covering all the needed body parts. I’ve been sore and tired, but I’m taking away quite a bit from the experience.” Lynn adds that the overall journey is made even more fun because she’s doing it by partnering with her husband. Her back is feeling better, and her sense of humor is intact, as she laughs, “I’m dreading – oh, I mean I’m looking forward to the next half of the biggest whiner … I mean winner!”
While Lynn was the one urging her husband to sign up for the contest, Joe said he’s really enjoying the experience. “The workouts are indeed challenging, but I’ve done my best to keep up,” he said. “Our trainer has outlined a different routine for every morning, so it never gets boring or tedious and works the overall body for maximum effect.” Joe said he felt results as early as one week into the workouts. “I have more energy and a better outlook in general,” he says. “I think the discipline and willpower of being in the gym at 6 a.m. has a great deal to do with this as well as a desire not to let the rest of the team down.”
The final couple on the O-R team are friends Megan Lindley and Ashley Kanotz, and both report seeing and feeling results. “I’m honestly loving the contest,” says Megan. “I didn’t have any idea what to expect with this, as I’ve never had a trainer watching my every move before. It actually makes me feel so much better and truly believe in myself enough to accomplish whatever task she throws my way.” Megan also enjoys the way Carr changes up the exercises each day to keep the team challenged. “Each day definitely gets harder,” she said, “but I feel like Kortlyn is doing a great job at preparing us for what comes next.” Megan says she’s always been focused on the number on the scale but is now noticing physical changes. “I have more toned thighs and stronger arms after two weeks than I ever had in 15 years of cheerleading, and I find myself feeling happier and more alert,” adding that she and Ashley have added extra workouts together, including a spin class.
Ashley noticed Carr stepped up workouts the second week. She’s been enjoying the competition and says it’s gotten her back on the workout path. “I enjoy working out with the group and trying to get in one or two extra workouts a week on my own or with Megan,” she says. “I’ve lost about four pounds so far. I’ve noticed my jeans aren’t as tight. I have been shocked about my energy level,” she adds, saying she was worried the 6 a.m. sessions would leave her tired later in the day but instead energize her. One tool that’s helping her with diet is the MyFitnessPal app on her phone, which tracks food and water intake. “Now that I am seeing some weight come off, it has really given me some confidence in keeping this up and knowing the early mornings are worth this in the end.”
What does the team’s trainer think of their progress? “So far, so good with this team,” says Carr. “I have definitely pushed their limits, and they have responded well. The first couple weeks are the feel-good weeks that we are all energized for, but combating the feeling of monotony after settling into the routine is the challenge.” Carr believes choosing couples for this year’s team created built-in accountability. “The visible changes happen slowly through this process as strength, stamina and weight loss come into play,” she explains. “As we transfer from the initial motivating factors that got each person into the gym to start into the determination and discipline that will keep them in the gym, their attitudes completely change. A light bulb comes on, and this fitness journey becomes much more than a seven-week weight-loss competition and the realization of a lifestyle change sets in.”