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Follow our progress over the course of the competition with this real-time chart!
Angie W. and Harry have both lost over 6% of their weight in just two weeks!  Annmarie isn’t far behind…

Rick Delashmit!

Rick’s Story…

In the interest of full and open disclosure, I promised I’d publish my story to our Facebook page so here it goes…

I’ve always been a stocky guy, but when you’re 5’2″ and 190lbs – I don’t think ‘stocky’ is the word any longer. My weight has always been something I’ve struggled with, but honestly, I was never willing to put in the time and effort to properly address it. Rather, my solutions were geared toward quick fix changes to my diet like Atkins and super low calorie diets which invariably never succeed in keeping the weight off.

Two things have led me to this point where I’m willing to make the changes and sacrifices necessary to change my lifestyle for good…

1) I’ve now outlived my Father by nearly 4 years. I don’t know how many of you reading this have outlived your parents, but I’m sure you’ll agree that if you have – it’s a surreal feeling. He was 34 when he passed away and I’ll be 38 in December . The cancer had progressed too far and by the time he saw his doctor, there was nothing they could do. My diet consists primarily of McDonald’s (which I eat virtually everyday), peanut butter, anything made by Hostess, and Diet Coke. I live every day with the knowledge that my family history of cancer and my junk food filled diet are most likely going to significantly shorten my life.

2) I married my high-school sweetheart. We’ve been together more than half our lives already. We have two beautiful boys Reece (6) and Harry (4). Like every Father and Husband, I have a responsibility to take care of myself to ensure that I live long enough to support my children and help nurture them as they grow into adulthood. My responsibility however, was amplified after the events of May 31st, 2008. We were involved in a side impact car accident which nearly took the life of my oldest son Reece. He spent two weeks in a coma and over three months in the hospital last Summer. Reece suffered a traumatic brain injury and May 31st of last year was the last time we heard his precious voice or saw him run and play like the perfectly healthy 5 year old he was at that time.

To say that depression has played a role in the fact that I’ve gained 20 pounds in the last year would be a monumental understatement. I find myself binging late at night after I’ve put Reece to bed and put on the braces he must wear on his hands and feet to keep his muscles from contracting. The shock of the initial injury has subsided but I still struggle everyday with how much I miss hearing him say “I love you Daddy.”

I don’t have a choice any longer. Getting in shape is imperative because until Reece can walk again (and he will) I have to carry him. This isn’t an issue now, but he’s only 6. What if I still have to carry him when he’s 10 or 12? I pray that this isn’t the case, but I have to be prepared for the eventuality. I find myself getting short of breath when we practice walking around the backyard. God forbid that my lack of stamina could shortchange his recovery efforts. I owe it to Reece to match his relentless drive to get back all he’s lost.

Angie Downard!

Angie’s Story…

I want to be in this contest so bad, I have been looking for the motivation  for a long time now. I can’t afford to go out and spend a lot of money on weight loss plans. I was in a car accident in February and was unable to do a lot of exercise until now and I have gained a lot more weight. I get very depressed with myself over my weight especially when my two daughters grab my stomach and jiggle my fat. The other day I was waking my daughter up and I was standing at her door with my arms on the side pushing myself back and forth almost like I was doing a push-up standing up. My other daughter walked around the corner and asked what I was doing and I said to her that i was trying to loose some of the fat under my arms. She said Mommy you need to find an exercise that loosed the fat  on your belly. I was devastated!! I am sick of my kids thinking I am fat. I started a weight loss group at our church but it needs to be more structured, right now it is more of just a support group and you try to loose weight on your own then come to weigh in every two weeks. I need more!!!!

Bobbi Anglin!

Bobbi’s Story…

I am very interested in the Biggest Loser competition. I have struggled with my weight all my life. I am 5′ 2″ and now am around 250 pounds (even heavier than when I was pregnant!). I have extrememly poor dietary habits – fast food at least 2 if not 3 times a day. I am to the point now that I could literally come home from work and go straight to bed. I have absolutely no energy and am scared to death that I am going to die before I see any of the milestones in my children’s lives (graduation, weddings, grandchildren, etc.).  I had a very stressful year last year with my job and my children’s education and gained over 25 pounds last year alone. I have since removed myself and them from this unhealthy environment and we are all “starting over”. I am wanting to go back to school and get my degree to teach Preschool but then again worry about my weight and energy level to be able to carry this out. I am ready to do this. I have to change my eating and health habits, not only for myself but also for my family. I love to work out and need a program where I am accountable to someone (i.e. weigh ins). On a lighter (pardon the pun) note, my 20 year class reunion is in 2011 and I’d like to be a bit lighter for that as well.

Angie Willis!

Angie’s Story…

Dawn Fix!

Dawn’s Story…

My name is Dawn Fix and I am a 36 yr old mother of 4 children, two of whom are teenagers ages 16 and 15 and the youngest two ages 10 & 9 both are special needs children. Since the birth of our last daughter 9 years ago I definately have “let myself go” I find that at times it is easier to just avoid the fact that my knees and feet are screaming at me to lose weight or the fact that I should be taking better care of myself as I am a survivor of cervical cancer. I stress eat alot!  I need this challenge as a way of taking control back of me. I need to stay healthy and strong not only for me but for my children, especially my youngest daughter Anna who is terminally ill. Anna suffers from Mitochondrial Disease and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Epilepsy. If know that I have the will and dedication to making a difference in my life, I just need a little help along the way in doing it. If chosen for the Biggest Loser Challenge I would like to represent Smithton Elementary School. Thank you so much for putting together the idea of this.It will be a wonderful way for 10(including you) to take control of thier back ownership of thier lives and live healthy and happier.

Matt Sprouls!

Matt’s Story…

Judi Keplar!

Judi’s Story…

This email serves as my official entry into the Biggest Loser Challenge.  There are many reasons why I think I would be a good contestant for this challenge.  First, I just turned 30 in August and currently weight 350 pounds.  I have been obese for my entire life, but I have steadily gained weight since the birth of my first child 8 years ago.  I recently started considering having gastric bypass surgery to lose the weight.  This challenge comes at the perfect time for me to make a big push to lose the weight on my own. I believe that this partnership between the Farmer’s Market, the YMCA and myself will be highly successful in helping me change my lifestyle for the better.

I am also the Belleville School District PTA Council President and wish to serve as a positive role model for all of the children in the schools I serve.  As this contest benefits those children directly, I seem to be a good candidate.  My son is in the third grade at Franklin Elementary school.  The school has been wonderful to my son and this is a way that I can give back to the Franklin family.  I know that the staff and students at Franklin would be happy to cheer me on!  Career wise, I teach 7th grade Language Arts at Langston Middle School in St. Louis.  I try to be a positive role model for my students and I think that they would also be excited to follow my journey online and serve as cheerleaders for my success.

My husband is an IT professional and has promised to play an active role in documenting my journey digitally for the fans on Facebook.

I hope that you will select me to participate in the Biggest Loser Challenge.  I will work hard to drop the pounds - for myself, my children Nick and Cady, and the children of Franklin Elementary School!

Sherry Wonch!

Sherry’s story…

My name is Sherry Wonch and I am 32 years old single mom. I have two kids who go to Abraham Lincoln so if you pick me I would love to represent my childrens school!! I am only 5’4″ tall but weigh 215 pounds. I have struggled with my weight since  I had my first child 10 years ago. I love to eat healthy but I just need the tools and help to teach me how.  I also like to exercise but I need something to motivate me to help me become healthier and happier! This would be a great way to help me acheive my goal!! I recently noticed that my bad habits on food and exercise are affecting my children. My son is now over weight and I feel it is my fault. I decided to start a  local playgroup in the STL/metro east area for school age kids to try to get all of us more active. I love running the group! Most playgroups are for toddlers and this really gives something for older kids to do stuff on weekends when school is out. I noticed though that due to my weight I have trouble doing some of the activities i plan. I need to get into shape so I can have more activities for my group and show my children how to live more active and healthy!! I always watch Biggest Loser and other weightloss shows like Dance your A$$ off. I cry pretty much the whole time I am watching them feeling jealous. I want the same opportunty to get healthy as they do!! I know with all the tools to eat healthy and a place to excerise (not to mention prizes and getting healthy!) that i would be able to finially do this!! This will help me to show my children how to live a better life, plan more activites for my playgroup to teach to more children, and also will help me with my love life! I havent been in a relationship since I left my husband 7 years ago. I need to eat right and get happier so I can have the confidence to also meet people! I hope you pick me because this change will mean so much to me. I don’t even know how to express it in this email!!! I KNOW I CAN DO THIS!!! I just need the help, support, and encouragement and then I promise you and Abraham Lincoln school that I will do it!!!

ps - If you find someone else for Abraham Lincoln I wouldn’t mind representing Union School either. My kids went there for awhile and my daughter is still in Girl Scouts at Union. Thanks!!

Harry Doolittle!

Harry’s Story…

I am 6 foot 1 and over 300lbs now.  About a year and a half ago, I was at 350 lbs and unhealthy but I lost 80 lbs over 100 days with hard work, hard exercise, and good food.  NO magic formula, no pills, no weight loss centers, just the basics put into application.  I felt GREAT!  I slept better (my snoring and restlessness disappeared), I never got winded and I had lots of energy.  I even had my two oldest girls (at the time, 5 and 4) working out with me at times.  Heck, I even was getting into Yoga with them! (you’d have to see me to believe that one).

Anyway, my department at work was shut down, but my company moved me from a warehouse position to a sales/coordinator position at a hotel in St. Louis.  Glad I didn’t get unemployed, but the new schedule, the new eating habits and hours changed and I couldn’t adjust, so I stopped working out and then bad eating crept in.  I still wanted to lose about another 50 lbs on top of the 80lbs I had lost, but now, 35-40 lbs have been put back on and all the old problems and habits are coming back.

This challenge is just what I need to get back on track.  I’ve been wanting to force myself into the weight loss and exercise again, but I couldn’t find the motivation, believe it or not.  You’d think just feeling soooo much better would do it!  But, if I was in competition with 10 other people and had a drive and a focus, I sure I could be a really really tough competitor and who knows, hopefully the overall winner.

I guarantee this…if you choose me, you WILL have a competition.  I am highly motivated by helping others succeed, but also exceed others expectations!  So I think this would be a perfect fit.

What’s more, my oldest girl goes to Douglas and my middle girl goes to Washington.   I’d like to play for Washington, because my wife informs me that they never get enough people using the Farmer’s for Education Card, and maybe if I won, it would get a little more advertising and especially with the double points in November and the Fruit salads, it would draw attention to your Market and your Card Campaign to help the kids.  I would be a very vocal competitor and I’d love to have the backing of the school and the kids as inspiration.  If that spot is taken, I could also do it for Douglas, but they seem to be doing good, and I like helping the underdog!

I have a Facebook account, I work in the Audio Visual Field, and I can post videos and pictures when needed throughout this challenge.  Even if I am chosen, and some one else wins, they would have to do really well because I am motivated to succeed with this, and I’d still lose the weight, draw attention to the Card program, and help others lose weight along the way.  It’s good all the way around!

I sure hope you choose me to participate.  I’d love to inspire the kids, and others, and still show my girls, my wife, my family and friends, that even though you can fall off the “Fitness/wellness” wagon, you can always get back on and keep going to make this a healthy lifestyle, even through strife and trouble, like job situations and such.  I’ve been lazy and made excuses.  It’s time to get healthy again, and I’d love to have others join me and we do it together.