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Health Challenge: The wrap-up

After 12 weeks of gruelling workouts, a meal plan infused with fruits, vegetables and lean meats, a considerable amount of sweat and sometimes tears, the Times Colonist Health Challenge has come to an end.

After 12 weeks of gruelling workouts, a meal plan infused with fruits, vegetables and lean meats, a considerable amount of sweat and sometimes tears, the Times Colonist Health Challenge has come to an end.

The challenge offered five finalists from the community, plus myself, a Times Colonist reporter, twice-weekly personal training sessions, advice from registered dietitians and financial planners, and sessions with a mental coach.

On Sunday, the six finalists gathered at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence to show off their new, trimmer bodies and talk about the difference the challenge made in each of their lives.

Weight loss is just a small facet of the program.

“It’s a program about helping to change people’s lives for the better,” said Shannon Kowalko, Times Colonist promotions and community relations manager.

At the finale, the finalists all wore broad smiles that were about more than pride, Kowalko said.

“Those smiles were a symbol of the healthier and happier life they had already begun to start living. The Times Colonist is proud of all the finalists — each of them is successful in their own right.”

The finalists represented people in varied walks of life. Elisabeth Westlake, 58, was recently widowed and signed on to the challenge as a way to find a way forward.

She lost 10 pounds, has less pain in an arthritic knee and is sleeping better.

“Sleep is elusive when grieving an absent loved one,” said Westlake.

“The mind starts working and sleep doesn’t come. With regular exercise, sleep comes much easier, and seems deeper and longer.”

Raechel Gray, a 38-year-old mother, lost 12 pounds and was surprised to learn that exercise is just one component in feeling healthy and happy.

“I choose what I eat, if I exercise, what my mood is, so if I let life get me down, it’s ultimately up to me to bring myself back up.”

Suzy Spitfyre, 37, works out twice daily, has so far lost 52 pounds and inspires those around her to get healthy.

Her husband, Stephane, lost 24 pounds, and people she doesn’t know have offered encouragement and praise.

“I suffer from bouts of endorphin-induced slap-happiness, hyperactivity and extreme optimism,” Spitfyre said with her characteristic comedic edge.

“I feel like I do everything faster, longer and with more spirit now.”

Nathan Robinson, 40, lost 35 pounds and gained nine pounds of muscle. He’s down 10 inches on his chest, waist and hips.

“I have lots of energy,” said Robinson. “It was tough, but you have to just push through it, put a lot of energy into eating vegetables and all the right foods, and eat at the right time of day as well.”

Steve Holub, 26, is proud that he got through the 12-week challenge because it really was a challenge at times.

“It was an opportunity of a lifetime for me,” said Holub, who overcame the obstacles and finished with a smile.

I did the challenge, too, but my experience was complicated by a couple of broken bones. I proved to myself and others that nothing can stop me from achieving anything, now that I’ve successfully completed the Times Colonist Health Challenge.

The broken arm and ankle were irritating distractions, but not real obstacles.

The finalists weren’t the only ones working out over the 12-week period. Times Colonist readers worked out at home during the challenge, hoping to improve their health and win draw prizes at the finale.

smcculloch@timescolonist.com