Biggest Winner competitors see changes at halfway point
Ashlea Presto
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Ashlea Presto works out during an early morning training session at the wellness center.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Deb Barsis is the current leader in weight loss for the Observer-Reporter team.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Carole DeAngelo uses a fitness ball to strengthen her core.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Trainer Stephanie Bartlam puts the Observer-Reporter team through a drill on the treadmill.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
The Observer-Reporter team warms up on the treadmills.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Kristina Schuerle works out with a kettle bell.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Mark Knestrick does pull-ups on the TRX suspension bands.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Lori Hensel has seen a lot of changes since starting the Biggest Winner program last month.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Trainer Stephanie Bartlam demonstrates an exercise on the TRX bands.
It’s only been a few weeks since the Biggest Winner competition began, but the six members of the Observer-Reporter team already have begun to see their hard work pay off.
As they enter week five of the seven-week health and fitness competition at the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, they’re all happy to report weight loss, increased energy levels and increased flexibility and mobility.
“I can do more now,” Ashlea Presto said. “I’m not winded going up the steps, and I can get on the floor more easily with my boys.”
In a matter of weeks, Presto went from struggling to do some of the exercises to mastering advance positions.
“I look forward to waking up and starting my day at the gym,” she said.
Presto said her weight-loss journey has become a family affair. Her mother, brother and husband have joined her in making healthy choices.
“I’m excited to see where this will go,” she said. “I have a lot of goals, and I look forward to seeing where I’ll be this time next year.”
Presto is not alone. All six members shared enthusiasm about the program and the opportunities it offers. Like Presto, Kristina Schuerle’s husband has joined her on her weight-loss journey.
“My husband said my mood and attitude have changed,” Schuerle said. “He eats whatever I cook, so he’s lost some weight as well. We both joined the wellness center in December, so we motivate each other to get to the gym. We’re trying to do this together.”
Although she’s made changes to her diet, Schuerle said she’s struggling the most with the nutrition portion of the competition.
“I’m trying to make constant modifications,” she said. “I’m trying to lower my salt intake. I’m not eating out as much. I’m meal prepping at the start of the week. But I need to work on my snacking.”
Deb Barsis is also making modifications to her diet. She’s focusing on cutting out junk and ensuring each meal replenishes her for the next workout.
“You get depleted,” Barsis said. “So you really need to make sure you are eating nutritious, low-calorie foods. I’m eating more dark greens, and I’m not eating near as many carbs. As for meat, I’m eating all fish or chicken.”
Barsis is the current leader in weight loss for the team after losing 12 pounds. Barsis said she and Mark Knestrick have a friendly competition going.
“We’ve pretty much been neck-in-neck,” she said. “I think I’m starting to plateau, so I’m really going to have to work hard at the gym this week.”
Knestrick said the friendly competition and encouragement from his teammates really keeps him going. He’s lost more than 10 pounds.
“We all get along well and have a lot of fun,” he said. “It makes a big difference.”
Knestrick is enjoying the program, but he’s still adjusting to the nutrition component. He’s making sure to eat more protein, less carbs and less red meat.
“I’m adapting,” he said. “You put it on a lot faster than you can take it off.”
Lori Hensel agrees. While she disappointed that she’s only lost four pounds, she’s enjoying the program.
“I’m really enjoying the nutrition classes,” she said. “I’m learning that basically, if I eat what I shouldn’t, then my workout is essentially useless. So I’m keeping it as lean as possible and tracking everything I eat on an app. It helps.”
Hensel said that while the scale won’t move, she’s noticing lots of other changes.
“My clothes are looser. I can run longer. My muscles are starting to come back,” she said. “I’m just going to continue working out, making changes and try to finish strong.”
Carole DeAngelo echoed Hensel’s sentiments. As an Observer-Reporter employee, DeAngelo is unable to win the O-R team’s competition, but that doesn’t diminish her drive or commitment.
“This program continues to amaze me,” she said. “The camaraderie and constant encouragement has changed my daily outlook. While it’s important that I lose weight, it’s more important that I make healthy life choices. I feel stronger, I’m able to run longer, and I’ve noticed that I have far more energy throughout the day.”
She’s made changes to her diet, but like her teammates, she’s finding she needs to make modifications. As a vegetarian, DeAngelo is focusing on limiting her sugar intake and placing restrictions on not eating too late.
“This has come at a time in my life when I need a positive distraction,” she said. “It’s about finishing strong for my heart and soul.”
Their trainer, Stephanie Bartlam, is pleased with the direction that the team is going.
“We’ve got different fitness levels and ages, but everyone is losing weight and progressing,” she said.
Bartlam is working to build the team’s endurance through cardio and resistance training. Each week, she introduces something new.
“I’m pushing them a little harder each week to ensure they’re improving and reaching their peak,” she said.
She’s also proud of the way her team is meshing.
“There are different personalities, and they all feed off of each other,” she said. “They push each other to do better. They’ve got the foundation down now, and hopefully they stay focused for the rest of the competition.”
Bartlam said she’s not focused on winning, but instead encouraging her team to lead healthier lifestyles.
“These seven weeks are really important in introducing them to a healthier lifestyle,” she said. “My main goal is for them to continue on with what they have learned. This should be the start of a lifetime of positive changes.”