FIT CHALLENGE 09

Arlene Gahl's Success

“Because I love the outdoors, I joined the Outdoor Fitness Adventure Club in September of 2005, which gets me out in the back country and mountains of Southern California three days per week. This gives me an opportunity to capture the beauty of Southern California from the mountains to the sea. Elaine designed a special diet for me in October and I have since lost 11 pounds and 4 inches from my waist.”

Arlene has made tremendous strides in her fitness level since the day she started hiking, she is motivated, has increased her energy levels and loves her NEW shape and size, realizing her quality of life is more important than straying away from her healthy lifestyle, she remains disciplined to her exercise and eating program.

Arlene made such great successes that others began asking her what she had done to create such positive change… Ann is one of those women (read about Ann in our on-line newsletter.)

Arlene Gahl is a freelance photographer, avid hiker, volunteer, wife, mother and grandmother. Her love of photography led her to leave her job in 2000 and pursue her hobby full time. She travels extensively throughout the world making images of everything that catches her fancy.  She loves beautiful landscapes, wild and domestic animals, butterflies, flowers and children (especially her grandchildren).

Congratulations Arlene Gahl!
Check out Arlene’s photo website: http://imagesbyarlene.ifp3.com

Ann Carpenter's Success

"So here is my fabulous success story: I started with the Outdoor Fitness Adventure Club the beginning of December. I took Arlene Gahl's recommendation to sign-up for nutrition counseling and an exercise program. For most of December and January the scale did not show much progress although I was doing strengthening exercises, hiking and reducing my caloric intake."

Ann then entered the 2007 Biggest Loser Fit Challenge and realized after her first set of measurements that ten pounds of fat had had been lost and she had increased approximately ten pounds of lean tissue mass. That was encouraging to her.

It was suggested to Ann to follow the detox Soup plan; studies show that women who have difficulty losing weight may have toxins trapped in their adipose tissue. Detoxing naturally is the best way to see results.

Ann prepared the soup and followed the plan for four days. The scale finally started to show some weight loss. After four days of Detoxing she switched to the ‘Body Fat Loss Diet’ and continued to lose steadily throughout five-week Biggest Loser program.

She lost twelve pounds of weight and 11.5 inches.  Her exercise regime to burn the most optimal calories was as follows: two hikes per week and two to three days of weight resistance workouts per week. She ate approximately or slightly less than 1400 calories per day of whole grains, lean protein, fresh vegetables and fruit.

The picture (in the little black dress) was taken right before she was re-measured at the end of the five-week Biggest Loser Fit Challenge.  “It was my anniversary and I was very pleased to wear this cute black dress that had NEVER fit before.”

“Since THE Biggest Loser ended, I have lost another four pounds, I continue the same exercise regime but I eat slightly more, maybe another 200 calories per day. I still consider myself dieting and am looking forward to losing another ten pounds while continuing to improve my fitness level.  I have also experienced a huge improvement in my blood pressure, which is very important to me since I was diagnosed as borderline hypertensive and don't wish to take medication.”

So after only four months she is thinner, fitter and healthier!  “I have been hiking and skiing with the boy scouts and I feel like I did when I was twenty-something!”

CONGRATULATIONS ANN, YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ALL OF US!