Amber England, Oklahoma City, OK
Using Jillian's program to lose nearly 90 pounds*, Amber not only won the 10-Ton Challenge (along with a one-on-one workout with Jillian!), she also won her life and health back!
Growing up, I always led a very active life. I played softball and basketball, ran track, and was a member of the cheer and pom squad. However, during college I lost a lot of weight (down to 107 pounds at 5'6") due to a bacterial ulcer that doctors didn't pinpoint for two years. After two weeks on a heavy antibiotic, I was good as new…or so I thought. After two years of near starvation, my body started to hold on to every morsel of food I put in my body. For the next ten years, I slowly gained pounds at a time, and I struggled to find myself. Not happy in my personal life, I dove headfirst into my career in politics, never realizing just how out of control my weight had become.
The final straw came in May 2007 at my sister's wedding. She had asked me to be a part of her big day, and I turned her down, because at 247 pounds I didn't want to stand up in front of so many people. I was never so ashamed of myself for allowing my life to get so far out of my control. I made a vow to myself that day I would shed 100 pounds and take control of my life. It took time for the transition: I needed my friends and family for accountability, and I threw out all my bad food and restocked my fridge with healthier food. On Monday, June 4, 2007, I officially began my journey. I developed better eating habits first, and in late July I started working out. Like almost everything else I do in life, I went full-steam ahead, not realizing that the years of being sedentary weren't going to allow me instantly to run for two miles. I got an overuse injury, but I was determined to not let it stop me from accomplishing the goals I had set for myself. During this time, I found Jillian's site and the 10-Ton Challenge — it was exactly what I needed to motivate me. I saw how passionate and deeply caring Jillian was with her contestants on The Biggest Loser, but I also admired how she pushed them out of their comfort zone both mentally and physically at the same time. I started doing circuit training "beatings" religiously, leaving out the lower-body portions because of the injury but eventually working my way up to completing all five circuits, as well as two more days of spin class and two additional days of running. I purchased a heart-rate monitor to ensure my workouts are on point and a calorie-counting book to make sure my diet is on point. My goal, which Jillian helped me formulate, is to be able to maintain five hours of exercise a week for the rest of my life. I am grateful for Jillian Michaels's passion to help others lead healthy, fulfilled lives. After winning the 10-Ton Challenge essay, I was amazed by the time I spent with Jillian in Los Angeles. In my one-on-one workout she helped me realize something about myself that I hadn't known up until that day — I'm strong and capable of much more than I ever thought possible. I'm still learning, growing, succeeding, and failing. And I'm okay with all of it. Before I couldn't and wouldn't tell people "No," but now I say it regularly without guilt. I love that I feel confident enough to wear cute little tank tops, I love that exercise makes me feel strong, and I love not being scared of what lies ahead. The extra weight I carried around for a little more than a decade not only weighed me down physically, it also weighed down my personality. Now that the weight has been literally lifted off my shoulders, I feel like a completely different person. I'm the Amber I used to be — I've always laughed a lot and enjoyed making others laugh, but now it has a whole new meaning. I'm not laughing to cover up insecurities in my life; I'm laughing because of the pure joy I feel deep inside myself. Best Compliments: Every compliment I receive is meaningful, and I cherish each of them. I'm amazed at the ability of the people around me to lift me up on a daily basis in ways they don't even realize. When people tell me I inspire them or that they love the person I have become or want to know my secret to taking control of my life, I tend to become speechless for a moment, and then I just feel blessed. Activities Now: When I started this journey in June, I couldn't run for two minutes, but now I run for hours at a time. I couldn't do one single push-up, and now I can do over 40 without stopping…and not girl push-ups, either — the real ones! I couldn't hang from a bar without immediately falling to the ground. Now I hold myself up at a 90 degree angle from the same bar that used to be the death of me. And I just completed a marathon relay! Advice for Others: Losing pounds is simple math…calories in minus calories out. But don't be so naive to think that's all weight loss is about. If it were, obesity wouldn't exist. I would venture to guess that 90 percent of weight loss is a mental game. Reach out to others who are going through their own journey, and be open to sharing ups and downs with them. A weight-loss buddy or a workout partner can provide you with the motivation you need to stay strong. I've allowed myself to truly enjoy my journey, and I've rewarded myself along the way. When I hit a specific goal, I treat myself. Maybe it's a massage or a facial, a new article of clothing, or just a morning of not answering my phone or returning e-mails and text messages right away. Also, listen to the voice inside you telling you that you can, and turn off the voice telling you that you can't. For me, "impossible" only exists if I allow it. I set positive and healthy boundaries in my life so that I can continue to grow both personally and professionally. I may be close to achieving my weight-loss goal, but my goal to apply what I've learned and pay it forward will always be a work in progress. The motivation comes from within. The biggest motivation of all is the thought that there is simply nothing stopping me from becoming my absolute best. *Results not typical.
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