In March 2007 Jennette, 42, considered applying for Series 3 of The Biggest Loser TV show because she was so desperate to lose weight. But she decided to join The Biggest Loser Club and do it from home instead. This week after almost nine months on the program, Jennette achieved the milestone of a massive 40kg lost. Thrilled with her new lease on life, she talks here about
what finally worked for her.
"I'd been thinking about the fact that I had to get the weight off and I’d been watching Series 2 of The Biggest Loser. The night of the finale I thought, 'that’s it, I’m doing it' and signed up to The Biggest Loser Club website on the spot. There’s diabetes in my family and I didn’t want to get a diagnosis five years down the track and think, ‘I could have avoided this’. I'd actually lost 62kg in the past and then put 54 back on! It was a very strict diet which limited what I could eat. But I didn’t exercise, so as soon as I started eating normally I regained the weight."
Jennette wanted to take a different approach this time and decided that working out was the way to go. "This time I’m going to the gym and feeling so much better for it. I grew up not really liking sport but now I really enjoy it. I’ve gone from being under average, to above average fitness. I run now and I haven't run since high school and that was a long time ago! I even just finished a boot camp at my gym and want to do another one next year. I can do sixty press-ups now! I have so much more energy, I’m just bouncing. I also have three teenage boys and can do more active things with them. Before it was too much effort but now we’re going bushwalking together at the end of the year."
Jennette has used the tools on The Club site to help her reach her goals and feels that the lessons she's learned have been life changing. "I really like the diary and seeing my energy in and energy out. That pushes me to make my 'out' better than my 'in'. I like being able to easily see how many calories are in something, or if I’ve gone over my limit. I love the instant information so I can make a decision on the spot. It gives you real knowledge that you can deal with. You don’t have to make an appointment or go see someone – it's all at your fingertips 24 hours a day. I also think the forum is good, I like to read what people are saying. It gives a sense of community and reminds me that I'm not in this alone."
For Jennette one of the pleasant surprises of The Club is that she doesn't feel as if she's on a diet. "I'm eating well, keeping the calories down and exercising. I can eat whatever I like within reason – it's just normal living."
And Jennette's advice to anyone who needs a bit of inspiration: "Don’t give up! If you have a bad day remember tomorrow is a new one. Think about your long-term goals and why you're doing what you're doing. Remind yourself of the reasons you want to lose weight on a regular basis; otherwise you will give up because it is hard work. I only have 11kg until I reach my goal weight but I still need motivation. For me, whenever I grow out of something to wear I throw it into a basket. It's very motivating when I see the basket is full!”