Hill Deni’s Weight Loss Journey: Before and After
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at the NBC’s studio in Burbank, California, a
Mormon mother of eight was the winner of the at-home challenge on the NBC’s biggest loser. Deni Hill, the 59-year-old mother from Bountiful, Utah, competed with her daughter. She came onto the show at 256 pounds, and she weighed in Tuesday at 131 pounds, for an amazing loss of 125 pounds, and a 48.83 percent of her original weight. She won a $100,000 dollars and earned every dime, beating out 17 other contestants who had been eliminated from the show and were working to lose weight at home.
The Biggest Loser show is a reality show on NBC designed to take obese contestants on the journey to a new and healthier life. It is NBC’s most popular show and is in the 11th season.
Deni Hill had to wait for the very last contestant to know if she won. Deni shared with me her experience and her journey back to health.
How did you get on the show?
My daughter had a car accident several years ago. She was heavy before the accident but was able to lose a lot of weight. After she married, the weight began to come back. Her doctor advised that she would have to lose weight to be able to get pregnant. She learned of the casting call for the Biggest Loser Show in Salt Lake and decided that if she could get onto the show, she could lose the weight. She was accepted on the couples show and when they asked her who she would bring as her partner she gave me the break of a life time. “She said I will bring my mother.”
How many weeks were you on campus.
We were on campus for 12 weeks. It was long enough to really change my life style.
What was life like for the twelve weeks you were on campus?
This time they had two teams. One on the ranch and the other was in a facility near the ranch where people come to have a Biggest Loser Experience. We were at the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Malibu, California. There were six member of the Church in my group. “We had our own inside support system. “ When you are on campus you cannot have any phone calls or leave the campus on Sunday for church. Each Sunday we all gathered together and created our own spiritual experience.
What was your biggest challenge on the show?
My biggest challenge came when I had to work with Jillian and Bob. When you are so heavy it is hard to do all the things that they ask. Many people in the group had major and minor physical problems that would stop most people. The medical team was wonderful to support us and encourage us to work though our physical challenges.
What was your daily routine?
“It was such a different experience. Imagine a day with no phone calls, no email, and you have to get special permission to leave campus, and when you do, you are accompanied by a person from the show staff. It is lot like being on a mission. This mission was to focus on me and to regain my health. I went for an hour walk every morning before breakfast.
All of our food is brought to the kitchen by the show, but it is up to each one of us to cook our own meals. Part of our job was to learn to prepare food that was nutritious, healthy and delicious. I needed to change my lifestyle and this was a great place to start. After breakfast, I met with the trainers and worked out for two hours. Then I would prepare lunch and have time to rest. The afternoon were filled with another two hours at the gym. After dinner I went back to do another workout.
What did you fix for your meals?
I often had oatmeal for breakfast. I ate a lot of salads with wonderful organic vegetables. I would sometimes have chicken and fish but very little red meat. In a day I had 3 meals and 2 snacks. I learned to eat every two hours. This keeps my body fueled up and burning calories.
What was your biggest challenge?
I think the exercise. First I was not used to doing any more than I had to. If I got down on the floor it was hard to get up alone.
What did you learn that you want to share?
I had been on every diet you can imagine and never had long-term results because I could not maintain them for the long term. I realized it was a lifestyle change that I needed, and I did not know how to make it on my own. With my new habits and my new body, I know that I will live to enjoy my family and see my grandchildren grow up.
What would be your advice other who want to lose weight?
Work to find the healthy foods that you enjoy. Go to the gym and work out. Get over your fear of being heavy and working out. The people at gyms will welcome you and help you find the exercise you need. If you can’t afford a trainer go to the classes that are offered. This can be the best gift you ever give yourself. Don’t wait another day. Take time for you and you will see the change come into your life so you will be able to give back to the world.
