This weekend at DEEM, we wrapped up our Biggest Loser (BL) Contest—and the results were incredible.

Unlike typical weight-loss challenges, this contest focused on more than just the number on the scale. We looked at the percentage of weight lost, yes—but also factored in inches, body fat and lean body mass (LBM). Because the real trick isn’t just losing weight—it’s doing it the right way: dropping body fat while maintaining or even increasing LBM.

Ever heard of “skinny fat”? It’s when someone loses weight, but their body fat percentage stays high. It may look like progress, but it’s still unhealthy—and often short-lived. That’s why we built this challenge to focus on sustainable change. To win, contestants have to keep the weight off and maintain their healthy habits for an additional four weeks after the initial 12-week challenge. The goal? To lock in what they’ve learned and turn it into a lasting lifestyle shift.

For many, this is just the beginning of their wellness journey—but it’s a powerful start.

I want to take a moment to highlight our second-place winner, Arlene. While our first-place winner Shauna, absolutely deserves a huge congratulations for her incredible dedication and hard work, Arlene’s story stands out for a different reason.

Arlene entered the contest not to compete, but to take steps toward improving her quality of life. Diagnosed with arthritis a year and a half ago, she saw our ad for the contest back in December 2024 and made a powerful decision—to take action with the focus on getting her health on track.

Fast-forward to now: not only did she see incredible physical changes (check out her before-and-after photos!), but her March bloodwork came back with no red flags for the first time since her diagnosis. She says she can now get out of bed without pain—and her partner even jokes that he has a hard time keeping up with her on walks!

Arlene wasn’t the only one with a transformation. One contestant dropped his A1C by a couple of points and another no longer measures high for blood pressure. Several participants made significant gains in their fitness testing—a series of benchmark exercises we do at the start, middle, and end of the contest.  Nearly all the participants reported having more energy and a new love for working out as well as nutritious food—something that once felt totally foreign to them.

This is what happens when you focus on health from the inside out. We’re proud of every single person who stepped up and committed to themselves. The journey isn’t over—but wow, what a strong beginning. 

Shown here are the top 3 contestants, but we had 13 in total participating. 

Lbs Loss	% Weight Loss	Person	Inches Lost	Body Fat Lost	LBM Gained
-19.00	-8.04	Shauna	-19.25	-29.66	10.66
-18.20	-7.96	Arlene	-21.00	-29.84	11.64
-11.60	-6.33	Dianne	-16.25	-20.36	8.76

One more tidbit about Arlene—she completed the entire program with us online. Out of all the contestants, four participated virtually, proving that you can achieve incredible results from anywhere.

If you or someone you know is simply looking to feel better, reach out to DEEM to get started. Our Summer Slim Down kicks off after Easter! This next challenge is a little different—no scale involved. More details in next week’s corner!

Mikkie Nettles-Pollon, Certified Personal Trainer/Holistic & Sports Nutritionist
Not sure where to begin, contact me at info@deemhealth.ca
250-541 -0411.
www.deamhealth.ca
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