[
The next Lean Body Challenge will begin May
2, 2005. ]
Here
are the New Year's 2005 Lean Body Challenge™ Winners!
 This
year's Grand Champion is Keith Paul from Knoxville,
TN (pictured right). Here's what he had to say about his incredible
journey:
| "As
I began to shed fat and increase muscle mass, I got motivated
even more to continue. I began to see muscles and veins that
I had never seen in 31 years of life! I received many compliments
from gym members during my transformation (that felt awesome!)
One member actually called me a 'walking anatomy chart.' I have
made an amazing transformation. I feel that I am the definition
of what this challenge is about -- I set a goal and achieved
not only the goal, but more than I ever imagined." |
Keith
lost 27 pounds and shed 8.5% body fat.
Congrats,
Keith! on winning 1st Place 30-39 & Overall Grand Champion!
Here
are the rest of this year's winners, listed by division.
18
- 30 Division
Ryan
Kane - 1st Place
Wheaton, IL
|
| “I
lost over 32 pounds and lost almost 14% body fat. Those
are just numbers though. The most important success is
that I like my body now. Labrada has shown me how to lead
a healthy lifestyle. The main difference of me now and
me from 12 weeks ago is that I am not ashamed of my body
anymore. I completely committed to this Challenge. I had
to get up to lift before 5 a.m., then go to work, then
college classes, back to work, then do cardio, then sleep.
I had several days like that a week, but I never ever
let it slow me down. The days that I wanted to stop I
knew were the most important for me to keep going. Even
if Lee's Challenge is over, it lit the spark that started
the fire. I just want to keep challenging my fitness further.
Thanks Lee!” |
|
 |
Ryan
lost 32.5 pounds and 13.6 % body fat.
Ginny
Sanders - 2nd Place
Phoenix, AZ
|
| “I’ve
been addicted to food all my life, and anytime I tried
a 'diet' I would fail because of the restricted temptations.
During the Challenge, I made it my goal not to make it
a 12-week program, but to truly make this a lifestyle
change. I emotionally detached myself from food, and that
is something I never thought possible. I made this a life
challenge change, with an ultimate goal of not eating
with my emotions. Many things kept me motivated to finish
the Lean Body Challenge, but what motivated me most was
just looking back at my past and seeing how far I’ve
come. Two summers ago I weighed 250 pounds and I could
barely make it up two flights of stairs without feeling
very winded. I was only 18, and no one should live that
way at any age. By completing this challenge, I could
mark even more progress in my journey to a healthier life.
Engrossing myself in the fitness and health world motivates
me and reminds me how much I want to be a healthy person,
and challenges like this keep me motivated and determined
to be the healthy person I deserve to be. Even if I’m
not selected as a winner of this Challenge, there is no
greater prize to me in this life than my health, so I’ve
already won.” |
|
 |
Ginny
lost 10.5 pounds and 3% body fat.
Mark
Doornbos- 3rd Place
Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
|
| “The
change I see in myself physically and emotionally is completely
amazing. It’s hard to believe that in 12 weeks,
your body can transform into a lean muscle mass machine.
I recommend anyone who wants to change themselves physically
and emotionally to do the Lean Body Challenge.
I
wanted to see how much of an improvement my body could
make and every day I was at the gym I completed another
day to improve my body. I remember the second week of
the Challenge we had just had a snowstorm the night
before and the strong, cold winds created snowdrifts.
The temperature had dropped to around -35 Fahrenheit.
This tested my determination and motivation to get to
the gym. By the time I got to the gym, I was pretty
tired from trudging through the snowdrifts and fighting
off the wind, but I didn’t miss a beat. I could
have easily stayed at work toasty warm during my lunch
break, but I wanted to finish the goal I set out and
no matter what the weather was like or how big the snowdrifts
were, I was determined to get to the gym. In reality,
this contest is about determination, motivation, proper
dieting and a robust workout routine. I accomplished
all of my challenges set out for me in the beginning
of this competition, and I think if anyone does that
they are a definite winner”
|
|
 |
Mark
lost 11 pounds and 4% bodyfat .
30
- 39 Division
Dan
Brown - 2nd Place
Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
|
| “Some
emotional successes included finally taking the time to
set goals and sticking with them. This made me feel great
which in turn spilled over into my relationships at home
and work. I have become more positive in all aspects of
my life, and I am really proud of what I have accomplished
during these 12 weeks.
Many
things motivated me during the Lean Body Challenge.
My children made posters to encourage me and plastered
them all over the house. My wife was supportive of me
daily. I convinced some co-workers to enter and watching
them do well motivated me to do well. I faced many struggles
during the 12 weeks. During weeks 4 and 5, I fell off
my plan. I overcame this with the help of my children.
When they saw me eat something that I shouldn’t
have, they would point it out and remind me I was in
a contest. By them doing this I realized that they were
also learning from my experiences and I should ‘stick
with my plan.’ Anyone who starts and finishes
the Lean Body Challenge is a winner. I now look at winning
as a product of hard work, preparation and a bit of
luck. This has become a way of life for me and also
my wife and kids. I realize that this is an ongoing,
never-ending process. It is what you make it. I proved
to myself that I can set goals and attain them. I am
no longer ‘scared of success.’ I look forward
to more challenges like this in all aspects of my life.”
|
|
 |
Dan
lost 12 pounds and 7% body fat, increased lean body mass by 5 pounds
and lost 17 fat pounds.
Karen
Garvin - 3rd Place
Oklahoma City, OK
|
| “The
diet has changed that way I will eat forever in order
to keep the physique I have reached. Emotional success
is knowing I can do it by keeping my mind focused and
having determination to achieve my goal. Once in awhile,
I would have the struggle of not having the energy to
go work out. But once I started it felt great and built
my endurance back up. The challenge was to really stick
to the diet and keep the attitude that I was going to
complete this.
I followed all the steps and had the
motivation to prove to myself that even at 36 years
old, a new program and a new way of eating and a new
lifestyle can be a goal for anyone and can be accomplished!”
|
|
 |
Karen
lost 9 pounds and 11% body fat.
40
- 49 Division
Doyle
Hayes, Jr.- 1st Place
Haubstadt, IN
|
| “As
the weeks passed by and with my new gained knowledge (attained
from the Lee Labrada Web site), it became apparent that
the physical and emotional changes were indeed coming
alive. It would never have believed that such changes
were possible, especially because I was not an athlete
in my younger days. I always had a mental block about
my abilities and capabilities and had to reach way down
inside myself to accomplish my goals. My hard work and
commitment made it possible for me to taste success and
its sweet flavor. Now I know what the saying, “You
reap what you sow” means! I am indeed proud of all
that I have accomplished so far in my 12-week Challenge
and plan on taking my accomplishments and new abilities
to an all new level. The challenge I took upon myself
with the program has helped me to not only meet my emotional
needs, but it motivated me to want to help others that
are struggling with their weight problems.” |
|
 |
Doyle
lost 25 pounds and 8.5% body fat.
Al
Brunette - 2nd Place
St. Petersburg, FL
|
| “After
a splenectomy and two additional surgeries due to incisional
herniation, my stomach muscles were in pretty bad shape.
Shortly after that, a back injury resulted in two herniated
discs. I thought I would never get back into shape. The
anticipation of the weigh-ins and measurements were great.
However, the visual changes outweighed all of that. Physically
my back has felt better than it has in quite a while,
which is allowing me to be more active every day. The
Challenge takes a very regimented way of eating and exercise.
Living in Florida, we are blessed with a string of guests
during the winter months (which happened to coincide with
the Challenge). Correct dietary choices during these times
were my biggest challenge. I overcame them by helping
with the meal planning and restaurant choices.” |
|
 |
Al
lost 14 pounds, gained 1 inch on his arms, gained 2 inches in the
chest, lost 4 inches on the waist, and gained 1 inch on his thighs.
Armando
Zacarias - 3rd Place
Lake Villa, IL
|
| “Taking
care of your health is a lifestyle change. I want to be
able to go to my doctor’s office and see my blood
pressure at a new low level. I want to be able to say,
‘I did it! I completed 12 weeks of healthy eating
and hard-pounding exercise.’ At one point I got
the flu and I thought it was going to take me out of my
Challenge. I was able to shake it off with minimal loss.
Eating healthy and having a good exercise program helped
me shave off 12 pounds and most importantly drop my blood
pressure from 142/88 to 119/68! This is a feat worth placing
on top.” |
|
 |
Armando
lost 12 pounds and 8% body fat; blood pressure went from 142/88
to 119/68.
50+
Division
George
Goff - 1st Place
Flower Mound (Dallas), TX
|
| “I
could feel a ‘six pack’ for the first time.
Also, I couldn’t believe my strength was growing
so much at my age,” says 64-year-old George Goff.
“I have never felt so good in my life! The Challenge
actually went better than expected. I was never really
hungry and was surprised how creative I became on my own
healthy recipes. This Challenge reminded me that a human
being has to be in physical and mental struggle at all
times in order to be at the top of their game. I have
felt alive again and prepared to set out a plan for constant
self development and improvement. It is the process rather
than the end that sets up the environment for receiving
the rewards that are uncalculated beyond expectation.
I have to look in the mirror to remind myself that I’m
not 30. In fact, I’m better off than I was at 30.” |
|
 |
George
Lost 21 pounds and 8% body fat, lost 4 inches in waist; went from
not being able to finish running a mile to running 3 miles at 6
mph. George has been married 40 years, has 4 children and 13 grandchildren.
Bob
Cropper - 2nd Place
Newport News, VA
|
| “I
find myself more focused, having put forth great strides
in order to improve myself physically and mentally. I
now take time for myself and my wife, dedicating every
day to some type of physical challenge. I surpassed the
goals I set at the beginning of this Challenge –
my arms increased by 2 inches, my waist decreased by 4
inches, and my chest increased 1.5 inches. I’ve
dropped 2 percent body fat and gained stamina I never
knew I possessed! Thank you for allowing me to enter this
Challenge again. The inner pride I have now and the overall
physical appearance and strength gained has been worth
the sacrifices made during the past 12 weeks.” |
|
 |
Bob
lost 3 pounds and 2% body fat. This is his second time placing in
the Lean Body Challenge.
Ralph
Netzel - 3rd Place
Franklin, WI
|
| “My
blood pressure was high when I started. After about 4
weeks it dropped significantly. This was enough to put
me on an emotional high. I also received compliments from
friends, and that made me feel better about myself. I
believe the 12 weeks gave me a goal to shoot for and now
I am motivated enough to do more. I put my heart into
this Challenge – I believe my appearance at the
end shows that. I kept my goal of 12 weeks in sight and
never gave up – no matter how hard it got.” |
|
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Ralph
lost 18 pounds and 7.5% body fat.
Once
again, we'd like to congratulate this years winners. Their hard
work and determination are an inspiration to us all. Their efforts
show us that no matter who you are, where you come from, or what
stage you are in life, it's never too late to decide to make a difference
in your health and physical fitness level. Armed with the right
attitude and information, anyone can reach their goals.
Did
you miss out on the Challenge this year? Not to worry!
We'll be conducting another Lean Body Challenge beginning May 2.
Click
Here
to Register!
Back
to Labrada.com
|