Fitness Challenge

Mary Lou Gengenbacher: She won by losing

When Mary Lou Gengenbacher learned that she was chosen to participate in The Herald-Whig’s first Fitness Challenge in January, she said, “I’m going to do it. I really don’t want to be this way any more.”

Well, Gengenbacher did it.

After 12 weeks of challenging workouts and healthy eating, she lost 37 pounds, trimmed 33 inches from various parts of her body and has been declared the Fitness Challenge winner.

“I can’t believe it. I never thought I’d have a chance to whip on them youngins,” said Gengenbacher, 62, who was the oldest participant in the Challenge, held in partnership with Quincy Medical Group.
“I’m pretty excited.”

The winner was determined by the amount of fat lost. Gengenbacher lost 34.82 pounds of fat, nearly 11 more pounds of fat than second-place finisher, 34-year-old Kevin Murphy.

Other participants were Marcy Ogle, 38, Melissa Muder, 22, Kris McEwen, 32, and Phil Carlson, 44.

All participants did workouts three times a week with either Niki Fontinel or Megan Schweitzer, personal trainers at Quincy Medical Group, worked out on their own, and got nutritional counseling from Cheryl Loatsch.

“They all did a good job, too. They’re all awesome and I was very glad to meet them,” Gengenbacher said. “I think they all took it seriously. I just think I worked harder. I had something to prove, that I could do it at my age and with bilateral surgery on my knees.”

When Gengenbacher started the Challenge, she was 245 pounds. By the time the 12 weeks was over, she was down to 208. She said she went the doctor last week and weighed in at 204.

“Niki’s goal was 199. We almost made it,” Gengenbacher said. “You know how I said I wanted that piece of pie at Sprout’s once the Challenge was over? I’m not going to reward myself with that until I get under 200. It is within reach, maybe a couple of weeks.”

She’d eventually like to get down to between 160 and 175 pounds.

“I am so committed," she said. "For the first time in my life, I have it in my head that I’m going to do it.”

Here's how the other participants did:

KEVIN MURPHY
Lost 27 pounds
Lost 23.9 pounds of fat
Lost 15.5 inches

MARCY OGLE
Lost 23.5 pounds
Lost 20.46 pounds of fat
Lost 24.75 inches

MELISSA MUDER
Lost 26 pounds
Lost 19.25 pounds of fat
Lost 19.5 inches

KRIS MCEWEN
Lost 26 pounds
Lost 17.66 pounds of fat
Lost 25 inches

PHIL CARLSON
Lost 23 pounds
Lost 11.78 pounds of fat
Lost 18.5 inches

Great job everyone! Congratulations!

Final Results: 'I know that if I give it my all, I can succeed'

Mary Lou Gengenbacher

Well, the Challenge is coming to an end and I can say that I have enjoyed it tremendously! Niki and I were talking about the first workout just the other day. She wasn’t too sure about me and neither was I. No matter how hard the workouts, I have to say I gave it my best shot. I actually wasn’t always sore afterwards even though I have never been “Workout Queen.” I have learned a lot about myself. I know that if I give it my all, I know I can succeed. I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to the Quincy Medical Group, The Quincy Herald-Whig, Niki, Megan, Cheryl and Kelly. Also, it has been a pleasure meeting the other challenge participants. Good luck to all five of you. I wish the best for all of you. I want to say THANK YOU to my wonderful family. Dick, I couldn’t have done it without you! I LOVE ALL OF YOU!

Pounds lost: 37

Final Results: 'I have learned so many things'

Kris McEwen

This has been an awesome experience! I have learned so many things the past 13 weeks. Niki has been awesome! She really kicked my butt. Niki is such a motivator. Cheryl has been great also. She has taught me the things I eat don’t just affect my weight but my emotions, too. I still have more work to do. Just because the Challenge is over doesn’t mean my new fitness regimen is over. I really hope anyone that wants to lose weight takes a chance and starts a program on their own. Write what you eat down and start some type of physical activity. After a couple of weeks a difference can really be noticed and it gets easier. The hardest part is getting started.

Pounds lost: 26

Final Results: 'I feel like a changed man'

Kevin Murphy

I will never forget that first workout at QMG. It was like someone had let loose a flock of butterflies in my stomach. I couldn’t believe I was going to attempt to get this body back in shape after letting myself go since kids became a part of my life nine years ago. Now, 13 months late and nearly 30 pounds later, I feel like a changed man. I remember Megan telling me “Kevin, by the end of this thing you will be able to do 3 sets of 20 push-ups.” I laughed and uttered some expletive. But push-ups — three sets of 20 — have become a daily routine. I didn’t think it was possible and not only is it possible, but it is getting easier each day. I couldn’t have done any of this without the thrice weekly tail kickings from Megan and the exemplary guidance of Cheryl. Thank you ladies. You have helped me change my life, my mind and my body.

Pounds lost: 27

Final Results: 'I did get the kick start that I needed'

Melissa Muder

It’s my last week. Shoot. It’s now become habit going to Quincy Medical Group three times a week. I’m going to miss it. As far as highlights from this Challenge are concerned, I cannot begin to thank everyone enough for what they have done for me. I did not experience a miracle by any means, but I did get the “kick start” that I needed to becoming healthy. I know I do not make the best food decisions and I don’t go to the gym as much as I should. But I’m getting there. I’m beginning to feel better about myself, my clothes are fitting looser (I can dry my clothes in the dryer, hahaha) and I have more energy than before. Thank you Niki, Cheryl, Megan and Kelly. Thanks for the support and resources.

Pounds lost: 26

Final Results: 'This has been a life-altering challenge'

Marcy Ogle

At the beginning I was wondering what I had gotten myself into and now I wish it could go on. This has been a life-altering challenge for me that I could never have afforded to do on my own or would have even attempted on my own. I have been blessed with the best trainer in Megan, many encouranging words from friends, family and co-workers. I think every one of us in the Challenge looks great and worked our tails off, so to speak. I myself plan to continue with the exercise and the new and improved healthy eating. I think it would be neat if the Whig checked in with us in a few months to see how we are all doing.

Pounds lost: 23.5

Final Results: 'I wouldn't change the last 12 weeks for anything'

Phil Carlson

This turned out way different than I thought, and like some of the other participants I’ve spoken with, I wish it wasn’t ending. I told Cheryl and Niki both that when I used to hear someone say they didn’t have time to exercise I thought they were making excuses. They weren’t. Trying to find time to work out, work, be a husband, father, etc., is really, really difficult. As I write this, it’s 12:40 a.m. Saturday morning and I’m still about an hour away from leaving work. The Challenge taught me to form more realistic expectations of what I could accomplish, and I’ve learned that that’s OK. I wouldn’t change the last 12 weeks for anything — I’ve made great friends, learned a ton from Niki and Cheryl, and will continue my efforts to lead a more healthy lifestyle.

Pounds lost: 23

Week 10: Going to take it day by day

Kris McEwen
nurse

I can’t say I really have any fears of returning to my old habits, not anytime soon anyway. I still have goals I want to reach. I want to lose enough weight to be in a healthy BMI range and I want to run some 5Ks. I’m sure there will be bad days along the way, but I’m not going to dwell on that thought. I made bad food choices in the past, often ate out of boredom and fed my emotions. This sounds ridiculous, but I would even sometimes reward myself with food, I somehow thought I deserved that big piece of chocolate cake. I think that being overweight can be classified with addictions like alcoholism and drug abuse. Instead of drinking or using drugs, we eat food. So in order to be successful with weight loss I need to take it day by day and be accountable to myself.

Week 10: Will miss Niki's workouts, friendship

Phil Carlson
photo editor

As the Challenge begins to wind down, I’m not really thinking about foods I’ve missed or a return to old eating habits. I’m thinking about time. I’ve said this before, but working out three times a week in the middle of the day and meeting with Cheryl Loatsch once a week is a struggle for me due to the time constraints of my job. I’m looking forward to being home at a more normal hour and spending some time with the family before going for a walk, bike ride or heading to the Y. I do know, however, that it will be difficult to exercise with the same intensity that I have been with Niki. A good personal trainer, and I believe I definitely have one, is a tremendous asset in a personal quest for better fitness. On top of that we’ve become good friends, and when this is all over I will miss her friendship as much as I miss the workouts.

Week 10: No plans to leave Queen of Pain

Kevin Murphy
copy editor

So, what will the end of the challenge mean to me? Well, let’s put it this way, I have both hands reaching for a double cheeseburger with extra bacon — and am praying these last three weeks fly by. OK, so anyone who has followed me through this ordeal knows that is a joke. I have changed so many of my eating habits that I am not sure what bad ones I had. Of course, the vending machine at work still seductively calls my name from time to time. The only difference now is that I wear ear plugs when I go down to the lunchroom to fill up my water bottle. I am sure there will be plenty of tough times that I will have to deal with, but the support of my family will make the tough times a little easier. I am hoping to continue to work out with Megan once a week after the Challenge. I would miss my thrice-weekly visits to the Queen of Pain if I just cut myself off completely. Knowing I will see her on a weekly basis should be motivation enough for me to stay in this, or get into better, shape. The nutritional lessons I have learned from Cheryl are so deep-rooted in my life now that I have gone three weeks without seeing her and I am not the least bit worried that I might have let her down. I have kept my eating logs and look forward to sharing them when I visit her next week.