Three months ago 13 participants set out to lose weight and transform their lifestyle as part of an exclusive gym-run competition. The results are in and evidently the arrival of two baby boys proved the biggest motivation to win. Kate Stanley reports.

A WEIGHT-LOSS contest calling on competitors to overhaul their eating habits, commit to gruelling boot-camp classes and attend weekly weigh-ins was launched 12 weeks ago by one of the region’s hottest health and fitness clubs.

It attracted a diverse mix of dieters - from a bride-to-be who couldn’t fit into her wedding dress to a former professional rugby player who had suffered two heart attacks – and saw them collectively shed an impressive 157lbs in weight (the equivalent weight of an average woman) and lose 39 inches from their waists. But it was the two participants with newborn babies who led the competition from the start and were neck-and-neck for much of the way before new dad Ray Booth was crowned the winner having lost 34lbs in weight and 8.6 per cent body fat.

“I’m overwhelmed and ecstatic to win,” says Ray, a 33-year-old accountant from Billingham, who became a father to William in March and vowed not to be an overweight parent who couldn’t run and play with his son. “I carried a lot of weight when I was in school, which knocked my confidence, and I don’t want the same for my son. If I am fit and active then William will hopefully grow up with a healthy attitude to food and exercise, and not have the same problems I did.”

Ray’s commitment to the competition saw him attend numerous boot-camps and back-to-back exercise classes at Atom Health and Fitness, in Wynyard Park Business Village, and follow a strict healthy eating plan, in order to shift more than six inches from his waist and be presented with the £250 prize.

His stiffest competition came from mother-of-three Phillippa Parrish, who gave birth to her youngest, Flynn, in March and wanted to shift the baby weight before her brother’s wedding this month.

“My friends persuaded me to enter the competition as I was desperate the shed the pounds after having Flynn,” says the 35-year-old former nursery manager from Sedgefield, County Durham, who lost 21lbs in weight and four inches from her waist. “It was tough, but good fun, and the staff at Atom were incredibly supportive.”

The competition was launched by personal trainer Phil Lamb, who together with business partner Gary Gibson invested £500,000 to set up Atom 18 months ago as a high-end gym with a focus on personal training and the area’s first hot yoga studio.

“The programme improved the health and quality of life of a significant number of participants, a couple of which were in serious danger of complicated medical conditions had they remained at the same weight,” says Phil. “We saw a fantastic level of commitment with people sticking to their nutrition plans and coming to the dedicated classes. Not only did they achieve great weight loss results, they had a lot of fun and more half joined the gym, showing ongoing dedication.”

One of the more committed competitors was former professional rugby player Jim Bradley, from Wynyard, who entered the competition alongside his wife Louise, 54, and 20-year-old daughter Rachel. Jim and his wife together lost 24lbs and almost seven inches from their waists.

“I used to play professional rugby when I was younger and I ran five marathons, I was very fit,” says Jim. “I’ve since had two knee replacements and a year ago I had a pacemaker fitted following two heart attacks. I had piled the weight on and I needed to do something. I found that taking part in the competition and attending classes made me work that bit harder. I can’t speak more highly of Atom and what they have done for us. The people there are exceptional.”

Bride-to-be Amanda Simpson, from Billingham, entered the competition with her maid of honour Jill Dobson in the run-up to her wedding day. “I couldn’t fit into the wedding dress I bought last October due to indulging over Christmas and Easter, so the competition came just at the right time,” she says. By the time her big day arrived in July, the dress fitted “more than comfortably” and at the end of the competition Amanda came third, having lost 12lbs in weight and three inches from her waist. “I’m over the moon with the results; the whole experience has been fantastic,” she says.

As part of the programme, competitors kept a food diary and were given an eating plan, with guidance from nutrition coach Laura Allerton. They committed to boot-camps with instructor Gordon Hindson and each had full, free access to the gym. Personal Trainers Michelle Davies and Pete Sweeney helped them achieve their goals.

“Everyone did what was asked throughout the full three months. Some did better than others and those that are in the top three are there for a reason,” says Pete, one of the team leaders. “They put in 110 per cent in every workout, with extra sessions in the gym, having the willpower to resist temptation and proving just how much can be achieved in a short space of time if you really put your mind to it.”

Other participants included Elaine Blackburne, Julie Cooper, Kevin McCabe, Debbie McKay, Adam Parsons, Mark Hollifield and Carrie-Anne Smith.

Due to the success of the competition, Atom intends to hold further weight-loss programmes in the future. For information visit its new website www.atomhealthandfitness.co.uk.

WINNER

Ray Booth, 33, Billingham.

Accountant

Weight loss: 34lb

Percentage weight loss: 14.5 per cent

Inch loss: 6 inches

Percentage body fat lost: 8.6 per cent

“Everybody has been supportive within the group as we are all going through our own battles of why we are doing this. Losing all this weight and winning proves that if you put in the work then it definitely pays off.”

RUNNER UP

Phillippa Parrish, 35, Sedgefield

Mother-of-three

Weight loss: 21lbs

Percentage weight loss: 14 per cent

Inch loss: 4 inches

Percentage body fat lost: 5.5 per cent

“I gave it my all and feel incredibly proud. The exercise started out tough but quickly became fun the fitter I became.”

THIRD PLACE:

Amanda Simpson, 31, Billingham

Weight loss: 12lbs

Percentage weight loss: 7.3 per cent

Inch loss: 3 inches

Percentage body fat lost: 6.5 per cent

“I’d lost a lot of the weight two weeks before getting married and felt absolutely amazing. I’m really pleased with the results.”