Big Loser Bio

 

Mike

 

Starting Weight:  415
Body Fat Percentage:  43.1%
Age: 31
Height: 6' 2"

Who I Am:

I was born in Provo, UT, grew up on an Indian Reservation
in Arizona and now live in Washington Fields. I served an

LDS mission to the Philippines. My main interests are my

family. I have six kids, my oldest is 10 and youngest is 6 months.

I'm the youngest of 7 and have five sisters. I'm a nerd when it

comes to hobbies, I like playing video games and solving

different types of rubiks cubes. I've also ventured into gas

powered RC trucks and tinkering with various electronics.

I was raised to learn the culture of my ancestors and have

been dancing since I was five. My next step is to learn to

sing and play the guitar and ukulele. I played a lot of sports

back in the day and am looking to get  back in shape so I can

get back to the active life. My passion in life is to be the

greatest influence in my family's lives. I want to lead my

life that will inspire and encourage them just as my father

did for me.

Pet Peeves:

When the toilet paper doesn't roll out towards you, when people squeeze the tooth paste from the middle and not the bottom. Socks that are inside out and street lights outside of bedroom windows.

Favorite TV shows and Movies:

I like Lost, Psych and Thundercats.

My favorite Movie is Surf Ninjas and Old school martial arts movies.

Food that is your biggest weakness:

Spam, eggs and rice. Spam musubi, rice, rice and more rice :)

What motivated you to enter this contest?

 

My decline in health, activity, inability to keep up with my kids

all day everyday. Biggest reason is my family history of health

related issues, mainly dealing with the heart.

Big Loser Update!!

I've never been so nervous in such a long time! When I stood on the scale for my second weigh-in for my "Big Loser" 2011 I was shaking so much the scale wasn't reading properly :)...but once I got my nerves under control I weighed in at a "SLIM" 398 lbs!!! That's a loss of 16.6 lbs in my first week! I haven't been under 400 lbs. in almost 4 years! It wasn't easy...it definitely wasn't the funnest thing I could think of...but it was well worth every minute, every drop of sweat, every bit of pain I felt! I almost feel like Rocky at the top of the steps and putting my hands in the air with a huge feeling of accomplishment. Thinking about what a huge step this is in my life on my way home I was almost in tears, knowing that step by step, I'm gaining more of my life back and more time I'll have with my children. Much alohas and mahalos to ALL my supporters, you've been there when I definitely needed it!

Now for part two of this update.....my new set of work outs that I'll be committing to doing this week. I swear I have never felt like I wanted to cry while working out since the 5th grade! I got my booty worked so hard I couldn't believe it. But all I could think about was the future I've been granted through this program. Humangous Mahalos to 94.1 for setting this up and accepting me, the Washington Rec for this opportunity they are giving us all to participate in the contest. Most of all...to my family, my wife Kanoe (Vannessa for all those with a "?" over your head..lol) and kids for making smile and get off my booty when I just want to sit and sleep for the rest of the day...I love you all! It's starting to not seem like a contest but such a huge life changing event that I will never take for granted.....my next weight loss goal for this coming week will be no less than 12 lbs. I know it's possible and I need all the help and support from everyone! Kia Kaha everyone and Aloooohaaaaa!!!!

Big Loser fears...

     I can't say that I headed into the "Big Loser" challenge with a full head of steam. I think I was more excited about it when I didn't know I was accepted to participate. Now it's too the grind stone, gloves are off and it's time to put your fat (well...mine) where your (my) commitment is. My first meeting, yesterday, with my trainer Chad went nowhere that I expected. He had me working circuits of four exercises each. It seriously KICKED my butt. I never had the feeling to literally throw up when working out. I felt nauseous, dizzy and like I was just going to fall over a couple times. But I persevered and made it through the most grueling 40 minutes I've been a part of in a VERY long time. In the end I was happy, it hurt like no other, I couldn't hold myself up and didn't want to move. But I was happy that when my commitment was put to the test, I passed.

    Now came day two (today). I was on my own. No Chad, no other kind of motivational voice to push me through it and I was worried that I wouldn't push myself as hard as I did when someone was there. About 30 minutes later you had one exhausted 400 plus pounder breathing heavy, sweating and wanting to collapse! (I know that just painted a beautiful picture for you but stay with me here...lol) I feel almost inspired by myself that I was able to push myself when it was only  me watching. But I know it was more than just that. All my friends and family that are behind me and supporting me with this LIFE CHANGING experience I'm a part of. For any other reason, I don't think I would have the mind set that I do now. Although my muscles say otherwise, I feel great and full of excitement and energy. I look forward to the next 10 weeks and hope I keep up the hard work. There will be times that I want to quit but I know I'll make it through it. I believe that, for me, the hardest physical challenges will by my first two to three weeks. Coming from years of working harder in my mind than in the gym, the tables will turn and I will get my life back. Aloha!

The New Beginning

Ok folks, the alarm has sound, the weights are in and it's T minus 11 hours to my first work out to to kick off my "Big Loser 2011" experience. I weighed in at 414.6 lbs. and I'm super excited to get things moving. I've been eating so much of what ever I want and when I want that I'm almost tired of eating :). So at least for the moment I'm with not needing to go to Five Guys, Roberto's, or any Chinese buffet. I'm definitely going to be trying a lot of new work outs and exercises that I thought were for people other than me, especially Zumba :). But the gloves are off and this weight is getting evicted cuz this Poly boy is ready to fit not fat. All who are following I thank you again for your encouraging comments and knowing that you're there will definitely  help me when I need it most. Keep it posted, Mr. Mike out! Aloha.

Big Loser Challenge

     Now don't get it confused with "The Biggest Loser" but this is the start of my mission/journey/adventure...or whatever you want to call it, to a healthier and lighter on the feet life. Let me take you on a walk through a part of my life that has brought me to this point. 


     Weight has never been an issue for me. Even when I was at my heaviest I just sort of laughed at it and rationalized that since my physical abilities didn't seem to be effected much I thought I was alright. I've always been athletic and busy so I never watched what I ate because I always found a way to work it off, mostly through playing basketball and football. Throughout my life I would gain weight then lose it really quick, then gain it back, then lose it again. My most previous weight gain, however, wasn't like the times before. I was already weighing at 340 lbs when my father passed away in 2007. A very short two months later I was easily over 400lbs. My main source of "comfort" was that lovely little white grain called "rice." That has always been my favorite food and was my best friend when it came to food :).

    Now I'm at a point where I need to make a decision if I want to work at living a long healthy life or have health complications as early as right now. There has been many cases of some sort of heart disease in my family from diabetes to heart attacks. Losing weight won't be the ultimate answer to avoid what history has shown me but it is definately a good way to start, and stops my life from getting shorter.

    The Planet 94.1 has started its "Big Loser" contest this year and is going to kick off the first weigh in this coming Wednesday the 19th. I'm one of the very fortunate people that has been picked to participate. There will be 10 people total and the contest will go on for 10 weeks. I'll be following the Weight Watchers diet plan and working out with a trainer from the Washington City Rec Center at least two times a week. I'll be updating my progress as much as possible, from what I ate to what types of work outs I did. Of course it's a competition and I want to win but my main goal is to drop the weight and get back on track to staying fit. As of right now I'm 6'0", 43.1% body fat making my total weight at about 408 lbs. and my body burns 3326 Calories/day when at rest. Tonight will be my "last supper" and I'll be ready to rock and roll come tomorrow after weigh ins.

     In closing keep an eye out, especially every Wednesday to see the happenings and the update on my weight. It's been an exciting time for all of this and its been coming so fast I hope its going to work out. At times I feel nervous like I would before a football game, the only difference is that this is way more important. Thank you much to everyone who is behind me and supporting me in this contest and hopefully in ten weeks you'll be seeing a lot less of  me ;). Aloha!