My Success Story by Russ Hiller

For most of my adult life, I have been a rule-follower.  Do A, B, and C and expect X, Y, and Z to happen.  Early on, I did not have weight problems.  This mind-set worked well for me for years – Until it didn’t.  I definitely had multiple short-lived New Years' Resolutions toward health.  Each resolution seemed like two steps forward always led to three steps back.  I found inconsistency and no real lasting progress.

While watching NBC's The Biggest Loser in 2010, I saw an ad for the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge and started investigating the possibility of going there.  I stepped on my scale in the morning and began my journey.  It read 343.  Sigh.  “Maybe I'll start on the following Monday,” I initially thought.  But the scale spoke back again.  Start today – whatever it takes.  Before noon, I had put down a deposit for a one-week stay at The Biggest Loser at Fitness Ridge in Ivins, Utah.  I was seeking answers – and sooner rather than later.I just wanted my life back and to be able to grab back part of the running and active lifestyle of my youth.  But I had a long road ahead.  It was a road I initially had to face alone.  In mid-February, I got a call from Fitness Ridge Utah letting me know a week opened up at the end of February through the first week in March.  I accepted immediately,

I cashed in some frequent flyer miles and with excitement and anticipation (and not knowing a soul), I showed up to Fitness Ridge with an initial assessment weight of 311 pounds.  Somehow, I felt that this time, health, fitness, and weight loss was going to “take.”  My world was rocked.  I began to start feeling again after years of numbness.  When you feel, you heal.  My weight at the close of my week in Utah was 305 – a drop of 6 pounds which was less weight loss than I originally anticipated, but again I was encouraged by the staff.

The principles I learned at Fitness Ridge were working at home now and I was seeing progress.  With my second visit to Fitness Ridge my goal was hitting my goal weight of 220 pounds before I got there or during my stay.  On September 18 came my arrival at Fitness Ridge Malibu for my second full week.  My initial weight assessment of 226 pounds brought with it exclamations of "Holy crap!  You've lost crazy weight!" from Malibu staff members.  Their reactions encouraged me more and I approached my week at Malibu with a sense of power.

A truly memorable second visit to Fitness Ridge ensued, this time getting a chance to speak to the rest of the guests about at-home success with the program.  I also developed a whole new set of friends.  I accomplished a combined 41 miles of hiking, trail running, and treadmill running in 5 days.

My final assessment on Sunday had me at 214 pounds.  I had lost 12 pounds during my week at Fitness Ridge.  I was able to blow through my goal weight of 220 set at the beginning of the year.  As 2011 came to a close, I moved below 200 pounds and into the 100's for the first time since the late 1980's.

And so it was an epic year.  My life, outlook, goals, and possibilities changed in every way possible.  My two separate weeks at two of the Fitness Ridge facilities have been foundational in my success.  I know that people can succeed on the program with a lot of weight to lose, even if they only have the time and/or resources to come just for one week.  I did it.  I was making necessary adjustments in my life to succeed.  I cannot emphasize enough how special my time at Fitness Ridge was.  The staff and the friends I met during my stay have contributed to my well-being.

Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge truly changed my life for the better and enhanced it further with unexpected and meaningful friends and relationships.  The resort has launched me forward with new life goals and direction.  I have maintained my weight in the low 190’s for a total loss of well over 150 pounds.