Former Biggest Loser instructs Boot Camp; faculty, staff work on weight management

It was a seat belt that changed the life of past Biggest Loser contestant, Ken Canion.
Aboard an airplane, Canion had to choose between riding without a seat belt or requesting a seat belt extender. Despite his discreet request, the flight attendant broadcast his need for an extension; this was the breaking point for Canion.
"I was hot as fish grease," Canion said.
Canion said his anger was the motivation that led to his epiphany. He vowed never to be embarrassed in that way again.
Canion asked himself three questions: How can I lose 100 pounds, how can I keep it off, and how can I inspire others to do the same?
Canion is a motivational speaker, author, weight-loss program developer and exercise instructor.
Through his friendship with Provost Brenda Allen, Canion said he learned that some Winston-Salem State faculty and staff want  assistance with weight management. So he decided to begin a Boot Camp for the University.
He said he felt that he could add value to the University faculty and staff.
"The University kinda chose me based on a random meeting," Canion said.
Destination Transformation is a program designed to transform people from the inside out.
 This is the third year of the program.
There are 20 participants. The cost of the boot camp is $50 for 10 weeks.  Participants meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays with Canion in the Anderson Center.
"Intuitively, they [people wanting to lose weight] understand that diet and exercise is not that easy; there is a mental and emotional component," Canion said.
Canion said he develops a plan tailored to the individual. He requires his participants to keep a food diary.  
He reviews it and gives you feedback, said Peggy Valentine, program participant and dean of the School of Health Sciences.
"People can see the results," Valentine said.
Valentine said she has dropped two dress sizes from a 12 to an eight, lost 15 pounds and cut her sugar cravings in half.
Valentine said before the program, she was in the pre-hypertensive category; now, her blood pressure has returned to a healthy range.
As a result, Valentine said she has a better quality of life.
"Eating habits change and the things that were hard to do initially are routine now," Valentine said.
"I was very successful at making my monthly goals with the Boot Camp," said Janee McIntyre, program associate of Academic Support and Assessment.
McIntyre said she joined the program to meet the state's Body Mass Index requirements for health insurance coverage. For different categories of coverage, North Carolina has varying BMI levels.
Exercising is stress relief McIntyre said.
 "I feel better mentally and physically."
Valentine cautions people to take it slow in Boot Camp.
"Boot Camp is not for everyone," Valentine said.
"Some individuals over exert themselves and become light-headed; you have to pace yourself."
According to Valentine, women are the more faithful participants.
"Most men don't stay," Valentine said.  
"Not sure if they have the physical endurance required; we only have one male participant now."
Canion uses his own story to inspire others.
"He practices what he preaches," Valentine said.
"That, in itself, is an inspiration."
As a motivational speaker, Canion advised his listeners on healthy living but did not follow his own advice.
Canion said he felt like a hypocrite.
"I couldn't change my own self-destructive behaviors," Canion said.
He said he would sometimes skip breakfast and lunch then binge at buffets.
"I could eat 6,000 calories in one sitting," Canion said.
That is equivalent of six patty burgers, three large fries, and three large sodas.
Health issues temporarily stopped Canion from his destructive eating habits.  
Canion experienced excessive urination, thirst and glucose levels.  A physician diagnosed him as a diabetic.

Canion lost 30 pounds and lowered his glucose levels, but reverted to the same behaviors.
"Biggest Loser" played an important role in Canion's transformation.
Biggest Loser had a casting call in Virginia. Canion said he was determined to make a drastic change in his life.
Out of 5,000 possible participants, Canion was the only person selected.
Canion was a contestant on season three of the show in 2006.
"Biggest Loser is not a weight loss show," Canion said.
 "It's a show where you lose weight."
Biggest Loser is a reality show that follows the weight loss journey of overweight contestants.
Contestants receive a personal trainer, balanced meals and a series of other perks.
On the show, Canion lost 90 pounds.
Canion warns viewers not to trust everything they see on TV.
The show adds entertainment elements like drama and controversy to increase viewers Canion said.
Canion describes the transition from the show back to his life as difficult.
[It was] "Tough," Canion said.
The transition requires contestants to create a plan that fits their lifestyle to be successful at keeping the weight off.
"Once you figure it out, you're good to go, but it's not easy," Canion said.  
At his heaviest, Canion weighed 385 pounds. Now he weighs 245 pounds.
 "I know what's waiting for me if I go back to those behaviors," Canion said.
Canion advises people trying to lose weight to be practical.
"One of the most frustrating things you can do is count calories. If you do your part, calories take care of themselves."
Canion said he encourages people to be proactive about their health.
"The most important thing that people should get out of this is that there is never a perfect time. Start now," Canion said.
The Boot Camp program will continue next semester.