Transformation Contest Entries!!!

[Jason Yun]

The first Yun Fitness Bootcamps Transformation Contest!
Starts June 29, 2009-October 2nd 2009.

In a minimum of 300 words, tell us exactly why you should be chosen for this contest. We will choose the people who want, need, and deserve this the most, so now is the time to plead your case.

Please also include your before photos and after photos here. Your ‘BEFORE’ photos must be taken on Day 1. They must be from the front, back, and one side (either right or left). Your ‘AFTER’ photo must be from the exact same angles and taken and submitted by September 6th, 2009 by 11:59 pm EST. You must have your face in all pictures and be holding a newspaper with the same date that the picture is taken on to be entered.

[Daniel Judge]

Hey everybody, I decided to join this Transformation Contest for a couple reasons. The one main reason I entered into this contest was for motivation. Growing up, I was always involved in sports such as football, basketball, soccer, and even boxing. When I was participating in these sports, it was very easy for me to stay motivated to go to the gym, or eat healthy foods. Now I am currently in college, and I no longer play these sports, at least not competitively. I've found that I no longer have that drive, or "eye of the tiger" so to speak, to go out and get what I want. My goal is to achieve six pack abs, as well as complete this Transformation contest. In order to do this, I need to follow a strict weight lifting, cardio, and nutrition plan to the fullest. I've attempted to achieve a six pack so many times before, however I always fell back into my old habits of overeating and lack of exercise. In fact, I feel the need to overeat foods so I'm no longer hungry, and my stomach is stuffed. I enjoy having that comfort of knowing that I don't want to eat anymore. I understand that this is a very bad habit, and there is a difference between hunger and appetite. Overall, I feel that joining this contest is going to motivate me to go to the gym and control my portion sizes. I have never went this far before to obtain a six pack; I am currently recording what I eat every day, and tracking calories/macronutrients closely. I am tired of the yo-yo dieting, and tired of not achieving a six pack. It is possible for me to do this, and I am motivated to do so this time. I also feel that this particular site will help me achieve this because other members will be communicating on blogs and forums, and we can all encourage and support each other along the way. Certainly, winning 1st place would be awesome. However, I would say that the ultimate prize would be for me to obtain a six pack, and to help others achieve their personal goals as well!

[Danielle Cochems]

My story begins a long time ago. I've been over weight since the age of 10, with the exception of ages 19-23 after losing 35lbs using now illegal diet pills. At 24 I gained 65lbs during pregnancy and have been struggling to lose it now for almost 3 years.

I have been able to lose some weight, dropping from 214lbs to 176lbs and then back up to 189lbs and down, then up, then down, then up. I seem to be stuck between 183 and 189 most of the time. I've tried almost every diet. I mean almost every, South Beach, The Zone, Weight Watchers, Best Life, YOU diet, Dr. Phil, E-diets, Glycemic Index, the Sugar Addict and many, many more. I have shelves full of diet books. I've hired trainers. I've even been to a therapist, so I know why I eat so much. She told me that it's a rebellion against my father, because he caused my mother's anorexia. I think it's because I'm stressed and bored a lot and food tastes good! It's comforting. It rarely lets me down. It's always there.

I often ask myself, why do I want to lose weight? Now that I live in Ohio it really doesn't seem as important as when I lived in Florida. I mean, there's more overweight people here than fit people. The biggest, most important reason is that I don't want my daughter to grow up in an unhealthy household, with a mother who hates the way she looks, like I did. I want her to continue to be active and I want to be active with her. I want her to love and take care of her body and I believe the only way to teach her to be that way is by example, but I have to learn to do it myself first.

I figure why not try this. I've never tried a contest before. I like to win stuff. So yeah, I got my work cut out for me, but I'm definitely ready to look and feel better! I don't expect to achieve 6 pack abs or even get to a really low size. My long term goals are to fit into my old clothes without any bulges sticking out, feel confident in a swimsuit again, not be so tired all the time, be able to keep up with my toddler, and just feel better about my health in general. My short term contest goals are to lose 25lbs, and get into this new outfit I bought.

[Biru Chen]

Hey everyone!

I have been a yo-yo dieter for many years. I think the first time I went on a diet was the summer before high school. Each time I have a renewed sense of motivation, I do manage to lose a couple pounds but I always seem to lose my motivation and end up gaining back all or more of the weight I lost. Over the years, I have gained more than I lost and now am at my heaviest weight.

I know I am an emotional eater because I tend to reach for snacks and food when I am upset, frustrated, or just as a stress-reliever. These past few months have been particularly difficult for me. I came home from college in Chicago to be a full-time caretaker for my dad who had open heart surgery in February 2009 and needed 24-hour care at home. It has been extremely physically and emotionally trying, and I turned to food to relieve stress. Late at night when I could squeeze out a few hours to do schoolwork, I would eat unhealthy foods and snack as I studied, and then go right to sleep, causing me to wake up feeling “BLAH” and gaining more and more weight. My dad suffered a number of complications and passed away just a month ago at the end of May. I’m afraid that if I keep with my old habits, I would cope by turning to “comfort foods” and just put on more pounds. On top of dealing with losing my dad, I don’t want to also keep getting heavier and unhealthier.

I used to play lacrosse my first two years of high school, but have not had any structured workout system since then. I just graduated from college and will be a first-year Law student in the fall, so I spend much of my time sitting in front of a computer or studying. I don’t particularly like going to the gym, so it is hard to motivate myself to go. During my previous diet attempts, I would first go to the gym every day for a week or so, then lose interest completely. I joined Yun bootcamp because I knew that something like this would help motivate me to stick to a regular exercise routine. I’ve only been here for less than a month, but I look forward to every bootcamp morning, which is a lot more than I can say for the gym!!

Although this is a difficult time for me, I am glad that this Transformation Contest is starting now. I just want to feel confident in my own skin. As cliché as it may sound, I’m starting Law School and soon a new career, and really want to “turn over a new leaf”. I’ve wanted this for many years now but have never achieved it. This contest will be just the kick in the butt that I need! I’m on a tight budget as a student, so while the best thing about winning would be that I’m on the right path to feeling confident about myself, the few months of free bootcamps would really help me out. : ) I’m here to support everyone else who is doing this with me – so let’s keep each other motivated!

Thanks for reading!

[Mohamad Salamah]

Hello, My name is Mohamad Salamah. I am 23 years old and I weight in at 220 lbs. I have been with Yun Fitness Boot Camp for 3 month. I have seen improvement in my strength and muscular structure. The problem now is that I have hit a Plato because my nutritional intake is inadequate. I was doing well on my own at first to structure my food intake but it has become very difficult for me to stay on track. I feel like I need to take the extra step to challenge myself by joining the Yun Fitness Bootcamps Transformation Contest. This contest will provide me with a structured diet intake and self-discipline. I am eager to start the diet program because it tells me exactly what I can and can't eat.



This contest will help me tremendously by structuring my diet so I can lose the excess fat specifically in my mid section. My mother lives with me and she loves to cook but unfortunately her cooking is not the healthy kind. So I have indulged in eating lots of lamb and rice. Hopefully by following the diet plan I can develop a healthy eating habit. I hope to achieve my goal of losing 30 lbs so I can feel better and look better. I know this will lead to a long and healthy life style. This will also help me achieve my goal to be a role model for my mother so I can push her to lose some weight as well. I love her very much and she will live longer if she starts eating healthy.



Furthermore I want to tone my body as I lose weight and I would like to increase my self-discipline in following a workout program that will continue to help me maintain my ideal weight after I have achieved my goal. I will be committed to this contest and I know this is what I need to help me achieve the results I want.

[Steven D. Smith]

I declare defeat! I have officially run out of excuses and can no longer blame anything or anyone for my sad state of health. In the not too distant past I ran marathons, competed in triathlons, played soccer, looked good in a bathing suit, but the last few years have been measured by inactivity, unhealthy diet, indulgent dining, and a bacchanalian relationship with my couch and television. I am well aware of the health dangers and the real burden this continued path could place on my wife and daughter.

It is very easy to get overwhelmed and distracted with a large challenge, but the poem of “How to eat an elephant?” resonated with me. The answer is one bite at a time. Ironically, one bite at a time fueled my current bloated state. Although not vain, I would like to look younger and feel more energetic.

My ultimate goal is to complete an Ironman triathlon in 2010! My first bite is to lose weight, increase my capacity, and develop a plan with specific milestones. All of which take a great deal of personal commitment, but I recognize the need for coaching and peer support. This is the closest to public shaming you can get, but I must publicly hold myself accountable and look forward to the added pressure of being outside my circle of comfort. Surrounding yourself with people that have similar goals, challenges, and motivation are crucial to success.

The Yun Fitness Bootcamps Transformation Contest is the ideal arena for me to be uncomfortable, pushed, and challenged regularly. There is no magical pill or quick fix, but mere determination and commitment. Along with the physical challenge, I know that moderation and openness to new ways of eating and how I eat are also critical facets of this contest. I am absolutely committed to successfully competing and completing the challenge. Cheers!