Transformation Nation: Friday (The Finale)

Tweet

Pin It

Once the alarm went off I got up, showered and got dressed only to realize that we were waiting around about 20 minutes - how we got ready that quickly I will never know!  Finally the car was there and we were headed to the studio.  We got our temporary security badges and headed upstairs but our dressing room was being used by someone else so we were put into a different room for a little while.  Soon it was time for me to go off to hair and make-up.  With my hair in curlers but my make-up complete we were taken into the studio for a quick rehearsal.  At this moment I was so glad that I'd decided to go with flats and not be daring and wear heels because we had to walk down the stairs as we were introduced!

After rehearsal we were taken back to our dressing rooms and I finally got to see Dan again.  Poor guy was just sitting around a room with 2 of the other contestants husbands while we were getting all dolled up.  After a little while they called us back to hair/make-up to finish and make any touch-ups.  It must have been during this time that they took all the spouses out to the studio because when we came back they were gone.  It was also at this point that I found out my segment with Dr. Oz was going to be a quick Q&A which made me nervous again.  But... ok... let's do this!  Soon it was show time and we were taken up the back stairs to the studio.  As the show began I searched the crowd for Dan and soon spotted him.  I tried to wave to him but he didn't see me.  Then it was time for our entrances.  I was nervous about falling down the stairs - I don't know how Dr. Oz does that day in and day out!  Luckily, I didn't fall!!

After that segment we were all taken out of the studio and waited in the hall for our segments.  Mine was the second to last segment which was both good and bad.  The good part was that I didn't have to stand the whole time but the bad part was that I didn't get to see any of the show.  I did get to talk to the other contestants and the staff of the show which was fun.  I also saw a lady from Team Challenge (they train people to run a half marathon and raise money to benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation) walking around which I thought was cool.  I wanted to walk up to her and tell her that I planned on joining them next year but I was sure she got that all the time and I didn't want to be "that" guy.  Ya know?  Soon enough it was time for me to go into the studio.  I stood behind the camera/crew until it was time for me to go on stage.  They were playing some good music in the studio so I decided to dance out my nervousness.  I'm pretty certain I looked like a dork but I didn't really care.  Suddenly they were playing my video and I was being escorted on stage.

Dr. Oz asked me my question and I answered it and then the most awesome of awesome things happened.  The Dr. Oz Show had arranged for the lady I saw earlier from Team Challenge to be here for me!  I couldn't believe this and I was completely overcome with emotion.  I tried to stop crying because I didn't want to mess up my make-up but it was no use.  However, then my segment was over and I was on my way over to my truth tube.  There was a break in the filming and we were given some last minute direction on what was going to happen and then the filming began again.  We all joined hands as Dr. Oz read the name of the winner.  At the time he read the name the cannons went off and I honestly couldn't hear what he said.  It took me a minute to realize it was Mike!  We finished up filming and took a couple more photos with the Top 10 and then we were on our way back to our dressing rooms.

Even though I didn't win the contest I know that I've won.  The point of me losing weight was never to win this contest.  The point was for me to try to get to a healthy weight and live a healthy life.  I believe that I am doing that and will continue on this journey and for that I am so happy and proud.  I am also absolutely thrilled to be a part of this group of people who have transformed ourselves to be ambassadors for healthy living.  I have made some fabulous friends and learned some amazing things throughout this process.  One of those things is that whether you have a little bit of weight to lose or a lot it is absolutely possible.  There is a tremendous community of people to draw inspiration from and I hope that if you are thinking of starting this journey that you will reach out to them.  It has definitely made me more successful and I know it will keep me on this path forever.

I want to thank Mercedes, Stephanie, Sheila, Sharona, Stella, Mary Ellen, Dawn, Karl & Mike for sharing this crazy adventure with me.  I hope that wherever life takes you that you are happy and healthy.  I also hope that our paths will cross again some day!

I also want to thank each of you, again, for all the love and support that you have shown me throughout the last several weeks.  I would have never thought that any of this was possible and I never thought people would have had such a tremendous reaction.  You have made me feel incredible the last few weeks and it has meant so much to me.