TUESDAY, MAY 22: Terry Smith and Molessia Joynes reigned victorious in this year’s 100 Day Challenge and both are looking forward to healthier lifestyles from here on in.
While Ms Joynes, 43, plans to build up her fitness levels to comfortably compete in next year’s May 24th race, Mr Smith plans on entering the next Bermuda Bodybuilding Federation competition.
Mr Smith, the oldest male in the competition, lost 62.4lbs while Ms Joynes shed 60lbs.
They spoke to the Bermuda Sun about the experience.
Terry Smith
How does it feel to have won the competition?
It feels good — I really wanted to lose weight because I had some personal goals. I’m 50 in November and wanted to get my body together for my fiftieth.
I also wanted to do the body building competition one more time — I had done it years ago — so my reason was to lose weight and streamline my body and get into the Bermuda Bodybuilding Federation’s competition this year.
Every two to three weeks I would try to add something new (to my fitness routine) so my body wouldn’t get complacent. I started swimming, cycling doing ab routines and it was just dropping off. If I stand a certain way and push my stomach muscles I have a six-pack that is like a dream of mine.
I worked very hard with my trainer Dawn Berry at Sandys 360. She was very good.
What was the biggest challenge for you?
I’ve never been a good long distance runner. I’m a good sprinter but eventually my running did get a lot better. Our last jog was the route we did periodically as a team and I completed it without stopping.
Running was my biggest challenge — everything else I was adept at.
How are people reacting to the new you?
I am loving the reaction and I’m loving the way I feel. I have stood next to people I have known all my life and until I actually spoke, they didn’t realise it was me.
People are saying this is what I used to look like 20 years ago and it’s true. I am down to a 32-inch waist — I was wearing 42-inch pants. I have a whole new wardrobe and have given my old clothes away.
Will you keep fit now the challenge is over?
I have had too many people who have supported me and encouraged me — I wouldn’t do that to them or myself. I am too proud to put that weight back on.
I am going to try to stay off fried foods as much as I can, I’m not doing the mayonnaise thing any more because that was crazy — I put it on everything — and I am not drinking sodas.
I would encourage anyone to do this. It is so much more than a show, it is something you can really benefit from. I really want to start a club now for people who are not confident about exercising.
Molessia Joynes
How does it feel to have won the competition and were you expecting to win?
I really wanted to prove to my children that you can do anything that you set your mind to do.
I’m a very competitive person so I went in with the thought of winning but then I had a back injury about a month ago. At that point I thought it was impossible because I thought everybody was further than me after being out of exercise for about a week.
I was in severe pain and was crying and my doctor put me on some painkillers and muscle relaxers.
I came back in slowly with the thought to give up and just be content with the weight I lost up to that point but then I remembered I am in this to show my children, and that iron spirit rose up again and I said I am going to win it.
What was the biggest challenge for you?
We had to become a team and I found that I was a lot fitter than some that were there so I found myself with no rabbit to catch and so in that case it was difficult. Eventually my coach Dawn Berry, gave me private sessions to increase my fitness levels and on the outskirts I did running my own.
Physically, everything that is a challenge is accessible to me. It was only the last couple of days that fatigue set in but that made me push even more.
Why did you decide to take part in the challenge?
I was obese — I was 227lbs.
I used to be heavily into sports. I was champion girl in high school and came first in any race that I did and then having my kids slowed me down.
What is the best thing you gained out of this?
It feels good and I needed to accomplish something within myself because the last two years have been very difficult for me: I failed in business, we had a family crisis financially, struggling to keep my son in university. I kind of felt I needed to prove to myself that I am not a failure and that I am still the successful person I have always been. I did that for myself. It reminded me that I am a winner in anything and everything I do — even in spite of the back injury I have to keep pursuing.
Running is my passion and what this competition done for me is to allowed me to build back up in my running. Next year I am going to do May 24. I could do it this year comfortably but I want to run it comfortably competing.