'The Biggest Loser' Contestant Spreads the Word About Fitness and Health
Former contestant of the recently concluded fifth season of The Biggest Loser, Trent Patterson may not have bagged the $250,000 cash prize of the reality competition, but he is happily spreading the word about weight loss and health awareness. In fact, he recently visited West Canada Valley High School to raise awareness among youth on obesity and the effects of an unhealthy diet.
"I had no one to really tell me about the importance of nutrition and calories," Patterson admitted. "I'm here to tell them about proper nutrition and the benefits of it."
On Friday, the former Biggest Loser contestant made a presentation to the students of West Canada Valley High School and told them about how he landed a spot on the reality competition. A graduate of Henninger High School in Syracuse, he used to play football at the University of Alabama. He dreamed of being on the NFL and tried out for the Atlanta Falcons in 1992. He landed a few stints on semi-professional leagues, but soon thereafter began thinking of other work alternatives.
Patterson said that his job as an offensive lineman taught him to focus on only two things: "Eat and lift weights." After getting too much of it, his weight skyrocketed to a high of 436 pounds. He revealed that he suffered from hypertension, fatty liver, and became pre-diabetic.
Patterson added that caring for one's health is an individual choice. "Nobody else can do it for you," he said.
Later on, a friend and former football teammate of his, Roger Shultz came to him and gave Patterson the idea of being on the Biggest Loser. Initially, Patterson didn't like the idea very much.
"Biggest Loser, I don't know if that's anything I want to be associated with," he joked. However, after recapping the previous seasons of the reality competition, he realized that he did want to be in the competition, even if it wasn't for the money.
"My focus was losing weight," he admitted. However, losing weight wasn't as easy as it seemed. In fact, he described the challenge saying "It wasn't a hill, it was a mountain."
Nonetheless, Patterson was able to lose a total of 142 pounds while on the show. This inspired him to open a strength and conditioning business which provides services to Chenango Forks High School. His visit to WCV is one of many that he is yet to do. He has already been to SUNY-Cortland and Marcy Elementary and at a Blue Cross/ Blue Shield Association, where he also gave a lecture on health and fitness.
"The earlier we get the message out the better," says Patterson.
Valerie Anne del Castillo
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