DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Jon Weigand hoists an oversize check for $25,000. The cash award was his prize for winning the Body-for-Life Challenge, in the division for 18- to 25-year-olds. In 12 weeks, Weigand went from 230 pounds to 168 and lost 10 inches off his waist.

When less is more

A winning attitude leads to
a 62-pound weight loss

CORRECTION Wednesday, May 4, 2005 » Jon Weigand is no longer pursuing a degree at the University of Hawaii. An article in Monday's Today section misstated his educational goals. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

Jon Weigand never leaves home without a winning attitude. "I assume I'm the best, and it's up to someone else to prove me wrong," he says.

His rationale for the tough talk: Things are hard enough when you believe in yourself. They are even harder when you don't.

That attitude might explain how he won the 2004 Body-for-Life Challenge. He lost 62 pounds and 15 percent body fat, also trimming 10 inches off his waistline, during the 12 weeks allotted to contestants.

With his win came a check for $25,000. This year, in celebration of Body-for-Life's 10th anniversary, the individual who demonstrates the greatest commitment during the 12-week challenge will receive $1 million.

Even if you don't win, Weigand said going through the process is worth any sacrifice you make.

He said he hasn't felt this energized since his days as a high school athlete.

"I couldn't believe how bad I had gotten. I didn't recognize myself," he said. "I had little confidence. ... I had never carried that kind of weight."

He knew he had to take the first steps to change, knowing "positive results are what keep you motivated."

Weigand came to the islands from Illinois to attend the University of Hawaii. Everything was going well until a year-long bout of mononucleosis dramatically changed his life. When the worst was over, he hated the figure he saw in the mirror.

"It was one of the worst times of my life. I had no energy," he said, noting that he was neither able to attend classes nor maintain a regular workout routine.

At the time, he recalled being impressed by the "before" and "after" pictures on the Body-for-Life Web site, and decided to give the 12-week challenge a go.

"When I decide to do anything, I never say 'if,' I say 'when,'" he said. "I talked to a few friends and told them that I was going to win.

"I was up to 231 pounds. I think about that now and wonder how I was able to function daily," he said. "I feel so good now. Not a day goes by when I don't have the desire to get out and be active."

Those interested in taking the challenge must start by July 4, registering at www.bodyforlife.com, and finish by Sept. 25 to be eligible for the million-dollar prize.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Competing in the Body-for-Life Challenge means submitting before and after pictures of yourself. There are Weigand's.

It's a self-motivated process that involves sending before-and-after photos of your front and back sides before you start, and again at the end of the 12 weeks. Men should wear a form-fitting pair of shorts, and women should wear a two-piece swimsuit. See the Web site for more specific instructions.

One of the best things about the Body-for-Life diet plan was not feeling deprived, he said. "It's not like Atkins or other fad diets where you can have no carbs. No food is off limits," Weigand said.

In fact, Weigand said he enjoyed a free day each week when he could eat anything he wanted and take a break from exercise.

"It helped me to keep my sanity," he said, admitting that "if it were easy, everyone would be in shape."

The program suggests that dieters eat five to six small meals a day, including a small portion of protein and carbs with each meal. Vegetables should be added to a minimum of two meals.

Weigand also followed a portion-control rule that suggested restricting each portion to a size no bigger than his fist.

To burn off unwanted pounds, he also exercised five days a week, alternating cardio and resistance training.

Weigand continues to maintain his healthy lifestyle. Only his goal has changed. He still needs to take a few more classes to obtain his degree in exercise science before pursuing a career as a personal trainer to help others reach their goals.