Kate Helyer

AS THIS year's Weight Loss Challenge comes to an end, the Grand Ball revealed more than just the winners.

It showed how the Challenge, with Wayne Large of Absolute Training and Nutrition, has changed lives, highlighted the inspirational drive of those taking part and touched the lives of many more...

The winner was announced at the glamorous ball at The Park Hotel on Saturday night, where family and friends gathered to see each of their transformed candidates announced, in all their finery.

With an incredible loss of 55lb – almost a quarter of her body weight – and 70cm, Lisa Cotterill from Lynton took the top prize of £300.

Lisa came to the Challenge having lost weight over and over, only to regain it.

But her winner's insight included advice to anyone embarking on a weight loss journey: "I knew it was different this time. You have to believe in yourself and Wayne and the team made that happen.

"It's not about the diet or exercise, it's about what's in your mind and where you want to be, for yourself.

"I wanted to be fit for the kids, to run around Funderzone with them, without feeling embarrassed."

A determined Lisa, who trekked up and down the scenic hills around her home as part of her training, recognised the Challenge as having changed her life for good.

Coming a close second, just short of 4st and losing 51lb, was Mark Fishleigh from Appledore, winning £200 prize money.

He had embarked on the Challenge with the aim of raising his fitness levels as a keen local footballer and rower. He said: "It suddenly hit me the other day, how much I had lost.

"I got on the scales and my daughter Madison got on after me. She told me she weighed exactly the amount I had lost.

"I picked her up and realised that's how much I was carrying around all the time."

And in third place was Sally Dawson from Marwood, who was thrilled, having lost 45lb, to realise the ambition she had at the start, of getting into a wetsuit to join her sons Sam, Ben and James in the surf this summer.

"I feel fantastic! I didn't realise I would be in third place, but yes, I have my wetsuit ready."

The figures speak for themselves, and every one of our candidates thanked Wayne and his team of trainers, Shaun, Chris and Gemma, who were with them every step of the way, on the 16-week, Journal-backed Challenge.

"They were so supportive," said Sharna de Gabrielle-Philpotts from Barnstaple, who dropped from a size 18-20 to a size 14.

"I feel incredibly gorgeous," she said at the ball, "I'm not just a wife and mum anymore, I feel like the real me is beginning to emerge.

"It's been an amazing journey, challenging at times and the trainers have all been superb."

Paul Winter, who lost 29lb said it was an emotional end to the Challenge for him when his son told him he was proud of him – and his youngest agreed, "but wanted his cuddly teddy bear back!"

He now cycles from his home in Forches to his job at Brynsworthy.

A transformed Danielle Hynd who lost 38lb said: "My nan would have been proud of me. She died last August and I did it for her. I wanted to do something for the Hospice."

Abi Robinson lost 2st and said she "felt a lot more confident," while Lynsey Wade from Bradworthy has not only transformed herself, but also her whole village.

"It's not often you see a farmer's wife out of her wellies," she said.

Lynsey's husband refused to buy her a black dress for the ball as he said she always wore black, so she chose a stunning red dress for the celebration

A friend in Bradworthy did some training sessions with her and now together they have set up a fitness class in the village.

Wayne summed up this year's Challenge: "It's not about how much they lost or how much money they raised, it's about how their lives have changed and I hope we've made them see this as a life change.

"You have to love yourself to do something like this for yourself. Once that penny drops the weight loss is the easy part."

Wayne lost his own father to cancer at Christmas, which made the Challenge for North Devon Hospice all the more poignant for him.

"I wanted to make him proud. And it really opened my eyes about how cancer touches everyone." See Comment – page 45.

For more information about Absolute Training and Nutrition call The Studio on 01271 344539.