Grand Prize Challenge Winner Drops Nearly Half His Weight, Commits to Healthier Future

College is supposed to be one of the greatest times in life, but 22-year-old Anthony had been busy avoiding activities like riding roller coasters or going to baseball games because of his size. Everyday activities like finding a chair he could fit into at school or the movie theater was difficult for his 400-pound frame.

But since discovering Isagenix®, Anthony is enjoying a freedom he hadn’t experienced in more than three years. Now 153 pounds lighter, nearly 16 pant sizes smaller* and the grand prize winner of the 2008 IsaBody Challenge™, he’s riding roller coasters again and enjoying watching his favorite baseball team the New York Mets in what were once-cramped stadium seats.

“It’s amazing how my life has changed so far,” laughs Anthony of New Jersey. “In just a short amount of time, everything is easier and there’s so much less to worry about.”

While Anthony has always been on the heavier side, it wasn’t until he graduated from high school and no longer had to “make weight” for football and wrestling that his weight began to spiral out of control. Within a year, he had put on about 100 pounds and had trouble walking. His parents warned him about the dangerous health conditions that existed on both sides of his family and encouraged him to make healthier decisions. It wasn’t until his grandfather underwent a serious operation that reality finally hit home.

Normally a tough man who rarely shows emotion, Anthony’s grandfather looked at him soon after surgery and told him to take care of himself. His grandfather’s words struck a cord and Anthony realized he needed to make a change. Within days he had joined a gym and was determined to exercise the weight off. Fortunately, he also ran into a friend at the gym who encouraged him try Isagenix.

Anthony decided to sign up for the 2008 IsaBody Challenge™ soon after to help him stay on track. He pored over the Challenge Web site and listened to every conference call featuring guests who had done the unthinkable and lost incredible amounts of weight. One of his biggest inspirations was 2007 IsaBody Challenge™ Grand Prize Winner Mark Macey who, ironically, weighed the same amount Anthony did when he started the Challenge.

As the weight began to come off, Anthony’s family kept rooting for him and even changed the family meals to healthier options so they wouldn’t tempt him. His mother and brother joined his efforts and also began using Isagenix to get healthier. He encountered numerous milestones along the way, including the time when he was able to use the gym’s scale, which reached 300 pounds. Now he’s even able to shop at the mall for his size 42 pants, something he hadn’t been able to do in three years.

Though he’s lost a substantial amount of weight and is now running and lifting weights nearly every day, he’s still determined to reach two of his ultimate goals of getting below the 200-pound mark on the scale and being inducted into the Isagenix 200-Pound Club by January of 2009.

As the grand prize winner of the Challenge, Anthony is still floored that he was chosen to receive the $10,000 prize and title, but says his ultimate health has been the key motivator during his journey.

“I want to forever remember 2008 as the year I took control of my life and changed it for good,” shares Anthony. “This is just the beginning and I can’t wait to accomplish all of my goals.”

*Weight-loss results may vary.