Bridal Fit Camp Challenge: Brent Lacy

Here it is

2008-01-30T19:59:00.000-05:00

Well,this is it- my final night of chocolate deprivation, my last night of waking up with leg cramps and hunger pains. Tomorrow is my final weigh in.

I've spent the last twelve weeks working harder and longer than I have ever worked in my life. I have worked out up to 6 days a week sometimes for 2 hours at at a time. My progress on the scale has been slow, but I've made great gains in muscle, stamina, and self-esteem.

There is nothing more I can do to win this contest, but get a good night's sleep and pray. I hope that you will vote for me, but no matter what the outcome happens to be I am so happy to have had this opportunity. It has changed my life. I eat better, I am healthier, and I can now get out of the car or tie my shoes without grunting! Thank you all for your support.

P.S. Now, you can go online and vote!

Voting begins February 1!

2008-01-30T14:52:00.001-05:00

Cast your bridal ballot beginning February 1 until midnight February 10. Readers will choose their favorite finalist for the Grand Prize. Votes will be tallied and the winner announced at the 2008 Bridal Expo, February 24, at the Albany Mall.

"Something old, something new ..."

2008-01-21T16:57:00.000-05:00

Here's an updated photo of Brent, feeling good and looking great! (Photo taken January 2008.)

is the drought over?

2008-01-17T16:36:00.000-05:00

Just like the dreaded wait for rain has subsided over the past few days, I've gotten a little releif with my battle-of-the - bulge! I was tickled pink to see the scale finally tip in my favor this morning. For a while I've been working out and eating right and not losing anything. My trainer decided to up my workouts' intensity and duration. I'm working out 5 to 6 days a week now, sometimes for an hour and a half to two hours per day. But, I am happy to say that this week alone I have shed three pounds! Bring on the rain!

Time to step it up

2008-01-06T20:42:00.000-05:00

I'm just getting back into the gym after being out of town for 9 days! Christmas holidays posed some really big challenges. But all in all, I am proud to say, I didn't gain a single pound. Unfortunately, I did not lose one either. So now it's time to step it up!!! We're counting down and I'm ready to give it all I've got.

The staff at PT gym

2007-12-19T09:46:00.000-05:00

I just got back from working out and I had to sit down and and get something off my chest. I don't know if I've mentioned it enough, but I really want to thank Perry and the staff at PT gym for giving us this gift of 3 mos. membership. It's not only the membership that is helping me shed these unwanted pounds, but the overwhelming support from the staff that work there. Everyone there has gone out of their way, it seems, to assist me in my mission. There is no doubt in my mind that I would not be as successful as I have without the continuous prompting and advice that the folks at the PT gym are so willing to give. Thanks, guys!

Oh, by the way, we measured my fat loss last night. So far, I've shed 6% of my body fat. WOO-HOO!

Christmas miracle

2007-12-16T11:54:00.000-05:00

Christmas is fast approaching, and among the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I have still mangaged to find time to excercise everyday. It's a miracle for sure. As busy as things have been, however, I am still feeling overwhelemed at the prospet of what this competition means for me - a chance to start a new life, a healthy life.

The last time I weighed in at the gym, Tuesday, I had not lost any weight that week. I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't upset. I thought, "What more can I do? Will this weight ever start coming off?" So my trainer and I upped my excercise and I've managed to cut out my night-time snack. In the past few days, I've dropped a few pounds. It's very exciting. I hope I can keep it up.

Still tryin'

2007-12-08T00:30:00.000-05:00

So it's been around six weeks now. I'm losing about a pound a week. It's a little discouraging. I keep waiting for that " Biggest Loser " moment. You know what I'm talking about. On that show (one of my favorites) they get on the scale each week and lose like 9 lbs!!! I don't know what they're doing, but I haven't seen those results. I am eating raw spinach and tuna at lunch, healthy dinners with lean meat and vegies. I eat whole wheat bread when I eat bread and lots of fruit. And I work out EVERY DAY!

I have to be patient, I know. I didn't gain this weight overnight, and I'm not going to lose it fast. What's important is that I am making lifestyle changes that will impact my life with Ashley. And he is making changes, too. We're both eating healthier and exercising regularly. Hopefully, this will add many years to our lives together.

Black Tuesday

2007-11-27T16:59:00.000-05:00

It's Tuesday. Ordinary day to most, dreaded weigh-in day for me. Especially when the weigh in comes just a few days after the long Thanksgiving weekend. I tried to be good. I really, really
wanted to be good. But wants only last so long around Ashley's sister cheese ball and Grandma's pecan pie. I did keep my portions way down. I also excercised almost every day even though I was out of town. Well, I guess only the scale will tell. Tonight I will weigh in at the PT gym and my fate will be recorded for all to see. Wish me luck!

2007-11-16T12:29:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a wonderful opportunity this has provided me and my fiance, Ashley. I am truly thankful to be selected as one of the contestants in the Bridal Fit Camp Challenge.

Ashley has joined PT gym and is going with me. It has been a tremendous amount of support. Not to mention, that being active together is bringing us even closer together as we both work toward a common goal.

I have been working out at the PT gym with my trainer, Gene for two and a half weeks now. It is very challenging. So far, I have been excercising about 5-6 days a week. Two nights a week it is just me and Gene. He pushes me to work out harder than I could have ever thought of doing myself. To be completely honest, there have been more days than not that I have rolled out of bed not knowing how I could possibly make it out of bed I have been so sore. But it is all worth it.

We must be doing something right, because as of now I have lost more than 5 pounds! I've also noticed having more energy and agility. It's a great feeling. It makes up for the pain!

Meet Brent Lacy

2007-11-14T10:30:00.001-05:00

Being a contestant in The Albany Herald Bridal Fit Camp Challenge would be a blessing for me. My name is Brent. Although the name might suggest differently, I am the bride-to-be. My fiancé, to the amusement of many, is named Ashley. We have been together for five years and are engaged to be married in March.

Ashley stepped into my life shortly after the loss of someone I loved. I was devastated. My life was a mess. I cannot describe how much God has used Ashley to transform my life. I only know that I can't see my life with anyone else but him.

When Ashley and I first started dating I was thinner, but still overweight. I was always athletic in high school. In college, staying up late and cold pizza took the place of healthy eating and exercising. By the time I met Ashley, my bad habits had become a way of life, and it was out of control. I would love to get that control back.

Today, as a special education teacher at an elementary school, I come home completely drained. I really want to change the way I eat and to get fit, but I can't seem to find the energy to do it. I love what I do, and I love my students. Sometimes, it feels like I give them all I have to give. By the time I get home, I don't have anything left for myself.

Another major concern is that adult-onset diabetes runs in my family. A recent visit to the doctor revealed that I was nearly 50 pounds over the suggested weight for my size, and if I don't take control, I will develop diabetes soon.

So, I thank you for listening to my story. Why do I want to be a contestant? Well, of course I want to look pretty at my wedding for Ashley. But I am also hoping for a new leash on the life that will have us both living long and healthy lives together for the rest of our days.