Winning Transformation Words

The 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge Champions Transform Inside and Out, Inspiring Others to Follow in Their Footsteps

By The 911 UTC Team

Judging the 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge is one of the most challenging and rewarding projects we do every year. It's so inspiring to see the changes the competitors make not only on the outside but on the inside as well. Because often, those inner changes are even more life-changing than the physical changes.

So if you're looking for some inspiration to make your own transformation or even just need a boost of motivation for your next workout, we encourage you to read through some of the "Questions of Strength" a few of our top contenders in the 2009 911 UTC answered as they competed for the Champion spot.

Robert Hart, Denver Police Department

What inspired you to enter the 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge?

I started this job in 1997 at 139 lbs. I got up to about 150 lbs after a couple of years and was happy with that weight. I have been a Type 1 diabetic for the past 27 years and have been gradually putting on weight over the past few years. Because of my busy life, juggling my duties as a single father of two daughters and working rigorous hours, my health has suffered. Because of my regularly shifting hours, I couldn't get on a steady schedule. I have had little time for exercise, and the majority of my meals had been provided in a brown paper bag by a clown at the drive-thru window on my way to or from work. During the months leading up to the Ultimate Transformation Challenge, I was on a Jack in the Box kick. I was eating as many as 40 deep-fried tacos a week, along with other fast-food snacks.

Over the years, I have worked out off and on, never committing to a healthy lifestyle for more than a week or two. I have tried several different companies' supplements and rarely finished the whole package. Either because they didn't seem to be working, or I didn't like the way they tasted. Plus, none of them went well with my fast-food diet.

At the end of 2008, I went for a quarterly check up with my diabetes doctor and learned I had ballooned up to nearly 180 lbs. Plus, my cholesterol was extremely high. My doctor told me I had to lose weight and cut out the high-fat greasy fast food. He started to suggest a sample diet I should try to follow. I was devastated. "Diets were for FAT people," I said. My doctor told me that is exactly what I had become and that my health was extremely poor.

My blood sugar levels were also out of control. My doctor told me if I didn't get them under control, I could have serious medical complications over the next 20 years—if I'm lucky enough to make it that long.

Hearing this scared me to death. I knew I needed to change something fast.

What obstacles, if any, did you have to overcome to achieve your new, improved physique and complete the Challenge?

I had a hard time adjusting my insulin levels to my new diet and lifestyle. During the first month, I tried to make slow changes in my eating habits.

As I saw my incredible results, I soon started a very strict "diet" that was radically different from the old eating habits I had developed. I lost 20 pounds in the first three weeks. It took a lot of hard work to balance my insulin with the new amounts and types of food I was eating and my weight.

The other problem was I take my insulin by a pump that goes into a catheter I insert in the fat on my body. I had 12% bodyfat when I started. I got down to four percent bodyfat and have had a really hard time inserting the catheter because I have so little fat on my body. I now use a different type and do not have nearly the problems had initially.

How has your job performance been positively affected as a result of your accomplishments and the transformations you've made in your physical appearance?

I didn't realize how being out of shape negatively affected everything about my daily life. After the initial shock to my body that was caused by the drastic change in diet, I began to feel great.

I needed less sleep and therefore had more time for other things. I began waking up at 4:30 am to start my workouts. During the day I feel GREAT! I have plenty of energy and am not at all irritable like I was in the past.

My kids immediately noticed the difference, and we enjoy each other's company so much more now. I am a happier person.

I recently went to the doctor and learned that in three months my cholesterol levels dropped to the low end of normal. My blood glucose levels were at an all-time low. My health is the best it has been my whole life!

At work I am more confident because of my new physique. Confidence is an important part of being a police officer. I am definitely faster and stronger than I have ever been and just feeling so much stronger and quicker gives me confidence, so I know I can handle any situation I may run into.

Christine Chavez, Denver Police Department

What inspired you to enter the 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge?

I was inspired to enter the 911 Ultimate Transformation because for the past year and a half I was plagued with an unusually large tumor in my abdomen. I found it very difficult to do many activities, including everything other than walking. I actually looked six months pregnant. Because of that, I became self-conscious about my appearance and was becoming quite depressed.

I was also very tired all of the time and found it difficult to do many regular daily activities. There was pain involved and many other issues to deal with. It was affecting my home life, and I could tell it was affecting my son. Often, he would ask me to ride the scooter or the bike with him, and I would not be able to or find the energy to do any of those things.

Finally, two months prior to the challenge, I had surgery to remove the tumor. During the surgery, the tumor was actually found to be several tumors with one large one the size of a grapefruit. The tumors had taken over my uterus inside and out, and fused with my abdominal wall. The surgery became complicated—it took six hours for the surgeon to repair my abdominal wall, etc.

After the surgery, I was prohibited from any activity at all and in bed for several weeks. I was relieved to have the obstruction gone but quite sad knowing I would not be able to have any more children.

When news of the challenge came about, I knew that was my chance at a healthy, active life again. At that point, I needed motivation and encouragement. That is exactly what the 911 Challenge offered. I signed up immediately and finally looked forward to something.

What obstacles, if any, did you have to overcome to achieve your new, improved physique and complete the Challenge?

There seemed to be many obstacles to overcome initially, as I had not worked out or done any kind of strenuous activity for a couple of years. I had become a size 12 and was pushing a size 14. When I went back to the gym initially, I was fat and felt like everyone noticed.

It was challenging to do cardio, and I found that my heart rate wouldn't take long to get up to 160. Also, I had difficulties involving my core and abdominals at first. I wasn't able to do two leg raises. I pushed through, working out six days a week following the Lean System Success Plan.

I worked very hard, varying my workouts. I loved the Metabolic Peak Cardio Solution as it takes the monotony out of cardio, and it works! The workouts were encouraging, and my strength was beginning to show. I was especially enthused about my cardio coming around, and I was feeling so much better.

How has your job performance been positively affected as a result of your accomplishments and the transformations you've made in your physical appearance?

This question just makes me smile because I feel so great! Yeah, sure, the job performance has, without question, improved 300%. My duty belt fits, I feel confident in my abilities and much safer on the street. The small fitting uniforms I put in a bag to take back are actually baggy now! But the way I feel far surpasses anything else I could have imagined.

I never thought I would feel good about myself again. I feel energized, strong, and unbelievably surprised at my athletic ability. I love getting up in the morning and actually look forward to going to the gym. I can do all kinds of core exercises with confidence and ease. I can do 80 leg raises. I know that people notice me now, not for being fat but for being strong and looking much better.

2010 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge Starts 1/1/10

Feeling inspired and ready to start your transformation? Are you a Colorado civil servant? Now's the time to build your Best Body and LIFE! Please visit www.911utc.com or call 1.866.688.7679 to learn more about the 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge! We'll be seeing you in the gym.

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