Philadelphia Magazine’s Fitness Challenge 2010: Devon Montgomery-Bender

Devon’s Sweat Trainer: Holly Waters

[sidebar]Initial Assessments: “The girl is in it to win it! I am honored to work with such an enthusiastic and determined woman like Devon!”

The goal: Keep the workouts safe, but tough, and incorporate as much activity—walking, etc.,—outside of the gym as possible.

The plan: “I am training Devon one-on-one once a week. I will be doing interval workouts with her at all times in order to burn the most calories and keep her on her toes. We have already integrated the rower, dumbbell circuits, and strength and balance tests in order to make sure her workouts are safe yet strong. She’s also doing water aerobics and walking.”

Check out Devon’s 2,300-calorie plan here, created by Sweat nutritonist Brittany Lucchetto, RD, LDN.

Starting Stats

Age: 25
Height: 6’1”
Starting weight: 325



Why we picked her:
“I need this motivation to start what should be the happiest time of my life….That photo you have was taken 6 weeks ago at my wedding. While it’s possibly the most beautiful picture ever taken of me, it’s still me, at a size 24. My BMI is over 40 and I’ve recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea. The snoring drives my husband crazy….While I know I look pretty in that picture, I don’t feel beautiful because I know I’m not healthy. I need to not only be a part of this challenge but I need to win it, because I want to start my married life as a healthy beautiful woman.“

Why she thinks she’s gonna win:
"I was thrilled to be chosen because I knew that this was going to be the catalyst that would change my life. I’ve been big all my life, like my father and my grandfather. I think at some point I just accepted it and whatever challenges that life has for bigger people. But I’m only 25! Well, no more settling. I’m going to use this contest to kick my own butt and start my healthy life with a BANG! So, I’m sorry to my other competitors, but I’m young, gutsy and I’m gonna win this because I have to. And I have a huge family (no pun intended) and my new husband who are going to cheer me to that scale!"

DEVON’S DAILY DIARY

WEEK 1
Monday, January 25th –January 31

MONDAY, JANUARY 25

I was a little nervous for today, I haven’t worked out in a long time. I got excited as I got to the gym. Holly, my trainer, is this wonderful little spitfire. I absolutely LOVE her! What I thought was a light workout turned into an all out butt kicking. I think it was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time. Holly was there the whole time smiling and cheering me on even when I thought I was gonna die. Swim aerobics tomorrow, I’m excited!

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26

 So surprisingly I woke up feeling pretty good. I was super excited about swim aerobics. I thought it would be a really easy workout. Wrong again! I used every muscle in my body but I did try to give it everything I had. Now, I’m feeling it. Luckily there is a just a mile or two to walk tomorrow. I also found out that 43% of my body is fat. Just one more reason to change things now.