I recently had the opportunity to chat with the uber-inspirational Chris Powell, host of the ABC series, “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” to discuss his just-released DVD, “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition – The Workout” and find out what motivates him, what his mantra for good health really is, and get his best advice for the average mom looking to get active, fit, and healthy.
As soon as he picked up the phone, I could hear his wide smile in each word; it was like talking with an old friend. As a fan of his hit ABC reality show, I was able to jump right in with questions about his work and his life and how he got to where he is now — a seasoned Transformation Specialist.
Every channel has their own brand of weight loss and makeover shows, but Powell makes a banner-waving name for himself by bringing people who are super morbidly obese back to life with diet, fitness and a complete lifestyle transformation. By promising his clients dignity and self-value, Powell helps them begin to trust him and more importantly, themselves. He preaches that integrity to yourself is the pinnacle of any real life change.
“When you change the mind, weight loss is an afterthought. The real transformation is in the mind,” he said. Powell lives and teaches this concept.
“The Workout” DVD is designed to help a person who is 100-200 pounds overweight finally take that first step back toward regaining control. This is definitely the workout for you if you have been sedentary for a long time; if the notion of exercise seems daunting, or if you need to start at the beginning, square one.
Level one, there are three levels on the DVD, is only 15 minutes. Designed to reintroduce your body to movement , you can continue with this level for one day or one week or one month. When you proceed to level two, you will explore your range of motion and begin to reintroduce cardio stamina. Level three is designed for the person who is already a friend to exercise and will maintain a healthy intermediate level.
Powell laughs as he tells me that even he is, “huffing and puffing at level three.” Everyone can benefit from this workout, no matter what age or level of fitness you are.
(From left to right) Chris Powell, LaRhonda Darby, Alex Respess, and Rachel Oliver in Lionsgate Home Entertainment's Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition- The Workout.
Powell’s work with morbidly obese people began in 2004 with the highly publicized story of David Smith whom he coached and trained for two years while Smith lost 401 pounds in 26 months. This is the part that inspires Powell the most, watching people who have zero confidence, zero self-love and dignity actually transform and learn to commtt to themselves. These breakthroughs keep Powell at the ready to help others take back their life.
The DC Moms: What are four things that anyone can do TODAY to set themselves on the path to a transformation, be it 15, 50 or 100 pounds?
1. Wake up early. Make a small promise to yourself which will lead to greater self-integrity, make the commitment. Wake up at 5am and exercise, before the kids get up, before the demands of the day begin. Powell and his wife exercise together each morning this way.
2. Eat breakfast. It stokes the metabolism and primes the body to regulate hunger throughout the day.
3. Eat small nutritious meals, every three hours so that you are eating 5-6 times throughout the day.
4. Hydrate! Drink water, a LOT of it! Powell recommends you drink half your body weight in ounces a day of water aiming for upwards of a gallon of water each day. Water is necessary for hydration and it helps curb cravings.
Who will most benefit from your newly released “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition– The Workout“?
Everyone! It has three levels of fitness for every body type.
What did you eat for breakfast today?
A protein shake and oatmeal with Stevia and sliced almonds.
There you have it — Powell’s breakfast of champions, tips to recharge your fitness plans, and encouragement for everyone — from those who have more than 100 lbs. to lose to those who just want to tone their bodies back to their youthful prime — to get more active on a regular basis. Now who’s ready to start exercising?
Stacy is a mother of two, an autism advocate and a believer that exercise really can change your life, and after talking with Chris Powell, she just might start getting up at 5am to do it. She updates her personal blog, The Fabulous Miss S. with great irregularity.
