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When sisters Olivia Ward and Hannah Curlee first stepped foot on the ranch for Biggest Loser season 11, they each weighed close to 250 lbs. Fast forward 22 weeks later, and these amazing sisters had both lost over 100 lbs, made Biggest Loser history breaking all-time records, and won the show. But most importantly, a year later Hannah and Olivia have kept the weight off and are continuing on in their journey to maintain their health, wellness, and happiness. We caught up to these two busy ladies to learn how they continue to make healthy choices and stay motivated, and and how you can do it too!
Both of you ladies made amazing transformations on Biggest Loser Season 11. How have each of you maintained your weight loss? What have been your biggest challenges and how have your overcome them?
Olivia: Losing the weight was tough but maintenance is very hard! We work really hard everyday, making healthy food choices, still journaling our food. We also workout hard for 90 minutes a day, 6 days a week. Keeping the weight off is hard but almost more rewarding than being the top 2!
What are some of the most important things you learned on the Biggest Loser and what are some of the most crucial life changes you had to make?
Hannah: I never realized that I never reached out for help when it came to my weight. The one thing Jillian [Jillian Michaels, trainer on the Biggest Loser] drilled into my head is to surround yourself with positive support and when you need more, speak up. I was so ashamed and down on myself I didn't even realize how many people cared about my health and happiness. We also learned that you lose weight in the mind first and the body follows. Making a positive mind change, truly learning how to trust your body, and letting your mind and body be on the same page is how you make a life change. Once we truly believed we could do it, nothing could stop us! It was like our minds and bodies met for the first time!
How do you keep yourself motivated to work out and eat healthy?
Hannah: I will never forget the girl that showed up at the ranch day 1. She was sad, depressed, embarrassed and had given up. I will never let myself go back to letting my weight control my life. I deserve more, not just for my mental health but my body deserves to be healthy. We also meet fans everyday who tell us their stories. "We lost weight with you", "You inspired me to run a marathon" - so many positive things. People think we motivate them but they motivate us. Also, for Olivia and I, Biggest Loser was a gift. We worked hard but it was a chance to truly change inside and out and we will never take that for granted!
What are each of your health and wellness goals for 2012?
Hannah: Well keeping the weight off is our goal for life but we want to continue to help others through fitness and health. We want to become better ambassadors and better runners! But most of all we want to stay healthy. We both went into the show with PCOS and have just had our first healthy physicals in years. Truly something to celebrate!!
Olivia: I'm also running my first half marathon, which you can read about on Fitness Magazine's blog The Fit Stop!
Like I’m sure you ladies have felt before, for a lot of women out there, their struggle with weight loss seems insurmountable and often times we get frustrated and just want to give up. Having made these fantastic transformations, what is your advice to other women out there who feel overwhelmed and unable to lose the weight?
Olivia: You can't climb Mt Everest in a day! If someone were to tell us you will be on the Biggest Loser, break records with your sister, and win the show while losing 120 lbs we would have laughed in their face! But Jillian and Bob helped us set small goals literally one day at a time. Faithful with breakfast, get through a workout, then make it to lunch. Small changes add up to big weight loss. Start off by getting off soda for a week or taking a new exercise class. Get your friends and family involved. Share your success with others! Most of all you have to know you can do it. If we can anyone can!
What does healthy mean to you?
Olivia: Healthy means a healthy mind and a healthy image of yourself.
Hannah: For me it means happiness. I found my happiness through my health. Not just from losing weight and fitting into a certain size but for learning that I always deserve more body, mind, and spirit. If I can become healthy, I can do anything!
Lastly, what can we expect from you two this year? Any exciting new plans or upcoming challenges?
Hannah and Olivia: Yes! We have launched our blog, MyFitspiration-all things fashion, fitness and fun! We will be continuing our speaking and appearance tour, and we are coming up on our one year anniversary of keeping the weight off! We have some other really exciting plans in the works, and everyone should follow our Facebook and Twitters, because that's where we always announce our coolest projects!
Keep up with Olivia and Hannah by following their blog, My Fitspiration!
