London woman loses over 30 percent of body weight, wins NIBROC Just Lose It competition

Danielle Baker, of London, was the winner of this years NIBROC Just Lose It weight loss competition.

Danielle Baker of London took home the top prize in the 2012 Nibroc Just Lose It competition, dropping 30.28 percent of her body weight in just over three months.

"I’m overwhelmed," Baker said of winning the competition. "I had put on Facebook earlier in the day even if I didn’t win I’m a lot healthier, I’m moving around better and I’m happier."

For her effort, Baker received $1,000 in cash, a complete makeover from the Beauty Shop Day Spa and a one-year membership at Baptist Family Fitness.

While the competition began in April, Baker said she actually began her journey to better health in November.

At that time, Baker said she changed her eating habits, which included lots of margarine, sour cream, chips and salty snacks to a high protein, very low sugar diet that included lots of tuna fish and vegetables.

"It was a mix of fruits and vegetables, but vegetables mainly," Baker said. "Low sodium too."

To ensure she was still getting all of the vitamins she needed, Baker said had help from a cousin who works at a GNC store.

"She said you have got to stay on top of your vitamins," Baker said.

A diet to tuna, tuna and more tuna did have some consequences.

"I was told by family members that I was pretty angry sometimes," Baker said. "I ended up punching a wall. I attribute that to the fact that I didn’t run that day and because I had lost my keys and had to tear the house apart to find them."

Baker said the hardest part was continuing to push herself, especially when running, her preferred method of exercise.

"Everytime I wanted to quit, I would spot a mailbox way down the road and just run until I got to it," Baker said. "When I got to the mailbox I would still feel like running so I would keep running.

On her Facebook page, Baker defined running for a friend.

"If you can talk while you are running you probably aren’t running hard enough," she said, adding her preferred place was near her house and involved two substantial hills.

In addition to the running, Baker said she did Yoga on a regular basis.

As the weeks wore on, Baker said she set a goal of splurging with a cheeseburger and french fries after the final weigh-in.

"I ended up going to Kroger and buying some health food instead," Baker said. "I hadn’t been eating that stuff and just didn’t feel like eating it."

Baker said it depends on the person as to whether it is best to ease into the diet and exercise or go, "cold turkey."

"It just depends on your level of self discipline," Baker said. "Listen to your body."

In second place was Joyce Roaden, who lost 24.3 percent of her starting weight. Road received $500 in cash, a one hour massage from the Beauty Shop Day Spa and a six-month membership to Baptist Family Fitness.

Rounding out the top five were: Rebecca Carrell, Rickie Richardson and Sarah Earles.

The 186 contestants lost a combine 1,690 pounds.

Final results
• Danielle Baker 30.28
•Joyce Roaden 24.30
• Rebecca Carrell 22.29
• Rickie Richardson 16.74
Sarah Earles, 16.08
Misty Smith 15.07
Jeannie Jackson 15.06
Cheryl Cole 15.05
Wilma Rapier 13.93
Sandra Barton 13.77
Josh Boggs 12.52
Amanda Hensley 11.98
Sallie Jo Smith 11.09
Seth Burton 11.07
Laura Brock 10.07
Mark White 9.88
Faithann Alsip 7.49
Mary Cumpston 7.49
Sarah Powers 6.91
Rachel Sims did not weigh