Paddy Cunningham has graced our screens for the past eight weeks, becoming a star contestant in this year’s Biggest Loser. The nation waited with bated breath to see if he was going to make the final three at the penultimate weigh in, but Zandela pipped him to the post by a cruel 0.5%, which meant Paddy was out of the race to be crowned this year’s winner.
But that didn’t stop this determined Irishman doing all he could to win the runner's up prize of a luxury holiday to Abu Dhabi. And he did exactly that, recording a weight loss of 6st 8lb at The Biggest Loser finale. Although he wasn’t in the top three, Paddy actually recorded the second highest body weight loss percentage after winner and team mate Wil, shedding 31.19% of his starting weight.
The much deserved winner says, “It was great to see the green team do a clean sweep and win everything. But I just wanted to do well for myself and I did. I even exceeded my own expectations, because I totally smashed my first target of 16st!”
Loser low down
Paddy and Wil have been friends for years and it was Wil who suggested applying and who then submitted their application. Neither of them thought anything would come of it until they got the call. “We were initially worried about taking time off work, but we were so excited when we heard we were through that we instantly knew then it was time to put ourselves first to drastically change.”
It was clear throughout the show just how strong the bond was between the green team. They appeared to have the same goal, equal drive and a mutual respect. So would Paddy have gone it alone? “I think I might have applied alone, but I wouldn’t have got this far without Wil. It was him who got me through at times.”
This close friendship went on to earn Paddy a safe card that Wil won at temptation. “I told Wil not to feel obliged to save me if he felt there was someone else who needed it more. But when he did I was so touched and it completely reinforced our friendship. The whole time we were in the house, it was never about the competition between us – our friendship came before anything.”
However, this generous act by Wil inadvertently put Paddy in an unenviable position as he had to choose one of his two team mates to go home. He reveals, “It was horrendous. I cried in my bedroom for about an hour before we went into the elimination room.”
Paddy justifies his decision to save Zandela because he believed she would be able to give herself less time at home as a single mother with her own business. And his decision was clearly the right one, because Zandela went on to come third in the competition. He says, “Seeing Zan get into the final three cemented my decision to save her. She proved she deserved it and I felt like a proud parent.”
There are no hard feelings between Paddy and Rob, and he says, “I’ve told Rob so many times how inspirational he is to me and so many other people. I felt confident he would be able to continue on the outside and I was right.”
Click to enlarge photos
Friends
Paddy before
Starting his journey
Paddy after
Loser winners
Paddy's Club results
Weight loss graph
Paddy's Club diary
Angie’s black team
Paddy was a member of Angie’s team, which meant he also fell prey to the apples and nuts scandal. Speaking on the incident, he says he was very confused by the whole thing, but feels certain that Angie would never have intentionally done anything to jeopardise the show, her training and especially not her team’s opportunity.
A strong relationship has obviously been forged between trainer and trainee and Paddy reveals why. “In week three my bags were packed and I was ready to leave. Angie was the only one who managed to convince me to stay.” He was therefore elated to be on her black team as he felt training hard would be his way of thanking her for her belief in him.
Even after Angie’s departure, Paddy still felt her presence. “Richard treated us all like his own team, but it was Angie I was training for and it was her I could hear yelling at me to push myself.” He continues, “She changed my life and I am forever grateful.”
Learning a new life
Since leaving the house Paddy says, “My exercise routine has been fantastic and I have a good balance of healthy eating in the week and the odd treat at weekends.” Before finale he was doing six gym sessions a week, but he will now aim to maintain a steady four workouts a week.
As for food he says, “I rationalise food into types and decide what and how much I need depending on if I’m going training. I see food simply as energy now.”
And it’s his energy balance in his Biggest Loser Club online diary that keeps him in check. He uses it regularly to decide what and how much to eat and he also refers to the in-depth nutritional breakdowns. However, his favourite is the results page. “I love weighing in online each week and seeing my graphs and weight loss percentage – it really keeps me going. Watching the numbers jump around reminds me of standing on The Biggest Loser scales!”
Paddy has coped exceptionally well in adapting his new lifestyle to his real life. But it seems it was close family and friends who have struggled the most to adapt to the new him. “The Biggest Loser didn’t just change me physically, but it also changed who I am. People found it difficult to come to terms with my new attitude and new way of thinking when I got home. I’m uber-positive about everything now as well, which annoys some, but I’m happier than I’ve ever been and I wouldn’t change that for the world.”
Quick-fire questions
Toughest challenge? “The RAF Cranwell – I detested it!”
Worst day in the house? “Day two of the first week. After the bike marathon it took me 30 seconds just to sit down and stand up. I’ve never felt so much pain and I definitely wasn’t prepared for that.”
How would you describe yourself now? “Paddy version two.”
Who will you take on holiday with you? “I started this journey with Wil and I think it's only right that I finish it with him on a relaxing trip to Abu Dhabi!"
Biggest lesson learnt? “Life is what you make it. Cheesy but true. We all mange our own lives.”
What now? “I am moving back to Ireland. Being in the house gave me a newfound appreciation of friends and family. There are beaches a few hundred yards from my family home that I’ve never been to, so I’m going to jog along their shores. I’m also going to qualify as a personal trainer, because I want to share my knowledge with others and help them through what I’ve experienced firsthand.”
While waiting backstage at The Biggest Loser finale, Paddy reveals how The Biggest Loser Club has helped him achieve his amazing weight loss results...