Reality Rumors

Six contestants went the distance (575 miles) and made it to the finish line in Washington DC during last night’s finale of ABC’s ‘Fat March’. Each finisher claimed a $40,000 share of the grand prize.

The 6 remaining contestants were : Chantal, a 35-year-old student and comedian from Brookline, MA; Jami Lyn, a 30-year-old military wife and mother from Daleville, AL; Loralie, a 30-year-old marketing resources expert from Milwaukee, WI; Shea, a 27-year-old makeup/special effects artist from Indian Rocks Beach, FL; Michael, a 41-year-old baseball coach, lab technician and married father from Elwood, IL; and Sam, a 22-year-old certified massage therapist from Everett, MA.

All six reached the finish line in Washington DC with no problems, meaning each left the 575-mile journey $40,000 richer. Jami Lyn called it “the most satisfying, amazing, complete experience” of her life; Michael felt like he was “on cloud nine;” Chantal called it the “proudest moment” of her life;” Shea said it was one of her “greatest accomplishments;” and Sam was “so fired up.”

“We did it!” exclaimed Loralie. “All of us overweight people who were all at least 100-pounds overweight, who had never camped before, none of us exercise… We did it! I’m so proud of that!”

With the prize money awarded, all that was left was the final weigh-in. Jami Lyn lost 50 pounds (236 to 186); Chantal shed 51 pounds (250 to 199); Shea dropped 55 pounds (289 to 234); Loralie lost 56 pounds (241 to 185); Michael shed 80 pounds (319 to 239); and Sam was the biggest loser, dropping a total of 85 pounds (382 to 297).

“This experience was worth every blister, every knee pain I had,” said Sam. “It was all worth it, and I’m so happy was able to be part of this.”