As a successful contestant on The Biggest Loser Asia, Marilyn Tay is ecstatic after losing a total of 54kg. But Marilyn’s amazing overhaul isn’t over yet... she’s more determined than ever to continue her healthy ways so that she reaches her goal weight, plus she wants to try a new career.
Marilyn’s weight problems began in her teenage years. Her self-esteem gradually shrank as her weight grew to the point where she was embarrassed to be seen out and about.
Marilyn had been a medal-winning teenage swim star but a shoulder injury prevented her from doing the exercise she loved the most. The enforced lack of activity combined with an unhealthy dose of comfort eating meant that Marilyn’s weight began to creep upwards.
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Marilyn Tay before
Marilyn and contestants
Marilyn after
Marilyn’s happy-go-lucky facade hid the low self-confidence she felt inside. She was devastated that she weighed 157kg and hurt by unkind words and looks made by strangers on the streets in her native Singapore. She made jokes to try and deflect attention away from her weight.
Marilyn, who has been married to Christopher for six years, also feared that her medically-diagnosed hormone imbalance was caused by her size and could be preventing her from falling pregnant, too.
An avid fan of The Biggest Loser TV show in Australia, when Marilyn heard the series was headed for Asia, she saw her opportunity for change and jumped into action. Although she was thrilled to be accepted as a contestant on The Biggest Loser Asia, the 31-year-old admits she had serious doubts about whether she was capable of turning her life around.
She says, “But once I was in The House, I really enjoyed the routine of getting to know like-minded people and to learn about such a wide group of cultures under the one roof. The whole of the Blue Team was really great and we all enjoyed talking about life at home and why we wanted to be there in The House.”
Getting started
Initially, Marilyn says that the exercise aspect of her time in The House was difficult. She says, “As the intensity got harder, I knew I needed to push myself more and more. I worried, would I be screamed at? Would I be forced to do exercises that I couldn’t do?”
“But with Dave Nuku’s help, I switched my mindset and gradually, I became better prepared mentally. Thank goodness I was in the Blue Team, though, as I am not sure I could have coped with any shouting from Kristy. Dave was always very calm and encouraging and although he expected hard work, he also explained the reasons for doing each and every exercise so it made sense.”
In fact, Marilyn found the kind of support gained within The Blue Team was great at bringing out the best in her. “I knew that I had to be the one who pushed myself further. It wasn’t about wanting to be the best, it wasn’t about the money to be won and I didn’t play a strategic game; I just wanted to lose weight and get healthy for myself” says Marilyn.
After the show
Having lost 42kg during her time on the show, Marilyn continued to live by the lessons she learned and has lost a further 12kg since her return home. Now that she has lost a total of 54kg, she is even more determined to lose another 20kg or so and reach her ideal goal weight of around 80kg.
She's doing this by being extra careful with what she eats and by exercising regularly. “I go to the gym with my fellow Singaporean contestant Hafiz four times a week or more. People often recognise him and he is a real local celebrity but not many people know who I am and I am pretty happy with that! Hafiz is trying to get his weight down to the 80kg mark too and he wants to become a personal trainer.
“This got me thinking and I decided this might suit me, too. At the moment, I work as a sales consultant and I tend to sit down all the time and I know I have to stay active to keep the weight off for good. Having asked the advice of our team trainer, Dave, I have decided to take a part-time fitness trainer course when I am nearer goal weight and if it suits me, well, who knows?”
Enouraging others
Marilyn knows all too well that it is super hard to get started on making difficult and sometimes frightening changes. She urges others: “Really think about what you want to achieve and when you make your mind up, give it 100 percent. If auditioning for the next Biggest Loser show is one way to do it, do it. Use every opportunity to its best advantage. Don’t give up – just look for the best solution for you.”
Marilyn feels that her personality now mirrors her lighter physical weight. But as with many people who lose substantial amounts of weight, she still needs reminding about her smaller, shapelier body. “My husband is great; he reassures me that I look good and this helps me to feel more confident. Friends say I have a glow; it’s a bit like I am smiling on the inside they say. I suppose I am just getting used to such big changes.
“It was such a blessing to get picked for The Biggest Loser Asia even though on the show I grumbled a lot. But I am so grateful to everyone who has given me support especially my team mates. We blended so well. I am very grateful and extremely humble. Thanks!”