If you missed it the first time around… be sure to tune in to the rebroadcast of Fit First, and be inspired by four extraordinary women who share their personal weight loss journeys with television viewers across Canada.


(L-R) – Fit First participants Michele Henry, Elizabeth Denny, Krystal Beel, Geri Von Ramin
Photo courtesy of Fit First

Fit First is an inspiring ‘real life’ television series that chronicles the trials and triumphs of Aboriginal people on a mission to change their lives. After a successful first season that saw four people lose weight and improve their body, mind and spirit, the six new half-hour episodes that make up the second season are being rebroadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN):

Series rebroadcasts across Canada:
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
8:00pm EST
**please check local listings**

ABOUT FIT FIRST

Fit First is a documentary series that follows four adults in their pursuit to lose weight and get healthy. The participants come from a variety of backgrounds and lifestyles, with one thing in common: their inability to stay focused on a weight loss plan. But by the end of the experience, they will have one more thing in common: an understanding of the phrase “success is the ability to make change,” which is the underlying theme in Fit First.

For six months, the Fit First team worked with the participants, under the guidance of a fitness trainer and nutritional expert. They were lead through physical challenges, held to task in eating the right foods, and taught to improve their self-esteem. Along the way, they learned how to make better choices for themselves and their families, and supported and encouraged each other while working toward their own goals.

Each participant embarked on very personal journeys, and each was pushed to their breaking point – then challenged to go beyond. They showed courage, drive and determination. And, as they began to experience lower numbers on the scale, improved fitness, and increased confidence, their stories became even more inspiring.

ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS

Fit First follows the lives of four participants for six months, who share the same goal of changing their lives.

Michele Henry – Michele is a 45 year old married woman who describes herself as a positive, happy person who tries hard. She works as a clerk at Children of the Earth School. She is 5’1 and weighs 211 lbs, and feels ‘horrible’. Her goal is to lose 50 pounds in the six month duration of the program.

Geri Von Ramin –Geri is a retired 63 year old mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who describes herself as a community activist for family, women, and disabled people. She is 5’4 and 185 lbs, and ‘feels unhealthy’. Geri has no specific number of how much weight she would like to lose but this is something she would like to do for herself.

Elizabeth Denny – Elizabeth is 38 year old single mother of one daughter. She describes herself as a large, open, funny and warm person. She is self-employed and loves to sing and play guitar. She is 5’5 and 270lbs, and feels ‘uncomfortable in her own skin’. Her goal is to improve her health.

Krystal Beel– Krystal is a single 23 year old mother of a 4 old year old boy. Her mother Leann participated in Fit First season 1. She describes herself as funny, strong, happy and a smart woman. Krystal works as a community justice worker. She is 5’7 and weighs 280 lbs. She believes her weight gain is due being pregnant, not having lost any of her ‘baby weight’, no exercise and poor food choices.

Kent Brown (Fitness Trainer) – Kent is proud of his First Nations roots. His family comes from Fisher River Cree Nation (Ochékiwi Sípí). Nicknamed ‘the Bullet’, Kent started boxing 24 years ago. In 2000, he became the Canadian National Champion and qualified for the Sydney Olympic Games, but was unable to go. In 2002, he won a gold medal at the North American Indigenous Games in Winnipeg. While growing up his hero was Muhammad Ali, and that is what drove his interest in the sport of boxing.

Throughout his career Kent has had over a 120 bouts, winning 105 of his boxing matches. Today, Kent is President of the Manitoba Amateur Boxing Association and a coach at the United Boxing Club with a full level three coaching certificate from the National Coaching Certification Program. He works out and trains youth to seniors in boxing and fitness. In Kent’s training circuit his participants use everything from repetitions of lifting a sledgehammer, balancing on a spare tire while lifting weights, to hundreds of sit-ups to get rid of the tummy bulge.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Fit First is co-production between Animiki See Digital Production Inc. and Indios Productions Inc., with producers Stephanie Scott, Vanessa Loewen and Desiree Single. Writers and Directors include Stephanie Scott, John Gurdebeke and Rick Harp.

Fit First was produced and developed in association with the Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network (APTN), and produced with the participation of the Government of Manitoba – Manitoba Film and Video Production Tax Credit, and the participation of The Canadian Film and Video Tax Credit.

Note: Originally posted on March 1st, 2012