Moore Resident Tackles “Extreme Makeover” in ABC Weight Loss Show by Christiaan Patterson
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rowds applauded, hands waved and people cheered at Veterans Memorial Park to welcome home one Moore resident from a life-changing journey. But this was no ordinary welcome home. Kenny O’ Neal’s decision to get healthy and active landed him a spot on ABC’s “Extreme Weight Loss” show. After leaving in May, O’Neal was reunited with family for a taping of the final show on ABC. “These 90 days have taken so long in so many ways and have flown by. It meant the world to me to be able to go to Colorado and know that we had a foundation here of support for my family and me,” said O’Neal, Moore’s contestant for “Extreme Weight Loss.” O’Neal’s quest to change came after a friend passed away and the tornado ripped Moore apart. At 410 pounds, O’Neal was unable to physically contribute to helping his town in its time of need. This fueled the passion to change. Before the tornado, O’Neal wrote to the show and poured out his heart as to why he wanted to make a lifestyle switch. “This started as a weight loss journey, and I just wanted to lose weight to change myself and be better. And honestly, after meeting Chris [Powell, host of “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition”], it wasn’t about my weight, it was about my addiction to food,” said O’Neal. “I had a best friend who had an addiction to food and he passed away. That moment inspired me to beat this addiction and not let it control me anymore.”
“It’s been hugely difficult. The summer was the most difficult since there’s nothing going on. I’m also a nurse at Norman Regional and working nights was a little tricky. But his mother has been such a help watching the kids. We got through it with family, thank goodness,” she said. Though the journey in Colorado may have concluded, the journey is only beginning. As O’Neal adjusts to being back home, he and the family must transition into the new lifestyle by making healthy choices. This means giving up certain foods and getting more actively involved with the kids. For the family, this could prove to be the most difficult part of the process. “This is the part of the journey where he has to figure this out at home: how to juggle eating habits, eating healthy, working out on top of working and the kids’ schedule, me, and everything else. It’s really the toughest part, I think, but we will be there to support him,” said Kristin O’Neal. Keeping up with his ultimate goal of weight loss, ABC also has added a quirky challenge to the mix: Until the season premieres in the summer of 2014, the family cannot post photos of what he looks like afterwards. So, if you want to see how much of an incredible transformation O’Neal has made, stay tuned.
Over the course of 90 days at the show’s boot camp in Colorado, O’Neal lost 101 pounds. This wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the love and support of his family and friends. His wife of 15 years, Kristin, and three children were his constant and solid rock for getting through. While he was away, Kristin held down the fort at home and had a few challenges along the way. City Beat Sponsored by
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NOVEMBER 2013 | MOORE MONTHLY | 47