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We caught up with new parents — Amy and Marty Wolff
by Rebecca Klein
It’s been a big gain for the Biggest Losers with Baltimore ties, Amy and Marty Wolff — 10 pounds and 14 ounces last July 4th.
So far, their mini-Marty, named Blaine Patrick after Marty’s late father, sports dad’s smile and eyes.
As you may remember, Amy worked in sales and marketing at Black & Decker in Towson before landing a spot and meeting Marty on The Biggest Loser in 2006, where they lost a combined 252 pounds. The couple then spent a short time in Baltimore before moving to Nebraska to be closer to family and friends. We checked in with the first-time parents to learn about their son’s impact on their fitness approach for themselves and their clients at Reality Wellness, their Omaha personal training company. They create fitness programs for groups and also do public speaking.
The new mom is taking a far different approach to losing her pregnancy weight. “On The Biggest Loser, it’s all about losing weight as fast as you can.” Now, instead of swearing off carbs, she focuses on getting the nutrients she needs to nurse her son. “Becoming a mom has made me more balanced with my weight loss approach.” Rather than denying a strong craving, she encourages clients to budget it into the day’s allotted calories.
She admits she fell off track during pregnancy, reacting to morning sickness and fatigue by stopping cardio workouts and eating her share of convenience meals. It resulted in a 70-pound gain. “I encourage other pregnant women to listen to their bodies, but don't avoid exercise all together. You should still be working hard on your daily healthy habits including avoiding high calorie restaurant meals!”
The new dad gained around 15 sympathy pounds toward the end of the pregnancy. “I was so excited about our future, and I struggled with the celebration equals food aspect of emotional eating.” He has since dropped the weight. “I know I am a better dad when my mind and body are in the right place.”
Amy has 20 pounds to go until reaching her pre-pregnancy weight and strives to shed another 30 to return to her “Biggest Loser Happy Weight.” Her strategy includes scheduling time on the calendar for six workouts a week and for food preparation. “I just hope that Blaine sees us as living examples as how you can eat healthy and also live a balanced life.”
During speaking engagements, she acknowledges weight will always be a personal battle. “My overriding message is one of never giving up.”
In addition to running Reality Wellness, which primarily includes early morning and evening bootcamps, Marty returned to working with high school students and is a long-term speech and theater substitute teacher. Amy, who is balancing her role in Reality Wellness with time at home with Blaine, is looking to add another sales and marketing position to the mix.
