The 1st Grand Prize Winner of the weekend at a fitness retreat in Canmore with Paul Plakas for 2 people, is Lizz Cogan (lizz.cogan) from Chester Basin, NS. This prize is valued at $6000.

Lizz will most likely be joined by her husband (also named Paul), as she works out with Paul Plakas and learns how to take her journey to the next level in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

On the XWeighted.com National Challenge, Lizz lost 35 pounds and completely changed her life. (We actually did a video interview with Lizz at the Halifax Final Weigh-in, click here to see it.)

When we spoke with Lizz yesterday, she told us that she was in shock. “I had to go for a run to burn off the excitement. I didn't expect to win a big prize. I was hoping to win a pair of running shoes or something,” she said. 

“I'm excited to meet Paul Plakas. I’ve never done the personal trainer thing, or climbed a mountain. I’m a little scared of what he will put me through but I’m ready for another challenge,” says Lizz, “I bet I will learn a lot and the whole experience will rejuvenate my enthusiasm to stay fit and healthy. The Canmore Fitness weekend with Paul will be an adventure I will never forget!”  

Lizz tells us that she is very glad she joined the Challenge. “I am reminded of that every time I look in the mirror, or see how loose my clothes are. XWeighted.com really kept me on track with the weigh-ins and all the information on the site helped to keep me motivated.”

Having support in real life too was instrumental in helping Lizz to achieve her goals. “I joined the Challenge with my friends and co-workers Alice and Andy. They were great, we worked out to DVDs at lunch time. My hubby Paul went to the gym and my friend Kathryn did Aqua fit and Zumba classes in the evening with me,” she says.    

Our 2nd Grand Prize, a makeover weekend in Toronto with Fred Connors, goes to Caroline Walker (CPWalker), from Calgary, AB, who lost a staggering 78 pounds following the 26 Week Plan. This prize is worth over $5000!

(We featured Caroline on the blog back in May, because even at the half way point, she'd lost 47 pounds!) 

Caroline tells us that she is on top of the world. “The excitement I feel is indescribable, it still feels like a dream,” she says, “I worked so hard these past 6 months to prove to myself I could reach this huge goal and now that I've done it, the prize is an amazing reward.”

The first thing that Caroline says she’ll do when she meets Fred is give him a big hug. “What he does for people is wonderful, and I look forward to spending time with him,” she says.

“For over 10 years I have only shopped at one store, because of size issues. Now it's like a big scary world out there and I look forward to his insight on how I should dress for my body type," says Caroline, "I'm also really looking forward to having the makeover.”

“6 months ago I couldn't even dream about where I am now. I can't thank X-Weighted enough for putting on this National Challenge. When I signed up I thought I would get a 50-60 pound max weight goal, but when I saw 76 pounds, my first thought was that is impossible,” she says, “then my determination took over and I said "I'll take that challenge".  It has changed every part of my life and I have WON my life back.”

The 3rd Grand Prize, an Ultimate US-2 Home Gym, was won by Aimee Steininger (Aimelynn), from Langenberg, SK. This prize is worth $2200.

Aimee has lost 59 pounds over the course of the XWeighted.com National Challenge.

When we told her that she was a winner, she was floored. "I am in shock," she says, "I never thought I would be one of the lucky ones."

Aimee says that this is the perfect prize for her: "Honestly, this couldn't have come at a better time - my fitness routine is almost exclusively strength training. Even though I am only 28, I have advanced osteoarthritis and need hip replacement surgery, and because of this I am unable to do a lot of aerobic exercise without pain."

She says that although she has had success with the meager amount of gym equipment that she has at home, she is ready to take her workout to the next level. "The ULTIMATE US-2 home gym is exactly what I need to get me there," she says happily.

Aimee is so very happy that she signed up for the challenge. "I found the blog postings and community groups were very motivating, and the weekly weigh-ins kept me accountable," she says.

"I am a totally different person now than I was when I signed up for the challenge," says Aimee, "I am healthy, strong, and a good role model for my two young children."