Rating:

4.0 (42 votes)

TUCSON - This week's Biggest Loser Tucson had to overcome more obstacles than most in order to lose weight.

Alene Schwartz has battled weight nearly all of her life, but 30 years ago it became especially difficult.

At her heaviest Schwartz was 268 pounds, a number on the scale she never wants to see again.

With exercise and healthy food choices she is now down to a weight she is proud of, 142 pounds.

"That's my new thing; to conqueror is to keep it maintained for the rest of my life," said Schwartz.

It is amazing that Schwartz can walk on the treadmill or do the plank position in yoga because 30 years ago a balancing problem caused her to become confined to a wheelchair.

"She never thought she would be able to move again. I have to give her credit for that. People should take notice of what she has done and what can be done to improve themselves," said her neighbor Bert Ludliner.

Schwartz's yoga teacher Deeanne Nash says she first came to class two years ago and did the most basic stretches but as the days went on her perseverance pushed through.

"We don't have expectations it's just whatever your body can do but when we first saw her do her downward dog I think everybody stopped and started clapping because it was pretty amazing," said Nash.

"It's never too late to start that's what I have proven to myself. No matter what I was as a child or a young married woman or middle aged woman it's still not the end," said Schwartz.

She had to work hard to get where she is today and continues to make strides.
She doesn't want to lose any more weight now, but wants to become more agile in her daily life.

"It's really fantastic. It's very exciting, very humbling that I can do that at this time in my life. I am very thankful. My doctors said that if they hadn't seen it with their own eyes they wouldn't believe it," said Schwartz.

"She got over the fear of failure and come what may she will go after it," said Ludliner.

Do you are someone you know have an amazing weight loss story? Send your story to biggestlosertucson@kvoa.com.