A FORMER chef who became a contestant on The Biggest Loser weighing 200kg is now helping people to get fit and healthy at a Kwinana gym.
Cliff Bloomfield (28) lost 50kg over 12 weeks on the television show last year but this caused major issues with his metabolism, which he is still recovering from.
“It wasn’t even close to being beneficial to your body and it was a lot harder to sustain that,” he said.
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READ NOW“I haven’t run on a treadmill since. It’s all about resistance training and building muscle to help your body handle the fat.”
During his time on the show, Mr Bloomfield realised his purpose in life was to help others and started putting in place his dream to become a personal trainer.
“I was a chef for about 10 years and I had personal trainers before and always liked the idea of being one but was never confident enough to do it, being a bigger person,” he said.
“But when I was on The Biggest Loser I decided that I was just going to do it.
“I have enjoyed every single minute that I am here, it’s such a rewarding job. I thought I was passionate about cooking but this is a whole new ballgame.”
He wanted to show people that no matter what their situation, it could always be improved.
Nutrition also plays a massive part in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and his experience as a chef has helped him develop an all-round fitness regime.
Mr Bloomfield is now a qualified personal trainer and has been working at the Jetts gym in Kwinana since November.
One of his main aims is to encourage people and make them comfortable in the gym environment, which he said could be intimidating for people starting out on fitness programs.
“Anyone can do this,” he said.
“We’ve had some absolutely amazing transformations, all the way from building muscle to fat loss.
“Support is also a big thing for a lot of people and for me it’s just knowing that I’m helping someone.
“If I can educate them on how to go through this process the right way the first time, they are not going to have the same setbacks that I had.”
Gym owner Marion Heavens said he had been an amazing addition to the team.
“Cliff connects with and coaches members who’ve had similar struggles and who’ve always been fit and healthy,” Ms Heavens said.
“He’s an inspiration and example to anyone who feels they can’t make a change and improve their life.”
The gym will start a weight loss challenge on January 14.