PARTICIPANTS in a life-changing fitness programme have declared the past six weeks the greatest of their lives.

For the past month and a half, 13 brave people have taken part in a gruelling challenge known as Swindon’s Biggest Loser.

The programme, which at the start received more than 300 applications, aimed to help people lose weight and acquire a new perspective on life.

Three professional trainers – Ricardo DeFazio, fitness and nutrition expert Siobhan O’ Connell and spiritual guru Richard Jones – put the participants through a range of tough challenges, testing their inner strength and mental fortitude.

Bowled over by the staggering achievements of each participant, a proud Ricardo, 32, said: “The programme was a massive success; it was an incredible six weeks.

“The amount of hard work that everyone put in was amazing to see. All we have done is instil in people the self-belief they need to be able to do it on their own.”

The 13 took part in a number of fitness sessions each week, including four hours of nutrition and meditation coaching, all of which was provided completely free of charge.

Explaining the reason for launching the programme in the first place, Ricardo said: “Very often, people have a dream that they try to follow but life gets in the way. You can easily lose yourself and your dreams can be put to one side. But we have shown people that you can do anything you put your mind to.

“Everyone wants to take what they have learnt into their own lives and continue on their path and I am so proud of every single person.”

For one participant, 29-year-old Eldene resident Alex Mackie, life will never been the same again.

Alex, who dropped from 18 stone to just over 16 in the six week period, said: “It was the best experience of my life. I feel fantastic, it has been absolutely amazing.”

When Alex was 22, he weighed 25 stone and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

He had high cholesterol levels and a high heart rate; doctors warned him he had to change his lifestyle, and change it quick.

He started dieting and made a conscious effort to live a healthier life, but he found it difficult to concentrate on his goals. When the Biggest Loser came along he thought it an opportunity too good to miss, and it has completely changed his life.

The father-of-two said: “The meditation side of the programme allowed me to be focused and calm, which helped me concentrate on what I needed to do to succeed.

“It is completely part of my life now and I feel like I’m only just beginning. It has changed my life so much it has even started rubbing off on my two children, which is something that I’m thrilled about.

“My mind is so much more focused and I feel great in myself.

“I’m very grateful to Ricardo, Richard and Siobhan for all they have done.”