Teri Aguiar

I never pictured myself going on <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a27456426/the-biggest-loser-usa-network-tv-return-2020/" id="bbcc8828-c6e3-3019-a290-c63093e84dda"> The Biggest Loser </a> , but Im so glad Im here. I auditioned for the show when an old friend from my pageant daysyep, Im a former beauty queenreached out about an opportunity to be a contestant. She was Miss Missouri a few years after me and now lives in LA, where she has connections to some of the people who organize <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a29207641/biggest-loser-trainer-erica-lugo/" id="cf1c4853-1501-331e-a14f-4e5b26e1b922"> casting for The Biggest Loser. </a> "Would you be willing to share your story?" she asked me. "I think its really powerful and relatable."

Teri Aguiar Hid Her Body Before The Biggest Loser

I had to think a lot about whether I wanted to put myself out there like thatfirst through the audition process and then, if I was chosen, on national television. Its a really vulnerable position to be in, and Ive spent the last several years hiding myself from the world because I was ashamed about my weight. Im a flight nurse, which means I travel the country transporting critically ill patients by helicopter and airplane.

The heavier Ive gotten, the more Ive had to worry about how my weight could affect our helicopter missions, where added pounds are a major safety factor. Im still in touch with lots of friends from before I gained weight, but none of them have really seen me in years. I'm the queen of hiding my body in photosplacing my two kids in front of me, only posting photos from certain angles, or opting for family selfies instead of wider shots. As I was looking through photos to potentially send in for The Biggest Loser audition process, I realized I didnt have a single full-body photo at my current weight. It was a huge wake-up call.

\"Im a newly single mom, and I feel like Im ready for the next chapter of my lifeone where I put myself first.\"

As a kid and into young adulthood, I was an athlete. I loved swimming and later got into triathlons. Being involved in pageants meant I took very good care of myself. Then I got married and had children and suddenly, I was putting everyone elses needs before mine. I found myself driving my kids to baseball and track and music practice, rolling through the drive-through on a regular basis, and skipping workouts. My career means I work crazy hours and have bizarre eating habits and sleep patterns. All those factors added up over the years, and I now weigh more than I did when I delivered my youngest child.

Ultimately, as hard as I knew it would be to show the world how much weight Id gained, I decided to bite the bullet and audition for the show. Im a newly single mom, and I feel like Im ready for the next chapter of my lifeone where I put myself first. I dont want to be on the sidelines anymore. I want to be there for my kids and my boyfriendnot just cheering them on, but pushing them and running 5Ks with them. Im a mirror for my kids. I feel like I have this great life ahead of me and the only puzzle pieces that are missing are my fitness and my health. Ill still face the challenges of being a busy mom when the show ends, but The Biggest Loser is going to be my fresh start, where I don't have to hide.

The Biggest Loser will air on USA Network for its 18th season in January 2020.

Contestant: Teri Aguiar Age: 47 Hometown: Columbia, Illinois Occupation: Flight nurse Starting weight: 250 pounds

'The Biggest Loser' Contestant Teri Aguiar: 'I Was The Queen Of Hiding My Body In Photos'

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Teri Aguiar

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'The Biggest Loser' Contestant Teri Aguiar: 'I Was The Queen Of Hiding My Body In Photos'