At age 42, losing weight was not only about decreasing calories, it was about gaining a new outlook on life. Denise Massingill-Demith lost 86 pounds after being inspired by the television program the Biggest Loser.

“I started watching season five of the Biggest Loser and it just hit me like a ton of bricks,” said Demith. “I said to myself I needed to be on that show. I weighed 246 pounds and my weight kept going higher and higher. I just felt like I could not deal with it any longer.”

Demith said she was always the heavy kid as a child. She said she battled with weight off and on her entire life.

“I loved fast food,” said Demith. “I ate it all the time. I didn’t exercise and I have a family history of obesity. When I was young, I got picked on because I was heavy. Even as an adult, comments were made, hurtful ones. I suffered mentally and physically. You go out with a brave face, but inside you hurt and say why do people do this. There’s just more of me, I’m the same person inside. I’d put on a little clown face every day. But when I came home I’d say to myself what’s wrong with me. I’m who I am, people just won’t accept me. You learn through the years to hide the hurt.”

Demith said she was wearing a size 22W and is now in a size 10. She said she began her weight loss at the end of 2007 and has maintained her weight for some time now.

“I was concerned for my health,” said Demith. “Diabetes runs in my family. I told my mother I was ready to make a change in my life. I started watching the Biggest Loser TV program. On the program, they gave weekly trainer tips on fitness and diet. I listened and did exactly what they said to do.”

Demith said she started watching what she ate, no fast food at all. She limited her portions and ate nothing after 7 p.m. She said the weight came off fast at first and then slowed down.

“I got to where I felt I wasn’t not going to lose any more weight,” said Demith. “I thought I was stuck. This is where I credit the Biggest Loser. They said to think about your activities and calorie intake. If you don’t take in enough calories you will not burn it. So I had to up my calorie intake a little bit and then my body started burning the fat off again.”

According to Demith, she did not set huge goals. She said she would set a goal of 20 pounds and when she lost that, she would set another 20 pound goal. This helped her stay focused and continue to lose weight. She said the biggest thing is to make your mind up that you do want to lose weight.

“I’d do my little happy dance every time I lose 20 pounds,” said Demith. “It feels incredible. I’m healthier, happier and more confident. My confidence had all but disappeared. The bigger I got, the more confidence I lost in myself. I’m not winded anymore. I have bad knees, from injuries sustained years ago, and with all the weight I had on me, they hurt so bad. Now, my knees are so much better.”

Demith said she had great support from her family and co-workers at CVS. She said if she had to go upstairs to get stock at work, she would try to run up the stairs. She said she would do curls with cans of food, laundry detergent, anything she could.

“It was hard at first when I was 246 pounds,” said Demith. “But I was determined and I didn’t give up. I’d take one step at a time and push myself to do more each time. I feel like I can do anything now. I’m proud of myself. I did this for me, not my husband or my mother. I had to come to the realization that if I wanted to live, I had to lose weight.”

Demith said she still watches the Biggest Loser every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. on NBC.

“It’s my favorite show,” said Demith. “I just hope my story is an inspiration to others. If you really want to lose weight you can, you just have to follow the rules and do things that will help you get there. It may be hard at first but if you persevere, you will win the battle just like I did.”

Demith is a shift supervisor at CVS. She and her husband, Donald, live in Evarts. She has three step-daughters.