Photo courtesy Bryant Currie

Photo courtesy Bryant Currie

Photo courtesy Bryant Currie

In April H-E-B wrapped up its annual Slimdown Showdown—a 14-week, "Biggest Loser"–like competition and health training course that aims to put Texans on the path to a healthier lifestyle. Hays CISD District Chef Bryant Currie was among the 15 contestants selected to compete in this year's edition. Currie began the contest at a five-day fitness camp, where he and his opponents learned from professionals on nutrition, exercise and weight management. He lost 13 percent of his weight, dropped his cholesterol level by 27 points and shaved about 10 inches off his waistline during the three-month showdown. Community Impact Newspaper spoke with Currie about his experience in the contest.

How did your involvement in the H-E-B Slimdown Showdown come about?

I applied after seeing a commercial on TV for the Slimdown Showdown and decided to try it. I had been big all my life and continuously gained weight and said, "Well, maybe I can do something different." So I applied with some help from some people at work. They helped me more with the motivation.

How did you do?

Personally, I did very well. I had lost 50 pounds throughout that time. My cholesterol went from 129 to 102. My waist size went from 62 down to 48, [about] 10 inches off my waist. My energy was up. I didn't win the competition. I think I got very, very close to winning, but what prevented me from actually winning was my cholesterol numbers and my sugar numbers were already good. They were not very bad [to start]. But I was very [pleased] with my progress and what I had done.

Did you see this as an educational opportunity?

Absolutely. I can't describe in words how much I've learned, even about food. I've been a chef over 20 years, and I know a lot about food. What I did not know—as a chef, I never put food and nutrition together. Focusing on nutrition put everything into perspective and put everything together for me. I've learned quite a bit doing this. And a lot of the stuff I put into my recipes. I created new recipes. All of my recipes are new, based upon my experience in the [competition]. One of the recipes I actually put into the Hays CISD rotation.