Woman Visiting Family After Extreme Weight Loss

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Posted: 5:05 PM Nov 27, 2008
Last Updated: 5:56 PM Nov 27, 2008

30 comments

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Thanksgiving is usually a day to spend time with family. But one Lexington woman, hasn't seen her family in California in three years because she was ashamed of the way she looked. Leanne Banales says she was embarrassed because she was overweight.

Just months ago, Leanne decided to change her life. She joined a gym, CrossFit, here in Lexington. In three months, she lost 60 pounds. Because of that, Leanne is in California this Thanksgiving, seeing her family for the first time in years.

Leanne says she's only at her midway point. She wants to lose 150 pounds.

CrossFit Lexington is looking for their next change of life participant. They are taking applicants on their website, http://www.crossfitlexky.com , or at their new location on Bryant Road in Lexington.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Tina Location: ky on Dec 9, 2008 at 05:53 AM
Leanne, I am so proud of you. 1st for admitting you needed help. 2nd for doing it the natural way. 3rd For taking a stand for what you wonted in your life..You go girl..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK..NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES...MAY GOD BLESS YOU...

Posted by: Tia TuTu Location: Ca on Dec 7, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Way to go SELENA!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the hard work and dedication!!!

Posted by: john Location: ky on Dec 7, 2008 at 08:15 AM
congratulactions to mindy and leanne it don't matter if you lost it in a gym or just a diet.it is hard to lose weight.

Posted by: mary Location: london ky on Dec 6, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I THINK YOU LOOK REALLY GREAT KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

Posted by: john Location: ky on Dec 6, 2008 at 03:11 PM
congratulations to leanne and mindy.sorry but it did sound like a advertisement,but it don't matter they both lost weight.

Posted by: Ray Location: Maryland on Dec 6, 2008 at 09:23 AM
What a great story. I have lost 47lbs in six months. It's a great day when we overcome negativity and strive for something more that others expect from us! Keep it up and you'll have you own W.O.D.!

Posted by: Rob Location: Maryland on Dec 6, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Leanne, way to go and reach your life goals. My mother is larger and I have seen the same feelings you have had in her eyes. Stay in it to win it, remember a rough day is just a day to work hard in the pitt, 3 2 1 GO!!!

Posted by: r.lee Location: Seattle on Dec 6, 2008 at 01:40 AM
Such is the power of dedication combined with Crossfit. The heartiest of congratulations to Leanne for working so strongly toward her goal, and best wishes as she achieves it.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: California on Dec 5, 2008 at 05:29 PM
LeAnne I am very proud of you.I know you must have worked really hard. After the many times I have tried to lose weight,you have inspired me to try again.I guess us Banales girls were not just born BIG!!!! Mom would be so proud of you. Yet sad because she would lose a eating partner LOL!!! You know she loved to eat. Well just wanted to say CONGRATS!! and that I LOVE YOU keep up the good work! Your "BIG" Lil Sis

Posted by: April on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:24 PM
First I want to say, Leanne you have been a true inspiration! I am so increditably proud of you! Mindy, I feel so sorry for you and how lonely you must be. You should come and work out with us there. I workout with Leanne. I am sure since you have lost weight on your own that you could use to workout to tone-up. We will not judge you! This must also be the 1st time you have ever watched the news on Thanksgiving. Every year they ALL have inspirational stories. Come and work out with us and we can show you how special Leanne is and what a change it has made in her life. YOU too will make that positive change and maybe could be on the news. If it takes advertising for people to have the change of life that Leanne has made then ADVERTISE AWAY. Leanne, you go ggguuuurrrllll!!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Harlan, KY on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Leanne,You will run across that one person that will always have something bad to say about another one.Stand tall, be proud of what you have been able to do for yourself.Never be ashamed of yourself, reguardless what some else thinks of how you look. I have never had a problem with my weight, but my sister has. I know how mean people can be. I would get so mad & still do at other people for their smirks & laughs because someone weight a few more pounds than them. I have lost my temper & have said things to these stupid people and my sister say always tells them looks won't get you in to heaven and one day you will see that. And she always tells them I will pray for you. I hope one day I could be as humble as my sister. I think you look great and you should be proud of what you have done for yourself & don't worry about what other people think, one day they will have to stand in judgement for what they have said and done.You are in my prayers.

Posted by: MINDY on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:11 AM
This is a compliment? "I wasn't trying to take anything away from this lady who lost the weight, kudos to her! I don't feel it was a "news" item, but more of a free advertisement to the trainer and gym, and I'm not the only one who feels that way." You completely ignored that this womans life is what the story is based on. A positive change in it and you say this "THIS IS NOT NEWSWORTHY. It is nothing now but an advertisement for this gym and trainer. I've los 52 lbs on my own, no trainer, no "professional" help, just hard work and dedication. But you won't see me on the news crying about it. Must have been a slow news day to showcase this." Are you a news room director or producer? Until you are what you think is news worthy really doesnt matter now does it? You do sound bitter. Why are you following a story which you think is not worth your time anyway? IN MY OPINION anyone who says things you say wants and needs attention Apology?? For What?

Posted by: Ekajj Location: e ky on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Congrats to both of you weight loss divas. You rock!!!

Posted by: Mindy Location: Lexington on Nov 30, 2008 at 10:23 PM
For those that feel the need to bash me...I have congratulated this woman not once, but twice on these postings. I am not bitter, where you get that I don't know. One respondent told me to think before I type, I did, don't know what you base that on. I am not jealous. I do have an opinion, and I stick to it...this was not promoted as a human interest story in my OPINION, it came across more as an advertisement. IT IS MY OPINION, AND I AM ENTITLED TO IT. To anonymous who asked me how long it took me and I replied to her/him, I wasn't being smart and hateful, I was simply answering your question. You people are reading WAY too much into all of this. And no, my story is not newsworthy, you are exactly right. People lose weight every day for one reason or another...point made. I think I'm owed an apology or two here. And for the THIRD time...congrats to this woman.

Posted by: bridgette Location: california on Nov 30, 2008 at 10:16 AM
hey l.b. congrats!!! good job it takes aot of effort commitment drive energy great job!!!!! i am friends with your sissy a.b. she is so proud!!! as are the people who have seen the news clip you are a true inspiration to us all!!!

Posted by: Kerri Location: Lexington on Nov 30, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Congratulations Leanne! You have made an incredible amount of progress in a short amount of time and continually inspire those of us around you. I applaud your dedication and look forward to seeing you hit your goal; which, no doubt, you will! I am glad WKYT has highlighted your story and CrossFit's role in it. It is a gym like no other and the staff deserves to be recognized for the effort they put in to improving the lives of all those who walk through their doors.

Posted by: Christine Location: California on Nov 29, 2008 at 11:48 AM
There are not enough words to say how proud I am of my niece Leanne. I have been with her in spirit since she started the program. She would text or call and update me on her progress, excited with each step closer to her goal. Whether this story was meant as an advertisement or not doesn't matter. It's the fact that Leanne has extended her lifespan, improved her overall health and touched many lives by doing what most people would think could not be done. If CrossFit touched and changed just ONE life (which it has) then what they are doing is worth it. Sincere thanks to Chris and staff at CrossFit, you have given so much more than you realize.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 29, 2008 at 11:02 AM
MINDY I ASKED HOW LONG IT TOOK YOU BECAUSE, I AM AMAZED TO HEAR THAT IT TOOK THIS WOMAN THIS SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. I WANTED TO HEAR YOUR STORY. TO BE HONEST HER STORY IS NEWS WORTHY IT IS YOURS WHOS ISNT! DONT BE HATEFUL AND PAY IT FORWARD. I THINK THAT IS WHAT THIS GYM AND TRAINER WERE TRYING TO DO! IT IS THE HOLIDAYS AND I FELT GOOD ABOUT THIS STORY! GOD BLESS YOU MINDY!

Posted by: MINDY WHY SO BITTER? on Nov 29, 2008 at 01:06 AM
In regards to Mindy's comment, there is an area in News called the Human Interest Story. Was it a slow news day? Not really it was a holiday..Thanksgiving to be exact. On holidays in news the uplifting and inspirational stories are what help stack the show. To people who take for granted the fact they get to see thier family everyday or holiday of course you would see this as an advertisement for a gym and no reason for tears. THE NEWS WORTHY STORY IS THE FACT THIS WOMAN MADE A CHANGE IN HER LIFE BECAUSE A HUMAN TOOK INTEREST IN HELPING ANOTHER HUMAN. By doing so Chris has changed not only her life but those around her. Mindy I ask you are you upset because no Human took an Interest in your story?? Would you be in tears if you finally got to see family you hadnt seen in years?? Would you be happy if instead a another depressing murder or kidnapping story ran? Please Mindy next time think before you type and Congratulations on your weight loss.

Posted by: Mindy Location: Lexington on Nov 29, 2008 at 12:36 AM
This is to anonymous who wanted to know how long it took for me to rid of 52 lbs...I lost the initial 21 lbs in 21 days. At 60 days I had lost 35. The remainder was lost over the next few months. I never told myself I was on a diet, I just eliminated the bad foods I was eating and told myself "I don't eat those foods anymore". I saw a great aunt 3 weeks ago that I had not seen in more than 5 years, and she didn't know who I was. So, I wasn't trying to take anything away from this lady who lost the weight, kudos to her! I don't feel it was a "news" item, but more of a free advertisement to the trainer and gym, and I'm not the only one who feels that way.

Posted by: Andy Location: Lexington on Nov 29, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Way to go Leanne! Your progress is nothing short of amazing. You have certainly earned it and I hope you continue to keep up the good work and inspire the rest of us! Mindy, I really see no need for you to cast a negative opinion here. Leanne is an incredible person and her devotion and ethic are an inspiration for all of us. I would encourage you to actually visit the gym and speak to Chris before you make assumptions. If you take the time to visit, get to know the staff, and listen to their stories, you will soon realize that they are motivated by helping others (not by money). CrossFit is like no other gym I have ever seen, and it all begins with the staff.

Posted by: AJ Location: Lexington on Nov 28, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Fantastic job Leanne! I've never seen anyone as committed and hard working as you have been during the past few months to transform you're life. Keep it up, you're an inspiration for the rest of us.

Posted by: Allison Location: Leanne's hometown, California on Nov 28, 2008 at 06:27 PM
That is my sister you see there and I can speak for the whole family when I say we are never going to forget the gift that, Mr. Sarrica, has given to Leanne and to us!! We have missed her so much and to have her back, lighter and so much more confident, we are elated! Not only did you give her a change of life, you gave it to us all. Leanne coming home brought together all five sisters and our brother. This is something that has not happend in years. Leanne has never had reason to be ashamed. With the work she does everyday she touches so many lives and hearts and we are extremley proud of her. I just so happen to be a smaller sister but, I am inspired by her to keep pushing forward in my life to make changes for the better. We love you Leanne, no matter how much of you there is. I know you get tired sometimes but you are strong like Mom so keep going. Good thing there is no In-n-Out there!! Thanks from The Banales family to Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Sarrica for our early Christmas gift.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Lexington on Nov 28, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Great job LeAnn! Taking control of your life and losing that much weight in such a short time is AWESOME! What's even more impressive is that you did it the natural, healthy way...eating right and working out! You are an inspiration to us all. And to Chris at Crossfit...hats off to you too. Not many trainers or gyms would help someone out of the kindness of their heart, not worrying about making a buck!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 28, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Mindy how long did it take you to rid the 52 lbs?

Posted by: Laura Location: Lexington on Nov 28, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Good work Leanne. I had surgery, not the big one, the other one. I am exercising but not losing. Are you on a special food diet?

Posted by: Mindy Location: Lexington on Nov 28, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Congratulations to this woman for deciding to take control of her life and losing 60 lbs. However, THIS IS NOT NEWSWORTHY. It is nothing now but an advertisement for this gym and trainer. I've los 52 lbs on my own, no trainer, no "professional" help, just hard work and dedication. But you won't see me on the news crying about it. Must have been a slow news day to showcase this.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 28, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Way to go Leanne. You can do it. :)

Posted by: fnord Location: Lexington on Nov 27, 2008 at 10:16 PM
uhmmmmmmmm......is this an ad?

Posted by: amanda Location: ky on Nov 27, 2008 at 07:58 PM
keep up the good luck and god bless

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