Omaha woman loses 130 pounds, wins figure competition first time she wears bikini in public

[Omaha Steve]

Left photo: Conner Rensch in 2007 during her senior year of high school. Right photo: Conner Rensch in June 2015 competing at a fitness competition in Denver.

http://www.livewellnebraska.com/fitness/omaha-woman-loses-pounds-wins-figure-competition-first-time-she/article_e9618bf6-19eb-11e5-b8dd-f72b4d85f542.html

Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 4:30 pm | Updated: 5:48 pm, Tue Jun 23, 2015.
By Conner Rensch / livewellnebraska.com

Let me make one thing very clear: I don’t wear a bikini. In fact, I've never worn a bikini in public until last weekend.

So people may be a little confused as to why I got into a tiny two-piece and paraded around a stage to be judged at a figure competition in Denver.

Well, I had something to prove – to myself.

Since May 2008, I have lost 130 pounds, and I am incredibly proud of myself.

FULL story at link. Earlier story here: http://www.livewellnebraska.com/health/kelly-she-lost-half-her-weight-gained-national-attention/article_fcabdc9f-c08c-5bb1-a78b-a045647f3462.html



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[TheCount_]

1. Good for her,

but I don't see why she sees the need to parade around in a "figure competition." Even getting recognized for a genuine accomplishment depends on sexism.

[AngryAmish]

19. Bwcause she may enjoy comperition?

Parade aeound...jeez...maybe you can buy her a burka if you feel that strongly.

[TheCount_]

23. It's not parading?

Definition of parade: Walk or march in public in a formal procession or in an ostentatious or attention-seeking way.

[Warren DeMontague]

26. She's proud of her accomplishment- so what?

What's wrong with that? Jesus, the people with the hairshirt, sackcloth and ashes. Life is short, why some people enjoying it as they see fit bothers other people so much, simply befuddles the shit out of me.

So maybe she likes the attention, even. Big fuckin' deal.

[TheCount_]

30. It's degrading to all women.

Yes, she likes the attention, but only on her terms. And some people wonder why their is no equality among the genders.

[Warren DeMontague]

32. people wonder why what?

...anyway, who doesn't like attention "on their terms"? Isn't that sort of the point?

Why isn't she allowed to do what she wants with her own body?

[TheCount_]

33. "People wonder why what"

Is that a question? What is that?

If there is an interaction with people, then it's not exactly your terms. Being in public is not being in front of a mirror. She can obviously do what she wants, and I can say what I want.

[Warren DeMontague]

34. You said "people wonder why their is no equality among the genders"

You know, spell check is handy, but it's not infalliable-- or magic.

[TheCount_]

37. Okay

I still don't get your point.

[Warren DeMontague]

38. ...

[Contrary1]

31. You know, many overweight people have underlying issues that fuel the tendancy to overeat...

Maybe she has had issues regarding her body image for most of her life, and this was her way of ridding herself of those feelings.

She is a beautiful woman, in both the before and after pictures. If doing this helps her to accept herself, that's fine by me.

[SusanCalvin]

2. I am sorry that she was bullied while she was overweight,

But I don't see how this reaction to that is useful.

If it's for her vanity or whatever, that's her right, but I have my right to my opinion of it.

Edited to add that I grew up in the Kennedy fitness years and loathed the coercion aspect. It's why I hate most exercise to this day, and get my back up at the mere implication of "jock."

[Rozlee]

3. She showed a lot of courage appearing in a bikini to display a body that still

Showed the ravages of her days being overweight; her prominent stretch lines and some sagging skin. I can relate. I was a tiny 5 foot nothing woman who didn't even weigh ninety pounds and pregnancy gave me stretch marks on my tummy, butt, breasts and even upper arms from swelling of breast tissue. But, she does look lovely. She looked lovely before too.

[SheilaT]

4. Good for her for losing the weight.

But the bikini competition underscores the fact that women are almost solely valued for their looks and their bodies, not their minds or their accomplishments.

[SusanCalvin]

6. I think men bodybuilders wear the equivalent.

I didn't get at first that it was a "fitness" contest - I had a lot of knee-jerk reactions going on.

Still, this kind of creeps me out, for many knee-jerk reasons.

I liked the person on the left better, I just hoped she was reasonably healthy.

Then again, who am I to judge? If she's happy, then good. I'm not required to admire her for it, though.

[SheilaT]

7. But all men don't get the body image crap that women get.

We MUST be perfect. Men don't have to be. We are JUDGED on our appearance. Men rarely are. Unless they enroll in a body building contest, which very few men do. For women, we are ALWAYS enrolled in the Miss America contest. Always. No matter what age.

[SusanCalvin]

9. Completely agree. nt

[laundry_queen]

21. Exactly. nt

[senseandsensibility]

25. Well said.

Could not agree more.

[truebrit71]

36. I'm not so sure about that...

Certainly nowhere close to the level that women are CONSTANTLY fat-shamed by the stick-figured super model expectation, but people still look at fat men as being out-of-control gluttons....I know because I am one.

[TheCount_]

24. Yes!

I'm a guy and I wish my male friends would get this!

[L0oniX]

5. Proof that it is possible.

[SusanCalvin]

8. Of course it is possible.

Am I, for one, willing to make myself miserable to accomplish it? No. I decided a lot of years ago to eat what I wanted (no, I'm not talking Twinkies and potato chips) and look the way I looked.

[Calista241]

10. Awww. Twinkles taste good! n/t

[SusanCalvin]

11. They do, they do!

I've retrained my taste buds a bit, and they now think the pitcher of veggie juice in the fridge is delish!

[eridani]

28. Except for people who would rather have a life n/t

[SusanCalvin]

39. +1000. nt

[Initech]

12. As someone who is starting a diet, this is some good inspirational material.

[NaturalHigh]

16. Best of luck to you. Let us know how it's going.

[linuxman]

13. Good for her.

I'm sure she is healthier, feels much better, and IMO, looks better these days too. That took a lot of hard work and dedication. Admirable. Very Admirable.

[SusanCalvin]

14. The first two, hope so.

The third, well.....

[linuxman]

15. What can I say.

I find higher life expectancy, lower blood pressure, and lower resting heart rates sexy as hell. I'm an active guy. I love a woman who can enjoy the activities I do (running, hiking, etc...). It's an added plus if I can have my partner around for another 20 years or so.

[SusanCalvin]

18. I agree, of course,

and I notice you didn't mention the looks part.

[jamzrockz]

40. Ofc she looks better in the after pic

He had her hair all done up, she was smiling and she was wearing more make up in the after pic. Good for her, I am trying to get my 6 pack back and I have to say that it is harder than I thought it would be

[linuxman]

41. Remember,

Abs are made more in the kitchen than in the gym.

[NaturalHigh]

17. Wow - that's an amazing feat!

She rocks that bikini too.

[GOLGO 13]

20. She looks 1000% better

She should continue to wear bikinis all year long.

[mythology]

22. i'm guessing a bikini in Omaha in January would be slightly underdressed for the weather.

Good for her for losing the weight. It's tough to do.

[Warren DeMontague]

27. Good for her.

Not everyone who is overweight needs to look like that, nor should they be shamed for NOT looking like that- but I do know that losing that much weight is a pretty tough and significant accomplishment.

If it makes her feel better about herself, and she's happy, that's awesome.

Again, good for her.

[Juicy_Bellows]

29. It goes on so easily and comes off so hard.

Good for her - I can't take glee like some others in giving her shit.

[NCTraveler]

35. Good for her.

I hope it adds years to the time she will be able to spend with family and friends.