In the shadow of Wrigley Field, where, year after year, the hopes and dreams of local baseball fans come to die, a group of winners met to celebrate their victories. Among them was McHenry County’s own Craig Asbach and his trainers, Tony and Michelle Myatt of Ringwood based Total-U-Fitness.

Asbach and the Myatts represented one team of competitors from the reality TV show “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.” The program pitted fitness trainers, each teamed with a client, to achieve weight-loss goals over the course of the 90-day program.

Combined, the eight clients lost about 500 pounds. That came to an average of 62-and-a-half pounds each. Asbach surpassed his goal and lost 77 pounds. The experience was life altering for Asbach and his competitors. For the Myatts, the program offered evidence of the success of their total approach to fitness.

“We look at everything – cardio, sports conditioning, strength training, you name it,” Michelle Myatt said. “But we also consider nutrition, supplements, massage, chiropractic and mental fitness. You wouldn’t just work out your right arm and ignore the rest of your body. It doesn’t make any more sense to concentrate on muscle tone and ignore all the other aspects of a person’s fitness.”

She said that, with a total approach to fitness, the parts complement the whole delivering greater success in individual areas.

For Asbach, the success he had in the television program helped to erase other frustrations in his life. Where he might not have been up to challenges before, he now has a clean slate starting with this tremendous accomplishment.

When handed the microphone the other night at the Rockit Bar & Grill, 3700 N. Clark, Chicago, kitty corner from Wrigley Field, Asbach expressed his gratitude to the Myatts and all the others who helped him achieve a comprehensive level of fitness. The list of contributors the Myatts put together on Asbach’s behalf was long and included:

• pAGG New Health Solutions manufacturers of stimulant free weight loss supplements
• Total-U-Fitness trainers Tony and Michelle Myatt
• Wellness coach Roula Crews
• Nutritionist Sylvia Klinger
• Chiropractor Dr. Rachel Northern
• Kung-Fu Instructor Daniel Schultz
• Massage therapist Lora Myers
• Meals Like Mom’s personal chef Debi  Stuckwisch
• pAGG New Health Solutions manufacturers of stimulant free weight loss supplements

Just after speaking to the group of about 100 clients, trainers, show producers and crew and guests, Asbach was asked how he felt. “I think it will take a little while until I take complete ownership of this,” he said. “It takes dedication. It takes focus.”

In particular, Asbach seemed to have his focus on the future, a destination Tony Myatt was quick to remind him of.

“This doesn’t mean you’re done,” Myatt said. “You’ll have to stay at it if you want to stay in shape.”

Asbach agreed and was happy to hear Michelle Myatt remind him that he’ll continue to receive the benefits of Total-U-Fitness support and expertise.

“Now that the filming is done on the show, it doesn’t mean we’re just going to drop Craig,” she said. “His goal is to lose more weight and to continue to improve his total conditioning. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with him.”

That night, however, thoughts were primarily on the previous 90 days and the incredible differences between where the competitors started and the goals they had attained.

The final episode of the program ran on the televisions spaced about the room. In each instance, as the program focused on one after another of the competitors, the before-and-after contrast was readily apparent.

There was a quiet look of pride on the faces of the competitors, trainers and clients alike. If the Cubs ever achieve their goal of not making fans “wait until next year,” the Cubbies can take a cue from the winners of “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.” A knowing look of satisfaction speaks as loud as pouring bottles of champagne over each others heads.