RALEIGH, N.C.--There is no magic way to lose weight. It takes hard work, daily exercise and a good diet. NBC 17 News asked The Biggest Loser champ Erik Chopin to motivate some local residents for a Triangle Wish.

 

Chopin lost 214 pounds in eight months on the NBC reality weight loss show that helps contestants change their lives forever.

 

His transformation inspired plenty of viewers.

 

"I'd have to say at first it was overwhelming. Who's the inspiration? Who are you speaking to? I really couldn't believe I did something inspirational. I was the original couch potato," Chopin said.

 

At home in the triangle Shannon Flynn followed the show and worked hard to shed 100 pounds in one year.

 

In a pervious Triangle Wish, NBC 17 flew her out to Los Angeles for a private meeting with casting agents for The Biggest Loser.

 

She didn't make the cut, so we decided to brighten her day with some motivation from the champ himself.

 

"Chopin was the one I wanted to win because he was a New Yorker, so I'm just so excited to meet him," exclaimed Flynn.

 

Chopin’s experience on the show also inspired local resident John Mullis.

 

"I was inspired by his story and saw that NBC 17 was running this program for Local Losers, so I entered and figured I had nothing to lose but pounds. I was chosen and ended up losing 56 pounds in eight weeks,” said Mullis.

 

NBC 17’s Kim Genardo welcomed Chopin to the triangle and made the introductions!

 

Chopin took one look at Flynn and said, “You’ve lost a lot of weight!”

 

Flynn replied, "I lost 100 pounds in a year." Then to her delight, Chopin hugged her.

 

Chopin shared his hard times with the pair. "I had Type II Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, everything went away with weight loss," Chopin said.

 

The health concerns resonated with Mullis, a father himself who wanted to lose weight so he could keep up with his young children.

 

Mullis realized he was very different from Chopin.

 

Mullis said, "(Chopin) He's a normal person. He still has the same cravings as he did when he was 400 pounds which is something I needed to hear and relate to because I needed it. It doesn't end; you still need to fight it everyday."

 

All three of them do by eating right and exercising.

 

"Thank you NBC 17, you made my wish come true. I've got a long way to go, but thank you for jump starting it. Without you guys I’d probably still be a couch potato and 400 pounds," adds Mullis.

 

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