Dane Patterson and Blaine Cotter were always the heavy guys at the family get-togethers.
Related by marriage, the pair hadn't established much in common besides the unhealthy pounds they each carried around for years.
"Really, our most common thing was we were the two big, fat guys in the family," said Cotter, whose first cousin is married to Patterson. "That was how we were related more than anything."
Today, the cousins-in-law are significantly lighter — and closer — as a result of competing on Season 7 of NBC's reality weight-loss show "The Biggest Loser."
"We've become a lot closer. We've become best friends," Cotter said. "That has been one of the greatest blessings for us from the show."
Both Mormons living in Mesa, Ariz., Cotter and Patterson weighed a combined 755 pounds before heading to "the ranch," where they exercised for several hours a day and prepared their own healthy food. Cotter was voted off the program on the sixth episode, and Patterson was voted off on the eighth. Patterson was the first contestant in the show's history to lose 100 pounds in eight weeks. Cotter lost 66 pounds while on the show.
The men, who were part of the show's "black team," were away from their families for about three months. They agreed that was the most difficult part about going on the program.
Patterson said he'd never been away from his family for more than a day before becoming a contestant, and the separation from his wife, Carli, and three children was more difficult than the grueling workouts and trainers' intense demands.
Since they've been back, the challenge has been to maintain their motivation and workout patterns. Though they exercise for significantly less time than they did when they were on the ranch, Patterson and Cotter still get together and work out for two to four hours six times a week.
Patterson said he has lost an additional 50 pounds since going home, and Cotter has lost nearly another 50 pounds. Both men agree that the weight they've lost at home was harder-earned than the weight they lost on the show because it takes a lot more self-control and initiative. The support they get from their wives is pivotal in their success, they said.
"The focus has kind of been on me the last few months, and I feel a little bit selfish that way sometimes because I have to take time off work or take time away from my family to go work out," Patterson said. "My wife was in it all the way. She's just as motivated as I am. She's definitely been a huge support."
While Cotter was on the show, his wife, Jennie, gave birth to their fourth child — an event he was able to return for, but just for 24 hours. Leaving again was difficult, he said, and the timing wasn't ideal.
"There definitely could have been better times … ," Cotter said. "But at the same time, they know how important it is for us. They knew how unhealthy we were. And especially my wife, she knew how bad it was. And for her to sacrifice so much, it shows how she was worried about me and my health."
The cousins said other contestants on the program were interested in their membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — especially because two other contestants, Sione Fa — who was eliminated in Week 14 — and Filipe Fa, who is still competing, are also members of the church.
They all tried to set good examples and answer any questions, Cotter said.
Some of the principles he learned in church were echoed by their trainer, Jillian Michaels, Cotter said. At times, it sounded like she was quoting the Word of Wisdom when telling them what foods to eat and avoid.
"Jillian always talked about fruits, grains, vegetables, meat sparingly — using those exact words," Cotter said. "It's kind of one of those things where you're like, 'Well, gee whiz, I was taught this … why didn't I do it?' "
"We focus a lot — Word-of-Wisdom-wise — on not drinking and not doing drugs and things like that. But there's another part of it, and one that is ignored a lot in the church. A lot of people suffer from (ignoring it). Me and Dane are prime examples of that."
The show wraps up in May, and even though Patterson and Cotter were eliminated, they're still in the running for the "At Home" prize of $100,000. Whichever eliminated contestant has lost the greatest percentage of weight since the beginning of the program will win the money. They also plan to compete in an Ironman triathlon, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run, in the fall — one year after their weight-loss journey began.
Being healthy enough to actively participate in the lives of their growing families was the main goal for going on the show, Patterson said, and that will remain the goal even after the show concludes.
"We're doing this because of our families, because we want to be healthy, not because of the prize money," Patterson said.
"It doesn't end with the finale with us," Cotter said. "We have our goals after that."
E-mail: mfarmer@desnews.com