Syracuse Bicycle

The couple were contestants on “Shedding for the Wedding,” a reality show on The CW channel that featured nine engaged couples competing for the wedding of their dreams. Young and Skinner finished in third place in a segment that aired in early April.

While researching wedding tips online last September, Skinner came across an advertisement for a chance to win a free wedding. She applied and the rest was history. “Out of tens of thousands of people, we were chosen,” Young said. “They contacted us within three hours of her signing up. And within a week, we were on a plane.”

For about two months last fall, Young, 27, and Skinner, 28, lived in Los Angeles to film the show. The couples exercised four times a day, competed in physical challenges and planned their wedding. The competitions included obstacle courses, sawing a log and bicycle races.

Since returning home, Skinner has worked with Gazella Performance and Wellness Studio in Skaneateles and Syracuse Bicycle to help keep the weight off. “Before the show I never made fitness a priority,” Skinner said. Finding time for fitness can be a challenge. Skinner spends an hour and half each day commuting to her job at an insurance company in downtown Syracuse and most evenings are spent caring for her 6-year-old daughter, Sophia.

“I’ve learned that exercise just makes me feel better and it makes me a better mom,” said Skinner. She acknowledges that it’s often harder for moms to take time away from their families for fitness. Her solution – work out as a family and set a goal to keep you motivated. Skinner recently purchased her daughter a bike, so she could ride alongside while Skinner runs. And she decided to race her first triathlon this August at the Athleta Syracuse IronGirl Triathlon.

“I was initially so intimidated at the thought of even signing up,” says Skinner. But after enrolling in an off-season triathlon training program at Gazella Fitness Studio in Skaneateles and losing 40 pounds, Skinner has new found confidence in her ability to complete the race. “It would have been too easy to fall back into bad habits after being on the show, but the supportive group classes really helped me stay on track.”

Skinner is well on her way to meeting that goal, now that she has a new Trek 2.1 road bike. “I can’t wait to get outside and start logging the miles.” Look for Allison on race day at the Syracuse Bicycle tent and at the starting line of the Athleta Syracuse IronGirl.