If you’re over age 50, you may think that you’re in too much of a rut to make major changes to your life, or that you are physically incapable of making those changes. Maybe you want to lose weight or get more active. Or perhaps you simply want to regain some of the inner happiness that has gradually eroded over the years. It’s never too late!

O’Neal Hampton, the popular Biggest Loser season 9 contestant, lost 170 pounds at age 51 despite near debilitating knee injuries. This April 3-4, he will make a special appearance at the Spring 50+ PrimeTime Living Expo (www.101expos.com) at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, to encourage others his age and older to do whatever it takes to improve their quality of life.

“Any measureable amount of difference counts,” says Hampton, who has founded the O’Neal Hampton Wellness Foundation. “This is a great time to get started. There’s something invigorating about going outside in the springtime. When you see active people, it triggers something inside of you to want to join in. You start thinking about getting better physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. So get moving, even if you just go out for a walk. Or if you are in a wheelchair, have someone push you. Bring something to lift with your arms and start moving! I promise you’ll feel better about yourself.”

Hampton has made it his life’s mission to help his thousands of fans make major life changes. He believes that once you set your mind and heart in the right direction, exciting results will follow. “A lot of times, people look at change as this big monster that they have to overcome. That’s sometimes what happens when people see my ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos. They only think about getting to the end result and feel overwhelmed. But the best changes come in small increments. You have to learn how to help yourself. It’s how you perceive the change, not the change itself.”

He adds that, “There are no guarantees in life. If you put forth the effort, I will promise you that:

1. It’s going to be hard
2. It will take time
3. It will take commitment
4. It will take courage
5. There will be temptations
6. When you get through all of this, it will all be worth it.”

How to overcome life’s inevitable plateaus

When you reach a plateau in your plan, Hampton says that it’s time to re-engage your mind and body. “Any time you are doing something effortlessly, you will plateau. Your body and mind are telling you: “I need more.” At the same time, you may be thinking, “I don’t know if I can take any more.” Instead of measuring your performance in time or distance, measure it in effort. If you reach a comfort zone, step it up! Your mind will help you make the leap to the next level.”

The importance of feeling centered

Hampton also relies on meditation and prayer before and after each workout. “It’s a way to get your mind and body in sync, and to channel inner strength from something bigger than yourself. Without prayer and meditation beforehand, you may accomplish your goals but you’ll be much more tired. Afterward, instead of focusing on any pain you might be feeling, you are asking for healing and strength to take you through the rest of the day.”

Getting back on course: Finding authenticity and happiness

People love being around Hampton because he radiates so much joy, and he is generous about sharing what he’s learned with others. “I could never be doing the things I’m doing right now if I still weighed 420 pounds. I don’t guarantee that if you follow my example that you’ll add years to your life, but I will promise that your quality of life will increase.”

He explains that happiness comes from taking back control of your life and re-connecting to what he calls the authentic you. “Think back to the time when you were the most happy. What were you doing when your happiness felt bullet proof? That’s the authentic you. I don’t mean moving backwards. I don’t ever want to be 20 years old again. As we get older, life should get better because we’ve lived longer and we have more experience. Any time that your past looks better than your future, you’re in trouble. Embrace the trials and tribulations, and be happy with who you are now. It’s about learning to revel in the moment.”

About the Spring 50+ PrimeTime Living Expo

The Spring 50+ PrimeTime Living Expo provides attendees with a tremendous selection of services and products of interest to them, tantalizing ideas for things to do and places to go, plus the opportunity to explore new ways to feel good and stay in shape. In addition to O’Neal Hampton’s special appearance, attendees will be able to participate in a Zumba Gold class, which has all the fun of a zesty Zumba party, with modified moves and pacing to suit older participants; improve their tennis swings with an interactive tennis workshop; attend a seminar about a 13-day excursion to China; get their retirement income questions answered; explore aisle after aisle of products and services; and register for free drawings.

For half price tickets (regularly $6) visit www.101expos.com. Or call the expo hotline at 612-798-7256. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.

The Spring 50+ PrimeTime Living Expo is made possible by Sun Country Airlines, KLBB, KSTC Channel 45, Wellness Advisor magazine, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Minnesota Seniors Online and Best of Times.

Media Note: For additional information or to schedule an interview, contact Media Relations, Inc. at 612-798-7220. Mystic Lake Casino Hotel® is a trademarked name.

Biography – O’Neal Hampton, founder, O’Neal Hampton Wellness Foundation

O’Neal Hampton’s face, compassion and charisma are as familiar to fans of NBC’s hit show, The Biggest Loser, as that of an old friend. On season nine, viewers were captivated by “Big O’Neal’s” battle with the scale, near debilitating knee injuries and lion-hearted devotion to his teammate and daughter, SunShine.

After asking to be expelled in exchange for SunShine’s continued participation in the Biggest Loser’s program, O’Neal stepped off the set and back into real life. Once home, the Minnesota native continued his newfound healthy lifestyle and vowed to pay his fortune forward.

Now more than 170 pounds lighter than when he started his journey, O’Neal has made good on his promise to help others looking for a healthier lifestyle. Within months of leaving the show, O’Neal began traveling the country spreading health, fitness and obesity awareness along with his unique brand of inspiration. He also recently established the O’Neal Hampton Wellness Foundation in an effort to bring health and wellness education and support to all people seeking a healthier, more balanced and quality lifestyle.

O’Neal renews his commitment to a healthy lifestyle in Minneapolis each day alongside his wife Sarah, four children and first grandchild.