Proud P’eta moves out

In contrast to Big Brother David Graham’s dramatic coming out to the nation, P’eta Phelan entered reality TV’s Australia’s Biggest Loser without stunts or agenda.

I went into the show openly gay, Phelan said. They didn’t make a huge deal of it, which was great because I’m proud of who I am – there’s nothing for me to hide.

But it was a different story when she came out to her parents six years ago. Their reaction, she said, was worse than expected.

Phelan, who joined Australia’s Biggest Loser weighing in at 131kg and lost five kilos in two weeks before she was eliminated, said the trauma of her coming out triggered her initial weight gain.

Everyone gains weight for different reason, but for me it was from the stresses around that time, she said. When you first realise that you’re gay or lesbian you go out a lot because you want to be with people who support you.

For Phelan, that meant a lifestyle of drinking and not eating a proper diet.

I was stuck in a rut, she said. I was so overwhelmed at the time, you do what you do to survive, to feel good again.

Things have improved dramatically. She has been with the same partner, Carley, for six years and the couple repaired her relationship with her parents.

But she knew she had to do something about her weight problem. And the first thing she had to do was give up alcohol.

When it’s all said and done, I’d love to sit down and have a couple of glasses of red wine with my friends, but until the show’s finale, I won’t be doing that – I’ve promised my trainer.

In the spa after training each day Phelan bonded with Courtney, the other gay contestant on the show.

Everybody has said Courtney is a bitch, but he’s actually a really lovely guy, she said

I’m relatively lucky being a lesbian, in that the lesbian community allows you to be any particular size. People aren’t going to care because you’re just going to be yourself.

But not so for gay men like Courtney, which Phelan said suffered greater pressure.

I’ve got lots of gay guy friends and there’s always pressure on them to look good, to be waxed, to go to the gym, to have a tan.

The Biggest Loser screens on Channel 10 weeknights at 7pm.