Biggest Loser Families - NFL Style

by Bev Sklar (Subscribe to Bev Sklar's posts)
Nov 27th 2008 7:30AM

The Biggest Loser Families started off with an NFL bang this week with a surprise appearance by San Francisco 49ers retired stars Steve Young and Jerry Rice. It was great to see these NFL Superheroes put the remaining six contestants through football drills to win $10,000 to donate to a school of their choice, but the Football Reception Challenge was boring. No contestants tackling each other, no suspense, a big yawn. Vicky continues to prove she's got game -- she swept the drill and challenge with cool strategy. Many viewers may not like her, but when there's big money on the table, honor doesn't always rise to the top.

It's About Being Better Than Yourself, says Steve Young, the guy who sat patiently in Joe Montana's shadow for years. Work toward improving your own goals instead of doing 50 push-ups like the next guy. Don't let a size double zero keep your size 10 body from striving for a size eight. Stay focused within at the gym and you won't waste energy on outside comparisons.

The Stuffing Doesn't Need Three Sticks of Butter -- Chef Rocco DiSpirito taught contestants how to cook turkey, stuffing and apple pie with significantly less fat, carbs and calories than the meal I'll be digging into later this afternoon. Check out Rocco's recipes for:

Poached Turkey Breast at 190 calories instead of a traditional servings of turkey at 400 calories.
Herb Sausage Stuffing made with ezekiel bread and turkey sausage, ringing in at 170 calories versus 400 seen in traditional recipes.
Apple Crumble, which replaces that white flour crust with a granola crumble over a mix of apples, raspberries, corn starch and sugar substitute.

I realize it's a little late for these recipes, but lose that three-sticks-of-butter-mentality and try these recipes on a cold night this winter.

Rocco's Tips

Psst ... hands off the turkey skin. It compromises 90 percent of the bird's fat. Dark meat has more intramuscular fat and higher cholesterol than white meat. Leave the turkey leg for Uncle Ron.
This one's new to me -- instead of pasta, try quinoa pasta. An ancient grain, quinoa has more protein and less fat/calories. Don't miss other quinoa products featured in the gallery below.

Could You Lose five Percent Of Your Body Weight In A Week?: Michelle did. She dropped 10 pounds and now weighs 176, realizing a 5.38 percent weight loss in only seven days. That is Biggest Loser amazing. None of us are living on a fitness ranch, but take your workout up a notch and see what happens.

Don't Miss Trainer Gems

Rocco stole the show on tips this week, but Bob did share that chewing gum before snacking on sweets may help you eat less.

I predicted Amy would win the title last week -- was I ever wrong. Not only was she outfoxed by Vicky, the Top Loser Amy had the worst percentage of weight loss on the ranch. She missed her chance to get rid of Vicky, but her continued at-home weight loss is incredible. She's now a size 8 after starting out a 22. Can Blue's Vicky/Heba/Ed beat Black team's mother-daughter duo? See you next week as contestants fly for a NYC makeover and a visit to The Tyra Banks Show.