The Biggest Loser-related stories
The Biggest Loser: Suze Orman and the Obesity Money Pit
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Suze Orman
Photo: Larry Busacca , Getty Images
Week 11 at "The Biggest Loser" was swimming in sweat as five players attempted to burn off record weight to avoid the last player-controlled elimination. But first, Suze Orman stormed the ranch to teach America why obesity is a major financial drain. Find out why obesity is a rip-off, listen to an NFL Hall of Famer's advice and reflect upon the final five's heartfelt insights on their warm and fuzzy road to thin. Other than early cursing and Week 10's spat between Rudy and Rebecca, Season 8 feels more like The Waltons -- minus the country gravy.
Did Rudy Tell the Truth? When Jillian Michaels confronted the clan about Rebecca being voted off because she was the biggest threat, Rudy didn't budge. He held firm to his claim that it was a lack of trust that sent her home. The real question is will America buy it if Rudy's ever lands in the yellow hot seat? It's probably irrelevant -- he's Season 8's biggest loser to date. And no worries about Rebecca, she's kissing Daniel Wright.
Suze Says Obesity Steals Your Money. You might be wondering what financial wizard Suze Orman has to do with Biggest Loser weight loss. In a creative treadmill trivia contest for cash, contestants discovered obesity is a money pit. For every correct answer, contestants earned $1,000, while wrong answers upped the speed and incline.
Take a spin with these trivia questions, then make a date with a spinning class:
The Biggest Loser: The Heart of Makeover Week
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Photo: Trae Patton, NBC
Week 10 marked double digit weeks spent on "The Biggest Loser" ranch, as well as a clothes, hair and emotional transformation for the final six. It was a soul-searching makeover week, draped in glitz and glamor and awash in happy tears, family reunions and a chance to tell the world how eating right and working out changes lives. Contestants showed off noticeably slimmer waistlines in gorgeous off-the-rack clothes for dramatic effect. After the stage lights dimmed, makeover week weight loss was kind to some and not others, delivering a heated elimination confrontation.
Goodbye X-Sizes, Hello Jawlines. Besides seeing famous designer Tim Gunn try to convince Rebecca to sport the leopard print blouse, makeover week had fans buzzing with one visual excitement after another. No more X-men and women ranch t-shirts, this is the moment contestants slip into real clothes and designer haircuts. They looked thin this week because nearly 500 pounds of fat is gone between the final six. Instead of a visit with Tyra Banks, Season 8 contestants stepped on stage to speak about their weight loss journey to a 300-plus audience.
Morbid Obesity Has Its Reasons. Jillian's skinny jawline dropped when Rudy stood on the stage and shared with the crowd he lost his 14-year-old sister to leukemia when he was just 12 years old. Jillian ended up pulling Rudy into a one-on-one counseling workout back at the ranch, pointing out his unresolved grief must be acknowledged to continue to grow. Rudy shared that knowing what started his weight gain is a critical piece to keeping the weight off permanently. Liz told the audience she lost herself while serving the needs of others. However she's shining the spotlight back on herself. If you're overweight, obese or just in horrible shape -- why? How did you develop negative eating and fitness habits? What can you do emotionally to shore up your resolve for a lifetime of healthier choices? Forget the next diet trick -- for eight seasons now, Jillian has said this makeover of heart and soul is one of the most critical strategies for permanent weight loss.
The Biggest Loser - Red Line Circus
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
Photo: NBC
Red Line Pitch. Producers flipped everyone out this week with a nutty red line. The contestant with the worst weight loss fell below the red line and was sent home immediately, no vote required. The next two lowest weigh-ins fell below the usual yellow line and duked it out at an elimination vote. What's your take on the red line -- producer curve ball or spit ball? Let us know in the poll. Don't forget, the show's decision makers appeared to listen when fans complained about the early season cursing. On-air trainer potty mouths are a rarity these days.
Does Anyone Deserve It More? Jillian and Bob seemed worried when they heard about the new red line. Jillian said it out loud -- Shay needs the ranch more than others, and her larger size makes it tougher to compete on the scale. Bob and Jillian need to keep their trainer heads on and calm down with a little yoga. Child's pose works wonders. I think they're just angry two are leaving their gym flock this week -- finale heat is on -- no one necessarily deserves it more.
Transformation is Now. "Life happens right now, Rebecca. Transformation happens right now, not yesterday, and not tomorrow," said Jillian. She's right, of course. Take a close look at what you plan to eat today, write it all down, then take a long walk after dinner. Start your transformation each day. If you're really serious, check out Season 5 winner Ali Vincent's powerful advice in Believe It, Be It. She's still strapping on her bodybugg.
Ali Vincent Says Believe It, Be It
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Photo: Courtesy of Designer Whey
Ali Vincent, the first female winner of "The Biggest Loser" has been baring her sleek arms everywhere since sweeping Season 5. Now she's baring her soul in a new book, Believe It, Be It, which hits bookshelves tomorrow. This is not a step-by-step diet book. Rather, it's a revealing memoir of her life leading up to that 234-pound initial weigh-in, followed by intimate insights on how she lost 112 pounds during her on-off-back-on-again time at the ranch. Whether you're a fan of the show, looking to lose major weight or a combination of both, Vincent's warm heart and smarts will motivate you.
That's Fit recently had a chance to speak with Ali about weight loss maintenance, Biggest Loser profanity and her future plans.
That's Fit: Some Biggest Loser contestants gain significant weight back, others don't. Does Biggest Loser provide any post-show support or are you primarily on your own?
That's Fit recently had a chance to speak with Ali about weight loss maintenance, Biggest Loser profanity and her future plans.
That's Fit: Some Biggest Loser contestants gain significant weight back, others don't. Does Biggest Loser provide any post-show support or are you primarily on your own?
Ali Vincent: Honestly, your season is over and they have to go onto the next season. I had to figure it out on my own. I got a counselor, I had to wean myself out of working out all the time. I didn't want to trade one addiction for another. I communicated that I would have appreciated [more support at home], so they've listened and now they definitely do have more support. Yes, people do gain weight after the show, but if you look at the statistics and compare it to the numbers of any other program out there, our numbers are significantly lower for the people that relapse.
TF: What's the hardest part of weight loss maintenance at home?
AV: I think the hardest part ... is really communication with your friends and family. Every Friday I might go to my mom's house and have a big 'ole dinner. Anytime I was sad we went and ate Mexican food. It wasn't conscious, it was a habit. So really just being clear with your relationships, people at work, communicating to everyone you interact with that "Hey, this is what I'm going for and I would really appreciate it if you could support me in this way." If they can't, then you need to change your circumstance, change your environment.
AV: It is TV, so obviously you're not supposed to cuss. You have to be conscious of the audience. I think Bob and Jillian are pushed to that point where contestants aren't listening. It is what it is, but I don't think you necessarily need to put it on TV.
Bob hardly ever [curses]. Jillian, she's got a little potty mouth. That's not their only way, they go wherever they need to go with each type of contestant. They're genius at what they do, and they're willing to go anywhere it takes to get that contestant past that line, past that moment, through that experience.
Street Strider:The Biggest Loser's Next Great Workout?
Fans of The Biggest Loser may have noticed an exotic addition to the show recently: The 2010 StreetStrider.
Like a cross between an elongated tricycle, a Razor scooter and a gym elliptical trainer, the StreetStider consists of a light frame with two small wheels in front and one large wheel in back. Riders stand on the ski-like platforms and stride their legs in a stretched out oval motion. The movement is part jogging, part cycling -- and part something completely new for an outdoor exercise machine.
If the Biggest Loser contestants are any indication, StreetStriding will be the next big fitness craze. They tested the machine behind the scenes for over two seasons, zipping around obstacle courses and pumping up hills. Although contestants had usually lost a good deal of weight before climbing aboard, most of them were still on the heftier side so Dave Kraus, the inventor and president of StreetStrider International, thinks their feedback was especially useful in helping in working out the kinks and perfecting the motion for the average person.
"We're really hoping to re-energize people of all shapes and sizes by providing them with a cutting edge product that's safe, rigorous and low impact," he says.
The Biggest Loser - Salad in the White House
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Photo: NBC
No More Seat Extenders. On the flight out to D.C., Rudy realized he didn't need a seat belt extender anymore. Contestants were taking up one seat, not two. Daniel had seat belt tail to spare. Fitting comfortably on an airplane was a liberating and joyful moment for contestants. Their bodies are becoming noticeably slimmer, and just think how many more celebrations are ahead -- sliding behind the wheel of a car, sitting on a bus, buying clothes off the rack, tossing meds.
Best Politician Wins. In a creative pop challenge, contestants ran around D.C. attempting to convince the most people to join them for a workout with Bob and Jillian at the Washington Monument. Of course Allen ran to the firehouse, but he was beaten by one thanks to Liz's southern charm. Liz won an advantage in a later challenge for immunity and a healthy lunch -- yup, Subway -- for her supporters. The group workout was fantastic, with Bob loving the stage as Jillian mingled among the crowd picking on total strangers.
The Biggest Loser - Inspiring or Unrealistic?
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Keep track of the latest in diet and fitness Twitter trends and opinions with this weekly post. Not only will AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit ask fitness-related questions and share the best responses with you, we'll scour the Twittersphere for the latest buzz on everything from good eats to exercise routines gone bad.
We've been keeping a close watch on "The Biggest Loser," reporting the good news and the bad This week we headed to Twitter to see what -- if any -- lessons the Tweeps learned from this biggest of all big reality weight-loss shows:
WLRosie
rox5car
KristinStang
kellene23
natertot
healthyeveryday
Read any good Tweets? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!
We've been keeping a close watch on "The Biggest Loser," reporting the good news and the bad This week we headed to Twitter to see what -- if any -- lessons the Tweeps learned from this biggest of all big reality weight-loss shows:
WLRosie It is discouraging to watch biggest loser and see someone lose 24 lbs in a week. Unrealistic.
rox5car Watched the Biggest Loser last night. I love the soda analogy. Who wants to eat a bowlful of sugar?
KristinStang has a strange desire to take up kick boxing! NO LIE! It's prob because Jillian Michaels does it! Love her - LOVE BIGGEST LOSER! WATCH IT!
kellene23Is it wrong to eat an In-N-Out double-double while watching 'The Biggest Loser?' The strawberry shake counts as a fruit, right?
natertot i love when biggest loser season is on, gives me some crazy motivation to work my ass off again :)
healthyeveryday The Biggest Loser is unrealistic. People can't & don't have the same resources in everyday life.
Read any good Tweets? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!
Biggest Loser Host Dishes on Season 8
Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation
"The Biggest Loser" premieres tonight a 8/7c on NBC and host Alison Sweeney sat down with That's Fit to give us the scoop on what you can expect from the hit show's eighth season. Be sure to check out our Biggest Loser recaps each week and look for more Biggest Loser news, interviews and more all season long!
Biggest Loser Star Arrested for Attacking Friend With Carbs
Trying to lose weight? Eat white flour sparingly. Living downstairs from Shanon Thomas, contestant on The Biggest Loser? Best to keep carbs out of the house altogether.The newest weight-loss reality TV star, one half of the Pink Team, was charged with domestic violence after becoming angry with a man who lived in her basement and attacking him ... by throwing flour in his face. She's now out on bond and her "friend" has moved out.
Flour as a weapon? I suppose that's a new use for that all that white flour she's got to get rid of after learning about whole grains on The Biggest Loser. Suddenly, this season seems a lot more interesting....
Lo Bosworth, Healthy Cocktails, and Good Eggs - Week in Review - December 15 to December 21
Is weight loss on your list of New Year's resolutions? Try one of these three foods to tip the scales in your favor.Another season of The Biggest Loser is over. Bev has the wrap-up.
Fitz interviewed Lo Bosworth of The Hills. Find out how she stays fit and trim for reality TV.
Ditch the egg whites once and for all and eat the whole egg. Why? Jonny has a few good reasons.
Here's one more reason to include those healthy carbs in your diet ... low-carb diets cause memory loss.
Want to do a perfect sit-up? Maggie says you just need to learn your alphabet.
Fitz has a two-pound rule when it comes to gaining weight, but she wants to know: What's your weight-gain breaking point?
Looking forward to an upcoming holiday party? Bev shows you how to order drinks that are more nice than naughty.
Water can get boring ... here are five alternate ways to stay hydrated.
Happy holidays, everyone!
Biggest Loser Families - NFL Style
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.
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.
Biggest Loser at home - dangerous or not?
- The show's extreme fitness demands could potentially mock serious health conditions related to morbid obesity, says one expert. Bootcamp-like Biggest Loser workouts put those with undiagnosed high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes at risk for a heart attack, stroke or low blood sugar.
- High-intensity from the get-go stresses the joints to the max -- we've seen several contestants limping around.
- Unless you're a trust-fund kid, most people have jobs that get in the way of burning calories Biggest Loser-style -- 4,000 a day for women, 6,000 for men. This stirs up unrealistic expectations at home.
- Biggest Loser's Dr. Rob Huizenga emphatically believes in the power of intense, sustained exercise to counter morbid obesity. He says contestants are tremendously good at keeping the weight off compared to clinical studies of participants losing far less. As long as you have a doctor's approval and supervision (if necessary), go for it.
- The show delivers inspiration to the masses -- even if you don't daily hit the gym Navy SEAL-style, viewers at home are learning diet and fitness tips, while simultaneously beginning to actually believe losing 100 pounds is possible.
Biggest Losers visit Oprah
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation
The Biggest Loser reality show has arrived -- it landed on The Oprah Winfrey Show. An optimist preaching self-empowerment to millions every weekday, Oprah is ignited by success stories, and she's not afraid of hard work. The Biggest Loser is right up her alley.
As a Biggest Loser fan, I learned a few new and interesting facts about the show and enjoyed seeing how past contestants have fared at maintaining their dramatic weight loss in the real world -- you know, the land of overwhelming family and job responsibilities, hesitation at purchasing fresh raspberries because they're $4 a handful, no time in the day to read the newspaper, and convenience/fast foods beckoning everywhere.
Did you know:
- Biggest Loser contestants spend 6-7 hours a day in the gym at the ranch?
- Women eat 1,200 calories a day and burn 4,000 calories; men eat 1,800 and burn 6,000?
- 114 contestants have lost over 10,000 pounds?
- Last season's winner, Ali, has kept the weight off (234 lbs to a sleek 125 today) with 5-6 workouts a week and weighing/measuring all her food. Mark (285 lbs, now 189) has kept off the weight and learned how to feel emotions again?
- Suzy, Ryan, Erik have gained some or nearly all the weight back, but they're fighting?
Fit Gadgets: Motorola S9-HD Headset (as seen on The Biggest Loser)
A few weeks ago, The Biggest Loser featured the Motorola MOTOROKR S9-HD headset (check out the video right here), which is a device that allows you to listen to music (or a workout) via Bluetooth while taking hands-free calls from most Bluetooth-enabled cell phones so you won't miss that call about the race coming up next weekend.
The S9-HD wireless stereo headphones offer high-def surround sound with noise-isolating ear buds. Plus, from a girlier standpoint, it goes around the back of your head, low enough that it shouldn't interfere with your ponytail. It also goes over your ears, so it won't slip or move out of place even during the most grueling workout. But it gets even cooler.
Biggest Loser lessons: Things to remember
I love The Biggest Loser -- I've been following Bev's updates as religiously as I have the show. And I think it's great for the viewers -- all that encouragement to slim down, shape up and take back control of their health. So I was interested when I saw this article titled Biggest Loser lessons to forget. Huh?Using the show as motivation to get healthy is a fantastic idea but before you get discouraged that you can't keep up with the show, there are a few issues you should keep in mind, according to the folks over at Divine Caroline:
- Results are not typical. Normal people don't lose more than two pounds a week.
- They put their lives on hold. Contestants spend weeks focused solely on losing weight. The rest of us can't afford that luxury.
- They're probably over-training. Think about it -- they go from no exercise to working out for hours each day. This isn't healthy -- or realistic.
- They have trainers. Celebrity trainers are there with them for every workout. Can you afford that? Didn't think so.
Hmm. I never thought of it that way. But I still think the show does more good then harm. Your thoughts?
