the-biggest-loser-related stories

The Biggest Loser - Salad in the White House

by Bev Sklar Nov 4th 2009 12:00PM

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment

Photo: NBC

Week 8 was active vacation time at "The Biggest Loser" as the final nine headed to Washington D.C. for a little Article I lobbying when they weren't burning calories around gardens, memorials and monuments. The fight against obesity in this country needs to be on our legislators' radar and Capitol Hill heard very personal pleas from contestants. Beyond strolling across an expansive White House lawn, keep reading for the full D.C. scoop on a great vacation workout, the pop challenge and whether or not they actually enjoyed that salad with President Obama.

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.

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The Biggest Loser: Abby Rike is Amazing

by Bev Sklar Oct 28th 2009 3:00PM

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation

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Photo: NBC

Week 7 at "The Biggest Loser" centered on emotions and left us with Abby and Rudy's amazing feats. It may sound like a diet-pill hoax, but Rudy really did break a towering BL-record by dropping more than 100 pounds in an unheard-of seven weeks. No pills, no starvation, no liquid diet, just buckets of sweat and healthy eating equity. Read on for the rundown on Jillian's gym psychotherapy, a Derek Jeter surprise and a face-off weigh-in that left one team miserably inspired at elimination.

Jillian's Emotional Core Workout. Whether you've forgiven her for those early-season f-bombs or not, Jillian has an uncanny way of slicing to the core of contestant weight gain. She had her own face-off counseling sessions to address Amanda's fear of failure, Shay's battle to finally fight for herself and Abby's discovery that she truly wants to live again. What can you ask Abby Rike, the mother who lost her husband, daughter and newborn son in a tragic car crash two-and-a-half years ago? In a powerful moment, Jillian found Abby is ready to live and not just exist anymore. Abby continues to leave us speechless with a collective lump in our throat, which is why her picture sits on my treadmill. Who doesn't have the strength to walk or run faster and farther in her honor -- are you on the couch during this show or burning calories?

Halfway Point Pop Challenge. Short contestants loved this one -- shuttle back and forth under a bar to tag a swinging marker 500 times to win the right to pick the face-off match-ups at final weigh-in. Each team member was required to take a turn, and in a tight finish, Blue beat Black 500 to 496. Within a corny boxing ring, Blue picked Rebecca vs. Amanda, Tracy vs. Abby, Allen vs. Danny, Rudy vs. Shay and Liz vs. Daniel. Win three face-offs, and no one goes home. In return for Blue's win, Bob beat 'em up good with a creative pool workout -- try holding the pool wall and kicking furiously straight-legged for-Bob-ever. Grueling. Anyone else notice Rudy's sweet crawl stroke?

Derek Jeter Surprise. At this week's challenge, players were greeted by life-size photos of their first-day selves positioned on a gorgeous baseball field. Everyone wore jerseys with numbers representing weight loss to date. Then the Yankees' Derek Jeter pops up on the big screen to explain the 2,535 balls scattered in the outfield (his career hits) needed to be scooped up and tossed at opponents' photos. Once a contestant's photo was beaned 316 times (Jeter's career batting average), they're out. Last team with a member standing won lunch with our favorite Aussie chef, Curtis Stone, and a two-pound advantage at the weigh-in. A solid team strategy buffeted by Danny's smooth arm gave Black the win.

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The Biggest Loser: Home Bittersweet Home

by Bev Sklar Oct 21st 2009 3:00PM

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

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Photo: Trae Patton, NBC

Week 6 at "The Biggest Loser" was a snore at the ranch as the Black team headed home. No Jillian ranch-antics, just Bob working the fat off the smugly-content Blue group. The real story emerged as some Black team members found flying home a disaster to Biggest Loser-style diet and fitness. Keep reading for a bummer pound gained, amazing at-home pounds lost and the inside scoop on scooping your bread.

Sandy, No-Good Treasure. Opening the show with a challenge, teams had to dig deep in the sand to find four keys to unlock the surprise reward. Blue's strength won handily, and tears flowed when they found the reward was a week trip back home. They chose Option 2 -- hand Black the prize, and stay back solo at the ranch with zero distractions. Well, unless Jillian was roaming around.

Home Bittersweet Home. A 24-hour mom, Dina had to take her son to the gym to score her needed calorie burn. The best moment was watching the surprise on his face when mom started sprinting on the treadmill. Amanda felt defeated in a new gym with strange weight machines. Shay felt awkward entering a public gym at her 400-plus weight, and Abby had to drive half an hour to find a gym with a knee-friendly pool.

Danny Was the Smart One. The worst was when Shay and Dina headed out for dinner. Shay looked defeated as her husband ordered Killer Steak Tacos and a cider. Dina's overweight husband stuffed down huge portions. Couldn't they order responsibly for one meal in support of their spouses? Danny chose to grill lean steak kabobs at home instead, as his young, overweight daughter hung out by the grill crunching down raw green peppers. She's soaking in dad's every diet move -- if Danny keeps losing, his daughter will, too.

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The Biggest Loser: Black and Blue Tears

by Bev Sklar Oct 14th 2009 3:00PM

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation

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Photo: NBC

Week 5 at "The Biggest Loser" continued its family-friendly G rating, peppered with emotional outbursts as two-person teams were torn apart to build Jillian's Black and Bob's Blue. Hearts took a bruising as only one lucky, or maybe unlucky, player won the chance to stack the teams and pick a trainer while others ate cake. Read on to hear how awful a big slice of chocolate cake really is, who scored the control card and which player dropped 16 pounds in seven days.

Supernatural Silver Platters. The show opened with a temptation wheel of 36 silver platters containing either the golden ticket to pick teams and trainers, $1,000 or a calorie-packed pastry. Abby chose to sit this one out, claiming nothing on the wheel played a part in where she wants to go. You could just imagine Bob and Jillian's off-camera high-fives. But in a villain-to-remember moment, Tracy scored the golden ticket after a few players spun and stuffed down pastries. Rudy's large slice of chocolate-frosted yellow cake was a surprising 1,000 calories. Mo says Tracy's win was the supernatural at work. Oh c'mon, she spun and won.

The Villain's Picks. Tracy chose a Blue t-shirt to be with Bob, then split every team apart except Daniel and Shay and partner Mo. Blue team is stacked with strength: Tracy, Mo, Allen, Liz, Rudy and Rebecca. Jillian's underdog Black team consists of Daniel, Shay, fractured-tibia Abby, Danny, Amanda and Dina. But this is a game of the scale, not the bench press. Read on to see who wins.

What Fitness Move Has You Unglued? Dina's scared of doing a plyo jump, but Jillian told her facing her fear and completing a plyo could change her life. Has a fitness challenge ever left you unglued? Maybe you eventually conquered it, maybe not. But if Dina continues to lose weight and gain strength, she will nail that plyo. Keep that frame of mind and re-dedicate yourself to hurdling your personal fitness challenge. Make an accommodation if you need to -- if only my high school uneven bars were positioned over a pool of water.

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The Biggest Loser: Kitchen-Free Weight Loss

by Bev Sklar Oct 7th 2009 1:00PM

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

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Liz and Rebecca get wet

Photo: NBC

Week 4 over at "The Biggest Loser" was dull on drama and those controversial f-bombs, but spicy on healthy eating tips. With padlocks and chain draped across fridge, stove and cabinets, contestants couldn't brandish one utensil in the ranch's healthy kitchen. Instead, they ordered every meal out for a week. Read on to discover how to still lose weight when eating out, and if you think Mexican is bad for you, try ordering an entrée Bob and Jillian-style.

The Villain Can't Swim. Tracey's decision to put Shay on the scale Week 3 had tears flowing and revenge brewing. But after a meeting with Dr. Huizenga, Tracey was the one crying. Dr. H. put her workouts on hold after disappointing lab work revealed high CPK enzyme levels related to muscle injury. Now she can't even stick her toe in the pool alongside stress-fractured Abby.

Which is Healthier? In a pop challenge to win a coveted year of healthy groceries, contestants had to guess which meal is healthiest. Let's give it a spin:

Meal A: one-quarter roasted chicken breast without the skin; one-half cup low-fat creamed spinach; 2.75 ounces sweet potatoes; one-half cup non-fat peach frozen yogurt; two cups unsweetened iced tea.
Meal B: one-half rotisserie chicken with skin; one-half cup creamed spinach; one-half cup vanilla frozen yogurt; one-half cup blueberries; two cups green tea
Meal C: one-quarter BBQ chicken breast with skin; one cup peas/carrots; one cup mango slices; one cup skim milk

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The Biggest Loser - Game Players Get Fat Again

by Bev Sklar Sep 30th 2009 3:00PM

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment

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Photo: NBC

Compared to last week, Week 3 over at "The Biggest Loser" was an upside-down, emotional roller coaster after a relaxing week at the beach. Week 3 certainly prodded contestants with control issues. Read on for the full story, featuring tantalizing choices, another Biggest Loser cracked bone and possibly the most boneheaded game play ever pulled on the show.

A Week of 'Would You Rather' began innocently enough. Alison asked contestants if they'd rather have the trainers or a 2-pound advantage at weigh-in. First person to choose the pounds won 'em. Tracey swam right over the line without her partner, Coach Mo, on board. Only someone with control issues selfishly chooses the pounds over Bob, Jillian and Coach Mo. She took an f-bomb-free tongue lashing from the trainers.

She Didn't Get Fat Pushing Herself. Fans are in a heated argument whether or not all the trainer f-bombs and humiliation directed at players have gone too far. Some say yes, others emphatically disagree. But one person we might all agree with is Liz from the Brown team. She truly needs the trainers this early in the game. "I've never worked this hard in my life," she said. "I know myself too well, I didn't get fat pushin' myself." Maybe it's time for you to interview and hire a qualified trainer. Don't grab the first svelte bod to come along, seriously look for an inspiring match.

First a Hip, Then A Knee, Now Do it for Abby. We've seen plenty of players limp around past seasons, and Laura's cracked pelvis during Season 7 heightened concern that contestants are exercising too hard, too soon. Now Abby is in serious pain with a stress fracture to her tibia, and Dr. H. says she's out of land-based exercises for one to four weeks. But anyone relying on a cracked-anything to avoid weight loss can kiss that excuse goodbye -- Abby still lost 5 pounds eating right and sliding into the pool this week. "If I can get up and do this every day, anybody can," stated Abby. This is the same woman who's now chosen to live a healthier life after suffering the loss of her two children and husband in a car accident in 2006. If you're not ready to sweat hard for yourself, put a picture of Abby on that treadmill and take those first critical steps in her honor and her family's memory.

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The Biggest Loser - Week 2 Curse is Lifted

by Bev Sklar Sep 23rd 2009 3:00PM

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation

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Photo: Chris Haston, NBC

Over at "The Biggest Loser, " Episode 2 was a drug-free Woodstock love festival, an Olympic opening ceremony, a Beaver Cleaver week free from Jillian's f-bombs. No major fights in the house -- both trainers were a well-oiled exercise and nutrition machine, and the ranch glowed an undercurrent of happy. But the truly big news? The Week 2 curse of pathetic weight loss, and even weight gain, was lifted. Maybe the Chicago Cubs should hold 2010 spring training at the ranch.

Perhaps producers are mopping up after Tracey's awful helicopter rescue on the beach in the season premiere. Or maybe Week 2 was already scripted for love. Whatever the case, aligning the eight remaining teams to work together on the following curious goal was an effective way to motivate, sustain and keep contestant claws in check and those cat-ranch-fights to a minimum. Although it's doubtful any Season 8-er can fight like Season 6's Vicky.

150-Pound Hurdles. In a new twist, if contestants lost a combined total of 150 pounds, everyone stayed at the ranch. If not, two fridge lights would be shattered. No sweaty competition this week, everyone's destiny was on the line. Yet the Week 2 curse hovered like a bad dream -- that's typically the worst week of weight loss at the ranch. Bob and Jillian were skeptical, but Coach Mo said anything is possible. Keep reading.

Why Tracey Collapsed. No one revealed this week why Tracey dropped like a swatted fly at the beach. She returned to the show under doctor's orders for less-strenuous workouts, yet zero details were provided on her diagnosis. However, a quick Google search revealed she had heatstroke. Her beach temperature was 103.9, she was confused, and in this bonus scene, Dr. Huizenga explained the extra layers of fat she carries act like a coat. Tracey's lack of fitness and high body fat percentage make it that much harder to get rid of heat. Heatstroke is scary. Let's hope the show sticks to an air-conditioned gym for first-day challenges.

Feed Others As Your Scale Drops. In Season 7's Pound for Pound Challenge, Bob reported over 3.5 million pounds-to-lose were pledged by viewers. But the best part was every pound pledged meant one pound of groceries for a food bank. Americans everywhere are running marathons, walking three-day races, trying their first 5Ks to help beat a myriad of diseases. Turn your weight loss into a philanthropic goal -- Weight Watchers' Lose for Good campaign and Biggest Loser's Pound for Pound Challenge are great ways to start.

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The Biggest Loser - 476 Pounds, Twists and Turns

by Bev Sklar Sep 17th 2009 11:00AM

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment

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Photo: Dave Bjerke, NBC

If "The Biggest Loser" Season 8 is anything like this week's premiere, fans are in for a deeper, more heartfelt season, alluded to by Alison Sweeney during her recent interview with That's Fit. This season features the heaviest contestant ever with 476-pound Shay, a second chance for Season 7's eliminated Daniel, and then there's Abby -- she lost her husband, daughter and newborn son in a tragic car accident -- courageously sharing both her personal loss and and weight-loss journey with America. Of course, producers couldn't stop there, read on for all the twists and turns.

What Did You Wear to the Premiere? Jillian kicked off the show with a blunt challenge to viewers, "Are you ready to listen or do you want to get fatter and sicker?" OK, did you wear workout clothes to the premiere or comfy jeans and a sweatshirt stained with ice cream? Seriously consider dressing the part for this show, and you'll start diving to the floor for push-ups and core moves. I watched half the show dripping on a treadmill, taking legible notes at a 6.5-percent incline at 3 mph. When alpha-Jillian screamed at a contestant to increase the incline to 15 percent for five minutes, I followed like a beta dog.

Beach Challenge, Helicopter Rescue. At the end of a one-mile challenge for immunity, once again, the show's intense first day put contestants in the hospital. Tracey suffered a frightening collapse near the finish line, was evacuated by helicopter and did not return to the ranch. However, Dr. Huizenga reports she's OK. Mo returned after being treated for dehydration, low blood sugar and low blood pressure. This challenge deck was stacked in Daniel's favor, he ran the winning mile in 14:17 after shedding 142 pounds during Season 7 and working out constantly ever since.

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Biggest Loser Wedding is Skinny Bliss

by Bev Sklar Aug 21st 2009 12:00PM

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment

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Nicole and Damien on the big day
Photo: Parris Whittingham Photography

There's only one thing sweeter than watching NBC's "The Biggest Loser" contestants reveal their slimmer selves at the finale -- a Biggest Loser wedding cake. Season 7's Nicole Brewer and Damien Gurganious just tied the knot last Sunday in a wedding day to remember.

That's Fit spoke with Nicole on Thursday about the couple's life-after-ranch wedding, upcoming honeymoon and future diet and fitness plans. Regarding her new skinny bride status, Nicole felt "victorious." She didn't have to starve herself for her wedding day or go on a juice fast. She simply maintained her post-show diet and fitness habits, swapping self-consciousness for a gorgeous size 8 dress designed by Amsale.

Trainer Bob and the show's producers were invited to the wedding, but they're deep into another Biggest Loser season and none could attend. However Season 7's Jerry and Estella Hayes and Carla Triplett were on hand to witness the occasion, along with Adam and Stacy Capers from Season 6. Carla even designed the bride's flowers. In true runner-up winning fashion, Jerry reportedly wore his BodyBugg at the wedding. There's no way this guy is gaining back the weight.

Check out more wedding shots in the gallery below! Story continues after the gallery.

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Biggest Loser Wedding

Wedding photos of Biggest Loser contestants Nicole Brewer and Damien Gurganious.