Lead researcher Dr. Richard Gearry, MBChB, PhD, a consultant gastroenterologist from the New Zealand-based Christchurch Hospital and a senior lecturer at Otago University's Christchurch School of Medicine, and his researchers observed 100 patients with IBD over a six- to eight-week period and noticed that a low-carb diet helped ease the pain associated with this condition in over half of them.
The study participants were treated at Box Hill Hospital in Victoria, Australia and Dr. Gearry decided to feed them foods that would not cause inflammation in the abdomen and bowel. Interestingly, the foods that DO cause problems with IBD sufferers have a certain macronutrient composition that is well-known to most medical professional.
"Doctors have known for a long time that patients know what affects their condition and causes symptoms," Dr. Gearry noted. "Dietitians and doctors and scientists looked at this more closely and identified a number of foods that can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea."
Wanna see a few of these culprit foods that make IBD worse? Check out this list: wheat, onions, milk, ice cream, apples, honey, legumes, and other fruits. Hmmm, do you see what all of these foods have in common? They're high-carb!
"Often they are sugars and carbohydrates that are not absorbed when they pass through the bowel and when they get into the colon they can ferment and produce gas and pain," Dr. Gearry explained.
So, it's no surprise why livin' la vida low-carb worked so well for these patients with IBD. It's healthy for them and keeps their symptoms at bay. Best of all, the low-carb lifestyle was so simple and pleasurable enough to the study participants that they WANTED to be on it.
"Most patients found that the diet was easy to implement and that the taste was acceptable, which is very important if people are to follow this diet," Dr. Gearry added.
Dr. Gearry is hopeful his findings on the low-carb diet for Crohn's disease is embraced worldwide as a viable treatment option for this and other bowel conditions.
Have you seen anything else in the media about THIS study like you did that ridiculous blood vessel study last week, hmmmm? Not likely!
Along with assistance from his dedicated trainer Ray Kelly, Adro is seeking to help his fellow Australians and just about anyone around the world struggling with obesity find hope and inspiration that they can make weight loss happen for themselves just as it did for them.
To that end, Ray and Adro were generous enough to donate THREE FREE DVDs to give away to the readers of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog. The contest ended on Thursday and now I'm ready to announce the winners.
But before I do, let me share with you some of the eclectic responses I received from people to the question, "Why do you need to exercise more?"
"I weigh 115 kg I have three kids two of whom are also overwieght, my 8 year old is 39kg and my 2 year old is 16.5kg I need help to motivate me so I can help them."
"I need to exercise more to be able to play with my child, walk to the shop without getting puffed, do my dream of crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and to have a better and healthy life."
"I am 27, I have 3 children under 5 and am categorized by the medical profession as morbidly obese. Depressing? YES! But I don't feel unhealthy because it is a reality I have lived for so long. The task seems so mammoth and I feel like I need to be locked up on a health retreat, for a year, for anything to work. What I am doing is not working. I need to learn new strategies now. Help me!"
"Hi! I am the biggest fan of 'The Biggest Loser' and I watch the show every night. I have 4 kids and have 50 kgs to lose. Because I have no babysitters, getting in a great workout in my living room while watching my kids would suit me just fine!"
"I have made the decision to no longer be where I am now. Having been overweight most of my adult life, my son who is 26 has never known me as anything except as an overweight woman. I want to change that."
"There is a middle aged lady named Jane, She is as funny as hell, but in pain. She needs lots of help to remove extra weight and then groove, so she can enjoy life all over again!"
"I need to exercise more because I am 20kg overweight and have a full-time desk job which involves sitting in front of a computer screen 99% of each workday. My wife is also in the same situation."
"I need to exercise more because ...
- the only exercise I'm getting these days is drying myself off with the bath towel!!
- need to feel better emotionally,physically& spiritually and know exercising will do all those things for me.
- just want to be healthier and feel better about myself & keep promise to be good to myself"
"Life is short and when you are overweight or obese (as is true in my case), life becomes even shorter. I need to make exercise a part of my life to increase my life expectancy and help me live a longer happy life."
"I need to exercise more because I have had 17 operations on my left knee, 16 operations on my right knee, and have had both kneecaps removed. I am about 40 kilos overweight, and I seriously need all the help I can get. This extra weight is probably causing some of the problems I've had."
"I need to exercise more because I don't exercise at all right now. I've lost almost 50 pounds by livin' la vida low carb but my weight loss has stalled, primarily, I believe, because I don't exercise. I know I need to start exercising and maybe this DVD will help."
"I need to exercise more to maintain my muscle mass and increase my endurance. Exercise increases the Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor. That helps the brain cells to communicate better and we all need that! We cannot avoid growing older, but we can control HOW we age. I want to be healthy and fit!"
WOW, what an interesting set of responses! THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to enter my giveaway contest for Adro Sarnelli's "The Basics" DVD. Now, without further delay, here are the three winners:
Kiren from Washington Richard from Otago, New Zealand Nicki from South Australia
CONGRATULATIONS to Kiren, Richard, and Nicki! You will be receiving your DVD sometime this month when it is released. And Aussie fans be sure to check out Season Two of "The Biggest Loser Australia" starting up this week! WOO HOO!
You may recall David Hilyander from last year's show. Well, he's back with two new projects for the second Aussie version of "The Biggest Loser."
The first one is a new forum that is dedicated to providing information about "The Biggest Loser Australia: Series II." There are areas for discussing the trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels (yep, she's back again one more time!), the host AJ Rochester, and, of course, the contestants. Also, there will be regular episode recaps to stay on top of what's happening on the show. Get engaged in this forum if you are a fan of the show!
The second one is a fascinating new podcast show called "Chew The Fat." Even before the new season has begun, you can get a feel for the jovial interaction among the co-hosts of this podcast about anything and everything related to "The Biggest Loser Australia." They promise lots of interviews with contestants from the debut season and lots of engaging and opinionated commentary on the latest episodes. Again, this show will be your source for the latest information about the show.
Special thanks to David Hilyander for sharing this forum and podcast show for fans of "The Biggest Loser Australia." Who's gonna follow in the footsteps of Adro this season? Tune in very soon to find out!
Bob Harper & Jillian Michaels Reunite For 'The Biggest Loser Australia' 2
Bob and Jillian together again on "Biggest Loser Australia"
Okay, Australia, are you ready for another exciting season of your very own version of "The Biggest Loser?" It's baaaaaaaack and ready to air again on Network Ten coming in January 2007.
After all of the contestants from "The Biggest Loser Australia" Season One did such an excellent job in last year's debut that crowned Adro Sarnelli the first champion, taping for the sophomore season is almost finished and ready for another thrilling few months ahead.
There will be 12 contestants in the same original format for the show that there was last year (unlike the U.S. version in Season Three which had 50 contestants from every American state) featuring AJ Rochester again as the host of the hit weight loss reality show.
But in a surprise casting move, the producers for the Australian version were able to coax Jillian Michaels to come back to the "land down under" for another season joining Bob Harper again, although Michaels was replaced by Kim Lyons on the American version this past season.
Fans of "The Biggest Loser Australia" shouldn't get too used to seeing Bob and Jillian together for much longer, though. They are currently in the midst of training a brand new Australian version of themselves for future seasons. This will be the final season for Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels in Australia and possibly the last time you'll ever see Jillian on any version of "The Biggest Loser" again.
With more than 6,000 Australians applying to be on the show in the Fall of 2006, they had to whittle it down to the dozen who will appear on Australian television screens in just a matter of weeks. The show will be aired six nights a week with weigh-ins moving to Sunday nights for Season Two.
For a sneak peek video of the upcoming season, watch this:
If you are as big a fan of the show as I am, then be sure to access all of my links about "The Biggest Loser" by clicking here.
The beloved "Low-Carb Dave" has suddenly disappeared
A few weeks ago I was blogging and one of my most faithful readers suddenly popped into my head--Dave Koch, the 30-year old Australian man who calls himself "Low-Carb Dave." I first introduced him to my readers in this blog post after seeing what a remarkable job he was doing following the Atkins diet.
In fact, I blogged about the 130-pound low-carb weight loss success that "Low-Carb Dave" had experienced as of July 2006 and he still had a lot more to lose at that point. In August, his low-carb blog, along with mine, were featured by CalorieLab as two of the best and WLTips.com tipped their hat to him for his incredible weight loss by featuring his success story in September.
Soon thereafter, I named "Low-Carb Dave" one of my low-carb movers & shakers of 2006 for making such an influence in the world of livin' la vida low-carb. Weight loss was happening, people were being inspired, and hope was being spread to people the world over that low-carb had changed the life of this young man forever.
But then...silence.
Where's "Low-Carb Dave?" In November, I noticed that he had not posted a comment on my blog in a while whereas he has always been a regular commenter. Hmmm, that's strange. In fact, while I was on vacation during Thanksgiving week, I received an e-mail from "Low-Carb Dave" wanting to know if I was okay since I had not blogged in a few days. Of course, he quickly figured out I was on vacation and was taking a few days off from blogging. That's the last I've heard from him.
It seems our friend has gotten himself a "big promotion at work" which will take away much of his leisure time that he used to invest into blogging and commenting at other blogs.
"I simply won't have the energy or will to blog."
He did say that people shouldn't worry about him getting off his low-carb weight loss plan because he is still committed to "getting there."
"It's a long journey."
In addition to his new job, it does appear "Low-Carb Dave" is also the victim of what many consider blogging burnout. It stopped being fun to him and, thus, he has "lost interest in keeping this thing going."
He hasn't completely disappeared, though. You can still follow "Low-Carb Dave" and his continuing journey towards lasting weight loss and improved health by visiting the AUSLOWCARB forum page. Become a member of the forum and then click on the journals section to see his progress.
Before he shut down the blog, "Low-Carb Dave" said his last goodbye.
"Thank you to all the readers and other bloggers that have supported this blog. It's time for me to move on to other things. Thank you and good night!"
I would like to publicly applaud "Low-Carb Dave" for recognizing the time was right for him to get out rather than try to fake his way through it. It takes a big man (on the inside) to admit he needs to "move on" to something else. THANK YOU for the example you have set because the bar has been raised for others seeking to follow in your footsteps, my friend.
I'm so happy for Dave and congratulate him on his new position at work. You go make us proud, "Low-Carb Dave," and know that you are always welcome to comment here at "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb." Don't be a stranger, my friend, and keep on livin' la vida low-carb! God bless you, man!
Your resource for everything you want to know about spices and herbs
One of the great mysteries in life is how some people seem to have the natural ability to combine food ingredients to make the most delicious meals you've ever tasted. It's the same food that everyone else prepares, so what's the difference? Could it be those who excel at cooking and preparing meals have mastered the art of flavor by educating themselves better about what spices and herbs can do to the foods they make?
In my opinion, that's EXACTLY what they have done and now you can learn the art of doing this too with The Spice and Herb Bible.
Ian and Elizabeth Hemphill are the spice and herb experts
Written by Ian "Herbie" Hemphill, an Australian man with over four decades of working in the spice and herb business, this hefty and colorful 608-page book is the most comprehensive book of information you will find on bookstore shelves today about virtually any spice and herb in the entire world. Who better to tell you about these ingredients to spice up your low-carb like than Herbie?! The man is a living legend in the industry and stands ready to share his wealth of wisdom with others.
Herbie has traveled all over the world to identify and introduce the most unique and exotic herbs and spices you'll ever put inside your mouth. He knows his stuff too serving his customers at his wildly popular Herbie's Spices store in Sydney, Australia.
The Hemphills live above their famous shop on Darling Street
The Spice and Herb Bible includes three different sections that you can jump back and forth from to locate the information you need:
First, you will be educated about "The World of Spices" with a historical and educational journey to an entirely different culture of this incredible industry. You'll learn about the difference between spices and herbs, how they are made, and where they are turned into the secret ingredients of some of your favorite foods.
Second, the education continues in the "Spice Notes" section with an alphabetical listing of over 100 spices. You'll be provided with invaluable information about each, including the origin, other common names for the spice, the official botanical name, which family of spice it comes from, and what the spice is called in other languages (this was pretty neat!). Page after page of information with gorgeous full-color photos of the spices and herbs themselves will keep you captivated for hours and hours.
Third, if you feel the gumption to mix and match spices yourself, then Herbie shows you how in "The Art of Combining Spices" section. Because Herbie knows you'll get the itch to start cooking and experimenting with this newfound knowledge, he provides nearly 60 pages of delicious recipes using both common and rare spices and herbs for your enjoyment courtesy of his daughter Kate who created them. They are magnificent!
I had the privilege of trying a few of Herbie's spices for myself and was quite impressed. The Lemon Myrtle Leaf Ground complemented chicken very well for a pleasantly tangy flavor while the Australian Forest Berry Herb provided a hint of sweetness to what would otherwise be a rather drab meal. Both the Exotic Moroccan Blend of Ras El Hanout and the Chermoula Moroccan Rub were perfect ingredients for adding some zip to just about any Mexican dish you are serving.
Get yourself a copy of The Spice and Herb Bible and never settle for dull and drab meals ever again. Spice up your life with some flavorful herbs!
You can contact Herbie Hemphill with your questions about spices and herbs at herbie@herbies.com.au or visit Herbie's Spices online at herbies.com.au.
The worldwide popularity of the hit NBC television show "The Biggest Loser" has indeed catapulted the show and its contestants into reality show superstardom! Just ask the winner of the Australian version of the show, Adro Sarnelli.
After being declared "The Biggest Loser" in Australia for the exciting debut season this year in that country, he went on a whirlwind media tour that had him running all across Australia nonstop for months! When I was finally about to interview him at my blog in late September, Adro was just wrapping up his appearances and on his way to having surgery to remove the excess, loose, excess skin he had on his body after shedding over 130 pounds to "bring closure" to his weight loss experience.
I asked Adro about that surgery and here's what he said:
"YES, I HAVE HEAPS OF EXCESS SKIN LEFT AFTER THE WEIGHT LOSS. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW FAST I LOST WEIGHT BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE IT NO MATTER WHAT BECAUSE I HAD IT ALL BEFORE I LOST WEIGHT AND WORSE NOW. I AM ACTUALLY GOING IN FOR SURGERY ON OCTOBER 3, 2006 TO HAVE MY FIRST OPERATION WHICH IS THE BODY LIFT. THEN I WILL GET MY ARMS, MAN BOOBS, AND THIGHS DONE ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006. MOST OF ALL, THESE SURGERIES ARE FOR ME TO HAVE CLOSURE ON THE WHOLE IDEA OF NOT BEING A FAT GUY ANYMORE."
I am so envious of Adro for having this done because I too want to have my jiggly skin taken care of as well. While some people claim that there is no such thing as loose skin, but rather bodaciously contend that it is excess fat that still needs to be lost, I am becoming more and more convinced that's a lie because my hanging skin problem is getting worse as I continue to lose weight. When I hit my goal of 199 in a few months, I will be doing a thorough post about this subject.
In fact, Adro believes this is such an important topic along with the whole weight loss, obesity, and getting fit theme that he is working on a new self-produced documentary film and he desperately wants to show it on television to help his fellow Australians overcome their objections to attempting weight loss. This is a passionate dream in this young man's heart right now and I think you and I can do something quite simple to help him out.
To that end, there is a brand new video featuring Adro Sarnelli on YouTube that I would like for you to go watch RIGHT NOW! Stop whatever you are doing (unless you are at work, of course!) and take a gander at this video. This is an important step in the process of helping Adro, so please do your part and watch the video.
It's less than 10 minutes long and features Adro with the cardboard cutout of himself before he started losing weight standing behind him as he talks about his recent surgery to take up the loose skin in his abdomen and chest, the upcoming surgery on his arms to take up the loose skin there (what's strange is my loose skin looks EXACTLY like his!), and a sneak peek at the documentary that is coming soon. In fact, watch the video all the way to the end to find out how you can see a special preview of the documentary.
Adro and his partner Ray Kelly are working hard to get as many views and comments about this video as they possibly can so they can have more leverage with television executives about showing the documentary when it is ready to be aired. This documentary could have the potential to help so many people, so won't you take just a few minutes of your time to check it out and leave a comment for Adro? THANK YOU!
CLICK HERE to show your support by watching the video at YouTube. I know Adro appreciates your help and sincerely wants to help others struggling with obesity to overcome it just as he did. THANK YOU again for your assistance and let's show this fellow low-carber that we do have strength in numbers to help make a difference in the country of Australia and beyond!
There's someone joining my low-carb weight loss blogging friend Kent Altena in making videos on YouTube to help others attain that healthy lifestyle they've been searching for. It's another one of my blogging friends who hails from Australia and his name is Ray Kelly.
This is the fitness trainer who I recently interviewed about his work with "The Biggest Loser" Australia winner Adro Sarnelli is dedicated to helping educate people about fitness and exercise to get their bodies into shape.
Ray has already been doing that with his phenomenal online resource Free-Online-Health.com and now he is making some outstanding videos like the one you'll see below for people to get their fitness program started off the right way.
See what I mean with his latest video on doing a fitness assessment:
WOW, that's some awesome information, Ray! To sign up for regular video updates, you can simply click here. I am sure you will find lots of incredibly useful information from Ray to complement this lifestyle change you have made with your low-carb plan. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, Ray!
While I was at YouTube today, I couldn't help but notice this video:
Ray, do you think you can do anything with this woman? GOOD LUCK!
10-23-06 UPDATE: Ray decided to create a new blog to house his and other videos from YouTube. The blog is called Healthy Video Blog. Check it out!
Watching the contestants when they hit the ranch looking for hope regarding their weight problem, seeing the trainers teach them to move their butts to take better care of their bodies, observing the new good habits they form regarding their diet, and cheering them all on to weight loss success along the way. What an amazing show you can't help but LOVE, especially if you are a weight loss success!
Earlier this year, the wildly popular success of "The Biggest Loser" in the United States spawned a spin-off show in the land down under--Australia! With that country dealing with a huge obesity problem just like the U.S., it made sense to have a show like this help inspire a country to be fit with citizens who live there. That's exactly what it did.
"The Biggest Loser" Australia used the same format that the American version did with a few twists and turns here and there. Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels were there as the on-air trainers for the Red and Blue teams respectively. They did run into a bit of controversy from health groups who blamed the show for not teaching good nutrition and "humiliating" the obese. Puh-leeze people! Lives are being changed forever and that's the best you've got?!
That inaugural season of "The Biggest Loser" Australia catapulted one man to instant celebrity status in his own country and he has been trying to catch his breath ever since--Adro Sarnelli! A man of few words, but driven to help as many people as he can get fit and trim while improving their health, Adro is just now slowing down from the whirlwind that hit him when he was declared "The Biggest Loser" Australia winner back in April.
Adro's post-"Biggest Loser" experience trainer Ray Kelly (read my interview with him in case you missed it!) produced this amazing training video of how he helped this young man lose over 130 pounds dropping from 319 pounds down to 187.5! It truly is remarkable what Adro was able to accomplish so quickly!
Despite the demands on his newfound busy life, Adro agreed to an interview with me for my blog and I'm proud to share it with you now. Be encouraged and inspired in your own weight loss efforts by this incredible man named Adro!
1. First of all, Adro, CONGRATULATIONS on being named the very first "Biggest Loser" in Australia. How does having that title make you feel?
THANK YOU, JIMMY! TO BE QUIET HONEST HAVING THE TITLE IS PROBABLY THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT FOR ME TO DATE IN MY LIFE. IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO KNOW THAT I DID IT.
2. As someone who has gone through the process of overcoming a weight problem myself, I understand the many challenges that face those who desire to defeat obesity once and for all. What do you consider the single-biggest reason why you were so successful at weight loss?
THE SINGLE BIGGEST REASON I WAS SO SUCCECCFUL I WOULD HAVE TO SAY IS BECAUSE I HAD HEAPS OF SUPPORT, MAINLY AT THE BEGINNING WHEN YOU ARE MOST LIKELY TO WANT TO GIVE UP.
3. Please share a story about any specific moments during your weight loss when you felt like losing weight just wasn't worth it anymore and you wanted to give up. What did you do to push yourself through those times?
THERE WAS ONE TIME WHERE I HAD WORKED OUT AND DIETED HARD FOR A WEEK DURING THE TAPING OF THE BIGGEST LOSER AND I ONLY LOST 600G (that's about 1.3 pounds). THAT WAS ALL I LOST FOR A WHOLE WEEK'S WORTH OF VERY HARD WORK? THEN I REASSESSED THE SITUATION AND LOOKED INTO DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR MY DIET AND OTHER LIFESTYLE CHANGES AND IT REALLY STARTED WORKING FOR ME. I THINK I JUST NEEDED TO REALLY TAKE CONTROL OF IT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE.
4. Weight loss is as much mental as it is physical. How did you prepare yourself mentally in the beginning or during the process of losing weight to get to where you are today?
WELL, MY SITUATION WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THEN SETTING OUT TO NORMALLY LOSE WEIGHT. BECAUSE OF BEING ON THE SHOW, I HAD TO PUSH AND I WAS IN THE POSITION WHERE I COULDN’T REALLY GIVE UP. SO I GUESS IN THAT SENSE I WAS A LITTLE MORE SPOILED THAN MOST PEOPLE WHO TRY TO LOSE WEIGHT. BUT I THINK THE BEST PREPARATION IS TO TRY AND LOOK FORWARD AND SEE WHERE AND HOW YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU'RE DONE AND REALIZE THAT YOU CAN'T GET THERE IF YOU DON'T GET UP TODAY.
5. Having the help of professional trainers certainly can't hurt people in their weight loss efforts. Why don't you brag a little bit on your experience with your trainers and tell us specifically how they helped you better understand why exercise is so important to weight maintenance?
I COULD GO ON FOREVER ABOUT THE EFFECTS THAT BOB (Harper) AND JILLIAN (Michaels) HAD ON ME AND MY WEIGHT LOSS IN THE HOUSE AND THEN RAY (Kelly) OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE, BUT I THINK THE THREE OF THEM WERE ALL UNITED ON ONE THING AND THAT IS EDUCATION. TEACHING ME THAT BY DOING THIS I WILL ACHIEVE A CERTAIN RESULT AND MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE I KNOW THEY WERE ALL 3 GREAT TRAINERS BECAUSE WHILE WE WERE WORKING ON THE BODY THEY WERE HELPING ME SORT OUT MY HEAD AS WELL. I REALLY FEEL THAT IS WHAT WILL MAKE THIS EFFORT STAND OUT FROM THE REST.
6. As someone who lost over 180 pounds following a low-carb lifestyle and keeping it off for two years, I know this way of eating works as a permanent method for losing weight. What has your low-carb experience been like and do you think you will continue to eat this way forever?
I WILL DEFINITELY EAT THIS WAY FOREVER! I TRY AND FIND LOW-CARB SUBSTITUES FOR WHAT I CAN AND I CERTAINLY DON'T EVER EAT ANY STARCHY CARBS AFTER MID-DAY. I NOW KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT HOW I GOT AS BIG AS I DID AND I REALIZE THAT THE CARBS HAD A MAJOR NEGATIVE IMPACT ON MY LIFE BEFORE MY WEIGHT LOSS.
7. Obviously after your enormous weight loss in a short period of time, you had some excess, loose, hanging skin to contend with all over your body. I can certainly relate and hope someday to have it taken care of myself. How about you? What are you doing to deal with this very real problem for those of us who lost a lot of weight?
YES, I HAVE HEAPS OF EXCESS SKIN LEFT AFTER THE WEIGHT LOSS. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW FAST I LOST WEIGHT BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE IT NO MATTER WHAT BECAUSE I HAD IT ALL BEFORE I LOST WEIGHT AND WORSE NOW. I AM ACTUALLY GOING IN FOR SURGERY ON OCTOBER 3, 2006 TO HAVE MY FIRST OPERATION WHICH IS THE BODY LIFT. THEN I WILL GET MY ARMS, MAN BOOBS, AND THIGHS DONE ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006. MOST OF ALL, THESE SURGERIES ARE FOR ME TO HAVE CLOSURE ON THE WHOLE IDEA OF NOT BEING A FAT GUY ANYMORE.
ACTUALLY, I AM MAKING A DOCUMENTARY FILM ON THE EFFECTS OF WEIGHT AND WEIGHT LOSS WHICH I AM SELF PRODUCING AND HOPE THAT IT WILL CLEAR UP A LOT OF PEOPLE'S FEARS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WEIGHT HAS BEEN LOST. IT WILL ALSO DEAL WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN STREAMING THROUGH MY HEAD SINCE LOSING THE WEIGHT.
8. You are now committed to helping others who struggle with weight loss and declining health find a way to rise above their problems through your new health clubs called "The New Me." What made you want to start this new business venture in your life and where do you see it taking you in the foreseeable future?
I WANTED TO HELP MORE PEOPLE WHEN I REALIZED THAT I HAD THE ABILITY TO DO IT. MY WHOLE LIFE I WAS MADE TO FEEL AND THINK THAT I WAS FAT AND COULD NEVER BE ANYTHING ELSE. THAT WAS MY RACE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO THINK OF IT THAT WAY AND NOW I HAVE SEEN THAT IT'S JUST NOT TRUE. SO I WANT TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE REALIZE THAT IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO LOSE WEIGHT. I WANT AS MANY PEOPLE TO TO SEE THAT IS TRUE ABOUT THEMSELVES AS I CAN. THE NEW ME CENTERS WHEN THEY COME ALONG ARE GOING TO BE THE GREATEST CONCEPT IN LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT THAT HAS EVER HIT AUSTRALIA!
9. Obesity is a problem that does not seem to be going away anytime in the near future. If Adro was in charge of the world's health and had the power to effect change in health policies, especially in regards to obesity, what would you recommend?
WOW, THAT’S A MASSSIVE QUESTION! I THINK I WOULD FIRST START WITH MAKING CLASSES IN SCHOOL THAT ARE LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT AND NOT JUST PHYSICAL EDUCATION. WE HAVE HERE IN AUSTRALIA A VERY POOR EDUCATION SYSTEM WHEN IT COMES TO FITNESS. THEY SEEM TO THINK THAT IF THEY TAKE THE COCA-COLA OUT OF THE SCHOOLS THAT THE KIDS WILL BE BETTER OFF.
INSTEAD OF MAKING IT A CURRICULUM THAT IS STUDIED SO THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THE HOWS AND WHYS OF OBESITY, I THINK I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO START A BIGGEST LOSER-STYLED COMPETITION FOR ALL THE TOWNS THROUGH THE SCHOOLS AND GET THE GOVERNMENT TO FUND THE PROGRAM. AS MUCH AS THEY WAIT FOR THE PROBLEM TO HIT BEFORE DECIDING TO FIX IT, I REALLY THINK THEY SHOULD LOOK AT SOLVING THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT STARTS. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN TRYING TO FIND A CURE AFTER THE FACT. OH, AND I WOULD BAN ALL CIGARETTES!!!
10. Your fellow countrymen and women in Australia as well as millions of Americans are so proud of what you and the other "Biggest Loser" contestants have done to forever alter your lives for the better. Do you think shows like "The Biggest Loser" are making any difference at all in people who need to lose weight or are they just making for feel-good television?
THAT’S A TRICKY QUESTION. I THINK THE SHOW IS DEFINITELY HAVING AN AMAZING IMPACT ON PEOPLE. I GET E-MAILS ALL THE TIME FROM PEOPLE TELLING ME HOW WELL THEY HAVE DONE WITH THEIR WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS BECAUSE OF THE SHOW. BUT I ALSO THINK IT IS JUST ENTERTAINMENT TO MANY PEOPLE THEN IT IS AN INSPIRATION TO GET MOTIVATED TO LOSE WEIGHT. BUT IF WE CAN JUST CHIP AWAY AT THE OBESITY PROBLEM ONE PERSON AT A TIME, THEN IT WILL WORK.
11. While your weight loss is still relatively new and you are probably still getting used to the skinny Adro (trust me, it takes a while to adjust to NOT being fat!), can you share any words of wisdom with my readers who are desperate and searching for a way to slay the obesity monster in their life?
HERE IS SOMETHING I LIKE TO SAY, IF YOU COULD TASTE THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS FOR JUST ONE SECOND; THEN I GURANTEE YOU THAT YOU WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO GET IT FOR YOURSELF.
THANK YOU, Adro, and CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss success. Even more importantly, I am so proud to know that someone else who felt hopeless about their obesity is now out there challenging and encouraging others to get healthy, too! Be sure to keep up with what Adro Sarnelli is doing by visiting his web site at AdroHealth.com.
Look at that sharp dressed stud who's livin' la vida low-carb!
After posting an interview with me at their web site last month, the people at WLTips.com solicited stories from people at every level of weight loss to submit their story to them for possible inclusion on their site, even if they are not finished losing all of their weight yet.
It looks like my friend and fellow Atkins weight loss buddy Dave Koch (aka "Low-Carb Dave") took them up on this opportunity to get his amazing story out there. The 30-year old Melbourne, Australia native began his weight loss journey at 473 pounds and currently weighs 338 pounds after about 14 months of livin' la vida low-carb. He hopes to someday get between 190-220 pounds (and HE WILL!).
Because in the end, all the other programs were getting harder to do. The bigger I got, the more that insulin and blood sugar was a problem. This is the only program that corrected my blood sugar, and therefore completely killed my hunger. I read a lot about the actual science and it made so much sense to me. *********************************** What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
Well life was so difficult for me prior, so I was living the difficulties. But in terms of implementing the program - it was the dietary mental change in regards to carbohydrates. I was taught that low calorie and low fat was the only way to health. I had to get my mind around the fact that this was not correct. The world I live in is still crazy with junk food as well. We in the western world live amongst people that eat anything and everything. Trying to do any diet in the Western world is very difficult because it's so contrary to our junk food/processed food culture. *********************************** Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
- What you put in your mouth is the most important thing when it comes to weight loss. - Don't simply look at calories. Look at how the food makes you feel. - When you are going on to a low carb diet regime, remember that there will be at least 4 weeks of detox. - Like the drug addict, you are going to go through physical withdrawal symptoms. - In terms of weight loss - reduce your carbs as much as possible, but also try not to overeat. - Don't obsess about making mistakes. It's a journey, not a destination.
CLICK HERE to read the complete interview. Dave, I'm so proud of you man. You ARE going to make it to your weight loss and health goals because you have completely changed your mindset 180 degrees in the right direction. Don't you wish the body would catch up to where the mind is? LOL!
Dave was kind enough to list my blog as one of his favorites (TY!) as well as several other excellent resources I have recommended before, including his fellow Australian Ray Kelly's new web site. SO GO CHECK OUT DAVE'S INTERVIEW RIGHT NOW! :)
This is the Australian government's answer to the obesity problem
Steve at the Against The Grain blog alerted me to what they are doing in his home country of Australia to deal with the obesity problem.
Have they started a national exercise program? Nope! How about a healthy eating initiative? Uh-uh. Free gym memberships to all Australians? Get real.
No, they've done something that is truly unique and is sure to catch on worldwide (can you feel the sarcasm?!). They've created five new ambulances for fat people like the one you see pictured above. This is NOT a joke!
A new $3 million funding package in the legislature would pay for reinforced ambulances to withstand weights up to 350kg, or 775 pounds! They will also pay for special heavy duty and oversized wheelchairs, stretchers and lifters with this money. The tentative rollout date for this new equipment to be up and running is February 2007.
The news story cited by Steve said this is all a "direct reaction to Australia's obesity epidemic" and the more frequent need to rush the "morbidly obese" to the hospital for weight-related healthy problems. Paramedics are also complaining that lifting these patients is putting their health and safety at risk.
Actually, this $3 million package is only a small part of a $25 million "anti-obesity" initiative in the budget, with $10 million more going to fund healthy eating and exercise programs for Australian children, a series of $50,000 grants available to schools who want to grow a vegetable garden, another set of $6,000 grants for schools who promote and encourage physical activity and healthy nutrition (didn't we used to call that P.E.?), and much, much more.
Hospitals are also getting in on the action by making their facilities and equipment "fat-friendly" with larger doorways and bathrooms as well as sturdier toilets, arm rails and beds that will hold patients weighing up to 500kg, or nearly 1,100 pounds!
All of this reminds me of the recent story in the United States to make larger child car seats because the little munchkins are getting too fat. Ugh!
While I can see the need to make accomodations to take care of these people, where is the focus on getting these people to start living healthy? If we make the ambulances bigger, then who's to say in 25 years we won't need to make THOSE even bigger? Hmmmm? When will the madness stop?
Even as the CSIRO "Total Wellbeing Diet" is enjoying incredible success in Australia right now, that country still has a serious problem with around half of the population being overweight or obese. The numbers are MUCH worse in the U.S. with two out of every three Americans overweight or obese, but nothing is being done about the problem itself.
Building bigger facilities and equipment is like putting a band-aid on a deep and large laceration! It may cover up the problem in the here and now, but you still have to deal with the root cause of the cut at some point. We need to stitch up that wound to start the healing process and teaching people how to deal with their obesity rather than just living with it is the beginning of that process.
I'm not saying this is an easy process by any means. But throwing our hands up in the air and just resigning ourselves to the fact that people are big will not resolve the underlying problem. Creating a sense of urgency for the overweight and obese and even providing them an incentive for losing weight would be a better way to spend that $25 million than what the Australian government currently has in mind.
I'm sure my Australian friend and winner of that country's inaugural "Biggest Loser" show Adro Sarnelli would agree. The time for dealing with obesity is NOW. Stop waiting on a government program to get you to do it, make TODAY the first day of the rest of your healthy life. If for not other reason, DO IT for yourself. It'll be the best thing that you could ever do!
The 26-year old Adro lost an amazing 51.3 kilos overall, 37.58 percent of his starting weight in just four months, during the competition to edge out his fellow finalists. It was a shock to the mechanic who proclaimed on stage after being told he was the winner "this is unreal."
He credited his success to his neverending commitment to exercise four hours per day with his personal trainer Ray Kelly along with a high-protein, low-carb lifestyle (hey, how about that?!). Because he lost more weight as a percentage than anyone else, Adro pocketed a cool $200,000 as well as a home fitness gym to help him keep that amazing physique of his in tip-top shape.
In addition to winning "The Biggest Loser," Adro got another surprise after the show aired -- his wife Samantha announced she is expecting their second child! Describing her husband as "sex on a stick," Samantha said she is so proud of the man Adro has become and now she "can't keep my hands off him."
ENJOY IT, Adro! My wife says the same thing...right Christine? Right? LOL!
Just as I have noted previously about my own weight loss success, it's hard to see yourself as anything but the morbidly obese person you have been your entire life.
"I still don't see myself as a skinny guy but I am working on it," he admitted. "It takes a lot longer for my head to get around than my body to get around. The mind is a pretty powerful thing."
Oh, you're just getting started on it, too, Adro! The good thing is that it gets easier over time, but I wonder if people like us EVER completely feel like we are that thin person we always dream of becoming even while everyone around us seems to think so. Strange and ironic dichotomy, isn't it?
When asked his thoughts about "The Biggest Loser" trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, Adro was honest.
"I had my differences with them ... but I absolutely love them," he said. "Without them I would never have done this."
Yeah, I'm sure you hated them when you first started because it's hard as you know what to "move your butt" as fellow "Biggest Loser Australia" contestant David Hilyander would say. But eventually it gets easier and you start to CRAVE that exercise. FOUR HOURS A DAY, huh Adro! That makes me look like a lazy slob with my measly little one hour daily. Hee hee!
What's Adro going to use the money he won on? He says he wants to purchase a new home and even open a chain of weight-loss centers called "The New Me" (based on his personal motivating mantra) to help others in this obesity battle.
"We are going to open up health centres basically for overweight and obese people," he explained. "It will be a goal driven weight loss support centre."
WOW, what a way to take the message of healthy living to the people that need it. That's why I started my blog to help encourage and educate others to do something about THEIR weight like I did. Adro is taking his passion and desire to see others succeed at weight loss to another level and should be congratulated for caring enough about his fellow Australians to do that.
Be sure to visit AdroHealth.com to keep tabs on the progress that Adro is making in this new chapter in his life. You can e-mail Adro at adro@adrohealth.com to share your congratulatory message to him. Let him know "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Man" Jimmy Moore, a fellow "big loser," sent you and how proud you are of him for being a champion for all of us who are livin' la vida low-carb. :)
For the first go round of "The Biggest Loser" in Australia, it did incredibly well in the ratings -- an average of 1.2 million viewers per episode! Because of this, they are already preparing for a second installment of the series to be aired next year.
Applications are already being accepted for "The Biggest Loser Australia" 2 to be aired in early 2007. For all you Aussies who think you can handle the rigors of the show, just click here to learn how YOU can be considered for next season. GOOD LUCK!
I didn't personally get to see any of the episodes from "The Biggest Loser Australia," but I would still LOVE to. Anyone in Australia who happened to record the episodes either on VHS or DVD and would be willing to mail me a copy of the shows can contact me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net.
If you're having withdrawals from "The Biggest Loser Australia," then there's one more chance to catch some bonus footage this weekened when Network Ten airs a special called "The Secrets of The Biggest Loser" on Sunday night at 8:30pm.
David Hilyander has a special message to share with my readers
Just a few days after hearing from Bob Harper, the famous trainer on the hit NBC television show "The Biggest Loser," about how he reads my blog and enjoys my articles, I receive another e-mail today from one of the contestants in the Australian version of "The Biggest Loser."
David Hilyander said he is also a fan of my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog.
"I enjoy reading your blog as well and have even started my own little battle plan," Hilyander wrote.
That "little battle plan" he is referring to is a brand new weight loss encouragement web site located at DavidHilyander.com. It is still a work in progress, but David hopes to provide lots of hope and inspiration to others in this seemingly neverending battle against obesity.
David said filming of the inaugural season of "The Biggest Loser Australia" just concluded and he is excited for everyone to find out who the winner is (it's a HUGE secret now, but everyone will know within just a few more hours!). As the first man voted off the show, David said he has "enjoyed not being noticed" but is now "loving the fact that people have seen my change."
I can only imagine, David. CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss, my friend and for sharing a few moments with me and my readers.
As a special encouragement to my readers, David wrote the following message:
Dear Jimmy & all the Biggest Loser fans out there,
If there is one piece of advice that I can give you, it is this: never give up, be true to yourself, and in what has quickly become my trademark phrase -- "Move Your Butt!" That is exactly what I did to lose weight and I literally walked my butt off.
You don't need any fancy gym equipment or a fitness club membership to make this happen. All you need is a good pair of sneakers, a healthy diet and an "I can do this" attitude to succeed!
Be good to yourself and always work hard until you reach your goals.
David Hilyander
THANK YOU, David, for inspiring me and my readers today. You are a hero and we look forward to GREAT THINGS from you in the future. Keep up the excellent job at keeping your weight off...FOREVER!
"Biggest Loser" Australia contestant Harry Kantzidis at the weigh-in
Well, it didn't take too long for the Australian version of the hit reality TV show "The Biggest Loser" to become controversial.
This Mercury news story is just about the most ridiculous thing I have read in a long time, but I've noticed the health establishment in Australia is even more screwed up than the one we have firmly planted in the United States if you can believe that!
The crux of the criticism of Australia's "Biggest Loser" is the fact that some people think it is actually causing more harm than good since the contestants are being pushed to what they believe are unhealthy limits.
A personal trainer in the story said that most of the contestants on the show "aren't fit enough to cope with that kind of boot camp exercise and give up after a few sessions, hating exercise even more."
While I have previously blogged about my opinion that "The Biggest Loser" show can create unreasonable weight loss expectations for the people watching at home, I don't think we need to throw the baby out with the bath water inasmuch as the show is STILL providing a lot of encouragement for people to do something about their weight.
Even if they do not choose to lose weight on "The Biggest Loser" diet plan, this show just might give them the gentle push that they need to get up off their butt and lose weight this time. Why is this a bad thing?! We should be celebrating the fact that a show like this is even on the air and getting such high ratings because it means people WANT to hear about people becoming successful at weight loss.
But then you have complete numbskulls like this personal trainer blasting away at Bob Harper for wanting to eliminate fruit from the contestant's diet during the first week, describing it as a "dangerous -- and ridiculous -- message" to send.
"Eating fruit isn't why we are getting more obese. No one sits on the couch and pigs out on eight oranges."
Uh, no, they sure aren't. But what Harper is trying to teach these contestants is discipline about what is good for them to put in their mouths. In my exclusive interview with Bob Harper last Fall, he noted that sugar addiction is a big reason why there is such an obesity problem.
While we all think fruit is supposed to be somehow virtuous to consume, the fact is it is LOADED with tons of sugar that is just not healthy for you to consume early on in your weight loss phase. Most people who are fat got that way from OVERCONSUMING on sugar which is why you need to eliminate it from your diet when losing weight. Then after you have gotten your weight under control, some of these fruits that you avoided because of the sugar in them can be added back.
I am so proud of Harper for applying a basic principle of livin' la vida low-carb in his experience with these contestants. Getting them to think about the foods they put in their mouth, even the so-called healthy ones like fruit. Despite the moans and groans of this personal trainer in Australia, Harper's recommendations seem to be right on the money.
But wait, there's more. Yet another personal trainer said "The Biggest Loser" Australia version is "alarming" because some of the contestants have worked out so hard they threw up.
"His heart rate would have been way above his fat-burning and aerobic training zone. Is he continuing? Most wouldn't."
Yes, he's continuing because he has a monetary incentive to keep him going. Nevertheless, I think anyone dedicated to making weight loss happen for themselves would continue no matter what happened to them physically.
I experienced that during my 180-pound weight loss experience on the low-carb lifestyle. While the eating was great, the workouts got rather grueling after a few months. While I was on my own pace and was not obligated to push myself like I did, I chose to go at it hard so I could reap the rewards of doing that. But I developed blisters, rashes, and pain like I have never experienced before in my life. I wrote all about how I got through that growing experience to become the dedicated exercise buff I am today in my book.
The bottom line is "The Biggest Loser" is nothing more than a public showcasing of what life is like for a group of overweight and obese people ready to change their lives forever. They CHOSE this path for themselves because they knew it was something they needed. While winning $200,000 would be nice, most would tell you they'd settle for being thin.
Australia's obesity rate mirrors that of the U.S. and is expected to reach 50 percent of their population by the year 2020 according to lawmakers there. Debate is ongoing there just as it is here about how to properly treat it before it gets any further out of hand.
There is one very open and outspoken voice of opposition to "The Biggest Loser" in Australia: Dr. David Bishop.
Dr. Bishop is the president of the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science and believes shows like "The Biggest Loser" are dangerous both physically and psychologically to the contestants and home viewers.
"The humiliating dress-downs subjected to by the contestants can have a permanent and adverse effect on the individual's self-confidence," he noted. "We don't need to add to the complexity of self-image dilemmas young people are already experiencing."
Who died and made Dr. Bishop the keeper of all knowledge of what's right in the world?! "Humiliating?" "Adverse effect on the individual's self-confidence?" What in the world is this guy talking about?
These contestants WILLINGLY put themselves in front of those viewers for a chance at fame and fortune. They're not humiliated, but are THRILLED to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Why else are scenes like THIS unfolding in America with people desperately trying to be on "The Biggest Loser" show?
This show is inspiring people and touching them right where they are because weight loss triumph is a feeling like none other. People always ask me to put into words the difference it has made in my life and I just can't ever seem to put my finger on it. It's an incredibly unbelievable feeling like none other I have ever experienced in my entire life and I really do feel like a brand new man from the one I used to be. What's funny is I barely even remember weighing over 400 pounds now! Isn't that weird?
To people like Dr. Bishop, all I have to say is look at the results. Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels are giving these contestants as well as the viewers at home the tools they need to become the weight loss success they want and need to be. It really will be up to those contestants to apply what they have learned and make the necessary lifestyle changes for themselves to keep the weight loss off long after the cameras have stopped rolling.
That is the real challenge. Maintaining that weight loss is the neverending battle for some people and the key is to find something that will work for you from now until the good Lord comes to take you home.
If you feel "The Biggest Loser" has made an impact on your life for the better and/or motivated you to try to lose weight, then e-mail you comments to Dr. David Bishop at dbishop@cyllene.uwa.edu.au. He needs to know that lives ARE being changed and nobody is being harmed by this show. Tell him to start supporting efforts to get people healthy and in shape and stop whining about hurting people's feelings. No wonder obesity isn't getting solved in Australia!
Bob Harper & Jillian Michaels take "The Biggest Loser" to Australia!
The hit NBC reality television show "The Biggest Loser" featuring personal trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels has been wildly popular in a country known as "the land down under" -- AUSTRALIA!
Because of the immense enthusiasm from the fans in Australia, "The Biggest Loser" is coming to the television airwaves and will feature both Harper and Michaels with overweight and obese Australian men and women. I kinda wish they'd show the Australian version of "The Biggest Loser" in the United States, but that probably won't happen. :(
Nevertheless, the format of the show will be just a tad bit different than what we have here in America. The show will be on the air for FIVE NIGHTS A WEEK over an 8-week period and will feature 12 weight loss contestants competing for a grand prize of $200,000 and a home fitness studio. Not a shabby prize PLUS the added bonus of weight loss!
Just like the U.S. version of "The Biggest Loser," the contestants will be split into the Red and Blue teams and will compete in various challenges, food temptations, and, of course, that HUGE scale!
While American comedian Caroline Rhea has done an excellent job hosting "The Biggest Loser" here in the United States, the Australian version of the show will feature another comedian, but she has a story that makes her the PERFECT choice to host "The Biggest Loser."
This is the beautiful AJ Rochester in 2006
AJ Rochester is the inspirational leader of a very successful Internet weight loss club for Australians called The Healthy Body Club. Can you believe this woman used to weigh a whole lot more than she does now?
The pictures don't lie:
WOW, what a transformation! Kudos to the producers of Australia's "The Biggest Loser" for choosing the best person to host this show. She will undoubtedly inspire and motivate even the most lethargic contestant to acheive the success they desire.
So, who are these 12 Australian contestants for "The Biggest Loser?"
I'm introduce them to you now:
Catherine “Cat” White
A 27-year old "larger than life" woman who desires to lose weight so she will look good when she marries her long-time sweetheart. She blames her obesity on her occupation as a chef in the early part of her working life. This Melbourne-native hopes "The Biggest Loser" will help her change her life forever.
Fiona Falkiner
A 22-year old knockout has amazingly NEVER had a boyfriend (are the men in Australia CRAZY?!?!) because they all thought she was too fat. This Melbourne beauty is gonna make all those men who turned her down cry themselves to sleep when she sheds the weight on "The Biggest Loser." Hopefully, Fiona will find the true love she so deeply desires after this experience.
Kristie Dignam
This 32-year old mother of five from Perth is the epitome of a working mom -- she works TWO jobs (plus the HUGE third job of raising all those kids!) and stays busy juggling it all. Her dream is to lose weight in time for her husband's 20th class reunion in a few months and she wants to look good for him. She has turned to food for comfort, but wants to change that.
Ruth Almeida de Campos
A 28-year old woman with three very young kids who is deperate to lose weight. This Newcastle mother and wife of five years has had a stressful relationship being apart from her husband throughout their short-lived marriage. As a result, Ruth has turned to eating to help her manage the stress. She's a funny lady which makes her attractive no matter how much she weighs.
Tracy Moores
A 44-year old Sydney woman who has had a lot of competition for beauty within her own family -- they're all MODELS! As a "plus-size model" for many years, Tracy knows it is time to take control of her weight and health. She enjoys life with her husband and three kids and realizes she's "not getting younger." She hopes to walk the catwalk again -- as a regular model!
Jo Cowling
Jo is a 33-year old, in-your-face real estate agent residing in Sydney. She's been big her entire life and has done the rollercoaster ride of dieting like so many of us have. She has excused her lack of exercise because of time constraints with her job, but that's all about to change with "The Biggest Loser" experience that awaits her. She wants to do this for her health.
David Hilyander
In a striking resemblance to Matt Hoover, "The Biggest Loser" winner from Season Two in the U.S., David is a 33-year old beer guzzling party animal from Sydney who enjoys being involved with rugby. But his weight has prevented him from playing a more active role and has been derogatorily compared with hefty actor John Candy. These insults and his ever-increasing waist size have led him to become depressed despite having a positive outlook on life.
Big Wal (Vladimir Milberg)
Hailing from Townsville, this burly 42-year old father of two is a fireman who has been given an ultimatum -- lose weight or lose your job! His slow reaction time when the fire alarm sounds has his superiors concerned he's not fit enough for the job anymore. Big Wal eats a whopping EIGHT meals a day and believes he'll EASILY lose weight on "The Biggest Loser." We'll see.
Harry Kantzidis
A Melbourne father of two whose emotions got the best of him at "The Biggest Loser" audition. The 35-year old said his son was so embarrassed to be around him that he has to drop the 7-year old off a couple of blocks from his school so nobody would see him. A former athlete and bodybuilder, Harry eats because it makes him happy. He will now learn that he can eat HEALTHY and be happy, too!
Shane Giles
Shane is 38 years old man from Ballarat who says his weight problem makes him gunshy about approaching any woman he finds attractive. Ever since a tragic accident killing his brother rattled him a decade ago, he has turned to food to help him cope. This former AFL football player-turned-musician would like to get back down to his playing weight again.
Adro (Adriano Sarnelli)
The "bald guy" of the show who goes by the name of Adro, he wants to lose weight to be a daddy for a long time for his precious little girl. This 26-year old Newcastle man grew up in a large family both in numbers and in weight thanks to the hearty Italian meals they ate every night. Plus, his mother wouldn't let him play sports because she was afraid he would get hurt.
Artie Rocke
Last but not least, there's Artie -- a 42-year old Hervey Bay single gay man who hopes to attract the man of his dreams with his weight loss on "The Biggest Loser." As someone who is "eating constantly," he has always loved food and is an avid cook. A recent negative incident riding a bicycle convinced him that losing weight is something he needs to do.
There you have it, Aussies! Those are YOUR contestants for "The Biggest Loser" in Australia. I REALLY wish I could watch these shows. Maybe somebody there could tape them for me and ship them to the U.S. for me to watch! LOL!
Check your local listings for when the show will air in your area. For more information about "The Biggest Loser" coming to Australia, click here.
