What's Going On Right Now In The Low-Carb World?

Hey there healthy living enthusiasts and thanks for being here for all the latest news and updates about the incredible and miraculous low-carb lifestyle. Sometimes there's so much going on that you may not have heard about that I have to lump it all together in one big blog post for you like I'm gonna do today.

So many stories, so little time--so let's get started! Here are ten hot stories going on right now in the low-carb world:

1. FDA IS STILL GIVING THE SUPPLEMENT STEVIA A HARD TIME

There's a hotly-contested battle going on right now between health advocates like those of us following the low-carb lifestyle and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) over the issue of the supplement stevia. This Organic Consumers Association story explains how the FDA has taken a hard line against the plant-based sweetening agent stevia by not allowing manufacturers to call it a sweetener along the lines of Splenda, Equal, and Sweet N' Low. I've blogged about this battle over whether it's a supplement or a sweetener before and I was hoping the presence of a big name manufacturer like The Coca-Cola Company in the stevia standoff would help soften the acceptability of stevia as a sweetener. It doesn't appear that way yet, but the winds of change may be blowing in the direction of sweetener soon enough if Coke has its way.

2. ORIGINAL BIGGEST LOSER RYAN BENSON GAINS BACK HIS WEIGHT

The success of the hit NBC television weight loss reality show "The Biggest Loser" all started back in 2004 when Ryan Benson was crowned the very first winner of the show by losing 100 pounds. What you may not know is the extent to which he put his body through in order to lose those last few pounds before the final weigh-in. He candidly shared the drastic measures he took in those days before the finale at his his MySpace page. Have you heard about this? Here's a quote from his journal:

"I wanted to win so bad that the last ten days before the final weigh-in I didn't eat one piece of solid food! If you've heard of 'The Master Cleanse' that's what I did. Its basically drinking lemonade made with water, fresh squeezed lemon juice, pure maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. The rules of the show said we couldn't use any weight-loss drugs, well I didn't take any drugs, I just starved myself! Twenty-four hours before the final weigh-in I stopped putting ANYTHING in my body, liquid or solid, then I started using some old high school wrestling tricks. I wore a rubber suit while jogging on the treadmill, and then spent a lot of time in the steam room. In the final 24 hours I probably dropped 10-13 lbs in just pure water weight. By the time of the final weigh-in I was peeing blood."

HOLY CRAP! Although he says he has not suffered any ill effects to his health from this, he has put back on the weight and did so rather quickly after winning the $1 million prize for being "The Biggest Loser."

"In the five days after the show was over I gained about 32 lbs. Not from eating, just from getting my system back to normal (mostly re-hydrating myself). So in five days I was back up to 240 – crazy!"

But Ryan did share some real nuggets of truth about maintaining your weight after weight loss that give me hope he will know what to do this time after he reaches goal.

"Maintaining weight loss for me was obviously much harder – as seen in the fact that I have gained weight. Weight loss and maintenance are both the same thing – a complete change in your frame of mind. For many years I have always thought "If I can just lose the weight then I can eat anything I want." Unfortunately this isn't true, you have to keep a similar mind set whether you are losing weight or maintaining weight loss."

Maybe I was wrong when I said that the show was not creating unreasonable weight loss expectations in the contestants. I'm sure Ryan Benson was not alone in the lose-at-any-cost mentality that money can force them into doing. Does it make you as sick to your stomach as it does mine to hear about this?

When I won that local radio weight loss contest back in 2004, the worst thing I did was not eat all day long on the day of the weigh-in. And I thought I was being a rebel doing that! Of course, I ate like a madman when the contest was over and I had won. But I don't think a "Master Cleanse" would have been a consideration for me. EEEEK!

3. THIS IS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST DIET COMMENTARIES I'VE EVER READ!

This Lawrence (KS) Journal World & News column will absolutely speak for itself. If you've ever been on a diet (ANY DIET), then this will make your day. ENJOY!

4. DR. JONNY BOWDEN BUSTS UP 7 COMMON NUTRITIONAL MYTHS

Friend and fellow health advocate Dr. Jonny Bowden, author of two fantastic books that should be on the shelf of every low-carber--Living The Low-Carb Life and The 150 Healthiest Foods On Earth--has penned an absolutely brilliant column for iVillage.com entitled "7 Nutrition Myths Busted" that will shed some light on some of the dogmatic statements we hear so often from the so-called health "experts." Here's what Jonny lines up and shoots down one-by-one:

1. The food pyramid is for everyone.
2. There is a perfect diet that will work for everyone.
3. All low-carb diets are like the Atkins Diet.
4. Stress does not make you fat.
5. Metabolisms are all pretty similar.
6. Blood type does not make a difference.
7. A balanced diet will provide you with everything you need.

See what Dr. Bowden has to say about each one of these. You'll be pleasantly surprised! :D

5. US NEWS & WORLD REPORT ENDORSES LIVIN' LA VIDA LOW-CARB?

So I'm flipping through the September 27, 2007 issue of the magazine US News & World Report when I see an article called "Health Tip: Considering Low-Carb?" and my eyes are drawn to it for obvious reasons. It's a quickie four-sentence blurb about what people who are considering low-carb need to do if they choose this diet plan. WHOA! This just goes to show you that at least for one major publishing outlet, they've taken on the old adage if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Low-carb ain't going anywhere, so they might as well tell people about it! WOO HOO!

6. OMEGA 3 FATS REDUCES RISK OF TYPE 1 DIABETES IN KIDS, STUDY SHOWS

An exciting new study published in the September 26, 2007 issue of Journal Of The American Medical Association found that kids who consume more omega 3-rich fatty acids from such low-carb foods as flax seeds, walnuts, fish oil, canola oil, tuna, mackerel, sardines, salmon, bluefish, swordfish and free range eggs have a reduced chance of having Type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes). Get the full scoop about this exciting new regarding fat consumption for kids at the About.com Diabetes web site. I personally love my salmon, walnuts, and fish oil supplements. Free range eggs are still a bit out of my price range right now, but I'd get 'em in a heartbeat if money was no option.

7. IF YOU WANT TO THINK FASTER, THEN YOU NEED TO EAT MORE CARBS, STUDY SUGGESTS

Did you read about the study claiming a low-carb diet slows down cognitive function? Yep, these Australian nimwits at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization-Human Nutrition contend that "very low carbohydrate diets may offer less benefit than a high carbohydrate diet for improving cognitive function." Oh really? You might want to pick up a copy of Dr. Larry McCleary's outstanding new book called The Brain Trust Program about the BENEFIT to brain health that a ketogenic (low-carb) diet has. This conclusion that people need to "eat more carbs" was extrapolated by one of the researcher from this study I recently highlighted. In a word: WRONG-O!

8. BARILLA PASTA COMPANY STANDS BEHIND THEIR THRASHING OF LOW-CARB

To follow-up on a previous blog post where I suggested the whole wheat pasta company Barilla may not be a friend of the low-carber may just happen to be true. After seeing this link about the "dangers of low-carb diets," an e-mail was sent to the company challenging their opinion about livin' la vida low-carb and requesting clarification about why they believe low-carb is dangerous.

Here's how a company spokesperson responded:

Thank you for sharing your point of view on our website content.

We want to assure you that Barilla takes the issue of nutrition and health of our consumers very seriously. As such, we would never publish erroneous information. All of the low-carb diet information on our website comes from notable nutrition, medical and/or research experts and is footnoted with the specific resource. The information is posted on our site to merely present facts to help consumers make their own educated decision on how they eat.

We wish you all the best.

Thank you,

Consumer Relations
Barilla America, Inc.

Okay, but what about all the FACTS about how healthy a controlled-carbohydrate nutritional approach can be not only for weight management, but also for controlling many aspects of health, too, Barilla? If you're about helping educate consumers, then perhaps you should learn the fine art of sharing ALL the information and putting it out there on the table. Of course, you can't do that because your products, even the whole wheat pastas, are NOT healthy for people on a low-carb diet.

And even if they were marginally good, your utter disdain for those of us who choose to live this lifestyle makes me want to spend my hard-earned money elsewhere. Can you say Dreamfields anyone? :P

9. NUTRITIONDATA.COM CREATES A DIETING & WEIGHT LOSS CENTER

When you have time to check it out, there's an exciting new resource for people losing weight called the "Dieting & Weight Loss Center" brought to you by NutritionData.com. It's not all explicitly low-carb (as you will quickly notice by all the annoying Alli ads when you go there, but it's just another place for information about diet and health that you may want to take a look at. They were nice enough to link to my blog, so apparently they don't mind sharing a variety of voices on the subject. :)

10. GERMAN RESEARCHERS SAY CUT THE SUGAR, EXTEND YOUR LIFE BY 25%

Finally, I've got an exciting new study to share with you that was published in the October 3, 2007 issue of Cell Metabolism. Read the recap about the study in this Reuters story about how researchers in Germany restricted sugar intake in worms and they lived to be 25% older than those worms that consumed sugar. The only thing that irked me about the study was when one of the researchers said that the "body needs glucose (sugar/carbs)" which is not true as I have previously blogged about. I have a feeling that somewhere today Connie Bennett has got to be smiling. ;)

So there you have it! Ten scrumptious low-carb stories for you to chew on to start your week off right. Feel free to comment on any or all of them in the comments section below. THANKS for reading and I look forward to your reactions!

'Biggest Loser' Weight Loss Secret--Low-Carb!

Erik Chopin is the fourth straight low-carber to win "The Biggest Loser"

Ever since deli shop owner Erik Chopin from Islip, New York won Season 3 of the hit NBC reality television show "The Biggest Loser" last week, I haven't been able to stop thinking about something rather fascinating about his amazing 214-pound weight loss that he now wants to use to help people who are obese to find hope. This is something I haven't heard ANYONE discussing about the people who are winning this show.

Let's take a quick look at the three previous "Biggest Loser" winners:


"The Biggest Loser" Australia 1 winner Adro Sarnelli

STARTING WEIGHT: 319 pounds
WEIGHT LOSS: 131.5 pounds
HOW HE DID IT: Avoid starchy and refined carbs


"The Biggest Loser" 2 winner Matt Hoover

STARTING WEIGHT: 340 pounds
WEIGHT LOSS: 157 pounds
HOW HE DID IT: Counts calories and carbs


"The Biggest Loser" 1 winner Ryan Benson

STARTING WEIGHT: 330 pounds
WEIGHT LOSS: 100 pounds
HOW HE DID IT: Eats high-protein, low-carb foods




Are you seeing a very clear pattern among the winners of "The Biggest Loser?" It's astonishing to me that amidst all of the pomp and circumstance surrounding the gargantuan triple-digit weight losses each of these men has experienced that there hasn't been a more inquisitive look into HOW they lost their weight.

Sure, they talk about calories on the show and making sure you burn more with exercise than you take in. But behind-the-scenes there's more to it--a LOT more to it!

We saw just a couple of months ago how one of the finalists from Season 2 of the show--Kelly Minner--was able to help one of her students who was struggling with his weight which had soared above 300 pounds. You may recall that Minner recommended the 16-year old student go on a high-fiber, low-carb diet along with regular exercise and he went on to lose over 100 pounds in just nine months. She learned that from being on "The Biggest Loser."

While I am sure the producers of the show have strategically instructed the contestants and trainers on the show to avoid using the phrase "low-carb" for whatever reason, the fact of the matter is that's what they are doing. Even "Biggest Loser" trainer Bob Harper, who has complimented my low-carb blog for helping educate people, has warned repeatedly about the dangers of sugar addiction. Livin' la vida low-carb runs up and down through this show.

And yet you never hear a thing about it! What's up with that?

There's no reason in the world why the contestants or producers at "The Biggest Loser" should EVER feel ashamed of the low-carb lifestyle. It is the most electrifying weight loss plan that I have ever encountered in my life and I will forever be indebted to it for changing the course of my health for the better. Ryan, Matt, Adro, and now Erik can all provide similar testimonies of what low-carb living has done for them.

When will this great "Biggest Loser" weight loss secret be given the recognition that it deserves? Can you imagine the tidal wave of weight loss that people could be experiencing RIGHT NOW if a very clear message of livin' la vida low-carb were allowed to be promoted in very clear language that everyone can understand on a show like "The Biggest Loser?" The positive impact that would have on the obesity problem in America is mind-blowing to even think about.

Let's let the whole world know about the miracle of livin' la vida low-carb!

214-Pound Weight Loss For 'Biggest Loser' 3 Champion Erik Chopin

Chopin wins "The Biggest Loser" 3 shedding over half his weight

Erik Chopin must be wondering exactly what kind of mysterious magic or blessing that has been bestowed upon his Long Island, New York deli shop. Before his high-profile appearance and eventual success on Season 3 of the hit NBC reality television series "The Biggest Loser," one of his employees won a $1 million prize in the New York State Lottery--TWICE!

When his fortuitous employee at Emma's Deli and Catering returned to work the next day after winning the lottery for the second time in four years in early 2006, Chopin exclaimed prophetically that "good things happen to good people."

Indeed they do because now REALLY good things are in store for Chopin, 36 from West Islip, New York, after Wednesday night's dramatic conclusion to the junior season of "The Biggest Loser." This special third season of the show featured contestants from all 50 states vying to lose the most weight as a percentage of their starting weight to become the next "Biggest Loser."


50 "Biggest Loser"contestants--over 14,000 pounds when they began!

When he began his journey on the famous ranch weighing in at an all-too-familiar 407 pounds (I was 410 when I started my low-carb weight loss journey in 2004), Chopin went on to lose a record-breaking 124 pounds on the show itself.

But although he was the "biggest loser" with the cameras on him, that did not mean he would necessarily lose the most weight when he went home and it came time to return for the live season finale because he had some rather stiff competition to face.

There were supposed to be four finalists out of the fifty contestants, but one of them got an unexpected surprise--A BABY! Heather, 36 from West Bountiful, Utah, actually became pregnant when she returned home from the ranch. The producers at "The Biggest Loser" decided to shower her with a complimentary nursery for her second child because she had gotten so far in the game. CONGRATULATIONS, Heather! That baby's gonna have a very healthy and fit mommy now. :)

So the real competition for Chopin came down to the other two contestants.

Kai, 27 from Eagle River, Alaska, looked absolutely fantastic after starting off on "The Biggest Loser" weighing 262 pounds. She lost 77 pounds on the show and dropped another 41 pounds to lose an astounding 118 pounds becoming the gretaest "biggest loser" female in the show's history. Her petite 144-pound body was so gorgeous to see as she showed off her 45.04 percent weight loss. She won $50,000 for coming in second place.

Next up was the charismatic Wylie, 40 from South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida, who was disgusted that his starting weight was 307 pounds. His goal was to be able to walk on the beach without his shirt on. Through his hard work on the ranch, Wylie lost 90 pounds before going home and losing an additional 39 pounds for a total weight loss of 129 pounds. When he stepped on the scale (shirtless of course!) and it read 178 pounds, that represented an amazing 42.02 percent weight loss for Wylie. He won $25,000 for coming in third place.

So how about the eventual champion of "The Biggest Loser" 3?

Erik started at over 400 pounds and lost nearly one-third of that while on the show. But it is what happened when he returned home to lose weight on his own that will have people talking until Season 4! Although he looked far better when he walked away from the ranch at 283 pounds than when he started, imagine the surprise on everyone's face when they saw him in the season finale. The man looked like a stick he had gotten so thin!


Erik Chopin saved his life by going on "The Biggest Loser"

When he stepped on that gigantic scale for the final time and the numbers click, click, clicked into place with a big 1-9-3, you knew this was the latest winner of "The Biggest Loser!" Another 90 pounds lost for a grand total of 214 pounds that are gone forever--a mind-boggling 52.58 percent weight loss in about nine months. WOW!!! Simply incredible, Erik! YOU GO BOY! He earned $250,000 for being crowned "The Biggest Loser" of Season 3.

Of the 34 contestants who were sent home during the early elimination phase of the show, nine of them were able to experience triple-digit weight losses. Outstanding! Plus, the collective goal of all 50 contestants was to lose over 4,000 pounds by the end of the show. When they all stepped on the scale during the season finale, the total weight loss added up to 4,281 pounds--that's 85.6 pounds lost per person! WOO HOO!

Life is about to get hectic for Chopin who will have to decide what he is going to do with his newfound fame. Perhaps he can ask his double-the-luck, lottery-winning employee about what to do. Incidentally, that employee decided to stick around at the deli to help out the business until her boss was finished with his experience on "The Biggest Loser" this month. Well, that could be awhile now that Erik will be doing the media tour thing, but I bet she won't mind. :)



I'm happy to see the success of "The Biggest Loser" has continued with new products designed to help people in their battle against obesity. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed with Season 3 and did not watch it as often as I did in the first two seasons. I don't know if it had anything to do with the absence of trainer Jillian Michaels or what, but I just couldn't get into it like I did when Ryan Benson and Matt Hoover won in Seasons 1 and 2 respectively. Nothing against Bob Harper or Kim Lyons, but it just didn't excite me this time.

Nevertheless, the fact that a show about weight loss can be commercially successful is a positive sign in a culture that can't seem to figure out why they are so fat. Whether people like the show or not, "The Biggest Loser" is making a difference because it proves an undeniable truth about humans--success at anything is indeed possible when you put them in the right circumstances and provide them with the proper tools and guidance to acheive. Adro Sarnelli, who won the inaugural season earlier this year of "The Biggest Loser" in Australia alluded to that in my exclusive interview with him. There's no reason why ANYONE with a weight problem can't be as succesful as these contestants on "The Biggest Loser" have been.

So, do you think you have what it takes to be on this amazing show? Get a taste of my review of the official application for "The Biggest Loser" and then go download the application to be on "The Biggest Loser" 4! If you are obese and have the will and drive to turn your life around, then give it your best shot! You could be the next Erik Chopin! GO FOR IT!

12-15-06 UPDATE: Wanna read more about Erik Chopin's unbelievable weight loss? Are you interested in finding out how he and the previous winners of "The Biggest Loser" did it? And you'll NEVER believe what he was willing to do to lose weight just before "The Biggest Loser" called him to be a part of the show. CLICK HERE to find out more about the latest "Biggest Loser!"

'Biggest Loser' Contestants Keep The Weight Off

With the exciting 2-hour LIVE season finale of the hit reality television show "The Biggest Loser" airing this Tuesday night from 8-10pm EST, many are waiting to see whether it will be Matt, Seth, or Suzy who will lose the most weight as a percentage of their starting weight to become one quarter of a million dollars richer and be deemed "The Biggest Loser" for Season Two.

Also, there will be a battle among the eliminated contestants to see which one amongt hem will triumph to win the $100,000 consolation prize. It will certainly be fun to watch and they are all winners for investing in the hard work it has taken to bring them this far.




But for fans of the show (and I am one of them!), I bet you are wondering what happened with those contestants from Season One of "Biggest Loser" show? How are they doing with their weight now one year after being on the ranch? Wouldn't you like to see what they look like today?

Now you can! I thought you might like to have an update, including before and after photos, of the contestants from Season One of "The Biggest Loser":


RYAN BENSON

Ryan Benson was the original "Biggest Loser" and should be proud of what he has accomplished. He works out every single day and manages his 122-pound weight loss with the low-carb lifestyle. How cool is that?! You can check out what's happening with Ryan at his web site, RyanCBenson.com.


AARON

This is a man who now weighs less than 200 pounds and credits exercise for his success. In fact, he said he doesn't mind cheating on his eating habits because he knows he can work it off enough in the gym with exercise. Aaron is down to 11% body fat (hey, that's something we have in common!) and has never felt better. There's another thing he and I have in common as well -- Aaron's writing a book "because it really makes you get inside your own head and it also keeps me motivated." Amen, brother!


DREA

I always admired Drea because of what she did in accomplishing that physical challenge walking up a gazillion flights of steps. The look on her face when she was the winner of the challenge showed me that she was serious about her weight loss and that nothing would stop her from there on. According to her web site, she is staying plenty busy speaking about her weight loss and proudly, too. Man she's looking strong and healthy! She was the biggest female loser from Season One and has a smile that would light up any room. Her uncanny ability to motivate others is what has led her to become a fitness trainer. Do you think she ever thought she'd be doing that?! Way to go, Drea!


DANA

Although she didn't have a lot of weight to lose, Dana has certainly made the most of her experience on the show. She is a team leader for MSN.com's Losing Weight With Family and will be entering a bathing suit contest for a tanning company called Planet Beach. WOW! She looks great and credits cutting out sugar from her diet along with cardio workouts. Good going, Dana! You look mahhhvulous!


DAVE

The winner of the $100,000 from Season One for losing the most weight of the contestants who got cut, Dave made healthy eating and working out a "normal" part of his life. He said people stop him in the street and tell him how much they inspired them in their weight loss. It's a neat feeling, isn't it, Dave? I get that a lot since I went from 410 down to 225.


GARY

Eating "big salads" along with fresh fruit, Gary said he let his weight get "too low" while he was working on the show. He weighs 160 pounds today and says the key to his weight loss maintenance success is "cardio, cardio, cardio." Do you sense a theme here anyone?


KELLY MAC

Also crediting 1-hour workouts for six days a week, Kelly Mac also keeps a food journal and has inspired her parents and roommate to lose weight. She's still a stand-up comedian and loves the fact that guys ask her for her telephone number now. Check out what Kelly Mac is up to (including her tour schedule) by visiting KellyMacfarland.com.


KELLY MINNER

Being an example for her students, Kelly Minner says she has learned to relax more since leaving the ranch and doesn't worry about messing up. However, she made it very clear she will not eat white rice. Good girl! She, too, has felt the call in her life to help others in their own weight loss journey (when you lose weight and see such a dramatic change in your own life, that's only natural -- I've felt the same way!). She was on the front cover of Women's World magazine in May 2005 and is approaching 100 pounds lost since starting the show. You can see what Kelly Minner is up to at her web site, KellyMinner.com.


LISA

Using cardio workouts and dance classes to stay in shape, Lisa said her boyfriend gets jealous now because other guys are have google eyes at her. Nice problem to have, isn't it Lisa? Crediting "The Biggest Loser" for helping her get her life back, she described what life would be like today had she not gotten motivated to lose weight. "I would probably be in a wheelchair with a whiskey on the rocks in one hand and a double cheeseburger and fries in the other!" What a visual! Can anyone relate? :)


LIZZETH

She runs five miles a day and never cheats to keep her weight off. Lizzeth said she regained her sense of self-worth because of the show and has a goal to wear a 2-piece bathing suit before she reaches the age of 40. She's trying to get her family to do what she did by encouraging them to "start today" on doing something about their weight!


MATT

Another low-carber, Matt says he has cut out most of his carbs, eats lots of salads, chicken, and healthy fruits. He does portion control, but he says that helps keep him on track to maintain his weight loss. Matt also has three one-hour cardio workouts a week as well as sit-ups and push-ups. He says to "live fabulous" by enjoying life with a rum and Diet Coke!


BIG MO

Everybody loves Mo! What a super guy he is with a big heart that matches his once gargantuan body. But Mo is a changed man now who is working to get down to 235 pounds. Although he still weighs 350 pounds, Mo is confident his goal is "attainable" and uses the 1 1/2 hour workouts 5 days a week to help him get there. He said all the fried cookin' his momma used to make him has been replaced with baked now, so he's eating healthier. He even beat out television talk show icon Oprah Winfrey to be the Tennessee spokesperson for the Department of Health. Good going, Mo! You can do it, buddy! You've got a lot of people rooting for you to get to that goal of yours. Don't EVER give up!

So, that's what the contestants from Season One are up to now. Guess what is next in line for "The Biggest Loser" franchise -- A WORKOUT VIDEO!!!

Coming on December 20, 2005 is a special exercise video called The Biggest Loser Workout Volume 1 featuring "The Biggest Loser" fitness trainer Bob Harper and contestants from both Season One and Season Two joining him, including Gary, Drea, Suzy, Matt, Andrea, and Seth. From what I have seen of the video previews, there will be various workout levels to meet you at your level to go at your pace. That's a good way to do it!


Click here to order your copy TODAY!

By the way, NBC made it official today when they announced they have decided to renew the contract to bring back "The Biggest Loser" for a third season. Although the ratings are slightly down from the summertime Season One version of the show, producers and network executives are impressed with the numbers from the past couple of weeks which have been in excess of 10 million viewers. If the increased traffic to my site in that time period is any indication of the popularity of the show, then I'd say NBC did a smart thing renewing this lifechanging television show for yet another season.



Check out all my "The Biggest Loser" columns by clicking here.

'Biggest Loser' Winner Maintains Weight With Exercise, Low-Carb Lifestyle

About a month ago I sent the following e-mail to Ryan Benson, the man who was the grand prize winner of last year's hit reality NBC television show "The Biggest Loser":

Hey Ryan,

I just read about your update since being crowned 'The Biggest Loser' in last year's NBC reality show. Congratulations on keeping it off, my friend. You are an inspiration to the millions of people who watched that show and rooted you on. My favorite moment was when you had to run that race carrying the weight you had lost on your back. Since you had lost about 70 pounds at that point, I felt your pain and admired your effort.

I was also a 'big loser' last year as I lost 180 pounds after making weight loss and healthy living my New Year's resolution. For the first time in my life, I actually stuck with it for the entire year in 2004. The result has been incredible weight loss, better health and a desire for exercise. People don't know what they're missing by not exercising. I would have thought you were nuts if you told me that before the weight loss. But it is true! Can I get a witness?

When 'The Biggest Loser' was airing, I had already lost the majority of my weight (about 130 pounds), but seeing you guys work as hard as you did motivated me to keep it going. It was an awesome concept for a television show and I hope it continues to succeed and make more Ryans get into the shape they need to be in.

THANK YOU again for being an example for people to follow. Keep spreading the word to the kids and to anyone who will listen. Healthy living is good living. I'm writing a book about my weight loss experience and created a blog called 'Livin' La Vida Low-Carb' at http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com. Check it out when you get a chance.

Take care and keeping wearing the 'loser' title proudly. YOU DESERVE IT!!! God bless you!!!

Jimmy Moore




On Tuesday I received the following automated e-mail response from Ryan:

Hi there -

I am sorry for this not so personal response. I have been pretty overwhelmed with emails from people asking me questions about my experiences. Luckily, a lot of the questions were very similar in nature so I decided to set up a web site that I think will answer all of your questions.

Please go to www.ryancbenson.com and check out everything there, (especially the Frequently Asked Questions) and I think you will find the answers to all your questions.

Thanks for writing and stay healthy!

- Ryan

So, I decided to check out Ryan's web site to see what he's been up to since the show.

It seems Ryan still works out several times a week (SWEET!) and states that he now "eats lots of protein and a moderate amount of carbs." Sounds like he's livin' la vida low-carb to me! YOU GO BOY!

Yo-yo dieting his entire life, Ryan started his weight loss at 330 pounds and dropped 100 pounds. He is still working on that last 30 pounds to get to an even 200. Check out Ryan's web site to see what this loser is up to. He is yet another example of how a life can be changed for the better because of weight loss.

**11-26-05 UPDATE: Check out these incredible photos of the other contestants from Season One of "The Biggest Loser." WOW!!!**