Micah McCain shedding the pounds on BRAVO-TV's "Workout"
During this special "Week Of Weight Loss Wisdom" on my podcast "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," we're hearing some truly remarkable low-carb weight loss turnarounds from people just like you and me. On Monday, Sue Knorr told us all how The Zone Diet has been making a positive difference in her life for the past 12 years and counting. Today we have another guest who only recently learned about the power of the healthy low-carb lifestyle.
In Episode 148 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," we hear from Micah McCain who is currently a contestant on Season 3 of the hit BRAVO television weight loss reality series called Workout. When this show first came out in 2006, I blogged about it as yet another program on national television to inspire others in their own weight loss efforts and it has flourished ever since! Micah is one of the people who has experienced a tremendous turnaround and I'm pleased to share my interview with him today as part of this "Week Of Weight Loss Wisdom."
Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear Episode 148:
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 148 [21:18m]: LISTEN NOW | Download
Micah McCain discusses how his weight shocked him out of nowhere when he saw some video footage of himself. This is a subject I've blogged about before and it's true--if you wanna see what others see when they look at you, then have someone take a video or photograph of you and there it will be. It's a stark reality that hit Micah right between the eyeballs and made him want to do what he had to do to get that weight off.
Dealing with obesity his entire life, Micah needed an incremental approach to shedding the pounds. His trainer and nutrition adviser started him out eating more vegetables and fruit and then began substituting some healthy options in place of some of the junk food he was eating. The slow change in Micah's diet then took a low-carb turn when the sugar was removed first followed by flour, dairy, starchy veggies and even some fruits (because they're too high in sugar!). WOW! Pretty soon, Micah was full-fledged livin' la vida low-carb and he hasn't looked back since!
Weight loss motivation and inspiration is yours anytime by:
In this second interview in the "Week Of Weight Loss Wisdom", Micah McCain was quite open and honest about how he struggled with his weight for most of his life until he became educated about what healthy living is. What do you think about his trainer's incremental approach to change? Is it better to go slow and ease somebody into the low-carb lifestyle or to switch them cold turkey to low-carb immediately? This oughta be an interesting discussion, so feel free to express yourself in the show notes section of Episode 148.
Got someone you'd like for me to interview on an upcoming episode of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore?" I'm working on quite a few right now for the next few months, but I welcome your ideas and suggestions. Call our podcast hotline anytime at (206) 202-6516 and leave a message or you can e-mail me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. Be sure to come back again TOMORROW for my interview with my friend and fellow Atkins diet weight loss success story and blogger Kent Altena who dropped 200 pounds on low-carb and is now running marathons! DON'T MISS IT!!!
Thanks to Season 2 "Biggest Loser" $100,000 winner Pete Thomas, who lost 185 pounds thanks to personal trainer Jillian Michaels and the life-changing hit NBC television weight loss reality show, he now wants to give a two-person team from the Detroit, Michigan area a chance to be on the next season of the show set to air in the Fall 2008.
Pete Thomas has teamed up with the show's producers to host a surprise audition in his local area to be held on Saturday, March 22, 2008, at Gardner-White Furniture in Macomb, Michigan. Thomas will be there to offer his support and suggestions for others who want to be on the show. He shared in my interview with him late last year some of the crazy things he did to get noticed and he's gonna tell these potential contestants what they need to do to grab the attention of the casting company, too.
"The casting team for The Biggest Loser still talk about the funky video my wife and I sent in for the show," Thomas said. "My goal is to help people prepare for the audition in such a way that they get noticed."
In fact, Pete has posted a couple of columns along these lines at his WinningMan.com web site such as "How To Become a Contestant On The Biggest Loser" and even "How To Totally Mess Up Your Biggest Loser Reality Show Casting Audition." Since he is from that area, Pete believes it's time for the show to feature a dynamic couple who will exhibit the same kind of character qualities that he showed in Season 2.
"Detroit has always been a city loaded with personality," Thomas exclaimed. "We want to see talented people with very strong personalities who may have more than a few pounds to lose."
Obviously a huge fan of the show because of what it did for his life, Pete is seeking to instill that enthusiasm for "The Biggest Loser" into the Motor City residents and beyond.
"I want to get Michigan hooked on the show so that people can benefit from the life-changing weight loss knowledge that I learned at the [Biggest Loser] Ranch," he stated. "That's why I personally contacted the network and got them to agree to a previously unscheduled open casting call."
But he's REALLY hoping for a Detroit couple to step up and take advantage of this.
"NBC really wants a team from Detroit, so let's show them what we've got!" Thomas added.
In fact, Thomas is so vested in helping people find the same kind of success that he did with Jillian on "The Biggest Loser," he has created a 10-week class called "Lose it Fast, Lose it Forever" for those people who want to get serious about their weight and health and don't make it on the show. As you know from my interview with him, Pete gives credit to a lower-carb diet along with regular exercise for helping him be as successful in not just losing the weight, but KEEPING IT OFF FOREVER!
So, if you live in the Metro-Detroit area of Michigan and want to have a golden opportunity to be on "The Biggest Loser" set to begin filming very soon for Season 6, then grab yourself a buddy and head on down to 43500 Hayes Road in Macomb, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2008, at Gardner-White Furniture from 10am to 4pm. This may be your once-in-a-lifetime chance to be on national television and CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Be sure to tell Pete you heard about this from his friend Jimmy Moore at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog. :D
If you're a fan of "The Biggest Loser," then you'll want to check out my list of previous blog posts about the show featuring interviews, news, and commentary. ENJOY!
People are always asking me about how to become a contestant on NBC's weight loss reality show "The Biggest Loser." Ummm, how the heck am I supposed to know? While I have applied to be on several reality TV shows before--CBS' "Big Brother" twice, "The Weakest Link" game show, and NBC-TV's hit "Deal Or No Deal"--I lost my weight in 2004 when "The Biggest Loser" debuted so I never attempted to be on the show (although I think I would have been quite competitive if given the opportunity to do it).
But I have taken a closer look at "The Biggest Loser" application and asked some of the former contestants to share how they got on the show. Take a look at what Season 2 $100,000 at-home winner Pete Thomas said he did to get on the show (the craziness that he did is detailed in #2 of my interview with him). Season 4 contestant Isabeau Miller said she thought 3 Ball Productions, the casting agency for "The Biggest Loser," is "looking for genuine people who really wanted to lose weight, and of course, had the potential to be even more attractive as slim people." So use that as your guide if you are interested in being on the show.
Remember, just BE YOURSELF and let your personality shine through (of course, you have to HAVE a personality first, ya know?!). Look at Season 4 contestant Jez Luckett, for example. He set up his own web site with cute little graphics and writings that showed the producers he deserved this golden opportunity to show America he has what it takes.
Of course, personality only gets you so far--the casting directors also want competitiveness. Jim Germanakos, also from Season 4 and the $100,000 at-home winner that year, said in my interview with him that both he and his brother Bill (who was the $250,000 grand prize winner of Season 4) have the competitive juices flowing and had a simple philosophy for the show: "First we try to beat each other and then we try to beat everyone else." It's a great template for future contestants to think about.
So do you think you have what it takes to be on Season 6 of "The Biggest Loser" set to begin taping in the early summer 2008 and airing this Fall on NBC? If so, then you must act quickly and find yourself a partner--they're looking for couples yet again!
3 Ball Productions is wanting "outgoing and charismatic TEAMS OF 2 who have personality along with the WANT, DESIRE and COMPETITIVE EDGE to vie for this all-expense-paid chance of a lifetime and compete to win $250,000!" To help facilitate the application process, they are holding open casting calls in Boston, Massachusetts, Dallas, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Atlanta, GA, Nashville, Tennessee, New York, New York, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Miami, Florida, Columbus, Ohio, Suffolk, Virginia, Mesa, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Los Angeles, California over the next two months.
Here's the schedule coming up in February and March on Saturdays:
FEBRUARY 16TH
BOSTON, MA FELT 533 Washington St. Boston, MA 02111 10AM - 6PM
DALLAS, TX UPTOWN BAR AND GRILL 2523 McKinney Ave. Dallas, TX 75201 10AM - 6PM
CHICAGO, IL CHICAGO HOME FITNESS 1555 N Halsted Chicago, IL 60622 10AM - 6PM
ATLANTA, GA WILD BILLS 2075 Market St. Duluth, GA 30096 10AM - 6PM
FEBRUARY 23RD
NASHVILLE, TN THE WILD HORSE SALOON 120 2nd Ave N Nashville, TN 37201 10AM - 6PM
NEW YORK CITY, NY NBC EXPERIENCE STORE 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York City, NY 10112 10 AM- 6PM
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK BRICKTOWN BREWERY 1 N Oklahoma Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73104 10AM - 6PM
MIAMI, FL FESTIVAL FLEA MARKET MALL 2900 West Sample Rd. Pompano Beach, FL 33073 10AM - 5PM
MARCH 1ST
COLUMBUS, OH BUCKEYE HALL OF FAME CAFÉ 1421 Olentangy River Rd Columbus, OH 43212 10AM - 6PM
SUFFOLK, VA SUFFOLK FAMILY YMCA 2769 Godwin Blvd Suffolk, VA 23434 10AM - 6PM
MARCH 8TH
MESA, AZ Superstition Springs Mall 6555 E. Southern Ave Mesa, AZ 85206 10AM - 6PM
LAS VEGAS, NV Location TBA
LOS ANGELES, CA Location TBA
If you attend one of these open calls, then please know that only the first 500 people in line will be GUARANTEED a chance to apply. So you need to be there early enough to have a chance to be on "The Biggest Loser" (although they discourage people from showing up more than three hours prior to the opening time of the casting call). You and the other half of your couple should bring a non-returnable photo of both of you for them to keep as they weed through the applicants in the next few months.
Of course, even if you can't attend one of these casting calls, you can always fill out the application (CLICK HERE to download a PDF copy of the application) and mail in your video to 3 Ball Productions directly AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! You both must be at least 18 years old and legal U.S. residents to apply and BOTH you and the other member of your couple team need to be in the video.
Mail your application and video together to:
The Biggest Loser Casting c/o Central Park West Productions P.O Box 578 Manhattan Beach, CA 90267-0578
What should be in the video? Tell them in 10 minutes why you and your teammate should be on "The Biggest Loser." Be very personal and don't be afraid to tell stories about why YOU deserve to be on the show more so than others. Tell 'em who you are, where you live, what you do, how you are related to each other, and be demonstrative about why you need to shed the pounds. PERSONALITY PERSONALITY PERSONALITY! And by all means, make it fun or the people watching it won't be having fun. Not good!
Make sure the non-returnable video is in VHS, DVD or MINI DVD format only. Get this along with the application and the non-returnable photo of your team to the casting company no later than March 12, 2008 if you want to be considered for the show. You might want sure to track the package and pay for a signature request so you KNOW they get it in their hands.
If you have any questions about the application process, then you can e-mail them regarding "The Biggest Loser" 6 at thebiggestloser6@yahoo.com. And let us know in the comments section below if you were able to apply or attend one of the open casting calls. GOOD LUCK TO YOU and regardless of what happens I hope you use this as an opportunity to begin doing something about your weight and health NOW rather than later. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
"The Biggest Loser" 4 contestant Jerry Lisenby lost 110 pounds
We've all seen the dramatic transformations that have taken place in the lives of real people on the hit NBC-TV weight loss reality show "The Biggest Loser" over the past few years and most of them have had something in common: youth! Prior to Season 4 in late 2007, most of the contestants on that show were in their 20s or 30s and simply had a whole lotta weight to lose. But Jerry Lisenby changed that trend last season.
As the oldest contestant ever on "The Biggest Loser" starting the show at the age of 62, Jerry was an underdog from the beginning. But he relished in the opportunity to show other senior citizens that weight loss can truly happen at ANY age (as I've highlighted in stories like this one at my blog). And boy, has that weight loss Jerry enjoyed tee-totally turned his life around! He's one fireball of energy and is living life to the fullest now.
Today, Jerry Lisenby joins us for an interview to talk about his weight loss, his thrilling experience appearing on "The Biggest Loser" 4, and to share what's next for this man who refuses to slow down as he grows older. You're gonna love the enthusiasm that comes from this changed man and I hope he encourages you in your own efforts to shed the pounds regardless of how old you are!
1. One of the most beloved contestants ever on "The Biggest Loser" also happens to be the oldest. From Season 4, Jerry Lisenby broke the mold of all these young people that dominate the show by stepping into the national spotlight as a 62-year old man who allowed his weight to reach nearly 300 pounds (he weighed 297 at the beginning of the season). Welcome Jerry! What was it like being "the old guy" and did you feel your age was gonna hinder your ability to be able to lose weight as quickly as your fellow younger contestants?
I never thought my age would be a problem with weight loss. I felt somewhat out there by myself in the beginning when all the contestants were preparing for the race in the desert. Everyone was chatting ahead of time making deals to choose each other as a team member should they win the race. Nobody said a word to me as I’m sure they didn’t want me on their team. I’m sure they thought I would be one of the contestants who would be going home that day. I had no problem following Bob’s advice about food and exercise.
2. It didn't take you long to dispel the myth that older fat people cannot lose weight as well as younger ones when you were the first to finish the race in the desert and then went on to establish a new all-time "Biggest Loser" record for weight loss in a single week with a total of 31 pounds shed. Tell us what you thought when you saw that huge number pop up on the scale in the first week. You even had the two-week weight loss record as well after performing well in Week 2, too. Do you think that immediate success made you look like a greater threat to win the game and ultimately led to your early departure in Week 3?
I was very surprised to see that big number on the scale the first week. I did spend about 4 hours more a day than anyone else in the gym and didn’t cheat on my diet or water intake. I was worried that some of the “big” boys might lose more that me as some of them outweighed me by more than 125 pounds. I knew that I had to keep up the big numbers because I overheard my teammates say that I had to go because the show was becoming all about me.
3. Even after you were voted off so quickly, I liked what you were quoted as saying about your "Biggest Loser" experience. You said, "I look at what I accomplished with my age, and I just hope the people who are my age will watch this and know that it can be done." The slogan at your inspiring weight loss web site JerryLisenby.com is "age is just a number." After going on to lose a total of 110 pounds by the season finale, do you think there are more senior citizens who will be willing to give it a serious go at losing weight themselves? What challenges do you see standing in the way of people who are 55 and older from reaching their fullest fitness potential? How can they overcome them?
I’ve heard from hundreds of seniors and I’ve responded to them to tell them that this can be done. I tell them you don’t need drugs, special equipment, or special high priced foods. I think that most seniors believe that it’s too late and they can’t shed those unwanted pounds. I advise them to set realistic goals and take it slowly.
4. Bob Harper was the trainer of The Blue Team you were a member of while on the show. Obviously the techniques that he taught you in just a few short weeks of working with him struck a chord with you to catapult you to such amazing triple-digit weight loss success. This is a pretty softball question, but I intend for you to knock it out of the park--what makes Bob such a special trainer and how much does he mean to you for adding a few extra years to your life?
Bob was a great motivator and he realized that he did not have to push me to do the things I needed to do. That is a gift in itself because not everyone knows when to just let someone push him or herself.
5. You credit Bob's suggestion that you find a personal trainer to keep you committed to your workout schedule. How has she given you such as love for being a "gym rat" now and did you ever think it would be possible? What does your weekly cardiovascular and resistance training look like?
My new trainer was also very wise in helping me to understand I not only had to vary workout routines but vary the foods you eat as well. Before I trained with Stephanie I had reached a plateau and had stopped losing weight. Stephanie didn’t make me into a “gym rat,” however her presence there was encouraging. Cardiovascular training is on the Stairmaster and resistance training is doing floor exercises with weight training.
6. In 2004, I lost a total of 180 pounds that year by following the Atkins low-carb diet as part of a New Year's resolution. Three years later, I'm STILL eating this way and it has kept me healthy and fit. Have you implemented a controlled-carbohydrate nutritional approach to manage your weight and health? Do you see the diet you are eating today as a permanent lifestyle change that you will continue doing for the rest of your life?
No, I’ve not incorporated a controlled carbohydrate nutritional approach to manage weight. I follow the recommendations of The Biggest Loser and watch the size of food portions.
7. You felt the demise of The Blue Team happened when they voted you off the show because they would need your leadership and weight loss to keep them competitive. In hindsight, do you feel like your words were prophetic since not one single member of The Blue Team made it into the final four? Is it ironic to you that had fellow Blue Team member Neil gotten there that he would have won the grand prize and that he was also shut out of the at-home prize?
Neil started to “play the game” just after I chose him to be on my team. He told me after I won the race in the desert that if I picked him to be on my team he would never vote me off unless it came down to just him and me. Neil and Ryan talked the girls into voting me off. I knew he was sandbagging and he knew that I was working hard. I believe he was coasting until I left and then planned to pick off the others one at a time. His planning cost him $250,000.
8. Unlike many of the other contestants who were trying to lose as much weight as possible before the final weigh-in, you took on a different approach. You wanted to be the one who looked the most fit and healthy. That you did! How do we get people to stop focusing so much on weight loss and instead begin making better choices for their health (which will then lead to weight loss)?
I knew from the beginning that I could never lose the percentage it would take to win a prize. I did not have 50% to lose. I was not only focused on weight loss, but also wanted to lower my blood pressure and my cholesterol. Understanding the benefits of proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise may help others to put less emphasis on the number on the scale and lead to weight loss.
9. Everyone who watched you weigh-in at the grand finale could tell how proud you were of your new body. In fact, you were so anxious to show it off that you took off your shirt for everyone to see those muscles. GREAT JOB! I couldn't help but notice that you had some "loose" skin in your tummy as do I after my huge weight loss. Is this something that you are concerned about at all or do you see it as a badge of honor for what you have accomplished?
I no longer have the loose skin that you saw on the show thanks to doing daily crunches and lifting weights. The bright lights actually made it look worse than it was. I refrained from drinking water just before the weigh in and that too may have contributed to the saggy look. Now I'm back to drinking plenty of water. I believe my skin has good elasticity for a 63 year old.
10. What a thrill it was to have you here at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog today, Jerry! So what's next for you in this journey? Do you have anything else you'd like to share with my older readers who struggle with their weight and health about this amazing journey you have traveled this past year?
I feel so lucky to have been picked to be on The Biggest Loser and to have had the opportunity to train with the experts. However, I want to encourage others as well. I hear so often (somebody on every episode says it) that contestants need the show to continue their weight loss. I was a contestant for a very short time and lost most of my weight after being voted off. Most viewers will never have the opportunity to compete on a national television show, but they can be successful. I’m now looking forward to riding a bicycle across the United States. This is a dream I had when I weighed almost 300 pounds. Now I know I can accomplish it.
Interviewing "The Biggest Loser" 4 finalist Isabeau Miller
Get ready fans of "The Biggest Loser" because I've got a whole buncha interviews with the contestants from Season 4 coming at you over the next few weeks. At least thirteen of the 18 contestants from last season have already agreed to be interviewed by me and I asked them all sorts of questions about behind-the-scenes stuff on the popular NBC weight loss reality show as well as what is happening in their own lives as a result of this opportunity they were given to lose weight and become household names.
After sharing with you Part 1 and Part 2 of my podcast interview last week with the winner of "The Biggest Loser" in last Fall's Season 4 grand finale Bill Germanakos, today I have another one of the four finalists from The Black Team who was also in contention for the $250,000 prize. But as you will see in my interview with Isabeau Miller today, that didn't materialize and quite frankly she's not at all surprised by it.
Catch up with Isabeau and find out how "The Biggest Loser" changed her life in so many more ways than simple weight loss. Everything about her has become like a new person and now she feels a personal mission and purpose for her life (that's what happens when you lose triple digits!). Get ready to be inspired by a beautiful young woman (both inside and out!) who has unlimited potential to be and do whatever it is she desires for the rest of her long and healthy life.
It's time to meet the brand new Isabeau Miller!
1. When you're a 21-year old woman with high aspirations of breaking into the ultra-image-conscious music industry, you quickly discover it takes a whole lot more than an amazing singing talent to get your big break. That's something Isabeau Miller knows a lot about. Prior to appearing as a contestant on Season 4 of the NBC-TV reality show "The Biggest Loser," she had been working hard to get her music career off the ground living in one of the most renowned cities in the world of music--Nashville, Tennessee! But there was one really big thing standing in her way and that was her weight.
When she began her journey on "The Biggest Loser" as the youngest contestant ever (21), Isabeau also set another dubious all-time mark for the hit weight loss series by becoming the heaviest female contestant ever when she topped the scales at 298 pounds. Welcome to the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog today, Isabeau.
Tell us what went through you head when you saw that big 2-9-8 staring you in the face for the first time. Was that shocking to you or were you totally expecting that number or higher? What do you think the primary reasons were that you allowed yourself to become so obese and what was it that made you want to change that trend?
When I saw I weighed 298 pounds, I sadly can’t say that I was surprised. I knew that the way I was living was unhealthy. After all, I grew up with a DOCTOR as a dad!!! I KNEW what I was doing to my body was wrong, but for some reason I could not cut the emotional ties I had to food. I loved food more than I loved myself at that point in my life.
I have ALWAYS struggled with my relationship with food. Growing up, childhood obesity wasn’t a prevalent issue in society like it is now, so when my parents noticed my weight obviously getting out of control, they treated my problem like you would with an adult. They did all they could to help--weekly weigh-ins with me, non-food related “rewards” when I DID lose weight, enrolling me in sports, and cooking healthy meals. But, unfortunately for me, this set into motion a horrible pattern of rebellion that continued into my adulthood.
Really, I’ve always been a pretty straight-edged person--I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs, or drink excessively, so eating became my drug and the way I could say “screw you” to what my parents wanted. In some ways, I wish I had just been a “normal” kid and gone to parties--I think that would have been much easier to quit. Even now, there are moments I sit back and ask myself before I eat something if I’m REALLY hungry or if there’s some kind of emotion driving my want for food.
I’ve kind of put in place “the 10-minute rule.” If I want to eat something, I make a promise to myself to wait 10 minutes, think about it, and if in 10 minutes, it still sounds as good, I’ll have it--in moderation of course. In depriving ourselves, especially with me, it just reinforces the idea that something “isn’t allowed” and we’re “rebelling” by eating it. I don’t believe in living like that anymore.
2. Ooooh, I like that "10-minute rule," Isabeau! As an aspiring singer, getting the opportunity to appear on national television and to start making a name for yourself in the public eye had to be a major impetus for wanting to be on "The Biggest Loser" along with the potential for winning a whole lotta money. But with tens of thousands of people applying for a mere 18 slots, you had to somehow make yourself stand out from the rest of the pack to get the casting agency to notice and ultimately pick you over the others. Talk about the application process that you went through, how long it took before you heard from 3 Ball Productions about being considered for the show, and why you believe they ended up giving you a chance to be among the show's final group for Season 4.
You know what’s funny, is the idea of fame HONESTLY did not even cross my mind as far as "The Biggest Loser" was involved. Nothing against the show or its past contestants, but most of them don’t go on to some jet-setting, luxurious lifestyle afterwards. I didn’t expect "The Biggest Loser" to make me famous, but I expected it to give me “the missing piece” of the package--I had the voice, the ability, but KNEW as soon as I walked into meetings with people in the industry, the first thing people saw, through no fault of their own, was my weight.
I wish larger people weren’t judged like that, but life is not fair, and the industry is even MORE unfair. That being said, my audition process was quite short compared to the majority of the contestants who ended up appearing with me. Some had been applying for years, or had went through several call backs, etc. I sent in my application about a week after the Season 3 finale, and was called 3 weeks later to meet with casting assistants. From there, the ball kept rolling, and although it was an incredibly stressful process, wondering where you stood in the eyes of the casting “gods,” I’m thankful that mine took only a few months, which was on the shorter side for most people. No one can really say FOR SURE what 3 Ball was looking for, but I think they were looking for genuine people who really wanted to lose weight, and of course, had the potential to be even more attractive as slim people.
I forget who said it, but at some point, during our preliminary casting, we had a photo shoot, and it might have been Neil or Ryan that said “This is the most attractive group of overweight people I’ve EVER seen.” And it was true! From day one, you could take one look at Amy, or Hollie, or Julie, or ANYONE for that matter and say “I can totally see them on the cover of a magazine,” which is probably why you did (the contestants were given an opportunity for a photo shoot with Prevention magazine midway through the season)!!
3. Some critics of "The Biggest Loser" say the show promotes hours upon hours of tortuous exercise with little regard to diet and public humiliation for the contestants having to expose their flabby bodies for the whole world to see week in and week out (I don't subscribe to these opinions, but I've had many e-mails from people stating as much). As one of the contestants who made it all the way to the final four players and appearing on the show to the very last week, what is your response to this kind of criticism and do you think it has any merit at all? Why or why not?
Of course the show promotes hours of exercise!! I hear it all the time from people “So, HOW DID YOU DO IT?” and then they wait with bated breath for me to slip them some magic pill. That’s just not the truth. I think, honestly, most people who have hundreds of pounds to lose want to hear that you can do it without diet, without exercise, and most importantly, without looking at yourself squarely in the mirror, and the truth is, that is just impossible. You NEED to change your eating habits--not just to lose weight, but to decrease the chances of dying from obesity-related illnesses.
You NEED to exercise for SOOO many reasons, but above all, you NEED to have the “wake up call” where you look at yourself honestly and say “Wow, I need to do something about this...REALLY!” For me, it was absolutely liberating to know America would see the things I have spent a lifetime trying to hide. For 21 years, I had never shopped with my friends so they’d never know what size I wore, I had never told anyone what I REALLY weighed, I had never EVER changed in front of someone, or let someone see me in my bra and underwear. To get to expose me, at my worst, to America, knowing that from that point on, I would NEVER go back there again, it felt like a huge weight off my shoulders (excuse the pun).
I felt like for the first time, I was being honest with myself and everyone around me. As far as the criticism for the show goes, there are parts that are painful, unbearable, stressful, gut-wrenching, tear-jerking and absolutely tortuous--but it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. And knowing that I wouldn’t ever be able to do those things on my own, I’m so grateful for what the show gave me a healthier lifestyle, yes, but more importantly, coping skills. I think everything I ever take on from this point on will pale in comparison to the amount of work "The Biggest Loser" was.
4. Backstage at the grand finale, you said that Jillian Michaels was the exact trainer you needed to help you become the successful weight loss and health winner you are today. After watching the dominating performance of the entire Black Team in Season 4 with all of the final four players--you, Hollie, Julie, and Bill--as well as the at-home winner Jim, there's little doubt in anyone's mind that SHE was the major reason for that.
Why do you think the kick-butt-now-thank-me-later approach that Jillian uses is so effective? What makes her fitness methodology so much better than the ones used by the other trainers on the show? Did you ever THINK about switching trainers in those early days on the show because you thought working with Jillian was gonna be too hard? What kept you going despite the pain and agony of being pushed to your limits?
I think if I lived to be 200 years old, I could not thank Jillian Michaels or the kind of woman she was to me throughout my Biggest Loser experience. I think, as Jillian has said many times, her strategy is effective because she makes you show YOURSELF just how strong and capable you really are physically, which really does transcend into EVERY area of your life. I think all the trainers have their own “schtick” but I dare say that Jillian is a fitness and life pioneer.
Some people “think outside the box” but Jillian doesn’t even know there IS a box--she just feels something, and does it. Watching Jillian train, to me, would be comparable to watching Michelangelo paint, or hearing Beethoven play--she is a master of her craft, and has a true intuition and compassion for people, but is still continually improving herself. The woman reads and studies more than most people that have PhDs in exercise science do! She’s really incredible.
As far as switching trainers, I NEVER seriously considered what life on "The Biggest Loser" ranch would be like with Bob or Kim. As nice as they were, I think it goes without saying that Jillian’s in a league of her own. You kind of HAD to push yourself because she believed in you so much. I didn’t want to challenge her belief that I could do anything she asked me to--and when I did, she only pushed harder. And for that, she WAS the perfect trainer for me. She referred to me as “The great negotiator.” If she said, “Sprint for a minute” I’d say "How about 30 seconds now, rest 30 seconds, then another 30 seconds?” She was perfect for me, cause she saw through my bull, and punished my bad habits, which eventually taught me to retrain my thinking and push through the discomfort.
5. As a result of your incredible total body transformation losing 113 pounds from day one all the way to the grand finale in December, you have now become a certified personal trainer to give back to others what you have learned from Jillian so they can change their lives, too. People don't believe me when I tell them that losing triple digits releases some kind of trigger in your head to go out and do things you never thought were possible before.
Is this the kind of thing that is happening to you right now and is there an insatiable desire deep inside of you to do whatever you can to help overweight and obese people get fit and healthy? Do you think this is now something you HAVE to do because of the amazing miracle you have been given in your own life?
Honestly, after going through my experience on "The Biggest Loser," I feel a sense of being invincible--a brand new kind of life. You just feel as if you’ve already DONE the impossible, so why not keep doing it? I have set post-Biggest Loser goals for myself that I NEVER would have otherwise set--I’m training to compete in a half marathon in April, and then a marathon in the Fall, as well as a triathlon. I’m joining a recreational sports leagues, rock climbing, adventuring--I have NEVER been a thrill seeker, but now everything is different.
My training, though, is the love of my life right now. Being trained by Jillian was a gift because I feel like I was given an apprenticeship with the best in the business. I know I’ve faced quite a bit of criticism from some people on various message boards questioning my “ability to be a trainer” so quickly, and at 185 pounds. First, if you count the time I was on "The Biggest Loser" GETTING healthy, I have been immersed in fitness for almost a year. As soon as I stepped off the campus, I got my personal training study packaged, and a month later, took my exam to get my certification. I had to get certified just like ANY other trainer.
And as far as being 185 pounds when I know the typical female trainer is probably at least 40 lbs less than that, I would challenge ANY person thinking they're in “good shape” to go through one of my workouts. I run a boot camp class with a group of women, varying in sizes, shapes, ages, and even the youngest, fittest, most athletic participant with a “perfect” body struggles through it (which as a trainer makes me ecstatic!!). But beyond that, I feel like, yes, "The Biggest Loser" was a tremendous blessing in MY life, but I believe above all, it was the stepping stone, and the catalyst for me to find my “meaning” in life.
In music, I’m a songwriter in hopes that my songs inspire others, but in fitness, I REALLY get to inspire others, and it’s such a gift. Plus, my clients know I’ve been where they ARE. This gives me (and them) a huge advantage because they can’t make excuses with me that I haven’t tried to make and had to push through myself. Regardless of the number they see on the scale, my clients run, they do REAL push ups, they lift weights--I try to enforce the idea that weight is just a number, not a definition. And we can use it to “take stock” of where we are, but it can’t rule WHO you are.
I have clients that are over 300 pounds who I consider “fit”--they can run miles, they can workout 7 hours a week. Plus, being a trainer is inspiring to ME and keeps me active which is the only way I ever want to live. I’m running a summer fitcamp this year (for more info go to RockHardBodySoul.com) where people from ALL over the country are coming for 2 intensive Biggest Loser-style weeks, and I’m so excited to get the message of fitness and wellness across the country and help people put their goals into action!
6. Throughout the season, you and other female contestants often talked about wanting to become the first woman to be crowned the winner of "The Biggest Loser." Although Julie came close by being within 8 pounds of making that happen, Bill Germanakos pulled out the win against her, you, and Hollie at the finale. Why do you think men seem to have an advantage over the women on this show? What do you think it's gonna take for a girl to finally beat out the guys for a chance to win the $250,000 grand prize in future episodes of "The Biggest Loser?" Do you think it would be more fair if there was a male winner and a female winner at the end of each season or should the format stay just the way it is?
Man, I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t wish one of us chicks won the grand prize, although I think we were all very happy for Bill and his wonderful family. Here’s the thing: We had 8 months from start to finish. For Julie, she came SOOO close but I don’t know WHERE that girl could’ve lost anymore weight from. She was teeeeeny tiny at the finale--even more so than it looked like on TV. She just had nothing left, and rightfully so--she started out the smallest female of the season.
On the other side of the fence, there was me. I SHOULD have been able to win, but the reality is, there were a couple factors working against me--#1, I’m a woman. And to lose 150 pounds (50% of my starting weight) in 8 months, I would have had to CONSISTENTLY lose 4.5 pounds a week. There were some weeks ON CAMPUS where I lost only 3 or 4 pounds, and that was without all the distractions of real life, and having Jillian to work my butt off 4-6 hours a day. I knew it would be hard once I got home, but I never anticipated the plateaus I faced, and how long they would last. A woman just does not have the metabolism of a man.
Also, I had spent about 15 years of my life qualifying as “obese,” and toward the end, was lugging around a good 15-20 pounds of loose skin. Gross, I know, but I knew there was nothing I’d EVER be able to do about that before the finale, so I kind of had to swallow my pride, and be happy with the tremendous weight loss I had achieved as well as the fact that I had accomplished all of my PERSONAL goals: to wear a size 10 and to run a road race. Plus, I hadn’t been 185 since I was 11!!! Half a lifetime ago.
So it was definitely a difficult thing to come in 4th out of 4, but personally, I had some huge achievements. Honestly, I don’t think "The Biggest Loser" is a woman’s game. It happened in the UK, but the producers need to do one of two things--either get guys that don’t HAVE 50% of their body weight to lose, or get women that DO and then give them at LEAST a year to do it in. Eight months just is not enough, and had I had an extra 4 months, I think I could’ve pushed through my plateaus and gotten at least CLOSE to 150--although now I really don’t care WHAT that number on the scale ever says as long as I can always wear my “goal jeans” and run 5 miles without thinking about it.
7. YOU GO GIRL! I LOVE your attitude. You know, your boyfriend Jonathan is one lucky guy to have you as both his best friend and the love of his life. After this amazing journey you have been on in 2007 appearing on "The Biggest Loser" and with limitless potential to do things you never thought possible, have you two discussed things like your career, marriage, kids, and your long-term future together? How has your relationship grown with Jonathan as a result of your lifechanging weight loss success? Do you feel more worthy to be loved by him now that you're no longer embarrassed about the way you look? Have you noticed men staring at you now who wouldn't have thought twice about looking at you when you weighed 300 pounds?
Jon has to be the most amazing 23-year old man in the entire world. From the time "The Biggest Loser" first came up, he encouraged me to do what I wanted to do. I don’t know many men his age that would allow their girlfriends to go off on a reality WEIGHT LOSS show, meanwhile taking care of the house, the bills, the dogs, and just keeping life together. He was (along with my parents) my rock, and I am definitely the lucky one.
We’ve definitely discussed the future--mostly because it just seems so bright right now. We’re so excited to live every day together. (My favorite thing to do is put HIM through my workouts--he doesn’t last 15 minutes! LOL!). We’ve talked about marriage, and will definitely be parents SOMEDAY, but I promised Jillian I wouldn’t have babies for some time.
Jon NEVER said anything that made me feel less than beautiful, but I felt less than beautiful on my own. No matter how many times he told me how much he loved me or thought I was perfect, or sexy, or gorgeous, all I saw when I looked in the mirror was how unhappy I was with myself. I think we’re both grateful not just for my weight loss, but for my self-esteem changing. He doesn’t need to spend the whole night “reassuring me” that I am something I don’t feel I am, and I feel like I’m finally the girlfriend he DESERVES--besides feeling like I’m the “hot” girlfriend, I also feel like we’re such better partners now because now we BOTH walk our dogs, we go for runs together (even did a road race together!), and we cook healthy dinners together.
It’s been a whole different kind of love--one much more equal and deep. Honestly, this might sound sad and a little mushy, but I honestly don’t really notice any other men!! I’m totally in love with the one I have (and a little oblivious as well), but Jon says he sees guys “checking me out” whenever we go out--which makes me feel great! Not that other guys like what they see, but knowing how proud Jon is to be the one that’s with me when other people want what HE has. After all he’s sacrificed for me to have such an opportunity, I feel like that’s the LEAST he should have!!
8. I suppose you're ready to kickstart your music career into high gear now and you've already got some amazing vocal MP3 cuts for sale on your popular MySpace page where your list of friends is now well in excess of 3100 and counting! I think my favorite song written and performed by you is "My Own" because it sounds like an autobiographical tune about your "Biggest Loser" journey. The following lyrics cut right to the heart of the journey you've been traveling:
"Everyone's got opinions for what you should be. But when you look in the mirror, what do you see? And I never knew how high the sky could stretch until I made that climb on my own. And learned to speak my mind...they never heard my voice, until I found...My own."
WOW! Strong lyrics and sung with the intense emotion that I would expect from someone who has been through all that you have over these past few months. Did you write this song before, during, or after your appearance on "The Biggest Loser?" Do you have any other songs like that one swirling around in your heart and mind inspired by the changes you have experienced?
I wrote “My Own” with one of the most talented writers in Nashville, Will Champlin. We had been working on another song all night, and something just wasn’t “gelling”--it just wasn’t honest enough for me. I’m one of those writers, where I need to be inspired. I know a lot of people (especially in Nashville) believe in writing as a job--you just push through until you “find” something. But I think for me, that something needs to get into my thoughts somehow.
So we took a break, and I went to the piano and started writing “My Own.” When Will came back downstairs, it was already half written. I had come back from "The Biggest Loser" a couple months before, and at that point, it was pretty evident I wasn’t going to win, but I felt the need to convey to myself, and the world, that whatever that final number said on the scale, I had found who I WAS through the process of "The Biggest Loser." Yes, the weight loss was incredible and I don’t know that I could have ever done it on my own, but more importantly, I figured out who I was, and more importantly who I wanted to be.
I literally changed my ENTIRE life--I lost weight, I bought a house because I wasn’t afraid of taking that risk, I quit my “day jobs” and became a trainer which I am in love with, I signed up for races I couldn’t quite run yet because I had faith that I COULD--and I did. I think above all, I learned I am capable of anything I put my faith into. I came into "The Biggest Loser" not having a lot of faith in anything (just ask Julie!!) but now, I find I am more aware of myself, physically, emotionally and spiritually than I ever would have been. I WILL pursue my music career as a songwriter, but I gotta say--I don’t care if I ever find fame with my music. I feel like I had a “taste of fame” with "The Biggest Loser" and as grateful as I am for the people that write to me, or are inspired, there’s a really bitter taste that comes with being “on” all the time. If a record deal fell in my lap, I don’t think I’d say no, but I’d much rather spend my life writing music and living more anonymously. Plus, no matter what happens with my music, I think I will always continue training as well.
9. Your web site IsabeauMiller.com has recently come online with updated information constantly being added as you travel down this next step in what looks to be a promising future as a professional recording artist. Have you heard from any record labels interested in giving you and your band a recording contract yet? What do you think about trying out for a spot on another reality show "American Idol" (like your fellow contestant "B" did a few years back) now that you've got the looks to go along with that powerful voice? Do you think you'd have a good chance getting on that show?
Ha! No, I don’t think American Idol will be in my future, but then again, I didn’t think "The Biggest Loser" would be either, so I guess I’d never say never. But “B” is a totally different musician than I am--he is SOOOOOO talented. I think I’m more of a writer than I am a singer, but I’m exploring different avenues. No matter what, music is part of who I am--it’s in my roots, in my blood. For me, music is an every day thing just like taking a shower or eating dinner for most people.
Whether I’m ever paid to make music, I will always do it and it will always be a part of our household (my boyfriend Jon is also a drummer AND personal trainer!!). Sad to say, I am pretty bad about updating my web site especially since the launch of my training company’s website: RockHardBodySoul.com. But once things quiet down a bit more, I am going to work on recording some of my new songs and release a CD this summer!! Maybe even a collaboration with "B?" You down with that, "B?" Ha ha!
10. Isabeau, THANKS so much for sharing some quality time with me and the readers of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog today. It never ceases to amaze me how "The Biggest Loser" just keeps improving the lives of so many good, hard-working people who are just like the rest of us just living in the day to day. CONGRATULATIONS on all of your success and I wish you well as you follow your dreams in this thing called life. Is there anything you'd like to say to encourage people who feel like their obesity is who they are and nothing will ever change that?
Jimmy, first of all, thank YOU! I know what you do touches so many people, and I feel blessed to have this platform to inspire others as well! To everyone else out there--as I said, there is NO magic answer, but it IS possible!! Don’t be afraid to reach out for help and take charge of the person you WANT to be! Sometimes you have to “fake it till you make it,” so start believing right now, this second, that you are stronger, you are more capable, and you are wiser than you think you are, and then put it into motion! Set small goals EVERY day and when they get easy, make them harder. And remember this: I’ve never EVER left the gym regretting that I went, but I have gone to bed on my “lazy days” where I wish I HAD gone to the gym. You’ll NEVER regret the choice to be healthy!! Thanks again Jimmy and everyone out there reading this. ;)
When the hit NBC reality television series "The Biggest Loser" debuted in 2004, it was roundly ridiculed and scorned by critics who didn't understand the allure of a show dedicated specifically to helping obese people fight the battle of the bulge. That didn't stop people from tuning in by the millions week after week cheering on these people seeking to go from flab to fab and it has continued to grow in popularity every year since. There's really nothing else like it on TV and, unlike most reality programs these days, nobody has been able to replicate the success of the original. I LOVE THIS SHOW!
However, there is a bit of underground controversy happening now after Bill Germanakos became the fourth straight male winner of the title "The Biggest Loser" on Tuesday night winning the $250,000 grand prize. Men have dominated over the years with their weight loss success and it may be an inevitability that will always be the case. So you can't help but wonder the obvious question:
Is it possible a woman could ever win "The Biggest Loser?"
Before we ponder that question a little deeper, let's take one last look at the final weight loss results of each of the 18 contestants on "The Biggest Loser" 4. You can see pictures of what they looked like BEFORE they began their weight loss journey training with Bob Harper, Kim Lyons, and Jillian Michaels at this preview post I wrote back in September and catch up with what they're up to today by checking out their personal web sites featured in this recent post.
"THE BIGGEST LOSER" 4 FINAL WEIGHT LOSS RESULTS:
BLACK TEAM ISABEAU MILLER--From 298, lost 113 pounds (37.92% of starting weight) JULIE HADDEN--From 218, lost 97 pounds (44.50% of starting weight) HOLLIE SELF--From 255, lost 105 pounds (41.18% of starting weight) BILL GERMANOKOS--From 334, lost 164 pounds (49.10% of starting weight) JEZ LUCKETT--From 345, lost 150 pounds (43.38% of starting weight) JIM GERMANOKOS--From 361, lost 186 pounds (51.52% of starting weight)
BLUE TEAM
NEIL TEJWANI--From 421, lost 211 pounds (50.12% of starting weight) JERRY LISENBY--From 297, lost 110 pounds (37.04% of starting weight) KAE WHANG--From 225, lost 97 pounds (43.11% of starting weight) NICOLE MICHALIK--From 279, lost 105 pounds (37.63% of starting weight) RYAN RODRIGUEZ--From 374, lost 133 pounds (35.56% of starting weight) PATTY GONZALEZ--From 280, lost 64 pounds (22.86% of starting weight)
RED TEAM
"B" WASHINGTON--From 346, lost 122 pounds (35.26% of starting weight) LEZLYE DONAHUE--From 255, lost 55 pounds (21.57% of starting weight) DAVID GRIFFIN--From 368, lost 140 pounds (38.04% of starting weight) PHIL HAWK--From 403, lost 145 pounds (35.98% of starting weight) AMY ZIMMER--From 297, lost 126 pounds (42.42% of starting weight) AMBER WALKER--From 295, lost 84 pounds (28.47% of starting weight)
CONGRATULATIONS to each of the contestants for putting forth the effort to finally do something about their weight and radically alter their lives for the better as a result of this experience. I've been there myself after starting out at 410 pounds in January 2004 and losing a total of 180 pounds--or 44% of my starting weight. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself and I'm continuing to reap the benefits of that pivotal year in my life ever since. WOO HOO!
As a pretty big fan of "The Biggest Loser" since Season 1 aired back in 2004 in the midst of my own weight loss path, I now have a few post-Season 4 comments to make before getting into answering that question about a female's chances at winning the title of "The Biggest Loser" in the future. You won't want to miss my opinions about how to make the show more fair for the gals. Stay tuned!
First, isn't it interesting how noticeably LOW the weight loss percentages were with Kim Lyons' Red Team. I hate to say it, but they were all underachievers with their weight loss and most of that onus has to be placed squarely on the shoulders of their trainer. Aside from Amy, who did a remarkable job of losing over 42 percent of her starting weight thanks in large part to the influence of her training with Jillian and the Black Team about halfway through the season, the weight loss percentages for the Red Team overall were underwhelming compared to the other two teams.
Yes, the total weight loss by "B," David, and Phil was impressive, but can you imagine how much MORE weight they could have lost had they received quality nutritional advice along with their physical activity? I was looking at "B" during the finale and thinking he could have EASILY lost another 30-40 pounds if he started livin' la vida low-carb rather than listening to the simplistic low-fat message that Kim was indoctrinating in him. I credit her for telling him he needed to eat more calories during the season, but those calories should come more from FAT sources and less from CARBOHYDRATES!
By contrast, look at Jillian Michael's Black Team. They had all four finalists competing for the grand prize (the first time that's ever happened on "The Biggest Loser") and the Black team as a whole totally rocked with their weight loss success! Keep in mind, these were the rejects at the beginning of the season and none of the other teams wanted these players. So they were thrown aside and left to their own devices before Jillian swooped in to whip them into shape and make them the most feared team on "The Biggest Loser" ranch. And what a job she did!
Except for Julie, who only missed it by a mere 3 pounds, all 6 Black Team members lost triple digits! INCREDIBLE! And their team average for percentage of weight loss was around the mid-forties--an astonishing accomplishment since the Red Team members ended up averaging in the lower-thirties and the Bob Harper-led Blue Team was in the upper-thirties. If this season didn't prove anything else, it showed that the trainer you have working with you DOES make a difference in the amount of weight you can lose. And unequivocally Jillian Michaels has the Midas touch when it comes to producing weight loss!
Jillian not only played a major part in the grand prize winner of "The Biggest Loser" 4 with Bill Germanakos, but she also had the at-home $100,000 winner in Bill's twin brother Jim. Actually, Jim ended up losing more weight as a percentage than anyone else in the game--although it was close. Neil Tejwani, the Blue Team member who lost over 50 percent of his starting weight, was a mere five pounds away from two things: 1) beating out Jim Germanakos for the consolation prize AND 2) establishing a new "Biggest Loser" record for total weight loss. But Eric Chopin's 214-pound weight loss in Season 3 still stands with Neil's 211 coming in a close second.
What's most amazing about Neil coming away from this competition empty-handed is that he would have been crowned "The Biggest Loser" of Season 4 with the quarter-million dollar cash prize had he made into the final group because his percentage of weight loss was greater than Bill's. But leave it to karma to come back and bite him in the booty when Bill's brother Jim of all people kept Neil from winning anything which many see as sweet revenge for the devious "game play" that happened in the middle of this season when Neil purposely gained weight to throw a monkey wrench in the competition. And despite losing 10 pounds in the last weigh-in, Neil fell below the yellow line and was voted off. This should serve as a warning to any future contestants who may try to pull a stunt like this--it WON'T pay off in the end!
Back to the Red Team and Kim Lyons for just a moment. With all due respect to her for being a professional personal trainer and willing to use those talents she has to help people change their lives, can I just say what a spoiled brat and self-absorbed trainer she is? When "B" was the last member of the Red Team for a period of several weeks before being eliminated, how many melodramatic scenes did we have to endure with her pleading with "B" to stay above the yellow line so SHE didn't have to go home, too? UGH! Did she even care if "B" stayed or not? What a freakin' egomaniac she is and I'm beginning to wonder if Season 4 was her swan song on the show? I don't know, but if NBC wants to know my vote about it, I say let Kim go and GOOD RIDDANCE! I don't think anybody will be crying over that decision.
Now what about this female enigma we find ourselves in with "The Biggest Loser?" Not only has a girl never been "The Biggest Loser," but we haven't seen one win the at-home competition either! Can a woman EVER break through the glass ceiling that has been dominated by the guys since this show began? From Ryan Benson, Matt Hoover, Eric Chopin, and now Bill Germanakos, men seem to have a firm lock on the ability to become "The Biggest Loser." And this is merely confirming a long-held belief many people (especially women!) hold about weight loss--men can lose it faster than women can!
And it's true for the most part since women's bodies were created by God to carry around a little more body fat, especially in their mid-section, for the purposes of nourishing a baby during pregnancy. Plus, the extra hormones in women make it a lot more difficult for them to shed the pounds like us male folk can seemingly at the drop of a dime.
Before I lost my 180 pounds on the Atkins diet in 2004, losing weight fast was fairly easy regardless of the diet plan I was on. When I lost 170 pounds on a low-fat diet in 1999, I did it in about 10 months. But the problem men face is KEEPING IT OFF and that's where low-fat failed me and caused me to balloon right back up again...and then some!
The contestants on this show, both male and female, who implemented a low-fat strategy for weight loss will be in for a rude awakening at some point if they don't continue to keep up with that hunger-inducing plan over the long-term. That's why livin' la vida low-carb has been such a godsend to me because it has become a permanent part of my life now and I don't even think about it anymore. I just live this way and let the plan keep working in maintenance for me just as it did during weight loss.
Don't get me wrong, weight loss is NOT easy by any means as all of these "Biggest Loser" contestants past and present will tell you. But the payoff for that hard work when it is continued long after the television experience is over is vastly improved health and a brand new lease on life. Just look at Pete Thomas and how his "Biggest Loser" experience continues to motivate him to become the catalyst in other people's lives to help them change for the better like he did! His is a model for success that other former "Biggest Loser" contestants would be wise to follow.
This season, it was Julie who lost the most weight among the ladies with 44.5 percent of her starting weight trailing behind only Jim, Neil and Bill. That was quite impressive from a woman who began the season at only 218 pounds. Conventional wisdom would tell you that the bigger the woman is, the better chance she should have to lose weight and be competitive. And in Season 4 that was Isabeau who became the heaviest woman to ever compete on the show beginning at 298 pounds (although Amy was right behind her at 297 pounds).
But even Isabeau's 113-pound weight loss was only good enough for losing just under 38 percent of her total weight. AWESOME TOTALS, but not good enough to beat the men. I bet Isabeau and the other larger women were reeling when they saw double-digit weight losses from the "big guys" like Bill and Neil while they only had modest weight losses of 5-6 pounds. It can be intimidating for bigger women to go up against that both mentally and physically.
So then we have people like Julie who weighed the least among her competitors and only needed to lose about 100 pounds total. Since she didn't have as much weight to lose, each pound she burned was worth about double or more than that of the heftier contestants. And for much of the season she did well losing just enough weight to stay above the yellow line and avoiding elimination. In the end, she came as close as any woman to winning the whole thing--even more so than Kae who started at 225 pounds and also lost 97 pounds while losing more weight on campus as a percentage than any previous contestant.
Had Julie only lost an additional 8 more pounds, then she would be $250,000 richer today and would have made her mark as the first female winner in "Biggest Loser" history (don't you know she's probably kicking herself about it today!). But it didn't happen and so you have to wonder if it ever will. Maybe future female contestants should be more along the mold of a Julie or a Kae rather than an Isabeau or Amy so they can have a better chance at winning.
That's not to say the unbelievable transformations that Isabeau, Amy, Nicole and the other larger and medium-sized women made while being on "The Biggest Loser" is diminished in any way because all of them are better off now than they were when they began this journey. But if "The Biggest Loser" is going to continue being promoted as a weight loss competition with the monetary prize at the end of the season, then something is gonna have to give to make this fair for the women who sign up to be on the show.
Sure, there's some fame that comes with being on a reality television show like this as well as the chance to work with a high-class team of some of the world's best health and nutrition experts to almost guarantee you will lose weight--and some people would consider that plenty of payment enough. But the carrot the show dangles in front of you is that big wad of money. Any woman who is considering trying out for future seasons of "The Biggest Loser" should keep in mind that there is a strong probability they won't be the big winner--or even the consolation winner.
During the season, there are opportunities to win some cool prizes like a free vehicle and cash prizes like the $5,000 Isabeau won on the last show of the season before the finale. But that's all just chump change in comparison to the big money that's become the drawing card for many who come on the show. What can be done to make "The Biggest Loser" more appealing for women who would like a serious chance at winning the $250,000 prize? I think I have the solution.
Why not have a male AND female winner? Start the show with say 15 men and 15 women with one man and one woman voted off each week. This would give you 13 weeks worth of competition for the television show before having a grand finale featuring two men competing against each other for one $250,000 prize and two women battling head-to-head for another $250,000 prize. The at-home competition could be exactly the same as it is now with all of them duking it out for the $100,000.
Couldn't this resolve the whole "it's not fair" argument against the current format of "The Biggest Loser" which seems to favor the men? I certainly think so and hope the show's producers will consider my proposal. It would give all the women a lot more incentive for trying to do the best they can without the constant worry that they could never compete with the men. It's the only fair thing to do as long as the men continue to dominate as they have and will continue to do.
What are YOUR thoughts about this? Should there be a separate competition and prize for the men and the women or do you believe the current format for "The Biggest Loser" is perfect? This should be a fun topic of conversation and I look forward to reading what you think in the comments section below!
I'll be blogging about the upcoming "Biggest Loser: Couples" season starting on January 1, 2008 real soon and will predict right now that the winner of that show will consist of two men. I have no idea if that'll actually happen, but it would definitely NOT surprise me at all.
If you'd like to read all of my commentary blog posts about "The Biggest Loser," then you can access them all by clicking here.
It's no secret that I'm arguably one of the biggest fans of the hit NBC television reality series "The Biggest Loser". Since Season One aired in 2004 right smack dab in the middle of my own 180-pound low-carb weight loss success-in-the-making and watching those contestants give it their all to lose weight and get healthy, the positive impact that show has made on the lives of real people is undeniable. Sure, it's not a perfect plan, but it has worked a miracle in the lives of those contestants who have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels, and Kim Lyons over the past four years.
With the tremendous success of this Fall's Season 4 of "The Biggest Loser" (I previewed the contestants for you in this blog post back in September 2007) and the continuing writer's strike in Hollywood has prompted NBC to push up their next installment of the show beginning on January 1, 2008 where couples will once again be featured as teams fighting to shed the pounds and get their life back. I personally can't wait to watch even more lives get transformed and I'll be blogging about those contestants real soon before the show debuts. Stay tuned!
But first, with the big GRAND FINALE of "The Biggest Loser" 4 coming up on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 and all those amazing transformations we are gonna see, there will be a whole lot of people wanting to find out what their favorite contestants are up to now that the show has concluded. I've contacted quite a few of them after looking for a web site or some sort of online connection page for them. So far, I've only heard from one: Black Team member and Final Four contestant ISABEAU MILLER. Here's what she wrote to me:
Jimmy!
I read your blog all the time!! Nice to put a face with a name. Thanks for taking the time to write, and support us and congratulations on your own journey. It's so inspiring and impressive what you've done!!
Anyway, I'm off to the gym! :) Talk to you soon!
xo Isabeau
That was very sweet of Isabeau (who has this promotional web site for her music career she hopes will take off now with her national television exposure) to write me back like that and I was surprised to hear she reads my blog. Small world now with the Internet, isn't it? :D I've asked for an interview with her although I'm sure her world is about to be turned upside down especially if she ends up winning the whole thing. We shall see.
Isabeau wasn't the only one I found online among "The Biggest Loser" 4 contestants. Here are a few more familiar names from this season and their presence on the World Wide Web:
The rest of the FINAL FOUR from the Black Team are:
No web site found for: AMY ZIMMER and AMBER WALKER
I'm sure each of these contestants would LOVE to hear from their fans, so let 'em hear from you! :D Remember, these are real people just like you and me who were blessed with a rare opportunity not only to be on national television, but also to work with some of the finest trainers and health experts in the world to radically alter the direction of their life.
I know from personal experience that going through something like this changes you. You feel a purpose and a mission to share with others the miracle that has happened to you. Season 2 contestant Pete Thomas said as much in my interview with him and I've seen it in my own life. You just want to help open the eyes of people and let them know it's not as hard to be healthy as you think. Allow these contestants to motivate and inspire you anew as you continue down your own journey to better health.
If you are aware of any web sites for the other contestants who I did not list ones for, then please feel free to share them with me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. I can't wait for the next season of "The Biggest Loser" to begin! :)
New Reality TV Show Casting People With Sugar Addiction This Week
Bona fide sugar addicts should apply to new television reality show
From the casting company who brought you the hit NBC-TV reality show "The Biggest Loser," now there is another health-related reality show on the way around the issue of sugar addiction. This has long been a popular theme at my blog because sugar has been shown to shatter your health, be very addictive and even lead to criminal activity.
Now YOU will have a chance to get help for your sugar addiction if you can show up for an open casting call in the Los Angeles, California area this weekend. Are you a head first sugar addict, able to eat sugary chocolates, candies, ice cream, cakes, cookies, pies and so much more without even thinking about it? Then 3 Ball Productions/TLC wants to meet you and possibly put you on national television.
If you are seriously interested, then here's how you qualify:
- MUST BE 22-54 YEARS OLD - MUST BE A MAN OR WOMAN (what else would you be?) - MUST BE AT LEAST 30 BUT NO MORE THAN 90 POUNDS OVERWEIGHT - MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR AN IN-PERSON INTERVIEW WITH PRODUCERS - MUST BEGIN SHOOTING ON SATURDAYS IN FEBRUARY 2008
The auditions begin TODAY, December 6th and will continue on Friday and Monday. No more auditions will be accepted after that, so please act quickly for this unique opportunity to be on television and get help for your sugar addiction.
If you are from the UK, then you probably already know who Paul McKenna is. But for those of us in the United States, he's probably a mystery. But pretty soon EVERYONE will know who he is after watching him as the host and star of this new reality series.
Check out this video of McKenna implementing some of his visual strategies for overcoming some common mental issues associated with sugary foods. THIS IS AWESOME!!!
Listening to this guy talk reminds me of how I beat my sugar and carbohydrate addiction back in 2004. Some may think McKenna's methodology is a bit bizarre and sensationalist, but the fact is it works! And if you aren't pumped up after watching him in that video, then there's just no motivating you. This is truly an exciting opportunity for the lucky contestants on this upcoming new reality show.
Okay, so you qualify, you're able to be in LA today, tomorrow, or Monday for the casting call, and you can't wait to meet Paul McKenna and get started on beating your sugar addiction. Now what?
The details you should include in your e-mail are:
- What specific sweet treats are your sugary vice? - How long have you been addicted to sugary foods? - What is your height and weight and how much weight loss is needed? - What is your most sad sob sugar story? - Why do you want to kick your sugar addiction for good?
If you would prefer to speak with someone by telephone, then you can also call one of the casting directors Lexie Shoemaker at (310) 727-3337 ext. 71270. She'd be pleased to hear from the readers of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog who need a little extra help beating their addiction to sugar. Makes me wish I was still a sugar addict--NOT! :)
Let me know if you decide to go try out for this reality show with Paul McKenna. With most of the health and diet information focused on how bad fat is, I'm so happy to FINALLY see a show that's gonna deal with the REAL culprit in weight and health--SUGAR! Some claim it can be a part of a healthy lifestyle, but we know better, don't we? Stories of people overcoming their addiction to sugar abound, so will you be the NEXT one by appearing on this show?
Here are "The Biggest Loser" contestants for Season 4 in 2007!
If you are as much of a fan of the hit NBC weight loss reality show "The Biggest Loser" as I am, then you are no doubt excited about the return of the brand new season ready to hit on Tuesday nights this Fall!
As I've previously blogged about, Season Four has several pleasant surprises in store, including the debut of new host Alison Sweeney, the return of trainer Jillian Michaels after a one-year absence (who will be training an all-new Black team of contestants while Bob Harper and Kim Lyons train the Blue and Red teams respectively), and 18 absolutely incredible new contestants who will seek to become the next "Biggest Loser" champion. WOO HOO!
Before I introduce you to the Season Four "Biggest Loser" contestants, first I want to let you know NBC took my suggestion and will be featuring a special one-hour update on the past contestants on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 as a prelude to the new season called "The Biggest Loser: Did They Keep The Weight Off?" Be sure to tune in to see how YOUR favorite past contestants are doing to KEEP the weight off they lost on the show. One of the contestants who will be featured has already agreed to an interview at my blog, so stay tuned for that coming soon! :)
Wouldn't you like to know how those Season One, Season Two, and Season Three contestants are doing NOW that they've been off the show a while? I sure do because I KNOW how hard it is to be in weight maintenance mode after losing a large amount of weight. If they are still imploring the secret behind "The Biggest Loser" success, then there's no doubt the weight is staying off!
Okay, enough about the past, let's meet the present contestants in 2007. Here's an inspiring and motivating introductory video about the new season and the contestants who we'll be getting to know more about in the coming months as they take this weight loss journey:
WOW, I can't wait for Season Four to begin after seeing that! Now that I've teased you long enough, are you ready to meet these 18 brave men and women who are willing to put themselves out there on national television in all their obese glory for a chance not just to win a big pile of money, but to quite literally change their lives forever? If so, then your wait is now over.
Here they are starting with the guys:
RYAN RODRIGUEZ Age: 29 Hometown: Jackson Heights, New York
Ryan is married and just became a dad for the first time. He has a stressful occupation as a corporate litigations attorney and is looking to overcome the eating large patterns he learned from his childhood days living in the culture of Puerto Rico. He is committed to beating this one area of his life where success has eluded him.
PHIL HAWK Age: 27 Hometown: Powell, Ohio
Phil wants to be a fireman, but his weight has literally held him back. He's dedicated now more than ever to shed the pounds so he can reach this goal he has for himself. As a devoted husband and father, he has the support to make it happen!
NEIL TEJWANI Age: 25 Hometown: Marblehead, Massachusetts
Neil is as intelligent as anyone you'll ever meet as a chemical engineer. Articulate, street smart, and the "guy next door," he hopes to use those qualities to overcome his struggle with obesity his entire life.
JEZ LUCKETT Age: 24 Hometown: Garden, Kansas
Jez is one of those people you can't help but love because he has dedicated his life to helping mentally challenged and handicapped children overcome their illnesses. His dream is to open a daycare center to provide a friendly and inviting environment for underprivileged families. Winning "The Biggest Loser" would help with that, but he also desires to beat all odds by defeating a family history of weight problems.
JERRY LISENBY Age: 62 Hometown: Peoria, Illinois
Jerry makes television history in Season 4 as the oldest contestant ever to appear on "The Biggest Loser"--more than TWICE the age of most of the other contestants! He realizes the impact of being a senior citizen on the show because obesity runs rampant with health consequences for this age group. Even still, he wants to return to the active lifestyle of his past as a bodybuilder and boxer. He's been married to his wife longer than most of his fellow contestants have been alive (over 40 years and counting!) and has been active in the Peace Corps helping the impoverished and needy. He hopes to lick this weight issue for good!
DAVID GRIFFIN Age: 31 Hometown: Cedar Hill, Tennessee
David is the father of four beautiful children and desperately wants to be an active part of their lives as they grown older. He's a rancher who is willing to put in the hard work necessary to melt the fat and get into shape.
BRYAN WASHINGTON Age: 29 Hometown: Riverdale, Georgia
Bryan is a gifted musician who uses that talent to teach kids in his local public high school about appreciating music in their own life. Now he hopes to set the example for them regarding diet and health so they can learn that anytime is possible! He hopes to have the chance to become a professional artist someday and "The Biggest Loser" could start him down that path.
JIM GERMANAKOS Age: 40 Hometown: Long Island, New York
Jim is one-half of the first-ever set of twins on "The Biggest Loser." Along with his brother Bill, he has struggled with his weight since childhood. Married with kids, he is both a police officer and a volunteer firefighter. As a fan of Frank Sinatra, he's "High Hopes" that "The Best Is Yet To Come."
BILL GERMANAKOS Age: 40 Hometown:
Bill is the other half of the first-ever set of twins on "The Biggest Loser." Like his brother Jim, he is married and raising three kids as well. Employed in the image-conscious medical sales field, he realizes the time is now to lose the weight.
And here are the ladies:
AMBER WALKER Age: 30 Hometown: Houston, Texas
Amber is the kind of paramedic you hope to have if you need her because she's got that little something extra to calm you in the midst of your calamity. But she has trouble with her job sometimes because of the extra weight she's carrying around and is hoping "The Biggest Loser" will help her continue to help others in need. Plus, she's hoping Mr. Right will be attracted to her once she loses the weight so she can fulfill her desire to have a family.
AMY ZIMMER Age: 28 Hometown: Rochester, New York
Amy is happily married and the mother of two gorgeous kids. But she wants to prove to her family and herself that she can beat her obesity and become everything she has ever wanted. By doing so, both her kids as well as those little first-graders she teaches can see the power of a changed life in action.
HOLLIE SELF Age: 28 Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Hollie is another teacher in this season of "The Biggest Loser" who is also the cheerleading coach at her high school. She absolutely LOVES helping the cheerleaders perform their acrobatic stunts, but is ashamed of her own weight and health in front of these impressionable young people. She wants to be able to teach her kids the positive impact of exercise so they can be the best cheerleaders possible.
ISABEAU MILLER Age: 21 Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee
Isabeau is another talented musician this season who is hoping her work and exposure on "The Biggest Loser" will give her just the boost she needs to set her career into motion. Obesity has stood in the way long enough and now it's time for this star to shine for all the world to see!
JULIE HADDEN Age: 34 Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Julie has a natural beauty that has enabled her to enter pageants in the past, but she is positive her weight has been a hindrance in those competitions. As a wife and mother, she is hoping to bring another child into this world, but first wants to get her weight and health in order.
KAE WHANG Age: 27 Hometown: Clark, New Jersey
Kae knows the negative impact of being too heavy--she was honorably discharged from the armed forces because of it. Although she has found the love of her life and married him, she is hoping to take the same kind of perseverance she used in boot camp to kick this weight off for good. Her goal is to visit her grandmother in Korea with her new slim and trim body.
Lezlye has already gone through more heartache and pain than most of us will ever experience as a survivor of the tragic Hurricane Katrina disaster from 2005. She returned to the New Orleans area this year with her son and is hoping to restart her life again there as a representatives for a major pharmaceutical company. She says the time is now to slay this obesity monster once and for all.
Nicole knows how to have a good time and soaks in every moment of life she's been given. Her desire is to lose the weight so she can enjoy the good times that much more with all the spontaneity and zeal she possesses. She's employed as a receptionist, but is hoping to break into radio broadcasting in the future.
PATTY GONZALEZ Age: 34 Hometown: San Diego, California
Patty is in a prestigious position at a credit union serving as senior loan officer. She's quite competitive as you can imagine and wants to show her husband and three kids she has what it takes to take on her biggest challenge yet--losing weight! She suffers from a rare medical condition called N.A.S.H., a non-alcohol version of cirrhosis, and weight loss is the only way she will be able to save her liver from destruction.
Be sure to tune in on Tuesday nights at 8:00EST beginning September 4, 2007. Access all of my previous blog posts about "The Biggest Loser" by clicking here.
