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!!!
Jim Germanakos was the at-home $100,000 winner of "The Biggest Loser" 4
I've got yet another interview with one of the contestants from "The Biggest Loser" 4 today and it's with the $100.000 at-home winner Jim Germanakos! He's the twin brother of Bill Germanakos who was the grand prize winner of $250,000 on the show and has quite a bit to share about how "The Biggest Loser" experience changed his life for the better.
You'll find out some pretty interesting information in Jim's interview today, including how HE was the one who actually got his brother Bill on the show, the betrayal he felt when he was voted off instead of Isabeau, and how his perspective on life has changed more than he could have ever imagined. Jim's a thought-provoking, introspective kinda guy and I am pleased to share my interview with him for you today!
If you missed any of my previous interviews with the contestants from Season 4, then please visit my "Biggest Loser" links page to access them.
1. As one-half of the first brothers to ever appear together on NBC-TV's hit reality weight loss show "The Biggest Loser" in Season 4, Jim Germanokos was often referred to as "the other twin" since his brother Bill made it all the way to the final four contestants. But Jim made a statement to his brother and the eliminated players when he lost an astounding 51.52% of his starting weight of 361 pounds--a total of 186 pounds--to win the at-home consolation prize of $100,000.
We have Jim with us here today at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog and I'm happy he chose to answer a few questions about his experiences that changed his life forever in 2007. So, tell me Jim, how does it feel to be the REAL "Biggest Loser" shedding more pounds percentage-wise than your brother Bill (who lost 164 pounds--an incredible 49.10% of his starting weight)? Do you remind him of the fact you lost more weight than him often?
I remind Bill all the time that although he has the title of "The Biggest Loser" that I not only managed to lose more weight AND percentage than him, but that I also managed to do it mostly at home (I lost 132 pounds while at home) and not with Jillian on The Biggest Loser ranch like him. It's the competition-thing between us. But I must say I am very proud of him, and he of me. But there always has to be some level of competition between us, or we wouldn't be US!
I want to remind everybody also that I immediately returned to work upon returning home. I am a Police Officer and work 12-hour tours. I also continued to function as a Boy Scout Leader, spending a week at Summer Camp with my son, and as a volunteer fireman until just recently. I also continued my regular role as a father and a homeowner. I cut the grass, cleaned the pool, helped the kids with their homework, and drove the kids around as needed. My wife Valerie was very supportive and took care of many of these tasks on a daily basis, which made it possible for me to put my time in at the gym.
2. Obviously you have to be very pleased with your success and I'm sure you feel somewhat vindicated by your performance in the grand finale. When you and Bill along with what would eventually become the other four members of The Black Team were rejected by the other two teams at the beginning of the season and then you were given an opportunity to work with a world-class trainer like Jillian Michaels, what impact did that have on your motivation and desire to be successful? Do you think things would have turned out differently had it not been for that extra incentive to prove you belonged than if you were one of the first ones chosen?
I definitely appreciated the time I spent with Jillian. She is a great trainer, and has nothing left to prove. I do wish I could have spent a little more time with her though! I personally don't think that my results would've changed had I been selected by a different team early in the game. For me it's all about motivation and dedication as well as the whole competition aspect. Bill and I are super competitive at everything we do. First we try to beat each other and then we try to beat everyone else. I think my results would have been the same. My brother and I were former college athletes and have had much experience with strict workout regimens. I think it definitely worked to our advantage on The Biggest Loser.
3. Of course, having your twin brother Bill on the show with you didn't hurt for moral support and it was quite obvious you two are very close buddies. Tell us what you guys did to get noticed by the casting agency for "The Biggest Loser" and share why you think they decided to choose BOTH of you--an extreme rarity in the realm of reality television. Did you feel there was a target on the backs of both you and Bill in the early going by the other contestants to split you up because of your close relationship? How did you feel when you were sent home earlier than you expected?
Bill never auditioned for the show. I got noticed by myself after Bill refused to go to the audition. I submitted tapes and photos and was invited to on-camera follow-ups and eventually made the statement to the casting company "Did I ever tell you guys I had a twin brother?" That's the way Bill got involved. All he did was shake the guys hand and get on a plane. LOL!
Yes, there was definitely a target on our backs due to the "alliance" factor. This became even more evident after seeing the episode when Jerry and Big Phil were talking about how to pick their teams and Phil makes the comment that "he will not pick a twin because we have two votes and will never vote against each other." This was obviously most evident when I was eliminated first from our team, even though I had lost the most weight.
Julie and Jez had agreed with Bill and I to vote off Isabeau because we agreed that she had the best opportunity to attain her fitness goals at home. This, we agreed, was due to her young age and lack of outside responsibilities at home. This obviously backfired on me when they "took me out" at their first opportunity. They called me the "biggest threat" and now everyone knows that they were correct in sending me home.
4. I know you didn't get to work with her as long as Bill and the other members of The Black Team did, but tell us your impression of Jillian. Did she strike the fear of God within you the first time she started training you? How did her workout methodology change you from the obese man you were into the healthy and fit man you are today?
Jillian was fantastic. She was everything I expected and more. I value every minute that I spent with Jillian not only because of the great trainer she is, but because of the sensitive and caring person she is. She is hard-core to the max in the gym and that's absolutely what got me started so quickly with my weight loss. The lessons she taught me regarding workout regimen, diet, and organics etc. are priceless, but I appreciate having gotten to know the person even more. I consider her like a little sister and will keep her in my heart as part of my family forever.
Did I have the fear of God while working out with her? Not at all. I'm 41 years old and have been through a lot in my life. When I say that I'm going to give you 100%, then you'll get my 100%. I gave it all I had and therefore never had to butt heads with Jillian. She did make me realize that I had an extra 10% that I never knew I had, and for this, I will always be thankful. That's what people who want to be successful in their fitness goals have to realize--you must train harder and longer than you previously thought WAS possible and this is the gift that Jillian gave me. I love that woman! She is just awesome--and she's also pretty darned cute!
5. I wouldn't disagree with you about that! So, obviously, leaving the Biggest Loser Ranch early was a disappointment, but you didn't seem to allow that to discourage you from doing your best to keep working hard and doing what you had to do to get healthy and trim. Talk about what you did at home once you were voted off the show to stay inspired and pumped up through the grand finale. How did you find the strength and energy to do it this time when those things were absent in previous attempts?
When I got home, the game was definitely on! I was most afraid of Bill getting eliminated, and us having to compete for the same prize. At this point, it was definitely me versus Bill. The way it turned out was the best case scenario because we didn't end up competing for the same prize. That would've been absolutely murder if we had. We may have come back weighing 92 pounds a piece!
The whole idea was making those changes in the routine that got me obese in the first place like wasting hours and hours in front of the TV and computer. I didn't waste any time. I worked a lot of "-tions" into my daily routine; education, motivation, dedication, inspiration, and perspiration. What came out of it was success. My father always said "The only way to get it done, is to get it started!" I did...and I won.
6. When Bill came home from the show, you instantly had a system of support in place to keep each other accountable and motivated as you guys undoubtedly worked out together and watched your diet. How important do you think that was to the eventual success both of you experienced becoming the at-home winner and the grand prize winner? Do you believe it gave you an unfair advantage over the other contestants who were left to do it all alone?
I definitely think that we had an advantage, but is it true? I don't know. Bill and I supported each other, sure, but did we support each other any more than a husband, wife, or boyfriend could have? Again, I don't know. Yes, we worked out together occasionally, maybe twice a week. Did that give us an advantage over another contestant working out with their partner? Maybe.
All I know is that we did it. We put the time necessary in and got results just like anybody else can if they put their time in. I do enjoy seeing the "results not typical" asterisk next to our picture when they promote our weight loss success. I always wanted to be that person named "Results not typical!" LOL!
7. Although exercise, including cardiovascular and resistance training, plays an important role in the weight loss success promoted by "The Biggest Loser," a lot of people tend to ignore the vital role of a proper diet in managing their weight and health. What does your diet look like now compared with what it was one year ago? Is there anything you used to eat like crazy that you wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole now?
My diet is not completely different. It's most important to learn to be accountable for everything you take in. Weight loss is merely math--calories in versus calories out. The most important part of my regimen was my food journal. I stuck to a strict 2000 calories a day regimen and kept track of everything that I ate. If I walked past the kids and stole a handful of grapes off their plate, then I counted them and eventually added them to my food journal. You'd be surprised how many calories you are really eating if you kept very close track.
I enjoyed pizza every Monday as part of my high calorie day. I would eat 50% more calories on Mondays and this would "reset" my metabolism. I haven't eaten many sweets like ice cream or cake because those are just wasted calories. When you're counting calories, it's surprising how fast the number goes up when you're not being careful. From the time that I got home on my birthday in June and for the five months thereafter, I was training on my own. However, for the last 5 1/2 weeks I was lucky enough to get introduced to an awesome trainer named Anthony Badalamenti, who is a former National Champion Bodybuilder and gym owner. He put me on a bodybuilder-style diet which I did until the finale. I consider Anthony a great friend and couldn't have gotten the results I did without him.
8. Four years ago, I lost 180 pounds and it radically changed my life in so many ways that I didn't even realize at the time. My confidence in myself skyrocketed, my personality blossomed, and I felt in such control of my life for the first time ever. Sometimes it feels like you're in a dream after losing such a life-altering amount of weight and you wonder if it is even real or not. Do you have such thoughts swimming around in your head like this or have you accepted and embraced that the new and improved Jim Germanokos is the real deal? What do your wife and kids think about these amazing changes that have happened to you and how has your relationship with them changed?
Congratulations on your life-changing transformation, Jimmy. I'm truly inspired by you and your success. After all, you were not on a nationally-televised reality show with a huge cash prize at the end of the journey. It is a true testament to the person you are that you were able to attain that much weight loss on your own. I'm truly impressed by your accomplishment.
That being said, here's the answer to your question. Everything has changed, and yet not much has changed. Weird, right? Here's the deal and tell me if this sounds familiar. I am now the person that I thought I was before, but only now do I realize how I was short-changing my family. I thought I was being an active dad and now I AM an active dad. I thought I was being a good role model, and now I AM a good role model. I thought I was being a good husband, and now I am working hard to be the best husband possible.
Everything has changed, because now anything is possible. ANYTHING! I plan on really enjoying the things I took for granted before, like spending time with the family enjoying the outdoors. I will also spend the rest of my life letting my beautiful wife know how much I appreciate all the sacrifices she made for me during my time away being on the show.
9. As both a police officer and a volunteer firefighter, you know the occupational hazards associated with carrying around extra pounds while fighting criminals or a house ablaze. What effect has your weight loss experience had on your fellow comrades at work and have you offered to help those with weight and health issues find what you did? Do you feel any sense of calling to help people lose weight and get healthy now that you yourself have done it?
I have been told numerous times by my fellow police officers that they are also inspired to lose weight due to my success on the show. Prior to the show, as I've said on interviews in the past, my biggest concern when I was obese was that I would possibly find myself in a situation where my being out of shape would put one of my partners in jeopardy. Let's say I was working with a thin partner, and we took chase after a bad guy. If I couldn't keep up, and the other officer actually caught the bad guy, then this officer would not have the backup that may be necessary to control the situation.
Heaven forbid this officer got hurt or worse. Then I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. And this bothered me a lot. Now I'm the officer who catches the bad guy! It's funny, but I find myself tightening my shoelaces much more nowadays! Many of the Officers that I work with are in fine shape, but some are not, and many of them have asked me to try to help them with their nutrition. I love the idea of being able to "Pay it Forward" as much as I can.
10. We appreciated having you here today to answer a few questions about your experience on "The Biggest Loser" this past season, Jim. As your favorite singer Frank Sinatra would say, you've "got the world on a string" so "come fly with me" as I do it "my way." LOL! Is there anything else you'd like to share with anyone reading this who thinks their weight and health situation is impossible to turn around?
A couple of quotes that I live by: "The only way to get it done, is to get it started!" and "NOTHING tastes as good as looking good feels!"
I want everybody out there to remember to put yourself first when it comes to your health and fitness. Be selfish. Do it for yourself first. Once you attain your fitness goals, then everybody around you will reap the benefits. So are you really doing it for yourself? Be phenomenal...and finish what you start! Now go out there and get started!
THANKS so much for sharing your sensational story with us today, Jim! I'm proud to have interviewed both you and your brother Bill and wish you nothing but continued success on this journey you have only just begun. Keep up with what's happening with the Germanakos brothers by visiting their web site at BiggestLoserTwins.com.
Kae Whang lost nearly 100 pounds, but gained so much more!
In the past couple of weeks, we've heard from quite a few contestants from Season 4 of "The Biggest Loser" including the $250,000 winner Bill Germanakos, Isabeau Miller, Lezlye Donahue, Jerry Lisenby, and Jez Luckett. For the millions of people who LOVE this show (myself included!), it's been a neat experience getting to hear how much this simple little television show has quite literally changed the lives of these real people for the better and I'm so pleased to be able to share these interviews with you.
Next up we have the incredible story of Kae Whang who did some rather remarkable things during her time on "The Biggest Loser" ranch. As you can see from those stunning before and after photos at the top of this post, this is one incredibly changed woman. But those outward changes don't even begin to tell the whole story as you will quickly find out in my chat with Kae today. She's been RADICALLY changed internally where so much of the obesity battle tends to take place in our lives.
Listen as Kae is both edifying and instructive about what ANYONE can do to become a BIG WINNER at weight loss and in life. Kae's a monster that's been let out of her cage and nothing's gonna stop her now! ENJOY!
1. Have I got a special surprise interview guest to share with you today who earned the respect and adoration of millions of fans for her consistency during Season 4 of the NBC television weight loss reality series "The Biggest Loser." It's Kae Whang and what an amazing woman she is! She was considered one of the biggest threats at The Biggest Loser campus in Season 4 because her weight loss was always around 6-8 pounds week in and week out despite the fact that she began the show as one of the lighter contestants at 225 (only Julie weighed less than Kae).
In fact, Kae, you went on to lose more weight as a percentage while still on the show than any other contestant in the history of "The Biggest Loser." What was it like setting the pace for the rest of the contestants and do you feel you did anything different from the rest of them to produce such consistency?
Thank you so much! To answer your question, I think everyone is different and has a different style on what works best for them. My style was just to be visualized on my goal, focused on what I’m doing now to get to that goal, and knowing wholeheartedly that I will get there.
I learned A LOT from Bob Harper. He taught me to make things simple by just doing it. It’s either YES or NO, that’s it! The gray area will make you over-think things so you start making excuses by doubting yourself and then they just overwhelm you. That just takes too much time and while you were thinking about it, you could have just done it or not and then moved on. Discipline (dedication to one’s self and others) is something that I thank my parents and the United States Army for.
2. By the time you reached the grand finale in December 2007, you had lost a total of 97 pounds--an incredible 43.11% of your starting weight! WOW!!! You look absolutely stunning now in your petite body and I know your "hubsters" as you call the love of your life is just so very proud of you. Are you amazed by how different you look and feel now or do you sometimes still feel "fat?"
I know after I lost 180 pounds in 2004, it took me a long time to wrap my head around the fact that I've changed. Even now, I catch myself thinking negative thoughts about my body and it's a difficult thing to overcome. How are you handling being the new Kae?
Congrats on the weight loss, Jimmy! That is AMAZING!
Yes, my hubster is so adorable about how proud he is of me. I love how he is so excited about our new life and lifestyle! I have to admit that when I first went home from the campus, I would do double takes with my reflection in the mirror. Hahaha, I know that sounds funny, but it took me a LONG time to embrace and own all the accomplishments I have done. When the old Kae thoughts come up, I stop and tell myself that I worked TOO HARD to get to where I am to regret it now. I must live by my new mottos and stick to them! The new Kae is here to stay!
3. Anyone watching "The Biggest Loser" in Season 4 saw you as a sincere and sensitive woman who deals with adversity and conflict in a transparent, emotional way. That quiet nature you possess was one of the reasons people held such deep respect and admiration for you. Everyone knew Kae was gonna do her job without complaining or whining. Has your personality changed in any way since your exposure on national television and enormous weight loss success? Do you feel more confident now than at any other point in your life?
Thank you so much for that! That was very sweet!
I would say that my personality has strengthened. I am able to stand firm in my decisions and be confident in pursuing things I use to only wish about. I’ve learned not to regret and not ask myself “what if?” Things always happen for a reason and you make the best of it.
We have control (even in times when you feel like you are helpless) of our lives and how we react to things. You can be a victim all your life and be miserable or you can take life in your own hands, learn from it, enjoy the journey, and move on.
I am honored and so flattered for people to be so kindhearted and open to me. I am much more confident now. Don’t get me wrong, I was VERY proud to be able to help save the rainforest in Peru, serve in the US Army with International Pilots, and collect evidence for the United Nations, but this chapter in my life is much different. One that has changed my life forever!
4. Bob Harper was "the man" for the Blue Team and you and he seemed to form quite a dynamic relationship to help you come out of your shell so to speak. His caring attitude and willingness to cater his training techniques to your individual needs seemed to work remarkably well for you. Talk about Bob the person as well as Bob the professional trainer to tell us what you admire the most about both the man and the mentor.
I love Bob, because it wasn’t just about the surface (the body) to him. It was about everything: mental, spiritual, emotional, and then psychological. He guided us through this journey of self-discovery where we got to learn so much about ourselves: what made us tick, what made us become obese, to overcome our fears, to welcome each challenge, to truly respect/love ourselves, to be the best that we can give with love, and finally, to do it, and not wish for it. I was fortunate to be with Bob, because he meant business in the gym, but outside the gym he was your friend who cared about you.
5. One key element of Bob's training that I was impressed with and you seemed to fully embrace was the meditation aspect. Taking time to gather your thoughts, focus on the positive, and release all the stress and worries of the world is something we could all use a lot more of in our daily lives. What benefits did you reap from adding this often overlooked technique to your diet and fitness routine and how is it working for you now back in the real world?
It’s amazing how POWERFUL the mind is and what better tool than your mind to help you get to your goals? If you can focus 100% on your goals without the white noise of the negativity and self-doubting thoughts, then you can achieve ANYTHING! That is where meditation is helpful because it helps you calm the stress that’s on your mind, refocus on your goals, learn to respect and love yourself, bring greater awareness, and to live more positive and happier.
And all you have to do is BREATHE. Sometimes, we are so busy with all the worries of life, we tend to hold on to all the stress--even holding onto our breath. Meditation has helped me to disrupt this destructive behavior and to stop to breathe so that I can refocus on the goal and the abundance of rewards that will come once I achieve it and knowing that I WILL achieve it because I’ve given it my best.
6. The week you fell below the yellow line and you only lost a few pounds had to be disappointing. But weight loss fluctuations happen sometimes even when you do everything perfectly right. It's just a part of the process of shedding the pounds and getting healthy. In fact, I went 10 weeks in a row right smack dab in the middle of my weight loss efforts where I could have thrown in the towel and given up. But I stuck with it.
Of course, for you it was an inopportune time for that to happen since you were playing the game. Did that experience teach you anything? Did it motivate you that much more to keep doing what you were doing? Do you think the format of "The Biggest Loser" creates an unfair scenario for the contestants whose bodies begin shifting weight sooner than others?
When I fell below the yellow line, my first reaction was to beat myself up for not trying harder. But then I had to remind myself that there was no point in beating myself for the past. I had given my best even though it wasn’t as great as everyone else’s. Yet it was still mine and I had to own it.
I told myself that things happen for a reason and to make the best out of the situation. I could complain and whine about it, but what’s the point? Why not learn from the situation and move forward. The competitive side of me did help me to work harder at home and it has brought me the most amazing people to help me in this journey!
To answer your last question, I think we underestimate ourselves and others. The timing may be different for everyone, but the results at the end is what’s important. And we have to admit that everyone did such a GREAT job at the end, and there are some that even surprised me!
7. Have you had a chance to go back to Korea to surprise your grandmother with your new thin body yet? I bet she'll be so amazed at what a difference you have made! Do you think your obesity had more to do with the influence of American culture on your life or did the Korean cuisine also help pack on the pounds?
I have not been to Korea yet, but we are heading there this year! I can’t wait! I think that you can be obese in any culture, but it’s just the way you live your life. I believe Korean food is overall healthy (except for some of the high sodium foods), but for me I didn’t just eat Korean food.
Unfortunately, I ate much BIGGER portions of all types of food, I didn’t make my health a priority, and I didn’t have the knowledge that I know now. But you could say that many Koreans in Korea are more likely to be more health-conscious and tend to walk everywhere similar to many other countries.
8. Running has become such a part of who you are now that it's a far cry from where you were just one year ago. This thing you used to "hate with a passion" is now something you can't live without. Share with my readers who also "hate" exercise of any kind how they can grow to love it as much as they currently enjoy a big slice of hot fudge cake!
Here is how I’ve learned to LOVE running.
FIRST, welcome it.
If you tell yourself you hate it, then you’ve conditioned yourself to hate it. Remind yourself why you are doing it in the first place. Why be miserable with things you hate? Find something that you enjoy! Make is pleasant! If you are cursing at the run, then you are going to hate it forever. But once you focus on the positives, then you will find yourself at a 5k in no time!
I have to give credit to my fellow Blue Team contestant Jerry Lisenby for teaching me to run on the treadmill. He taught me to start slow and gradually build from it. When I first began, I started around 2.0 for about 3 minutes and I was out of breath! Then Bob taught us to remember how that felt. I didn’t want to run at 225 pounds again because it didn’t feel right.
Slowly, I started to work my way up to run for 5 minutes and so on. Over time, I started gaining my endurance because speed can come later. Once I could run for a mile, I decided to challenge myself to run faster. It’s a process where you have to focus on your breathing, your posture, and your efforts. You will be surprised how EVERYTHING has a technique, especially to avoid injury, you really need to do it properly!
So, I have learned that you should warm up your muscles with walking for about 3-10 minutes. Then you start jogging at a comfortable pace, making sure that you are running from your core rather than your feet (you will notice when you starting hearing your feet pound into the ground). I know that sounds odd, but you will see how much lighter your run is, hence, making you run longer.
Focus on your breathing. Make your breath steady and consistent. If you find yourself huffing and puffing you are just exerting too much energy, making you “freak out”, and it will cause a negative effect with running. Then look at your body and arms. Is your body nice and tall? Are your arms loose and below your heart? If you are swinging your arms in a tight position, you are just exerting even more energy. Make the run nice and light.
It’s a time to let go of your stress, do something GREAT for your body (which you can start seeing results quickly), and the best part is once you get your second wind, your endorphins start kicking in and you get that “runners high” that people talk about! It’s such a incredible feeling, especially, when you’ve accomplished your first race or getting ready to challenge yourself for the next one! The running community is so welcoming, friendly, and helpful! How can you not love it?!
Again, it’s all about the mind (that is what I concentrate on in my motivational lectures). If you tell yourself you love it, then you love it (same with the opposite). So, why not choose to love it and be happy?! That’s how I look at it. But again, find something that you enjoy doing or are willing to try doing! Who knew I loved climbing, kayaking, or even boxing?!?! And once you find something you love, learn about it and the techniques to help you do it more efficiently and properly. This will help your performance and motivation to keep going to improve your self and timing!
9. You have such a heart for a variety of charities and organizations that help children and battered women as evidenced on your fabulous web site KaeWhang.com. How do you plan on using your 15 minutes of fame from "The Biggest Loser" to help those groups? What's the next chapter in this journey called life for Kae Whang?
I would just like to spread the word that there are organizations out there and that you are NOT alone. It's important to get the message out that everyone has the RIGHT to feel good about themselves and to be empowered with life instead of feeling like a victim all your life. Even I was a victim, but I decided to turn that around and make myself stronger.
It only takes a decision to DO something about it. We should help keep great organizations like ChildHelp, RAINN, and Out of the Darkness with donations and/or volunteering. Being involved with organizations like these makes you feel good because you are helping others. It’s such a win-win situation, and makes you appreciate life so much more!
10. It's been a pleasure and an honor having you here today, Kae, and I know my readers have enjoyed hearing from you as you shared so openly from your heart and mind about the experiences you had while on "The Biggest Loser" in Season 4. We're cheering for you to keep up the fantastic work on your weight management and encourage you to NEVER ever give up! Is there anything that you would like to tell my readers who struggle with knowing what to do about their obesity? Can you share a little hope with them before you go?
On my MySpace page, I put up my mottos, which are: Make it simple! It can be VERY overwhelming that you have to lose 30 to 100 pounds and thinking that you have to do SO much exercise and eat boring food. STOP!
Take it ONE day at a time, or even ONE moment at a time. Think about what you want to do TODAY. What is going on NOW? And the simple part is that all you have to say is, YES or NO. Will I make myself feel good and workout? YES or NO? Is that piece of food worth eating? YES or NO? If I eat it, will I work it off in the gym? YES or NO? Am I going to live my life with fullness? YES or NO? Am I happy? YES or NO?
MAKE A CHOICE and OWN IT (never regretting your decisions). Choose one or the other, do NOT go to the gray area where you start thinking too much (like I said before) and let all that negative noise will play with your mind and take up too much valuable time.
FORGIVE yourself and LET GO of the past. The more you embrace life and enjoy this journey, the more motivated you are to keep going. That is what I’ve learned--to be positive and get back on your feet if you fallen.
FOCUS on your goal, and why you are doing it. Remind yourself that YOU ARE WORTH IT, and that you DESERVE the BEST! You must love and respect yourself to live life to the fullest. Like attracts like, so if you are feeling great, great things will be attracted to you (and the same with the opposite).
YOU CHOOSE how your life is, by choosing how you are going to react to it. Don’t be a victim. It takes you no where and it only takes up valuable time. No more excuses. Just do it. And passionately know that it will come true! Be active. AND LOVE LIFE!
THANK YOU for those incredibly motivating and inspiring comments, Kae. You are a changed woman and it is quite obvious to everyone who has read your interview with me today that you'll never be the same again. For fans of "The Biggest Loser" who watched you, though, we're not surprised. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Be sure to visit KaeWhang.com to stay up-to-date with what Kae is up to. You can contact Kae anytime by writing to her through her MySpace page (RealSpunKae--get it, real spunky! LOL!).
Next up in my "Biggest Loser" 4 interview series will be the $100,000 at-home winner Jim Germanakos. I'll be running my interview with Jim on Friday. :)
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.
