DIET COLUMN

Get up-to-speed with Bernie’s recap of Part I.

Due to the presidential debate last night, episode 4 of the Biggest Loser was cut short, however tonight the wonderful folks over at NBC aired the second hour of the show. The second half of the show proved to be worth the wait! In the second part of episode 4, we saw Jillian really get tough and rightfully so, her teams weren’t doing the homework that she was assigning, which on the Biggest Loser is just as bad as sneaking snack cakes in the middle of the night!

We also saw Bob take his team to SUBWAY for a quick bite to eat, which is good because trying to find a place to eat on the go in the “real world” isn’t easy. I love the fact that the show is sharing information with viewers about how to make smart choices when eating out.

At the weigh-in, we saw the orange team Ed and Heba fall below the dreaded yellow line. The orange team was then forced to decide who was going home amongst themselves. In the end, Ed wound up going home leaving Heba to continue on her own.

During his at home follow-up, Ed looked Great! I wish him continued success at home and consider him a real contender for this year’s At-Home prize.

Episode 4 begins with contestants receiving the prizes they received from the hill challenge on Episode 1. Amy and Phil got to go home for 24 hours and visit with their family; it was great to see them bring the lessons learned at the ranch in regards to diet and exercise home to their boys. Amy and Shellay won the incredible prize of spending 24 hours with their trainer Jillian. They spent their time at 24 Hour Fitness where with Jillian’s help we finally see Shellay begin to confront personal issues that are getting in the way of her weight loss journey.

Tonight’s challenge had contestants submerged in huge a water-filled tank where they were asked to hold their body weight up using a bar for support. Throughout the challenge the water in the tank was slowly being drained making it increasingly harder for contestants to hold up their body weight. After an intense battle that lasted 107 minutes, Vicky from the Brown Team won, and with it won a care package from home and a 3-day vacation to Universal Studios with her family. Host Alison Sweeney informed the Brown team that they could select one other team to receive a care package from home. The Brown team selected the purple team, Shellay and Amy, which I feel, was the right choice being that Amy finished the challenge in second place.

Then Episode 4 was cut short due to the presidential debate! Just like many of you I realize the importance of the upcoming presidential election, I’ve done my research on the candidates and come November I feel ready to cast my vote. However, part of me was definitely frustrated with the interruption. If this presidential debate has taught us anything it’s that patience and being informed are the only way to bring about change!

Don’t miss my Part II Recap and get the rest of the story!

Biggest Loser Week 3 Recap from Diets in Review on Vimeo.

Wow! Episode 3 was definitely a great one. Contestants went on a road trip to the Grand Canyon, what a terrific trip. The road trip however wasn’t without its obstacles, while headed to the Grand Canyon contestants made a stop at a convenience store to take part in this seasons very first temptation. Contestants had to guess the calories found in some of the quick eats most travelers encounter along their travels. Ed and Heba ended up winning and as a result were rewarded by getting to spend the rest of their trip in a luxurious RV while all the others had to rough it in tents.

Episode 2 proved to be action packed from the very beginning. Right off the bat we see Michelle from the Pink Team beginning to confront the issues that she is dealing with concerning her and her mother’s relationship. Next, we see Jerry from the Yellow Team starting to feel better, which is terrific and truly goes to show why the Biggest Loser is such an amazing show.

Week two on the Biggest Loser is notorious for being a low week for contestants when it comes to dropping weight, so I was definitely shocked when Jerry and Coleen took on host Ali Sweeney’s challenge to lose more than 13lbs for the chance at 10,000 dollars.

The physical challenge this week was awesome. Contestants got to revisit their adolescence by participating in a slip-n-slide challenge for the opportunity to win phone calls home. After 18 rounds Ed and Heba from the Orange Team emerged victorious and won the right to call home. Accompanying their prize was the opportunity to gift a phone call to another team. Ed and Heba chose to give a phone call home to married couple Amy and Phil who have three children, their youngest of whom is autistic- all in all I think Ed and Heba made a great choice.

On this Episode, contestants were also visited by celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, who showed contestants that eating healthy can taste great. Half of the contestants were given recipes that they had to prepare for the remaining contestants who were then asked to vote for their favorite dish. In the end Amy and Shellay from the Purple team won and were awarded a year’s worth of free groceries.At the weigh in, as in every episode, two teams fell beneath the dreaded yellow line, this week we saw the Grey Team (Tom and L.T.) fall below with the Yellow Team (Jerry and Coleen). Jerry and Coleen lost an amazing 11lbs. However, because of their deal with host Alison Sweeny to lose more than 13lbs for the chance to win 10,000 dollars, the yellow team was forced below the yellow line.

In the end the grey team was voted off, despite the fact that L.T. had helped to save the Orange team just the week before there was no favors returned by Ed and Heba, who cast votes to boot the Boston Boys. If episode two shows us anything, it’s that “Game Play” is in full affect! I can’t wait to see next week’s episode of the Biggest Loser and urge you to come visit me once again for an episodic recap here at DietsInReview.com.

Biggest Loser Week 1 Recap from Diets in Review on Vimeo.

Season 6 of The Biggest Loser has officially started. This season the creators have chosen to pit husband and wife teams, led by Bob, against parent and children teams, led by Jillian. I think this new dynamic is brilliant- let’s face it, the loved ones in our lives often are our worst enablers.

Having gone through the process of losing weight in front of millions, my heart goes out to this season’s contestants along with my encouragement and support.

Tonight we saw Adam and Stacey, the green team, eliminated; I wish them nothing but the best and have the utmost confidence having seen their after photos that they will succeed in getting healthy. I’ve already started picking my favorites, and would love to hear who you are cheering for (Vote Now!), so be sure to let me know. Again, I can’t urge all of you enough to begin your journey along side this season’s contestants and use them as motivation to get healthy. Be sure to tune in next week to the Biggest Loser and visit me here at DietsInReview.com for my episodic recap.

Sign-up today for the Biggest Loser Updates Newsletter- where you’ll never miss Bernie’s video recaps, eliminated contestant interviews, Villain of the Week, Quote of the Week, Weight Loss Tracker, Biggest Loser Recipe and so much more!

We asked our very own Bernie Salazar to take us behind the scenes at the Biggest Loser Ranch. With the sixth season just days away, we’ve all accumulated a few curiosities about what it’s like on the other side of the camera, before the producers grab ahold of the tapes. Here are Bernie’s answers to your Top 10 questions.

1. How much time do the contestants actually get to share with the trainers? Is it one hour a day just for the show or are they around during the ins and outs of daily life at the Biggest Loser Ranch?

The trainers are constantly around, they are not there solely for shoot days. The amazing part of the whole Biggest Loser experience is that the trainers are there all the time, they truly take time to care for not only our physical well being but also our mental and emotional health as well.

2. I want to know how much of the show is scripted. Are there writers on the ranch that coach the contestants to help make good TV?

There were absoulutely no writers scripting anything! From what I observed there was no need to. There are hundreds of hours of the contestent’s interactions caught on camera, what you see is pretty much what you get.

3. Do contestants receive any sort of payment or stipend for their time on Biggest Loser?

Contestants are provided with a stipend to assist with there personal finances, however this was a welcome surprise as most of us went on the show to gain back our health, not receive payment.

4. Where and how do you get the new, fitting clothes? As they slim down, how does that play into the contestants wardrobes, since I assume with them being on the ranch full time there are no shopping trips?

There is a wardrobe department that constantly outfits us they make sure that we have the necessary clothes not only to workout in, but also for the challenges. The stylist are wonderful and very enthusiastic about continually fitting all of the contestants as we achieve our weight loss goals.

5. I’m curious about the general dynamics of the house. It seems like everyone gets along but - do they just sit around and chit chat or do the workouts, the Q&A with producers, the challenges, the eating and sleeping and the general pressures of being in the house keep everyone from spending much real “time” together?

The working out, Q&A, challenges, eating and sleeping do in fact take up a great deal of the contestants time; however, there is time at the end of the day, before and after challenges, and during meal time where we all get a chance to speak and bond. Depending on how long you are on the show, the time spent together can be quite significant. We truly do have a lot of time to bond and get to know one another.

6. What happens if you have a real issue with your trainer or vice versa (as we’ve seen hints of in previous seasons)? How much does that change the team and house dymamic(s)?

I didn’t have any real experience with this particular situation, however I’m sure that would greatly effect the team and house dynamics. Both trainers and producers are very accommodating and do as much as possible to ensure that contestants are as content as possible during their time on the show.

7. How much downtime do the contestants have, and what are they doing in their downtime? Do you ever just get to hang out and watch movies with Bob and Jillian?

DOWN TIME, What’s that? Every once in a while contestants do have a couple moments to themselves; however, I spent my time either resting or reflecting on my goals and my overall well being.

8. There was a trainer named Kim Lyons. She had a falling out and actually behaved quite childishly with one of the contestants, never apologizing or even listening to the contestant (who tried to make things right) without interrupting and getting defensive. She seemed to have some anger issues. Is that why she isn’t on the show? Did the producers, casting people, etc. really think that a fake blonde was gonna do it for us?

I don’t feel I can answer this question as I had no experience meeting or working with Kim. I’m sure the producers of the show had their reasons for not opting to not have Kim continue on as a trainer on the show.

9. What day of the week do you actually weigh-in? What time? Do they take into account weight of clothing? Do you know your weight prior to the ceremony?

The producers of the show workout the details of the weigh-ins, I’m sure they take into account every aspect of the weigh-in process. Never are contestants provided with their weights prior to the weigh-in, confidentiality on the parts of producers and crew is strictly enforced.

10. What is something “Behind the Scenes” we didn’t ask, that you think would be fun or interesting to know?

Contestants are responsible for preparing their own meals, which is great because it prepares us for the real world. Contestants also are responsible for taking care of their own laundry and room cleaning, it is as true to real life as possible.

Tune in this Thursday for the premiere of Biggest Loser: Families, and sign-up for the DietsInReview.com Biggest Loser Updates Newsletter so you don’t miss any of the interviews, recaps, villain of the week, weight tracker and more.

The brand new season of The Biggest Loser is here, and I couldn’t be more excited! From week to week I will be doing a video blog in which I will be commentating  on what’s happening on the show. Having been on the show myself, I know that there is more than meets the eye, so be sure to not only tune into the show, but also my blog. I’d like to also encourage all of you Biggest Loser fans to view this new season as motivation to start leading a more active and healthy life. Please share with me your success and struggles along the way, so that come finale, we are not only celebrating the success of the Biggest Loser contestants, but also yours!

Don’t Just Watch, but Be the Biggest Loser from Diets in Review on Vimeo.

There are many things that have to align to ensure you successfully manage your weight loss journey. It starts within, by believing in yourself and allowing yourself to believe that you can do it.

Bernie Salazar - Believe in Yourself from Diets in Review on Vimeo.

A couple of weeks back I wrote a blog entitled “You are who you hangout with“. It spoke about the importance of having people in your life that can both motivate and support you in your quest to get healthy. While on The Biggest Loser I had an amazing partner, Brittany, who I continue to look to for support in maintaining my new found health. Relaying your health goals to the people in your life is important, so identify your “Fitness Friends” to help keep you active and leading the healthy life you desire.

Bernie Salazar and Brittany Aberle - Fitness Friends from Diets in Review on Vimeo.

Continually setting personal fitness goals for yourself is crucial, not only for losing weight, but more importantly maintaining your weight. Remember, goals are goals because they aren’t necessarily attainable overnight, so be sure to carefully plot out the steps in between and celebrate each one of your small successes along the way.

After completing my first half marathon, I am setting out to complete my first full marathon. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on my successes during my training and also share with you any occasional setbacks. So I now ask you, what is your goal and what steps are you taking toward your success?