DIET COLUMN

We had a chance to visit with Bob Harper, the Biggest Loser blue team trainer, today just moments after his afternoon workout. It’s proof that he’s practicing what he preaches to the contestants of the show, now in its sixth season. “I love my job,” says Bob, who is as vocally passionate about the role he plays in helping these people regain their health as you see on the show. He says his mantra is “get healthy, get healthy, get healthy.”

Prior to his role on Biggest Loser, Bob was a celebrity trainer, where he explained he’d help already-fit people “turn their six packs into eight packs and get from a size four to a size two.” Biggest Loser very much changed the way he trains because he’s working with “everyday people,” and it is his responsibility to show them how to not only lose weight, but to do so in a healthy, well-rounded way.

This season, one of the people Bob is transforming is Vicky Vilcan. We brought her up specifically because she’s the only player we’ve ever seen cause such a ripple amongst Biggest Loser fans, who are a pretty devout group. Bob himself has called her “Shakespearean” and a “puppet-master,” but he explains that who you see on the show is exactly who the producers want you to see. “Vicky is the biggest fan of this show and loves reality TV, she played the game tough,” he remarks.

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Coleen is easily one of the most down-to-Earth, genuine individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of talking with. Not only do I follow Biggest Loser to keep all of you fans updated, but I’m an avid fan of the show and each week get even more emotionally involved than is healthy for one to have with a TV program. So last night as Coleen’s name was revealed on Amy C.’s tray, I cried like a big baby. Coleen is still at home working hard and says she has not stepped on the scale in a couple of weeks. Down from a size 22 and XXXL shirts that she wore at the start of Biggest Loser: Families, Coleen is ecstatic to share that she’s now wearing size medium tops and size 10 pants and dresses.

The biggest change in her daily routine has been that she’s very active. She used to just lounge around, but now she hits the ground running everyday. Part of that busy schedule is a lot of gym time, and she concentrates pretty heavily on cardio. She’s even staying on top of dad, Jerry, to make sure he’s active at the gym as well.

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Bernie’s Biggest Loser Families Week 9 Recap from Diets in Review on Vimeo.

Don’t miss any of Bernie’s weekly Biggest Loser recaps. You can also stay up to date on all the Biggest Loser news, videos and recipes by signing up for the Biggest Loser Updates newsletter.

Bernie’s Biggest Loser Week 8 Recap from Diets in Review on Vimeo.

Episode 8 was packed with so much drama and nail biting twists that I actually found myself covering my eyes and all-out screaming at my TV at some points. This undoubtedly had to be the most action-packed episode to date. In Episode 8 we see all the contestants return for a chance to get back on the ranch. Participants were asked to weigh in and Phil had lost an amazing 68 pounds. followed by Ed who wasn’t far behind at 58 pounds lost. However, contestants weren’t being allowed back on the ranch based on weight loss, instead Ali announces that a challenge will take place to determine who returns. (more…)

Bernie’s Biggest Loser Week 7 Recap from Diets in Review on Vimeo.

Let me just start off by saying, “Good for Bob!” He pulled his team aside, mainly Vicky and Brady, and asked if there was game play involved in Brady’s 2 lbs. weight loss last week. They concluded that his weight loss was attributed to Brady not eating as often as he should, not sure I’m sold on that conclusion, but oh well.

Contestants then played a game modeled after an amazing book called “Eat This, Not That,” which shares with people the calories behind some of the food choices we make. It was very insightful, and I personally enjoy the book, so I’m glad to see it mentioned on the show.

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First it was the missus, now it’s the mister. One of the most beloved couples on Biggest Loser this season has finally left the ranch, with Phil’s elimination last night. He really seemed to struggle the week following Amy’s elimination- and that’s both an observation and a fact quoted by him. He arrived home in South Carolina on their 25th wedding anniversary. So his mind was obviously in a different place, being separated from her. (more…)

Biggest Loser Week 6 Recap from Diets in Review on Vimeo.

If it wasn’t evident before it most certainly is now, the game play is officially here! Episode 6 started off pretty normal, each team took a field trip. Bob’s team went to an ab strengthening acrobatics class, while Jillian’s team went to a ropes course. Coleen confronted her fear of heights, while back on the Blue Team Heba realized just how hard aerial acrobatics can be.

This week’s challenge tested contestant’s balance by having them race around a circular balance beam. For every completed lap by a team member a point was given, first team to 25 won. This challenge was a complete blow out! (more…)

Last night, Biggest Loser said goodbye to its little Southern belle. Husband Phil is likely to miss that sweet drawl more than any other player, and as such, they’re going to have to deal with him now. Amy Parham’s parting words were that her teammates made a mistake by assuming her husband would be weaker with her out of the house, it would only make him stronger.

Phil and Amy are college sweethearts, they met at their freshman orientation and she says after the second date she was in love. Their devotion for one another was quite clear on the show, and the love pours over into their three boys. Upon arriving home, Amy says her kids have embraced the new lifestyle. Her middle son is 11 years old, and the only one she says has had trouble with his weight, even saying kids at school have made fun of him. Since she has returned home he’s lost 10 pounds, two pant sizes and even goes to the gym with Amy and Phil.

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Her exit might have been a surprise to all of us, and her daughter Amy C., but Shellay says she could feel all week that she was the one to go. Shellay Cremen made it through five weeks at Biggest Loser, dropping a total of 27 pounds while on the ranch, and currently fitting comfortably into a size 8. She said she doesn’t know where she’ll stop, but her goal is to be a size 6 at the December finale, and that she wants to get as low as she can. “I’m out to really prove I can really do it.”

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This turned out to be one of the juiciest episodes yet this season! And for good reason- there was a lot going on.

Biggest Loser: Families Week 5 Recap from Diets in Review on Vimeo.

Temptation
Kudos to the teams for walking into a room with piles of brownies, bagels, peanut butter cups and donuts and sitting idly by. Coleen said it best when she walked into the room, “For someone who hasn’t had baked goods in a month… I could smell them a mile away.” Ali explained the person who consumed the most calories would gain control of the game - the ability to split the teams black for Jillian and blue for Bob.  The lights were turned off and everyone could eat whatever they wanted unseen. Heba tried to take one for the team by eating one donut and leaving things as is, but Amy C. wasn’t feeling it and Phil snuck off to eat peanut butter cups. Heba still prevailed as the biggest calorie consumer.

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