It was around the age of 9 that Dr. Jason Cleveland of Lake Worth, Florida, started to develop a weight problem. Eating too much and choosing poor quality food were his primary downfalls – a result of poor eating habits he learned from his parents. Cleveland, now 42, doesn’t necessarily fault his parents. However, he does admit they simply didn’t know much about proper nutrition for kids – a problem that’s becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society.

This poor nutritional foundation ultimately resulted in Cleveland reaching his highest weight of nearly 250 pounds. It wasn’t until attending a wedding in May 2010 that he realized it was time for a change. “I had to have my entire tuxedo enlarged to wear. I am a wellness practitioner, and I could not believe how far I had fallen,” he said.” The next day I started my quest.”

To lose the weight, Cleveland adopted an 80% diet-20% exercise motto – a plan he created years earlier for patients at his practice. “I do not start any of my clients on exercise until they have lost a significant amount of weight for fear of injury,” he said. After losing the first 40 pounds, Cleveland began cardio only – something as simple as jumping rope.
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ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition hits the road this April for a live casting call tour in 13 cities nationwide. It’s an exciting opportunity to be on one of the most popular weight loss reality shows, but more importantly to change your health and life with the help of leading experts.

5 winners for @emwle_casting G+ Meet & Greet Event have been chosen: @momduce @kellywithay @theedshanley @the3sparks @thejessicaist !!

— DietsInReview (@DietsInReview) March 29, 2013

You’ll have an exclusive opportunity to meet the casting directors for the show and win a front of the line pass to the casting call of your choice during our G+ Hangout on April 2 at 8:00p EST. We’re hosting this event with Holland Weathers and Brandon Nickens, as well as season two success Jacqui McCoy. There are five open seats and we want to put you in one! GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!

At the live casting calls, you’ll meet one-on-one with casting agents, interviews that could land you one of a few coveted spots on the show’s fourth season. Unlike other reality weight loss shows, Extreme Makeover is not competition based and follows an individual’s journey from start to finish for 365 days under the direction of trainer Chris Powell.
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I’d like to nominate America as a candidate to participate in The Biggest Loser 15. But if they’re too busy, maybe the U.S. Army could fill in, considering our troops’ swelling obesity rate is now a national security concern. Apparently, as U.S. citizens ascend toward new heights of corpulence, so goes the armed forces.

The army has historically had stringent fitness demands, and “boot camp” is synonymous with hellacious physical exertion, so the weight gain can’t be for lack of trying. From 1992 to 2007, more than 24,000 soldiers were discharged for falling short of the Army’s weight standards.

Fortunately, the U.S. Army’s Military Nutrition Division may have an answer. In a recent intervention conducted at five dining halls on Fort Bragg, N.C., researchers found that replacing foods heavy in fat and sugar with fruit, veggies, whole-grains, and lean meat significantly improved the nutritional health of the soldiers and led to weight loss. “Go for Green” placards with nutritional information were placed around the mess halls to incentivize the soldiers.
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On Wednesday the annual County Health Rankings were released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. These rankings break down each state into its counties and then rank them on various factors that influence health. The 25 factors evaluated include smoking rates, obesity levels, access to doctors and dentists, and physical activity levels.

States found at the bottom of the annual America’s Health Rankings by the United Health Foundation unsurprisingly also have some of the least healthy counties. According to the County Health Rankings, counties in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, West Virginia and South Carolina have smoking rates of about 25 percent and obesity rates at 30-40 percent.

On the healthier side of things are the states that made up the top five in last year’s Health Rankings. Vermont, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Minnesota boasted fewer average days of poor physical health than the least healthy states. Counties in the healthier states also show higher rates of diet and exercise.
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The confetti has fallen, the weight has been lost, and another group of contestants fall in to the Biggest Loser history books. It’s a wrap for Biggest Loser 14 – with Danni Allen named the winner and Gina McDonald claiming the at-home prize. This might have been the Challenge America season, publicity wise, but it was the season of redemption as far as fans were concerned. From where we’re sitting, the producers stepped up and delivered.

Tonight, these 15 contestants lost 1,431 pounds combined. Collectively they entered the ranch weighing 4,296 pounds – or more than two ton! They lost the weight in 11 weeks on the ranch and just over eight weeks at home. They proved that while having world-class trainers in a fitness-focused environment may help pounds melt off of your body, the real work is done at home. It’s most impressive when it’s done at home.

We adored this cast, just as many of you at home did. They seemed to embody the soul of Biggest Loser. We can’t recall a single fight or melodramatic moment this season. None of the catty, game-play, back-stabbing events that typically fuel mid-week teasers made an appearance. We saw people like Danni, Jackson, Michael, TC, and Francelina touch the hearts, inspire the minds, and fuel the motivation of millions at home.

Say one last goodbye to one of the best casts this show has ever had, and celebrate each pound that they let us watch disappear.

Danni Allen: Starting Weight 258, Final Weight 137, Total Loss -121 / 46.9%

Biggest Loser 14 Winner

Gina McDonald: Starting Weight 245, Final Weight 132, Total Loss -113 / 46.12

Biggest Loser 14 At-Home Winner
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