Phillip and Amy Parham were contestants on season six of The Biggest Loser where they lost a combined total of 256 pounds. They have three children: Austin, (14), Pearson (12), and Rhett (9). They continue to inspire people through their website and social network PhilAndAmyFitness.com and through “90 day fitness challenges” that they conduct across the country. In June 2010 they will release a book entitled “Dream Again: Phil and Amy’s 90 Day Fitness Challenge” and a companion DVD.

When it was first suggested to me that my son Rhett might have autism I instantly thought about Raymond on the movie “Rain Man.” Suddenly my life became about trying to “fix” Rhett. So I went out in search of every therapy, diet, and program I could find to do this. I soon learned the reason that they call autism a “spectrum” disorder. A child could have autism and not be able to speak a word. Or they could be like Rhett and talk all the time, but not really have a conversation. They could be highly intelligent or mentally retarded. They could take care of feeding and clothing themselves or they could need assistance with these things. We were some of the “lucky” ones. Rhett could go to the bathroom, feed himself, communicate his basic needs, and he kept eye contact and was affectionate towards us. Because autism is different for every child diagnosed with the disorder, not every therapy or diet works for every child.

Although I now know that autism has no cure, I did find things that helped him to function better. I had heard that wheat gluten and the casein in dairy products caused a reaction in some children with autism. So we put the family on a gluten and casein free diet. We did this for about a year, and although it did calm him down some, we had to weigh the toll it had on our budget and our other children. Our children already felt like they were making so many sacrifices for Rhett’s disability. The fact that they couldn’t have pizza every once in a while like “normal” kids became a sacrifice that seemed unnecessary.

Now, since we have been on the Biggest Loser, we have learned that many of the processed foods and drinks high in sugar that we allowed our children to have were just as bad for them. We have eliminated all of those things. We only drink water, skim milk, and juice, and eat fast food very rarely. Our children’s ability to focus and follow directions has seemed to increase tremendously. They also have more energy. We are definitely not perfect and are continuing to try and live a healthier lifestyle, but our children are healthier and we hope happier as a result of the changes that we have made.

Learn more about Amy Parham and Phillip Parham right here at DietsInReview.com.

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A Biggest Loser Family Fights Autism with a Healthy Lifestyle

He was still never one to slack, and put all he had into those workouts. You couldn’t help but feel a little sorry watching Phil this week, though. He said he felt very isolated on the ranch and that there was no one he could trust. Even after his team supported him after the blue team ambush in which Heba called out Phil’s animosity toward her, he still felt like a fourth wheel on that time.

Phil did own up and admitted to this conversation with Brady that took place on the basketball court. He was trying to find out if there was any wiggle room in the alliance between Heba, Vicky and Brady, that would allow for Amy to stay should she come up for elimination.

On top of the 106 total pounds Phil has lost since starting the Biggest Loser, he’s also lost all of his hair! He says both he and Amy have made dramatic transformations and since nothing was going to grow on the “cul-de-sac,” he decided to get rid of it.

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Interview with Phillip Parham, Eliminated Biggest Loser Week 7

Eliminated Week 7 – Hear the Interview

Phil’s and Amy’s Finale Interview

Age 41

Hometown Greer, SC

Occupation Real Estate Agent

Biggest Loser: Families teammate Amy Parham, Wife

Team Color Red / Black

Trainer Jillian Michaels

Starting Weight 331

Final Weight 180

Total Loss -151

Percent Lost 45.62

Factoids

• He and wife Amy split to separate teams during week 5. He is now on Jillian’s black team.

Quotes

• “I saw her pushing 450 pounds with her legs. She was making sounds I haven’t heard since she was giving birth to our children.” – about wife Amy, Week 6
• “The next time you see me, I’ll be so hot you won’t care I don’t have any hair.” – after elimination, Week 7

Videos

• Red Team Week 5 Strategy
• Let There be Puke, Phil
• Phil’s Where Are They Now

Other spellings: Philip, Phillipp, Phil, Fillip, Parham, Param, Paham, Parrham

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Biggest Loser 6: Phillip Parham