Biggest Loser Diet Tops U.S. News and World Report Best Diet Rankings

Diet co-authored by Cheryl Forberg, RD ranked No. 2 for weight loss, and No.1 for diabetics

U.S. News and World Report ranked The Biggest Loser Diet among the top diets for weight loss on its annual list of The Best Diets. The Biggest Loser Diet ranked No. 2 among all tested diets for weight loss, and was named the No. 1 diet for fighting and managing diabetes by the prestigious magazine.

Cheryl Forberg — a Registered Dietitian, James Beard award-winning chef, New York Times best-selling author, and Nutritionist for The Biggest Loser for 12 seasons, co-authored the diet and since the show’s debut in 2004 to season 12 2011, she individually counseled each of The Biggest Loser’s 250 contestants on how to transform their eating and cooking habits — consequently helping to change their lives.

Forberg has long touted The Biggest Loser Diet’s benefits to diabetics. In fact, one-in-four contestants have diabetes when they report The Ranch: But they all leave without it.

View the original article here

Biggest Loser Diet Tops U.S. News and World Report Best Diet Rankings

Diet co-authored by Cheryl Forberg, RD ranked No. 2 for weight loss, and No.1 for diabetics

U.S. News and World Report ranked The Biggest Loser Diet among the top diets for weight loss on its annual list of The Best Diets. The Biggest Loser Diet ranked No. 2 among all tested diets for weight loss, and was named the No. 1 diet for fighting and managing diabetes by the prestigious magazine.

Cheryl Forberg — a Registered Dietitian, James Beard award-winning chef, New York Times best-selling author, and Nutritionist for The Biggest Loser for 12 seasons, co-authored the diet and since the show’s debut in 2004 to season 12 2011, she individually counseled each of The Biggest Loser’s 250 contestants on how to transform their eating and cooking habits — consequently helping to change their lives.

Forberg has long touted The Biggest Loser Diet’s benefits to diabetics. In fact, one-in-four contestants have diabetes when they report The Ranch: But they all leave without it.

View the original article here

Biggest Loser Diet Tops U.S. News and World Report Best Diet Rankings

Diet co-authored by Cheryl Forberg, RD ranked No. 2 for weight loss, and No.1 for diabetics

U.S. News and World Report ranked The Biggest Loser Diet among the top diets for weight loss on its annual list of The Best Diets. The Biggest Loser Diet ranked No. 2 among all tested diets for weight loss, and was named the No. 1 diet for fighting and managing diabetes by the prestigious magazine.

Cheryl Forberg — a Registered Dietitian, James Beard award-winning chef, New York Times best-selling author, and Nutritionist for The Biggest Loser for 12 seasons, co-authored the diet and since the show’s debut in 2004 to season 12 2011, she individually counseled each of The Biggest Loser’s 250 contestants on how to transform their eating and cooking habits — consequently helping to change their lives.

Forberg has long touted The Biggest Loser Diet’s benefits to diabetics. In fact, one-in-four contestants have diabetes when they report The Ranch: But they all leave without it.

View the original article here

Q+A: Newest Biggest Loser Trainer Anna Kournikova

Anna Kournikova, who has been a guest on the Ranch in the past, joins The Biggest Loser as  a full-time trainer this season, bring her own sort of fire and intensity and a whole new energy. Kournikova has had a tennis racket in her hands since the age of five, and, as the daughter of two athletes, grew up training hard, pounding backhands in her native Moscow, and made a splash on the international tennis circuit while still in her teens.

I met with Anna at the start of season 12 to discuss The Biggest Loser approach to food and nutrition and had the chance to ask her a little a bit about her career and what she would do to motivate the contestants this season.

What’s the greatest adversity you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
Anna: Having significant injuries as a professional athlete and finding creative ways to still workout and train.

What do you think you can do to inspire others?
Anna: The most important thing I can do to inspire others is to tell them to dream big! Growing up in the Soviet Union I was a small girl with very modest means but I had big dreams of becoming a professional tennis player. I can personally tell everyone that with a lot of hard work and dedication you can achieve things that you never thought were possible.

What would most surprise people about you?
Anna: I am a huge adrenaline junky and love to try all sorts of cool and exciting action sports.

How would you describe your tennis playing style, and, how if at all, do you think this relates to your approach to life?
Anna: I have always loved to be creative on the court, and sometimes it worked to my advantage and sometimes it didn’t. I was never a “play it safe” athlete; I always loved to take some risks. I think I approach life this way, too.

I am, overall, pretty regimented, which is a given having been a professional athlete, but I love to mix it up a bit and have some fun. I am a Gemini so it’s in my blood!

What is your favorite recovery food, following an intense workout?
Anna: All the carb choices like bananas, oranges, or whole wheat pasta if I need more fuel to keep going.

What’s your food weakness or indulgence?
Anna: I love a juicy cheeseburger with sweet potato fries

What is one meal or snack you love that feels indulgent, but isn’t?
Anna: Guacamole and whole wheat tortilla chips -- of course, in moderation!

What do you listen to when working out?
Anna: Anything and everything that keeps me moving and motivated!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Anna: Trust your gut, and know who you are as a person. You really have to know who you are and you have to be a complete person before you can give to others.

View the original article here

Cheryl Chats With Biggest Loser Trainer Dolvett Quince

The charismatic trainer Dolvett Quince joins The Biggest Loser this season, bringing years of expertise in, in his words, "body sculpting." He keeps his clientele in shape and works with some to transform their bodies (one client lost 325 pounds) as founder of Atlanta, GA-based Body Sculptor fitness studios. In preparation for this season of BL, I had the chance to chat with Dolvett about fitness, training Atlanta's celebs (Justin Beiber even brought him on tour), and his advice for the rest of us.

Cheryl: What is the number one mistake people make when starting a training program?
Dolvett: Getting started without stretching.

Cheryl: What do you say to someone who thinks they are too out of shape to start exercising?
Dolvett: How much more out of shape are you gonna get before you get started?

Cheryl: You own your own successful fitness studios and have trained everyone from Justin Beiber to Janet Jackson. Of your accomplishments as a trainer, which are you most proud of?
Dolvett: I'd have to say making it here on Biggest Loser, I can affect more people, and help change lives.

Cheryl: Any of your celeb training clients ever give you a hard time about working out?
Dolvett: Always. No one really loves working out until the compliments come in, so the hard work pays off.

Cheryl: Do you ever get starstruck?
Dolvett: Sure, Im a fan like anyone else, I admire anyone who is great at what they do...it motivates me.

Cheryl: What do you love to eat following an intense workout?
Dolvett: Chicken and spinach salad! Mmmmmmm yum!

Cheryl: What's your food weakness or favorite indulgence?
Dolvett: I love, love sweets … lemon cake!

Cheryl: Is there anything that most people (even your friends!) don't know about you?
Dolvett: I don't take myself too seriously, so I've always had a dream of doing standup comedy, or singing the national anthem before a game!!

View the original article here

Get a Peek at Biggest Loser At-Home Winner Denise's Food Journals

The Biggest Loser Season 11 may be over,  but that doesn’t mean we are all going on vacation (and even if you are literally going on vacation, this is no time to let your diet slip). I’ll be posting the usual assortment of tips, reminders and recipes to keep you on the right track as always, so check back here each week.

In addition, I’ll also be giving away a year-long membership to The Biggest Loser Club every week! The Biggest Loser Club is an interactive nutrition and excises program that creates customized meal plan and daily exercises especially for you. To enter this week, leave a comment for me on Facebook telling me your ultimate weight-loss goal.

If you tuned in to The Biggest Loser finale last week, you saw Denise Hill win the at-home prize while Olivia became Season 11's Biggest Loser. Deni's food journal entries spoke volumes.

Successful weight loss requires dietary modification, cardio and weight bearing exercise, as well as addressing the psychological aspects of emotional eating (which affect most of us on some level).

Many of you have asked what the contestants eat to fuel their vigorous exercise and to help them achieve their weight loss success.

Today, I'd like to share Denise’s before-and-after food journal.

Last fall, when I met with Denise before the season started she shared with me her typical daily intake at that time, which contributed to her starting weight of 256 pounds. She, like most of the contestants, was eating at least, if not more than three times the amount of calories her body needed.

Deni would wake up at 6 a.m., skip breakfast and get to work by 7 without eating. Once at work she would make instant oatmeal with diet protein poweder. She would drink herbal tea at work as well.

Noon: she would bring a salad with chicken and would use a low fat sesame ginger dressing.

Deni would drink water all day, aiming for 64 oz. per day.

Usually she didn’t snack because she was "always on a diet."

As soon as she got home “all willpower went out the window." She would go straight to fridge and take out the ice cream and eat several scoops in a large bowl with chocolate syrup.

And now that "she’d blown it for the day" she'd go out for dinner with her husband and order something along the lines of Indian food with cream sauce.

Back home from dinner she’d eat dessert such as a chocolate ice cream bar dipped in almonds.

Most nights she would eat "nonstop until bedtime,” consuming six, seven, or more salted crackers with salted butter, sugared cereal or a large bag of popcorn with butter on it.

Now here’s a sample of Deni’s food journal after joining in on BL Season 11:

Breakfast:
6 ounces unsweetened almond milk
1 cup high-protein high fiber cereal
1 cup fresh strawberries
(215 calories)

Snack:
2 tablespoons dry roasted cashews
(100 calories)

Lunch:
Sandwich made with one slice whole wheat bread
3 1/2 ounces chicken breast
1 ounce reduced fat cheddar cheese
(315 calories)

Snack:
1/4 cup trail mix
(175 calories)

Dinner:
3 ounces grilled chicken breast
Salad: 2 cups romaine, 2 cups spring mix, tomato, 1/4 cucumber, 1/4 cup cauliflower, 1 ounce shrimp, 2 tablespoons low fat miso dressing
(315 calories)

Snack:
1 cup non fat frozen yogurt
(185 calories)

1,305 total calories

Before The Biggest Loser, Deni rarely ate fresh fruit and much of her diet contained high fat, high saturated fat, and high sugar foods. She now focuses on eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains and “good” fats. Once home from the ranch she aimed to eat at least 1,200 calories per day. She tried to err on side of more calories rather than less, and consistently lost 3 pounds a week at home! Of course she also kept up an exercise routine as well.

At age 59, Deni lost 125 pounds (48.83% of her starting weight) to make it to a final weight of 131 pounds. Way to go!

Remember, enter for your chance to win a one-year membership to The Biggest Loser Club and get the tools you need to tackle your own diet plan. What’s your weight-loss goal? Tell me on Facebook for your chance to win.

View the original article here

Another NOT the Biggest Loser (guest post).

Please to welcome Katie. Another NOT the Biggest Loser…

In the beginning…

When I first started this journey I weighed 315 lbs. I did not really have much quality of life. I was taking 7 different medications for various ailments including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux and Type II Diabetes. I also was doing insulin twice a day and sleeping with a CPAP machine. My doctor had suggested WLS but I was very hesitant because of the risks associated with surgery. I told her that I would try to lose weight on my own and would do the surgery if I was unsuccessful. I was at my breaking point and knew I just HAD to do something or I was going to die. Literally.

D-I-E. Everybody has a different bottom and that was mine. I had to make some lifestyle changes QUICK or ELSE! I was desperate and depressed. I had a pretty grim outlook on life.

First Year

I had to make a plan. I had to do something that would be sustainable for the long haul so I tracked the calories I was consuming and the exercise I was getting through my bodybugg.  I adjusted my portion sizes and aimed for more fresh fruits, whole grains and fresh vegetables.  I had a very warped idea of what an actual portion was. I managed to lose 60 lbs. the first year of my journey. I started walking, riding my bike and doing belly dancing and Zumba. I wanted it be fun! I maintained the 60 lb. loss but did replace 15 lbs. of fat with muscle.  To be honest, I did think the weight would come off much quicker but you get out of it what you put into right? Exercise is where I falter. I have not been consistent about it and would probably have lost more had I been but I won’t make excuses. I will tell you that now at 250 it is a WHOLE lot easier moving around then it was at 315. I am making an effort to incorporate it into my daily life now and I am doing better but there is still a whole lot of improvement needed here.

Second Year

Last year was a whirlwind on the emotional front for sure.  I found out in July that I have biological siblings that I never knew existed and that my biological mother was deceased from an overdose. My niece Candace and I met 8 days later as she is the one who lives closest to me. Dave and I moved out of a chaotic living situation shortly thereafter to a quiet complex and I got to go on my second Alaskan Cruise with my mom. I managed not to gain any weight on the cruise this time either! I met my biological Uncle Steve in August, met Tess and Michael my siblings in September and then found my biological father in October .We met once and communicated by phone and I sent him cards and a picture of me and but he died the day after Christmas due to complications from catching on fire while smoking. He will be interned on Feb. 23rd.  The entire year I maintained the 60 lb. loss and bounced up and down with the same 5 lbs. As much as that stinks, it also taught me that I could choose constructive ways of coping with my emotions other then food. I did a whole lot of deep soul searching and feel like I have come to terms with a lot of the emotional sources of my morbid obesity. It’s all about progress not perfection right? It was a life changing year.

Today

I am feeling that I am on my way again even though I had the flu and then kidney stones over the last 5 weeks LOL! I really do feel like this really is my time to shine!  I am a third of the way to my goal.  I have lost 19% of my body weight and I have lost 29? as of today. I have reduced my insulin dosage by 80%. I am only taking one of the BP medications and hope to be off that by the end of this year. My doctor is very pleased with my current stats and looks forward to seeing my continued progress.

I still have have a lot of weight to lose but I you can rest assured that I am going to reach my goals!

View the original article here

Biggest Loser

Based on the hit NBC show and featuring the expertise of personal trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels THQ's The Biggest Loser releases are more than just exercise games they are complete personalized health and fitness programs scheduled for release this October for Nintendo Wii and DS . Join The Biggest Loser Challenge! In The Biggest Loser Challenge both physical fitness and nutrition come together. Select from a 4 8 or 12 week program and compete with former contestants. Pick a Fitness Program That Works For You! If you're looking to lose a little weight a lot of weight or just maintain your weight there is a custom fitness and nutrition program for you that includes upper body core lower body cardio and yoga to ensure a total body workout. Bob and Jillian are there to help encourage you to put in that extra effort with tips on how to exercises more effectively. Your Own Nutrition Plan! Customize your diet based on your specific weight loss goals and track your caloric intake to see if you are on track. Track Your Progress! The calendar features keep track of your achievements in-game as well as upcoming training and weigh-in dates. Receive credit for any activities completed away from the game. Health & Lifestyle Tips and Information! Includes 50 healthy recipes from The Biggest Loser Cookbook an interactive calorie counter and healthy tips and suggestions from the Trainers Chefs and Contestants. Train With A Friend! Two players can train together and compete in weekly challenges to see who really is The Biggest Loser! Wii Balance Board! Use the Wii Balance Boardd for Squats Knee Lifts Lunges and much much more!Features: Utilizes the Wii Remote Nunchuck and Balance Board. Features 8 of your favorite former contestants from past seasons. Multiplayer - Simultaneous Quickplay Multiplayer Challenge Biggest Loser Team Training. Pick a routine based on your personal goals - lower body core etc. and then up the inten

Price: $29.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Weight Loss Yoga

BIGGEST LOSER:WEIGHT LOSS YOGA - DVD Movie

Price: $14.98

Click here to buy from Amazon

Biggest Loser 5568BL Body Fat-Body Water Scale, Silver and Stainless Steel

Body Composition Scale

Price: $39.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

The Biggest Loser Challenge

The Biggest Loser Challenge is an exercise simulation game for Wii, based on the popular The Biggest Loser television series. The second The Biggest Loser video game released for Wii, The Biggest Loser Challenge is designed to evolve along with the player's exercise routine. Featuring the cast and trainers from the TV show, the game's 125+ exercises, co-op play option, Wii Balance Board support, new challenges and customization options provide a fun and healthy exercise outlet suitable for every member of the family, regardless of their weight, physical ability or age.

A New and Unique Biggest Loser Experience for Wii

One of the leading interactive health and fitness video games is back with The Biggest Loser Challenge, exclusively for Wii. Hosted by Allison Sweeney and featuring the training talents of Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, with this new fitness experience players that are looking to lose a little weight, a lot of weight or maintain their current physique will now be able to enjoy more than 125 exercise moves in six different environments, including "The Biggest Loser" Ranch, "The Biggest Loser" Gym, "The Biggest Loser" Yoga Area and "The Biggest Loser" Boxing Ring.

Take on the challenges of The Biggest Loser in a whole new way.
View larger.

Driven by the player's use of either Wii Remote and/or the Wii Balance Board the game's workouts include warm ups, cool downs, new cardio boxing, yoga, circuit training (upper body and lower body), as well as core exercises, and allows players to create a custom fitness program or choose from ten preset fitness routines such as Belly Buster and Boot Camp. Many of these exercises can be integrated with stability balls, resistance bands and free weights (sold separately). The Biggest Loser Challenge also features 50 all-new recipes from the Biggest Loser Cookbook to make the game an all-encompassing weight loss tool. Additional features include: a drop-in co-op option for two player workouts, body analyzer functionality (manual input), character customization, new and refurbished challenges, diet and video tips a calorie counter and more.

Key Game Features

• Track Your Progress - Players can track their progress through the game's calendar, which displays a recommended routine, challenges and nutrition for that day.
• Motivation - Players will be provided encouragement and given tips from trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels.
• Enhanced Gameplay Experience - Players can choose to workout using the Wii Balance Board, stability ball or resistance bands for a more intense program.
• Know Your Health Score - Players can enter personal information such as age, height, weight and amount of regular exercise to calculate a score that indicates their current health and fitness levels.
• Fun For the Whole Family - The whole family can participate in The Biggest Loser Challenge. Families can link their profiles together to congratulate each other for the accomplishments, or help help motivate members who may not have signed in for a couple of days. The game also allows a player to join in on another player's activity, via co-op play, without interrupting the game.
• The Biggest Loser Club - The game includes a 30-day trial membership to The Biggest Loser Club, a $19.99 value.

Additional Screenshots

Workout with a buddy in co-op. View larger.

6 environments with 5 settings. View larger.

Preset& customizable options. View larger.

Integrate your accessories. View larger.

Price: $29.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Another Not The Biggest Loser…

Thanks so much to Andrew for stepping up & joining the ranks of us Not.Biggest.Loser-types.

In 2002, at 43 years of age I had a routine company-sponsored medical examination. The liver results were a little screwy and the doctor recommended some further tests. After some more blood tests and an ultrasound, the specialist I was referred to diagnosed me with “fatty liver”, a condition where large build-ups of triglyceride fats occur in the liver cells, causing the liver to really struggle. The specialist gave me two choices; lose 20 kg (44 lbs), or have a liver biopsy. I chose the former.

This diagnosis shouldn’t have come as a surprise. I was 110 kg (243 lbs), with a BMI and body fat % of about 35. I had been like this for the previous 15 years or so.

I had been a very active junior, playing pretty high grade soccer until I was about 18. I became less active while studying at university, and after university got married to my beautiful wife who is a wonderful cook, and took up a fairly sedantary career in IT. I was stressed and worked too many hours and probably ate too much. I didn’t really exercise, other than playing with the kids as they grew up. I coached junior basketball for many years and sort of kidded myself that standing around on the court and pointing and shouting was exercise.

So, 22 years later I’m walking out of a specialist’s office with an instruction to lose 20 kg.

I walked, I rode my bike and I tried to eat better. I lost 10 kg in about 6 months. Specialist and I were both happy. Over the next 6 months, I lost a little more but not enough. Then over the next year it all went back on again (well most of it, all except a couple of kg).

It appears that the “fatty liver” diagnosis wasn’t enough of a wake-up call.

In June of 2004 I went on a two-week business trip around Asia (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore) with a work colleague. My work colleague was a female, just over 9 years older than me. The weather was very humid, we had two weekends and a public holiday to “see the sights” and to put it plainly I just could not keep up with her. I can still remember the public holiday we had in Hong Kong where we did a lot of walking around, and I thought I was going to die, I was so unfit – and I was struggling to keep up with a 50+ female work colleague. When I got home, I said to Adrienne, I have to do something about my weight and get fit.

So, I did.

By June of 2005 I had lost about 24 kg by sensible eating and increasing the amount of exercise I took – primarily walking and cycling again. I wanted to lose a bit more, but started to find it really tough, hitting a plateau – big time. I joined a gym and started a 6 month plan with a personal trainer – this helped a little, but not a lot. My trainer kept telling me I should run, but I had never been a runner, and didn’t think I could do it, as I had a history of knee pain. However, he persisted (as they do) and I decided to try – it was oh so hard at first (run a few steps, die a little, run a few more), but gradually I got addicted to running. He also told me to start keeping a training log, and every piece of exercise I’ve done since then is stilled logged there.

I bought and read lots of books on fitness and running, quickly filling up a couple of shelves on my bookcase.

I came across the Ausrun Runner’s World internet forum, and found a wonderfully supportive and friendly group of people, who talked me into my first “fun run” the 2006 14km “Run For The Kids”. What a blast! Since then I’ve run numerous other runs, including my first half marathon later in 2006, and my first and only (and very ugly) full marathon in 2007.

In April of 2007 I bought myself a new road bike and that really reignited my boyhood love of cycling. In 2008 I completed three triathlons, but have decided that I don’t like the swim leg, so I think I’ve done my last triathlon. Now I love doing some of the longer group participation rides, my favourite the 145km Great Ocean Otway Classic.

After getting down to a minimum of 68 kg, I settled on a “happy weight range” of between 70-75 kg (154-165 lbs) in August of 2005, and have managed to maintain that now for five and a half years. So, I’ve managed to go from a weight of 110 kg, down to about 72 kg, a body fat of 35% down to about 17%, a BMI of 34.5 down to 22.3, a waist size of 44in down to 33in and a clothes size of XXL or XL down to M or S.

I started blogging in January of 2006 after seeing a number of my Ausrun friends doing it. The main reason I started was accountability. I have really found that putting my health and fitness goals “out there” and tracking my progress terribly helpful in my weight maintenance. You can find me at http://ajhblog.wordpress.com

Here are some tips I published on my blog on the occasion of my 5 year weight maintenance anniversary. I think they summarise how I have managed to lose and maintain my weight.

Exercise sensible portion control. I firmly believe this is one of the biggest contributors to our obesity epidemic – our meals are usually just too big!Think about what you eat. I think my mind-set change has been to think about eating a “fuelling your body”, if you think about it this way it does make you think about what you put in your mouth. Cut out the crap!Learn about how your body works and about good nutrition. There are so many good books out there, and so many web sites, and knowing about how your body works and what it needs to work properly for you, just helps so much.Don’t deny yourself the things you love, everything is okay in moderation. I can’t do without my red wine and chocolate!Exercise consistently. Successfully maintaining the required level of exercise is all about making it a habit. Once you get into the habit, you will start to crave it and find you can’t live without it.Find some forms of exercise you enjoy. This sounds obvious, but if you can find something you love doing, obviously you are more likely to do it often.Cross-train. Most forms of exercise will emphasise some part of your body or other, and if you just do that one type of exercise, that part of your body may tend to wear out. Finding two or three different types of exercise you like and your body will thank you.Log it. Keep track of how you’re doing in a training journal or spreadsheet. I have found this to be extremely helpful.Set goals and tell everyone about them. Set yourself a few different goals and then make sure everyone knows about them. This will make you much more motivated to succeed.Get good medical advice. If you get injured, or get any little niggles, go get some expert advice (this probably isn’t your local GP, unless they are a very good one). A sports doctor is a good idea as they will be very sympathetic and understanding of your deisre to stay active. I was really lucky to find Dr K., and a couple of very good physios, they got me through my knee issues.Look after your body. Spend time to stretch, practice self-massage (I love my foam roller), apply ice if needed and also spend time strength training.Go follow some blogs of some like-minded people. It is amazing how motivating and helpful, reading about and communicating with others who are on similar journeys can be. You’ll learn heaps from so many different people with different perspectives.

And lastly, thanks to all of you out there in internet-land who have been so helpful along the way, and of course a special mention to our lovely host Carla, who has to be one of the most positive, inspirational examples to all of us!

View the original article here

Getting to know Curtis Stone, Biggest Loser chef

I recently sat down with Curtis Stone to get to know a little more about this personable Aussie who not only serves as the chef for “The Biggest Loser” but who also stars in one of America’s most popular reality/cooking shows, “Take Home Chef.” Curtis, who trained in London under the legendary Marco Pierre White, is also author and presenter of the globally-successful cooking/lifestyle program, "Surfing the Menu.” His success in the U.S. has been phenomenal, with People Magazine naming him one of the sexiest men alive.

You certainly look quite fit Curtis - have you ever had a weight problem?

I don’t like to sit still for long at all which has probably helped me along the way and partly why I was drawn to the heat of a restaurant kitchen. The rush of service means that you are always on your toes and keeps a chef pretty active. These days I have to make more of a concerted effort to include exercise as part of my routine but I do try to do a little something on a regular basis as I always feel so much better when I am fit.

You've had classical culinary training and worked in some of the top restaurants in the world. What attracted your interest to healthier cooking?

I think my cooking these days is a lot more relaxed from when I was working in professional kitchens. Spending time in people’s kitchens made me realize that people want to eat healthy meals that are easy to prepare, with minimal ingredients that can be made on a budget. Food should not only taste great but be great for you!

You've been the Biggest Loser chef for a few years now. What have you learned from the contestants during the time you've spent cooking with
them on the Ranch?

Each season I find myself constantly inspired by the Biggest Loser contestants. Their tenacity and willingness to learn new, healthy habits is tremendous and the results speak for themselves. I am honored to be part of such an inspiring program that helps inspire positive change in so many lives.

Is there a particular contestant who really seemed to have a breakthrough when cooking with you?

Daniel from last season's "The Biggest Loser: Couples" was one of the heaviest contestants ever, we got to spend a little time together and he really embraced his time in the kitchen. He worked super hard to come back the following season. while he didn’t win on the show, he worked extra hard to win his health!

You're always traveling, always cooking and always tasting
food. What do you do to stay in shape? What's your favorite exercise
routine?

These days I travel so much it’s hard to get into a routine. When I’m on the road I tend to use hotel gyms. When I am home in LA I like to hike and hit the surf. All in all I try to keep a balanced diet and exercise routine which has stood me in good stead to date.

If you ever find yourself putting on a few extra pounds,
what's the first thing you do to turn that around?

I try to do some form of exercise each day, whether it’s going to the gym, doing a few laps in the pool or even a hike with some mates. I also like to start the day with a fresh fruit smoothie using whatever fruits are in season.

What are some of your most basic cooking or shopping recommendations for our viewers at home who love great food but need to watch their calories?

Use fresh vegetables and fruits that are locally grown. By doing this you cut down your chances of buying under ripe produce that tastes bland. When your produce isn’t fresh and ripe, the bland flavors will usually cause people to add high amounts of salt to their vegetables or high amounts of sugar or sweet accompaniments to their fruits. Also, it helps support local farmers.
Also, use your imagination in the kitchen - there are lots of recipes that you can vary a little to make them healthier. For example hamburgers are usually pretty bad for you, but you can easily make a healthier version by substituting turkey for beef and swapping out the bun to something healthier like a grilled Portobello mushroom or lettuce cups.  Maybe change the pickles to fresh slices of cucumber marinated in vinegar to cut down on sodium. It’s all about substituting the bad items in a dish with nutritious ones, while still keeping the same theme or feel to the dish.

Curtis Stone's banana and honey smoothie
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 large, over-ripe bananas, peeled
1 cup fat free milk
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons fat free yogurt
1 cup ice
Ground cinnamon, to taste
Method
* Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
* Pour smoothie into 2 large glasses and serve immediately.
* Garnish with extra cinnamon if desired.

View the original article here

Meet Brett - new Biggest Loser trainer

A 15-year veteran of the health and wellness industry, fitness instructor and nationally-recognized personal trainer Brett Hoebel has helped shape-up some of Hollywood’s finest, including Victoria Secret supermodels, A-list actors, fashion designers and music icons. He was co-star of a reality fitness show on cable called “Fit Family,” and has made numerous appearances on talk shows like “The View,” “The Today Show” and “Good Morning America.” He has served as a contributing fitness expert for many publications, including Vogue, The New York Times, Elle, InStyle, Shape and Self. Brett is also certified in corrective holistic exercise kinesiology, kettle bell instruction, Olympic lifting and lifestyle coaching, Hatha Yoga instruction and prenatal and postpartum conditioning.

Recently I asked Brett a few questions about his background and motivations.

What led you to become a personal trainer?

After graduating pre-med from college, I became a lab-technician doing biomedical research while taking my MCATs and applying to medical school. On the small salary I was earning, I couldn’t afford a gym membership and decided to apply for a job as assistant boxing instructor at New York Sports Clubs in Manhattan, where I was living. I quickly found that teaching boxing -- and eventually kickboxing -- classes was the one thing I truly enjoyed and looked forward to every day. It was while I was working as a boxing/kickboxing instructor that I realized I could combine my medical background with my love of fitness and health. In the locker room one day, I ran into a group of trainers who were studying for an exam. They were stumped on a physics problem, which I helped them solve. Turns out, they were studying for their personal training certification. That changed my view of what a personal trainer was, i.e., a super buff guy who just counted reps. I was intrigued with the science aspect of personal training so, after switching from medicine to finance, I finally chose fitness as my full-time career and have never turned back.

What’s your training philosophy?

I have what I call a “walk your talk” philosophy. I use an integrative approach for living a mindful, healthy life, which comes not only from my background in different Eastern and Western disciplines, like martial arts and biomedical science, but also from my experience growing up as an over-weight teenager. Being in the health and fitness industry is not a job; it’s a privilege and a way of life. It’s not a part-time thing; it’s about making sure you walk your talk. The health revolution needs leaders, so lead by example and embody the values that people will be inspired by. It’s about mental strength -- that’s what it takes to endure the physical, mental and emotional challenges you will face getting in-shape and staying in-shape. It’s about discipline -- living a healthy lifestyle is done one day at a time. It’s about trust -- you have to build it -- and respect -- you have to earn it. Once you do, you can transform someone’s body and their life. It’s about love and tough love -- when someone gives their best effort, show them some love, but when someone wants to give-up, you have to be tough and motivate them not to quit. And it’s absolutely about going there -- once you push to your limits, you won’t settle for less.

How do you keep up with the trends in the fitness industry?

I had two colleagues who pointed me in the right direction for higher learning in both personal training and group fitness, Joe Dowdell and Stacey Krauss. They introduced me to several of my fitness mentors as well as many informative conferences and seminars I’ve attended over the years. I always say, “You have to invest in your knowledge and your future.” I have spent a lot of time and money on my education over the past 15 years, learning from some of the best in the industry. I believe higher education in the health and fitness industry is a must because there is no guesswork with science -- physics, anatomy, kinesiology and biomechanics -- you either know it or you don’t. Sir Isaac Newton, the father of physics, said, “If I’ve seen far, it’s because I stood on the shoulders of giants.” That’s exactly how I feel about my mentors and my contribution to this field.

What’s your greatest strength...what’s your greatest weakness?
My greatest strength is being able to admit when I’m wrong and putting my ego aside to ask for help or advice.
My greatest weakness is probably not having enough patience for some things...this Jedi is still learning.

What’s your biggest struggle with motivation?
Always finding the balance between personal life, fitness life and business -- too much of one or the other has hindered my motivation in all of them.

Have you ever been overweight?
Yes, as a teenager from sixth grade to freshman year in high school. It was probably the most difficult time of my life. I changed my mindset, my emotional foundation, and became determined to make varsity teams in football, wresting and lacrosse. I weighed in at 170 pounds for football my freshman year, and then wrestled at 120 pounds my sophomore year. I lost 50 pounds that year through blood, sweat and tears.

How do you deal with failure and disappointment?
I try to learn from them. Rather than taking failure or disappointment personally, I try to look at what positive can be gained from the situation or outcome.

What’s your biggest goal/wish for the Biggest Loser contestants?
That they “walk their talk” and inspire others to do the same. If they do this, they will keep themselves accountable and not gain the weight back.

Anything else people should know about you?
I was adopted as an infant and feel it was the luckiest thing ever. My adoptive family and family I’ve met on my birth mother’s side are the most AMAZING people ever. Everything happens for a reason!

View the original article here

Another NOT the Biggest Loser…

I am grateful to Coco for making the time to share her experience. She we tweeted after my Not the Biggest Loser blog post and I asked her to share her thoughts here.

I was overweight all my life and have the chubby baby pictures and painful child memories to prove it.

I was a size 12 high school, and although I might have gotten down to a size 8 for a few minutes in college, I pretty much was a size 12 throughout my 20s, including before and after having my two children. My weight crept up further during law school and studying for the bar exam, and I reached the 14/16 ranges.

Since I am 5’1” when I stand up straight, it was hard to find “petite” clothes that would fit.

My wake-up call came with a yearly physical, where my doctor said that I had to get my blood pressure down or I would have to start taking blood pressure medication. At 32, I thought I was too young to start taking pills I would need to take for the rest of my life.

I started by following a Slim-Fast® plan—you know, “one for breakfast, one for lunch, and then a sensible dinner.” Needless to say, I was miserable.

While I didn’t mind the taste of the shakes, I felt deprived with my liquid meals. Then a friend had great success on the Atkins’ Diet, so I decided to try that. It was amazing. I lost weight every day and didn’t feel hungry with all the bacon and eggs, ham and cheese and pork rinds I could eat.

By December I had lost 20 pounds, but couldn’t resist Christmas cookies or all the other baked goods that are forbidden on Atkins. I fell off the wagon, but noticed how much more energy I had with carbs back in my life, so I wasn’t eager to climb back on.

Come New Year’s, I started a food exchange plan that was in Woman’s Day magazine.

It was a well-balanced plan and, while the weight came off more gradually, it was something I could follow. By Easter I had lost at total of 40 lbs, and was a size 2–something I had never even imagined!

But, all was not well. I lost the weight without exercising and think I must have lost every ounce of muscle that might have kept my metabolism going. I had to follow a strict 1200 calorie plan, or the scale would jump up.

I was frustrated and getting desperate, but found a great on-line support group on eDiets.com. With my fellow “Maintainiacs,” I learned to make exercise part of my daily routine. That helped stabilize my weight, but I struggled with emotional eating. I would eat 100% on-plan all day, and then come home and bury my stress in a package of Oreos or box of cereal, or both, easily adding 500 calories or more to my day’s tally.

It’s taken me 10 years to get that monkey off my back, but I managed to keep my weight relatively stable throughout the process, mostly by kicking up the exercise.

In the era of The Biggest Loser, my 40 lb weight loss hardly merits a mention, but I did have to change my life to keep the weight off.

The changes to my eating habits are almost too boring to list–I basically enjoy a super foods-focused diet with an emphasis on whole grains, lean protein and lots or fruits and veggies, but I indulge daily in dark chocolate. The more important changes relate to my emotional health.

I had to find healthy outlets for my stress and coping mechanisms that weren’t so self-destructive.

I learned to stand up for myself, to express my needs, and to set boundaries.

I learned to “put on my own oxygen mask first” and realized that I can take care of myself without sacrificing my family’s well-being or giving up success at work.

I know that losing weight didn’t solve all my problems, but I am much happier with my life than I ever was before. I have more energy and get more enjoyment from everyday activities, and when I can’t find jeans that fit right, I blame the designers, not my curves.

Now that’s a good feeling!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

NINE YEARS LATER:

View the original article here

The Biggest Loser Challenge

The Biggest Loser Challenge is an exercise simulation game for Wii, based on the popular The Biggest Loser television series. The second The Biggest Loser video game released for Wii, The Biggest Loser Challenge is designed to evolve along with the player's exercise routine. Featuring the cast and trainers from the TV show, the game's 125+ exercises, co-op play option, Wii Balance Board support, new challenges and customization options provide a fun and healthy exercise outlet suitable for every member of the family, regardless of their weight, physical ability or age.

A New and Unique Biggest Loser Experience for Wii

One of the leading interactive health and fitness video games is back with The Biggest Loser Challenge, exclusively for Wii. Hosted by Allison Sweeney and featuring the training talents of Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, with this new fitness experience players that are looking to lose a little weight, a lot of weight or maintain their current physique will now be able to enjoy more than 125 exercise moves in six different environments, including "The Biggest Loser" Ranch, "The Biggest Loser" Gym, "The Biggest Loser" Yoga Area and "The Biggest Loser" Boxing Ring.

Take on the challenges of The Biggest Loser in a whole new way.
View larger.

Driven by the player's use of either Wii Remote and/or the Wii Balance Board the game's workouts include warm ups, cool downs, new cardio boxing, yoga, circuit training (upper body and lower body), as well as core exercises, and allows players to create a custom fitness program or choose from ten preset fitness routines such as Belly Buster and Boot Camp. Many of these exercises can be integrated with stability balls, resistance bands and free weights (sold separately). The Biggest Loser Challenge also features 50 all-new recipes from the Biggest Loser Cookbook to make the game an all-encompassing weight loss tool. Additional features include: a drop-in co-op option for two player workouts, body analyzer functionality (manual input), character customization, new and refurbished challenges, diet and video tips a calorie counter and more.

Key Game Features

• Track Your Progress - Players can track their progress through the game's calendar, which displays a recommended routine, challenges and nutrition for that day.
• Motivation - Players will be provided encouragement and given tips from trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels.
• Enhanced Gameplay Experience - Players can choose to workout using the Wii Balance Board, stability ball or resistance bands for a more intense program.
• Know Your Health Score - Players can enter personal information such as age, height, weight and amount of regular exercise to calculate a score that indicates their current health and fitness levels.
• Fun For the Whole Family - The whole family can participate in The Biggest Loser Challenge. Families can link their profiles together to congratulate each other for the accomplishments, or help help motivate members who may not have signed in for a couple of days. The game also allows a player to join in on another player's activity, via co-op play, without interrupting the game.
• The Biggest Loser Club - The game includes a 30-day trial membership to The Biggest Loser Club, a $19.99 value.

Additional Screenshots

Workout with a buddy in co-op. View larger.

6 environments with 5 settings. View larger.

Preset& customizable options. View larger.

Integrate your accessories. View larger.

Price: $29.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Cheryl on CNN with "Biggest Loser" winners

Cheryl was featured on CNN with Joy Behar following the "Biggest Loser" Season 10 finale! Watch the video below:

View the original article here

Another who’s NOT the Biggest Loser…

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I am grateful to Patricia for making the time to share her experience. She emailed me privately after my blog post and I asked her to share her thoughts here.

On October 22nd, Carla really got me thinking with her post – What if You’re Not the Biggest Loser?”

Until I graduated from high school in 1979, I never had a weight issue.

I played tennis, walked dogs with my best friend for 1-2 hours every day after school. We lived on a military base, so walked everywhere we went! Did I know I was fit? Did I realize I had a nice body shape? Did I consider myself attractive? No, absolutely not! I had no idea back then that any of what I was doing meant anything or had any kind of impact on my life, how I felt or how I looked.

Shortly thereafter, I started gaining weight. I paid no attention to any of it. I was still young and, even though I was carrying extra weight – about 40 pounds of it – I still felt great! Of course I did! I was in my 20s! I never had any health issues. I was and still am one of those people blessed with good health.

Over the years from about 1985 until 2 years ago, I lost weight, gained weight and did it all over again several times. I saw the weight gains as an indication that I was unattractive only and that it was more important to others (men mostly) that I lose the weight. I didn’t really get it.

In February 2009, I realized I had to do something for ME! So, in six months, I lost 30 pounds. I’m fit, healthy and can do anything without having to stop! Over the last year and a half, I have maintained my goal weight and am still going strong!

What does all this have to do with Carla’s post? I lost my weight and no one cared. It didn’t really matter much. I did it for me and my health and fitness, but if I had lost 80 pounds or more, everyone would have been asking what my secret was, how I did it and what could they do! I’d be a local hero!

It wasn’t easy to accomplish! I’m 49 years old now and it was the hardest thing I ever did. I had to completely change my eating habits and workout harder and longer than I ever had to before to lose weight. I can say with certainty that I put in as much effort as all the contestants do on The Biggest Loser! I would have hoped to inspire at least one person in my sphere or contacts – nada.

I think shows like The Biggest Loser are great, don’t get me wrong. The contestants show others that anyone can do it. All you need is determination and willpower. They inspire other obese people, young and old, to make a difference in their lives and the lives of their families.

However, it does tend to belittle the difficulties the rest of us have managed to battle through to succeed! The rest of us don’t seem to have a niche. It’s all or nothing.

My husband told me to look at it another way. I started out at 151 pounds when I began my current journey and am now staying at between 122 and 125. That’s 20% of my starting body weight! 20%!!!

Now, that’s being a big loser!

Patricia is a 49 year old former military brat and military wife who’d rather move every few years than stay put! She loves fitness, being healthy and became a brave, adventurous soul when she met her husband 9 years ago!

View the original article here

Biggest Loser

Biggest Loser Wii

Price: $29.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Sweet Deal, or No Deal? The Biggest Loser Nutritionist on Sweeteners

Having a sweet tooth can be a struggle for many. Who doesn't love something sweet now and then, particularly at the end of a meal? But sugar-laden products are full of empty calories, making them hard to justify from a nutritional standpoint.

Many people have turned to artificial sweeteners such as Equal and Splenda to sweeten their coffee or tea. There has also been an increase of "sugar free" and "diet" foods showing up on our grocery shelves. But these synthetic products don’t seem to help with slimming. Although we are consuming more "sugar free," processed foods, we are collectively getting fatter and obesity rates continue to soar. It's also becoming increasingly clear that natural, whole foods are better for our bodies than man-made and over-processed foods.

There are alternative "natural" sweeteners out there and many have come to the forefront of public interest lately. Are they healthier than regular granulated sugar?

Take a look at the nutritional breakdown of some popular sugar alternatives:

1 gram fiber; low glycemic index; has antioxidants

Contains potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and vitamin C

.7 g fiber; .5 mg iron; 9.8 mg magnesium; .2 g zinc; has antioxidants

Half as sweet as granulated sugar; has antioxidants

Strong flavor; 3.5 mg iron; has antioxidants

As the chart shows, natural sweeteners can provide more nutritional value than white sugar. But they still contain calories, so use them in moderation.

What about those antioxidants? According to researchers at Virginia Tech University, who examined antioxidant content of several natural sweeteners in a 2008 study, molasses had the highest amounts of antioxidants, while refined sugar, and agave nectar contained minimal amounts. Here's how they ranked sweeteners in terms of antioxidant content, from highest to lowest:

Molasses (blackstrap or dark) Barley malt syrupBrown rice syrupHoney Agave nectarRefined table sugar

More specifically, here's a chart from my book, Positively Ageless, showing the antioxidant content of leading sweeteners according to their ORAC (oxygen radical absorbency capacity) score.

So, if your goal is to increase your intake of antioxidants, do so with fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds -- not added sweeteners!

Coconut sugar is one alternative that's showing up more frequently on grocery shelves. Also known as palm sugar, coconut sugar is made from the sap of coconut palms. It is also sold as "arenga sugar." The taste resembles that of brown sugar, but it is not as sweet. It has a low melting point and a high burn temperature, which makes it a suitable sweetener for confectioners. But is it "healthier" than other sweeteners? Based on research done by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute in the Philippines, coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than cane sugar (35 vs. 50) and it contains more zinc, iron, vitamin C and potassium than other sweeteners. But if you’re looking to increase your intake of these nutrients, stick with fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts, which provide them in much higher amounts! Most of the "palm sugar" commonly sold in Asian markets is not pure coconut palm sugar -- it can be blended with other fillers, such as white cane sugar –- not so good.

A note about Stevia, which is gaining popularity. Stevia is a plant product that has been around for centuries and is now being marketed as a pure and truly healthier sweetener (PureVia and Truvia are name brands) with zero calories. Stevia-based sweeteners contain Rebiana (known as Reb A), which is the sweetest part of the stevia leaf, and are generally used to sweeten candy and sodas.

Although the FDA has considered Stevia safe, there hasn’t been long-term research on its effects. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has raised concerns that Stevia may cause DNA damage.

The Mayo Clinic suggests that until more research is done, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should avoid using the sweetener. Also those taking diabetes or blood pressure medications should use stevia with caution.

The deal with sugar and alternative sweeteners -- use in moderation and stick to natural products when you can.

View the original article here