Biggest Loser

Tara’s Biggest Loser Blog: Obesity Stats Make You Think!

November 25, 2009

I have heard of Suze Orman, but never really understood who she was or what she was about. After doing a little research, I learned that she is quite impressive and a very determined women. I wasn’t exactly sure how her being a guest was going to beneficial to the contestants, but hope her visit left them with a new sense of appreciation for their transformed bodies!

When contestants were taking the quiz, did it astonish everyone else to learn how much money is spent on healthcare related to obesity? $147 Billion Dollars -– that’s NUTS! Or that an obese person earns $7,000 less money than a non-obese person? Or the kicker: 1 in 3 children are obese! How does this happen? I am severely bothered by this and can’t get it off my mind. Let me ask all of you: What can be done to help these children and change this statistic?

Overall I was baffled by the quiz, but am happy that light was shed on the topic. The quiz got me thinking about how my expenses have changed since losing weight and if I have even called my insurance company to tell them I am no longer obese. Pre-Biggest Loser I spent so much money on transportation (cabs to/from my office) because I would get winded so easily and wouldn’t want to go into work all sweaty and gross. At a minimum I would spend at least $20 on snacks throughout the day without even blinking an eye. This might include two lattes, one soda, one bag of chips and something sweet.

Now, I normally bring my snacks with me, and if I get caught in a jam, I get fruit or a healthy snack bar (savings of $6) and I still get one coffee (savings of $7). On average, I am spending much less than I used to spend on food and am buying more natural & organic products.  If you did what I did, let me know your cost savings!
 
Now, onto the contestants. It is the last week that all of them will be on campus. Read the rest of this entry »

So You Think You Can Dance

tWitch’s Take: Sonya Nabs ‘Beast Award of the Week’

November 25, 2009

What up world! It’s your boy tWitch coming back once again to share my thoughts on the latest SYTYCD performance show. I want to thank everyone that has been reading my blogs and supporting me, it means a lot! It is great to see people agreeing with me, as well as disagreeing and letting me know what they think. That is what all of this is all about … sharing our thoughts and hopefully being heard. This last episode is the last time couples will perform together before having to switch each week, so let’s see what I thought:

Sonya Tayeh created a wonderful routine with Legacy and Kathryn. The piece was about a man who shivers every time his girl is around, and it left me in shivers as well. From top to bottom, it was captivating. A dope hybrid of Sonya’s quirks and b boy movement, with a nasty track in the back had me throwing stuff around my hotel room. The way Legacy came in was amazing and Kathryn was dripping hot! This dance alone is making me miss them as a couple already. Good work Sonya! You have the BEAST AWARD OF THE WEEK! Get your growl on!

We were then blessed with a very beautiful dance choreographed by Tyce for Russell and Noelle using paints. Beautiful song, beautiful lines, and beautiful commitment in partnership. Smart choices by Tyce to use Russell’s strength with lifts that just floated around the stage, holding poses that required rock solid support … and trust. These two are amazing, and Russell has evolved his game week in and week out.

So once again, my frames go off to Sonya who flexed sooooo choreographically hard this week. Her lyrical jazz routine with Ashleigh and Jakob blew me away this evening. Not only was the movement beautiful, but you can still see the trademark Sonya “swag” (yes, swag can be in jazz too) on it. It was danced beautifully! Whomever these two will be paired with next week, will be very lucky to have such strong individuals that also work so well as a partner. Oh but real quick, I got to agree with Adam Shankman when he told Jakob to never where the pants again. Purple, not a good look playa. ha!
Read the rest of this entry »

The Hills

Kristin and Justin-Bobby’s Vegas Bootie Call

November 25, 2009

There’s a lot to be thankful for in the Thanksgiving week episode of The Hills — the discovery of an evil plot, numerous girls-gone-wild moments in Vegas, Justin-Bobby’s flash of abs, even Audrina’s 187th realization that he’s just not that into her and that’s probably a good thing — and it’s all leading up to next week’s big finale. — Carrie Bell

NEW TOWN, NEW TOOLS: They actually got off Kristin’s couch and hit the Strip. Kristin talked a big game about flirting and hooking up her way to forgetting her L.A. boy baggage. “We’re here to meet Mr. Right Now,” her friend encouraged. After making sure they both didn’t wear too-similar sequin tops (Guess matching pewter leather mini-motorcycle jackets were okay though!), the pretty pair quickly gained the attention of a few tools who wanted to party and bootie bounce. KC excused herself to the balcony and broke the road-trip pact by calling Justin-Bobby. “I should be having the time of my life. I’m not. Your name keeps popping in my head. I’m putting myself out there.”

VEGAS, BOBBY, VEGAS: Apparently, her bootie call is powerful. Stacie found JB in KC’s shower the next morning while KC was busy indulging in the breakfast of champions — ice cream and champagne. She tried to play coy, but eventually admitted she “sinned in Sin City.” Stacie was flabbergasted to see him there (or maybe it was just seeing that bad stomach tatt), but KC seemed giddy and rationalized, “At least he showed up and I didn’t make an ass out of myself.” She later told him that she was surprised he showed and he sweetly admitted that she makes him do things he doesn’t usually do. (We have to admit, as dirty as it makes us feel, sometimes he can be quite charming.) As with many Vegas stories, their’s involved a strip club, a lesbian kiss between friends, some carefully cropped rated-X lap dance action, overuse of the word “whoa” and hangovers. Read the rest of this entry »

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Dancing with the Stars

Carrie Ann Inaba to Undergo Surgery

November 25, 2009

Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba tells PEOPLE she is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday morning in Los Angeles to relieve pressure and stiffness in her neck caused by spinal stenosis.

“I have arthritis. The space around my spinal cord has become compressed,” Inaba explains. “I have been locked. My neck was so stiff. We’re hoping this procedure will relieve that.”

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on one or more areas of the spinal cord. The condition can be caused by arthritis or an injury.

“I’ll be fine and if this surgery goes well, I may have another one in the future,” Inaba says, noting that she still plans to attend the Dizzy Feet Foundation’s Celebration of Dance fundraiser on Sunday, November 29 in Los Angeles. Inaba is one of Dizzy Feet’s founding members. — Monica Rizzo

Dancing with the Stars

Donny Osmond Wins Dancing!

November 25, 2009

It was the perfect ending to “an emotional roller coaster season” Donny Osmond told PEOPLE minutes after he and partner Kym Johnson were awarded the Season Nine mirror ball trophy. The former teen idol, 51, humbly addressed fans and press members after the show, tearing up as he tried to express how he felt to be the winner.

“If you saw the work that went into this season,” Osmond said softly. “Kym is so amazing. Of all the things I’ve done in my career, this is right up there.”

When Osmond heard his name called, he rushed over to his wife, Debbie, and swept her off her feet and onto the ballroom floor. Read the rest of this entry »

Dancing with the Stars

Monday’s Dancing: What You Didn’t See

November 24, 2009

TENDER HEART: Moments before the show ended, a video recap of the night aired on the studio monitors. The three couples took their marks on the dance floor, except for Donny Osmond. Downright giddy after receiving a perfect score for his freestyle routine, Osmond ran across the dance floor to embrace his sister Marie Osmond. Tears welled up in his eyes as his sister congratulated him. After the show, the famous siblings shared another tender moment and once again, Donny had trouble holding back his emotions. “I lost it with Marie,” Donny told PEOPLE, dabbing his eyes with a tissue. “Last week I blamed her for being a distraction in the audience. This week when I saw her, it was just the opposite. She was here supporting me and gave me what I needed to leave it all on the floor.”

BALLROOM WHITNEY: Pop queen Whitney Houston graced the ballroom following Monday night’s live show. Houston was on hand to pre-tape two musical numbers, which will air during Tuesday night’s live results show. Ten of Dancing’s pros, including Lacey Schwimmer, strutted their stuff while Houston sang her popular 1980s anthem “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” “She is literally an icon. We were rehearsing this morning and she walked in and we were all staring at her,” Schwimmer said after the performance. “It was like a goddess walked in. We talked to her and she was the nicest! She didn’t have to do that and she did. Who gets to dance for Whitney Houston, and to her biggest dance song? It was such a cool experience.” And Schwimmer says if Houston ever wants to come back as a contestant, “that would be awesome. If she did, all of the guys would be fighting over who gets to dance with her for sure!”
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Dancing with the Stars

Kelly Osbourne, Mya and Donny Osmond All Shine in Dancing With the Stars Final Performances

November 24, 2009

Three couples hoofed it out for the season nine Dancing finale Monday night and, much like in season eight, the competition had something for everyone. Donny Osmond, Mya and Kelly Osbourne prepared three dances each for the last performance show of the year.

Kelly and partner Louis van Amstel started off the evening with a delicious tango that oozed intensity. All three judges praised the reality star for her marked improvement from the beginning of the season, with Len Goodman saying, “You are the revelation of this season.” She and Louis were rewarded with 26 points.

Next up were Mya and Dmitry Chaplin with a paso doble so passionate that judge Bruno Toniolio couldn’t sit still in his seat during the performance. “The power of Mya unleashed for all to admire,” Bruno purred. Carrie Ann Inaba called it dynamic and hot while Len said it was one of the show’s best performances ever. All of the praise translated into a perfect score of 30, the couple’s second perfect score of the season.

Donny and Kym Johnson cha-cha’d like there was no tomorrow. The crowd loved it and so did the judges, with Bruno commending the veteran performer for being “a credit to the profession.” They landed 27 points.
Read the rest of this entry »

Dancing with the Stars

Carrie Ann Inaba: Kelly Osbourne Is the One to Watch

November 23, 2009

Take it from a gal that has an inside track on the often topsy-turvy world of reality show ballroom dance. As far as judge Carrie Ann Inaba is concerned, Donny Osmond is an afterthought, Mya most certainly has both the moxie, and the moves, but going into the finals, Kelly Osbourne is the contestant with all of the momentum.

“Kelly’s always [been] my dark horse,” Inaba told People at the 2009 CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute in Los Angeles, “I love those dark horses, and I root for the underdogs, but she’s fueled with light.”

Despite the fact that she is apparently being aided by a previously unreported solar power, and a trimmed-down solar plexus, the daughter of heavy metal’s Prince of Darkness still faces an uphill battle if she plans an taking down her gal pal Mya in the finals.

“Mya is going into the finals with the highest scores, the most consistency, the most agility, and the reputation as a fabulous dancer,” Inaba says, “But, Kelly Osbourne, she has got momentum. People are dying to see what she is going to do, and they’re wondering to see of she is going to make it.”

But that anticipation can sometimes be accompanied by unrealistic expectations, which is something that may work against the 25-year-old Osbourne, and her partner Louis van Amstel. “It’s really going to be a lot of pressure on her,” Inaba says of Osbourne, “I’m actually worried about her, and whether or not she can handle the pressure. I’m hoping that she can.”
– Reagan Alexander

Bob D’Amico/ABC; Adam Larkey/ABC

The Hills

SNEAK PEEK: Justin Drives to Las Vegas for Kristin

November 23, 2009

It seems nothing helps a girl get over heartbreak better than a fall back guy!

Last week on The Hills, Kristin Cavallari found herself single again with no prospects as Brody Jenner reunited with Jayde Nicole. But in an exclusive clip of tonight’s episode Justin Bobby crosses state lines—on his his motorcycle, we presume— to save our damsel-in-distress from her heartache.

“Would you ever drive to Vegas for Audrina?” Kristin asks Justin while sitting in a Sin City casino.

“I don’t think so,” he answers. “You kind of make me do things I don’t usually do. It’s unconventional for me.”

When Justin asks if she’d return the favor, Kristin says no.

The Hills airs tonight (10 p.m. EST) on MTV, followed by The City (10:30 p.m. EST). – Janet Mock

Tell us: Do you think Kristin and Justin will make it official? Or does what happen in Vegas, stay in Vegas?

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The City

SNEAK PEEK: Olivia Demands Respect from Erin

November 23, 2009

And you thought your job was bad.

On the next episode of The City, the tension mounts between star Olivia Palermo and her colleague, Elle’s PR Director Erin Kaplan, over wardrobe for a television shoot.

After the two women disagree, Erin makes an executive decision to send some of the clothes back. “I know what the producers want,” she says. “I’ve done more than my share of segments for TV.”

A visibly annoyed Olivia confronts her colleague for speaking to her dismissively. “Erin,” she asks, “would you talk to [Creative Director] Joe [Zee] in the tone that you talk to me?”

“You’re not Joe,” Erin retorts. “When are you creative director of the magazine?”

As the argument continues, and Olivia demands respect, Erin sends an assistant out of the room, presumably to continue the disagreement in private.

The City airs Tuesday (10:30 p.m. EST) on MTV.

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