Fall TV Blog

The Biggest Loser contestants were in for a twist this week — the previously eliminated Blue and Yellow teams were returning to the Ranch to try to win back their spots. After coming up shy of the 7-lb. loss he needed to overtake the Red team, 30 year-old John Crutchfield from Orlando, Fla., the last remaining member of the Brown team, was sent home. John spoke to reporters about Super Bowl snacks, his weight loss to date and losing his twin-brother teammate the first week of the competition. –Nina Tyler

What was it like to lose your brother as a teammate in the first week?
It was a pretty emotional night obviously. I was really upset that night but I woke up the next day and kind of got my head clear and it was pretty good. James’s rationale was the right decision as far as the teams concerned. Being twins we definitely push each other but at the same time I think there’s something you learn on the Ranch that it has to be about you and you have to totally focus on you, so from that aspect it kind of got easier from there.

With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, what are your snacks of choice going to be?
That was one of [the things I miss the most] — football and chicken wings. There are some good recipes out there but grilled chicken wings definitely instead of fried. Grilled, lemon-covered chicken wings are really good. I may have five or six but really I haven’t done too bad with cravings at all. I would have to say that was definitely one of my weaknesses. (more…)

You’ve asked and I’m answering! Angie wanted to know about going from “extreme” workouts on the Ranch to a normal exercise routine at home and whether contestants’ weight goes up after the show. Well, Angie, everyone is different. As we saw last night, John found his niche in martial arts … but that wouldn’t “tickle my pickle!” I found that I enjoy running and I like races because of the community it offers. That’s why my new venture is trying out the triathlon scene (I am completing in a series of triathlons through Revolution3, so make sure to come to one of their races if you are in the area).

John and I both know that it has to be a lifestyle that you live and that you need to enjoy your fitness activity. BL provides the resources for contestants if they want it. You know the expression about the squeakiest wheel? Well, it holds true: If you want to know something and you ask, you will get your answer. Every week, the show holds conference calls so at-home contestants can chat, ask questions and give and get advice. While you are on the show, you have access to Bob and Jillian, two of America’s most knowledgeable weight-loss experts. They are an endless source of knowledge and they love what they do! (more…)

When The Biggest Loser’s Green Team lost the least amount of weight — only 5 lbs. — at Tuesday’s dramatic weigh-in, the other teams were forced to deliberate on whether to send home Migdalia Sebren, the 28 year-old homemaker from Sanford, N.C., or her mother Miggy, 48. After pleading with her competitors to let her mom stay, Migdalia had to leave the Ranch. She spoke with reporters Wednesday about losing nearly 60 lbs., her emotional confrontation with Jillian Michaels and feeling like a winner — even if she’s not The Biggest Loser. –Nina Tyler

What was behind your plea to go home at the vote?
My decision was based on my mom. I truly believe my mom needed [to stay] more than me. There were certain things that I worked through that week and I knew what I needed to work on and my mom had not hit that point.

You and Jillian did not see eye-to-eye. Did you ever have the emotional breakthrough that she wanted you to have?
The way that she approached it was the wrong way. And to break through to my own things, I did it by myself. I’m a really cold person and I deal with my personal things on my own. That’s just everyday life — you choose to work through things. I’m doing it day by day. (more…)

Hello, all! I really like the format of this blog, so I will continue to answer your questions then recap and offer my opinions on the episode. If any of you have any other ideas or thoughts, let me know!

Last week Erin asked what contestants do during the off time. Well, there really isn’t much off time as contestants are encouraged to hit their minimum caloric burn for the day. For me, that would basically take the entire day until about 9:30 or 10 p.m. Other contestants would hit their burn earlier and would play cards, watch a DVD on the computer, write letters, clean their room, use the hot tub or go swimming. Towards the end of the season when there are fewer contestants you might be lucky enough to get off the Ranch and work out with Bob and Jill in one of their favorite workout places. I personally loved the off campus workouts because I was able to see how strong I was becoming and it really helped me overcome my fear of working out in gyms. I used to be afraid to go to the gym because I wasn’t in shape! Sounds weird, I know, but I cared too much about what others would think. After a workout with Bob or Jill, we would normally get some food at one of my personal favorite fast food places, Koo Koo Roo (it’s a West Coast thing). It’s like a healthier version of Boston Market. On a side note, Biggest Loser Chef Devin Alexander has joined forces with Koo Koo Roo, so I am sure the food will only improve. (more…)

On Tuesday’s Biggest Loser, one team member had to teach exercise and nutrition lessons from trainers Bob and Jillian to their teammate, whose result at the weigh-in would be the only one counted for elimination. Even though the trainers got into a heated exchange with the Red Team, it was the White Team that fell below the yellow line, sending mom Maria Ventrella home. The 51-year-old corporate travel agent from Chicago — who started out at 281 lbs., lost 57 on campus and is now at 224 lbs. — spoke to reporters Wednesday about working out, playing the game and shopping for clothes to fit her new butt-free body! –Nina Tyler

How have you managed to continue your weight loss at home?
Determination. Once I got home from the Ranch I understood that this is making me feel good. Originally I went to the Ranch thinking about saving my son’s life because of his big amount of weight, and it was a matter of waking up and saying, “Hey, this is for you, too. You’re feeling great, you’re feeling good … continue!” That’s what I’ve been doing.

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I’ve been getting a lot of questions and I love it! So let me answer a few for you then get to the blog. Erin asked if contestants have days that were strictly cardio and days that were strictly weight training. On my season, we didn’t have a schedule like Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were weight-training days. The trainers have hectic schedules and we also have a production schedule. I lifted weights about every two or three days. When we did do weight training, we still did the normal amount of cardio that we would do had we not trained with weights.

There is a lot of down time that does not air on the show. Contestants can use the pool, walk or jog the presidential mile, hike or hit the gym. Your job while you are on the show is to BURN, BURN, BURN calories — you don’t stop till you hit your bodybugg caloric burn number.

“Tara Rocks” asked how to inspire her grandmother who loves the show but does not think it pertains to her. Everyone knows someone who needs to lose weight or should be on The Biggest Loser. I have a few people in my family that could go on the show and would be entertaining to watch (trust me). I supposedly helped them, but today they are growing heavier and the list of medications they are on is growing as well. It breaks my heart. I have learned you cannot preach, though, you just have to wait and do your best to lead by example. Let those who need help see how it can and should be done. I don’t like criticizing, as I have been on a diet since I was in middle school. So, “Tara Rocks,” be there for your grandmother, help her be more active or a share a healthy recipe. Get her involved by asking her for help. She won’t be able to say no to you — you are her grandchild! (more…)

The first week of The Biggest Loser is over and my first blog is done. I must say I love to read your comments. As I read them, I actually agree or disagree, shrug, comment back or laugh! There were a lot of remarks about the contestants getting bigger and bigger. Yes, BL does have larger contestants — but there are still some people who are not that big (Melissa, the wife on red team, and Sherry, the mother on pink team, for example). The producers have to change something to keep us entertained and the bigger contestants definitely deserve the help the show provides. Plus, their transformations will be awesome!

Many of you also commented on Erik Chopin’s weight-loss struggle. I can empathize with Erik but can also understand where all of you are coming from. What I personally take away from Erik’s story is that it is never easy and that the approach to losing weight can’t be a DIET. It has to be a change of life. Also, it is a process; you do not just wake up one day and figure it all out. It takes time and dedication. On the flip side, sometimes you do have added pressure to maintain or continue to lose because of the recognition the show provides. How you deal with that pressure depends on the person! I sometimes feel that pressure, but I remember all that I can do now, which I would have never imagined doing while I was flirting with 300 lbs. The pressure then subsides and a big ol’ smile overcomes my face. (more…)

After losing 214 lbs., Erik Chopin — who started off at 407 — was crowned the winner of Biggest Loser season 3. But after the reality show was over and the trainers had gone home, the deli owner from West Islip, N.Y., slowly gained the weight back.

“I came from such a high of winning then the reality sets in of not being on the show and not being accountable, then I went into the real world and it all started up again,” says the husband and father of three, who got back up to 368 lbs.

Chopin spoke with PEOPLE before a Discovery Health documentary, Confessions of a Reality Show Loser, addresses his fall from grace.”I felt so proud about what I had done,” he says, “but I feel like I’ve let people down but gaining a lot of the weight back.”

Chopin didn’t simply revert back to greasy foods and overeating, but he admits that he started “procrastinating” and lost his sense of drive. “I thought I knew how to lose weight better than anyone,” he says. “I felt a lack of purpose. That’s why I gained the weight back.”

After getting on the scale one more time and realizing that he was within 30 lbs. of his 2006 weight, Chopin was spurred into action and determined to lose the weight again — this time with a renewed fervor. “I’ve thought about new ways of working out and what would excite me, like boxing.”

The one-hour documentary airs tonight (9 p.m. EST) on Discovery Health. –Amy Elisa Keith

Trae Patton/NBC, Courtesy Discovery

The Biggest Loser is back! And guess what … you have been challenged! Both Bob and Jillian want you to lose weight and get healthy in 2010! It’s a new year and a great time for people to start a healthy lifestyle.

And I am so excited that season 9 of The Biggest Loser has begun so I get to keep chatting with you!

I don’t know how I would feel about having to do a weigh-in in front of all my family and friends. For me that would be worse than weighing in front of the other contestants! I knew when I weighed in during my season, by the time the show aired (Tara’s Fun Fact: there is a lag time with each episode — this episode was filmed in September), I would have lost weight and would look and feel different. But if you possess the strength and courage to weigh yourself in front of your friends and family, I say go for it! Every week you will be held accountable by the ones you love, just like these season 9 contestants.

On Tuesday’s episode, we got to meet a whole new cast! I must say there is someone for everyone to connect with. Plus there are some great names — Daris, Koli, Miggy, Cherita … just to name a few (check out this post for more stats on everyone). (more…)

It turns out that tough-love trainer Jillian Michaels has a softer side — and it includes genuine concern for the medical safety of the contestants on The Biggest Loser.

“The contestants keep getting bigger and bigger,” Michaels tells Ladies’ Home Journal in its February issue. “As the trainers we have no say over the challenges. We worry about them too.”

Executive producer Todd A. Nelson says, “We all worry,” but adds that the show is learning how to safely manage the medical conditions of the heaviest contestants, “and this allows us to fine-tune the process and reach out to a heavier population.”

Michaels says she loves the show, which returns Tuesday (8 p.m. EST) to NBC with its biggest edition ever, but that it’s a whole lot more work than anyone sees on TV. “You never see what’s going on in its entirety,” she says. “For every 10 minutes we’re on the show, acting like insane people, there are a hundred hours of training you don’t see. The stretching, the icing. Nobody wants to watch that.” (more…)