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Catching Up With Biggest Loser Tara Costa

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:47:08 -0800

Even though she is no longer required to pull big numbers at the weekly Biggest Loser weigh-ins, Tara Costa is still working it. She told Life and Style that she's "still battling the last 10 pounds."

Tara currently weighs 164 pounds (down from 294 at the start of the show), but the second runner-up of from last year's season says she'd "love to live at 155-ish." Her plan of attack is twofold. She's headed for a week-long stay at the Biggest Loser Resort and Spa, located in Ivins, UT, where guests can reenact the rigors of the weight-loss reality show: six hours of daily exercise and a healthy diet. Her second method is running. Tara ran in the New York City Marathon last Sunday, completing the 26.2-mile course in 4 hours, 23 minutes, and 12 seconds.

I love keeping up with past contestants from the show and seeing that they are still living healthy lives. Like Tara, are you battling the last few pesky pounds that refuse to go away? Join the Weight Loss Support group, to meet like-minded people who share your goals.

Photos courtesy of NBC and Getty

How Bob Harper Almost Made Alison Sweeney Cry

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:30:36 -0700

If you've ever wondered what it might be like to train with The Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper, check out this clip of Alison Sweeney's appearance on the Bonnie Hunt Show. Sweeney, host of The Biggest Loser and soap opera actress, says Harper pushed her farther than she's ever gone before - almost to the point of tears!

Do you push yourself when working out? When's the last time you've done sprints in your cardio routine?

Just Released: Three Fitness Video Games For the Wii

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:00:47 -0700

Confession: I love playing video games - I especially love them on the Wii because I get to move, jump, and shake myself into a tizzy. Three fitness games were released for the Wii this last week and even though it's not like doing the real deal outside, the games are a fun way to burn calories and whip your bod into shape.

Nintendo Wii Fit Plus ($20) Wii Fit Plus is Nintendo's follow-up to the popular Wii Fit. There are new exercises, balance board games, and strength and yoga activities, as well as targeted exercise routines for things like reducing tummy fat and toning your figure. A great improvement is the addition of a calorie counter - after you complete each exercise the game tells you how many calories you've burned.

To hear about the other two games, continue reading.

Yoga With Biggest Loser Trainer Bob Harper

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:47:23 -0700

I gaze out past the middle finger of my left hand into the Hollywood Hills as my right quad quivers holding Warrior 2. This is when Bob Harper, trainer from The Biggest Loser, says, "You might be feeling a bit of heat in your thigh right about now." He's teaching a yoga class to a few bloggers and ladies of the press, and we all laugh as our legs burn.

You can hear Bob's charming smile even in his calm instructions leading us from pose to pose. He's a thoughtful teacher, with smart sensitive hands that gently mold you into correct positions. I've had a bit of a TV crush on him for years, and now after meeting him in person, I'm smitten. This yoga class and round table discussion were produced by Go With the Grain, and although carbs did come up (as well as protein, which Bob thinks is overrated), we mostly talked about the show, yoga, and a dash of musical theater. He mentioned the contestant Shay more than a few times; she was clearly on his mind. Having lived through each moment during filming, Bob doesn't watch the show but checks the ratings the following morning. He's also learned to avoid the online community boards: "They're so mean." He addresses the recent criticism about all the screaming on the show and shakes his head in dismay and bemusement about the clip of a tirade used on the Emmys.

Bob said there is so much of the action at the ranch that ends on the cutting room floor because it doesn't make for good TV. Which brings us to yoga. Quiet, slow yoga. He actually does a fair bit with his contestants because it's meditative. "It helps them own their bodies," he explains. Working with people that weigh over 300 pounds, Bob gets creative with props, using benches to help support Shay in Chaturanga. Ten minutes of sun salutations is often part of the exercise homework he gives his team.

To see if Bob and Jillian, his rival trainer on the show, are buddies, just read more.

Bob still teaches a Saturday spin class at a Crunch in LA and has participated in the SF to LA AIDS ride, so I asked him if he rides a road bike much. "I spin four to five days a week and get my cycle time there. Mostly, I like to ride my motorcycle." Who taught him to ride? Jillian. They hang out all the time. Cute.

As a personal trainer, we know Bob is into fitness, but food is a major part of the health picture. Growing up on a cattle farm, with "two coffin freezers full of meat," Bob is not into animal protein and believes in a plant-based diet. He feels too much emphasis has been placed on protein. He really wants people to focus on fruits and veggies, and of course grains. On the show, he tell contestants that life on the ranch is the little picture. It's extreme. Going forward with their lives after The Biggest Loser they're going to need to find balance. Which is what we all need, especially when doing the standing splits to end a series of standing poses he taught in his class.

Obviously, I am big fan of Bob's - are you? How was your last yoga class? Ever taken one with a celebrity yogi? Share the details in my Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

DVD Review: Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:31 -0700

I know that many of your share my admiration for Jillian Michaels of Biggest Loser fame, with her no nonsense approach to exercising and her ability to get the contestants up and moving. So I was excited to check out her workout DVD, Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred ($11).

As the title implies, the workout promises visible results in a month, if you do it every day for 30 days. (“Up to 20 lbs. in 30 days!”) Though that may seem like a big undertaking, the commitment is small - just about 25 minutes a day. Between the short workout sessions and Michaels’s motivation, I was feeling amped that I had a winning DVD on my hands.

To hear more about the 30 Day Shred, read more.

Sure, I got a hint of Michaels's hardcore ways when watching The Biggest Loser, but it did not prepare me for my first day, as I was completely worked over. Don't be alarmed - as with most fitness DVDs on the market, Michaels makes sure to include workouts aimed at the beginner, intermediate, and more advanced viewers.

The 30 Day Shred is a nonstop, heart pounding, super-intense cardio workout based on Michaels's "3-2-1 method," which combines a repeating cycle of three minutes of cardio, two minutes of strength, and one minute of abs into a single routine. The exercises and instructions are clear and straightforward, and as seen on The Biggest Loser, Michaels is incredibly motivating. I like that the workout stays at a fast pace and doesn't get boring since Michaels changes the exercises in each six-minute set.

If you're looking for a short and sweet workout, this is a great DVD to pick up. It won't steal a huge chunk of your day and has the big plus of burning fat and toning muscle simultaneously. Have you tried this DVD? Tell me what you thought about it in the comments section below.

Fitness Pros Weigh In on The Biggest Loser

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:00:38 -0700

Fall TV is back, and with it comes the return of The Biggest Loser. Now in its eighth season, the weight loss reality show has inspired many viewers to get off the couch and get to the gym.

Although it cannot be denied that the show has brought health and weight loss, or at least the notion of it, into millions of households across America, there are some fitness professionals who disagree with the tactics used. IDEA, an international organization of fitness and wellness professionals, published a long article discussing the fitness regimen used on the ranch. In the article, personal trainers weigh in on the show. Here are two similar complaints, voiced in the article by fitness professionals:

“There seems to be little concern for biomechanics, and many contestants who clearly have been avoiding even the simplest forms of activity for years are now doing explosive, full-body plyometric exercises. There is simply no sound reason for doing this."

"Speed is only appropriate when you’ve mastered the basics of movement. Many of the contestants on that show have no business jumping or doing explosive exercise."

Learn how Bob Harper, Biggest Loser trainer, responds when you read more.

Harper defends the show's workout regimen, explaining that there is a logical progression. But watching contestants while they learn the ropes doesn't make for exciting TV. The heavily edited two-hour show comes from hundreds of hours of footage. Harper also explains, in response to criticism for yelling at the contestants, that he and Jillian might care too much. Most paying clients do want to be motivated, but most likely won't stand for yelling.

While the ultimate message of the show is health and personal accountability, some trainers feel the message of extreme exercise might cause more harm than good.

What do you think? Are you a fan of the show? Will you be watching this season? Do you think the workouts are too over the top?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Biggest Loser Families Recap: Live Weigh-In Finale

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:00:00 -0800

After watching all the contestants sweat and cry almost every week this Fall on The Biggest Loser Families, we finally got to meet the biggest loser. The live finale show began with an exciting reveal, the host Alison Sweeny is pregnant, something my husband and I began wondering in the last couple of episodes. She was glowing, as were all the contestants.

The contestants all looked skinny (a few maybe too skinny) and fashionable. The first big "reveal" of the night was that America voted Heba out of the final three, even with Ed's pleas to keep his wife active in the contest. He's a likable dude and his entrance was definitely the most rock-n-roll - two thumbs up punch through the image of him from the show's first episode. Ed's got some style.

I am very proud of Jerry, the sickest contestant to ever join the game. He lost 30 percent of his weight and looked so alive. Amy P. beat her husband Phillip by a pound, but unfortunately lost the at-home prize to Heba. Heba won $100,000 for all her at-home hard work.

To see who won the title of the biggest loser as well as before and after shots off all the contestants, read more.

The energy of the crowd was infectious and the three finalists looked amazing. It was amazing to hear Vicky admit that advice from her once nemesis Phillip (remember how she cackled when he was voted of the show) helped her push through. On a group conference call, he reminded her to live in the moment, which I believe is sound advice for us all. Michelle, the youngest of the finalists, lost 110 pounds to win (when she only needed to lose 100) the biggest loser title and a quarter million dollars. She looked fabulous. Not only did she have age on her side (the younger you are the easier it is to lose weight), it appeared that her only job was to work out. We saw shots of both Ed and Vicky working and none of Michelle.

I am really happy she won. Are you? What did you think of the finale? Are you excited for the upcoming season of the Biggest Loser Couples?

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Biggest Loser Families Recap: The Final Four Hit the Track

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:59:59 -0800

This week's episode of Biggest Loser Families is all about looking back and moving on - often quite literally. For their challenge, the four remaining contestants come together at a racetrack - not the sort of track we're used to. Ali instructs Ed, Heba, Vicky, and Michelle to suit up by strapping on the amount of weight each contestant has lost; they then had to run the track, recalling what that weight felt like.

The racetrack runners also learn a lot about healthy eating this week and reflect on how far they've come. For the rest of the details and a video with some smart eating tips,read more.

In the track challenge, 11 pit stops signify the number of weeks the contestants have spent at the ranch, so they remove the appropriate amounts of weight along the way. Ed crosses the finish line first, winning $10,000 and a home-delivered meal plan for a year.

Speaking of meal plans, Bob spends some time talking about healthy eating with his team, reminding them that diet is key to not gaining weight back. The four watch their transformation videos to remind them how far they've come and then get a special delivery: a giant box full of the clothes they wore before they lost the weight. Looking to the future, the gang burns the clothes in a bonfire.

Despite winning the racetrack challenge, Ed discovers in the weigh-in that he has gained two pounds. Michelle, who starts the episode feeling rather bummed out, is thrilled to find out she has shed nine. As for who will end up on next week's live finale, that's up to the viewers: You can vote for the third finalist online now. Meanwhile, check out trainer Bob's tips for adding flavor without adding calories below.

Photos courtesy of NBC

Biggest Loser Families Recap: NYC Makeovers

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:00:00 -0800

The competition on the Biggest Loser Families should be heating up, but last night's show was surprisingly free of drama. Well, not quite. There was Vicky's moment of paralyzing fear, verging on a tantrum, during the physical challenge, but even that little episode struck me as placid. Maybe because everyone involved, blue teammates included, seemed "over" Vicky's antics.

This week all the contestants were treated to a makeover in NYC. Their trip to the Big Apple included new hair fancy and flattering styles. The highlights from the salon: Vicky dyed her hair red and Ed got some highlights himself. Then all five contestants were treated to a shopping trip at Macy's lightly supervised by season-four winner of Project Runway Christian Siriano (didn't he often comment on how he loved the super-skinny models?). This was followed by a "live" reveal on The Tyra Banks Show, complete with a reunion with a friend, spouse, sibling, or parent. The reunions, full of lots of emotion, were pretty sweet watch.

Upon returning back to the ranch, the five remaining players competed in a physical challenge with a two-week spa vacation as the prize. The contestants had to wedge themselves in bottomless boxes suspended 12 to 15 feet above a pool of water. Vicky was first to call uncle, but refused to drop into the water. Heba, Ed, and Renee eventually followed dropping easily and gleefully into the water below. Michelle won the prize and was a disappointed to have her victory celebration marred by Vicky's attention-stealing freak-out.

To see who was eliminated and how they look today read more.

Since the contestants spent much of the week away from their trainers, Bob and Jillian packed in some serious workouts in two days' time. So it wasn't a huge surprised that the amount of weight-loss in all the players was low. Renee and Vicky both lost four pounds, Michelle lost five, while Heba lost seven but her husband Ed only lost three. Ed and Renee fell below the yellow line, and there were no surprises in the voting. Teams voted on their party lines, and Renee was sent home and she looks great. She is a mom with grown kids and a tremendous amount of energy.

Watch this video to see how she looks today.

Who do you think will make it to the final three? Did you see the surprise ending twist? Viewers will get to pick the third contestant to make it to the final three. Who do you think will win the whole shebang?

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Biggest Loser Families Recap: NFL and Thanksgiving Week

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:00:00 -0800

Nothing screams November like football and turkey with stuffing. It was NFL and Thanksgiving week on The Biggest Loser Families last night. Celebrity visits spiced up an otherwise drama-free show. Former 49ers Jerry Rice and Steve Young (go Niners!) came onto campus to train the contestants football style, and Rocco DiSpirito taught the contestants how to lighten up traditional Thanksgiving dishes. The spirit of "friendship" at the T-day table felt a little forced to me.

Once again the two-hour format and repetitive editing almost killed the show for me. After watching another tip involving Extra gum I feel I should buy some stock in it because that gum is what America will be chewing. But back to the actual details. Vicky won both physical challenges, as she continues to fly under the radar. Michelle and Renee are onto her game and the mother-daughter team complained openly that they wished Amy used her swing vote in the previous week to vote Vicky off the show. The saddest part of the episode was Amy's naivety, for she truly believed that Vicky was on her side.

To see if Vicky had Amy's back and who was eliminated last night, read more.

After being the biggest loser on campus week after week, Amy fell below the yellow line along with Heba. The black team voted for Heba to leave, while Ed and Vicky voted to eliminate Amy. Since Amy lost the smallest percentage of weight, a still impressive five pounds, she was voted off. Not much of a surprise, really. The alliance of Ed, Heba, and Vicky is strong. It was difficult to watch the voting and not blame Amy for putting herself in this situation. But it was heartwarming to see Amy's makeover and homecoming party once back in Detroit. She looks beautiful and confident, and watching her work out on the Michigan State campus, you can see how strong she has become. Go Amy!

Bob sent Amy home with a present. Sounds sweet, no? Watch this video to see what the gift truly is.

Is Vicky going to win this thing? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

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