The Biggest Loser



Just when we think we’ve seen it all, here comes a reality show that’s unique in concept and hits the bull’s eye as far as the average American family goes. The Biggest Loser is a contest centered on overweight people competing with each other to lose weight and win a cash prize. There are many variants of the show beamed around the world in different countries; the goal is the same however, the Biggest Loser is the one contestant who loses most weight or the highest percentage of weight.

The Biggest Loser is hosted by Alison Sweeney and is a produced by Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions.

This is a show where you lose to win and everybody ‘loses’. Through its format the show throws up challenges and prods contestants to lose weight and get fit through a recommended and comprehensive exercise, fitness and diet program for the winner’s purse of $250,000. A series of weigh-ins, eliminations, numerous temptations and challenges form the obstacle course of the show at the end of which, the final contestant or the “biggest loser” claims the prize.

The first reality series where everybody "loses," The Biggest Loser challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through a comprehensive diet and exercise regime put together by professional trainer Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000. Hosted by Alison Sweeney (Days of our Lives), the series provides the contestants with challenges, temptations, weigh-ins and eliminations until the final contestant remains to claim the title of "the biggest loser." Each team works out under the supervision of professional trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper. The Biggest Loser is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions.

The series which debuted in 2004 has gained prime viewership and popularity in over 90 countries around the world and different variations are produced in over 25. It has since then become a health and lifestyle program and brand by promoting and developing products that have been inspired by the show itself. The consumer products program generated by The Biggest Loser is now a $50 million industry with over 25,000 major retailer outlets. The subscription based online edition of the show, Biggestloserclub.com promotes best-selling books, fitness DVD series, meal plans, supplements and fitness equipment.

The ‘biggest winner’ of the latest season of the show, Mike Ventrella broke all previous weight losses recorded on the show. He lost a whopping 254 pounds and nearly 51% of his total body fat. On the show, Ventrella shared great companionship with his co-contestant Ashley. On a personal note, he talks about his undying love for his late mother who was in a way the strongest motivating factor for him to take the big step. He talks of how he has got his lost adulthood back giving him the chance to rebuild his life all over again now. He is committed to using the second chance he has received to educate children and parents about making healthy food choices, choosing a healthy lifestyle and address the nationwide problem of child obesity which is growing in gigantic proportions. He feels that PE programs in school do not address the real problem and feels very strongly that there is nothing educational or motivational about them. Obesity is a disease of the body and mind that needs to be overcome with a great deal of commitment, hard work and focus. On asked what he wanted to do most after winning the show, he simply said,” find time to go shopping which I really need to do; I have no clothes that fit”!

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