It highlights work and health care costs by state, as well as comparing the states to one another.

Arizona, where it is hot, has the lowest percent of obese people in the country. Either the heat forces them to move away, or they sweat it off. The old grade school joke about the desert being so hot that only one S can grow there perhaps some foundation in reality.

Alaska is a leader in obesity – perhaps its to cold to go out and do anything, or people need the extra layers for warmth. What other area is right up there with Alaska on the leader board? Washington D. C. … no doubt some politicians and greasy lobbyists are living high on the hog.

Click on the mini-snapshot image below to open up the full extended infographic in your web browser.

Bob Harper is a generally known as a fitness guru and is most famous for his appearances on the television show, Biggest Loser, a reality television show where contestants compete to lose the most weight in a given period of time. In addition to Biggest Loser, Bob Harper is a celebrity trainer with clients like Ben Stiller, Selma Blair and Gwyneth Paltrow. As something of a celebrity himself, his sexual orientation and dating status has become a point of interest for many people. Mr. Harper is a proponent for a training regime known as the “Function Training Method” which he developed while working as a trainer in Los Angles.

Personal History

Bob Harper was born on August 18th, 1965 in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Harper was apparently not active in high school athletics. After graduating from high school, he attended university in Clarkesville, Tennessee at Austin Peay State University. Following his time at college, he received a fitness instructor’s certification from the American Fitness Training of Athletics association as well as from the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America. Mr. Harper worked extensively in Los Angles, where he began instructing several celebrities, initially Jennifer Jason Leigh. Through this connection he was eventually selected to become a judge and cast member for Biggest Loser. After reaching a degree of fame from this program, he went on to produce fitness related materials including books and DVDs.

In addition to his appearances, speaking dates, and writing duties, Mr. Harper still teaches regular classes in Los Angeles and works as a yoga instructor. His client list is a mixture of high profile celebrities, with many of whom he’s maintained a long relationship, as well as regular individuals who have signed up for his classes.

In his personal life, Mr. Harper is naturally very physically active. He claims to be an active snowboarder, as well as a tennis enthusiast. His other fitness-related activities include cycling, running and swimming. Outside of fitness, he is known to be an avid photographer.

Fame

Bob Harper was originally a celebrity personal trainer working in Los Angles. His stable of clients included several popular actors and actresses. With the popularity of the Biggest Loser television program, he’s become a legitimate celebrity in his own right.

Bob Harper is best known for his presence on the Biggest Loser program. He joined the cast of trainers in 2004, during the show’s first season. Biggest Loser is a reality television program based around helping overweight and obese individuals become physically fit and lose weight. The program started in 2004 and has run for a total of nine seasons, and Mr. Harper has been a fitness instructor in all nine seasons. In addition to his appearance on the show’s American version, Mr. Harper participated in two season of the Australian version of the show, once in 2006 and again in 2008.

In addition to his part in the Biggest Loser, Mr. Harper has appeared on a number of other television programs, mostly relating to his role as a fitness advisor. These include six episodes of the Ellen Degeneres program, both the Tyra Banks Show and the Today Show, as well as a cameo on Days of Our Lives. He’s also a regular target for reality television recap shows like the Soup and Best Week Ever. Other television appearances include news programs, most notably “Larry King Live” and “CNN Today” as well as the entertainment news programs “Entertainment Tonight” and “Inside Edition.”

While his television appearances have been the primary vehicle for his fame, he has also been involved in a number of different fitness related products. This includes his book Are You Ready!: Take Charge, Lose Weight, Get in Shape, and Change Your Life Forever, and a number of fitness DVDs produced under the Biggest Loser brand.

After his success with Biggest Loser and its related media and his own bestselling book, Mr. Harper has been in increasing demand as a trainer and motivational speaker. His appearances range from lectures and speeches to group training events, and his work has taken him to a number of countries in Europe, North America and Asia.

Fitness Philosophy

Bob Harper’s approach to fitness is based on a holistic approach to both exercise, diet and psychology. He terms this approach the “Function Training Method.” This training philosophy was developed during the ten years he spent working as a Hollywood personal trainer. The Function Training Method is characterized by both a physical fitness component and a mental component similar to a number of self help techniques. Special care is taken to address both portions of the regime in an attempt to adjust habits and behavior patterns to address fitness problems.

The physical element of the exercise system is based around a comprehensive nutritional and exercise method that adjust body shape by controlling caloric intake and food types. It is based on a number of preexisting exercise platforms that combine diet and exercise to address weight and health issues. A great deal of the mechanics of the program are derived from exercise methods with a significant amount of scientific backing and approved by the American Fitness Training of Athletics association and Aerobic and Fitness Association of America. In short they are a combination of several techniques proven to be effective for fitness and weight loss.

The most novel element of his fitness regime is the integration of fitness into daily life. Rather than pursue exercise elements in a manner distinct from regular life, the Function Training Method advises an approach that combines exercise and daily life together. Practically this means small, discrete exercise activities that take between 20 minutes to an hour to perform.

The psychological component of the fitness program is designed to focus on the root causes for poor health habits. These are often habits or psychological conditions which lead to self-defeating behaviors like overeating or the like. Rather than focus exclusively on what not to do, the Functional Training Method provides several example of good behavior to replace negative thought patterns, destructive behaviors and self-reinforcing psychological problems. These include a variety of self-confidence boosting behaviors and tips.

The dietary component of Mr. Harper’s system is based around a full dietary adjustment. Low calorie and high nutrition foods are outlined, along with cooking techniques designed to maximize their value. His book included a number of tips to help deal with dietary issues, focusing on how to deal with eating outside of the home, sample recipes and over 20 sample menus. A central conceit of the dietary plan is the ‘eat more’ diet, a staple of Mr. Harper’s work on Biggest Loser. Essentially it suggests that eating a larger number of smaller meals over the course of the day will increase the dieter’s metabolism. An increased metabolism will lead to a healthy and sustainable weight loss plan.

Effectiveness of the Function Training Method

The Function Training Method is apparently a fairly effective method to improve health and fitness for normal people. The dietary information is within scientific guidelines for healthy eating, especially considering the exotic nature of several competing weight loss diets. Unlike the low-carb or low-calorie diets, the Eat More approach is effectively a restricted-calorie diet coupled with exercise. The novel component of smaller meals has been supported by some research as being closer to the type of eating habits that prehistoric man engaged in, as well as an effective control over blood sugar levels over the course of a day. By monitoring and controlling these levels, larger hunger ‘attacks’ will be prevented, thus reducing overeating. There have been no signs of any health problems cause by this diet.

The exercise component of the Function Training Method is similarly uncontroversial. It focuses on natural exercises using free weights, resistance training and the like rather than exercise machines. There is no particular emphasis on any single fitness component, though cardiovascular and strength training are highlighted as significant elements to proper health. A more esoteric component of the methods advocated by Bob Harper is yoga.

Yoga is a 5,000 year old philosophical tradition that was originally developed as a healing technique in premedical times. The advent of modern yoga in the West is fairly recent, dating to the 19th century. Most of the religious components of yoga have been stripped from modern fitness yoga, which is billed as a flexibility, strength and general health practice. Mr. Harper’s advocacy of yoga stems from its holistic nature, coupling psychological and spiritual components to a physical activity and incorporating elements of this synthesis into the Functional Training Method. By incorporating yoga into his system, Mr. Harper intends to address some of the psychological root causes that can cause behaviors that adversely affect personal health.

The efficacy of yoga has been studied in some depth, though there are no conclusive studies suggesting its benefits versus other health systems like Pilate’s. Most research suggest that yoga is effective for treating some types of back pain, improving posture and increasing the flexibility and lubrication of joints and ligaments.

The Function Training Method combines several established and proven health methods into a holistic fitness approach that seems effective. More novel than its individual components, Bob Harper’s introduction of a matrix of healthy activity, especially the psychological and personal elements that lead to poor health, is the root of the system’s effectiveness.

Related Controversies

No one in the public eye can escape a degree of controversy, and Bob Harper is no exception to this general rule. The controversial elements of Bob Harper’s fame have generally come in both professional and private categories, with the former centering on the portrayal of weight loss in The Biggest Loser and the latter on his private life and sexuality. Though not a particularly divisive figure, Mr. Harper does have a rather favorable public opinion as a result of his generally amiable nature and sympathetic performances on Biggest Loser, and some of this controversy is most likely a combination of professional spite and the tendency for a popular figure to attract negative attention.

The professional issues with Bob Harper are generally split along two general lines of reasoning. The first is the mildly derivative nature of the Function Training Method, which he developed. The argument goes that there is very little new in the training method and that Harper is benefiting off of a set of techniques he didn’t develop. As mentioned above this is most likely a factor of Mr. Harper’s fame rather than a serious critique of the training techniques he advocates. The primary selling point of the Function Training Method is the holistic nature of its implementation, with the unification of a large number of well supported and researched health practices under a single plan. The popularity of the Function Training Method is closely related to the personal charisma and visibility of its proponent, so claims suggesting Harper is benefiting from others work unfairly are most likely unfounded.

The second criticism relates to his participation with the Biggest Loser program, which many dietitians and health professionals believe may be raising unrealistic expectations for individuals attempting to improve their own health. Most commonly, these objections relate to the rapid rate of weight loss and especially restrictive diet. Due to the production constraints of the show and the desire to increase viewer excitement, the regime the contestants are put through is significantly more intense than most recommended by dietitians. Some even go so far as to call it a dangerous system, mitigated only by the presence of extensive support staff and observers. To be fair, most of these criticisms have been aimed at the ‘red’ team, which uses a boot camp style of training, but some criticism for the blue team has also been voiced.

Additional criticisms of the show and its approach to weight loss have been raised as well. As the contestants are literally working 24 hours a day at losing weight in an extremely supervised situation, the results they’ve received have been greater than what regular individuals can expect to achieve. As a result, some have argued that the show has increased the difficulty in maintaining a realistic weight loss program and deterred individuals from continuing to exercise and diet when they cannot match the results seen on Biggest Loser.

Bob Harper has replied to these comments by pointing out the safety constraints on the show, the differing nature of his personal exercise program and approach on the show and the motivational power of the program. The connected media, especially the DVD exercise programs which he hosts, have also been effective in helping individuals lose body weight and maintain their new physiques. Additional criticisms of the ‘eat more’ approach to hunger control have been raised, especially its effectiveness for individuals with metabolic issues, but the more extensive coverage of the diet offered in Mr. Harper’s book has mitigated those criticisms.

There have also been a number of other criticisms of the show, which reputedly pushed contestants past safe limits in order to provide entertaining television. Several minor scandals, mostly dealing with former contestants and their inability to maintain their weight loss have been aired, though Mr. Harper has never been implicated in any of them.

The relatively minor criticisms of Mr. Harper’s professional reputation are joined by a series of personal controversies, generally centering around his relationships and sexual orientation. Much of the controversy over this point stems from Mr. Harper’s personal mannerism, which some consider to be stereotypically effeminate. His single status has also raised people’s curiosity, with a large number of web searches on the search term ‘bob harper’ leading to questions regarding his marital status. Google lists ‘bob harper married’ and ‘bob harper girlfriend’ as the two most searched terms relating to his name. Mr. Harper has not publicly addressed his sexual orientation, either to confirm or deny his status as a potential homosexual, leading some to assume that he is, in fact, gay.

Though his sexual orientation has no bearing on his ability as a personal trainer, it may impact his marketability as a successful speaker and professional motivator, which may be a motivation for his reticence to comment on the subject. Though Mr. Harper has commented on a religious element to his life, saying “I love being a personal trainer…it’s hearing God’s calling for me,” he has steadfastly avoided commented on his sexual preferences.

Additionally, several former contestants have hinted at his status as a gay man, most notably Phillip and Amy Parham who were Blue team contestants on the sixth season of the show, implied that Mr. Harper was homosexual when they responded to questions regarding Mr. Harper’s marital status. Other contestants have mentioned their preference for Mr. Harper to ‘do the interior design’ for their homes as well as several other traits typically associated with gay men. Unsourced comments on several Internet sites have also pointed to Mr. Harper’s homosexuality, saying “he’s been out for years now.” It is worth noting that none of the contestants ever explicit said that Mr. Harper was gay, nor has he commented, making the whole controversy one of gossip and hearsay rather than anything conclusive.

CherryPharm was founded by John Davey. He had been a professional tennis player and became a New York business man. He had chronic back pain for over 20 years and relied on over-the-counter pain relievers to achieve some relief. While visiting his home state of Michigan, he began eating tart cherries of the trees. He realized after a few days, the pain in his back was decreasing.

Mr Davey decided it would be worth having someone do a scientific study on tart cherries natural health benefits. Cornell Univeristy conducted the study. The study verified that the exclusive CherryPharm Nutrient Retention Process appeared capable of retaining the fruit’s antioxidant and phytonutrient properties.

There are presently three types of CherryPharm cherry juice. The Natural Health CherryPharm juice which contains 50 tart cherries. It also has water and apple juice added giving it a great flavor. The down side on this drink is although there is no fat, there are 180 calories in an 8 oz bottle. The total carbs are 30 and there are 27 grams of sugar. For anyone trying to lose weight, this drink would not be one to consider.

The Second type of drink is Natural Recovery CherryPharm juice. It contains 50 tart cherries and is also fortified with whey protein. This juice also has 180 calories in an 8 oz bottle. The total carbs in this drink are 30 grams. The sugar content is also 27 grams. Although this drink has tastes awesome, it is not one I would consider on a weight loss plan.

The third drink is the Natural Light CherryPharm juice. This drink has 40 tart cherries in an 8 oz bottle. There are 90 calories in an 8 oz bottle. The carbs are still high at 23 grams. The sugar content is 17 grams.

I just finished drinking a bottle of the Natural Light CherryPharm juice. It has a wonderful refreshing natural taste. It actually has the flavor cherries freshly picked off the tree.

This product can be purchased online at CherryPharm site. It is also available at Wegmans,The Fresh Market, Whole Foods Market, and at the CherryPharm website.

There are health benefits in this drink. Studies have shown that a diet rich in antioxidants foods may help to simulate a person’s immune system. When they are consumed as close to their natural state as possible, the benefits are significantly greater. CherryPharm cherry juice is as close as you are going to get to eating a cherry off a tree.

Losing weight is often one of the best things a person can do for optimal health and wellness. Being overweight can damage to the heart, contribute to high blood pressure and be hard on the joints, to name just a few of the problems that may be caused by carrying around excess weight day after day. Dropping even a few pounds can pay off handsomely in increased health and energy.

While losing weight is extremely important for the overweight or obese, dieting can be intimidating and is difficult for many people. Successful, permanent weight loss requires diligence and a workable plan. When contemplating weight loss, choose a nutritionally sound diet plan. Regardless of which diet is being pursued, try these helpful tips to make the whole dieting experience easier.

Diet Tip #1 – Eat Less, Move More
Excess weight is simply excess calories stored on the body. To get rid of excess weight, eat fewer calories than are consumed and get some exercise. While this may seem elementary, too many dieters do not adhere to this basic principle. The added advantage of eating less and moving more is that exercise will increase fitness while simultaneously burning calories, which in turn will increase the metabolism and cause the body to use more calories even while at rest.

Diet Tip #2 – Try Diet Friendly Substitutes
Consider where calorie-saving food substitutions can be made. Read labels or do some research online to determine where significant savings can be achieved. For instance, replace whole milk with low fat milk, or better yet, fat-free milk. In recipes, substitute plain yogurt for sour cream. For a snack, choose raw vegetables over chips or crackers. To get the salt to stick on popcorn, use a light coating of cooking spray rather than melted butter.

Diet Tip #3 – Beware of Low Fat or Fat Free Foods
Carefully read the label on any item claiming to be low fat or fat free. High calorie substitutes, such as high fructose corn syrup, are often used to enhance flavor and texture in low fat or fat free foods. In addition, to increase palatability, many of these items rely on chemical substitutions that may be undesirable.

Diet Tip #4 – Become Familiar with Portion Sizes
Use a measuring cup and diet scale to determine exact portions. Correct portion size is often difficult to estimate, leading to over consumption of the food in question. After portion estimation proficiency is achieved, periodically recheck portion weights or measures to ensure continued accuracy.

Diet Tip #5 – Use Small Plates and Cups
Make portion control easier by using smaller plates and cups. Having food arranged so that the plate appears full eases feelings of deprivation. Use a measuring cup to determine the exact volume of various cups or glasses. Use a permanent marker to indicate specific measurements on frequently used items. Purchase a toddler or child-size divided plate to help control food portions at meals or when snacking.

Diet Tip #6 – Forego Second Helpings
Limit meals to one helping of each food. Eat slowly, putting the fork down between each bite. Drink plenty of water and extend mealtime as long as necessary to ensure that satiety is reached without indulging in a second helping. Include raw vegetables with each meal to provide a healthy, low calorie option if the temptation for seconds cannot be resisted.

Diet Tip #7 – Control the Environment
Make dieting as easy as possible. Stock the pantry and refrigerator with diet friendly foods. To avoid relapse in times of weakness, get rid of all high calorie foods or any item that may lead to uncontrolled consumption. Have appropriate snacks on hand at work or in the car. Make wise food choices easy by preparing meals at home and taking a lunch each day rather than eating out and relying on willpower.

Diet Tip #8 – Eat on Purpose
Don’t be afraid to get in touch with hunger. Discover what true hunger really feels like. Treat this as research and document all findings. Observe what happens to the body as hunger approaches and how long it takes the physical feeling of hunger to subside even when no food is consumed. Also, pay attention to any emotional reactions that may arise. Strive to develop a sense of actual hunger so that eating becomes a purposeful activity designed to sustain the body only rather than fill other needs.

Diet Tip #9 – Treat Yourself Well
Dieting can be hard work. Pamper yourself during this time by getting enough sleep and enjoying non-food-related treats. If a slip occurs, it is not the end of the world and should not be the end of the diet. A slip is nothing more than a momentary failure. Simply forgive yourself and move on without recrimination.

Diet Tip #10 – Drink Water Before Meals
Drinking a glass of water 15 minutes before you eat makes it easier to feel full sooner, and makes it harder to eat as much.

If you are like many Americans, you are looking for an easy way to stay fit and lose weight without too much exertion. And while numerous exercise routines and diet plans are well known, no other seems to provide the same level of mental and physical benefits as Pilates.

Pilates is essentially a series of simple, but strategic, stretching and floor exercises which target key muscle groups or areas of the body. With minimal effort, the novice fitness enthusiast can gain remarkable results by engaging in Pilates exercises a few minutes every other day.

Getting Started: The Powerhouse

In order to begin using the Pilates technique, it is important to first know and understand the “Powerhouse.” Generally speaking, the Powerhouse is the group of muscles found in the lower back, gluteals, and abdominals, also known as the core muscle areas or center of strength. It can be further understood by visualizing a square between the hipbones and lower ribs area. This area must be engaged before any other Pilates movements are conducted.

In order to engage the Powerhouse, follow these steps:

• Stand straight and tall
• Avoid locking your knees
• Slightly and gently pull your navel inward toward the spine
• Slightly tuck under your hips

As you engage the Powerhouse region, you will feel your body standing taller and straighter than ever before. It is advised to practice engaging the Powerhouse throughout the day, regardless of location or present occupation. Eventually, maintaining the Powerhouse in an engaged state will become second nature. Likewise, you will experience the best results from Pilates if you can keep the core engaged during exercise.

5 Great Pilates Exercises

If you search for “Pilates Exercises” on the web, you might feel overwhelmed by the hundreds of exercise techniques and methods, each with its own unique instructions. These exercises, for the most part, are not intended for the beginner, nor will they provide the same remarkable results as the following simple Pilates techniques. The five easiest and best Pilates workout exercises are:

1. The Hundred
2. Rolling Like a Ball
3. Roll Up
4. Saw
5. Teaser

All of these exercises are very useful for strengthening the body, promoting stability, and increasing flexibility. In addition, they are very good for relieving lower back pain or preventing it altogether. Each Pilates workout exercise is easy to do, even for the beginner, but beneficial for everyone regardless of fitness level, age, or physical capabilities. Since each exercise is performed on the floor, it is recommended that a good exercise mat be purchased and used during the Pilates workout.

The Hundred

This exercise includes one basic beginning set, one vigorous set, and one relaxation set of exercises. While engaging in each set, it is important to relax the neck muscles, relying more on the core muscles to reduce neck pain. While there is no limit to the number of repetitions one can engage in while doing this exercise, it is recommended that the beginning student start by doing only one round of each set.

Basic Beginning Set

1. Start by lying flat on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the floor, arms to your sides.
2. Engage your powerhouse core, then exhale as you gently lift your shoulders and head up off the floor and toward your knees.
3. Lift your arms to a parallel position, even with your hips.
4. To execute this exercise, draw your knees toward your chest, then lift the lower legs to a table top position (as if you were placing your legs on top of a table). Take a deep breath, then as you exhale begin pumping your arms vigorously beside your body. Continue this exercise with controlled breaths, inhaling for five seconds, then exhaling for five seconds.
5. Flatten your belly down and into the floor mat with every exhale. Continue this exercise, pumping vigorously and in this position, for 3 inhale/exhale cycles.

Vigorous Set

1. Continuing from the same position as in the beginning set, straighten your legs out and upward in a 45 degree angle.
2. Pump your arms once again for 3 sets of inhale/exhale cycles, holding your legs out by engaging the powerhouse core.

Relaxation set

1. Draw your knees into your chest.
2. Wrap your arms around your knees.
3. Exhale and inhale deeply and slowly for 3 counts

At the end of this exercise, you will have pumped your arms approximately 100 times, thus the reason for its name: “The Hundred.”

Rolling Like a Ball

In the rolling like a ball exercise, the purpose is the massage the spine while engaging the entire core and promoting balance. You will engage your powerhouse core, balance on your hips, then roll backwards onto the mat while exhaling. It is very important to engage this exercise with proper flow and execution.

1. Start by sitting up straight and tall, knees bent and pulled up against your chest, feet flat on the floor.
2. Wrap your arms around your legs, tightening the core muscles.
3. Lift your feet, floating them above the floor as you further balance your weight.
4. Tuck your tailbone in toward your toes, pull in your stomach, and press your spine inward toward your legs. There should be a slight separation of the feet.
5. Tuck your head down, resting your forehead on your knees. At this point, all of your weight should be balanced exclusively on your bottom, with the core doing all of the balancing work.
6. Tuck your tailbone under so much and pull back through the waist that your whole body loses its balance and rolls backward onto the floor mat to the shoulders. Do not allow your upper shoulders or head to hit the floor. Immediately rock back up, inhaling and exhaling as you complete this rocking motion.
7. Regain your center of balance, then repeat step 6.

This exercise should be repeated three to five times. During execution, be sure to keep your form in the proper position to minimize muscle strain.

Roll Up

The purpose of this exercise is spinal articulation, to lengthen and strengthen the legs, and to promote strength in the abdominals.

1. Lie with your back flat against the floor, legs tight together, toes pointed toward the ceiling, and arms down at your side.
2. Lift your arms straight above your head, hands and fingers pointed toward the ceiling.
3. Engage the powerhouse core muscles by focusing your energy and attention on the area.
4. Inhale for five seconds, and during the 5 second exhale draw your chin down into your chest then roll your whole body upward into a sitting-up position.
5. While sitting up, keep the chin against the chest, keep your arms and hands rigid, and attempt to stretch forward beyond your toes. Hold for 5 seconds, then exhale for 5 as you slowly roll back down onto the floor.

During this exercise, it is important to keep the core muscles engaged, using them exclusively to lift your body. Do not attempt to jerk your body upward, as this will engage improper muscle groups, resulting in muscle strain or pain. If you cannot complete the entire roll up exercise using only your core muscles, go as far as you physically can. Over time, your body will gain strength and the exercise will become quite easy.

Saw

The saw is a multi-part exercise. Each part in and of itself is rather simple, but putting all of the parts together may take a little getting used to. The saw is an amazing Pilates exercise that targets virtually every part of the body, with remarkable results. It promotes thigh flexibility and strength, spinal alignment, and core muscle strength. It “wrings out” the kidneys, lungs, and digestive tract, while keeping the spine long at the same time. The individual parts of the saw includes:

• Set-up
• Warm-up
• Engagement
• Recovery

Each of these steps must be followed, otherwise full benefits cannot be enjoyed and muscle injury may occur. In addition, by following proper techniques, you will be assured that your efforts are not in vain.

Set-up

1. During the set-up portion of this exercise, you will be positioning your body in a strategic manner for maximum results.
2. Sit up on the floor mat, feet and legs out in front of you, shoulder width apart.
3. Keeping your back straight and tall, allow your arms to hang freely to the side.
4. Inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 3, exhale for five seconds.

Warm-up

1. Press your thighs into the floor, pulling your toes inward toward your body and pressing your heels outward.
2. Lift your arms straight out to each side of your body, hands and fingers pointed.
3. Inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 3, and exhale for 5. Engage the core muscles during this period of time.
4. During the next inhale, stretch your spine as tall and straight as possible. Remember to keep your thighs pressed firmly into the floor and your hips straight.
5. During the exhale, twist your upper body so that one arm is pointing straight in front of you while the other is pointing behind. Hold this position for three seconds.
6. During the inhale, return your body to a straight position.
7. Repeat step 5, twisting in the opposite direction.

Go through this exercise three times, then relax the body, remaining in a seated position.

Engagement

The engagement portion of this exercise is similar to the warm-up, with an added feature.

1. Return to the same position as in the warm-up.
2. Prepare to twist the body to one side or the other.
3. As you exhale and twist, go further than during the warm-up by attempting to grab your toes with the opposite hand. Your other arm should stretch long behind you.
4. As you reach the toe, allow your fingers to remain straight. Make your fingers go past and to the opposite side of your foot. This should be completed in a sweeping motion, as if your hand is a saw and is sawing off your toes.
5. Inhale as you return to the starting position, exhale and repeat in the opposite direction.

In this exercise, it is important to avoid repositioning your hips. It may seem that you are off-balance without repositioning, but it is important to avoid doing so in order to engage the proper muscles and produce desired benefits.

If you have difficulty reaching your toes, do not despair. Your strength and flexibility will improve over time. Simply stretch as far as you can in the right direction, and you will also gain lasting benefits.

Teaser

The teaser is a very popular Pilates exercise. While some may claim that it is a difficult exercise, in reality it is more about practice than about difficulty. It is designed to strengthen the abs and promote spinal flexibility. In this exercise, you will be forming your body into the shape of a V. Essentially, you are attempting to touch your toes in mid-air, stopping before reaching your destination.

1. Start by lying on the floor mat. Straighten your arms out and above your head on the floor.
2. Draw in your knees, feet on the floor. Inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 3, exhale for 5.
3. As you lay on the floor, be certain that your entire back is imprinted on the floor mat. You should not allow your spine to protrude or arch during this exercise.
4. Lift your legs to a 45 degree angle, keeping them straight and together. Point your toes.
5. Slowly and methodically, during your next exhale, float your arms, shoulders, and head toward your legs, allowing your body to roll upward into a seated position as you attempt to touch your toes.
6. Do not allow your legs to go back to the floor. Rather, keep them elevated as you lift the upper portion of your body. Your legs may drop slightly, but should never be totally disengaged.
7. Avoid tensing your thigh muscles. Instead, suck in your stomach as you lift.
8. Your body should now be in the form of a V, legs held high, hands and arms pointing toward your feet. There should be a gap of approximately 20-30 degrees between your legs and your arms.
9. As you exhale, curl your body back toward the floor. Keep the legs elevated.
10. Return your legs to the 45 degrees point. Repeat

Final Thoughts

These Pilates exercises are very useful for core stability and strength, and provide useful benefits throughout the body. If Pilates interests you, or if you would like to learn more exercises, there are numerous resources, DVD’s, and books on Pilates. Also, you may wish to consider joining one of many Pilates classes offered at fitness centers and community buildings throughout the nation.

Purpose

Meditation and mindfulness are routes to reduce stress and regain the equanimity needed for a productive life. Many types of meditation address the importance of breathing while focusing the mind on thinking positive thoughts or visualizing constructive images. Guided meditation is a growing practice for many who desire to relieve stress and enhance the peace, health and composure of their life. With various guidance topics and recordings available, meditation, sometimes termed “centering,” calls the individual to tune into the body and breathe with the energy force of the world.

Benefits

According to Andrew Weil, M.D., “Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.” This reduction in stress levels often results in creating a positive energy flow through the body that can prove effective in alleviating anxiety and even chronic pain. With relaxation of the muscles and nerves, blood and energy flow more freely to all parts of the body generating an enhanced feeling of well-being.

Proponents of mindfulness and breathing additionally laud “Improvement of body luster and general health” and “improvement in concentration” as benefits of meditation.

Though meditation is essentially a spiritual practice reaching across cultures throughout recorded history, its purpose elaborates as it is embraced. Individuals involved in guided breath meditation often evolve their practice to explore the very nature of themselves as they find success in dealing with problems and issues.

Interviews with people involved in meditation reveal that it can be an antidote for depression, stress and even fear. Offering increased joy, confidence and health, advocates find that meditation and breathing exercises assist them in gaining strength, when combined with yoga, and general health as they make meditation a way of life. Mindful breathing when combined with meditation helps practitioners to expand their horizons of life consciousness.

Process

Process and methods of meditation span a wide range. A simple Zen practice of counting breath exhalations up to five and then repeating is a good place to begin. This simplified technique means that while never counting above the number 5, the breathing meditation can continue for hours.

With guided meditation processes your imagination is exercised as you are piloted through a journey. Often a word of intention is selected as a focus for breathing and meditation that helps with discovery of healing and healthful realizations. Frequently, practitioners of breathing, mindfulness and meditation utilize recordings. This accompaniment of appropriate music or sounds of nature can add depth and texture to the experience. Recordings are readily available in stores and online. Also, you may decide to compose a recording of your own from music, poetry or quotations that you find inspirational.

Many times meditations will begin with concentration on one aspect of the body such as the breath. As you begin a meditation it is necessary to find a comfortable sitting position. Once sitting comfortably with eyes closed, you will be guided to hold your stillness and breathe deeply. Initially you will turn your mind to focus on your breathing, shifting your attention to inhaling and exhaling. As you breathe deeply you will notice your body becoming relaxed. Then there will be guidance to concentrate on other areas of the body moving from the right side to the left side. For instance, focusing on the right shoulder as you breathe noticing the muscles there and imagining those muscles becoming a stream of liquid as you breathe. This will be repeated with the left shoulder and so on moving your focus around the body as lead by the recording or leader of the meditation.

As the meditation progresses, you will transition into listening to words that you have selected. Slowly, you will begin visualizing these words or ideas with your mind’s eye. It is these words that guide you through the meditation giving your subconscious time to flow along with the meditative message or visualizations.

Meditation is such an enjoyable and healthful experience that is sometimes necessary to tear yourself out of the elixir that it manifests. Closing the meditation is like saying goodbye to a pleasant journey though the next journey into mindfulness and peace already beckons.

Relaxation Tips

• Finding a comfortable sitting position is vital to effective meditation and stress reduction.
• Achieving relaxation and breathing requires a comfortable position for reflection. Sitting with head slightly tilted forward and hands folded or placed palm up on the knees is recommended for guided breathing mediation.
• It is frequently the case with daily stress that the tongue is glued to the top of the mouth. If so, relax the tongue to rest at the bottom of the mouth inside the teeth.
• As you progress in your mediation you will often experience distraction, return gently to focus on your selected message and your breathing.
• Finding a regular spot to meditate daily supports guided meditation by giving place to it in your life.

Resources on the Meditation Process and Exercises

• The Art and Science of Breathing
• Basic Breath Meditation
• Health and Yoga.com
• Centering Prayer Guidelines [video]
• Guided Meditation Project

General Meditation Resources

• The Chopra Center: Primordial Sound Meditation
• Spirituality and Practice – Explore a Practice
• The Wild Devine: Guided Meditations
• Getting in the Gap

Jillian Michaels was born on February 24, 1974 in Los Angeles, California to Jo Ann McKarus. Her mother, who works as a psychotherapist, was blessed with being naturally thin and was always devoted to the well being of her daughter Jillian and her two siblings: George and Lauren. Her father, who was a personal injury lawyer, struggled with weight issues his entire life. Despite the fact that her parents were in the midst of a divorce, Jillian’s father made it a point to visit with his daughter. Unfortunately, his visits with her were not in her best interest physically. In an interview with Ladies’ Home Journal, Jillian recalls numerous visits with her dad when they would have nothing to say to each other so they would turn to food. She has been quoted as saying that she bonded with her father over food and that they only way her father knew how to relate to her was via food–mostly junk food! This unhealthy father – daughter bonding began to catch up with Jillian and at 14 years of age, she tipped the scales at an alarming 175 pounds! It was evident that she would follow in her father’s footsteps and struggle with obesity.

However, her mother began to notice her daughter’s unhealthy weight gain and immediately enrolled her in a martial arts class. It was this class that changed her life and made her into the fitness guru that she is today. Under the instruction of Robert David Margolin, Jillian turned her life around. She reached and maintained a healthy weight and thus began her love affair with fitness. After 17 years of martial arts training, she holds a black belt in both Muay Thai and Akarui-Do. She is a true success story — transforming herself from the fat girl to the fit girl.

Upon graduating from high school at the tender age of 17, Jillian put her passion for fitness to work and became a personal trainer. Unfortunately, the income was not steady and she was forced to put her love of personal training on hold and find a job that could pay the bills. She took a job as a bartender while attending the California State University, Northridge (at 17, she worked illegally with a fake ID) and after graduation she took a job as a talent agent at ICM — which was the biggest talent agency in Hollywood. This was a job that she absolutely hated!! During this time, Jillian was able to obtain two personal training certificates. One from the National Exercise and Sports Training Association (NESTA) and the other from The American Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She obtained both of these in 1993. It was only a few years later that Jillian was able to put her passion to work for her as she began to work as a personal trainer and eventually opened her very own gym, Sky Sport and Spa, with Jackie Warner. It seemed as though her once rocky childhood was over and things were looking bright for Jillian. Then in 2004, her life changed for forever.

JILLIAN MICHAEL’S FAST FACT BIO BLAST:

• Born: February 24, 1974
• Childhood Home: Tarzana, California
• Mother: Jo Ann McKarus
• Father: Name Unknown — Jillian is currently estranged from him
• Siblings: George (younger)
• Lauren (younger half sister)
• Height: 5′2”
• Weight: 115 – 120 pounds
• Eye Color: Green
• Hair Color: Brown
• College Attended: California State University, Northridge
• Car Owned: Ferrari
• Pets: Chihuahua named Baxter
• 2 horses named Buzz and Mike
• Best Friend: Vanessa Marcil
• Favorite Place: Home
• Favorite Food: Chocolate and Peanut Butter
• Favorite Drink: Coke Zero
• Favorite Song: “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone
• Favorite Accesory: IPod
• Favorite Celebrity: Hilary Clinton
• Favorite TV Show: Six Feet Under
• Favorite Movie: Thelma and Louise
• Favorite Saying: Drink It!

A HEALTHY CAREER:

In 2004, Jillian Michaels exploded into the lives of millions of people as the tough as nails fitness trainer for the black team on NBC’s hit reality show, The Biggest Loser. However, after only 2 seasons, Jillian made the choice to leave The Biggest Loser. Millions of shocked Americans could only ask why? NBC released a statement that Jillian chose to leave to pursue other opportunities. Jillian, on the other hand, is adamant that she left because she didn’t like how the show portrayed her. She claims that the show made her seem like a crazy lady who did nothing but scream. Admittedly, she does push the contestants to the edge, but she is not heartless and she felt as though the show didn’t portray this side of her personality. Furthermore, she didn’t agree with the editing and the dramatization of the show.

During her one year hiatus from The Biggest Loser, Jillian joined the cast of the Australian version of The Biggest Loser and began to branch out into DVD’s and books. Season Four of The Biggest Loser saw the return of Jillian Michaels. Currently, Jillian is preparing for Season 9 of The Biggest Loser and is casting for her new reality show, “Losing It With Jillian.”

Reality Television Star:

• 2004 – 2006 “The Biggest Loser” Black Team Trainer
• 2007 “The Biggest Loser” Australia
• 2007 Released her first book
• 2008 – Present “The Biggest Loser” Black Team Trainer
• 2010 “Losing it with Jillian” A brand new reality show featuring Jillian Michaels. Currently in the casting stage, this show features Jillian moving in with families who need help to get back on track. With the help of celebrity chef, Curtis Stone, Jillian will move in and help the entire family learn to eat healthier, exercise properly and be healthy in every other aspect of their lives. It is set to air in the Fall of 2010.

Radio Talk Show Host:

KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles is the home to the weekly two hour long Jillian Michaels fitness talk show in which she discusses health, diet, and other health related topics. In addition, she will take calls from listeners, answer questions and help them in their journey to weight loss.

THE JILLIAN BRAND:

Jillian Michaels has had an extremely successful career in both physical fitness and in the public eye. Starting as an unknown trainer on a reality TV show whose future was uncertain at best, she has become a household name and an inspiration to millions. As a reality TV star, a New York Times best selling author, a radio talk show host, and entrepreneur Jillian is truly on top of the world. However, with the start of a new year, it seems as though she still has many surprises up her sleeve for her loyal fans. Let’s take a look at the variety of products and services that the Jillian Michaels brand has to offer…

New York Times Best Selling Author:

Having written and collaborated on several books, Jillian herself is an author of 6 books in total and a NY Times best selling author of two books.

1. Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You. This was the first book written by Jillian and the hardcover edition went on sale on April 10, 2007.
2. Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You. This book was so popular that it was re-released on January 22, 2008 as an ebook and in paperback format.
3. Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body. Released on April 7, 2009 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is set to be re-released on March 23, 2010 as an Abridged Audiobook Download and a Abridged CD.
4. Jillian Michaels Hot Bod in a Box: Kick Butt with 50 Exercises from TV’s Toughest Trainer. Also released on April 7, 2009, this is a non-traditional book. Rather, it is a deck of cards filled with energetic and challenging exercises.
5. The Master your Metabolism Cookbook. Will go on sale April 27, 2010.
6. The Master your Metablism Calorie Counter. Will also go on sale April 27, 2010.

In addition to writing these particular books, she has had a hand in writing many “Biggest Loser” weight loss, exercise, and cookbooks.

Video Games:

In 2009 Jillian Michaels teamed up with Majesco Entertainment Company to star in Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 for the Nintendo Wii. This game allows players to choose from four different types of workouts: (1) weight loss, (2) intervals, (3) hill climb, and (4) strength training. In addition, players will be able to choose the intensity and the duration of the workout. Of course this was widely popular and the follow-up, Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010, will be released in 2010.

DVD’s:

With so many DVD’s to discuss, Jillian has definitely taken the home workout video to a new level. Here are some of her most popular DVD’s:

1. “30 Day Shred” — This was one of her first DVD’s and has gotten a lot of positive reviews from men and women alike
2. “No More Trouble Zones”
3. “Banish Fat Boost Metabolism”
4. “Yoga Meltdown” — This is her newest DVD that is set to be released on February 26, 2010. It can be pre-ordered from the official Jillian Michaels store or Amazon.com.

Weight Loss Products:

In addition to the success of her books and DVD’s, Jillian has a full line of weight loss products such as the Triple Process Total Body Detox & Cleanse Plus Probiotic Replenishment and the QuickStart Rapid Weight Loss System. Also, in June of 2008, she launched her very own home delivery meal plan.

Business Owner:

As previously mentioned, Jillian is co-owner of the famous and successful Sky Sport and Spa, with Jackie Warner. Both Jackie and Jillian share a similar philosophy of helping people physically and psychologically by stressing the importance of fitness, nutrition, and behavioral changes.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO…

In addition to being uber-successful, Jillian has also received recognition from many organizations for the work that she does both on and off the television. Jillian has received the following:

• The United States Sports Academy’s Dwight David Eisenhower Fitness Award winner for 2010.
• America’s Healthiest Body 2009
• Number 84 on the AskMen.com Top 99 Women

JILLIAN ON A PERSONAL LEVEL:

It is no wonder that Jillian is the new, hottest thing in the fitness world but what is she really like? This is a very difficult question to answer as she is a very private woman and likes to keep her personal life, well, personal. It has been reported that she is currently dating Henry Cavill and that she is also dating long time BFF, Vanessa Marcil. Rumors have been spreading like wildfire that Jillian is either a lesbian or bisexual. However, none of these statements have been confirmed…or denied. Jillian did, however, in an interview with Ladies’ Home Journal make this statement: “Let’s just say I believe in healthy love. If I fall in love with a woman, that’s awesome. If I fall in love with a man, that’s awesome.”

First comes love, and then comes children. According to reports, Jillian doesn’t have any children yet but she does have a plan. In fact, she has even chosen her baby’s daddy — her very own co-trainer on The Biggest Loser: Bob Harper!

IN HER OWN WORDS:

Even though everyone may not be a fan of Jillian Michaels she does have these words of advice for everyone:

1. Get educated. She urges everyone to learn a new lifestyle, not just a new diet. Like she told Ladies’ Home Journal: “You can lose weight a hundred different ways, but if you want to keep it off you have to do something you can maintain for the rest of your life.”
2. Treat the real problem. Jillian is well known for saying that “Weight gain is a manifestation of other issues, not the problem itself.” Therefore, every single person should get to the root of their problems and not be afraid to ask for help.
3. Put Yourself first. This is especially true for women who tend to put their own needs behind everyone else’s.

SOURCES:

• http://jillianmichaels.hollywood.com/bio.php
• http://www.lhj.com/style/covers/jillian-michaels/
• http://www.jillianmichaels.com/meet-jillian/bio-about.aspx

“The Biggest Loser” is a weight loss competition reality show that has become one of NBC’s highest rated programs, spawned numerous fitness- and diet-related products, made stars out of its trainers and became a cultural phenomenon while helping people live healthier and lose weight.

The Show

The premise of the show is to bring together people from around the country whose health and lives are being impacted by their obesity. Those that are selected are brought to the Biggest Loser Ranch, where they are divided into teams. Each team is provided a trainer, who sets the workout schedules and regimens and provides nutritional advice and fitness tips.

Before the workouts really begin, the contestants meet with the show’s team of medical professionals to review how serious their weight condition is and the consequences if they do not change. They are told their biological age, which is their age based on health, compared to their actual age. Normally, the biological age is several years more than the actual age, sometimes as high as 25 years.

Contestants not only work out and learn to eat healthy, they compete against each other in physical challenges. The winning team or individuals receives a prize, which can include immunity from elimination that week, a visit to a spa, a penalty against the other team, cash or calls home. Past challenges have included long-distance hikes, walking up the stairs of a skyscraper, sliding down a Slip-N-Slide and then walking back up the hill until only one remains and being suspended over a shallow pool with the winner being the last to drop.

Some weeks, contestants also face a “temptation” involving food. Sometimes if they give in to the temptation they win a call home or dinner with a loved one, while other times they win the prize for resisting the temptation. However, for those giving in to the temptation, there is the added possibility of being eliminated due to the extra weight that temptation may add.

Each week, the remaining contestants weigh in, but prior to that they all go through a grueling “last chance workout.” At the weigh in, the two contestants who have lost the least percentage of their total body weight that week are up for elimination. The other contestants then vote on who should go home, with the one receiving the most votes being eliminated. It is here where the show sometimes strays from its goal of helping people lose weight. Often, contestants strategize on who should be sent home, choosing someone who is either a threat to them or is hurting the team. This sometimes results in someone who really wants and needs the help of the staff at the Biggest Loser Ranch going home rather than having access to the experts that can help them change their lives. This is especially true of contestants sent home very early in the show’s season. The grand prize for the Biggest Loser is $250,000. However, most contestants seem to feel the lessons they learn at the ranch are the prizes.

Those that are eliminated are encouraged to continue their progress and to compete for a $100,000 cash prize at the end of the season for being the one who lost the largest percentage of weight at home.

In January of 2007, “The Biggest Loser” changed its format somewhat and introduced a season in which couples competed as teams against other couples. “The Biggest Loser: Couples” has been repeated two more times and provides the show an opportunity to basically run two seasons’ worth of episodes in one TV season while also helping more people.

The fall season of 2008 introduced “The Biggest Loser: Families,” while the fall of 2009 gave previously eliminated contestants from other seasons “The Biggest Loser: Second Chances.”

The Experts

“The Biggest Loser” employs a wide range of medical health experts as well as the trainers who work with the contestants.

During its eight seasons the show has used three trainers – Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels and Kim Lyons.

Harper is the only one who has been with the show since its 2004 debut. Before the show he was a highly demanded fitness specialist in the Los Angeles area. He continues to work with celebrities, including Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow and Selma Blair. Harper uses an “inside-out” relationship with his clients and contestants by building relationships with them and motivates them to realize their potential and their self-worth. He then helps them develop positive habits to enrich their lives, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. In this manner, called the “Functioning Training Method,” clients are given the educational tools necessary to lose weight, tone muscle and increase strength, but it is up to them to use those tools. He is certified with the American Fitness Training of Athletics and with Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.

Michaels was an original trainer on “The Biggest Loser,” but left prior to a “Special Edition” show in 2006. Her return in 2007 was a surprise to the contestants and the other trainers. In that season, contestants competed in a foot race with the two people crossing the finishing line choosing who they wanted on their team from a pool of contestants. After the two teams were selected, it was believed six were left out. However, these six were trained secretly by Michaels until they made their appearance at the weigh in at the end of week two. Michaels has been part of the show since. Before her TV success, she struggled with her own weight, but through dedication and hard work achieved her fitness goals. She is no less demanding on her clients and contestants, pushing and cajoling them to work their hardest. She helps people reach their goals, both physical and psychological, by stressing the integration of fitness, proper nutrition and behavioral changes.

Lyons replaced Michaels in 2006 and also participated in the 2007 season. She left at the end of that season due to scheduling conflicts. She has more than 10 years of experience as a fitness trainer and was selected out of hundreds of applicants to replace Michaels. Combining nutrition with effective exercise programs, Lyons utilizes a tough but realistic approach which allows clients to understand their potential, build confidence and reach goals.

Dr. Rob Huizenga is an associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at UCLA and is considered one of the leading weight-loss experts in the U.S. He is a former team physician for the L.A. Raiders professional football team, and a book he wrote on his experiences there was the basis for the film “Any Given Sunday.” His current practice specializes in obesity-related issues. Dr. Huizenga is the physician who interviews each contestant at the beginning of the season to go over their health risks. He has been interviewed on several network and cable news shows as a health expert and he has been a writer, correspondent and advisor for several other TV programs.

The show also employs several chefs and nutritionists, who are responsible for transforming the contestants’ bodies, health and lives, as well as other medical personnel, psychologists and athletic trainers.
Even the hostesses of the show have experience dealing with weight loss, which helps them connect with the contestants and understand what they are going through in their lives.
Current host Alison Sweeney has talked publicly of her past battles with being overweight and wrote about them in her book, “All the Days of My Life (So Far).” Sweeney has hosted the show since 2007.
Caroline Rhea hosted the show from 2004-2006. She also has talked publicly about being overweight and rumors swirled around the Internet in 2006 that NBC let her go as host of the show due to her being overweight and it being a topic of several Internet message boards concerning the show. NBC executives at the time said they wanted to bring somebody newer and with a larger youth fan base to the show.

The Products

As a result of the TV show, a number of products have been developed with the “Biggest Loser” brand or associated with individuals involved with the show. The brand is estimated to make $100 million from products and endorsements.

First, there’s “The Biggest Loser Club” through its Web site at www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser. The club offers a three-month membership for $29.95, that includes three free Biggest Loser weight loss books, or a one-month plan for $19.98. The three books are The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook, The Biggest Loser Fitness Program and The Biggest Loser originally adapted from the show. The Biggest Loser Club provides users with the tools to make better food and exercise choices using thousands of recipe ideas, meal plans and exercise demonstrations; a message board where users can communicate with each other to swap ideas or ask for advice and help; receive personalized goals based on height and weight; the ability to track progress; receive the information at home or via mobile device. There is also advice on how to get started exercising, what to eat when going out to dinner or lunch, healthy snacks and meals to prepare at home.

A “Biggest Loser” home delivered meal plan has been launched. Customers can order the meals either online or by phone. They select which meals they would like to order and they are delivered right to the door. A seven-day meal plan with snacks costs $169.95, while a seven-day plan without snacks runs $149.95. There is also a five-day plan with or without snacks which costs $129.95 and $119.95, respectively. The meals are pre-cooked so they just have to be heated up before eating. These gourmet-style meals have been developed by medical experts.

There are a number of DVDs targeted toward different types of workouts and featuring staff from the show, including “The Biggest Loser: 30-day Jump Start,” “The Biggest Loser Workout: Power Sculpt,” The Biggest Loser Workout: Cardio Max,” “The Biggest Loser Boot Camp,” “The Biggest Loser Yoga” and “The Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout.”

Pieces of exercise equipment associated or endorsed by “The Biggest Loser” include “The Biggest Loser” Bodybugg, an armband that helps monitor the amount of exercise performed, calories consumed and lets people know if they are exercising enough to burn the amount of calories they desire. The $244 price includes an initial 12-month Web subscription which also provides access to a phone coach for setup of the Bodybugg. Renewal subscription costs range from $9.95 on a monthly basis, $49.95 for six months and $79.95 for a year. Kits include a stability ball, sculpt and burn, a fitness mat, resistance bands and total body bands. A protein drink is also offered through the show’s Web site store.

“The Biggest Loser” recently entered the video game workout market with an interactive fitness game for the Nintendo Wii. Compatible with that platforms’ Balance Board, the game offers a four, eight or 12-week program where gamers can compete against contestants from prior seasons of the show. Users can also customize a program based on their fitness goals and using any of the game’s 88 available exercises that work the upper and lower body. There are also cardio and yoga exercises. Trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels are featured giving tips and expertise. A diet plan based on specific weight loss goals can also be created through the game. It will also help track caloric intake.

A Nintendo DS and DSi form of the Wii game is also available which also offers portable access and can be used on the go to count calories, create shopping lists and save recipes in addition to the challenge programs, exercises and health tips.

Jillian Michaels has launched her own media company, called Empowered Media LLC, which produces books, DVDs, video games, exercise equipment and an online presence with the state goal of creating total life solutions for people in all aspects of their lives. She has authored two New York Times bestselling books, “Master Your Metabolism” and “Making the Cut.” DVDs produced by the company include “30 Day Shred,” “No More Trouble Zones” and “Banish Fat Boost Metabolism.” She also has two fitness video games for the Nintendo Wii, “Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum” 2009 and 2010 editions. She offers her own line of supplements and protein drinks and her Web site, www.jillianmichaels.com, offers subscribers weight loss help and plans. Later in 2010, Michaels will also be the star of a new fitness TV show on NBC, “Losing it with Jillian Michaels.” In it, she will move in with a family each week and teach them how to exercise, eat right and be healthy in every aspect of their lives.
Bob Harper also has a book, “Are You Ready,” and a Web site, www.mytrainerbob.com, which allows users to track their progress and communicate with others who register at the site.
Ratings success

Since its debut in the fall of 2004, “The Biggest Loser” has shown itself to be a proven ratings winner, even though it wasn’t as highly touted as some of the network’s other new programming that year, nor did it receive much promotion. In fact, the show was hurriedly put into place for the fall schedule in 2004 after NBC canceled “Last Comic Standing 3” at the last minute.

Despite those obstacles, its 90-minute debut drew 9.9 million viewers. NBC executives were impressed enough they pulled one of their more highly touted shows during November sweeps and aired “The Biggest Loser” in its place. Two weeks later, “The Biggest Loser” won a head-to-head battle with another popular reality series, “The Amazing Race,” and delivered 10.5 million viewers.

While the premise of the show is weight loss combined with the competition of battling for $250,000, the real success of the show lies in the heartfelt stories of the contestants.

In a 2004 interview with Variety magazine, executive producer J.D. Roth said the show works because “We went for the heart. Telling these people’s stories is why the show is working.”

The 2010 premier of “The Biggest Loser: Couples” drew 11.7 million viewers, including a 4.7 share among viewers 18-49, while competing against Fox’s coverage of college football’s Orange Bowl. That was the largest audience ever for a premier of “The Biggest Loser.”

Controversy

The show has not been without its share of problems.

Most notably, season 3 Biggest Loser, Eric Chopin, was featured in the Discovery Channel’s program, “Confessions of a Reality Show Loser.” Though Chopin lost 200 pounds to become the champion in his season, he later regained nearly all the weight back. The program follows how the weight gain impacted Chopin and his family and his struggle to lose the weight for good.

In 2009, Entertainment Tonight reported contestant Gregory “Dane” Patterson was shown finishing a marathon at home after being eliminated from “The Biggest Loser” during its update of his status. However, Patterson admitted he had been given a ride for three of the 26 miles. The show issued an apology. Patterson did reach success while on “The Biggest Loser.” He lost 100 pounds in eight weeks at the ranch and lost 13 pounds the week he was eliminated. In fact, as was mentioned above, strategy played a part in Patterson being eliminated, rather than his lack of trying to lose weight.

Prior to a reunion special planned for 2009, The New York Times reported season 1 winner, Ryan Benson, had regained almost all of his weight and admitted to losing weight by fasting and dehydrating himself to the point he was urinating blood. Benson was not on the reunion special and says he was shunned because of his admission. TV Guide Magazine’s online site reported the same year accusations the show was endangering the lives of contestants by pushing them too hard and causing some of them to suffer dehydration. Contestants defended the show, saying dehydration is simply water loss and not really weight loss. Contestant Rudy Pauls, who was the runner up in 2008, was among those who defended “The Biggest Loser,” but did caution against people trying such an intense routine on their own. He pointed out trying to lose 14 pounds a week is unrealistic normally and added the contestants on the show are under the constant watch of medical professionals.

A contestant from the 2008 season accused trainer Jillian Michaels of providing the contestants on her team with performance-enhancing substances to help them slim down faster. NBC ordered a full investigation and Michaels was cleared. Officials of the show say the contestant, Filipe Fa, had a problem with Michaels after being forced to switch to her team, which he did not want. Fa later claimed he did not make the allegation, but members of the production crew said they heard the comments after Fa was eliminated. In 2007, trainer Kim Lyons was visibly surprised and upset at the unexpected return of Michaels, whom Lyons had replaced in 2006. Lyons left the show after that season.

During the 2009 season, two contestants had to be rushed to the hospital, one by airlift, after suffering heat stroke while taking part in a one-mile race. Meanwhile, the show is finding heavier and heavier contestants to join the show. One couples team in 2010 weighed a total of nearly 1,000 pounds at the beginning of the season.

Does it work?

Despite the controversies, “The Biggest Loser” seems to work, though, like other health programs, it depends on the dedication of those using it. Certainly the contestants lose tremendous amounts of weight, even many of those who are eliminated. With the show drawing millions of viewers a week it is able to expose those viewers to better ways of healthy living and inspire them to attain their own health goals, though in a less intense manner. The program’s line of products complement the ideals of the show, and the trainers reach out to fans to offer support also. While results from the show, 15 pounds lost per week, would not be typical, weight loss would be possible following the example of “The Biggest Loser.”

Here’s a statistic that is enough to blow your mind: There are (at any given time) 30 million diets on the market today…YES, 30 Million Diets on the Market!!! Isn’t it strange that with so many diets to choose from, we are undeniably the fattest country on the planet? Simply put, diets don’t work.

Dieting Defined

First let’s define the word.

1. Diet (nutrition), the sum of the food consumed by an organism or group,
2. Diet, eating habits, pattern of eating or nutritional regime, and
3. Diet, the deliberate selection of food to control body weight or nutrient intake.

For the sake of argument, we’ll go with the third definition. To reduce one’s caloric intake would ideally cause one to lose weight. According to the law of thermodynamics, Energy IN must be less than Energy OUT for one to lose weight. Unfortunately, all too many diets so drastically reduce calories that the body will adjust it’s metabolic rate to deal with fewer calories (meaning little or no weight loss). Initially, most calorie reduction diets will result in some weight loss but it will slow and even reverse in a very short adaptive period. *

Why Didn’t My Last Diet Work?

Most diets teach us to reduce our calories by completely eliminating a major food group. Think of Atkins (no carbs), Pritiken (no fat or greatly reduced fat) and of course there are vegetarian diets which eliminate animal protein. The physiological fact of the matter is…we Human’s are Omnivores (animals that feed on many different types of food, including BOTH plant and animal). The elimination of a basic food group is not sensible or physiologically sound and worse, impossible to follow for any length of time. Imagine all the steak and butter you can eat…wait, what good is butter if you don’t have anything to put it on?! Boredom and feelings of deprivation are the reasons that diets fail (coupled with hunger).

Weight Loss Plateau

*The Proverbial Plateau (weight-loss paradox): If you begin eating 2,500 calories per day then your metabolism will adjust itself so that your body begins burning 2,500 calories per day.

If you decide to try to starve yourself by suddenly eating 1,000 calories per day then your metabolism will again ADJUST ITSELF so that your body begins to burn only 1,000 calories per day. That’s why you have failed in your past dieting attempts, and why you fail when you starve yourself.

This is known as the Exercise/Weight Loss Paradox. Let’s suppose that 2,000 calories is your maintenance daily caloric intake:

• 2000 Calories (maintenance intake)
• + Exercise/physiological
• adaptations to workload: + 500 Calories
• Total Calories burned/day: = 2500 Calories

Thus a 500-calorie deficit is created (you’re burning 2500, but only taking in 2000)

… but over time …

500 Original Starting Deficit…

• – 250 Lost when adaptation phase ends
• = 250 Now your deficit is only 250 (down from the original 500 – above)
• – 100 Lost from increased cardiopulmonary efficiency (lower RMR – resting metabolic rate)
• = 150 Deficit goes down again
• - 100 15 lb. net weight loss (ideally no muscle loss)
• = 50 Even smaller deficit
• - 90 Loss of metabolic activity of 15 lb. body fat
• + 40 Leading to possible weight gain or at least an eventual plateau

Adaptation is when the body “gets used to” the stresses of modified diet and/or exercise, thus less calories are needed to complete previous same/similar tasks. Because of the body’s ability to maintain stasis, change must be continual and the diet must be sensible. So what does THAT mean?

The Human Eater

Humans are periodic eaters. Simply put, it means we don’t have to eat constantly. Consider birds. With their extremely high metabolisms, they must eat almost constantly to maintain energy and life. We, however have the ability to utilize our calories in a very efficiently through many systems not the least of which is something called the Krebs Cycle. The Krebs cycle is at the base of our metabolism and it allows us to efficiently utilize our calories for several hours before needing to refuel.

Several hours is the key however. How do we begin to eat sensibly without incurring boredom and hunger? Let’s start with breakfast. YES…breakfast!! Let’s compare your body with your automobile. Imagine you go out to your car, put the key in the ignition, turn the key and….nothing! What? Oh yeah, you forgot to put gas in the tank! Silly you! How do you expect your car to take you places without fuel? Let’s think…are we that much different than our cars? You change and add oil, you fill up the tank with gas and even additives for better mileage. You maintain the correct water and radiator fluid levels and air in the tires. You periodically take your baby to the mechanic for a tune-up.

My analogy: without fuel (proper nutrition) you won’t “run” either. After a good 6-8 hours of sleep, you have literally been fasting although your metabolism has continued to run. When you arise and begin your day coupled with all the stress that comes with it and DON’T re-fuel, it’s a recipe for disaster ESPECIALLY if you are trying to lose weight.

BREAKFAST!! or… a Day without Breakfast is Like a Day Without Breakfast!

In effect, eating breakfast literally jump starts your day and revs up that metabolism. Many humans “sludge out” their metabolisms by not eating enough! I’m going to repeat that because you need to hear it again, “EATING SPEEDS UP YOUR METABOLISM!” Isn’t that awesome? When your mom told you to eat your breakfast she knew what she was talking about. I know, I know, we don’t ever want to admit that mom was right but breakfast IS the most important meal of the day!

“But eating breakfast makes me hungry all day,” you say. “GREAT!” I say. If you’re hungry more frequently that means your metabolism is revving on all cylinders. “Then what?” you say. “EAT!” I say. Yes, you should eat at least 4 times per day but ideally 5-6 times per day.

For the Birds

Let’s go back to our little friends, the birds. Although we don’t need to eat constantly to stay alive, we should eat regularly for good energy, less hunger and metabolic “zoom zoom zoom.” When your energy is good, you’re not hungry and craving things you don’t need and your metabolism is revved up, you will become much more efficient at losing those extra pounds.

A Simple Plan

Breakfast is a must! Don’t whine, just listen. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Something as simple as a piece of wheat toast with a smear of peanut butter and a small glass of skim milk is one way. Even if you must eat on the run, there are meal replacement bars and shakes that will do nicely.

Mid-morning blahs? No problem! Have an apple and a piece of string cheese. Snacks are good and when your friends an co-workers see you eating all the time AND losing weight they’ll be totally jealous!

Lunch time…yipeeeee! How about a turkey and swiss on light wheat bread with a 1/2 cup of grapes… yumm! Not into sandwiches, try a salad….plenty of protein and light on the cheese and dressing please (pre-made salads such as pasta or potato salads must NOT apply).

Afternoon snack…stay away from that vending machine and come up with your own snack. Be creative. How about a lite or fat free yogurt with a small handful of almonds or sunflower seeds stirred in. The idea is to keep you from becoming so famished that you go home and begin to stuff everything not nailed down into your mouth.

Dinner should be relaxed. If alcohol is your nemesis, don’t throw it out all together. Have a small glass of wine, go ahead. Notice I said “A” small glass. Dinner should be interesting and beautiful. Go easy on the sauces and butter and extras. Always make it colorful (include your veggies please) and use herbs for flavoring. Remember this one rule. If you go to bed at 11:00 the kitchen should be closed by 8:00. If you go to bed at 10:00 then 7:00 is your cut-off! You’ll sleep better, your metabolism will love you and you’ll wake up WANTING breakfast. Let the day begin!

Jobs, relationships, school, bills, children, dentists, mothers-in-law.

Everybody has stress in their lives. Different individuals tend to handle that stress in very different ways. Some handle it productively by kick boxing their way to relief, buckling down to get stuff done, or talking it over with a loved one. Others become self-destructive, reaching for cigarettes, alcohol, or too many cups of coffee.

And some people find they have an overwhelming desire to eat the entire contents of their refrigerators in a single sitting.

Historically, it made some sense to eat when under extreme pressure. When humans lived constantly on the edge of starvation, consuming extra calories when stressed to the breaking point could help people face challenges with adequate energy supplies.

But now that the average person is far more likely to be overweight than underweight, it makes significantly less sense.

Attack the root cause.

The simplest way of eliminating stress eating from your life is to eliminate stress. That of course, is much easier said than done. While it’s impossible to remove all stress from your life unless you’re a multi-billionaire living alone on your own private island with a plethora of servants to attend to your every whim, you can examine where the pressure is coming from and try to resolve it.

Identify your major stressors.

You can’t do anything about your stress eating until you identify the source of your stress. This isn’t always as simple as it sounds. For a variety of reasons from the banal to the profound, we often try to lie to ourselves about what is stressing us out. It’s hard to admit that you might not be as happy in your relationship as you think you are or that you really are terrified of something as simple as going to the dentist.

Do something about it.

Once you’ve pinpointed where the pressure is coming from, ask yourself why it’s making you stressed out. If it’s your job, what exactly is stressing you out? Are you having problems with co-workers that you could address with your boss? Are you having problems with your boss that you could address with Human Resources? Do you feel overwhelmed because you weren’t adequately trained for some of your responsibilities? If this is the case, you could ask a trusted co-worked for some help, or do some research on your own to try to fill in the knowledge gaps.

If it’s a relationship issue, you could try sitting down to talk honestly with your partner, friend, or family member. If it’s a money issue, plan a realistic budget and stick to it. Once you’ve honestly addressed what it stressing you out, you’ll feel much better.

Not every problem has a solution.

There are some stressors that you just may not be able to resolve simply. They may take time or there just may not be a way to make them go away at all. Dentists and mothers-in-law are just a fact of life, but the mere fact that you’ve identified them and tried to address them should alleviate some of your stress. Problems that you’ve acknowledged and examined are less scary than those you continue to ignore.

Channel your stress in a healthy direction.

If you can’t resolve the stressor, at least you can redirect the stress. Aerobic exercises that release endorphins such as cycling, kickboxing and running will help you alleviate the physical nervous tension that accompanies stress while also calming your mind. If exercise isn’t your thing, many people find activities with repetitive motions, such as knitting, particularly soothing. Others find relief in the communing with nature and reminder of a simpler time that comes with gardening.

All these activities will not only get you out of the kitchen and away from food, but they will also help address the physical and psychological symptoms of stress.

If you have to eat, eat well.

Even if you follow these steps, there may be times when you feel compelled to drown yourself in a vat of ice cream. Don’t look upon it as failure, just recognize it as proof that you’re human. Plan ahead so that you have healthy food on hand to limit the damage. Prepare tupperware containers of your favorite pre-cut fruits and vegetables, and always keep a low calorie dip or dressing on hand for the veggies. Invest in an air popper and some organic popcorn. (But make sure not to drench it in butter.) You can gorge yourself to your heart’s content on carrots and unbuttered popcorn without doing much damage to your waistline or psyche.

It might be helpful to review the steps you can take to help eliminate or reduce your tendency to stress eat.

• Identify the source of your stress.
• Try to resolve the source of your stress.
• Honestly acknowledge your stress even if you can’t resolve it.
• Focus on healthy outlets for your nervous tension.
• If you have to eat, limit the damage to your waistline and ego by treating yourself to healthy low-calorie snacks.

Eating may be the way you’ve dealt with stress in the past, but it doesn’t always need to be, and even if you slip, the slip needn’t be catastrophic.