Life after ‘Loser’: ‘Every day is a struggle’

Making smart and healthy choices
Season 5 winner Ali Vincent said that she had to wean herself off of going to the gym every day, and get over the fear that she’d gain weight if she didn’t spend all her time there. But she’s also taken precautions to make sure she doesn’t slip, such as wearing her BodyBugg, an arm monitor that contestants wear on the show to monitor their calorie burn, as well as ridding her house of junk food that might tempt her.

“I childproofed my life,” she said. “I don’t want to leave anything to guesswork when I have the tools not to.”

Cheryl Forberg, who has served as “The Biggest Loser” nutritionist since the first season, said that contestants are armed with the knowledge to make better food choices before filming even starts. They receive body composition testing, and then are given a calorie budget, which is to be composed of 45 percent complex carbohydrates, 30 percent lean protein and 25 percent healthy fats. Eating four cups of organic fruits and veggies is also a component of the diet. Forberg said contestants also go through a “detox” and eliminate white sugar and white starches, like white rice and flour.

Forberg then keeps up with eliminated contestants during the season through conference calls to answer any diet questions and provide emotional support.

But for regular people who will never get a chance to be on a show like “The Biggest Loser,” Forberg suggests making small changes, rather than setting lofty goals like losing 50 pounds by the start of summer. 

Isabeau Miller after 'Biggest Loser' with her family

“It can be too daunting,” she said. “But if people start off slow and gradually implement these changes, they can start to see a little progress — and that can be very seductive.”

Season 4 finalist Isabeau Miller said that if she ever slips on her diet or exercise, it is important to keep it in perspective.

“You recognize that you’ve made a mistake and you move on from it,” said Miller.

The worst thing to do, Miller said, is to take a break and say that you’ll start again “on Monday.”

“Monday never comes,” she said. “Every single second is a another choice to make, and your next choice is going to be better.”

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