The Biggest Loser

Yes, I was on season three of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” Wild! Over the last few years I’ve written and accumulated an assortment of tips and advice for those trying out for NBC’s Biggest Loser.  A lot of the advice would probably be applicable to other reality shows as well, but my only experience has been with Biggest Loser.  Feel free to leave questions, jump into the conversation, or leave advice of your own!

These are the tips I’ve written, with a focus on the video application (my video is what got me on the show). It’s also probably one of the best places online to discuss the casting process with other people: Biggest Loser Casting Tips (season 17)

Here are some links to my previous posts with casting advice; the link above is the most recent version, but the comments can be fun to read.  A number of the people commenting did end up on the show!

I’m attempting to consolidate some of my weight loss resources to this page.  Follow the different links below to learn more about how I lost the weight. I’ve also posted links to various weight loss related talks and classes I’ve given. Click the “Articles” menu link on the right to find weight loss related articles I have written.

Where did all the fat go?  By Dr. Huizenga – my review & discussion of his book.  He’s the Doctor for NBC’s The Biggest Loser, and he lays out how contestants actually pull of the weight loss in this book.

Dr. Huizenga answers questions from his book – my phone interview with the author of “Where did all the fat go?”, where he answered questions posted by readers on my blog about his book (questions found here).

McNutt’s weight loss plan – Download audio from the audio page to get a more detailed description as well as instruction on how to use the journal.

Weight loss journal – A form you can use for food journaling, tracking exercise and working with emotional eating.

Weight loss journal sample (partially filled in version)

Click the links below to listen or right click and select “save target as” to save it to your computer!

WEIGHT LOSS:

Tending the Temple: my pursuit of spiritual and physical health.  Recorded January, 2007.  I wrote about it here.

The Reality of Failure.  Recorded in 2007.  I wrote about it here.

Run the Race  A message about perseverance I gave at Boothbay Baptist Church in the summer of 2006; I actually made CD’s for my fellow Biggest Loser contestants as many of us were struggling to keep our focus after working hard for several months at that point.

BIGGEST LOSER BOOTHBAY:

Biggest Loser Boothbay kickoff meeting – topics covered include counting calories, exercise and sample eating.  Recorded on May 3rd, 2008.  I wrote about it here.

Biggest Loser Boothbay weekly weighin #1 – topics covered include emotional eating, as well as questions from the group and answers.  Recorded on May 7th, 2008.  I wrote about it here.

Biggest Loser Boothbay weekly weigh in #2 – topics covered include questions and answers about exercise, counting calories and food subsititutions.  Recorded on May 14th, 2008.  I wrote about it here.

Biggest Loser Boothbay weekly weigh in #3 – topics covered include why the scale is unpredictable for women and tips for dining out without killing the diet.  Recorded on May 21st, 2008.  I wrote about it here.

Biggest Loser Boothbay weekly weigh in #4 – weekly news, dealing with failure, questions & answers.  Recorded on May 28th, 2008.  I wrote about it here.

Biggest Loser Boothbay: New Years Challenge kickoff, part 1  January 19th, 2008.  I wrote about it here.

Biggest Loser Boothbay: New Years Challenge kickoff, part 2  January 19th, 2008.  I wrote about it here.

Biggest Loser Boothbay: New Years Challenge – Emotional Eating  January 23rd, 2008.  I wrote about it here.

Biggest Loser Boothbay: New Years Challenge – Dining Out  January 30th, 2008.  I wrote about it here.

Biggest Loser Boothbay: New Years Challenge – Realistic Expectations & Failure  February 13th, 2008.  I wrote about it here.

Interview about my Biggest Loser experience on WGAN 560  Recorded December 18th, 2006.

12 thoughts on “The Biggest Loser”

  1. So, here's my question, my coworkers have "weighed" in, and maybe my fellow audtionees can help.

    I have auditioned twice, and then got a CB and then made a video (I feel my video has not been up to standards).

    I was on recently on Jodi/DJ's youtube page, and it says their videos were shot w/ the DXG pocket camcorders. I've done A LOT of research between them and the Flip, and everything points to DXG except for the massive commercials on tv, DXG comes out on top. One of my coworkers got a Flip, the rest got DXG for the holidays. It seems w/ DXG you can take out the memory card and submit it, and/or it's just easier for playback, not to mention CHEAPER.

    My coworker who got the Flip pointed out some problems she has with it, and I just want to make this as easy for the CDs and editors as possible. And it looks like the file transport is easier w/ DXG, plus you can just remove the memory card if need be. Also, Flip's USB has been known to break, then the camera is rendered USELESS.

    Bottom line, is I figure I will have this camcorder on me for when the right moment strikes, and my video won't feel forced, b/c both times, my CD has called me asking me to be "more natural", so this is my plan. Hey, the DXG is like $100, and I can't find one negative review, so, if this is all that's in my way, BRING IT ON.

    I guess DXG vs Flip is Mac vs PC. I am sure to the average consumer we just know Flip b/c of the commercials, but internet research leads me to DXG for my hometape. Kodak also makes one, but it doesn't seem like it's in the same class.

    Any input would be appreciated, but it just seems like from a "professional" tv standpoint DXG is much better as a product and better for the BL production team (heck they were using it on the road LAST summer, I never even heard of these until THIS Holiday). Figures TBL would have them, since they are a big show and probably have the best technology before it comes out.

    Have you all tried these for your hometapes? Thanks folks. I also emailed DJ and Jodi, as perhaps they would have answers.

    For those who haven't seen their casting tips, you're missing out. Here's the link I found on youtube.

    http://www.youtube.com/user/BucksNRoses

    CANNOT WAIT TIL TONIGHT!!!!!!!

    Happy New Year all…

    T.B.B. 2010

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  2. I sent my application package with my husband to the post office, and he accidentally left off the last page when he mailed it! Should I send a whole new package? Do you know if they eliminate applications based on whether or not they are complete?

    Thanks.

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  4. Hello. I'm currently in the process of filming my video and I am in need of your advice. It says specifically not to edit and to be on camera the entire time.

    I want to have an opening screen with my name, age, weight etc. and then go to a screen where I have a skinny picture of myself next to a current (fat) picture of myself. Do you think this would be ok? I don't want to get in trouble for editing etc. but I'm not really sure how inserting a picture like that and a title screen would fall into the "editing" corner.

    I would think it would be ok but don't want to have my video immediately rejected.

    Thanks!

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  5. Hi everybody~

    Wow! Haven't been on here since season 9 open casting. How is everybody? I see some new people, as well as some of the old. Yarra, glad to see your still here. I have a question. For any of you who have had Jodi and/or Marc for the open casting calls, what questions do they ask or what is there routine when you get in there with them at the casting call? Last year I went to philly and this year New York, I know different casting directors have different ways of doing things. Please advise. Thanks so much ahead of time, its nice to be back! 🙂

    ~Lily~

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  7. Hey! I am in the process of applying for being on the biggest loser. I am very conservative and wanted to know how to be modest but be able to be on the show and lose weight any suggestions would be awesome! thanks for your time

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  9. guess I'd be bitter too if I made it to the ranch more than once and didn't make it on the show, people check out this blog because we are all confused, anxicous about the process….just trying to be hopeful until I hear others have been asked to see the Dr if I am not asked…

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  10. I'm curious about thus casting process. I sent in my video and application. I received an email from a casting director for a VIP pass in Boston. I went, felt like it went quite well but didn't get a call back. So does that mean your not right for the show/season and out of the running? Is it crazy to go to the NYC casting call this weekend? I need help. I don't want to stalk the CD's.

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