CELEBS ON-BOARD: (From left) Dina, Jehan, Dave, Syanie, Kristy and Zainal Alam Kadir

TOUGH CALL: Sarimah (right) interviewing applicants

CATCH the heart-warming reality series about 30 contestants on a quest to shed the pounds and win big in The Biggest Loser Asia, premiering on Nov 24 at 9pm on the Hallmark Channel.

Asia’s ‘heavyweights’ may not have had any time in vying for a place on the original American show.

However, with the show notching its eighth season and being broadcast to 90 countries worldwide, it has now set up an Asian franchise, allowing people from this part of the region a shot at the title of The Biggest Loser Asia.

The unscripted competitive series challenges its contestants to lose weight to win the big prize of US$100,000 and a lavish Renault car.

More importantly, The Biggest Loser Asia gives the contestants a chance at regaining their health and ultimately their lives with the guidance from professional trainers for a little over three months.

Over 2,000 hopefuls from across Asia vied for a spot on the show, many of them troubled by health problems
as a result of carrying extra weight all their adult lives. For others, it was about finding the confidence that had disappeared when the pounds piled on. Being ‘heavy’ is no laughing matter, in spite of the sunny persona that many overweight people use to cover up their unhappiness with their lives.

Facing a diet and lifestyle revamp, contestants will have to surrender luxuries including mobile phones and Internet access while in the boot camp.

They will also be eating healthy meals and will need to get through daily activities taking only 1,500 calories.
The selected contestants from Asia aged from 18 to 55 will be led by fitness trainers Dave Nuku and Kristy Curtis (see accompanying story)in a regimented daily programme on The Biggest Loser camp in Melaka.

The contestants will have to face real-life gruelling situations and temptations, which include being enticed by the food they love.

They will also have to work together with other members of their team to survive the competition.

“We hope the stories on the show will inspire Malaysians, not just to build better bodies but also confidence in their lives,” said NBC Universal Global Networks Asia Pacific managing director Raymond Miranda.
Adding a dose of local fla vour to the show are four familiar faces on Malaysian television — Zainal Alam Kadir, Syanie Hisham, Jehan Miskin and 2004’s Malaysian Idol runner-up Dina.

The foursome will be part of specially-created vignettes that will give viewers a first taste of the challenges in store for the contestants of The Biggest Loser Asia

Hosted by local talent, Sarimah Ibrahim, the 14 weekly one-hour episodes will reveal how the contestants put their faces, bodies and pride on the line to show how serious they are in cutting the fat from their lives.

Get inspired by the positive messages of living life to the fullest with The Biggest Loser Asia, every Tuesday starting Nov 24, at 9pm on the Hallmark Channel.

Moan, groan and sweat to satisfaction

IT is comforting to know that even The Biggest Loser Asia trainers Dave Naku and Kristy Curtis have ‘weaknesses’.

Dave enjoys our Malaysian hawker food while Kristy loves Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream. Lucky they know how to manage those cravings.

Following the success story of American trainers Bob and Jillian, the two fitness experts are bringing their own experience in and out of the gym to contestants The Biggest Loser Asia.

The duo believes the Asian installment of the reality television series is the perfect channel for sharing stories that need to be told.

“It is about understanding their fundamental reasons for being overweight and changing patterns of behaviour,” said trainer for the Red team, Kristy.

The unique thing about the show is that it provides the tools to achieve ambitious goals by the contestants,” said Dave, who leads the Blue team.

With 11 years of professional fitness training experience under his belt, Dave is an avid fitness enthusiast who regularly competes in local and international running events while Kristy has worked in the corporate health industry in London and travelled all over the world spreading the message of health.

Both trainers have a strict programme for each of their team members, in terms of exercise and nutrition.

Following their trainers’ exercise regimes, contestants undergo a variety of exercises, including lifting weights, resistance and lots of cardio. The trainers also get support from dietitians to develop specific menu plans for the members of their team, albeit with a touch of Asian flavour to the palate.

Kristy, who hails from Sydney, Australia, believes in the philosophy of starting small and adding endurance and intensity as time goes by, while Dave encourages his members to train hard right from the get go.

“Throughout the 14 weeks, the contestants are on a roller coaster ride, physically, mentally and emotionally as they go through stringent programmes to lose as much weight as they can,” explained Kristy, who has 13 years’ experience in the fitness arena.

She describes herself as a “bad cop” with low tolerance for those with the “princess syndrome”.

“If someone tells me that their knees ache and can’t continue, I tell them to get back on the bike and give me 10 minutes more,” said the 32-year-old who believes she is the more aggressive trainer in the show.

Dave, a native of New Zealand who is now based in Kuala Lumpur believes in finding the root cause of the contestants’ problems.

The professional trainer to the cast and crew of the Lord of The Rings trilogy, feels his “treehugging” teammates should be taking ownership of themselves, their health and eating habits.

Kristy and Daku feel privileged to be part of a show that is able to turn around people’s lives with a healthy dose of exercise and the right nutrition.

For those looking at losing weight and staying fit, these two professionals have a pointer — do what you can, even if it is exercising around the block for 10 minutes.

“Also, change your grocery shopping list. Choose the right food, exercise and you are on your way,” added Kristy.