LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Over the last 16 seasons Biggest Loser contestants have lost a combined 33,000 pounds. That's roughly the weight of three African elephants.
"But that doesn't even begin to cover the amount of weight that's lost by the fans who watch," says host Alison Sweeney. "I would bet we're in the hundreds of thousands."
This season The Biggest Loser contestants are all former athletes from Scott Mitchell, who played quarterback in the NFL… to the jokester of the bunch, Jordan Alicandro of Kent, who played baseball at Green River Community College. Trainer Dolvett Quince likes Jordan's style.
"He's so upbeat," says Quince. "He's funny.He's just a good guy in general.That said, he's also a fierce competitor."
Despite the tears during weigh ins, this show isn't just about numbers. And the set on which we're conducting interviews isn't just a gym.
"Transformation happens in this house.In this room. Fear facing.There's a lot that happens on these floors.
When you put somebody in a situation where they're physically challenged, it bubbles up emotional things."
What's the first step to losing weight? Trainers Jessie Pavelka and Jennifer Widerstrom both say it's more mental than physical.
"It's knowing there's value in who you are," says Winderstom, "and if you can invest in yourself, you can be your best."
" You need to look at where you're at." says Pavelka. "Accept it and move forward. A lot of people wait for the perfect moment but when is the perfect moment?
You have to take action. You have to accept where you're at and start moving. Really in every way."
"It's amazing the difference this show makes," says Sweeney. "We're part of the solution. It makes me proud."
