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The "Biggest Loser" Season 7 contestants Filipe Fa, and his cousin Sione Fa, first stepped on the scale in 2009 weighing in at a combined weight of 736 pounds. After months of sweat, tears, pain, and a lot of hard work, both Sione and Filipe each lost over 130 pounds. They were healthier, in-shape and motivated to live healthier lives.

Since, Filipe has regained all the weight he had lost and has teamed back up with Sione and Walgreens 'Way to Well' in a mission to lose weight and get back on track to living a healthy life.

The "Biggest Loser" Season 7 contestants Filipe Fa, and his cousin Sione Fa, first stepped on the scale in 2009 weighing in at a combined weight of 736 pounds. After months of sweat, tears, pain, and a lot of hard work, both Sione and Filipe each lost over 130 pounds. They were healthier, in-shape and motivated to live healthier lives.

Since, Filipe has regained all the weight he had lost and has teamed back up with Sione and Walgreens 'Way to Well' in a mission to lose weight and get back on track to living a healthy life.

GRAND OPENING VIP EVENT
An exclusive event for past guests of The Biggest Loser Resort.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013
6PM-8PM CST
The Biggest Loser Resort Chicago
(located at Eaglewood Resort and Spa)
1401 Nordic Road
Itasca, IL 60143

A special evening of "Mocktails" and Hors d'oeuvres for past guests of the Biggest Loser Resorts. Guests will hear about some of the exciting and special offers, have an opportunity to tour the new facility, learn about local benefits available at the resort, and chat with our experts in fitness, nutrition, and wellness.

The "Biggest Loser" Season 7 contestants Filipe Fa, and his cousin Sione Fa, first stepped on the scale in 2009 weighing in at a combined weight of 736 pounds. After months of sweat, tears, pain, and a lot of hard work, both Sione and Filipe each lost over 130 pounds. They were healthier, in-shape and motivated to live healthier lives.

Since, Filipe has regained all the weight he had lost and has teamed back up with Sione and Walgreens 'Way to Well' in a mission to lose weight and get back on track to living a healthy life.

We invite you to join us as we share Filipe's weight loss journey as he gets trained by Sione at The Biggest Loser Resort. This week, Filipe endures his first workout and Sione determines his nutrition plan.

5 Tips for a Healthy Kitchen with Executive Chef Cameron Payne

by Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD
for Healing Lifestyles & Spas

Chef Cameron Payne is a traditionally trained chef having worked with culinary all-stars from Wolfgang Puck to Michael Mina to Mark LoRusso. And he’s had big roles in big kitchens feeding big menus to big numbers of hungry guests in Las Vegas and other cities. But his biggest role yet is in making smaller portions with big flavors (not calories) come alive on the plate for spa guests at The Biggest Loser Resorts as their Corporate Chef.

Southwest Chili
serves 8

Ingredients:

• 1 - 14oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 - 14oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 - 14oz can navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 - 14oz can stewed tomatoes, diced
• 1 lb. lean ground turkey, cooked
• 2 cups water, (depending on how long it cooks, you might need to add more water)
• ¼ cup green chilies, diced
• 1 yellow onion, small diced
• 3 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1 package chili seasoning
• ½ cup sliced green onions
• ½ cup cotija cheese
• non-fat Greek yogurt (optional)

"Biggest Loser" Chef Devin Alexander's Healthy Cooking Tips

You asked, she answers! Chef Devin Alexander of NBC's hit reality TV series "The Biggest Loser" answers YOUR healthy cooking questions.

Topics covered include:

*Fat Free/Low Fat Recipes for Salad Dressings.
*Healthy Alternatives to Tomato/Marinara Sauce.
*Healthiest Oil for Cooking.
*Healthy East Lunch Suggestions.
*Best 'Fake' Sugar Substitutes.
*Healthy Recipe Substitutions.
*Healthy Lifestyle Changes to Implement Now!

Continue Reading to hear what Devin has to say!

Devin Alexander's Chinese Pepper Steak
Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds trimmed top round steak, cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 cups 1/2-inch-wide, 2-inch-long sweet onion strips
• 1 1/4 cups 1/2-inch-wide, 2-inch-long green bell pepper strips (about 1 large pepper); Optional (red bell pepper)
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
• 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

We received some great inquiries yesterday regarding the chocolate breakfast shake that Chef Devin Alexander shared on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. A lot of you asked about the shake and wanted to know how you could make it at home. Well, ask no more - here we share Executive Chef Cameron Payne's recipe for our Awesome Breakfast Smoothie!

DO TRY THIS AT HOME!

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie – Serves 4

4 C. Ice
2 Bananas
¼ C. PB2
1 C. Fage® Greek Style Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 C. Chocolate Almond Milk, un-sweetened
4 Scoops Whey vanilla Protein Powder

Diolase 10: High Intensity Laser Therapy at BLR

Pain Free in Less Time. Sound too good to be true? Well, according to those who participate in Laser Therapy, it's not. Pain Free in Less Time is a reality, and can be for you too. The Biggest Loser Resort Malibu is proud to now offer Diolase 10 Laser Therapy.

Developed by Dr. Michael Sheps, Diolase 10 Laser Therapy, is a non-invasive external application of a specific wavelength of near infrared light to temporarily relieve pain and stiffness, stimulate cell regeneration and healing, increase circulation, and provide biostimulation. Laser Therapy has been shown to be effective for chronic and acute musculoskeletal conditions including back and neck pain, injuries from accidents, and athletic injuries to muscles and joints through temporary:

The Biggest Loser Resort is happy to introduce Amanda Turner, the Registered Dietician at the Ivins, Utah resort.

Amanda completed her Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics with a minor in Biomedical Science at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. She was then accepted to the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in Kansas City, KS for a combined internship and Master of Science in Dietetics program. Upon completion of her nine month internship and a passing her Registered Dietitian certification exam, Amanda began working as a Teaching Assistant for a clinical nutrition course at KUMC, as well as working as a part-time Clinical Dietitian at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Lee’s Summit, MO. Once graduating from KUMC, Amanda found full time work as the Women, Infants, and Children Program Coordinator where she educated pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and their children on proper nutrition. Although Amanda loved working with pregnancy and childhood, her true passion lies with nutrition and its effects on performance. To fuel this passion, Amanda has voluntarily worked with running groups in both Kansas City, MO and St. George, UT on proper nutrition to fuel events.

You asked, she answered. BLR Malibu Life Coach & Counselor Essara Stoeckl answers your questions for health & wellness.

Here at The Biggest Loser Resort we realize that getting a good night's rest is just as important as working up a sweat and burning calories. Sleep plays a vital role in your overall health and well-being. During slumber, your body is working to support healthy brain function and, following a workout, to heal and repair your muscle fibers. In children and teens, sleep also helps support growth and development. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help promote your quality of life.

The Biggest Loser Resort is happy to introduce Malibu Resort Life Coach and Psychotherapist, Essara Stoeckl.

Essara received her interdisciplinary Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology from Washington University St. Louis in 2006, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she attended Stanford University where she earned a masters degree in Psychology, graduating with honors and a 4.0 GPA in 2008. Her graduate work focused on Health Psychology, specifically food and sports psychology. She completed post graduate work at several East Coast universities before going on to work for Isabella Bird, a division of Outward Bound, as the head therapist in food psychology.

The Thruster is a powerful movement that moves a weight through a large range of motion. This movement simply combines a front squat with a push press (overhead press). The thruster can be performed using dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, a medicine ball or a sandbag. Muscles engaged in this movement (the squat) include the quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes; essentially all the major leg muscles. The power developed in your legs is then transferred into your upper body via the abdominal and lower back muscles, engaging the shoulders, upper back and triceps (push press).

The Thruster movement engages the entire body!

Lunges can be done anytime, anywhere and require NO EQUIPMENT or GYM! Here we review the proper way to perform a lunge.
by Amanda Fitz

What is a lunge? Lunges are a body resistance exercise that works the leg muscles (ie: quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles) and helps you achieve shapely, toned legs and backside. A long lunge will emphasize the gluteal muscle engagement, whereas short lunges will emphasis engaging the quadriceps. Lunges can be performed in a variety of ways to best accommodate your fitness level and can be done with body-weight or with dumbbells. Lunges are a great conditioning exercise to add to your fitness routine!

Firm from head to toe with this cardio blasting fat burning movement!

If you think jumping rope is just for kids, think again! Jumping rope burns more than 10 calories a minute while strengthening your legs, butt, shoulders, and arms. And it doesn't take long to reap major rewards. You can burn more than 200 calories in two, 10-minute sessions each day (that's 1,000 calories a week)! What's even better? For around about $10.00 you can have an affordable, fat blasting, piece of equipment that you can take with you anywhere. Just toss it in your bag or in your car.

You asked, she answered. BLR Malibu Program Director Micaela Gruber answers your questions for health & fitness.

Question 1: What is a good snack to eat?

We promote paired snacking at BLR. A healthy snack is pairing carbohydrates with proteins. Keep portion control in mind. Think of snacks as mini meals that contribute nutrient rich foods. Snack calories can fit into your meal plan without over-spending your daily calories. Snack only when you're hungry —skip the urge to snack when you are bored, frustrated, or stressed. If you can, plan and portion your snacks ahead of time! Keep a variety of nutritious ready-to-eat foods on hand; for example, whole grain crackers and low fat cheese.

Cardio. By now we all know how important cardio is, along with strength training, in our quest for weight loss. But did you know cardio is also extremely important in improving and maintaining one’s cardiovascular health? Individuals of every shape and size need cardio. There’s just no way around it!

So often people wonder if a short visit to the resort is enough to get them on the right track of weight loss and health. People wonder, "if I get a jumpstart, can I finish at home? Will it be worth the investment? Can it really change my life?"

I can sit here all day and tell you YES to all of those questions, but of course I am going to say that.

BLR "Year of You" Winner Chuck Pollock completed his third week at our Malibu Resort this past weekend. Below, Chuck shares his thoughts as he approaches the beginning of his final week, as well as a video blog he shot on his morning hike yesterday.

3 Weeks Down and 1 To Go!

Well I completed week 3 yesterday, all in all a pretty good week! I definitely have noticed a major improvement with the hikes compared to my first week. And in the gym I have increased the intensity and turned it up a bit.

So on Monday is our evaluation hike to determine which van and which hiking group we will be in for the week. So for the first time I felt great on the hike, and was actually near the front

Earlier this week on Tuesday was the Season 13 Finale of NBC's "The Biggest Loser". For any of you that watched the show this season, you may be aware of a unique season that involved a bit more drama and controversy. But one thing remained unchanged, the success of the contestants. The finale of Season 13, like those that proceeded, was inspiring!

The contestant transformations were unbelievably beautiful; both on the outside and the inside! Every "Biggest Loser" finale is a "Biggest Loser" family reunion. Here is a look

Happy Monday! We hope all of you enjoyed your weekend and took some time to spend on YOU.

If you feel like you are beginning this week with a "case of the Mondays" and find yourself in need of motivation, we encourage you to take the time to watch the following video from Neil Pasricha.