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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.

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.

If you watched Season 7 of NBC's "The Biggest Loser", then you definitely recognize both Sione & Filipe Fa, cousins who made the Blue Team. The Fa boys quickly made their way into our hearts as we cheered for their success every week.

They first stepped on the scale 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.

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

Yesterday, Chef to NBC's hit television show "The Biggest Loser", Devin Alexander checked into our Malibu Resort. Devin will be with us for one week as she attempts to lose the last ten-pounds in her weight loss journey - she's lost 70 pounds thus far and has kept it off for close to 20 years!

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!

Stylist Keri Voss Joins the Spa Team at
The Biggest Loser Resort Malibu

Keri Voss has been a professional stylist for more than 20 years. Hailing from Milwaukee, WI Keri’s pursuit of all things beautiful (fashion, style and art) led her to the West Coast in 2010. To Keri, everyone is lovely in their own unique way; and she counts herself fortunate to be able to help clients to maximize their individual beauty.

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro by BLR Malibu Hiking Director, TJ Jerome

I bet it's safe to say that early last month we all set personal goals for ourselves to accomplish this year. Well, BLR Malibu Hiking Director, TJ Jerome, is no different. Perhaps equal parts goal, challenge and adventure, TJ wasted no time in accomplishing a goal for the year. Three weeks ago she took off on a personal adventure to hike to and summit Mount Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro,with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is a dormant volcanic mountain in Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region, in Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Tanzania, the highest mountain in Africa, and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level (the Uhuru Peak/Kibo Peak). If you've had the pleasure of meeting TJ, then you know summiting such a mountain is right up her alley!

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:

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.

The Biggest Loser Resort is happy to introduce Malibu Resort Program Director, Micaela Gruber.

After a big decision not to attend culinary school, Micaela moved her life from Minnesota to California where she instantly fell in love with the fitness industry and helping others make positive change their lives. Micaela soon found herself attending the National Personal Trainers Institute and shortly earning a certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). In addition, Micaela went on to receive a certification in pre & post natal exercise and kettle bell training. Prior to working for BLR, she was employed as a personal fitness trainer for Equinox gyms, a very prestigious health club.

The Biggest Loser Resort Joins the Fight to Defeat Obesity and Diabetes In Our Military Ranks

Will provide 15% discount to active and retired military personnel and their spouses

In honor of Veteran's Day we are proud to announce that Fitness Ridge Worldwide, LLC, the owner and operator of the award-winning The Biggest Loser Resort, is joining the fight to defeat obesity and diabetes in the military by extending a 15% discount to active and retired military personnel and their spouses who attend the award-winning Biggest Loser Resorts.

If you've ever visited us at BLR Malibu, then chances are you have had the pleasure of meeting Staci Carter. Staci, originally from Toledo Ohio, has been a member of the BLR team for the past two years. Staci has multiple roles and responsibilities as our Front Desk Manager, Retail Manager and more recently, our Zumba Instructor.

"I love that working at BLR Malibu means working with a great team of people! But something I've always had a passion for is dancing. How great I get to teach Zumba to our guests and 'dance' while working!" Staci exclaims.

*read more to watch a video of Staci teaching Zumba!

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

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 Biggest Loser Resort is happy to introduce our October YEAR OF YOU Winner, Los Angeles naitive, Rob Cohn. Rob arrived at our Malibu Resort this past Sunday, October 7th and will be participating in the BLR program for the next four weeks. "I am so happy to finally be here!" I feel so blessed for this opportunity," shares Rob.

Rob found out earlier this year in January that he was chosen as one of ten lucky winners of The Biggest Loser Resort's YEAR OF YOU video contest held on our Facebook page. "I was so excited and honored to be chosen. I was on a high! But you'll never guess what happened shortly after, I fell into my typical 'self-sabatoge' mindset and entered into depression," Rob explains. For the months that followed Rob was so distraught that he found himself binge eating and gaining some unwelcomed and unwanted weight.


Rob with Social Media Coordinator Amanda Fitz

Sundays at The Biggest Loser Resort are notorious for being bittersweet. This past Sunday was no different as we bid a 'see you later' to our August YEAR OF YOU winner Mary Cisco, and welcomed our September winner Daniel Vargas.
Mary had extended her stay with us for one additional week for a total of five weeks. When she was diagnosed with pneumonia and bronchitis her second week, causing her to lose a couple of days of working out, she was happy to have a fifth week. "The extra week I added is great because I don't feel too bad for having to take a couple days off to allow the prescription antibiotics to help me overcome my illness. Though I did try to attend classes, I eventually listend to the trainers at BLR that my body required the rest," Mary shares.

One thing we admire about Mary is her effort. We strongly believe that what you put into our program, you will get out of it. Mary put 110% effort into every class she attended. "She has the best attitude! She's our biggest cheerleader in class and motivates us all. I loved being in the same group as her!" says Kelley, a guest at BLR Malibu.

The Biggest Loser Resort is proud to support the American Diabetes Association Stop Diabetes® movement. Diabetes is unfortunately very common among our guests here at The Biggest Loser Resort. Many of our fitness resort guests have either been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or with type 2 diabetes. The good news is that we have experienced much success in helping educate our guests on how best to properly manage these diagnoses, and in the case of type 2 diabetes, enter into remission through proper nutrition and exercise. But we realize there is still much more to be done!

In support of The American Diabetes Association, and in honor of American Diabetes Month®, this November The Biggest Loser Resort will donate $200 towards the Stop Diabetes® movement for every guest who books a non-discounted stay at any of our fitness resorts during the weeks of November 4^th, 11th, 18th, and 25^th. In addition, we will also make a minimum donation of $25,000 to help support the ADA’s fight against diabetes!

Exciting & Innovative Updates to The Biggest Loser Resort Program!

At The Biggest Loser Resorts, our goal is your success. As an organization, it is our mission to remain current with the latest research and advancements in nutrition and fitness. To further encourage and motivate our guests to reach their goals and be able to maintain them long-term, we’ve implemented a few key nutrition-related enhancements to our program at all of our resorts effective July 1st of this year.

At our Niagara property, the effectiveness of these key additional enhancements are clear in the impressive results turned in from the program’s first month. Combined with great fitness training, informative lectures, wonderful camaraderie, and outstanding cuisine, during our test period, women and men have lost on average 5.7lbs and 6.5lbs respectively per week. (Of course, individual results may vary.) On top of that, our guests have been doing a great job reducing their body fat percentage by more than 1% per week.

Earlier this month BLR Malibu was honored to host a very special guest, 2011 Medal of Honor recipient, Sergeant Dakota Meyer. During his week stay, Dakota spoke to BLR guests and shared his experience and actions that led him to receive the Nations highest military award.

One thing in particular that stood out during his presentation was when he challenged us to look differently at things that happen to us in life. He explained, "We often look at things in our lives as situations, but what if we start looking at them as opportunities? Think of all we can accomplish and achieve." When Dakota was serving in Afghanistan, and placed in what can only be described as a horrific situation, he saw that as an opportunity; an opportunity to utilize his skills and duties as a marine to help his fellow soldiers and civilians to safety.

On that day, September 8th, 2009 during the Battle of Ganjgal, Sergeant Meyer, with the aid of Afghan soldiers, evacuated 12 civilians and 24 Marine soldiers from death. He is the third living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, and the first living United States Marine in 38 years to be so honored.

For more on Dakota's heroic story watch his feature on CBS "60 Minutes". Below, Dakota sends a special message from BLR Malibu.

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.