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Champions of change ’Loser’ fi nale offers more than prize By Kyla Brewer TV Media the clock ticks down to its live fi- nale, the contestants on one re- ality show are hoping they’ve lost more than anyone else. Season 10 of NBC’s “The Big- A gest Loser” comes to a close Tuesday, Dec. 14. One of the fi- nalists will walk away with a $250,000 grand prize, along with a well-earned new body. Hosted by actress Allison Sweeney, the show also employs top-notch trainers Jillian Mi- chaels and Bob Harper to whip the would-be “Losers” into shape. This season, the show fol- lowed several obese contestants as they competed to lose the highest percentage of body weight. Participants battled ini- tially in teams and later individu- ally, working with different train- ers to achieve their goals. They faced weekly eliminations until the cast was pared down to just four contenders, who face their fate in the season finale. As the last episode kicks off, all of this season’s contestants return for a weigh-in to show viewers how much they’ve lost s the saying goes, “losers never win,” but losing has never been so exciting. As of preventable death in the U.S., obesity affects just about every- one. The show has inspired fans since it debuted in 2004, then hosted by comedian Caroline Rhea. It has since sparked a worldwide phenomenon, with versions popping up in several countries, including Australia, Germany, India, Spain and Mexi- co. The format hasn’t changed ”The Biggest Loser” trainer Jillian Michaels since the beginning. America has already cast its votes to deter- mine which one of the final four will be eliminated first and, after the news is revealed, the reject- ed contestant joins the others to compete for a $100,000 “at home” prize. One of the three remaining participants will later be crowned the winner. While backstabbers and wan- nabe stars populate prime time, the notion of an altruistic reality show seems almost impossible. But as the Western world’s obe- sity epidemic spirals out of con- trol, “The Biggest Loser” pro- vides a select few with the op- portunity to do more than win Stutzman MOTOR SALES , INC. 09 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4 dr., loaded, 4 cyl., tilt, cruise, CD, silver, 30,000 mi. 09 Toyota Camry XLE 4 dr., loaded, 4 cyl., p. seats, heated leather seats, p. sunroof, CD, charcoal, 33,000 mi. 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In each city, three hopefuls competed for a spot on the show and the two that completed the task the fast- est moved on. The contestants represent a wide range of Americans, from a back-up singer for Beyonce to a military wife and a former col- lege football player. The result is a broad demographic appeal, which may be one of the secrets to “The Biggest Loser’s” success. Now among the leading causes much since the show’s debut. Each week, the players face temptation and reward chal- lenges, and are subjected to “last-chance workouts” before a weekly weigh-in. At the weigh- in, each contestant steps on the scale to determine who has lost the least percentage of body weight. Those who lose the most are safe from elimination, while those who lose the least face the prospect of going home. Over the years, several con- testants have lost mind-boggling amounts of weight. The show’s first winner, Ryan Benson, lost 122 pounds over the course of the inaugural season. Unfortu- nately, he has reportedly gained much of the weight back. Others have had better luck keeping the weight off. Ali Vincent was 234 pounds at the beginning of Sea- son 5 and won when she dropped to 122. She’s managed to keep fit and has just published a book. Other female winners Michelle Aguilar and Helen Phil- lips have also reportedly main- tained a healthy weight. Even those who “lose” and are eliminated from the show Boling Vision Center 2 x 3” D R E A M B I G A D O E S N ’ T D I S A P P E A R J U S T B E C A U S E Y O U R E Y E S I G H T I S N ’ T P E R F E C T . 800.283.8393 www.bolingvisioncenter.com ELKHART OFFICE 2746 Old US-20 | Elkhart IN 46514 W E M A K E B I G D R E A M S P O S S I B L E 8 The Goshen News • Viewer’s Choice • Saturday, December 11, 2010 - Friday, December 17, 2010 ACOUSTIC AUDIO HEARING SERVICE HUGE OVERSTOCKED SALE!!! 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