The Biggest Loser Families - www.biggest loser.com - Season 7 2008

NBC's hit series "The Biggest Loser" returns in tonight with "The Biggest Loser: Families," featuring eight teams of two family members -- four husband-and-wife teams and four parent-adult child teams, one of which is from Cleveland.

Jerry Skeaback, a 51-year-old police sergeant could possibly be the most unfit person to walk on the Biggest Loser campus.

It has always been convenient for him to stop at any fast food place during his shifts, on his breaks or at the end of a shift before heading home.

The poor food choices, along with working extra hours just to pay the bills, have really taken their toll on Jerry and caused him to packed on many extra pounds.

As a former athlete, he is constantly wishing he had the extra push to fill those voids. Trying to keep up with his kids over the years has become difficult, and Jerry has had to miss out on many things in their lives due to his weight.

Coleen, 23, is the second of four children in her family, but the only child who is overweight.

Coleen has struggled with her weight since her early teen years. Being the only overweight child in her family has been tough on her.

Never really feeling comfortable in her skin, Coleen searched for other ways to take the focus off of her weight. She is sociable, engaging and always has a hand to lend to whoever needs it.

Growing up on fast food and quick-fix meals, Coleen began to pack on the pounds at a young age. Sitting at a desk and snacking all day is all part of her daily routine as a receptionist.

"The Biggest Loser" challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000.

The unscripted and life-altering reality series gathers contestants from across the country to face real-life temptations, while being provided with approved weight-loss skills and resources in an effort to help them transform their bodies, health -- and ultimately -- their lives. Contestants work out under the supervision of professional trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper.

How will Jerry and Coleen do in their quest for $250,000 and a healthier life? Tune in tonight at 8pm on WKYC Channel 3 to find out.

For a preview of "The Biggest Loser" and to learn more about Jerry and Coleen, click play in the video player at right or go to our video page and do a "video search" for "Skeaback" to watch several video features about the Skeabacks and the show.

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Long-lasting Extra gum is celebrating its third season on-air with NBC's hit reality show "The Biggest Loser" (premiering tonight at 8/7c) by offering show enthusiasts a chance to experience the nail-biting final contestant weigh-in live and meet fitness trainer Bob Harper with the Extra gum "Stick it to Snack Cravings" sweepstakes. Millions of viewers who have followed trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels as they guide contestants on journeys of physical and emotional transformation toward long-lasting weight management success now have the chance to see the event first-hand.

"Maintaining the proper weight management routine can be a daunting task because it is tough to stick with healthy diet choices, a consistent workout routine and the will power to avoid unhealthy snacking," said Bob Harper. "Small, daily steps like chewing a piece of Extra sugar-free gum to curb sweet cravings can have a tremendous impact on a healthy lifestyle. 'Stick it to Snack Cravings' sweepstakes winners who visit our set for the finale will witness first-hand the emotional impact of this transformation."

This will be the third season in which the show's trainers have recommended their contestants chew Extra gum when they crave sweets rather than indulging in higher calorie options. The trainers' advice supports what research has shown, that chewing gum before snacking may help reduce cravings for sweets. Another evident benefit to chewing Extra gum is that it contains only five calories a piece. And, according to researchers, the sheer act of chewing gum can burn approximately 11 calories per hour.

"'The Biggest Loser' effortlessly connects with viewers season after season because at some point in life, almost everyone faces challenges in managing their weight," said Paul Chibe, Wrigley's Vice President of North American Gum Marketing. "Long-lasting Extra gum is a practical tool that can be used everyday as part of one's healthy lifestyle regime, even after the show's final weigh-in."

This fall, watch for Extra gum on "The Biggest Loser," Tuesday nights on NBC at 8/7c, and log on to www.wrigleygumisgood.com to enter the Extra gum "Stick it to Snack Cravings" sweepstakes, now through November 3, 2008.

In tonight's (Sept. 16) season opener of NBC's weight-loss game show "The Biggest Loser" - 7 p.m., WDSU-Channel 6 -- Houma's Vicky and Brady Vilcan learn of their involvement in the series when trainer Bob Harper surprises them as they place a massive order at Mr. Ronnie's Famous Hot Donuts.

If you're in the donut racket, publicity like that cannot be bought.

Vicky, 37, is an anesthetist. Brady, 36, a pharmacist. Two children. One, age 4, weighs 67 pounds, and so the reality-TV leap for mom and dad is about setting a good example.

Tonight, as the show embarks on a season in which husband-and-wife teams compete against parent-and-child teams, The Vilcans weigh in north of 580 pounds combined.

"They are my classic American fast-food family," says Harper.

"Oh, brother" lagniappe: "Together they will win the hearts of America," says the NBC website. "But beware of the voodoo they will put on you if you try to get in their way! These two will not be afraid to stir up the pot if it means winning the game."

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Several Birmingham companies and state agencies are partnering again to encourage Alabamians to lose 500,000 pounds in 2009 and have tapped a “Biggest Loser” contestant to lead the charge.

Roger Shultz, a finalist in NBC’s fifth season of the “Biggest Loser,” was named Monday to “coach” thousands of people in a statewide weight-loss competition.

Dubbed “Scale Back Alabama,” participating partners in the program include Birmingham’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and Barber Dairies, as well as the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Alabama Hospital Association and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

“Last year, more than 40,000 people participated in the 10-week contest and lost a total of 207,000 pounds,” said Donald Jones, chairman of the Scale Back Alabama Task Force and CEO of Marion Regional Medical Center in Hamilton.

“This year, we hope to increase the number of people participating and lose half a million pounds, and we think Roger is the perfect person to help us reach our goal.”

Shultz is a former University of Alabama football player and was a finalist in the “Biggest Loser” 2008 season, where he lost 164 pounds.

For Scale Back Alabama, teams of four will compete for cash prizes and will be provided information about healthy eating habits and exercises.

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