FitSugar

How Bob Harper Almost Made Alison Sweeney Cry

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:30:36 -0700

If you've ever wondered what it might be like to train with The Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper, check out this clip of Alison Sweeney's appearance on the Bonnie Hunt Show. Sweeney, host of The Biggest Loser and soap opera actress, says Harper pushed her farther than she's ever gone before - almost to the point of tears!

Do you push yourself when working out? When's the last time you've done sprints in your cardio routine?

Yoga With Biggest Loser Trainer Bob Harper

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:47:23 -0700

I gaze out past the middle finger of my left hand into the Hollywood Hills as my right quad quivers holding Warrior 2. This is when Bob Harper, trainer from The Biggest Loser, says, "You might be feeling a bit of heat in your thigh right about now." He's teaching a yoga class to a few bloggers and ladies of the press, and we all laugh as our legs burn.

You can hear Bob's charming smile even in his calm instructions leading us from pose to pose. He's a thoughtful teacher, with smart sensitive hands that gently mold you into correct positions. I've had a bit of a TV crush on him for years, and now after meeting him in person, I'm smitten. This yoga class and round table discussion were produced by Go With the Grain, and although carbs did come up (as well as protein, which Bob thinks is overrated), we mostly talked about the show, yoga, and a dash of musical theater. He mentioned the contestant Shay more than a few times; she was clearly on his mind. Having lived through each moment during filming, Bob doesn't watch the show but checks the ratings the following morning. He's also learned to avoid the online community boards: "They're so mean." He addresses the recent criticism about all the screaming on the show and shakes his head in dismay and bemusement about the clip of a tirade used on the Emmys.

Bob said there is so much of the action at the ranch that ends on the cutting room floor because it doesn't make for good TV. Which brings us to yoga. Quiet, slow yoga. He actually does a fair bit with his contestants because it's meditative. "It helps them own their bodies," he explains. Working with people that weigh over 300 pounds, Bob gets creative with props, using benches to help support Shay in Chaturanga. Ten minutes of sun salutations is often part of the exercise homework he gives his team.

To see if Bob and Jillian, his rival trainer on the show, are buddies, just read more.

Bob still teaches a Saturday spin class at a Crunch in LA and has participated in the SF to LA AIDS ride, so I asked him if he rides a road bike much. "I spin four to five days a week and get my cycle time there. Mostly, I like to ride my motorcycle." Who taught him to ride? Jillian. They hang out all the time. Cute.

As a personal trainer, we know Bob is into fitness, but food is a major part of the health picture. Growing up on a cattle farm, with "two coffin freezers full of meat," Bob is not into animal protein and believes in a plant-based diet. He feels too much emphasis has been placed on protein. He really wants people to focus on fruits and veggies, and of course grains. On the show, he tell contestants that life on the ranch is the little picture. It's extreme. Going forward with their lives after The Biggest Loser they're going to need to find balance. Which is what we all need, especially when doing the standing splits to end a series of standing poses he taught in his class.

Obviously, I am big fan of Bob's - are you? How was your last yoga class? Ever taken one with a celebrity yogi? Share the details in my Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Get That Extra Push

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 13:30:00 -0800

Sick of doing the same one-size fits all DVD that is not only boring, but it's not pushing your body anymore? If so, you should definitely check out PUSH.tv.

PUSH.tv is a progressive DVD program where you get customized training sessions as you go along. This means as your life changes or your fitness goals change, so will your DVD - all you have to do is modify your DVD preferences online. I love that you are able to select your own trainer, area of focus, cardio, length of workout, music, and intensity level. It's also cool that the program takes into account if you already have any equipment at home or special conditions that need attention. The best part? My crush Bob Harper of The Biggest Loser is one of the trainers!

PUSH.tv is $25.00 per month. However, there is a one-time $4.95 shipping fee that is applied to the first month's shipment so the first month's charge, barring any state taxes that may apply, is $29.95. For more information and to get the first month free, check it out here.

Which BL Trainer Would You Want?

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Another two hour episode of "The Biggest Loser" is on tonight and since you guys always mention that you forget to watch, let this post serve as a reminder to tune in tonight!

In light of tonight's episode, I am curious which trainer would you rather have train you...

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Words That Move You...

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:30:00 -0700

As you all know, "The Biggest Loser" is one of my favorite TV shows, since it proves that people can make positive changes in their lives by exercising and eating right. Here's an encouraging reminder...

"Take charge of your life. Every day is a new day."

-Bob Harper fitness trainer for "The Biggest Loser"

It reminds us that these changes take time, but if we are patient, and we take care of ourselves each day, we can accomplish our goals.

If you need a little bit more inspiration, check out the video preview for this season's "The Biggest Loser". To see it read more

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Biggest Loser Recap: The Black Team Joins the Game

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 10:15:00 -0700

The Biggest Loser, once again, was motivating and inspiring. It's always sad to see a player get voted off, but so the game goes. Lezlye, a Katrina Survivor, was sent home mostly due to not losing big numbers on the scale.

The Black team was revealed to the Blue and Red teams, and the Black team ended up with the greatest amount of pounds shed. I think a lesson is to be learned here is that you don't need a gym to still get a workout. The Black team had not stepped one foot in a gym, they worked out in the desert, doing things such as carrying sand bags up a sandy hill, yet they still lost the most weight. Sure, they had Jillian, but they still did it.

For me, this sort of reiterated that on those days when I absolutely do not feel like stepping foot in that gym, there are other ways I can still get a workout. Sometimes it may be even better because you don't limit yourself to the equipment in the confines of the gym, you have to force yourself to step outside the box.

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Biggest Loser Recap: The Season Premiere

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:15:00 -0700

The Biggest Loser Season Four premiered last night and I am already hooked. The format is a little different this year, but so far so good.

As always, the cast introductions were emotional and I was amazed at how hard the trainers work them from the start. Their results showed it too as weight loss numbers ranged from seven pounds to a whopping 31 pounds from Jerry, the oldest contestant (62 years) in Biggest Loser history. Amber was kicked off -- I am not attached to any of the contestants yet, so she seemed like the best choice since she was begging to go home on day one.

One of my favorite things about the show is that lessons about being healthy are promoted. The new host, Alison Sweeney, mentioned that watching the show is a weekly reminder for viewers that they too can get healthy. Sure tuning in every week is also great for ratings, but I am not kidding you, it's motivating.

Aside from that, here's what I learned from the Biggest Loser this week:

On figuring out if something is a protein: One simple theory is that, "If it had a mother it's protein."
On resisting the urge to snack: Keep sugar free gum around and grab that when you're feeling like nibbling on something.
On drinking too much soda: Cutting out soda from your daily diet could help you lose 8 pounds over the course of a year (without even stepping on a treadmill).
On the average American diet: An American eats an average of 16 pounds of french fries per year.

To see all the new contestants and to see which of my favorite fitness gadgets made their television debuts, just read more

I also like that they are pushing their own online weight loss club, "The Biggest Loser Club" because people are seeing some amazing results from being inspired by the show and just working out at home. If you're looking for an online weight loss community, I would definitely check it out.

Pretty interesting, right? I was also very impressed that the contestants were wearing my favorite workout gadget of all time, the bodybugg!

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Subway Fresh Fit Sweepstakes

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Want to win a trip to train with Bob Harper from NBC's The Biggest Loser?

If so, then you should enter the Subway Fresh Fit Sweepstakes. All participants of the contest are automatically eligible to win one of two grand prizes that include a trip to Los Angeles for two people to train with PUSH.tv celebrity personal trainers, Bob Harper (who I love, by the way) or with Jessica Smith, nationally known certified personal trainer. Other winners could win a six-month memberships to PUSH.tv, a PowerPUSH DVD trio sets (DVD workout kits include two resistance bands, workout calendar, nutrition plan, magnet, and a sticker pack to keep track of progress.), Trek Bikes and SUBWAY FIT Evolution t-shirts. All you have to do is sign-up. Look around the site though as there is a lot of great information as well as 2-minutes videos from PUSH.tv.

I personally would love to get the chance to train with Bob, but if you win, I fully expect a signed sweatband from him as my thanks for telling you about the contest [hehe]. So sign up here.

How Did Ellen Look?

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 10:14:00 -0800

We've been following Ellen getting fit for The Oscars, so now that the big day has come and gone, how do you think she looked? (The first image is her on January 9th 2007 and the second was from last night.)

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Countdown to the Oscars: Get Fit with Ellen and Bob

FitSugar — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 08:30:00 -0800

On day 12 of my Countdown to The Oscars with Ellen and Bob, Bob is telling us about the importance of stretching post workout and he shows us some great ways to stretch. Not only is stretching good for your muscles, but it also is a great way to get the endorphins moving making you feel even better after all of your hard work.

That was the last workout guys because...The Oscars are coming, The Oscars are coming! Are you ready for tomorrow? Be sure to check out all of the other workouts with Ellen and Bob. I can't wait to see how amazing Ellen looks!

Don't forget, this is your last chance to cast your Oscar ballot on Buzz. You should do it because one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prada handbag, while the runners-up will get $50 to $500 gift cards from Sephora, The Apple Store and Neiman Marcus. So cool! Click here for official rules.