Free stuff! And an interview with Marty Wolff, from Biggest Loser (last season)

Today, I have the pleasure of posting an interview with The Biggest Loser's Marty Wolff.  (You'll recognize some of the questions, since you asked them in the first place.  And be sure to leave a comment at the end:  some of you will receive a freebie from the folks at Wrigley's!)

The Amazing Shrinking Mom asks:  How do you maintain your weight?  Do you avoid certain foods or allow everything in moderation?

Marty answers:  When we went back for the finale, the doctor on the show talked to the contestants about maintenance, and what he said made a lot of sense to me.  He said it's a lot easier to maintain a regular work-out plan than to maintain any diet!  He told us that if we did six hours of cardio a week, we could free up our eating from time and time and be okay.

So, that is what I do.  I work out an hour every day and try to work in some strength training as well three times a week.  I count my calories (for me, 2,000 per day) during the week and free things up on the weekend.  It works well for me and allows me to feel good about myself and eat some stuff I enjoy as well.  It is all about balance and planning! 

As for the second part of the question about what I eat, it has been a balance with that as well.  Some things I have quit altogether (regular soda, whole milk--now I drink skim), but for the most part, I eat all foods in moderation.  For instance, I used to be a huge potato fan and now I eat them very sparingly and only on weekends.  If I crave a potato during the week, I have a sweet potato and count my calories. 

Most things I do allow in moderation, but I try to eat them only on the weekends.  The most important thing is to establish a habit and stick to it!  Finding ways to cut calories is always a good idea as well.  Something as simple as chewing a 5-calorie stick of Extra Watermelon gum instead of a high calorie chocolate chip sundae will make a huge difference.  It all adds up, and before you know it, new habits have been formed, resulting in a happier, healthier lifestyle!

The Amazing Shrinking Mom asks:  Did you find it more difficult to stay motivated after the show when you no longer had personal trainers and cooks?  (Did you have cooks on the show?)

Marty answers:  HA HA HA!  NO COOKS!  Do you think we were spoiled?  Ha!  We cooked all the food ourselves and that was an important part of changing our lifestyles. 

It was harder at home to stay motivated because you are all by yourself.  No one really understands what you have been through on the show and for the first time in your life, you are spending four to six hours in the gym.  You can't go out with your friends or do the things you used to do because working out and eating right is so important!  The one thing keeping you going is knowing other contestants are working out every chance they get and that you are in the biggest competition of your life!  That is a huge motivator and one very few people have the chance to experience. 

But when the show ended, it is most difficult!  There is no accountability, no money, no competition.  So, I have had to learn to establish new goals and work toward them, but nothing is hanging over my head anymore!  (Which is kind of nice!)

The Amazing Shrinking Mom asks:  Do you still see yourself as a fat person?

Marty answers:  I think I am slowly stepping away from that.  The first eight months or so, yes!  Now I have my fat days, like most people, but for the most part I view myself as normal old Marty.

The Amazing Shrinking Mom asks:  What is your typical work-out routine?  What abdominal work do you do?

Marty answers:  I do six hours of cardio a week.  I like classes like spin, yoga, circuit training.  I walk, run, use a stair stepper, play tennis, roller-blade--whatever I don't find boring on that particular day.

I also do three sessions of weights a week, usually a full-body weight routine (bootcamp-style), but sometimes I use machines or free-weights and focus on individual muscle groups.

The Amazing Shrinking Mom asks:  Have you had issues with loose skin after such a large weight loss?

Marty answers:  A little bit.  Some regains elasticity, but there are some loose pockets that I see when I look into the mirror and I hate.  It motivate me, though.  I think, "If you wouldn't have let yourself get that big to begin with, this wouldn't be here."  It look at it as my battle scars and my reason for never going back!

The Amazing Shrinking Mom asks:  Have you regained any of the weight you lost?

Marty answers:  Yep--twenty pounds back, but I was underweight (for my build) at the finale.

The Amazing Shrinking Mom asks:  What has been your favorite, unanticipated result of the weight loss?

Marty answers:  Meeting my fiance' Amy [another contestant on the snow]. 

The Amazing Shrinking Mom asks:  Did the contestants on The Biggest Loser do crazy things before weigh-ins (like not drinking water or staying in the hot tub too long?

Marty answers:  Not to my knowledge.

The Amazing Shrinking Mom asks:  Do you or have you ever journaled your food intake?

Marty answers:  Every day!  It's the only way to be totally aware and accountable for the food you put into your body!

The Amazing Shrinking Mom asks:  Do you struggle to maintain your weight and resist unhealthy foods?

Marty answers:  It is and always will be a battle for me because I have obese tendencies.  There are things that can be done to better yourself and it all comes down to small steps everyday.  My advice for others would be:  Don't wait for The Biggest Loser to come along to start changing your life.  Start today by taking small steps and making small changes every day. 

One thing that can make a difference is to log onto Gumisgood.com and sign up for Wrigley's Walk and Chew Gum Challenge.  Everyone needs a support system, and this is a good way to get motivated and work toward a meaningful goal with others. 

Wrigley's Walk and Chew Gum Challenge is a great program that challenges Americans to collectively cut 10 million calories and walk 100,000 miles.  While it sounds like a hefty goal, it's about making two small changes to your daily routine over the next 100 days--walk more steps each day and cut calories from your diet by chewing Extra sugar-free gum instead of eating a high-calorie snack.  Check out the details at Gumisgood.com, sign up and step-it-up today!

*  *  *

Thanks, Marty!  We appreciate your taking time to answer some of our questions. 

Now, if you'd like to receive a "Walk and Chew Gum Set," from Wrigley's (which includes gum, a water bottle, a pedometer and a Biggest Loser DVD) leave a comment.  I'll do a random drawing.  (Ten winners!)  Deadline, Friday at midnight, Pacific Standard Time.  (And, sign up here, if you want to join the Challenge, you'll have a chance to win a year's supply of gum!) 

Comments

[Alisa]

Wow. Thanks for the real questions and the real answers. I think honesty is another key to our journey to health!

[Kimberly]

That was fascinating - thanks so much for sharing that with us!

[B]

That was refreshing and honest. I'm glad to learn there weren't cooks b/c that is a skill most people need to learn: healthy cooking.

[Les~]

Thanks for sharing that with us. He was one of my most favorite competitors on TBL that season . . .

[Cindy K]

I am relieved to hear there weren't actual cooks for the contestants! I imagine there may have been "consultants" who taught them things though (don't you think?). Thank you, Mel, for the interview with Marty!

[SaraB]

Great interview, Mel. Why didn't he say I never journal and I maintain easily. Durn! It is encouraging to hear that things are good after the journey. I'd love a pedometer - and I love chewing gum!

[Jill]

Thanks Mel. It was awesome to hear he is still doing well.

[JP]

Nicely done, Mel. It's great to have a behind the scenes look at TBL. It seems to be a common theme to be careful during the week and relax a little on the weekends. How do "real" people feel about that advice?

[LeeAnn]

Love the interview! Thank you for posting that! It definitely has me motivated! That, and watching The Biggest Loser tonight!

[Jen]

I've been a fan of the biggest Loser since the first season. I used to do sit ups during the commercials.

[stephanei]

Oh, me please. Neat interview.

[Karen]

Thanks Mel for doing the interview, and thanks to Marty for sharing.
I have to say I was surprised that the contestants don't do crazy things before weigh-in day. I know I am ultra careful with what I eat and drink(or don't eat and drink), and even what I wear on my WW weigh-in day.
I love Biggest Loser - very inspiring!
Walking is my exercise of choice, but I haven't been a big gum chewer. I like the idea of chewing a piece of gum instead of reaching for a high calorie snack, and would definitely love the "Walk and Chew Gum Set" to get me off to a good start!

[Patti Justice]

Hey Mell that was a great interview. I've never watched the biggest loser. I don't like reality tv at all. But I remember seeing some before and after pictures of some of those people and you can't help but feel good about them doing that on television and all. I'm glad they had to cook their own meals it was great practice for after the show was over. It's nice to know that at least two of those contestants kept off the weight after the show was over. Very inspirational. Thanks.

[ikke]

Wow very nice interview. I felt guilty for eating chocolate while reading it. But now the chocolate is gone and I'm ready for (again) a new start.

[TJ]

I keep thinking there has to be a way around journaling everyday, and then I read about people successfully losing weight and maintaining weight loss, and they all seem to journal. I guess I'll have to overcome the excuses and start journaling again.

Great interview!

[Lynda]

I live in Scotland and we don't get The Biggest Loser here (I don't think)so I haven't seen the programme or Marty but his experience and comments ring true regardless. And I used to use gum to stop me grazing when I was in the kitchen but for some reason I stopped. Must buy some more.....

[JanB]

Thanks for posting this interview, I am glad that people are starting to see more and more that we are collectively getting too fat. I am glad my eyes were opened and hope that more people start waking up too.

[Barb]

I loved watching the show, but we cut the cable so can't anymore. Mel, can you interview the producers now and ask why there are no women in their late 30s, 40s??? I always am a little perturbed that all the women contestants are in the early to mid 20s!
But thanks for the interview. These stories are always inspiring.

[Christian Faith]

Wow! Marty seems like a great guy! I like his outlook about balance is key to weight maintenance. I find it hard to find balance when I try to loss this weight. Thanks Mel for the interview.

[Laura]

Great interview Mel. I was watching the show last night and wondered when you were going to post it, ha! Please enter me in your drawing.

[Kelli]

I have just discovered this show so don't really know Marty but I loved his responses, and his reassurance that it's an ongoing effort. Thanks for posting the interview!

[Deb]

I have only heard of the show - never watched it because we don't have tv, but I would love to win the dvd you're giving away. I really enjoyed reading this interview - very interesting, Mel!

I chew gum constantly! I'm headed over to your Wrigley link now to check out the challenge. Thanks!

[Tamara]

Great interview...he was one of my favorite competitors. It was good to hear that they did their own cooking because it's so important to learn how easy it is to make healthy choices and it starts with the cooking process.

[Leticia]

Great intervew. Sign me up!

[Cindy Swanson]

What a terrific interview! My daughter has just gotten me hooked on "The Biggest Loser" this season, and I really enjoy it. The gum challenge sounds interesting, too.

Thanks for sharing this.

[Carol]

Very senseable and very inspiring. I am looking for an exercise program that I will be willing to spend one hour a day on. Has anyone tried Zumbi (spelling)?

[Kelley]

Hi Mel! I'm an avid reader of yours and couldn't wait for you to post the Marty interview. The one thing that struck me was that he said he was underweight at the final weigh-in. And at the reunion special all of them had gained some weight back. Interesting, isn't it?

Please enter me into the drawing too!!!

(and please....don't ever stop writing!)

[Artemis]

Nicely done -- great inspiration to all of us who might need a kick in the pants....er, additional inspiration!
A

[Amy]

great interview, and good gum advice!

[Kristin]

Thanks Mel, what a fun, interesting interview! I do take with a grain of salt his response to the question about whether contestants do crazy things before weigh-ins to lose extra weight. After all, what is the "last chance workout"? It's certainly not going to signficantly burn off any pounds before the weigh-in. But what it can do is sweat off a couple of pounds, maybe more! I have read somewhere that the contestants are not allowed to do any really extreme things to lose before the weigh-in, but I'm sure they take it to the borderline point. For another great article on weight loss and an extensive interview with Suzy Preston, read this Seattle Times article from about a year ago (it also mentions how dehydrated, exhausted and hungry she was at the finale!) - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw09102006/2003248131_pacificploser10.html.

Now let me say a word about gum and the risks of gum chewing for an addictive personality. You can also get hooked on the tasty flavor of sugarfree gum, to the point of chewing one piece after another to maintain the flavor... possibly adding up to a measurable number of calories (although I have never yet had any weight gain problems as a result of excessive gum consumption). However, there is definitely another potential side effect of too much gum and that is... intestinal difficulties. Just use your imagination and be warned. As in all things, moderation is key!

That said, I am definitely entering the contest for a year’s supply of gum! I wonder how many packages that is? (Not nearly enough for me, I’m sure!)

[Susan]

Marty has an amazing story to tell especially to obese people like myself. This is good motivation to stick to my Weight Watchers again this week. =) Thanks!

[Jaime]

I need to practice chewing gum and walking! Great interview too! :)

[Brianne]

Thanks for doing that interview, Mel, that was great. It's so funny to see the bit about chewing gum though, you may recall me emailing you that chewing gum was a habit I tried to form a year ago during my first push for weight loss. It really helps keep you from eating when you have minty fresh breath, plus it keeps your mouth "busy" so the cravings are lower.

[Trena]

Mel that was an awesome interview that gave us a real insight to how he deals with everyday things. It lets you know that no matter how long the weight stays off that any day you don't think about the food you are putting in your mouth is one day closer to you putting it all back on. Thanks again for the reminder that it is a daily journey that is fought with determination.

[Patricia]

Thanks Mel! He has really shown how much work it is to keep it off. I cringe at the thought of six hours of cardio a week!

[Stephanie P]

Thanks for the great interview, Mel! It's a reminder that weight will always be an issue, but I have faith that it will one day be an issue that I have control over!

[coraspartan]

Nice interview. I love The Biggest Loser--I watch it faithfully.

Please enter me in the drawing.

[angela marie]

I wanna be a Big Loser too...and I'm working on it, thanks to your inspiration Mel!

Thanks for posting that interview and I'm going to go do my Thursday check-in!

[Brenda]

I love Marty!! I love his attitude, his perspective and his honest journey! Thanks for the candid look into his life before, during and after the show. What an inspiration.

[Caryn]

Thanks Mel for the interview. It was great to read that he is really just like us. He worked very hard to lose the weight and will continue the rest of his life to maintain his weight. No magic pills - just hard work.
I'd love to win the Walk and Chew gum set. I really need some motivation.

[Therese]

I could use a purdy new pedometer, but I can't chew gum without looking like I'm chewing my cud.