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Families compete for Biggest Loser title

Call it a competition inspired by reality TV or a New Year’s resolution gone extreme.

Either way, team captains Manuel Gonzales III and Millie Aranda know it is their team’s solution to shedding the pounds and winning some money.

Manuel Gonzales III and Millie Aranda are team captains for their own two-family “Biggest Loser” competition between the blue team and the red team.

Manuel Gonzales III is leader of the blue team and Millie is leader of the red team.

“We got the idea from the reality show, ‘The Biggest Loser’,” said Manuel Gonzales III. “Doing it as a team is a great motivator because if you don’t lose the weight you aren’t just letting yourself down, you are letting your team down and that can’t happen.”

NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” first aired in Oct. 2004. Now the show is on its third season. It began this January and can be seen Wednesday nights at 9 p.m.

LIke the new season of “The Biggest Loser,” the family weight loss competition began in January and so far almost every contestant has reported some amount of
weight loss.

Each month both families weigh in to see which team has lost the most weight. The first team weigh in is scheduled for the end of the month. The loser of the monthly weigh-ins has to perform services such as car washes and yard work for the winning team.

At the end of the seven-month competition, $500 awaits the person who lost the most weight, with $100 for the runner-up. Each participant contributed $50 for the prize money.

Each team consists of seven team members and a coach who helps the team with motivation and a diet and exercise plan.

While the coaches are not trying to lose weight they are there for support and were chosen because they are already physically active and in shape.

“We are doing this not just as a quick fix,” Manuel Gonzales III said. “We are looking to lose weight in the long haul and make it a lifestyle.”

Every team member is using a different strategy.

Manuel Gonzales III said he is not eliminating any foods from his diet, but is focusing on eating smaller portions, being more active and adding fruits and vegetables to
his meals. He hopes to lose 75 pounds by the end of the competition.

“We are definitely going to win because we are motivated,” he said.

His father Manuel Gonzales Jr., also on the blue team, has his own personal goal as well.

“My starting weight was 238 pounds and I want to get below 200 by the end,” he said. “I have been married for 30 years and have been adding a couple of pounds since then because I exercised less and less. I am hoping to reverse the cycle and help my kids avoid high cholesterol and blood pressure, which I am dealing with now.”

Manuel Gonzales Jr. is avoiding sweets as part of his plan to lose weight and is also going on regular walks.

“We are having a lot of fun and it makes things easier when you have someone else pushing you,” he said. “Losing weight just takes commitment.”

Nikki Aranda from the red team is confident her team will prevail.

“We are going to win, there is not doubt in my mind,” she said. “We are going to kick their butts.”

Nikki’s goal is to lose 55 pounds by the end of July. She is trying to consume between 1000 and 2000 calories a day and is doing aerobic workouts five days a week for 45 minutes a day.

“I have tried losing weight before using diets, but I always end up breaking them,” she said. “It really helps out to have a team behind you and pushing you to your goal.”

Frank Sierra is a member of the team helping motivate Nikki.

“I want to feel healthy and get back in shape by learning how to eat right,” he said.
Sierra is cutting back on soda, sweets and fast foods and not eating after 7 p.m. as part of his plan. He also exercises at least 30 minutes five days a week.

“This is a competition, and I don’t want to let my team down,” Sierra said.
Sierra has been tempted by sweets here and there, but feels that the competition is not about depriving himself.

“I have had a cookie, but I just don’t have three like I did before,” Sierra said.

Already Sierra said he feels he has more energy and is lighter on his feet.

“This is definitely a fun an motivating way to lose weight,” he said. “I am not sure if our team will win, but we are pretty focused and motivated.”