Brittany Spears, Beyonce and Ashanti top the worst list by resorting to quick fix weight loss schemes. Diet pills and fasting “detox” diets only give dieters false hope, resulting in rebounding weight and yo-yo dieting. Under the body-conscious spotlight of the media, this list proves that eating well and creating a healthy lifestyle are the best revenge.

The Best Celebrity Diet List for 2007:
4. Jessica Simpson: Jessica got back her daisy dukes, shedding 25 lbs on a 5 Factor diet of lean protein, good carbs, healthy fats and fiber along with circuit and weight training.

3. Andrea Baptiste: She lost 56 lbs on The Biggest Loser and has since dropped another 8 pounds, proving not all weight loss reality TV contestants gain weight back. She continues to “lose” by daily walking and running along with a low fat and low refined-carbohydrate diet.

2. Lenny Clarke: The Rescue Me star has rescued himself, losing 144 lbs with the help of Weight Watchers and a diet of salads, fresh fruit and fish along with swimming and biking.

1. Ricki Lake: A former serial and yo-yo dieter, Ricki downsized from 250 lbs in 1991 to her present svelte 123 lbs by using a food delivery service to limit calories, daily hiking and frequent weigh-ins.

And the Worst Celebrity Diets for 2007:
4. Kirstie Alley: It’s time for Kirstie to call Jenny collect. Processed sugars fuel cravings which may make her diet difficult to stick with.

3. Dr. Phil McGraw: Is the tough-love author of The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution obese? Recent reports of his weight gain show even self-help gurus have trouble following their own advice.

2. Beyonce and Ashanti: Divas shouldn’t let divas do the Master Cleanse (aka the Lemonade Diet). Fasting “detox” diets wreak havoc on the metabolism and when stopped, more calories are stored as fat, so you not only re-gain weight but become proportionally fatter.

1. Britney Spears: Junk food and a quick-fix lifestyle of diet pills and energy drinks caught up with her at the recent Video Music Awards and had everyone thinking “Give Me Less.”

You may be surprised but I don’t blame Neil. It’s the system and incentives that the producers of the “Biggest Loser” created that is to blame. Currently it rewards those who know how to “play the game” rather than those who are successful at weight loss and deserve to remain. It seems every week that the real role models for weight loss are voted off because they are viewed by the other contestants as threats. Weight loss and eating healthy is tough enough as it is. Rewarding dishonesty and game playing, seems not in keeping with a positive health message this show is purportedly trying to convey. The Biggest Loser is rapidly sinking into insignificance. The Biggest Loser is turning into a “loser” of a show and frankly it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

The red team finally won a weigh in and the blue team was left to eat its own so to speak. Patty was safe with her 3 pound pass which put everyone else on the chopping block. It was a surprise to see the elder statesman, Jerry voted off. The team captain, the contestant who lost the most weight so far and he’s out? The blue team just cut off its own head and is weaker for it. Jerry left with these parting words, “When I picked the team, I thought that I had picked a team that would have the biggest loser on it. I don’t think the blue team is going to have the biggest loser anymore.”

We’ll miss Jerry…

The Black team trained without any fancy equipment or air-condition gyms.  Just good old hauling sand bags up a hill, and doing bench presses with logs out in the desert.  Of course it also helps to have a drill Sargent like Jillian making sure you’re on track.  And the Black Team put a stake in the ground by winning the weigh in.  Just shows what a little elbow grease and motivation can do!  Lezlye, the Katrina Survivor, from the Red Team was voted off.  The Black Team is going to be the team to be reckoned with.

Here’s the cast for the 2007, Season 4 of the Biggest Loser:

The Twins
Twins, Jim Germanakos and Bill Germanakos, are 40 years old and hail from Long Island New York.

The School Teacher
Amy Zimmer, first grade school teacher, is 28 years old and hails from Rochester, New York.

Private Kae
Kae Whang, former private in the US military, is 27 years old and hails from Clark, New Jersey.

The High School Music Teacher
Bryan Washington, high school music teacher, is 29 years old and hails from Riverdale, Georgia.

The Paramedic
Amber Walker, a paramedic with southern charm, is 30 years old and hails from Houston, Texas.

The Chemical Engineer Interrupted
Neil Tejwani, pursued a career as a chemical engineer, is 25 years old and hails from Marblehead, Massachusetts.

The Lawyer
Ryan Rodriguez, a high-powered corporate litigations attorney, is 29 years old and hails from Jackson Heights, New York.

The Cheerleader
Hollie Self, English teacher and full-time Cheerleading coach, is 28 years old and hails from Phoenix, Arizona.

The Performer
Isabeau Miller, singer and songwriter, is 21 years old and hails from Franklin, Tennessee.

Aspiring DJ
Nicole Michalik, a company receptionist, is 26 years old and hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Elder Statesman
Jerry Lisenby, the oldest competitor at 62 years old, hails from Peoria, Illinois.

The Do-Gooder
Jez Luckett, a Children’s Case Manager who helps mentally disturbed and handicapped young children, is 24 years old and hails from Garden, Kansas.

Aspiring Firefighter
Phil Hawk, whose dreams of becoming a firefighter are on hold after his firefighter application was turned down due to his weight issues, is 27 years old and hails from Powell, Ohio.

Beauty Queen
Julie Hadden, was once a pageant girl, is 34 years old and hails from Jacksonville, Florida.

The Cowboy
David Griffin, works as a rancher is 31 years old and hails from Cedar Hill, Tennessee.

Working Mom
Patty Gonzalez, a senior loan officer and mother of 3 children, is 34 years old and hails from San Diego, California.

The Survivor
Lezlye Donahue, a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, is 34 years old and hails from Metairie, Louisiana.

“Thank you for the very fair article. It’s nice to see an article that says some weight gain is to be expected and not be crucified for it. Suzy and I have been working together to take the weight off slowly and keep it off. One of the most important things for us in raising our son is to not have him see us yo-yo all over while he is growing up. We also have been taking him for walks since he was 3 days old. People are shocked to learn that Suzy was working out up until the day of her delivery and began walking immediately after.

I think the real difference between what we did on the show and what we are doing now is that we are genuinely happy with 1-2 lbs of “real” weight loss a week as opposed to 10-20 lbs of weight lost in a week only to be taken off again and again.

We are no longer competitors on a show and have finally, after two years, learned that a healthy lifestyle can be achieved by “ordinary” people and are working everyday to achieve that. “

Thanks Matt! You and Suzy are an inspiration!

Amy Hildreth Biggest Loser Update
Amy lost an incredible 106 lbs going from 260 lbs to 154 lbs at the Biggest Loser finale on December 2006. She reports that she went from a size 22 to a size 8 and her body fat percentage went from 49% to 23%. Since than she as gained back 26 lbs and weighs 180 lbs. She considers 172 lbs to be her realistic weight goal. “I believe this to be my true “liveable” weight, and the weight that I want to work to maintain for many many years.

Amy’s Biggest Loser Diet
Amy’s calorie goal on the Biggest Loser was 1200/day. Her diet consisted mostly of lean protein, vegetables, high fiber carbs, and some fats.

Breakfast - High fiber cereal and fat free milk
Morning Snack - handful of almonds
Lunch - Big Salad with lots of veggies and a grilled chicken breast for lunch
Afternoon Snack - Wasa cracker with light spreadable cheese for mid afternoon snack
Dinner - Grilled shrimp and chicken, Vegetables a sugar free popsicle or jello for dessert

“One of the most important lessons I learned on the ranch was that you have to eat to lose weight! If you don’t fuel your metabolism, you won’t lose weight.”

Amy’s Biggest Loser Workout
Contestants worked out 4-6 hours per day. With trainer Bob, Amy reports they engaged in intense cardio and weight training. On their own, the contestants were instructed to do an hour of cardio in the morning and another hour at night.

Since her Biggest Loser days, Amy now works out 2-3 hours a day, 6 days a week. She joined a gym and got involved with every program she could: running group, triathalon training group, fitness classes, learned to kayak as well as weight training 3x per week with a personal trainer. Her secret to sticking with a more active lifestyle was to “keep it exciting.”

Amy’s weight loss words of wisdom

“Losing weight is isn’t just a physical battle, but an emotional one as well. I would take some time to really reflect on why you want to lose the weight. Write yourself a letter. Look at that letter every time you are feeling a little down and perhaps you don’t want to stick to your program that day. Tap into that desire from time to time and you will not want to give up. After you identify your motivations, I would enlist the help of others. I absolutely needed my trainer, my team, my friends and my family to succeed. Don’t do it alone. Get help.”

Celebrity Diet Doctor weigh in…
Amy’s weight loss is astonishing and some weight gain is to be expected, considering that as you lose weight your metabolism is genetically programmed to slow down. Amy’s advice to eat throughout the day to fuel your metabolism is well founded. Skipping meals is a really bad idea because it will slow your metabolism making you more prone to binging and weight gain later. However always remember calories count! So the best strategy is to eat low calorie density foods such as unprocessed fruits, veggies and legumes. Snacks such as nuts are good too because they really help to curb your hunger, but portion control is essential with these more calorie packed foods.

Amy’s best advice straight from her myspace blog is:

“Never settle for being someone who you do not want to be. It’s that simple. Change is scary but it can be so rewarding at the same time. So if you are thinking about losing weight–whether it is 3 pounds or 300 pounds–there is NO DAY LIKE TODAY to get started!”

Couldn’t have said it better myself Amy! Way to go!

Amy’s Myspace Page:
Amy’s Myspace

Amy and Marty have also started a weight loss coaching program.
www.realitywellnessinc.com

The Hoover Family Biggest Loser Update
Suzy Hoover as would be expected did gain weight as a result of her recent birth. On season 2 of the Biggest Loser she lost an incredible 95 lbs and according to People Magazine she is now a size 14 compared to her pre-pregnancy size 8. Suzy is working to get back to her pre-baby size 8, by weight lifting and taking daily 2 mile walks.

Matt Hoover lost an equally impressive 157 lbs which gave him the season 2 title of “Biggest Loser”, while Suzy came in third. He too reports gaining some weight going from a waist size of 32 to 36 since the show ended. Not to be outdone, Matt is looking to drop some lbs with cardio and weight lifting.

Hoover Family Biggest Loser Diet
Matt and Suzy’s diet plan includes:
Breakfast: FiberOne cereal or egg whites
Lunch: ground turkey or chicken
Dinner: Steak and veggies for dinner.

Celebrity Diet Doctor Weigh In…
Interesting to note that Matt was a championship wrestler and a 4 four time member of NCAA champion, Iowa. He’s obviously quite the competitor and little wonder he pulled off the win on the show. It’s not surprising that Matt gained some weight after losing an incredible amount of weight on the show. Suzy has a good exercise plan in place. I am a huge fan of walking which will help keep the weight off. The weight lifting will help her develop metabolically active muscle which will help her burn calories.

Reviewing their diet plan it’s a little heavy on the protein, which can be a good strategy for weight loss if it prevents you from overeating refined carb products such as bread, cakes and donuts. I would like to see more unprocessed fruits and veggies (helps lower overall calorie intake) along with a small amount of protein (protein helps curb hunger) at every meal.

Matt and Suzy Hoover prove that the family that stays together, loses weight together!

Jeff Levine: Weight Journey
Jeff traces his weight gain to his time as a family practice resident. Working 36 hours straight he got into the habit of eating a lot of junk food including hot dogs and hamburgers. As he states on his website drjeff.tv “I used food to keep myself awake, to relax and as a reward. Food became tied to my emotions. I literally became addicted to food.” By the end of residency in 1994, Jeff had gained more than 100 pounds. Reflecting back he says “I was in denial. I was still very active and figured that after the residency, life would get easier and I would lose the weight.”

With 4 kids to support during a subsequent fellowship in women’s health, Jeff moonlighted continuing his pattern of sleep deprivation, poor eating habits, stress and little exercise. Because of his weight gain he developed sleep apnea and needed a breathing machine at night to assist his breathing. His health by his own admission was a mess and he could barely walk up a flight of stairs. He had hypertension, high cholesterol and elevated blood sugars. After a visit to the ER for a bout of chest pain, his cardiologist recommended gastric bypass. Jeff says “Gastric bypass has some major risks. I also knew it wasn’t how I wanted to encourage my patients to lose weight. I wasn’t ready to take that step.”

Despite missing the deadline to submit his audition video, as luck would have it, he was still chosen to fly out to California for an audition. He says even the physician who performed his physical for the show was concerned about not only his health but also his reputation.

“My legs were purple, my ankle was very bad. The doctor was concerned because of the state of my health. He was afraid I would embarrass myself and ruin my reputation as a physician.”

On being a Biggest Loser Contestant
After Jeff was formally invited to be a contestant he found out quickly that life on the Biggest Loser was not going to be easy. No outside contact was allowed; no TV, magazines, newspapers or radio. Participants were expected to do 4-6 hours of exercise each day. Despite the rigors of the show Jeff says “It was like the fraternity I never joined. I made friendships that I’ll have for the rest of my life.”

Biggest Loser Diet
A nutritionist calculated each member’s daily calorie goals. Jeff’s goal calorie intake was 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day, with an occasional increase to 2,000. All contestants are required to cook their own food. Dr Jeff’s diet advice is “Never starve or deny yourself. Variety, balance and moderation are key.”

Breakfast: either a four Egg Beater omelet with two ounces of Canadian Bacon, onions, peppers and mushrooms, and sometimes two ounces of fat free cheese (240 to 270 calories) or four ounces of lox on four Seven Grain Wasa Bread slices with fat free cream cheese and chopped onions (290 calories)

Lunch: lean sliced turkey, ham, or roast beef with salsa, fat free mayonnaise or hummus for lunch, and lots of salads with fat-free dressing

Dinner: fish, chicken, or beef, prepared with various spices and vegetables

One Daily Snack: a piece of fruit with some nuts.

After the Show
Dr Levine continues to exercise doing strength training 4 times a week and a 2 mile run twice a week. He eats a lot more home prepared meals instead of eating out. He also reveals that his weight loss has also had some extracurricular benefits in the romance department telling People that now when he does laps with his wife in the pool “she says, ‘bathing suits are optional!’”

Celebrity Diet Doctor weigh in…
Dr Jeff Levine’s lifestyle of sleep deprivation, lack of exercise, gorging on junk food and stress was a perfect storm for weight gain. The Biggest Loser opportunity was just what the doctor ordered. By incorporating exercise, cutting out the junk food and eating more home cooked meals together with a more sane sleep schedule the good doctor is in fine form. He puts it best, “now at least I can lead by example and not feel hypocritical when I advise my patients on weight loss and exercise. I tell them, ‘If I can do it, then you can, too.’”

Be sure to check out Dr Jeff’s website. It’s very inspirational with before and after pics and a couple of entertaining videos.

“Being in a job where so much of [my time] was spent on the road traveling, having lunches, hosting dinner events and always eating out, I fell into this pattern. I also stopped taking the time to pay attention to my [diet] and to workout. I started making excuses as to why I couldn’t go to the gym. My eating became very poor. Before I knew it, I was 215 pounds!”

Instead of eating out so often, she has learned to control her calorie intake and now packs herself lunches like grilled chicken with veggies.

About her experience on the Biggest Loser

“The Biggest Loser” really helped me. I was in California for three months taping the show. From day one, my trainer, Bob, presented [my team] with challenges. He told us it wasn’t going to be easy; we were not there for a walk in the park. For me, the show was about overcoming challenges and really taking the time to see what I needed to do to take control of my life. I’m in my early 30s and this show came in a pivotal point in my life. I needed something to challenge me to take direction in my life. I’m a big control freak. [Laugh] So, being able to give my life up and turn it over to a complete stranger, trusting that he had my best interest in mind was hard for me to do at first.”

Andrea Baptiste: Diet
Andrea has learned to lose weight by eating small meals every 3 hours, ditching processed foods liked refined sugars, incorporating more fruits and veggies, and going easy on the fat.

“I think the biggest key to that is how you eat…so long as you’re eating properly and the right foods. I mean I haven’t had [processed] sugar in over a year! I’m doing a low-fat, low-carb diet. For instance, I may have four eggs…one whole egg and three egg whites…to make an omelet with low-fat cheese, turkey bacon on the side and a piece of fruit like berries or a grapefruit. This [breakfast is well-rounded and balanced. I try to eat every three hours. So, I may have a handful of almonds for a snack. For lunch [or dinner], it would be a salad topped with chicken or a low-carb wrap stuffed with tuna and lettuce. Basically, I’m not eating anything that’s processed. It’s all healthy. I try to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. If I must, I prefer frozen to canned vegetables. So, I really try to balance out my eating so that it’s clean.”

Andrea Baptiste: Exercise and Fitness
Andrea maintains her weight by walking and running in addition to working out with her trainer 3 times a week.

“I try to make it fun. I may take a hike and stop at a tree and do some squats. I don’t necessarily have to go to the gym. I spend more time outdoors now that the weather is nice. So, I put on my headphones and go for a nice brisk walk. Walking is great exercise, particularly if you use hand weights and walk at a quick pace to get your heart rate up. The biggest asset in my [fitness] regime is my heart rate monitor. With it, I know where my target heart rate zones are and I know when my heart rate is up there and I’m burning and I’m working it out. So long as my heart rate is at the right beats per minute, whether I’m walking or running, I know that I’m getting a good workout.”

Her response to criticism that eating healthy is too expensive

“As far as eating, I talk to women so often who say it’s too expensive to eat healthy. I ask them how many times a week do they go out with their girlfriends to eat and sip on martinis. If you want it, you make the time to prepare, plan ahead and make it happen. [Eating right] is no more expensive than a new outfit or going out to dinner with friends. It’s about prioritizing what means more to you: your health, longevity or just living for the moment.”

Celebrity Diet Doctor Weigh in…
Andrea Baptiste has proved that she is the true Biggest Loser and the Biggest winner in life. She has committed herself to lifestyle changes that will be with her for life and has continued to lose weight after the show. No quick fixes, no gimmicks, or extreme diets.

Season one winner Ryan Benson lost an amazing 122 lbs but now 3 years later he weighs close to 300 lbs. He “won” the show by using the detox diet the Master Cleanse, but “lost” because crash diets absolutely wreak your metabolism making you more prone to weight gain later. The dark side of shows like the “Biggest Loser” is that they promote dramatic weight loss and contestants will resort to drastic measures to win the prize money.

Andrea tells it like it is when she says, “People want the magic pill so they’ll spend $250 for a 30-day supply of sugar-coated pills. Or, they see Extreme Makeover and they’re writing in [to the show] because that’s what they want to look like, too. We all know what the answer to the weight-loss problem is…good ol’ fashioned diet and exercise. We just don’t want to do it. [Laugh]”

Check out Andrea Baptiste’s Myspace Page:
Andrea Baptiste Myspace

P.S. Be sure to checkout the Biggest Loser Reunion show coming Sept 4th on NBC.

Update: Andrea just confirmed with me, that she will be on the Biggest Loser Reunion show on Sept 4th. She certainly has been busy since her time on the Biggest Loser. She also told me that she is now a National Spokesperson for the American Heart Association. In addition she has started a non-profit that will help organize health training seminars for underserved families and kids to implement health and wellness in the home and school. Way to go Andrea!