Name: Daniel
Hometown: Willow Spring, NC
Occupation: Student, Gold's Gym Front Desk
Favorite Cheat Food: There is no such thing as a cheat food. But let’s just call it Ice Cream and Diet Soda.
Goal for 2010: In 2010, I’m going to reach new fitness goals that still seem impossible. I’m going to redirect my life as a student to be better fit to serve the world in the areas of weight loss and health before going to Seminary. I’m also going to be dating.
Starting weight: 454 (Season 7) 311 or 312 (Season 8)
Elimination weight: 256 (198 lbs lost)
NSD: What was your big turning point—either during the show or before that made you realize you needed to lose the weight?
I knew that I needed to lose weight when I was a senior in high school. I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea and was dropping in grades from A’s/B’s to D’s/F’s. I was taken off of the football team because my grades dropped and after that my weight began to climb through the 400’s. I had to make a change. At this time, I was searching for meaning in life and it’s funny because God was looking for me. Jesus Christ became the meaning behind my life and the love and acceptance he showed me I wanted to share with everyone else. But how could I do this at 450 lbs? I tried to lose weight while studying in a Christian college but found I could not stop gaining weight while being a full-time student. I then committed to God and myself that I would take a year off of school and lose the weight any way I could. Soon afterward, I was cast on The Biggest Loser. Answer to prayer?
NSD: What is one thing you wish you had known before going on The Biggest Loser?
After Season 7 I would have answered: “I wish I would have known how hard it was going to be!” However, after Season 8 I’m glad I didn’t know. Not knowing what’s coming is a part of the process, and staring down the barrel of a 200+ lbs weight loss is daunting enough. You don’t need to know all the obstacles down the road; you just have to start running! (or walking in my case, haha)
NSD: If you could have done one thing differently during the show, what would it be?
I would have run more. I’m learning more and more that once you learn to run it can be your biggest calorie-burning tool. Since I’ve always feared it, I tend to shy away from it. I wonder if more running could have put me in the finals.
NSD: What was the hardest thing to adapt to while being on the ranch?
It’s the hardest and the easiest... adapting to the safety of a healthy-stocked kitchen. This is so easy while you are there, but it’s the hardest to adapt to because once you do, going home becomes an even more difficult task.
NSD: What is one thing that keeps you motivated?
Every moment that brings me to tears because I do something new and find myself being proud of myself! I live for these and I can’t wait to inspire others to have them as well!
NSD: What is your favorite workout?
Running, spin classes and boxing! All three are incredible fat burners and keep my life interesting. I’ve been training with intense exercise for almost a year now and getting bored would be the end of me! These three workouts keep me motivated and interested!
NSD: What's the best advice Bob or Jillian has given you?
Jillian said something simple to me that’s incredibly profound. She gives us the knowledge we need (calories in, calories out), we learn that we have the power to change, and then we use that power to implement that knowledge to produce the desired change.
Bob is always teaching yoga as a means to take control of your body. For years, our bodies have been restricted by fat and were out of our control. As we lose weight, we are regaining strength and control back over our bodies. This is absolutely crucial for permanent weight loss.
NSD: What is your favorite meal or snack?
Favorite meal: Rebecca Meyer’s fish and vegetable dinner. She bakes white fish with 3 tsp of spicy Asian mustard on top and serves it with a stir-fry of asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini, summer squash and broccoli. It is absolutely delicious and we ate it 4 days a week!
Favorite snack: frozen yogurt. I love the new fad of real frozen yogurt. It is low calorie and tastes tart like yogurt. It has become an ice cream replacement for me and still has active cultures in it for healthy digestion.
NSD: What happened behind the scenes that no one would know from watching the show?
That we are real people forming real bonds in a real house. There’s a heck of a lot of reality that doesn’t air. We goof off in the gym, make up workout games and teach spin classes to each other. My favorite thing is inappropriately called “Naked Spinning.” We play crazy fun music and do an hour or so of spinning with no shirts on. (Don’t be perverted. The girls wear workout bras.) We cook and clean for ourselves and have some great bonding time doing so. I’ve made life-long friends that will continue to mold me for years to come!
NSD: What did you do for fun while you were on the ranch?
See above, haha. We would hang out and talk. This season, I had so many deep friendship connections that helped me to understand myself and other people in such a new way. I will always miss those times!
Watch The Biggest Loser on Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
More on the NeverSayDiet:
- Read Shay's post-show interview
- Why the color of your food matters
- Is the recession making us gain weight?
