I love watching “Biggest Loser.” I know a lot of people find the show unrealistic and think the contestants can’t possibly keep the weight off, but many do. One even gained all his weight back then lost it again. I find it amazing that many of the contestants come in so sick due to their weight, then often issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes virtually disappear with exercise, eating right, and weight loss.
A new show just premiered that may help a lost group – overweight chefs. “Fat Chef” features a dozen overweight chefs. For four months, they are coached on how to lead a healthier lifestyle by nutritionists, trainers, and therapists.
Chef Michael Mignano is one of the chefs and he knew his job was killing him. He is the owner of the Main Street Bakery in Port Washington, New York. He used to have a 36-inch waistline, but due to all the carbs and sugar he eats, he ballooned up to 500 pounds by the time he was just 36-years-old.
Mignano admitted to allowing stresses from both work and life “just literally eat me alive.” He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2009. As his career grew, his health suffered. Since being on the show, Mignano has lost 100 pounds and was taken off his diabetic medicine. One method Mignano used to get healthier was to eat lean protein and fiber every four hours.
Mignano wasn’t the only one who saw his life changed by the show. Chef Rocco Whalen, the 34-year-old owner of Fahrenheit in Cleveland, said he’d wrestled with obesity all his life. From an Italian family, Whalen admitted that “Food played a very dominant role in our family’s life.” He came into the show weighting almost 350 and ended up losing 124 pounds on the show.
Mignano and Whalen are both committed to continuing their weight loss after the show. Were there other success stories? You’ll just have to tune into “Fat Chef” Thursdays at 10pm/9c.