UPDATE: Mike Morelli’s answers are posted here.
The winners were drawn and notified: Grand prize went to Amanda Clegg and the runner-up prize went to Tyler. Thanks to everyone who posted questions!
We all have burning questions we’d love to ask the contestants of the Biggest Loser. And we’re giving you that chance. Help us welcome Mike Morelli to DietsInReview.com as our newest Biggest Loser Correspondent by asking him a question you’ve always wanted answered. Mike will be responding via video to answer five questions and help readers gain a better knowledge of what life is like for these weight loss super stars.
All you have to do is post your question below in the comments section by Sunday, June 28, 2024.
We’ll also be giving away a Biggest Loser Prize Pack to two readers –
1. 
Everyone who leaves a question below will be eligible to win a drawing for a Dan Evans CD (season five), “Goin’ All Out,” and a Biggest Loser CD, “Biggest Loser Workout Mix: 70’s Disco Hits.” (Value $24.00)
2. Those questions selected for Mike to answer will be eligible to win a drawing for a package to include a 3-month Biggest Loser Club pass, Dan Evans CD, and a Filter for Good Nalgene bottle. (Value $80.00)
Be sure to leave your question below for Mike by Sunday, June 28, 2024, and then find out who won and see Mike’s answers first in the Biggest Loser Newsletter next week.
DISCLAIMER: Eligibility requires a question asked via the comments section below this blog post with valid email address included in the form by June 28, 2024. One (1) Dan Evans and One (1) Biggest Loser Workout CD will be sent to a reader drawn at random from all questions submitted. One (1) Biggest Loser Club 3-month pass, One (1) Dan Evans CD, and One (1) Filter for Good Nalgene bottle will be sent to a reader drawn at random from those whose questions were answered. Winners will be notified via the email address provided via the comment form. DietsInReview.com is not responsible for lost or stolen packages, nor failed shipments due to user providing an incorrect address. DietsInReview.com may replace the prize with one of equal value if prize is not available; not redeemable for cash.
Did you go back to college after the biggest loser, and if so did going back to the college life seem difficult?
Mike, It broke my heart to see how touched your brother was by your weight loss. How are you helping him reach his goal weight?
What is the nutrition training like on the show? You see so much about the workouts, not as much about the food. Did you learn “clean eating” and if so, who taught you? Was someone monitoring your food on a daily basis to provide guidance and ideas?
While at home either after elimination or in the finale 4, how do they keep track of your health to make sure you are losing weight healthy. Example becoming bulimic, etc. Do they have a do not go below this weight number for you?
What is your workout routine and diet like off the Biggest Loser Ranch? How much time do you spend working out, and have you had any setbacks?
Mike Morelli recently shared his at-home diet and fitness regimen with our DietsInReview.com readers. You can see Mike Morelli’s Weight Loss Maintenance after Biggest Loser here.
Hello Mike!
We see people on “The Biggest Loser” getting sick a lot. Is that normal? Healthy? Does it really happen very often at the workouts?
Thanks so much.
Megan
How hard is it for you to stick to the diet and excersise routine since you have been home?
I’d like to know if you felt the workout and diet you were put on were healthy and sustainable. Do you feel it is safe to work out like that, to the point of failure or vomit or should a more slow and steady routine be adopted if you want to maintain the routine and build healthy habits?
Mike, Is there anything you read, watch, look at, or think about to motivate you or remind you to eat healthy and get your workouts in now that you are home and Jillian isn’t there?
I know from talking with Paul Marks, season 5, that people comment about what he eats. Does this happen to you and do you think that being under this scrutiny will help you to keep the weight off or be too much pressure?
Btw, as a fellow Michigander (I live in the thumb) I am so proud of you & your Dad & please tell Max we are all praying for him :0)
Mike, In one of the episodes of the Biggest Loser, you are in your car and commenting on how there is a fast food place right by your gym. You were saying that it should have clicked in your mind to go to the gym instead of going to the fast food place. I think all of us have fast food cravings, and I was wondering how you over come those. The food that can taste so amazing has horrible effects on us in the long run, and what is your secret to keeping things healthy. Do you ever cheat on your diet and end up getting that Big Mac from McDonalds? Also, how is Max doing with his weight loss? It’s great how you and your dad have been so supportive!
Do you find that people treat you differently now compared to at your heaviest weight, and if so, how are you adjusting mentally to it?
I ask because a few years ago I lost a lot of weight (since regained a good part of it) and was overwelmed by how both strangers and people I knew treated me compared to when I was morbidly obese. The mental adjustment was far harder for me than the physical changes, and that’s where I failed at keeping the weight off.
I know on the show the exercise is very intense. How many hours a week did you exercise on the ranch, and how many hours are your exercising now?
Did doing biggest loser change your career goals? if so, what do you want to do now that you previously weren’t going to, and what steps have you taken to go down that path?
Hey Mike, Is it hard maintaining you eating regimes? For example to me it seems almost imposible to be able to eat out anywhere nowadays. Do you simply eat most of your meals at home or try to make the menu work for you? Thanks<3
Do you find that you look at the world differently now with regards to how people eat and take care of their bodies? I ask because I have lost 40 pounds since January (and have a lot more to lose) and I just wish everyone would be able to feel as good as I do to see that it is worth it to start eating healthier and taking care of their bodies. Just curious if I am alone in my thoughts?
Mike
I am within 10 pounds of my goal weight. I am protecting 95+ pounds (over two years) I find now that I am more fit and healthy – I have to workout for longer or more often. I find my loses to be small compared to when I was over weight. How did you continue to lose weight as you became healthy and fit?
Hey Mike! Do you find it hard to keep up with the eating program you’re placed on while at the ranch, when you’re at home? For example are you ever able to eat out, or do you simply just cook most of your meals at home? Thanks for being such an inspiration.
P.S. Do you have a girlfriend? 🙂
Now that you are heading off to college and around all the college influences are you still sticking to your regular eating and workout schedule or have you had to make changes?
When you first started working out at the Biggest Loser ranch, how long (time wise) did it take you to be able to run on a treadmill for an extended period of time? I started working out a few months ago and have improved from a walk to a jog, but it is still hard for me to run for a long period of time. Still working on building my endurance!
Also, did you work out with Bob and Jillian every day on the ranch, or are their other trainers that come when Bob and Jill arent there?
Hey Mike! Congrats on your success!
Now that you are off the ranch and continuing with your weight loss, what tips would you have for those training themselves? What type of exercises would you recommand and/or exercises you do for weight loss?
I was upset that Helen won…she sent her own daughter home-twice. Was it Helen’s idea to come on the show? Did Shannon really not want to be there?
ALSO…when people are voted off, do they go home right away?
Mike, sometimes I have really hard days when I feel hungry all day and want to snack and chewing gum just doesn’t help. Do you ever have days like this? If you do, how do you stop yourself from snacking to much?
Also, I just wanted to say that you and your dad look great and I am so happy Max is doing so well.
Do you think that creative editing by the show’s producers makes people seem like something they’re not? For instance, making Joelle look lazy, Vicky seem scheming and heartless.
Mike
I am protecting 95+ weight loss for two years – I am within 10 pounds to goal – I find that I am not losing steadily any longer. How did you keep losing through the plateaus as you became fit and healthy?
Mike,
On the show we see that they work you sooo hard in the gym. Yet we are advised by both Jillian and Bob to do cardio one day, strength the next etc. to avoid injury.
So the question is, Do you get breaks for your body to recover and switch up the training schedule while on the ranch or do you just go full boar all day every day?
I was working out about 3-4 hrs a day yet still stuck in a plateau, so I have backed off now and am trying to vary my workouts more.
HUGS!!!!! Tina
You experienced a lot of changes from being on the show. What do you feel changed your life the most?
Sorry for the reposts – my phone carrier – awful today.
Mike, first I just wanted to say that you and your dad look awesome. Also, I am so happy for Max, he is going a great job.
My question is, do you have trouble with wanting to snack thoughout the day? I struggle with this sometimes when I feel hungry all day and it is hard especially when chewing gum or drinking water won’t help.
Now that you’re going to be in college, what are your plans for eating healthy? Because when you’re busy, making something healthy can often times be more time consuming then just grabbing some junk food. Also I know some colleges limit the appliances that you can have in your dorm… so what’s your plan for that?
Also.. is your brother Max going to try out for the next season? and how is he doing with his weight loss?
Mike, do you ever feel like you’re going to go back to your old way of things before you were on The Biggest Loser?
Talk about your support system at home. Do you think you and your dad would have done as well if you didn’t do it together? How are you now being a support for Max? How important is it for people to get the support they need from their friends and family in order to accomplish their eight loss goals?
Hi Mike, Congratulations on your weight loss. I would like to know how many calories you eat daily, and how much you exercise to maintain your weight. Do you find it sneaking up immediately if you arent monitoring it every moment?
how did losing weight effect your relationships with friends and family when you returned home?
Mike, I would like to know how you got your mind set to change not only while on the ranch but now. I have lost 100 pounds and I know the changes I made in regards to food and my relationship with it. I would love to know your thoughts on this. I know how hard and all the work that it takes to lose that much weight so it’s always nice to hear about the inside transformation you had to make in order to not only take the weight off but now to keep it off.
Thanks! You have been such a wonderful inspiration to so many people!
How is your dad doing and do you 3 work out together ?
Do you feel a lot of pressure to keep off the weight since you have been in the public eye on the show?
Because your diet changed completely, What are some foods that you didn’t eat at all (or very rarely) prior to the BL that are now staples in your everyday diet?
Mike,
I’m 17 and from South Lyon, MI. And, my questions concerns our age demographic. As a teenager body image is always a concern — especially when taking into consideration how you will be viewed by the opposite sex.
From watching the Biggest Loser on television, America watched you transform into a very attractive young man, and I know my friends and I all took notice of how great you look!
So, here’s my question. How are you reacting to all of the new attention you’ve been receiving? Do you think that it has changed your personality at all?
Thanks for (hopefully!) answering my question!
Courtney
p.s. Keep up the great work! S.L. is proud of both you and your dad!! 🙂
Mike, congratulations on your success. My question: Is there one thing that you have learned through your experience that would be the most important thing to relay to someone who is trying to lose 100 pounds or more?
Thank you for inspiring me to finally get off the couch!!
Mike, if you could sum it up, what’s the one good piece of advice you can give to America about how to lose weight effectively and keep it off?
I realize that weight loss is harder at home then it was on the ranch, so how much weight have you put back on since the show ended?
I’ve noticed that Bob and Jillian’s workout routines are very different on the show. Do their advice on nutrition/ diet differ?
Hi Mike,
Just wanted to ask. How do u begin to work out when u r so sore. I am very obese and have really bad arthritis in my ankle and knee which is making it very hard for me to walk. How do u push forward??? Thx Mike. Congrats on ur success.
I would like to know how many calories you eat a day, and what kinds of foods you eat within your calories?
Mike,
Considering how fast you lost all your weight…Did you end up with any medical programs because of the amount of weight you lost so quickly?
Mike,
As a recent college graduate I know it’s not easy to eat healthy or live healthy all the time. Also, part of the college experience is te ability to go out and party which certainly includes mass consumption of alchohol frequently… Have you been able to live the normal college lifestlye as most students do or do you feel that the spotlight and need to keep the weight off has stripped you of the full experience and left you counting calories every night out rather than letting loose and really enjoying what were the best 4 years of my life and hopefully yours as well??
Hey Mike!
So my question is…What keeps you inspired? I’m losing weight right now and it is so incredibly hard to keep myself motivated. So I was just wondering what does it for you.
What do you feel mentally was the biggest change you faced?
Mike,
Who was the hardest competitor you faced on the biggest loser and which event was the toughest for you to complete?
Mike,
I really struggle with motivation. I have never been more than 70 pounds overweight in my life (although for my height, that keeps me in the obese category) and have recently only been about 35 pounds overweight, but I am extremely healthy and fit (exercise regularly and eat moderately well). How do you stay motivated when you are already looking great and feel good? I know that I could look a lot better, but I can still do the things I want to do and I have no health problems. Do you have any advice for me to stay motivated?
Thanks in advance.
Linda
Hi Mike, Since you have learned so much at the ranch and also taught yourself how to keep the weight off while you’ve been home, would you consider creating and marketing your own workout and diet plan?
Mike, of course life on TBL is different than at home life and I was wondering how you went about balancing a workout life, a home life and a social life altogether. I’ve been an athlete my entire life but still know that there is a time and place for some chocolate cake (I believe life is short and that if I exercise and eat right, I can from time to time have a treat) : ) How do you incorporate treats or rewards into your new lifestyle?
When you see pictures of yourself before you lost weight, how do you feel? Does it bring back a lot of pain or have you forgiven that person? How does it feel to conquer a goal you never thought possible?
Good job Mike. You did amazing on the Biggest Loser and not only with weight but with your heart. Your heart was so big and you touched many peoples lives on and off the show. Keep doing good work young man! You can touch a whole nation if you try!! God Bless!
Hi Mike,
do you go off your program (as far as your eating)? How do you recover from that?
Thx!
How do you feel about facebook groups like “Cougars for Mike Morelli?” Has the celebrity aspect of being on Biggest Loser affected your love life??
What do you eat before and after workouts?
Hi! Since you are younger are you going to have to get plastiv surgery for your extra skin? I am 21 and lost 140 lbs and I plan to have surgery once I lose it all.
Mike, I feel that I have weight to lose but when I try to get help from friends, they tell me I don’t have anything to lose ( being 190 lbs, 5’4″, 24 years old. with most of the weight in my stomach, I do)
After you’ve lost all that weight do you feel you still have more to lose? and do people tell you otherwise?
Wanna go on a date?
Congratulations Mike on all your accomplishments. You have been a true inspiration in my own weight loss struggles.
What I would like to know is:
Now that you’re at a healthy body weight, what would you like to accomplish next (through all you’ve learned from the hard work you have already put in)?
I just wanted to tell you how proud I was/am of you! I am also very happy for your Dad & now for Max. You all deserve the best.
My question is, when can I meet you? LOL
I am disabled since birth and finally lost over 100 lbs without being able to exercise. I did it using Nutrisystem and have kept it off.
How is your brother doing? You so need to get him on the next season, he deserves it. Are you guys thinking about that? Plus, it would be great ratings for NBC, no….?
How do you stay motivated? i lost 40lbs in 3 months then all of a sudden went back to my old ways, any advice?
Hi Mike,
I enjoyed watching your progress over the last season of BL. I was truly disappointed that you did not win. You so deserved it!
My question to you is…
What was it that happened to your hip when you were training for the marathon? That was never really explained on the show…and has it stopped bothering you now? It must have been something as you had to WALK the entire marathon!
Hope you are able to stay the course and maintain your weight as is!
Good luck!!
The Biggest Loser changed your life probably more than any of “us” will ever be able to understand. What are your new “goals/passions” for the future as you begin this new chapter in life? How has the experience with the Biggest Loser helped you in these pursuits?
Question: Looking back on the show, if you could change one thing, what would it be?
See you around in South Lyon! We Love You!
Sue Z.
Mike,
I couldn’t get enough of your season and I think that being a “big” michigander born and bread myslef is what kept me attached! I felt so alone and you broguht out so many feelings that I cried probably as much if not more than you.
My question is…
What was the most amazing part of being on the ranch, like when did it click in your mind and make you realise this needed to be done and you couldn’t stop until you reached your goal?
I hope that you continue to put up posts to meet you since so far all the ones close to me I counldn’t make, I had low back surgery in april.
How hard is to diet/workout at home with all the distractions of friends, family, etc?
Do you plan on visiting any other states for appearances? I live in Florida and would love to hear you speak and meet you. Congrats on all your success and best of luck to you and your family!
Hey Mike!
We met at the Better Health Food store in Novi. There is one question that I don’t think anyone asked while we were there.
While trying to lose weight how important do you think strength training is? How often do you up your weight? It was great meeting you and don’t forget to email the recipes!!!! 🙂
Oh I thought of another question.
Do you workout with friends? And would you work out with fans, if they asked?
If you had to sum up in one sentence everything that you learned on the ranch, about fitness, health, diet, exercise, and yourself… what would it be?
First of all, you are an incredible inspiration to me. Your story and your success is what motivated me to start excercising in the first place. Every time I want to give up I think of you and it pushes me to continue. My question: do you ever regret missing most of your senior year to be on the biggest loser?
You’re awesome and I wish you the best!
Mike,
I always wondered if you still keep in touch with Bob and Jillian? If so, which one do you keep in touch with more, and is it more of a friendship relationship, or more of just checking up on each other for only a minute or two?
(PS: Can I have your number? x] Jk. I don’t think you are interested in 13 year olds ;] )
Hows your bothers weight loss going?
Mike, I just wanted to ask you how long a week really was between weigh in’s. With all the big losses, I was just wondering if a biggest loser week for instance is 10 days instead of 7 or…a different amount of days. I hope that dont sound like a crazy question. Just curious in the tv world if you had any extra days in your week. Also, thank you for inspiring everyone in the country. You are a real sweetheart and I wish you well. Keep that great attitude and kindness you have. 🙂 You deserve to be happy and we all are so proud of you.
Hi Mike,
First I want to congratulate you on your phenomenal weight loss.
My questions are about balancing the mental weight loss with the physical weight loss.
How long did it take you to get your logical and emotional mind/self focused on the ‘new you’?
When were you able to believe that a new body could and would emerge from your hard work if you stuck to it?
Logic tells us that with a proper diet and exercise routine, we will lose weight….but emotionally, were you able to see it?
Instead of being a self-starter, I tend to self-sabotager…..so I just want to thank you and your family for the inspiration.
Thanx,
gerrie
Mike,first I want to confradulate you on all you have accoplished,I started exercising a little over 4 weeks ago and have lost 16 poundd and 6 and a half inches total.I have a long way to go I am the only one in my household that is trying to loose weight and to live a healthier life ,my husbanfd is also overweight but it not interested in losing the weight,most of the time I can stay focused but somedays it ishard when you are on this journey alone ,so my guestion is how to staymotivated and focused and to know what my balance is,I am very serious about loosing the weight and livinf a heathier life,I sure could use your advice
Mike…I think motivation is so important in any weight loss program. It’s easy to see that the competition, the trainers support, support of your fans, and the motivation of winning money on the show were all great motivators for you, but what is your motivation now that you are back in ‘the real world’?? It has to be hard not to get back into the old eating habits once home from the ranch!!
Hi Mike, what are the first 2-3 things someone sevrely overweight and out of shape should do to lose the weight? (after approval from a physician) I’m thinking particularly of your dad. Was the pool used more to prevent impact injury? Was there much emphasis on drinking a lot of water? etc. Congrats on the lifestyle change the the weight loss.
As a teenager who recently lost a lot of weight; what changes should schools and parents make to prevent obesity in children? would you advocatge more PE classes, more nutritious lunch, etc.
I’ve heard a lot of very negative talk about what goes on behind the scenes on the Biggest Looser campus – for instance, that contestants are encouraged to eat and drink a great deal before the first weigh-in, to maximize their starting weight. Is this true? We don’t really hear a whole lot about the diet aspect on the show. I know that for me, dieting is far harder than working out. Of course, I don’t know how long you actually work out each day while on campus.
Mike, are you still helping your brother? Are u going to have anymore walks in south lyon? What went wrong with your legs on the run on the show?
How does milk help you lose weight?
What steps should someone who wants to lose weight take? I feel so lost about it.
how have you gotten rid or have you disabled your enablers for eating and food
What motivated you to keep on going everyday?
I’ve always wondered how many hours a day you work out, when you were at the ranch.
Hey Mike,
Wanted to ask you if they taught you quick ways to fix “healthy meals” to help keep you on track or that helped with your weight loss? In this “BUSY” lifestyle we all lead, I think many of us do the “fast food” thing for a quick bite or meal.. Probably more than less. I know for our family of six, with two working parents, its not always easy to come home and fix a good , healthy meal quickly so that we are not eating late in the evening. Thanks for any suggestions or answers!
Did losing all that weight make you happier?
so whats it like all of a sudden becoming a weight loss idol?
How’s Max doing??
Do you enjoy shopping for textiles with a new form to put them in?
As a part of the show you get access to time, trainers and nutritionists that a lot of us can’t afford to get. What is your advice to how to stay fit and healthy without having a personal trainer?
I had heard you say that while you were on the ranch you were not allowed to have your cell phone, no T.V. or computer, how did you keep yourself sain during the time when you weren’t working out? what did you do to pass the time without any of those objects to entertain you?
I also wonder how your brother is doing. He seemed so happy for you and your Dad but sad that he didn’t get to participate and lose weight too! My question as a huge Biggest Loser fan is do you have any obligations to the Biggest Loser now that your competition/season is over? Do you have a contract? Congratulations!
nice!
How do you keep motivated to exercise when you are ill?
How did you stay motivated for so long?
How did you get yourself to eat vegetables? I hate them but need to start eating them. Any help??
It seems that it is expensive to eat healthy. In today’s economy, that is a problem. How would you recommend eating healthy on a budget?
In the show was there ever a time you thought this might not be worth the effort?
What do you do on days when you feel like giving up and going back to an unhealthy lifestyle?
How is your younger brother doing? Has he stayed on track?
What is your “go to” snack?
What kinds of exercise can you do while living in the country?
For us, budget-conscious people….how can we get the “personal trainer” motivation without the personal-trainer cost. It seems like I’d do better with someone reminding me every day to work out and how to. Thanks Great job on improving your health!
Hey Mike, congrats. I also lost alot of weight and my question to you is do you have a problem with the excess skin? I do and if you had any tips on what exercise helped the most with toning it up. I know some of it is not reversible other than surgurey, but any tip would help. Thanks, Michelle
Hey Mike, I saw one time on the show where Bob was saying that some of you weren’t eating enough. How much is enough when you are tryiing to lose weight?
Your mom was very supportive of you and your dad. I wonder how her life changed because of the Biggest Loser?
Mike do you think everyone who needs to lose weight can?
Do you ever worry about slipping back into old habits and regaing the weight?
Mike, I was wondering if you and your dad are implementing the things you learned at the Ranch at home? And is that bringing you closer to your mom and brother? Or does it cause division? I was so happy for you and loved seeing you and your brother together, but my heart broke for him since he didn’t get to participate too. Are you bringing him into the Ranch fold?
Before beginning your journey on BL, you intended to become a doctor. Has your career path changed at all because of your weight loss or does it make you want to become a weight loss specialist to teach others what you have learned?
Mike, my daughter had a big crush on you this past season. I want to know how the rest of your family is doing. Are you still training with your brother and dad?
What do you think is the best thing to drink while trying to diet? I know water is great but it’s so boring. I love diet soda but I’ve also heard that can work against you while dieting. Help!
Do you have any good vegetarian recipes that you use? Good job my whole family was pulling for you!!!
What are you doing to maintain this weight loss?
What foods did you give up that you miss eating?
Whats the dietary program with cardio endurance and mucle strength?
What do you think about low carb diets?