Dr. Phil’s Ultimate Weight Loss Race

For the last two days, Dr. Phil has dedicated his show to weight loss with the Ultimate Weight Loss Race, bringing healthy competition to day time television. It sounds a little like the Biggest Loser meets the Amazing Race; six teams of two will be racing across the country and competing to lose the most weight. Each team has their own trainer, and to add to the similarities, Kim Lyons, previously seen on the Biggest Loser, is one of the trainers.

Kim is training the pink team, Ferris State University juniors Annette and Emilie, battling that “freshman fifteen” and sabotaging themselves and each other.

Married only five years, the green team, Phil and Tiffany from Maryland, say they argue daily. Their trainer Nathaniel Best, a Sergeant in the Marine Reserves, claims that his training style is not that of a Drill Sergeant and will likely utilize his martial arts training.

Shawnee Harkins, a former firefighter and EMT who emphasizes diet and a personal support team, will be training the purple team, 21-year old twins Joe and Lauren from New York.

Minnesota father Verne is blaming quitting smoking for his obesity and himself for his son Patrick’s inactivity. The blue team will be trained by Miss Fitness America Pageant Champion Nicole Rolollazo.

Zubevi “Strong” Khalfani will be promoting water and discipline to help the orange team lose this weight. Jeff and Richard, brothers from California and both former high school football stars, report gaining weight through emotional eating following the deaths of their father and grandmother.

Surprised audience members Meleneise and Toria, Michigan stay-at-home-moms who admit to using their children as an excuse for unhealthy eating habits and teasing each other about their weight, were selected to be the final team. Their trainer Jeremy Rucker emphasizes a holistic approach and is certified in biomechanics.

I’ll be keeping an eye on Dr. Phil’s Ultimate Weight Loss Race and explaining some of the psychological principles discussed on the show and in his 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom in future posts.