Tag Archives: mark pinhasovich

Digital Weight Loss Consultations on Expertory Virtually Eliminate All Excuses for Skipping Meetings

A lot of us these days are extremely busy. It seems as though we barely have time to do the important things in life, like taking care of our health (or those long naps on a comfy couch, who am I kidding?!). It is increasingly difficult to be able to budget our precious time to make it out somewhere to achieve our health goals. Being that we are so connected to those crazy interwebs these days, I figured I would try to take care of my wellness through an online format. Enter: Expertory.

skype-call
Expertory is a website dedicated to educating on YOUR terms, not the schedule of someone else you have to work around. I had no excuse like “Oh, I can’t make it at this time because of this, or this time because of that.” Your workouts or counseling sessions are achieved through video chats that you schedule with their enormous panel of experts, which range from fitness and nutrition experts to people who can teach you to speak Mandarin!

Being several years off of the Biggest Loser, I have a stubborn 20 pounds I wish to lose which have crept back on me (much better than the 213 pounds I had to lose originally!). I am pretty happy where I am now, as I am fit and healthy beyond my wildest dreams, but just want to tone up a bit more. Since I work out like a fiend, I know it is my diet that needs cleaning up, which is why I decided to book a session with Amy Goldsmith, a nutritionist, whose session was titled “Boosting Your Metabolism.” (more…)

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Mark

Sprint to Orangetheory Fitness for a Seriously Sweaty and Worthwhile Workout

When I first heard the name “Orangetheory Fitness,” my mind immediately conjured up images of some kind of old school punk band playing a set in someone’s basement. Boy was I wrong! As it turns out, it’s a rapidly expanding fitness sensation (locations in more than 15 states and 2 Canadian territories) that is taking the continent by storm!

I ventured over to the Naperville, IL location (as I am now a Chicagoland resident) to try out a class to see what it was all about. When I entered I was greeted by a very friendly staff who explained the workings of what was to transpire in class. I was given my own heart rate monitor to wear for the workout to see how hard I’d actually be working.

orange theory fitness
The workout starts with interval training (which I am a HUGE fan of). The first part consisted of Indo Row machines (rowers with water in them for a real rowing effect) and then switching to the box area where we did various strength training moves. This persisted for about a half hour. At first, I was like “Easy Peasy!,” but by the third time around, I was sweating profusely and was feeling the burn!

The second half of the class had us on the treadmills. We did various lengths of intervals, running and jogging, mixed with recovery walks in between. I felt as though I could run a lot harder and faster because we were doing shorter sprints, rather than long drawn out runs. By the end of the second half, I had clocked more than two miles in sprints! (more…)

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Mark

Health-Conscious Foodies Must Discover Seitenbacher’s Organic Oils

Even though I have lost several hundred pounds, this has not diminished one iota my love of good food. Even when I was tipping the scales at close to 450 pounds, I adored fine dining, unique flavors, and overall great food finds. You see, I wasn’t that morbidly obese guy who spent all day eating fast food. Did I eat drive thru? You bet I did, but I also have more of a refined palate than that.

I had the good fortune of being in Baltimore for the FitBloggin’ convention last fall, which helped me network with tons of like-minded people in the health and fitness world, as well as aid me in furthering knowledge on my health journey. It just so happened that the natural products expo (Expo East) was right next door! I wandered over there and was like a kid in a candy store! Being the foodie I am, one of the booths that stuck out was Seitenbacher’s selection of oils.

Being a foodie I not only enjoy EATING the food, but also COOKING it (so I can then eat it). There are some bad food oils out there that aren’t too good for you, but this, being the natural products expo, I was expecting something exceptional, and I was not disappointed. (more…)

Posted on February 11, 2024 by Mark

Biggest Loser Does Broadway with Gilbert Gotfried’s The Diet Show

By Margo Donohue of Brooklyn Fit Chick.

If you’ve ever wanted to see past Biggest Loser favorites like Bill Germanakos, Eric Chopin, Alfredo “Frado” Dinten, Mark Pinhasovich and Tara Costa then you are in luck. New York’s Stage 72 theater has just launched Saturday performances of “Gilbert Gotfried Presents: The Diet Show” and it features several past members of the hit weight loss show on stage giving very funny (and often times moving) monologues about weight, fitness, diets, family pressure and more. The dates for now are every other Saturday (the next show is January 19th) at 7 pm at the theater location at 158 West 72nd Street.

“The Diet Show” was created after producers contacted Mark Pinhasovich to see if he could recruit a few of his fellow Bigger Loser alumni to put on a showcase that would be part raucous comedy and part confessional theater for an audience looking for inspiration on their health and fitness goals. “I love the fact that I can make people laugh (laughter is the best medicine) and then verbally connect the emotional part of my journey while helping inspire others,” says Pinhasovich. (more…)

Posted on January 14, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Dietitian Cheryl Forberg Returns to Biggest Loser in Season 14

One of the most important people behind the scenes at Biggest Loser left at the end of season 12. Changing directions at the show and within her own life lead Cheryl Forberg, RD away from the ranch for the first time since the show’s inception. But when NBC called her out of the blue last month and asked her to return, Cheryl says, “I said yes in about three minutes.”

“Yes, Cheryl is back and we’re looking forward to a great season,” said an NBC spokesperson, confirming the dietitian’s return.

It’s obvious that Biggest Loser is a place this renowned dietitian and chef can call home. When she announced her departure last November there was a lot of shock. She told us then that the seven-plus years she’d worked on the show, helping to co-author the contestants’ nutrition program, was the longest working relationship she’d ever had. Apparently, the “enriching” and “unique” experience she had couldn’t keep her away. The contestants are likely better off for it.

“She’s a very warm lady who is always there to help us even to this day,” said Mark Pinhasovich, the season 10 at-home winner, upon learning of Cheryl’s return.

Cheryl has already been out to the ranch to meet the newest batch of contestants, who will debut in season 14 this upcoming January. With a week or two of filming and training already under their shrinking belts, they’ve no doubt already gotten a heavy dose of Cheryl’s medicine. Early impressions are good from her viewpoint.

“I just spent a few days with the new cast and I love them all,” she told us. “Their positive energy and enthusiasm is contagious and I’m certain you’ll feel it when you watch the first episode.” (more…)

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Natalie K

Mark Pinhasovich’s Whirlwind Arnold Classic Experience

By Mark Pinhasovich, owner of AMPD Fit Camp and at-home winner for Biggest Loser 10.

What did you guys do this past weekend? Did you take it easy? Did you work out hard? Maybe somewhere in between? You know I always push it to the max, so what did I do and where did I go?! Two words: Arnold Classic!!! That’s right, I was able to make it out for the world famous fitness and bodybuilding show started by the Governator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger!!!

Let me preface this by saying that it is NOT a bunch of “I lift things up and put them down!” type people at this show. There were 48 different sports represented here including such pastimes as fencing and ballroom dancing! There were so many great people there from all walks of life. Estimates put the attendance numbers at over a quarter million people!

As I walked into the hall for the first time, the sheer amount of protein (or more likely the result of that amount of protein) hung in the air like a mist in the jungle. I was there to help out at the Ultimate Flurry Bar booth, which is a ridiculously good tasting high protein/low carb bar. They also had Xtreme Shock, a great Beta-Alanine energy drink, and Protein Ice, a Gatorade-like protein drink. Joining me at the show were Amanda Arlauskas, finalist from season 8 of Biggest Loser, and Coleen Skeabeck from season 6.

The first day went by in a blur. I was not expecting this amount of people! All day we were talking to great people with great stories and took tons of pictures! We were pretty wiped out by the end of day one. What did we get ourselves into? (more…)

Posted on March 8, 2024 by GuestBlogger

It’s the Last Week on the Ranch in the Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Episode 20

This is probably the most unlikely final four anyone could have imagined would be standing when the dust settled from the last elimination. It’s official. Hannah, Olivia, Irene, and Jay. This week there are no more eliminations, but there is another weigh in. In lieu of running the famous marathon this year, they stay on the ranch for another week and weigh in one more time to face the yellow line and leave it up to America to decide who will be the three to vie for the big prize.

One of the things I was really big on, and still am, is nutrition. This week’s pop challenge is to cook the best turkey burger possible (but can they top MY turkey burger recipe?). The winner gets $5,000 and a two-week stay at The Biggest Loser Resort for a person of their choice. The judges for this have the most discerning of palates: A bunch of children! Olivia’s green slime burger didn’t seem to win over many kids and neither did Irene’s burger. Jay’s volcano burger and Hannah’s burger as well seemed to be the overall favorites with Jay barely squeaking it out for the win. (more…)

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Mark

The Final Four Are Revealed in the Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Episode 19

We all thought that the final four would be determined last week. However, due to a wish granted by Tim Gunn, we have to wait an additional week to get those results. What’s in store for us this week? The end is in sight for everyone and it is time for them to bring together everything they have learned on their journeys.

First up for the contestants is a final exam! Are they in school again? What is happening?! I for one would be able to rock this as I am kind of a closet nerd. There are four parts to this exam with each of the trainers. (more…)

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Mark

Tim Gunn Hosts Makeover Week in the Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Episode 18

Well, well, well. Looks like that much anticipated time is here. Makeover week!!! All those months of blood, sweat and tears as well as the wear and tear your body goes through are rewarded with just a bit of pampering. The guys may not want to admit it, but it’s just as special for them as it is for the girls. I know my beard was getting to the point where I was about ten days away from leading prayer and was dying to shave it off. My hair was also getting a wee bit feathery for my liking. Let’s see what magic the “Fairy Godfather” Tim Gunn will bestow upon the cast! (more…)

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Mark

Rulon Walks Off the Biggest Loser Ranch in the Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Week 17

 

 

 

 


 

Meanwhile, back on the ranch! That’s right, bye bye New Zealand, hello the daily grind of the Ranch! The contestants go back to the daily rigors they had grown so accustomed to and there are many adjustments that need to be made now. It’s the final stretch of the competition. What’s in store for the contestants? (more…)

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Mark

Adventurous Challenges in New Zealand in the Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Week 16

First off, can I say how unbelievably gorgeous New Zealand is? I’m not sure I clarified that in my recap from last week. This episode takes the contestants to Queenstown where they are first informed that they have made it to singles! This is a big milestone in the game as you have to rely on yourself and ONLY yourself from here on out. It is a true test of one’s grit, determination and character from here on out. One more little twist for them, however (there’s always a twist). Brett is back! He decided to drop in from above via a parachute, so the pressure is back on. (more…)

Posted on April 19, 2024 by Mark