Fat Chef in Cleveland - Hometown Pride!

We all know there are many chefs with a weight problem. The poster child for this right now is, of course, Paula Deen. Too much butter, sugar, and deep-frying usually make for extra pounds, unless you have major willpower. Most people do not have the kind of willpower to avoid those foods if they are constantly making them or are surrounded by them.

Enter Food Network's Fat Chef. The timing couldn't be better on this series, where trainers teach chefs to deal with their surroundings and find the time to exercise. The idea is to co-exist with food at a healthy weight - sometimes easier said than done.

I missed the first episode last week, but there was no way I was going to miss last night's show.

Fat Chef hit me right where I live - literally. Trainer Brett Hoebel, who was on Season 11 of Biggest Loser, came to Cleveland to help two chefs get healthy. Rocco is in charge at Fahrenheit, and Kim owns her own catering company and sells her own line of food products. Both of them juggle multiple aspects of the food service business.

The show is part Biggest Loser, where people deal with the demons that helped get them to an unhealthy weight, and part Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition, in which the trainer comes right to where each person lives and teaches them in their own environment. This is crucial for a chef, who is in the ultimate profession of being constantly assaulted with food every time they turn around.

Rocco had more weight to lose and dove right into the program. Brett taught him how to give his all working out, and some anger management skills as well. (Although I admit, I would certainly have fired the employee who kept screwing up!) He hit his goal for the show, and is working on being even fitter while helping his brother get there as well. From what I've heard, he is incorporating a lite menu into his restaurant, which I am looking forward to sampling!

Kim had a little more trouble. She fell into the same trap many of us do, following the exercise plan but not being able to do the same with the food. I know I've been there, thinking that working out would solve the problem even though I was still eating the same stuff. It was even more difficult for her, because she is always tasting her foods to make sure they are right - plus being offered samples by other chefs, where she doesn't want to appear rude by not accepting. She also had personal demons from childhood to deal with. She finally got in line with the program and lost about half of her goal. Now that she's gotten this far, I know she will continue and meet her full goal too.

It was a treat for me to see so many great places featured around my city, like the Fabulous Food Show at the I-X Center and the markets. I hope Brett continues to come to Cleveland to help those of us who are working on our health, chefs or not. (I know I'm far from being a chef myself!) I also look foward to seeing how the chefs in other cities do on the show each week. if they can conquer their food issues, I know we all can.

And I hope that more positive shows come to Cleveland to film...our city really does rock, and is filled with wonderful people from all walks of life. Time to show our Cleveland pride!

Last Night's Emotional Biggest Loser!

*photo credit: NBC Television

Well, last night was a really rough one for all of us who watch, write about, and love Biggest Loser.

The site where I normally write my reacap is having major issues, which I suppose is fitting this week. It's been rough in more ways than one. So, I'm posting my thoughts on last night's episode here.

Let's start with Rulon's day of reckoning with Jillian. We all wondered how Rulon could eat all of that junk food when he's supposed to be focused on his weight loss. When Jillian talked to him (very calmly, I might add) he revealed that he's been working so hard that he thought he deserved a treat every now and then. The key here is: How often is every now and then? Jillian offered to help him learn to incorporate the occasional treat into his eating plan, so he wouldn't sabotage his efforts buy eating whole bags of chips and candy each day. As much as we've all been floored by what Rulon did, we have to realize one thing...he is US. How many times have we had a tough day at work or some other issue in our lives driving us crazy and "treated" ourselves to whatever we wanted because we felt we deserved it? The only difference with Rulon is that his issues are captured on film for the world to see. What we all REALLY deserve is good health and a long life...not junk food. Those treats are actually tricks, because in the long run they make us feel worse instead of better. Just as Jillian suggests, we have to learn how to incorporate rare indulgences into our diets instead of using them as daily treats.

My favorite moment on last night's Biggest Loser was the Black Team's night out. They got to get dressed up and going out for an evening in Hollywood by winning the pop challenge. (Everyone else had to clean the ranch...ewwwwww.) All 3 of them looked great, but Hannah was absolutely stunning in her form-fitting black dress and heels. She even got the chance to talk and flirt a little bit with this guy Ted, who was pretty impressed with her story. (Rulon and Ken "conveniently" had to do something else while Hannah was alone with Ted.) She recalls how making one decision (being on Biggest Loser) changed the course of her life, and everything she gets to do now stems from making that important choice. For me this was an AHA! moment. The choices we make every single day affect the rest of our lives. If we choose to eat junk or live in fear, we miss out on the best life has to offer. If we decide to take control...making healthy choices and moving past our fears, life can and will get better. I know this is something I have to remember whenever I have to make a choice: Which way will help get me to where I need to go?

The heartbreaking moment of the night came at the weigh-in. The trips to the scale have been emotional all season long, but this one really felt like a kick in the gut. The Red Team fell below the yellow line...and since the team was only made up of one member, Courtney was automatically eliminated. I've "known" Courtney over Facebook for well over a year now, so I can vouch that she is the real deal. She really is as strong, motivating, and inspiring as you see on TV. All through her journey losing over 100 pounds before BL, she has been positive and encouraging. We all prayed for her to make the show and were overjoyed when we finally learned she would be on this season. Now the whole country knows who Courtney is...and is much better for knowing her. I was as crushed as Bob and Jillian were, crying as she stood there being Courtney, showing her strength and resolve to finish what she started and telling her friends to keep on going. (How sweet was it that Olivia offered to go home in her place if they would let her?) What also really stinks is that since the Red Team is no more, Brett has to leave as well. Can't he assist the other trainers? They could have a pop challenge where one of the players wins personal one on one training with Brett for a few days. I can't believe both Courtney and Brett had to miss out on the trip to New Zealand, which we will see on next week's show.

One thing I do know...Courtney will keep up her awesome work and amaze everyone at the finale. She will also continue to be an inspiration to everyone she meets, whether in person, over the internet, or on the television screen. Here's to Courtney...I salute you!