The Biggest Loser’s Sharif Deen shares his summer weight-loss tips (that actually work!)

 Diet fads come and go, but proven weight loss programs stand the test of time. Follow these five fitness tips – complied by The Biggest Loser past contestant and special guest trainer at The Biggest Loser Retreat Sharif Deen – to lose weight this summer and keep it off for good.

1. Take advantage of the early light. With the sun shining early during summer, take advantage of the extra hours of daylight to get outdoors and start the day with a workout.

2. Stay hydrated. Water is the ultimate cleanser and allows your body to function more efficiently. Aim for 2-3 litres per day and remember to step it up before, during, and after exercise. Try adding a wedge of lemon or lime for a refreshing twist.

3. Reevaluate your goals. Make sure your fitness goals are still relevant to you heading into summer.

4. Create a summer training program and keep records for accountability. If you’re really serious about achieving your goals, establish and commit to a training plan. Tracking your progress will also allow you to assess what’s working for you and what’s not.

5. Eat a balanced diet that’s nutrient rich. Make sure you eat a balanced diet that’s loaded with the good stuff like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats.

Sharif is a walking, talking example of achieving lasting weight loss. When he signed up for season 4 of The Biggest Loser, Sharif weighed in at 178kg and was the heaviest person at the outset. By the end of the show, he had lost over 70kg and has since become a special guest personal trainer at The Biggest Loser Retreat in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Since opening their doors in June, the dedicated weight loss retreat has assisted guests to lose a combined fat loss of more than 855kg through their proven weight loss program which is underpinned with education, nutrition, exercise and a band of professional health and fitness experts on hand to train, coach and mentor guests.

All-inclusive seven night packages at The Biggest Loser Retreat start from just $1,400* per person quad-share and include seven nights accommodation in a Hinterland Lodge, all meals, snacks and beverages, daily fitness and movement sessions, information seminars, cooking demonstrations, and full use of all Retreat facilities. Single-share and twin-share packages are also available. Call 1800 816 906, email reservations@biggestloserretreat.com.au or visit www.biggestloserretreat.com.au.…

Since opening its doors three months ago, The Biggest Loser Retreat by Golden Door in the Gold Coast Hinterland has assisted guests to lose a combined fat loss of more than 500 kilograms through their proven weight-loss program.

The Biggest Loser Retreat’s health, lifestyle and fitness guru (who is a registered medical doctor, specialist in nutritional medicine, health coach and personal fitness trainer) Dr Cris Beer said the dedicated weight-loss retreat is assisting guests to turn their lives around by helping them to adopt positive and sustainable lifestyle changes.

“At a time when obesity is a national epidemic and many are resorting to surgical procedures for weight loss, The Biggest Loser Retreat is a viable alternative for Australian’s who are above their most healthy, comfortable weight.

“I find it disturbingly that we’re living longer but burdened by so much chronic disease such as heart disease and diabetes… and what’s even more devastating is that these diseases are so easily preventable with an adjustment to lifestyle.

“These lifestyle changes don’t need to be difficult or time consuming – they simply require a desire for change and the knowledge and skills to drive change – and that’s what we focus on at The Biggest Loser Retreat.

“We believe that by equipping and empowering individuals to make some simple lifestyle changes, we can prevent much of the chronic diseases impacting our society,” Dr Cris said.

The Biggest Loser Retreat caters for guests of all ages and lifestyles who want or, in many cases need, to begin a health and wellness overhaul and is underpinned Golden Door Australia’s key philosophies of movement, food, coaching and education to assist guests achieve a healthy weight range as part of a optimal, long-term health goal.

The Retreat offers a range of all-inclusive programs, from seven nights to several months, with activities including bush walks, team gym all-out training, aqua team challenges, obstacle course challenges, weekly team challenges, spin and cardio intervals, stretch, dance classes, yoga, meditation, cooking demonstrations, night walks and a host of educational seminars.

All-inclusive seven night packages start from $1855* per person quad-share and include seven nights accommodation in a Hinterland Lodge, all meals, snacks and beverages, daily fitness and movement sessions, information seminars, cooking demonstrations, and full use of all Retreat facilities. Single share packages and longer stay discounts are also available.
Call 1800 816 906, email reservations@biggestloserretreat.com.au or visit www.biggestloserretreat.com.au…

As hit TV show The Biggest Loser’s 2013 contestants start to put their hard-earned weight loss tactics and knowledge into practice after finale celebrations last week – The Biggest Loser Retreat by Golden Door Australia is only just getting started.

And leading the way is Red Team personal trainer and program manager Andrea Baker.

The fit and feisty pocket rocket is making it her mission to help all Australians, whether they want to lose 5 or 50kgs, to develop a tailored weight loss regime that will ultimately lead to a healthier more active life.

Andrea is a well-known face at The Golden Door Retreat, which will undergo a complete transformation to become Australia’s first ever The Biggest Loser Retreat at the end of this month. In operation for 20 years, the Golden Door is renowned for helping guests achieve optimal health and wellness, including addressing their weight loss goals focusing on diet, nutrition, exercise, education and psychology that compliment a healthy, balanced lifestyle approach.

“The Biggest Loser Retreat offers an all-encompassing package. When guests start our program they don’t have to think about anything except their weight loss journey, breaking down the barriers, changing their mindset and achieving their goals,” says Andrea.

“We did that strategically so our visitors get more than just a weight loss program. The program is developed by experienced medical professionals who have tailored The Golden Door’s famous, successful program to focus on weight loss while ensuring mental, physical and spiritual wellness is also achieved. Our chef, David Hunter has developed the eating plan which focuses on clean, wholesome and nutritious cuisine to fuel the body and nurture the soul. And we have leading specialists on hand conducting weight loss specific seminars on cooking and shopping to ensure guests can learn to plan for their future outside of The Biggest Loser Retreat when it comes to diet and exercise.

“While we will have similarities to the TV show, we are our own entity and our programs and regimes are unique to the Golden Door’s proven core philosophies for health and wellbeing.”

Set to officially open on June 30, The Biggest Loser Retreat by Golden Door Australia is set among 86 hectares of pristine native bushland at the foothills of Mount Wongawallen in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

The facilities include two heated swimming pools; a lap pool; deep water running pool; beach volleyball court; bushwalking tracks; The Hangar (main gym); The H.I.T. Gym (High Intensity Training); Fit ’n’ Fierce Gym; Combat Zone; tennis court; sauna/steam room; The Golden Door Spa; The Boutique gift shop and recreation room.

Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the specialist retreat. The mother of three has been involved in the health, fitness and wellbeing industry for 15 years and is known for her limitless “energy and fun”. She will preside over the H.I.T. Gym – a key component of The Biggest Loser Retreat operated by Golden Door Australia.

“We are all a work in progress, with self-belief and support, you can do anything,” says Andrea, who emphasises fun must be at the core of any exercise regime.

“If you’re not having fun, why are you doing it?” she says. “Of course, it’s going to be hard sometimes but if you’re going to do the hard yards, then it has to be enjoyable too.”

The Biggest Loser Retreat will also enable guests to reward themselves with nurturing spa treatments and massage aimed to aid in relaxation, rejuvenation and recovery.
Andrea’s Top 5 Tips for Weight Loss

Eat clean – Eat foods such as fruit and veg and anything that is free from preservatives. Make sure it is wholesome and fresh and your body gets all the nutrients it needs.
Eat regularly – that will keep that metabolism going. Eating the right foods will help your body stay in optimum health.
2 “huffy puffy” sessions a week – That’s high-intensity training. It will help increase energy, improve health and reduce stress. Andrea’s top exercises for weight loss include circuit training, walking hills, squats, dead lifts and lunges.
3 moderate exercise sessions a week – It’s important to be active and just move. It can be fun to discover new ways to exercise.
Be consistent – Develop healthy habits, make better choices and be committed to positive results – and just keep doing that.

Team trainers Michael and Duncan

Trainer Michael Kirby has also be in the fitness world for about 15 years. Known affectionately as Mick, the qualified personal trainer’s also adds gym manager, group and aqua fitness instructor, wellness coach and bad joke specialist to his resume. Mick specialises in strength training, circuit style training, boot camp and will be in charge of the outdoor Combat Zone at The Biggest Loser Retreat operated by Golden Door Australia.

While trainer Duncan MacDonald has helped thousands of people with his tailored programs from 20 years in the industry and as a Personal Trainer at The Golden Door Health Retreat Queensland. Qualified in physical education and personal training, Duncan will be hanging out in Fit’n’Fierce Gym and prides himself on introducing unstable cable training at the International Fitness Convention almost a decade ago to his fitness industry peers, an incredibly popular training tool today.

People can register their interest to attend now, while bookings for The Biggest Loser Retreat by Golden Door Australia can be made online from June.…

In breaking news, Australia is set to welcome its first-ever dedicated weight-loss retreat this year when The Biggest Loser Retreat operated by Golden Door Australia opens its doors in July 2013.

The Golden Door Health Retreat on the Gold Coast, Queensland will undergo a total rebranding after parent company Cypress Lakes Group Ltd this week signed the exclusive rights to use The Biggest Loser brand in Australia and New Zealand.

As one of the pioneers of the Australian health and wellness industry, 2013 marks The Golden Door Health Retreat’s 20th year of operation. General Manager of The Biggest Loser Retreat operated by Golden Door Australia Andrew MacDonald said the timing of the rebrand is fitting and further reinforces Golden Door Health Retreat’s stellar reputation as a leading industry authority committed to providing the environment, educational tools and support network to help Australian’s address what is one of the largest health epidemics we have ever faced.

“For 20 years now we have assisted tens of thousands of guests to discover a newfound sense of wellness, balance and vitality in the ultimate pursuit of reaching optimal mental and physical health. And now, as we begin a new chapter, we look forward to utilising our knowledge and expertise in a more concentrated capacity to focus intently on what is a very real and serious health issue currently affecting over 60% of everyday Australians who are overweight or obese.”

Endorsed by Channel Ten and Shine 360 – the brand management and rights arm of Shine Australia – The Biggest Loser Retreat will offer guests a tailored weight-loss program reflective of achieving lasting body fat loss. And while some of the aspects of the hit television show that has inspired millions of viewers since inception may be integrated in the program, predominately, The Biggest Loser Retreat will be representative of Golden Door’s successful core philosophy of promoting healthy lifestyle to achieve wellness and therefore weight-loss.

The resounding success of The Biggest Loser Resorts in the US has also spurred the establishment of an Australian version.

The Retreat will embody Golden Door Australia’s key philosophies of movement, food, coaching and education and provide a compassionate yet firm environment for guests wanting – or in many cases, needing – to begin a health and wellness overhaul, reverse years of unhealthy living and create positive and permanent lifestyle solutions resulting in lasting weight loss and improved health.

The Biggest Loser Retreat is spearheaded by a professional team of experts in health and wellness who will nurture, guide and inspire guests along their path of adopting positive and sustainable lifestyle change while losing weight along the way whether it is 5 or 50 kilograms.

Dr Cris, The Biggest Loser Retreats official Doctor and expert in nutrition and health says the program is, in many cases, a viable alternative to surgical procedures for Australians who are above their most healthy, comfortable weight and the related illnesses that can occur.

“At a time when obesity is a national epidemic, The Biggest Loser Retreat by Golden Door Australia will assist in changing society’s ingrained attitudes. We are passionate about helping everyday Australians to turn their lives around; this is a life-changing experience that should be considered as a first-step before pursuing irreversible surgery or embarking on an unhealthy eating regime.”

The program will include compulsory daily activities – from bush walks to gym training, aqua cardio, obstacle courses, interval training, stretching and yoga. While cooking demonstrations and hands-on sessions will also be a large part of the Retreat, highlighting the importance of preparing healthy and nutritious meals, as well as educational seminars relevant to everyday life after The Biggest Loser Retreat.

People can register their interest to attend now, while bookings for The Biggest Loser Retreat by Golden Door Australia can be made online from June. For further information, please visit www.biggestloserretreat.com.au or go to (facebook profile being added).…

As contestants of the TV show continue to make healthy lifestyle choices and thread their newfound knowledge into everyday life, The Biggest Loser operated by Golden Door Australia is about to welcome their own “fit and fierce” team trainers.

Opening its doors in July 2013, the retreat aims to help achieve lasting body fat loss with a tailored weight-loss program and while some of the features of the hit television show may be incorporated, it’s these three compassionate and supportive, yet firm, individuals who will make visitors accountable.

Leading the team of program professionals at The Biggest Loser Retreat operated by Golden Door Australia, Andrea Baker brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the specialist retreat. The mother of three has been involved in the health, fitness and wellbeing industry for 15 years and is known for her “energy and fun”. Her main area at the retreat will be the Fit’n’Fierce Gym.

“Put simply if you’re not having fun, why do it?,” says Andrea. “We are all a work in progress, with self-belief and support, you can do anything.”

Trainer Michael Kirby has also be in the fitness world for about 15 years. Known affectionately as Mick, the qualified personal trainer’s also adds gym manager, group and aqua fitness instructor, wellness coach and bad joke specialist to his resume. Mick specialises in strength training, circuit style training, boot camp and will be in charge of the outdoor Combat Zone at The Biggest Loser Retreat operated by Golden Door Australia.

Trainer Duncan McDonald has helped thousands of people with his tailored programs from 20 years in the industry and as a Personal Trainer at The Golden Door Health Retreat Queensland. Qualified in physical education and personal training, Duncan will be hanging out in The H.I.T. Gym and prides himself on introducing unstable cable training at the International Fitness Convention almost a decade ago to his fitness industry peers, an incredibly popular training tool today.

Set among 86 hectares of pristine native bushland at the foothills of Mount Wongawallen in the Gold Coast Hinterland, The Biggest Loser Retreat operated by Golden Door Australia offers plenty of room to move with varied, compulsory fitness activities and also yoga, meditation, stretching classes; bushwalking and team challenges, plus cooking classes, style workshops and movement awareness technique, Feldenkrais.

The facilities includes two heated swimming pools; a lap pool; deep water running pool; beach volleyball court; bushwalking tracks; The Hanger (main gym); The H.I.T. Gym (High Intensity Training); Fit ’n’ Fierce Gym; Combat Zone; tennis court; sauna/steam room; The Golden Door Spa; The Boutique gift shop and recreation room.

The retreat will embody The Golden Door’s key philosophies of movement, food, coaching and education, and provide a compassionate yet firm environment for guests who want to begin a health and wellness overhaul.

Renowned expert in nutritional medicine and resident medic of The Biggest Loser Retreat operated by Golden Door, Dr Cris Beer says the program is about making healthy lifestyle choices with simple habits.

“The program is about taking small steps and incorporating your newfound knowledge into maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be about pain and sacrifices, but is more about a restoration of health and vitality can be achieved.”

People can register their interest to attend now, while bookings for The Biggest Loser Retreat by Golden Door Australia can be made online from June. For further information, please visit www.biggestloserretreat.com.au or go to http://www.facebook.com/BiggestLoserRetreat…