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Even XXXXX, XXXXX XX, 2013 | TAB NAME Odd 2 TV ENCORE By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media Y ou might think an NFL player, an Olympic gold medalist and a former tennis pro would have the whole fitness regimen thing permanently in the bag. "The Biggest Loser," however, is about to demonstrate that this isn't necessarily the case. The upcoming season of the reality series has been branded "Glory Days," and the list of overweight contestants comprises 20 former athletes looking to shed some weight and, well, regain their for- mer glory. The season premieres Thursday, Sept. 11, on NBC, com- plete with some fresh talent and a new twist. Over the course of its run, "The Biggest Loser" has helped hundreds of overweight contes- tants — many dangerously so — change their lives by slim- ming way down and taking on a healthier lifestyle. On average, the winners of the past 15 sea- sons have lost nearly half of their body weight, and the "Glory Days" gang is hoping to achieve similar results as they sweat their way towards the $250,000 grand prize that's awarded to the con- testant with the highest percent- age of weight lost. This time around, though, the contestants have the added incentive of not just getting thin, but getting back the athleticism they once enjoyed. Everyone on board for this kick at the can has a history in sports, most just at the high school or college level, but some bear names you might recognize. Graybeals Carpet 2 x 3" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" Harrison- Metzger 2 x 2" On the Cover Enter two-time Super Bowl champion Damien Woody, an offensive linesman in the NFL for 12 years. His size may have served him well on the gridiron, but at 388 pounds, Woody now has a hard time keeping up with his seven kids and is ready to get healthy. Fellow NFL alumnus Scott Mitchell, most recently a quarter- back for the Cincinnati Bengals, lost his dad to obesity-related causes earlier this year. At 366 pounds, Mitchell now has high blood pressure and sleep apnea. His weight has been an issue for the past 10 years or so, and he's aware that he could be headed in the same direction as his dad if he doesn't turn things around. Weighing in at 301 pounds, Lori Harrigan-Mack has not only won three Olympic gold medals in softball, but she also pitched the first no-hitter in Olympic his- tory. Out of the competitive soft- ball game for the past decade, Harrigan-Mack, like Mitchell and Woody, wants to live a long life with her child and her spouse. "I think this is going to be the most competitive group," said Bob Harper, one of the show's returning trainers, in a "Zap2it" interview. "You look back at ex- athletes that have been on the show, and they're the ones who are so committed to the process. It's going to be a wild ride." The contestants won't be the only new faces you'll see this season. With Jillian Michaels' third departure from the show following last season's controver- sial finale, two new trainers will be stepping in to lend their fit- ness expertise to the group of one-time jocks. Jessie Pavelka is a veteran when it comes to slimming peo- ple down in front of the camera. Across the pond, he encouraged viewers from all over the U.K. to reach their fitness goals by mak- ing just one small change each day on ITV's "Motivation Nation." He also starred on Sky TV's "Obese: A Year to Save My Life" and "Fat: The Fight of My Life," in which he helped morbid- ly obese Brits get control over their eating habits and adopt more healthy lifestyles. Stateside, he's appeared on Lifetime Network's "DietTribe" and "Wake Up Workout With Gaiam" on OWN, so he's clearly not afraid of being in the spot- light. Harper, who's been on the show from the start, will actually be in a different position this time around. "The Biggest Loser" is taking a cue from "Survivor" this season and incorporating its own version of the latter's Former athletes prepare to hit the gym in 'The Biggest Loser' "Redemption Island" — which will come as a surprise to the contestants once it's initially put into play. When they're eliminated, con- testants won't be heading home, but they will instead be spirited off to "Comeback Canyon." Here they'll be met by Harper, whom they won't even have seen this season up to this point. The cast- offs' training will continue with Harper, and they'll participate in secret in a separate weekly weigh- in for the chance to come back into the competition with guns blazing later on in the season. Bathing suit season may be coming to an end, but that won't stop the new batch of contend- ers on "The Biggest Loser" from hitting the gym. When "Glory Days" kicks off, 20 former jocks will be on the road to regaining their younger physiques and ath- leticism — and it sounds like it's going to be one heck of a work- out. The 16th season of "The Biggest Loser" premieres Thursday, Sept. 11, on NBC. The contestants in "The Biggest Loser" D&J Liquors 3 x 2" Animal Shop 2 x 2" Corner of 4th & Market ~ Downtown Logansport 574-737-8374 Your treasured photo contains a "not-so-treasured anymore" subject. We can fi x that! Extreme photo fi x, restoration and custom photo printing at.... Pear Tree Gallery www.ransfuneralhomes.com HARRISON-METZGER & RANS FUNERAL HOMES 304 S. Chicago St. | Royal Center, IN • 574.643.2265 123 E. Main Street | Kewanna, IN • 574.653.2265 • Funeral & Cremation Services • • Preplanning Options • Monument Sales • Offering compassionate services during your most diffi cult time of need. 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