Catching Up With Biggest Loser Contestants

There are few reality shows that can change a person's life like "The Biggest Loser" can. Even those that don't win the grand prize can lose a life changing amount of weight. Through the six seasons that have aired, contestants have lost a combined total of more than 10,000 pounds. But, did they all keep it off? Some contestants from the first few seasons returned for special in September 2007 to talk about their weight.

Season One winner was Ryan, who came to the show weighing 330 then lost 122 pounds, which was an incredible 36.97% of his body weight. Andrea reduced her weight from 215 to 156 while on the show. When interviewed right before Season 4, Andrea had not only kept the weight off, she had lost an additional 5 pounds. But, Andrea was in the minority with keeping the weight off. Kelly Mac, who lost 72 pounds while on the show, was also interviewed for the special, but she had gained 9 pounds since the Season 1 finale. Still, her original weight was 223 and with the 9 pound gain, she still only weighs 160. Aaron was eliminated in the third week, but still had lost 36 pounds. He went home and lost another 25, making his final weight 200. However, he gained 24 pounds back after the show, leaving him weighing just one pound less than when he left the ranch.

The biggest disappointment of Season 1 was the winner, Ryan Benson. Ryan lost 122 pounds on the show, but during an episode of Biggest Loser Families, Bob mentioned that Ryan had gained back all the weight he lost on the show because he had learned nothing about exercise and nutrition while at the ranch. Ryan maintains that he gained 32 pounds within 5 days of leaving the show simply by drinking water, but also said he followed unhealthy "Master Cleanse" diet while at home to lose additional weight.

Season 2 saw Matt Hoover win when he lost 157 pounds, a staggering 46.31%. But, while Matt lost weight, he gained love. He and fellow contestant, third place finisher Suzy fell in love and eventually married. They now have two children. Pete lost the most weight that season with 185 pounds, but he had gained back 25 pounds when he appeared in the special.

Season 3 featured a person from each of the United States, but 36 were sent home the first night. One of the 36, Jaron, returned in week 11 and lost a total of 160 pounds. The winner that season was deli owner Erik Chopin. Erik lost over half of his body weight while on the show, decreasing from 407 pounds to a trim 214 pounds. Since the finale, he has gained back 38 pounds.

In Season 3, nine contestants lost more than 100 pounds each. Brian, the winner of the $100,000 at home prize, also lost half his weight, decreasing in size from 308 pounds to 156 pounds. At the time of the special, Brian regained 47 of the 156 pounds he lost, putting him at a 30.1% regain, the most of those featured on the special. Pam, who lost 68 pounds at the ranch, gained back 8 pounds and Wylie, who lost 129 pounds at the ranch, gained back 32 pounds.

Amy and Marty fell in love while on Season 3 and married in March 2008. Now, Amy can expect to put a bit of her weight back on - she just announced she was pregnant with the couple's first child. The couple runs Reality Wellness, a weight loss and self improvement program in Omaha, Nebraska. Of the 36 contestants that were sent home, Poppi lost the most by shedding 117 pounds. She admitted in the special to regaining 11 of those pounds, but still remains a trim 126.

Season 4 was won by Bill Germanakos while the $100,000 at home prize was won by his twin brother Jim. Bill lost 164 pounds from his original 334 pound frame while Jim lost 186 pounds even though he was eliminated in week 6. In a November 2008 interview, Jim admitted to gaining back 40 of the pounds he lost on the show, but is still committed to a healthy lifestyle. Thirteen contestants in Season 4 lost over 100 pounds each. The one that lost the most pounds was Neil, who shed 211 pounds (50.12% of his body weight).

Season 5 was titled Biggest Loser Couples and featured two people who were close to each other (either biologically or through friendship) struggling to lose weight together. This season brought the first Biggest Loser female winner - Ali Vincent, who lost 112 pounds, 47.9% of the weight she brought to the ranch. Ali has maintained her weight loss, serving as an inspiration for contestants on season 6 and getting her own segment on QVC starting Jan. 6, 2009 titled The Biggest Loser Health Lifestyle. She is also featured in a "Got Milk?" ad.

Kelly was also in the finale, having lost 109 pounds since coming to the ranch. Her ex-husband, Paul Marks, was too ill to attend the season finale. Marks was in the hospital at the time of the finale, but his MySpace page now says that he is "in better shape than ever." The at home winner was Bernie, who lost down from his original weight of 283 to a slender 153 by the finale. Dan Evans' weight loss of 136 pounds helped make his childhood dream of being a country music singer come true. He released a debut album last year and is now on tour.

While some contestants have gained weight back, maintaining weight loss is difficult. The National Weight Control Registry claims "only a fifth of dieters with a history of obesity sustain a loss of 10% of their body weight for a year or more."