A Maintainer's World-Celebrity Edition

I used to be a huge tabloid reader back in the day, could not wait for Tuesdays (some of you know what I am talking about).  This was before EVERYONE read them, back then if you read tabloids you were really frowned upon, I didn't care--it was the late 70s-80s.  Alison Sweeney used to be one of their favorite targets along with the aging Elizabeth Taylor.  I am not a Days watcher but she was only 16, the tabloids didn't care and they chronicled her weight unending.  When I watch her on the Biggest Loser, I am just amazed at how she now looks, the show she is hosting, it's so full circle to me.  I am no longer a tabloid reader (just too much information) but now there's the Internet and even if we don't want to read about someone else's problems we can't help but see it.   I remember in some of my worst periods, I would scoff at those who 1. had a lot of money 2. and could not maintain their weight.  With age, there truly is maturity and I now realize we are all just people with the same issues, doubts, insecurities...this list could go on.
This will not be a weekly post but maybe a quarterly post, especially if they are in the news or have a book released.  The commentaries are my own
Celebrities

Al Roker -- had gastric bypass surgery over 10 years ago and still maintaining--love the title of his book

Alison Sweeney -- has maintained her weight since her late 20s, was terribly taunted in the tabloids, but not now

Art Smith -- an overweight chef who wanted a change

Chaka Khan -- once very petite, tiny--struggled as an adult and now, she wanted to save her life

Drew Carey -- "The Price is Right" host lost and is maintaining for health reasons/family history

Jared Fogle -- although unconventional, the Subway spokeperson has kept it off for 15 years

Jennifer Hudson -- amazing, after a tragic loss--her life and body could have gone either way--now, WW spokesperson

Jillian Michaels -- guru is what comes to mind, a chubby teen, got involved with martial arts and the rest is history, loving her new book---it really is a blueprint for maintaining

Joe Bastianich -- king (along with Mario Batali) of an Italian food/wine empire--knew he had to do something about his weight and started running, love this Runner's World article and his pasta recipes, yikes!!!

Jordin Sparks -- beautiful voice, she is maintaining

Kelly Osbourne -- her evolution has been lovely to see, I have The Osbournes first season on DVD, amazing

Kristian Alfonso -- she also with Alison Sweeney struggled with her weight and tabloids took note back in the day and she has now maintained her weight loss for over 20 yrs.--she concentrates on her jewelry line

Marie Osmond -- life happens, she gained weight, DWTS, health problems, lost the weight with NS and keeping it off

Michael Moore -- I really respect his work and glad he has taken off the weight and keeping it off

Mo'Nique -- the woman who once said she would never lose weight and that she loved her 262 lb self---she has now gotten healthy and looks great

Perez Hilton -- his earlier blog posts (circa 2007) tell the story, he has been maintaining  for a few years now

Randy Jackson -- gastric bypass ---he continues to strive to keep it off

Raven Symone -- she reminded me of my daughter, satisfied with herself but knew she had to do something

Rex Ryan -- lap band surgery in 2010, he is keeping it off
Ricki Lake -- watched her as a young woman in the public eye struggle, now she's been maintaining, she's featured on the Freshology site

Ricky Gervais -- decided to lose the weight, did it and now keeping it off
Robin Quivers -- she did the Detox, 21 lbs in 21 days and Master Cleanse--91 lbs later and has kept it off

Sarah Ferguson -- a princess in the public eye struggling with her weight, WW helped her get it off and she is still maintaining

Sean Murray -- NCIS fans know him, watched him come down during season 7

Star Jones -- say what you want, she is keeping it off, yes, she should have been more honest (or said nothing) because it was obvious to me, but whatever, it's off--

Valerie Bertinelli -- struggled as an adult, JC helped her lose it, posed in a bikini and the rest is history

William Jefferson Clinton -- struggled with his weight as POTUS, he is now maintaining and he's vegan

**of course this is not an exhaustive list, please feel free to let me know if anyone is missing.

Maintainers who live in the public eye and The Biggest Loser (TBL)

Did anyone see Dateline last night; Al Roker now 10 years post bariatric surgery, wow, how time flies?  The following is just a segment of how he is maintaining now and how he got back on track.  He also has a new book. 

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Biggest Loser  (TBL) is back and I could not be more happy with the new format.  I have always loved the premise of the show but last season was it for me.  I knew they had to bring Jillian back and they had to change it up from "the game."  This is all my opinion.  Three episodes into last season and I totally stopped watching, and didn't care who won.  It was the nastiest season I had ever seen and if Jillian had been there (the no nonsense person she is, love her!!!) none of that sh*t would have gone done!!!  I am not going to write about specifics but I am sure many of you all know what I am talking about.  I think a little competition is good and all...and they need ratings to stay on television; but even the producers knew that things had gotten pretty much out of control last year, hence, the new format and coming back with a cause to help obese children.  Perfect!!!  There are several young adults who are around my daughter's age 24-25, 3 women and 2 men.  There was one more who is in that age range but she left the show last night.  I feel that many of the contestants are getting younger--I think there used to be maybe one or two young 20-somethings and a few seasons had the 18 or 19 year old; but to have 6 contestants younger than 26 and older than 23--not sure I have seen this.  

No, this will not become TBL update blog; but the children tore at my heartstrings because I have been there times 2, myself and my daughter.  What I would like to see and write about are the Maintainers they bring back to help.