Mike Morelli, 19, and Amanda Arlauskas, 19, know just what it means to want to shed that “freshman 15.” After all, both did that and then some while contestants on NBC’s hit reality challenge The Biggest Loser. As students, both are also quite familiar with the less-than-healthy life on campus and were more than happy to offer their tips on steering clear of late night pizza and getting into shape (even during finals week).

SNMag: What was it that inspired you to take action and get in shape?
Mike Morelli: Initially, it was my 400 lbs while I was a senior in high school. I couldn’t go on living life the weight I was and as unhealthy as I was. The doctors told me when I first started the show that if I continued on the path I was going, I could die of diabetes. I wasn’t living life, I just existed. Eventually, I tried out for the show hoping to get on, and that was able to change my life.
Amanda Arlauskas: After missing my prom and other high school events, I finally knew it was time to take action. I had wanted to lose weight for so long, but it was a real wake up call after I sat in my bedroom the night of prom while my friends were all out having the time of their lives. It was hard work and the weight didn’t come off easy, but I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity.


SNMag: What is the process of trying out for The Biggest Loser, how does it work?
MM: First, you go to an open casting call, which is just a giant weeding out process. If you are lucky enough to get through that, you meet with the casting producers and the regular producers. Eventually, if you get high enough on the selection process you get invited to come down to Los Angeles for the final cut. Roughly 250,000 people tried out and only 100 people got invited to Los Angeles. Out of those 100 only 22 get invited to be on the show.

SNMag: Was it ever difficult having your personal journey to getting fit made so public? What made you want to do the show?
MM: You initially know what you’re signing up for. It is not a surprise. You know what you’re getting yourself into, and I was prepared for that.
AA: It was very difficult having to face my biggest fear on national television. I was humiliated with my size and weight. But I remember telling myself that if I was going to get on national television in a sports bra and spandex shorts weighing 250 lbs, that I would never see that weight again. That motivated me each and every time I felt embarrassed or self conscious with myself.

SNMag: What challenged you the most on The Biggest Loser?
MM: The most challenging part about being on the show is staying sane. I was lucky enough to be on the show with my dad. He had me really grounded and focused. If it wasn’t for him, being a teenager, I would have gone crazy and cracked under pressure. There is a lot of pressure to perform each week so you don’t get voted home. The workouts were intense, but it was harder mentally than it was physically.
AA: Being away from my family and friends was the hardest part. When you are living on the ranch, you are completely sequestered. No cell phones, no computers, no TV, no contact with the outside world. That is very difficult. The first few weeks I was very homesick.

SNMag: What is your current workout routine?
MM: Currently, I workout for two hours everyday. I try to get an hour of cardio, I usually go running outside. It sucks during winter because it snows in Michigan. I just put on some cleats and run in the snow because I hate running on concrete. I do about an hour of circuit training. After the show I was in a unique position because the doctors told me I needed to gain some weight. My weight was too small for my body size.
AA: Currently, I am in the maintenance phase, but I’d still like to lose another 15-20 lbs. I try to do an hour of spinning as well as an hour of some other type of workout, such as running, weight training, or polymeric. I try to do two hours, six days a week.


SNMag: What is your current diet regimen?
MM: Unfortunately, I’m still in the dorms so I’m still eating cafeteria food. That’s the hardest part about being in school. I mostly eat a salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I eat grilled chicken and stay away from all the
fried food and salt around campus.
AA: My diet has, for the most part, remained the same. I’ve increased my calorie budget, but I still eat very healthy organic food. I’ve never incorporated as many vegetables as I do now. I try to include them in every meal.

SNMag: Has it been hard to maintain your fitness regimen now that you’re no longer on the show?
MM: Yes, I’m in the position of trying to get rid of the last unwanted fat from bouncing back from the show.
AA: It can be difficult because of the distractions all around me, but my family and friends know what’s most important to me at the time. Doing two hours a day is a lot easier than the six hours we were doing throughout the competition, so it’s a lot better now. I can get up, go, and be done for the entire day. I love that.

SNMag: What kind of health tips, recipes or snack can you give our college readers?
MM: My greatest tip to whoever is in college and trying to maintain their weight is to eat a plate of colors. Try and add as many colors as you can to your diet and your meal. This will give you enough vitamins and nutrients. You need to eat in moderation. Another thing is the beer-gut. It’s called a beer-gut for a reason. Try and stay away
from drinking.
AA: My favorite meal right now is spaghetti squash. By cutting the squash in half, steaming it, and adding some marinara sauce, you can get a large bowl of food and it leaves you feeling full and satisfied. My favorite snack is to grab a few raw almonds with a piece of fruit (usually an apple.)

SNMag: What kind of exercise tips can you offer students?
MM: For students, since we are so pressed for time, have a plan when you go to the gym. I’ve been going to the gym for the past year and a half, and if I don’t go into the gym with a plan it could easily take me more than an hour and a half when it really should take me 30 minutes. You need to be time efficient and effective.
AA: Running is the ultimate fat burner. I lost a lot of my weight while training for the marathon. You have to get your heart rate up, keep it up, and get a sweat going. If you run a few times a week, you will definitely see a smaller waistline!


SNMag: Any tips on avoiding the “freshman 15?”
AA: The “freshman 15” can sometimes be inevitable, but if you become aware of the food you’re eating and your workout regimen, you should be just fine. Try to avoid junk foods, and fried foods. Those are two of the “tastiest” foods, but they’re so terrible for you! Add vegetables and fruits to your diet. Also, try to remain active. Walk to your classes, around campus, around town. Or, if you have extra time in the day, take advantage of a local gym, go for a run, or find a staircase that you can run up and down.

SNMag: What not-so-healthy food is still hard to resist?
MM: Cookies. Oh man!
AA: Chinese food will forever be the hardest food for me to stay away from. I love Chinese so much! But I can enjoy it within moderation, and by making small changes. I stay away the deep fried chicken covered in sauce, and instead order steamed chicken with the sauce on side. I make it work for me so that I can enjoy the food, without feeling sick and guilty afterward!

SNMag: How do you manage to get a workout during finals week?
MM: You have to make time. I have to force myself to make that decision. It’s the price you pay for being healthy and fit. I would rather be fit than be lazy.

SNMag: What or who keeps you motivated?
MM: The only person that can keep me motivated is ME, and that’s just how it works. You can have a personal trainer but if you’re cheating, you’re only cheating yourself. I try to picture my future. I’m looking down the road, I don’t even have a girlfriend but I’m doing this for my future.
AA: When I look at old pictures and old clothes, it reminds me of the old, unhappy me. For the first time in my life, I am the happiest and most confident I have ever been. The feelings I have now are so much better than the feelings I had when I was heavier. To me, that is all the motivation I will ever need.

SNMag: What do you enjoy most about being in shape?
MM: I enjoy the freedom that comes with it. I had a huge chemistry exam and I was really stressed about it. Normally, if I was stressed I would eat, but now that I am in shape I go run four miles to release my frustration and stress. That is something fun that I’m able to do now.
AA: I love going outside and being active now. I used to make excuses of why I couldn’t walk around outside, why I wouldn’t go hiking, or why I would never step in to a gym. Working out has to be enjoyable, and that’s why I love taking spin class. The music gets me pumped and I have such a fun time while sweating my butt off, literally.


SNMag: Aside from a new body, what has been the coolest thing to come out of your experience on The Biggest Loser?
MM: I was able to throw the first pitch on the Detroit Tigers game against the Boston Red Sox. That has been one of my favorite things, but having more self-confidence and feeling good about myself is the greatest thing that has come out of this whole experience.
AA: Being an inspiration to others. It’s surreal when someone comes up to me or e-mails me and tells me what an inspiration I am. I still feel like a hometown girl from NJ who was given an amazing opportunity. But I really got a gift, and I want to pay it forward now. I want to help inspire others to achieve their own weight loss goals.

By Jillian Gordon