Last night ABC premiered a brand new show from the Extreme Makeover brand, Extreme Makeover, Weight Loss Edition. I’ve been waiting for this show to air for a long time. Because the host and trainer of the show is Chris Powell. Chris is a friend of mine, so I’m definitely biased when I write about this show. I met Chris about 5 years ago when we both worked at Fitness Experience in Scottsdale, AZ. His energy, passion and enthusiasm is 100% genuine. The person that you see on TV is exactly the same person that you’d see over lunch. I love the guy and I’m so happy for him.
The other thing that is so awesome about Chris, that didn’t get mentioned in the show, is that while he helped David Smith lose over 400lbs he created an awesome nutrition System. It’s called STAX Nutrition System. It works and it’s the only nutrition plan that I recommend. I’m positive that the nutrition advise that he is giving to the people on Extreme Makeover, Weight Loss Edition follows the principles of the STAX Nutrition System.
Those principles are; eat whole, natural food, eat the proper portions and eat in regular (5-7 times a day) intervals.
If you follow those principles and the STAX Nutrition System, you’ve discovered the secrets to permanent weight loss.
OK, now for the show.
Each episode of Extreme Make0ver Weight Loss Edition follows a single person. That person works with Chris to lose weight. Every person on the show is “super” obese, meaning they have well over 100lbs to lose.
In the first episode we met Rachael. Rachael’s starting weight was 369lbs. She was 220lbs. overweight. She’s a classic overachieverver (valedictorian, homecoming queen, tons of trophies and awards, etc.) yet she was never really able to be successful at losing weight. This is a fairly typical profile for an obese person. All of her successes were about seeking approval, getting other people to notice and acknowledge her abilities. She sought out this type of external attention because she never really liked herself or felt worthy of the good things in her life. You have to have confidence in who you are, like yourself and know that you are worth something, before you’ll ever begin to take care of yourself.
And that is what Chris had to teach Rachael.
Chris and Rachael went back to California for a week of boot camp. During this week he began to teach her all of the things that she’d need to know to be successful. He pushed her really hard during the workouts to test her and to find out if she was really committed. At one point when she began to give up, she found the strength and said something really important. “I’m not doing this for you, I’m doing this for me”!
When it comes to your health always remember that; you should be doing it for yourself. If you think your doing it for someone else, you may not succeed.
Then it was off to her house in Jenkinsberg, GA. where Chris had set up a home gym for Rachael. He then set a 3 month goal for her to reach. If she loses 80 pounds during the first 90 days, she’d win a trip to Greece. I was conflicted here! First of all I love the breaking down of long term goals into shorter more achievable goals. I also like the fact that the reward wasn’t unhealthy food. And I also thought the reward was a crazy cool gift to win.
Oh yeah, by the way Rachel lost exactly 80lbs. and won the trip to Greece.
But what I wasn’t so sure about was the fact that here’s a young lady who has struggled with maintaining a healthy weight and after three months she’s off to a foreign country? It’s difficult to maintain, let alone lose weight when you travel. But to go to another country, where you may not fully understand the culture and the temptations of food, seemed a little silly to me. That portion of the show also was the least entertaining part of the entire episode. I’m guessing that the Greek Travel Bureau paid for the exposure (it was an ad for Greece).
Anyway Chris set a goal of losing 55lbs during the next 90 days. She flew back to CA for the weigh in and she lost 50lbs. She came up a little short but overall she was happy because she had lost a total of 130lbs. in six months. I have to agree with her. She should be happy. I know that she came up a little short of her goal, but she is definitely moving in the right direction. If she had reached her goal she would have hiked Mt. Whitney with Chris. But she was experiencing severe plantar fasciitis, so that had been cancelled from the plans. So she really wasn’t out anything other than knowing that she came up short of her goal.
Instead she and Chris hiked up a short trail to “The Bridge to Nowhere” and she’d have a chance to bungee jump. At this point she may have had the quote of the show.
“I want to do it, because it scares me.”
Her goal for the third phase of the year was to lose and additional 50-60lbs. This is where the show let me down a little. The reason that she needed to lose the weight was so she could be a candidate for skin removal surgery. When someone loses an extreme amount of weight it is almost always necessary to have the extra skin removed surgically at the end of the journey. But I don’t think getting into surgery should become a goal itself.
During months 6-9 Rachael was on her own. She flew into California again for her weigh-in. She only lost 3 pounds. She said that she gave it everything that she had during the workouts. But she ate extra food at the end of the day after she ate planned meals. You can always mess up great workouts with poor nutrition. If you goal is to lose weight (fat) then you will have to be dedicated to your eating plan.
Turns out she still had the surgery, which I think was premature. But at the reveal she did look great and she lost a total of 161pounds in one year.
Chris Powell in incredible when it comes to helping obese people lose weight.
I can’t wait for next week’s episode!
If you want to see the best quotes from the show check out my twitter profile
Remeber to leave your comments below, I love them!
Click Here To Learn More About The Nutrition Program That Chris Powell Created
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Hi! I am 30yrs old and weigh 260lbs. i am trying to lose weight by March 22nd i am going on a trip and want to be confident when I do. I am going to the gym for only and hr. or so and I am on weight watchers, but don’t feel its enough to lose the weight I want. My goal is to be at 150-160 by then. Please if u can give me some advise on what to do I would greatly appreciate it.
Hi Maggie,
The STAX system can easily be modified to eliminate gluten and dairy. In fact I highly encourage that those foods be eliminated or severely reduced. The meat is a little tricky due to the fact that protein should be a part of every meal. There are ways around that, but the phases of the program that require carbohydrate reduction will be a challenge. Typically a combination of legumes and grains help vegetarians to get the required protein. But when you are trying to limit carbohydrates and thus grains it can be difficult to get the required protein intake. I’d be happy to help you through this process. I do still work with clients in the Scottsdale area. I’d prefer not to post my rates in the blog comment section. Send me an email at john@fitnessknowhowhq.com with your contact information and I’d be happy to speak with you and share the many ways that I believe I can help you.
John
Hi, question about stax system: I have been basically on the couch for 3 yrs due cancer and side effects of radiation. Because of a large portion of my intestine being removed I am now gluten intolerant. Add that to the fact I am vegetarian, I have issue on what I can eat. On stax program can I allow for no gluten and no meat/dairy? I am about 70lbs overweight. Also, just curious, does chris, his wife or you still actually work with clients not associated with the show? How much would that cost? Maggie
Hello,
I think Chris is great. He seems so nice and sincere. I was wondering what exercise equipment is used on the show. I am interested in the one Nyla choose to put in her apartment. It looks like a recumben bike but it also works the arms.
Thanks
When I was a teen my mom always told me I was fat. I didn’t realize until I was about 35, looking at old pictures, that I WAS NOT fat back then!! I am 5′ 6′ and at that time I was 145. My weight has gone up a few times-pregnancy, illness, surgeries, etc., but I always got it almost back down to normal. Now I am 46yo and 225 pounds, but with a bigger problem. I can’t do a lot of exercises because of 2 back surgeries (another will mean a rod in my back), I have chondomylasia in both knees, and nerve damage in legs (because of back) which causes me to sprain my ankles frequently. My doctor will not help me. He treats me like a moron, and says just cut back on your food. I have begged for help from many different sources and have tried many things, to no avail. I know there is no magic pill. I’m willing to work hard. I just don’t know what to do. I’m always tired, depressed, unorganized in my life, etc. Chris is my last hope but I don’t know how to get in touch with him. I would like to lose 80 pounds or so. Can you please forward this to him? Thank you so much.
Hi I’m Kimberly,
I am 44 and battling my weight. I just went to the doctor and even though I exercise and eat right I keep gaining weight. My heart is fine but my knee is not to good. I was told I am 255 lbs and only 5′ 4″. My doctor has run so many tests on me but is not sure why this is happening. My cardiologist and orthopedic doctor are stressing that I need to lose 130 llbs. My marriage is falling apart because I keep gaining weight and both my husband and son make cruel jokes about my weight. I was forced into paying for a gym from work but can’t seem to loose any weight. I am told it is water weight but I take prescribed water pills twice a day due to the heart condition. I am afraid because I am looked upon and even teased by my older siblings for a long time. I work all day and workout at night. I support 3 of us and don’t have money for a trainer and now after the doctor visit today, i am very depressed and don’t know which way to turn.
I really don’t have the money or means to hire anyone and feel that i could really benefit from Chris. I really could use the help and feel i would benefit from Chris’s help.
Hey Josh,
It’s awesome that you want to join the National Guard and serve the country. I’m here to help. Honestly I don’t think that you should count on any help from Chris’ show, Extreme Makeover, Weight Loss Edition. That show is for the super-obese. People who weigh 400-600+ pounds. It’s unlikely that you’d be selected.
Don’t get me wrong, 70 pounds is still a significant amount of weight to lose. You’ll see a common thread in my advice. You should sign up for my program “31 Days to Ultimate Health”. It’s going to take more than a month for you to get to 170 pounds. But the lessons in that book will start the process. It’ll be a great start for you.
Once you get started we can talk about some other options that can speed the weight loss process up for you. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks Earl,
You can lose as much weight as you’d like following the STAX Nutrition System. All of the people on Extreme Makeover are following the program. Chris Powell’s first success story was with David Smith, who lost 401 pounds. He did it by following the STAX principles and through movement. Unfortunately I just saw where he put a significant portion of the weight back on. But only because he stopped following the program. The good news is it looks like he is back on track.
It’s my understanding that there are no more STAX Systems available. They ran out due to the success of the first season. I know that Chris is working on improving the program and coming out with a new and better version in the future. Are you finding them available somewhere?
You can do this! If you haven’t already, read my “Featured Post” on nutrition and follow it. In essence it is the STAX program. It doesn’t have all of the details but it will be a great start!
Also you should sign up for “31 Days To Ultimate Health” You’re not going to lose 250 lbs in 31 days. But if you follow that program you will lose a significant percentage of that 250 lbs. over the next 12-18 months. Plus it’s FREE!
I’m here to help so feel free to ask any questions that you may have. I’ll answer them the best that I can…
John,
Very informative website! I just came across this site while researching for the Stax Nutrition system. I have 250 lbs, or more, to lose and I’m not getting any younger. The Extreme Makeover show is awesome and I really could benefit from what they do. Although I’d love some help from Mr Powell, I have come to the conclusion that I’m probably going to have to do this on my own. I don’t think I’d make for good TV and I don’t have the money or means to hire someone.
What I’d like to know is what can someone so morbidly obese expect to lose on Stax alone? I am unable to do many exercises and besides, I wouldn’t know what to do. My health problems are starting to add up. I have severe sleep apnea, my blood pressure is uncontrolled, and my legs are pretty severely swollen from venous stasis. I really need this for me and my son who is 6. I can’t live this way any longer. Thanks for putting this info out there.
Hi I’m Josh.
I’m 21 going to be 22 this year. I have always been fairly overweight and in high school I could never play any sports because of my health. Because of my weight I couldn’t run for very long and most sports require lots of running. Now I weigh 250pds. Yes I know it doesn’t sound like much but I want to join the National Guard and serve my country. I went to a recruiter and he said, “You are 50pds over weight.” He called me fat in front of about 15 other people in the mall. I know its their job but it still hurt to hear. I’ve wanted to join for a long time and I can’t because I’m too big. I can’t do this alone. I’ve tried but I just manage just to put on more weight. I work out get, extremly hungry, eat too much and bam my workout was for naught. I was hoping Chris could help me. I really want to hit 170pds. Please please help me out it would mean so much to me. I am really hating myself because all these years my dad was right, I needed to exercise more then I did. Everyone has one dream, mine is losing the weight and joining the military. I just need help, thank you for your time.
Hi Bonnie,
Thank you. I agree, the skin removal is an important part of the overall weight loss journey. On the show it just feels like having it done 9 months into the process is premature. I’d rather see them get all the way to their goal, then do the surgury. But that wouldn’t make for great TV.
Both of your questions are great. I like people who want specific details. Because I believe that it’s in the details were you’ll find success. Agian I think they brush over the details in an effort to keep the show entertaining. So here they are. I know that Chris Powell is using the principles of the STAX Nutrition System to help the people on the show lose weight. I know this because Chris developed and created the program. It’s my opinion that they don’t discuss this because then the show would appear to an infomercial for his product. Which would negatively impact the credibility of the show. I get into more details about STAX in my comment to Jeni below this post.
As far as the exercise, they are working out 5-6 hours a day, because this is an Extreme Makeover. That amount of exercise combined with the STAX is the only way to lose 100+ pounds in 3 months or over 200 pounds in one year. For most people that is probably unrealistic because of job, family and other responsibilites. So you (and most everyone else), should expect to lose weight at a slower rate than. Yes they are mostly doing cardio. You can workout with weights everyday, as long as you’re working different muscle groups.
If you’re interested in more information on some different programs that will help you to continue to lose weight, visit The Marketplace on the right sidebar of the site. The Workout of the Month Program is great for resistance exercises, you can order a STAX, or sign up for the Fat 2 Fit 56 Day Makeover, which includes a STAX.
Thanks again and let me know if you have any more specific questions.
John
P.S. I’m not 100% sure if you see this reply on the blog or if it comes to your inbox. If it comes to your inbox here’s a link back to the websit. http://fitnessknowhowhq.com/
Great review of the show, I have to confess to thinking the lot of the same things you did. I’m morbidly obese, and am addicted to weight-loss shows like this to give me tips/inspiration to lose the weight. Because I know not everyone can be on a TV show, you know? I was actually impressed that they discussed skin removal, because it’s not something that I have ever seen talked about. I have lost over 60 pounds (still have over 100 to go) and am starting to deal with some of the issues of excess skin. So it was nice to see that there are options for me when I finally reach my goal.
The two questions I always ask when watching these types of shows are ‘what do you eat’ and ‘what is a typical weekly workout routine’. I have to confess to not really seeing answers to either of those questions in this show. I want specific details, lol. I mean, they say they are working out 5-6 hours a day … does that mean mostly cardio? I always thought it’s best not to weight train every day. So that is probably my only complaint about the show, not enough specific details. But still a great show!
What a joy to find someone else who tinhks this way.
Its really great that pelope are sharing this information.
Soozee,
The STAX Program is for weight loss, weight gain, weight maintainence, and simple good healthy nutrition. It was invented primarily to help people to lose weight, because that is the goal of a majority of people. The STAX come with a guide that will help you to reach what ever goal it is that you have. The only difference is the portion sizes.
If you have 30-35 pounds to lose you can expect to lose a couple pounds a week in the beginning. After that you should lose about 1 pound each week. You will experience some weeks when you plateau and don’t see any weight loss, but that’s all part of the program. If you start now you’ll probably hit your goal before the end of the year…
We don’t charge shipping so you’ll actually save $9 if you order from us. Plus we have a money back guarantee if the program isn’t for you (partial refund if the food containers are returned open). Here’s the link.
STAX Nutrition System
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi Chris,
I’ve forwarded your message directly to Chris. If you don’t hear from Chris I offer several resources to help people to lose weight. Check back with me and I can let you know how I also can help your son.
Gee… I read these comments and I feel so bad for these people. I hope you all get the help you need. The weight loss that I need is not as urgent as Ty’s friend, Kelly and her boyfriend. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, and need to lose about 30-35 lbs to help my joints. I think the Stax System would work for me. But I am confused because I also see guys ordering this same system to ‘gain” weight. Is the eating plan that comes with the Stax System a strick regime for both weight loss and weight gain? What is the average weight loss in 1 week? Thank you for your help John
Please forward this information to Chris Powell for me. My son’s name is Christopher (Chris). He is 15 years old and weighs over 260lbs. His doctor has diagnosed him with morbid obesity. I have tried everything I know to help him with his weight issues. Chris’ grades are slipping in school and he has no self-esteem. He used to be the head of the class and have lots of friends as well as girlfriends, but mostly stays to himself and now says he doesn’t want to go to college. He has the resources to use as his dad owns a lot of land and they go walking everyday. Chris needs to learn fundamentals on losing weight, keeping the weight off and getting healthy. We have family members that have died with a massive heart attach and another grandfather that has been diagnosed with diabetes. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE help my son….I know he can do it, he just needs help. I don’t want him to take unnecessary years from his life.
I’ve forwarded your message to Chris.
If you want to try on your own, a great place to start is with the STAX Nutrition System. Chris invented this program and uses the nutrition principles to help the people on the show lose the weight that they do. For some reason he must not be able to mention it during the show.
Here is the link
http://thefitnessandnutritionstore.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=1&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=19
Let me know if you’re interested in a workout program as well. Best of luck to you, you can do this!
I would like to know how to get in touch with chris powell I;am severely overweight and need help please i have 4 kids that mean the world to me and i also have diabetes on 4 shots a day and metformin my doc wants me to have gastric by pass surgery i want to try on my own please help me to be here for my kids and my family
Hi Ty,
I’d love to help you. Although I’m a personal friend of Chris’ he has no affiliation with this website. I’ve worked with Chris and I use the STAX nutrition system that he invented to help people to lose weight. The first thing that your friend should do is order a STAX and begin to establish healthy behaivors. Here’s the link STAX Nutrition System
I’d start that process while you are waiting to hear back from Chris. Try contacting him directly through this site.
http://www.chrispowell.com/
I hope all of that helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
John
Hi my name is Ty and I was trying to get help for my best friend, yes we all could lose some pounds but she needs the help more alot of others b/c I’m scared that one day its going to be to late and the weight is going to kill her. My best friend is only 28 and is over 400lbs, is also have a disability that makes walking kind of hard but with the weight its impossible to walk therefore she is mobile by hoover round (moto wheelchair). Being that she has always had some wight issues growing up after the lost of her father, I think she became depressed and looked to food to fill that void. I’m so afraid that my friend is going to die, she try on her own to go to the gym but there is not much results and we really need your help, I watch the show all the time and see the progress that you help people with and I think your a blessing sent from god and right now we need a blessing I dont want to lose my friend, she is still young and have a whole life to live that she cant because she is in jail by her weight.. please help us chris.
Kelly,
I’ll forward your message to Chris. He’ll need your contact information. Send it to me using the “Contact Me” form. You’ll find the link at the bottom of this page. Please don’t put your contact information in this comment section.
John
I really need chris’s help I’m going through an aweful lot and everytime I have helped myself to loose weight I just start back in square one, I have no support system and both my parents are desceased, my family lives very far away and dosn’t talk with me…all i have is my boyfriend who is also severly overweight for our age, were both 20… hes 330lbs, i’m 270lbs…just a year ago i was 250lbs…and a year before that 230, I’m scared to gain anymore and having lots of health issues including PCOS.
PLEASE if you know any way to contact this guy let me know I NEED the help and do not have the money :[ please i’m begging you I just want a future…I want to live.