Ali Vincent: A Competitive Athlete’s Struggle with Weight Gain

Did you know that Ali Vincent – the first female winner of TV’s “The Biggest Loser” – was once a very fit, nationally and internationally ranked synchronized swimmer?

When she gave up competing, Ali never replaced that activity with anything else. Over time, her weight increased to 234 pounds! Yes, weight gain can happen to anyone, even a competitive athlete.

Throughout her time on “The Biggest Loser,” Ali used exercise and nutrient-rich foods, such as low-fat dairy, to help her lose 112 pounds. After winning, she realized that weight maintenance is just as important as weight loss, which is where dairy can play a role.

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that Americans consume at least three servings of dairy a day. Low-fat dairy not only contains nine essential nutrients, but it also can help you keep off unwanted pounds.

According to a study in Nutrition and Metabolism, almost two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. At any given time, 50 percent of Americans are attempting to control their weight. Study participants who consumed three or more servings of dairy a day after weight loss were able to eat more calories without gaining weight than those who didn’t consume dairy.

Take a listen to Ali’s interview with Dr. Susan Mitchell of AM580 WDBO. Ali discusses her weight loss success and her new book, appropriately titled “Believe It, Be It.”

 Nutrition and Health with Dr Susan Mitchell-Show