TBLA, the audition day... EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!

The day before the auditions, I promised my self that I would get at least 10 hours of sleep... Reason being, I wanted to be all fresh and dandy for the cameras (LOL!)... Seriously, I just wanted to be at my peak and my head screwed on right for the interviews... However, this didn't happen and I found my self fiddling with my stuff up until 1 AM... Well at least, I got a few hours of sleep...

My alarm started ringing at 5:45 AM and the excited bugger that I am immediately jumped up from bed and into the bathroom for my morning ritual and shower... I was out the house by 6:15 and on the way to my mom's house to pick up my baon... Upon my arrival, Mom was all dressed up and announced that she was going with me to the auditions... After a quick breakfast, we were on our way to MOA...

The drive was quick and hassle free as it was early in the morning... Upon reaching MOA, we asked for directions until we found our destination... We hurriedly parked and got to the waiting area for the auditions...

There was about 20-25 people already there when I lined up and started filling up the form they gave me... Soon after I arrived, I saw a familiar face from FB and confirmed by logging in to check her photograph... As soon as I god my confirmation, I leaned over and asked her if she was indeed Chie Guerrero... The initial reaction was absolutely positive and we stuck like bread and butter from there on... It was as if we have been friends for some time...

While waiting, I tried to crack a few jokes to keep the atmosphere lively and keep the nervousness at bay... A few more minutes passed and the director introduced himself and told us that he is expecting a lot from us by the looks of things... For one thing, he's not like your ordinary director... He was very sociable and lively that sorta picked up the morale of the people waiting...

By the time they gathered everybody up, people were already getting anxious to start the day... Questions raised were more on what exercises do we need to do and so on... While lined up, we were given the heads up that the hosts, Dave and Kristy are on their way to see us... True enough, they came and the people cheered them on... They gave us an inspirational talk and wished everybody goodluck...

We were then asked to go back to our chairs as they prepared for the start of the audition... We were guided into Fitness First and boy, was the place huge! There were a few people already doing their exercise routines and was looking at the group auditioning for the show like, "man o man, do they need this"...

On our way in, we were led into a large room which seemed like an aerobics classroom... Upon reaching the entrance to the room, first thing I notice is the buffet table on the other side of the room... And upon scanning the rest of the room, I saw the weighing scales and the doctors on standby... It was the medical examination... It was funny how the first part of the auditions was setup the way it was because, at the very moment I got the chance, I blurted out that the medical wasn't a medical but, a torture test to see who will run over to the buffet table... I was relieved when the people who heard me laughed at my joke...

Anyway, we went on and took our medical examination... They weighed us and took our height and the machines printed out a detailed report of our fat% and BMI readings... Then we sat by the doctors who interviewed us and asked about our medical history... After a quick BP check, we were given the blessing by the doctors to proceed...

We were then treated to the buffet table for some pasta, salad, and sandwiches... While eating, a small camera crew was going around and interviewing people at random... After I finished my meal, I was called on by the lady with the camera crew for a quick question and answer session in front of the camera... As much as I would like to tell you what the questions were, I think it would be wiser not to... We don't want to ruin the element of surprise do we? After answering a few questions and giving the statement to the camera that the next Biggest Loser is going to be a Filipino, I went back to the line and waited for my turn to enter the first room...

Before getting into the 1st stage of the audition/interview, we were sharing our feelings and excitement with the people around us... It sorta helped us keep our heads up in spite the excitement that was building up as we went through the audition proper... It was almost my turn as the FF staff installed the lapel mic on me and had me stand near the door as I awaited my turn... I swear, I was sweating like crazy and my heart was pumping... Anxious and excited at the same time... All I could mumble to my self is to stay calm and just be myself...

Then the moment of truth... As the door opened and I was instructed to enter, first thing that met my eyes was the glare of the camera lights shining bright... It took a few seconds before I saw what was in the room... Man o man was I in shock as I gazed upon Dave and Kristy smiling in front of the stage where we were told to stand... As I stepped up to the stage, I could feel my knees shaking in anticipation to what was about to happen... I have to admit, being infront of the hosts and the cameras pointing at me, I felt so nervous, I thought I was going to choke at the first question... As the questions flew by and I replied as best I could to every one of them, I felt breathless and the adrenalin was rushing like a train on steroids... After the questions, Kristy then directed me to do an exercise routine for them... Thank God I made it through without passing out! We then said our goodbye's and both hosts wished me goodluck... On my way out, I could feel my knees shaking from both the exercise and the hair raising experience I just went through... I was absolutely starstruck... This was my first time to go something like this and I'm pretty sure everybody will agree with me that it is different from watching it on TV and being in the spotlight yourself... Nevertheless, Dave and Kristy made me feel like I had lost all the excess weight already... They really made me more motivated and special...

The feeling was still so intense as I sat my self down in preparation for the second interview... My muscles were shaking and my head was in disarray after the first interview... And here I was, about to go through another room for the second round... As I waited my turn, the guy before me had a little chat and exchanged thoughts on the interview... He then showed me something that blew me off my shorts... He got a TBLA tattoo on his thigh!!! It was so awesome, it awed everybody who saw it... As soon as I get it transferred over I will be posting it...

Then came the last of the interviews... Inside, I was greeted by three men who I believe were FF executives... They had me sit down on a chair and started asking me questions... The atmosphere was a little more relaxed but, it was still hair raising... They also told me about the Lose Big program that they were promoting and how I could be a part of it... These guys were so nice and very accommodating to say the least... I had a blast being interviewed by them as well... As I shook their hands and left the room, I let out a sigh of relief and a feeling of enlightenment... I am so thankful to have gone through the whole audition and I felt like I have made a difference already...

It has been a few days already and I still feel amazed for what I have gone through... I can still sense the moment of excitement that I spent with Dave, Kristy and the FF executives... What made it a lot more special was the other people who auditioned with me... The friends I made and the stories that was shared gave it so much more meaning... I absolutely had fun and whether I make it or not, I will treasure the experience like no other as it is the beginning of a new chapter of my life... And I have TBLA and the people of FF to thank for the privilege of being a part of the journey to a healthier life...

I would like to apologize once again to the followers of my blog who are expecting more details about the interviews... I just don't want to spoil it for you... All I can say is, especially to those who are about to embark on the same experience that we just went through, it is better this way so you can feel the full gravity of the experience... Just remember to be yourself, have faith and have fun...

NEXT: The TBLA audition aftermath...

A little commercial break...

People may think I am expecting to be chosen because I started this blog...

Here's a little fun fact...

There are people who just like's to share through story telling... It doesn't mean anything else...

Just like what is written on the title of my blog:

My journey into The Biggest loser Asia experience... That is, if I get in... LOL!

I hope people don't misinterpret my attitude about the whole thing... My resolution: In or out, TBLA helped me in taking the step forward into a healthier future... I was inspired with the people in season 1 so I hope, even if I don't get picked, my stories of change and the journey towards it helps in inspiring other people...

Peace!!!

TBLA... My salvation to a healthier lifestyle...

I am a TV bug... I like watching movies, motorsports and for some strange reason, I get drawn into reality shows... One of which is TBLA...

A few weeks back, a major setback has put my life on hold and yes, it affected my health as well... We all get scared from time to time but, this incident has scared me more than anything else... Forgive me if I chose not to get into detail regarding this event that has affected my life and my condition... Instead, I'll share how it has finally awaken me into the harsh reality of being obese or the way I'd rather call it, being fluffy...

The day was May 11, 2010... The day after the elections... Work related stress has pushed me over the limit and I was battling hypertension, chills and a very sore throat which was causing me to cough like a rottweiler barking at an intruder non stop... A quick visit to the ER revealed that I was was pumping 150 over 110 and was sweating like crazy... The doctor ordered a blood exam and an ECG on me while I laid down feeling dizzy from the perils of that day... After a couple of hours, I announced that I wanted to go home in spite of being told that they needed to admit me for observation... They had me sign a release statement and when the results from the ECG and blood test was released, they said it wasn't what we feared it would be... To put it plainly, it was just minor hypertension due to the stress I was enduring at that time... Funny how office work coupled with fear of something drastic does this to you...

Upon my release, I felt very heavy and weak... I got home after a friend picked me up from where I was and lied down... In spite the events that transpired that day, I fell sound asleep from what seemed to be the longest day of my life...

The next few days after that was filled with sermons from my mom about not paying attention to my self and letting go of what's important... It was immediately followed by a series of check-ups, lab tests, cardiology, ultra sound, x-rays and what not... They checked my heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, gall bladder, abdomen, stomach, lymph nodes, liver and God knows what else... They did everything possible to ensure that I was not in any immediate danger of some sort... Needles to say, they started clearing out one organ at a time... From the heart down to the stomach... They did however find what was causing my intermittent fever or flu spells at night... The doctor explained that since I was stressed out, my immune system took a sudden vacation and let in a nasty viral infection that caused the symptoms... Part of it was the fact that I was diagnosed as obese level 2 which contributed to the heavy feeling I had... Soon thereafter, the doctor enumerated the findings of my blood work, urine and stool exams... The good news was, I was far from being diabetic and my blood levels were normal except for one... My triglycerides were a little above the acceptable limit for a male adult... This also explained why they also found fatty liver... It is due to the uncontrollable gouging of whatever was put on on plate and in front of me prior to all of this... Other than that, I was just stressed out...

After the medical stuff was set aside, the doctor started talking about what steps I needed to take in order for me to improve the quality of living not only for my self but, everybody else around me included... Exercise, a strict diet and a lot of de-stressing... He spoke of a program in Fitness First that I should enroll my self in... At that time, I wasn't aware that TBLA was sponsored by FF and about the lose big program... Anyway, being the TV bug that I am, I suddenly have recollections of the season 1 of TBLA... I told my doctor and my mom jokingly that perhaps, joining TBLA would be good for me... Little that I know and upon reaching home, I suddenly found my self reading through the pages of the TBLA website, forums, blogs and watching segments of the show from youtube... One thing led to the other and I was filling up the application form unconsciously as I scanned through the research that I was doing about the show... At the time of my application, the picture upload wasn't even there yet... After proofreading my posts in the application, I clicked on the submit button and printed the form from my email...

The next few days, I found my self doing a lot of thinking and imagining of what it would be like if I were in the show... It even got so intense that I was mimicking the exercises that was being shown on the recap of TBLA's season 1... Coupled with the doctor's advice to reduce my carbo intake and to stay away from eating anything that came from a four legged creature, I found myself loosing a couple of pounds in the first week... Then another 2.5 pounds after... "Well that is progress", I told myself... However, I wasn't completely satisfied... I told myself, I want to lose the weight like Carlos did... I mentioned him because he's a fellow Filipino so I'm being patriotic... Hehehehe...

With all that said, the more I became intensely motivated to applying to be part of the TBLA's season 2 which was fast approaching... What happens next will be narrated on the next edition of my blog... So, till then, be healthy, be happy and be positive!

NEXT: TBLA, the audition day... EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!

A desperate situation...

A friend once said...

People lose their health to make money; then lose their money to restore their health. By thinking anxiously about the future, they forget their present such that they live neither for the present nor the future.

They live as if they will never die, and they die as if they have never lived.

Take each day as it comes, and live each day to the fullest.

I am one of those who is guilty of this... I focused so much on trying to provide for my family that I lost track of my self and now I am paying the price...

What makes things a lot worse is the fact that when the time came where I needed to nurse my self back, I lose my source of income due to some unforeseen events... Even though I have my family to support me, they can only do so much and I can only ask for so much... And now, my problems are piling up, my debts are getting bigger and I hardly have enough to get by...

Desperate situations call for desperate moves...

This is one of the major reasons that pushed me to join Biggest Loser Asia... Not only to help nurse my self back to health so I can do the things I am missing out on with my family but, to get a chance at a little bit of fame and the fortune that comes with it... In BLA, whether you win or lose, you have a chance in gaining some sort of endorsement package and a little publicity to help you find better opportunities to cover for the near and hopefully the far future as well...

I did my very best on audition day and in spite of what's been happening in my life, I hope and pray that God gives me the chance to take part in the show so I can not only nurse my self back to health but nurse my family back to a decent life...

So, if anybody from BLA gets the chance to read all this, I would like to thank you for the opportunity you have given me... It would be a huge blessing and opportunity to be part of the program and I swear, I will do everything it takes to bring my family back on track after being derailed... Whether or not I get chosen to be part of this once in a lifetime experience, you have already given me the inspiration to pick my self up, get back on my two feet and do what I have to do...

With that said, I am a big loser and I intend to capitalize in being one... I am not just doing this for my self but, I am doing this for everybody that I love... Even if I have hit rock bottom, there is no other way except up...

We have all prayed for that one chance to make a difference and be the person we should be for ourselves and for the ones we love... Will BLA be mine? I sure hope so...

This is for my kids, Coby, Jamie, Jaina... I love you all and please know that I always want to be the father that I should be... And to everybody else who has been there for me, you know who you are, thank you for the support and for inspiring me... And sorry for the shortcomings that you have suffered because of me...

NEXT: How TBLA became my salvation... 

Change is inevitable...

Hello world!

I'm back but, this time I'm here to talk about more personal stuff outside my motorcycle advocacy... Here, I will talk about more random and personal stuff that happens in my life...

Hopefully, I get to have some if not a few followers who will share my views about life, health, relationships, work and other things that people go through their daily lives...

So lets begin... Let me introduce my self first... My name is Jobert Christian G. Bolanos... 34 years old... A father to three children currently aged 10, 4 and 1... I currently own and manage another blog about motorcycling in the Philippines (www.bikerpinoy.blogspot.com)... Currently unemployed and searching for a new source of income... As the blog grows, I hope to be able to talk more about who I am and the things I do or I am involved in... So, just sit back and relax and enjoy the show... I'll try my best to not make it too boring...

Anyway, a recent event has put my life on hold again... As much as I would like to talk about it, I would like to keep somethings under the sheets as some things are better unsaid... The event has placed me on a precarious position and led to my unemployment status... Coupled with this, my health has suddenly taken a turn for the worst... I started to experience things that I have never felt before... Started out with palpitations, chest pains and the flu that doesn't seem to want to go away... What rubs salt into the wound is the fact that by loosing my only source of income, I was left with no choice but, to take my dilemma to my parents... Of course, in the wink of an eye, they helped nurse me back to my usual operational status...

After a series of tests, check-ups, consultations and what not, I got my heart cleared... Whew! Thank god for that... A few more tests followed and shortly thereafter, my doctor cleared my blood sugar (so no diabetes!), cleared my pancreas, gall bladder, kidneys, lungs and stomach... However, I was found to have a viral strain that caused my intermittent fever... And they diagnosed me with fatty liver... So, after a couple of prescriptions, I slowly nursed myself back to health...

The doctor advised me to stay away from stress and to watch my diet... He also advised me to get into an exercise regime to help me loose weight... Currently, I have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 32.9 which means, I am obese... Yes, I am a fluffy...

Which now brings me to the main topic... After being lectured about my lifestyle and the changes I need to make, it has brought me to where I am now... After learning of the sad stories of those who have turned a blind eye on them selves and their health, I decided to take the step to improve my life and the lives of those around me...

For some time now, I have been seeing glimpses of a show in the Hallmark channel about obese people in a reality show about losing weight and improving their lives... I went on an internet research frenzy to find out more about the show called Biggest Loser... After learning the stuff that they have put themselves into, I said to my self, "my God! I need to get into this!"... So I got into their website and signed up for the second season audition... At first I was hesitant and a little skeptical about going through with it because I have so many problems and I thought, "how am I going to make time for this with the things that is happening around me?"... After a few heart-wrenching conversations with the important people in my life, I decided to go through with it and see where it leads... I have been praying for some sort of sign that will help me change my life and this may be it...

As much as I would like to continue with this post, I will hold off for a while and will talk about it on my second post which will come in a couple of days... So stay tuned guys!

Next: The Biggest Loser Asia Audition... The first step to changing my life...