November 3, 2010
 WHERE: Temple University Ambler, Learning Center Auditorium,
580 Meetinghouse Road
WHEN: Thursday, November 18, 6 p.m.
Amanda Arlauskas didn’t join the eighth season of the hit television series The Biggest Loser for the recognition. She didn’t spend seven grueling months losing 87 pounds for any unrealized dream of being on television.
Arlauskas went through the transformative, and at times seemingly torturous, experience for the most important reason — to live her best life.
“For the first time I’m able to be confident and truly happy. Growing up and throughout school, I had many friends, but I was always wearing that fake smile,” said Arlauskas, 21, of New Jersey. “Today, I’m content with who I am. It’s still a fight every day, but I remind myself that I don’t want to go back to who I was. I’m the happiest me possible.”
On Thursday, November 18, Arlauskas will share her personal story of realizing her dreams through dedication and beginning her life anew during a special program at Temple University Ambler. The program, which will begin at 6 p.m. in the Learning Center Auditorium, is sponsored by the Office of Student Life and the Ambler Campus Program Board. This event is free and open to the public.
On The Biggest Loser, contestants compete to win $250,000 by losing the highest percentage of weight. Arlauskas was the third finalist for The Biggest Loser’s eighth season in 2009, a season all about second chances.
“For me, it was a second chance to experience all of the things I missed out on in high school. I never went to my prom, I never had a boyfriend — key things that are an important part of the teenage girl experience,” she said. “It was a second chance to get back my life and do the things that I wanted to do.”
Arlauskas’ first appearance on The Biggest Loser came during the finale of the seventh season where she competed with another potential contestant for her spot in season eight. After an intense two-hour session with the Biggest Loser trainers, she was voted “America’s Choice” by the home viewing audience and was set to embark on her life-altering experience.
“I was sick, I was in pain, but I was full of joy. This was just a taste of what the next seven months of my life were going to be like — that scared me. There was a lot of hard work coming,” she said. “I had wanted to be on the showing after watching several seasons. I never thought it would happen and I loved being a part of it — today it still feels like a dream.”
Arlauskas said she initially viewed The Biggest Loser as a “quick fix” to lose weight very quickly, “but it wasn’t a quick fix at all!”
“Only those who have ever been through it really know how hard those seven months are. It’s low calorie intake and eight hours of work outs each day,” she said. “For the first three months at the (Biggest Loser) ranch, you have no contact with anyone — no family, no friends, no computer or phone. It’s strictly about weight loss.”
The odds were also medically stacked against her, she said.
“The doctors for the show told me that I have a condition called Lipedema, excess fat on the calves and the lower half of the body,” she said. “With that condition, they told me it would be a medical miracle for me to lose weight like the others.”
Consider that miracle accomplished. By the eighth season finale, Arlauskas was 163 pounds — she had lost 87 pounds.
  “Life is so different now. I never thought I would ever inspire others, but I have complete strangers come up to me and say ‘Amanda, you changed my life,’” she said. “I receive tons of e-mail and Facebook messages from people reaching out to tell me their stories. I’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime and tools that I can share with others to change their lives. If I can help just one person, that’s enough for me.”
In addition to speaking about diet and exercise regimens and living healthy, Arlauskas said her November 18 lecture will focus on “chasing your dreams no matter how impossible they might seem.”
“Nothing happens overnight. If you take little step by little step, you will get there,” she said. “But you have to take that first step and trust in the process.”
You also have to believe in yourself, she added.
“For a long time, I didn’t realize my self worth. The day I told myself that I loved myself was the day I was able to do this,” she said. “There is no miracle pill or everyone would be taking it.”
Arlauskas said while she loves traveling the country and sharing her story, her goal is to return to school to become a registered nurse to help others live their best life. For others struggling with their weight, she has one key piece of advice.
“Count calories. Once you are aware of what you are putting into your mouth, things change very quickly,” she laughed. “Give your dreams the time they need. Dedicate yourself to being the best you possible.”
For more information on Amanda Arlauskas’ appearance at Temple University Ambler, please contact the Office of Student Life at 267-468-8425.
CONTACT: James Duffy, 267-468-8108, duffyj@temple.edu, release available by e-mail |
