It’s brutal. From the very first moments of the new season of The Biggest Loser: The Next Generation you know that the show is being changed up. Everything you, and especially the contestants, expected is changed up and there is no question that the new Loser will be a lot of what you love to watch (overweight people busting their arses to lose weight) along with the added relationship drama and a grittier approach to making the show. It’ll be very interesting to see how this one-time hit for Channel 10 rates in a very busy, noisy and full reality market. Ths inclusion of a 15 year old will indeed be interesting – how will the audience react to a child in such an environment, and how will he manage? Note that the photo supplied has 7 teams and the press release mentions 9 teams. Make of that what you will. From the press release:

We Are Changing The Shape Of Australia. The Biggest Loser: The Next Generation. On TEN.

The Biggest Loser: The Next Generation returns to TEN on Sunday, March 17, at 6.45pm for what is the most significant challenge in the history of the series: to help break the vicious cycle of generational obesity in Australia.

This year, The Biggest Loser: The Next Generation involves seven family teams, each comprising two members, desperate to reform their eating habits and in the process decrease health risks
including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. Putting generational obesity back on the agenda, The Biggest Loser: The Next Generation will address a number of issues related to generational obesity, not only within the program but also in conjunction with an Australia-wide campaign called The Promise.

This year The Biggest Loser: The Next Generation is not just a television event but also a social movement, inspiring Australian families to take responsibility for their health and well-being. Armed with the relevant information and tools to reform their lifestyle, they will break the mould that is threatening a generation.

Expert trainers and motivators Michelle Bridges, Shannan Ponton and The Commando will lead nine family teams on a weight loss journey of a lifetime as they face their fears, confront epic challenges and transform their lives forever.

The 14 contestants who will appear on the show are:
GERALD AND TODD: Father and Son, VIC (Green Team)
Gerald is our real life “Kenny”. He’s the proud owner of a portable toilet business and carer for his disabled daughter. At 52, he wants to be a better role model for his son Todd and a better husband to wife Kate. He hopes to reverse his Type 2 Diabetes by eating better food and by getting fitter.
Todd, 15, is our youngest contestant. He dreams of making it as a world-renowned baseball player and nothing is going to stop him. Todd idolises his dad and would like to “make Dad proud”. They do everything together and were both bullied at school. As Gerald says: “The cycle needs to stop… now.”

SAM AND JESS: Father and Daughter, QLD (Red Team)
Sam is a 42-year-old used car salesman who wants to be a good role model to his children, including Jess. He wants to feel attractive again and be as fit and healthy as he used to be 15 years ago. Sam’s ready to give it all he’s got in the name of love. “I can’t wait to feel fitter and to go travelling to the top end of Australia to fish.”
Jess, 21, works in customer service and is sick of feeling “fat and lazy”. She knows her health is at great risk, and is “looking forward to feeling proud when I go shopping, to being a good role model to Mahlia (her step daughter), marrying Laurence (her fiancée) and looking beautiful”.

MANDY AND BRETT: Mother and Son, WA (Grey Team)
At 53, admin worker Mandy is the oldest contestant in the show. She would love to weigh in at less than 75 kilograms and dreams of looking fit and fabulous alongside her son Brett at the finale. “I shy away from social engagements – I am looking forward to walking in a room and feeling proud.”
Brett wants to make his dad proud, gain confidence and ultimately run around and play basketball with his local team. At 23, this IT guru is like his mum – shy. “I can’t wait to get healthier in order to travel to the States and continue to play basketball.”

RICHARD AND AMBER-ROSE: Father and Daughter, QLD (Blue Team)
Richard, 45-year-old salesman, is competitive, driven and wants to break the cycle of obesity from past and current generations, within his family. Ready for a new chapter in his life, he wants to “show everyone that I can do it and am not afraid to put in the hard yards”.
Richard’s daughter, 20-year-old Amber, dreams of running around with her niece and nephews and gaining more confidence. She wants to be able to wear fashionable clothes and have a busy social life – “I am sick of my current life and am ready to do something about it”.

JANET AND KIRSTEN: Mother and Daughter, VIC (Pink Team)
YMCA liasion officer Janet, 52, wants to be the person she is “destined to be” and finally feel good about herself. She wants to look nice for her husband and be taken to a ball in a luxurious dress. “I want to be fit for my children and go on a safari in Africa. I have so much life to live.”
Her daughter Kirsten keeps herself busy as a part-time swimming instructor for special needs children and studies primary school teaching. At 20 years old, she wants to feel fit and healthy again and yearns for an active lifestyle. “I dream of looking beautiful and would eventually like to get married and have children.”

ROBYN AND KATIE: Mother and Daughter, TAS (Orange Team)
Tassie bus driver, Robyn, 45, has always felt that she is being judged by her weight. “I want to walk down the street and feel normal. It would also be nice to have a beach holiday and not worry about how I look.”
The other half of our “Tassie Sheilas” is Robyn’s daughter, customer service attendant Katie, who dreams of joining the army and become a dog handler. “I am sick of always having weight on my mind, I want to love myself and achieve good things”. At 19 years old, there’s no better time to start.

CHRIS AND MARK: Father and Son, VIC (Black Team)
Other than being a better role model for son Mark, Chris is “longing to go on long hiking trips to fulfil my passion for wildlife photography.” The 48 year old works as a park ranger, and has gone from patrolling the park by foot, to driving around.
Competitive Mark, 23, can’t wait to push himself to the limits. “Hard work has to be done in order to realise my dream.”