Indonesian crowned as ‘The Biggest Loser Asia,’ Filipino a runner-up
(David Gurnani)
David Gurnani was an extremely out-of-shape, 25-year-old salesman in Indonesia when he tipped the scales at 157 kg.
Despite his love for eating and finding himself a beautiful fiancée, he was disappointed that his weight got in the way of his love for sports. That’s when he decided to enter the unscripted Hallmark Channel show, “The Biggest Loser Asia” in November, and his weight went downhill from there.
“King David” as he was fondly called by the trainers and other contestants, was given “The Biggest Loser” title four times during the season’s 13 weeks. He had lost the most weight among the contestants. He lost a total of 55 kg in the last episode.
“I want the next 40 to 50 years of my life to be my best,” he said before heading back home to continue his training before the finale.
By the final round, King David lost another 28 kg. to round out his total weight loss to 83 kg, which is more than half of his original weight, and enough to beat his fellow competitors, 32-year-old Filipino Carlo Miguel, 30-year-old Malaysian Aaron Mokhtar and 20-year-old Hong Konger Martha Lai to claim the first-ever title of “The Biggest Loser Asia.”
“It was hell on Earth,” David told Yahoo! Southeast Asia. “But not for a single moment do I regret anything–my loyalty to the Blue Team, and my strategy throughout the show. I’m thankful to God that I was able to lose that weight. It was the strength of God that carried me through everything.”
Despite being crowned Asia’s Biggest Loser, David had his own fair share of drama on the show, most notably with Red Team member Carlo Miguel. “I saw him as a top competitor in the competition,” David explained. “We both wanted to win just as much. But apart from that, we have no problem at all and I can say that we’re friends, and always will be friends.”
(Carlo Miguel)
After all is said and done, Carlo is all praises for David. “I knew David would win, when we all came back for the finale. His weight loss was staggering, I knew I didn’t have enough of a chance when I saw him.”
So how did David manage to beat out the other contestants?
“My boss was very kind, he let me take three months of work in order for me to concentrate on training before the finale. Training time is all that matters. I managed to work out six days a week, for eight to ten hours a day, and on Sundays I would work out for three or four hours.”
David’s rigorous training regimen paid off, as he’s now $100,000 richer, and has a new Renault SUV to boot.
So what’s a changed man to do?
“Apart from getting married, I’m going to go on a nice holiday, and we’ll see from there,” he said.
(Aaron Mokhtar)
Runner-up Carlo and second-placer Aaron feel equally blessed about being part of this amazing transformative journey.
“There’s no more excuses for me anymore,” Aaron said. “With The Biggest Loser Asia I’ve won my health back, and my life. I’m taking responsibility for myself, and I have to keep up the process of having a healthy lifestyle. Now that I’m home I have to teach my wife about cooking healthy, and keep my family healthy.”
The show saw Carlo, who had one of the most dramatic transformations, take a leadership role throughout the competition–he defended and motivated his fellow Red teammates against the Blues, and stood up for fan favorite and fellow Pinoy, Kevin Yue.
Carlo shared his experience: “I feel fantastic, I’ve achieved everything I set out to do on this journey and I too have no regrets. I’m going to continue living a healthy lifestyle for me, my wife, and my family.” As for Kevin, Carlo says “He’s doing great. He’s continuing on with his weight loss, and doing it steadily.”
It’s especially hard for this Executive Chef, who earns a living by being surrounded by food. “I’ve devised a procedure where I would taste the food, and spit it out, as a sommelier or wine maker would. I really have to control my calorie intake now that the competition is over.”
Do we see Carlo incorporating healthy menu options to his restaurants’ menus? “Well, if the market goes for it, I’ll do what the market dictates,” he replied.
To his fellow Pinoys who want to lose weight, Carlo shared some advice, “Get with the program. Never give up. And don’t make excuses.”
What you just read is a guest post from Charley Braga, Yahoo! Southeast Asia Front Page Producer. I’m sure all Pinoys are happy and proud for Carlo Miguel, even though he didn’t get the top prize, he definitely represented our country well and his transformation is equally amazing. We congratulate Carlo and the rest of the winners of “The Biggest Loser Asia!” Because of your inspiring efforts, we would like the community to answer this question: Have you ever been successful in losing weight? If so, how did you accomplish it?
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David doesn’t look good, he looks like unhealthy and sick.
i think even though Carlo did not win. wow he looks great!
its amazing…congratulation to all contender of biggest loser,.i hope there is a second season and i want to join the biggest loser.
WOW!! The guys look so good and handsome!
I wonder how i’ll look like if i go thru this challenge.
How i wish singapore will have this challenge…i am sure to take part.
I am really inspired by these people. I am thankful that I have them to look up to. I admire their determination and hard work. Kudos to you guys!
it seems to me that David Gurnani lost so much weight but he doesn’t look healthy. It almost seems he looks malnourished. is his current weight acceptable to his height.
just concerned.
wow…hebatla..motivasi kepada org gemuk
David really is The Biggest Loser. He looks sick, like he is going to collapse anytime. This only shows that sometimes the fitness instructor is clueless about being healthy and looking good. All too often they preach that beauty lies in the weighing scale. Because that’s how they are able to measure their key performance index, and prove their worth of how much you pay them.
Congrats David on winning $100,000. But you are also 100,000x uglier. And some things, money can’t buy.
Well.. this is what happens when people make losing weight a competition, on reality TV. The goal is not about gaining confidence or feeling good about your self image, like in real life. It becomes all about the weight, the prize and the pressures of being in the eyes of the public can push a person to reach for the extreme.
Should losing weight be a competition?… That’s the fundamental question. And why were the fitness instructors on the show encouraging losing weight as a competition? For the normal person, it is often good enough to get on a healthy side of your BMI. You how awry this can get when it becomes competitive, and like in David’s case borders on being gaunt and sickly?
David is an example of how it could go wrong… I am perplexed at ppl rewarding or applauding this kind of behavior. This is a distorted way to look at body image or health and fitness.
I am all for losing weight. But it’s not about chasing BMIs or percentage of weight lost. I’ll say it again, losing weight SHOULD NOT be a competition.
Carlo did well and I’m so proud of the attitude he has shown on the show. He may not have won the prize, but representing the country with pride really touches me. You’re the “BIGGEST WINNER！
Congratulations to Carlo Miguel!
Proud to be Filipino (n_n)
I think Carlo look great! Mascular, and healthy. David however lack that healthy look, as a matter of fact, he looks a little under weight. May be good for him to pack some muscle/ flesh on, he would look better then. Nonetheless, I am glad that he won. They really worked hard at shedding the fats, WELL DONE & Congrats.
WTH? whats with being fat then turning into a malnourished looking individual?! the program should include looking healthy after winning and not looking like a skeleton with skin
wow!they all done a untiedy job n itz not an eazy 2 loss as much weight ..from me congratulate 2 all of the contesterz ….
david is so thin that he doesnt look fresh at all and he look very old. Aaron and Carlo looks really great.
congrats its ok even if ur not the biggest loser asia. proud to be pinoy!
my goodness, David is a loser indeed. he’s not healthy. Carlo and Aaron should be the model biggest loser and not David. David looks older. Carlo is hot. Aaron looks very cool. biggest loser should not only concentrate in losing weight. it should be a holistic improvement or change…
Congratulations Carlo Miguel! You may not have won the title but you played the game like a great competitor. Your leadership was commendable. And to top it all you look healthy and you look great! David on the other hand looks malnourished or looks like he’s recuperating from an illness. I hope he’s ok.
in my eyes, carlo is the winner. he may not be the biggest looser but hey! he is much healthier than david.. daivid looked malnourished. carlo’s figure is more “realistic”. i salute carlo for being fit and healthy.. You are trully the Philippines BIGGEST WINNER!
congrats carlo miguel!!!
you look great in your body right now!!!!
Go Filipino!!!! Go Philippines!!!
David looks scrawny and sickly now compared to when he was a bit heftier. He even looked better a month after he got home from the resort. Not only he lost a lot of weight, he lost his charms, his natural smile, not mentioning his hair. Why are his eyes bulging now? He looks like he just got out of “concentration camp”. Hope it doesn’t become mental. As for Carlo and Aaron – they look great. As for Martha though, not much difference!
Wow, I couldn’t believe Carlo didn’t win. I’ve bnever seen him in the auditions in Megamall so I was surprised when I’ve learned that he’s Filipino but I didn’t root for him just because he is Filipino. I found his maturity, wit, determination and well-roundedness truly admirable. He may not have won the title but he has shown the world what a Filipino is. Besides, his weight loss looked great on him! He could easily be mistaken for a celebrity. I couldn’t say the same for the big winner though!
WOW!!!..
they’re all really good…
they made there best to loose there weight..
i like to be like u guys…
you’re totally amazing….
i want to loose my weight too..
good for David that he lost a lot of weight, but i think he lost way too much and looks unhealthy! Carlo and Aaron both look great and lost just enough weight.
Congrats David! You now have the money, the car, and the title.
Congrats Carlo! You earned Asia’s respect.
David looks malnourished & sick. I feel sad for him. He didnt even enjoy his winnings because he is so weak and seems like he will collapse anytime during the show. I hope he get some of his fats back…he looks nicer and healthier then.
Carlo’s transformation is awesome. He looks good, healthy and happy…aside from Money & Car, i think he’s the biggest loser and winner of them all. Filipinos must be very proud of him.
I agree with the previous comments. David looks gaunt, older and haggard after losing so much weight. I hope he tries to gain a little more weight. I’m sure he has a lot of ‘allowance’ and he can still look fit and healthy even if he gains 10-20 pounds more.
Congratulations to David, Carlo (yey, Philippines!), Aaron and Martha!!! It has been a long journey but I’m sure it was well worth the trip and hard work! God bless.
Congratulations to the winners! But truly I go for Carlo because after all he still looks handsome..go Pinoy…Kabayan!
wow! well done to all of them, even thou some didi not win they sure changed. After seeing them, I feel inspired in loosing weight.
wow! well done to all of them, even thou the other did not win they sure changed. After seeing them, I feel inspired about loosing weight.
Carlo is the real winner. he gained good looks and healthy body, unlike David who focused on loosing weight and not gaining good looks for himself.
Congrats Carlo!!
The winner looks like a drug addict after losing all that weight!
Mokhtar is the real winner for me cos even though he doesn’t lose lots of weight like the other 2, he still looks healthy!
Apart from the fact that I’m Filipino and was rooting for Carlo to win,I think he looks great,healthy and I like the way he conducted himself in the game. Way to go Carlo!
In my opinion he luks older than before. It’s better than he was before than now. He luks scarry to me..
But anyway, at least they are healthy, and Congrats!!!
Congrats for all of the contestanz, I’m happy for david that his dream come true. But honestly David look unhealthy…he loose so much muscle(over training?).I hope he can put more muscle and eating normaly.So he doesn’t looks like he just came out from hospital.
I prefer carlo…he looks great and healthy. And I do like his personality.He can be the role model.
wow.. im pinoy.. congratulations to carlo miguel .. eventhough he is just a runner up .. u made filipino proud for you.. :] thats fantastic.. :]
David is malnourished- overnourished before, undernourished after
Totally agree with Aissa & Maricel. David undoubtedly lost the most weight but, c’mon, he looks sickly (sorry, just a personal opinion). I believe CARLO MIGUEL is the true WINNER! It’s not because he’s a fellow Filipino but his transformation is really INSPIRING…he looks FIT, HAPPY & HEALTHY. Kristy, one of the trainers, was absolutely right when she once said that Carlo Miguel could pass for a fitness model!
MABUHAY ka, Carlo Miguel! =) Cheers to all the people behind the contest! I’m sure you’ve saved many lives. God bless.
Having incentives to lose weight is a great motivation, but I hope this will not be the start all, end all attitude of all future competitors, like David has proven himself to be. He looked so greedy to win at all costs. After having succeeded in losing weight, perhaps you should enroll in a course as to how to be more gentlemanly. Carlo is the best of all, with his sportsmanship and great demeanor.
i watch dis show..i dint expect dat everyone who join dis contest can be a loser but d did…his d winner of d big loser..u did ur best keep it up…n stay fit..just continue working on dat great job…stay fit n healthy…congratz
David may be the biggest loser of weight but I think he lost his health too… He worked out 8-10 hours a day???? 7 days a week??? His muscles are all burnt out… Is that the right way to lose weight? I think he also didnt eat well… Was he supervised by any trainer or fitness coach? Just wondering Why he looked liked that… almost frail and seems he is about to collapse.. He should be energetic because he is already healthy….
now, thats nowhere HEALTHY. look at the freakin’ guy, he’s gaunt and skeleton… during the show itself, he almost fell and lose balance several times. after all this hulabaloo, David next immediate trip should be to the hospital and/or dietitian… he needs to eat and re-acquire some mass.
A triumphant moment for David since he bagged the title and the bucks, but from the eyes of a viewer like me he absolutely looked sick and unhealthy. Not inspiring at all.
I like David’s look when he left the A’Farmosa villa… he looked healthy. But the final appearance was genuinely worrying… he lost a lot, yes. Too much, in fact, such that when the show ended, I was still stumped and feeling very uncomfortable with what I saw – seems like a whole moron group of family, friends, trainers congratulating him on achieving a skeletal look. There’s nothing worth celebrating about, actually.
I’m looking to lose weight but David taught me that I should not get too obsessed with losing weight to a point I don’t know anything else anymore.
I’m not Filipina but I did feel Carlo was the more deserving winner – he looks fit, healthy and happy. That’s how a wholesome person should look. He inspires me a lot more with his personality, determination and care for others.
carlos looks HOT. cant say the same for david. albeit it’s great that david won the competition, he just doesn’t look healthy at all.
I dont think tht david has transformed this way.. It seems to me tht the picture shown after david has lost weight is not of the “original” David. This is because it is practically impossible (unless by plastic surgery) tht a person’s chin will grow longer after he has lost his weight, or perhaps his ears tend to point outwards, his eyes appear bigger and eyebrows have a different shape.. Maybe, David have cheated in the competition and gotten someone else to take his position, probably the man shown in the “after” looks of david..
wow looks like david also lost some hair other than weight… he doesnt look like 25 years old anymore… he gained years!!!
What happened to David? He look malnourished. Carlo said he knew he never had a chance to win on the finale but in appearance Carlo is the Big Winner and David is the Big Looser. Maybe David was so taken by the competition and desire to win the money but again his looks is unhealthy.
First of all, Congrats to all the contesters!
As for David Congrats for your winning! looking at your pictures before & after is really an amazing transformation, but I have to agree with some comments that you look unhealthy, Your hair is not as thick as before. My advice is to enjoy your winning holiday and you may put few kilos back to make you look fresh and healthy. Well done!
As you can see, losing that bad fat in the body down to certain condition also significantly causing them to lose something else in return.
LOSING THE MAN’S KING CROWN – LOSING THEIR HAIR AWAY TOO
David Gurnani looked healthier and more human when he was 157 kgs. Whoa… I was blown away by his now-photo. I might pass him as a guy who got stranded in an island for a couple of weeks without food or drink at his disposal. Unhealthy…
Carlo Miguel and Aaron Mohktar look better. They seem like they still ate instead of just completely forgone it.
Biggest Loser should still make it their responsibility to help the contestants lose weight AND make them look GOOD.
hi to all… if losing weight looks like the winner (David) I decide not to lose my weight…yes he is a winner but nevertheless he looks so sickly.. so i better not to lose my weight anymore… PINOY fever…congratulations CARLO we are so proud of you……keep that look and dont lose more like DAVID…
Well, congratulations!
We r proud of you Carlo. You always be a winner
to us. Its not the prize that counts, the motivation that
gives you a healthy look n u have something to look forward to. God Bless You and Your wife… U get the best prize Carlo n u know that, rite?
The show must not just based on the weighing scale ‘coz it just let us see the transformation of the person base on his weight but not looking on his looks.. David really deserves to be the winner if basing on that stupid process but he really looks so unhealthy as he lost his weight… he looks like a terrorist anyway.. lol… ( seems Indonesia is one of their territory ) I may appreciate more the looks of Carlo than him ‘coz Carlo do more look good as him… Carlo look so handsome and so healthy as well…
congratulations to carlo miguel – my biggest losser WINNER … awesome.
Congratulations to all of you… especially to my countryman, Carlo Miguel… so proud to be Pinoy!
biggest loser is great for all obese buds there..I was once in that state and now on process of losing also..toughing myself to have 6 packs abs, whooaah! to all my fat-cute-buds there, cheers and chills!!! God bless us all…c”,}
First of all, I think it was a bad idea of allowing the contestants to go home and work-out on their own without any proper supervision. Case in point the winner David. He was lethargic and weak. He did not have that energy and enthusiasm anymore that made him the favorite.
Secondly, I wonder and concerned if they have some drug testing in this competition because David looks like someone who’s on Crystal Meth.
look at the amount of hair left on david..
he is obviously malnourished..
tsk tsk..too obsessed over winning!
Yah! I think people here are right. David looks sick or somewhat underweight. Just look in his physique. He also has some hair loss. Miguel look good after losing weight. (I’m not biased eventhough I’m a Filipino) Aaron also looks good. Miguel and Aaron I should say more healthy and fit than David. Sorry for comparing people.
Congrats to all the winners! It must be really of a tough work and discipline! wwoohooaaa!!! u are all such an achiever! and it has been ur greatest achievement so far! losing weight is really a very hard thing to do, we oftentimes procrastinate on making it happen, cuz we think there is always tomorrow to do those things. Thanks to biggest loser show, u inspire people to lose weight and live a healthy life…not only that you reward them BIG for such an achievement, but you also make dreams come true! woohooo!!! clap! clap! clap! keep up the good work! cheers!
FitnessFirst is involved in this, guys if you’re interested can check out FitnessFirst Singapore this month
wow, if Fitness First will turn me into a scrawny little skeleton like David, i’m sticking with Gold’s Gym. is he really 25? he looks like 45-year old drug addict to me.
Carlo -> the biggest winner.
David looks like he can be easily be blown off like a piece of paper if there is a sudden gush of wind. He clearly looks sickly and looks like he is going to faint at anytime.It’s like he starved himself for ages or something.But nevertheless,he still won based on his very dramatic weight loss.On the other hand,Aaron and Carlos look good, especially Carlos.I am amazed at Carlos’ transformation. He looks great.I am actually rooting for him to win the title.Personally,I do agree that the criteria for the winning the title should not be based on weight loss alone,it should also be based on the overall physical look.Even though Carlos didnt win the title,in my opinion,he is the greatest winner of all in this show, with his new, fit body and attractive looks.
david looks scary…i don even dare to look at his face again…
david should have been disqualified. he looks sick, he needs medical attention. this is a health contest, right? so, why should a sick person be made the winner?
it should have been carlo. he lost the most number of pounds and looked good at it.
Can we do this all over again??? Can we rewind abit on that last part?
Carlo of Phillipines is the MOST DESERVING to win the title. Can we reward him with the 100K?
If its a Phone-in voting system, I bet my fat butt, Carlo will WIN.
Im a mother of 2 girls and my hubby is aware that Carlo is my hot crush now.
-From Singapore-
there’s something wrong with the format of the show, thank God, David did not fell ill after loosing more than half of his previous weight.. there should be an optimal weight to reach for the competitors, not just simply loosing the most weight. By the way he currently looks, it is actually less encouraging to loose weight.
David looks like he has some dreadful disease, like someone who has cancer or had a stroke.
From the finale, Gary, Tony and Carlo looked amazing.
To Kevin, keep up the good work.
I prefer David’s look when he was more on his chubby side. Now, he look like a drug addict. Carlo and Aaron looks good now. kudos to all of them!
The program organisers should cap the amount of weight lost so that participants don’t go overboard. It is easy to be blinded by the sight of the prize money and forget to look after one’s health. For the next season finale, penalise players who over do it by adding kilos! David, poor David, he looked haggard and malnourished. Working out full time for 3 months, 6 days a week, 8-10 hours a day, and 3-4 hours on Sunday might do that to you. The “concentration camp” look as another viewer commented, is not the right image to have especially for the Hallmark Channel whose tagline is “Celebrate life’s moments” This unhealthy image is something definitely not worth celebrating and it overshadows how beautiful Aaron, Carlos and Martha have turned out.
Well congrats to all the Winners… and I salute for there decipline and determination to loose weight..
Well I guess people have spoken base of what they see and what they watch so far….
I guess David deserves to win because he loose to much weight… for his main goal in really to win the title… and gosh really thirst for Prize…. but in contrary.. gosh he dont deserves to be role model… he looks so nasty… haggard…. malnourished … Gosh is this we wish to and inculcate and shown to most aspirant to loose weight…yes he loose big weight yet the age of 25 years old.. he loses his charms.. appeal even his good look… he looks like almost 40 to 50 years old….I guess biggest looser should also take in consideration of what the contestant look after they loose weight.. .Sorry David but look you have the prize already.. but you never won our heart and even convince viewers to be you as role model…
I much salute to Carlo and Aaron.. Carlo he looks fresh.. healthy and he looks like a role model to eveyone…..Gosh aaron you look hot Baby.. you look great…Pls Marry me Aaron …….Sorry guys but people have spoken… and people would really comment base of what they see.. I watch and compare they looks.. Gosh i feel so sad for David he looses his charms…im afraid 1 month from now or 2 months from now.. he get hospitalized.. I guess David should enjoy his winning… so he gain much more weight…
Peace Guyzzzz
I have managed to stay fit. I am all for losing weight to be healthy. But to look scary, malnourished and sickly like David is just sad
I followed the show… but quite disappointed that when the contestants were sent home, back to the “real world”, David and Aaron took their leave from work to concentrate on exercising. What’s real about that when you have all the time to work out in the gym? Maybe Martha didnt work before she joined, but for me, only Carlo passed the challenge, even if he didnt win the contest. He found a strategy and still managed to stay fit despite being surrounded by food and having a hectic schedule.
So what if these guys will start working? They cant be on leave forever. I really hope they will still have the time to work out…
Carlos comes from a family that is super. If you want to meet Carlos Miguel’s family, you can book dinner at Kalamunda, a beautiful place near Tagaytay. Her mom Sylvia cooks for the guests. Was there last weekend, talking with the proud parents over pandan tea and turon.