5 Most Dramatic 'Biggest Loser' Transformations

Jillian Michaels returns for the first time since Season 11, and 15 adult contestants will be joined by three teenagers hoping to change their lifestyles and possibly save their own lives, in some cases as the 14th season of "The Biggest Loser" kicks off Jan. 6 (NBC, 9 PM). In honor of the show's return, here are five of the most dramatic and inspirational transformations in the reality series' history.

Bill and Jim Germanakos, Season 4 Starting weight: 334 pounds (Bill); 361 pounds (Jim) Finale weight: 170 pounds (Bill); 175 pounds (Jim) Pounds lost: 164 (Bill); 186 (Jim) Percentage of weight lost: 49.10 (Bill); 51.52 (Jim)
The Long Island twins took home a total of $350,000 at the end of Season 4, as Bill nabbed the $250,000 grand prize as the season’s winner, and Jim won the $100,000 at-home prize. Having shrunk their bodies by half and dubbing themselves the "Weight Loss Twins" at their joint website, Bill now works full-time as a motivational speaker and wellness ambassador, while Jim remains a Long Island police officer. 

Ali Vincent, Season 5 Starting weight: 234 pounds Finale weight: 122 pounds Pounds lost: 112 Percentage of weight lost: 47.86
The first female "Biggest Loser" winner, Vincent has been a spokeswoman for the 24 Hour Fitness chain, has appeared on Oprah's and Ellen DeGeneres’s talk shows, has written a book about her amazing physical transformation, and currently hosts "Live Big With Ali Vincent," a lifestyle TV show -- focusing on healthy living, of course -- on the Live Well Network. 

 

Shay Sorrells, Season 8 Starting weight: 476 pounds Finale weight: 304 pounds Pounds lost: 172 Percentage of weight lost: 36.13
She began her season with the heaviest starting weight of any female contestant in "Biggest Loser" history, but the social worker, motivational speaker, and mom shed an incredible one-third of her weight and now chronicles her ongoing pursuit of a healthy lifestyle at her blog, ShaySorrels.com. Her accomplishment on the show also inspired Subway to offer her $1,000 for every pound she dropped between the Season 8 and Season 9 finales, and she appeared at the Season 9 ender to reveal an additional weight loss of 52 pounds. 

 

Danny Cahill, Season 8 Starting weight: 430 pounds Finale weight: 191 pounds Pounds lost: 239 Percentage of weight lost: 55.58
He lost the biggest percentage of body weight of anyone in the show's history. Season 8's $250,000 grand prize winner Cahill said that after the show, people in his Oklahoma hometown didn't even recognize him. The musician and his wife, Darci, published a book last month -- "Losing Big" -- about his experiences, and he shares tips for healthy fast-food eating at his TheDannyCahill.com website. 

 

Michael Ventrella, Season 9 Starting weight: 526 pounds Finale weight: 262 pounds Pounds lost: 264 Percentage of weight lost: 50.19
Chicagoan Ventrella, who competed on "The Biggest Loser" with his mom, Maria, became the show's biggest loser ever with his 264-pound weight loss. Not only did dropping more than half of his body weight win him the $250,000 grand prize for Season 9, but he also continues to travel the country and inspire healthier lifestyles for individuals and corporate wellness programs. 

 

Homes of the Week: Homes for $450,000

Welcome to Homes of the Week, powered by Zillow. Each week we’ll spotlight homes for sale at a specific price point. This week we’re looking at homes for sale for around $450,000

Helena, MT 413 Fountain Ct
For sale: $448,000
Spacious living areas, a formal dining room and updated kitchen are just a start to the features of this neighborhood home in Helena. The 2,880-square-foot home has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths.

 

Fort Wayne, IN 1217 Sycamore Hills Pkwy

For sale: $449,900
This golf-course home offers an enormous 7,268-square-foot floor plan with 5 bedrooms and 5 baths. The house includes formal living and dining rooms, exercise rooms, partially finished basement and second master suite. 
 

Fort Collins, CO 3514 Green Spring Dr
For sale: $450,000
This 5-bedroom home includes an upstairs bonus room. Downstairs, the 3,974-square-foot floor plan has a great room with vaulted ceilings, stone fireplace and updated kitchen. The house also has a recently finished basement. 

 

Greensboro, VT 5324 Hardwick St
For sale: $449,000
Sitting high above the Mountainview Country Club, this 2,080-square-foot home still retains privacy and bucolic views from its perch. Built in 2005, the home has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. 
 
Fresno, CA 6891 W Celeste Ave
For sale: $450,000
Professionally landscaped and recently updated, this 5-bedroom home is described as a "gem" in the listing. Built in 2005, the home has a 3,596-square-foot floor plan. 
 

Houston, TX 19815 Emerald Leaf Dr
For sale: $449,900
This Houston home includes an in-ground pool, back covered patio and 3-car detached garage. The custom residence has 5 bedrooms and a gourmet kitchen with double ovens. 

 

Boca Raton, FL 10714 Kirkaldy Ln
For sale: $449,000
Views of the golf course and lake are present throughout this Boca Raton home. Built in 1987, the updated residence has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

Do You Have "Annoying" Girl Voice?

I've got it. Add it on to the other speech patterns I've been criticized for, including: baby talk when I'm asking for a favor—I know it's the worst—and saying the words "you know" when I'm stalling a story to think about what I'm going to say next. But forget it, I've got "creaky voice," so you probably won't want to hear the thing I'm going to say anyway. (Look out! Falling piano!) Related: Baby talk: annoying nonsense or evidence of a lasting bond?
"Creaky voice" or "vocal fry" is the new way young women talk, according to linguistic research, and people really hate it. It's been described as a "raspy or croaking sound injected (usually) at the end of a sentence," and the sound of "oil popping on the pan" and also sheer agony.

To listen to an example of "creaky voice" skip to minute 4:35 of Slate's recent podcast on the topic, below.

Then skip to 4:55 where it's described by host Bob Garfield as "annoying...really annoying." Learn to love it, people. Researchers at Long Island University found that two thirds of college-aged women were likely to make creaky vocal sounds when they spoke. It's specifically attributed to upwardly mobile, educated, urban-dwelling young American women. The "fry" itself is a "prestigious characteristic of contemporary female speech," according to findings by sociolinguist Barry Pennock-Speck in a 2005 study.
Despite the flack we've been getting for our newfound speech patterns, we've also received our share of sympathy. "If women do something like uptalk or vocal fry, it's immediately interpreted as insecure, emotional or even stupid," Carmen Fought, a professor of linguistics at Pitzer College in Claremont, California told the New York Times. "The truth is this: Young women take linguistic features and use them as power tools for building relationships."
If you've ever been mocked for using the word "like" or for providing an answer that sounded more like a question, you're probably the proud owner of a speech power tool. Studies suggest both of those affections are just part of our toolbox, used to deliver messages all their own. That sweet and cuddly non-confrontational answer posed as a question, for example, was proven to be an effective method of manipulation, according to one University of Pennsylvania study.
Related: How to spot psychopaths: Speech patterns that give them away
It's not surprising that women have developed an instinct to communicate with more than just language. We're used to people's attention drifting from our words to our "body language." Maybe we've just adapted to sending multiple signals to keep people focused.
But what kind of signal are we sending with a low smoker's grumble punctuating our sentences? The pervasive theory is that "creaky voice" signals sophistication and authority by way of imitation. "It's a masculinizing of the higher pitched female voice," explains Garfield. We may be trying to sound more like men, according to the Slate report, because we're working with them more than ever. And in the workplace, the male voice traditionally got more respect than the female one.
I like this particular theory, mostly because it means we can say to all the male creaky-haters: "I learned it by watching you!" It also suggests we're adapting physiologically to workplace dynamics—that's, like, step three in world domination.
Do I want a "vocal creak"? No. If I hear someone else vocally rumble, will it slightly annoy me now that I'm listening for it? Quite possibly. But I'm a little more disturbed by all the complaints. First our speech wasn't manly enough, now it's too manly? We can't win. If insecurity did play a role in our constantly reinvented vocal ticks, could you blame us? People seem to have a really hard time listening when we speak. Talk about annoying.

Stylish workout clothes to start off the new year

Yes you're going to the gym to sweat your butt off, but that doesn't mean you can't look cute while doing it. We took the guesswork out of what to wear while you're running, doing yoga, or whatever form of exercise you fancy, so you look chic at the gym.

 
Girly Gym Clothes
We get it, there are a lot of dudes at the gym. But you don't have to dress like one while you're working out. Instead, throw on a pair of cute sweatpants and a pink hoodie—and then show him who's boss while you dominate the dumbbells.
Victoria's Secret Pink Campus Pant, $50, victoriassecret.com







Chic Cut-Outs
Not your average sports bra (and definitely a little more expensive), this one has cool cut-outs that show a little skin when you ditch your tank top or tee.
Fun features of this price-y pick: It wicks away sweat thanks to its breathable, high performance fabric; has adjustable criss-cross back elastic straps that allow for maximum support; and comes with removable bra cups that give you a more flattering shape.
Michi Lioness Bra, $115, michiny.com

Rockin' Design
Best for whittling your waist, these black and gray leggings with silver star detailing have a strong band that holds in your lower stomach.
If your belly isn't your issue, trainer Tracy Anderson (she of Gwyneth and Madonna fame) has three more styles on the site that help hide your butt, hips, etc.
Tracy Anderson Abcentric Leggings, $125, edition01.com

Vest Dressed
If you're going for a jog and don't want to wear a full-on jacket, layer up and then slip on a wind- and water-resistant, bright vest like this one. It will keep your body warm while you run and you'll be sure to look fashion-forward while you burn tons of calories.
GapFit Primaloft Puffer Vest, $53, gap.com
Court Cutie
If tennis is more your speed—or you like to run in a workout skirt—then here's a cool-slash-cute option for you.
Maria Sharapova Back Court Women's Tennis Skirt by Nike, $42, tennisexpress.com
Silhouette-Hugging Sweatpants
Skinny pants aren't just reserved for jeans. These deep heather gray sweatpants show off your figure and keep you warm as you trek from your apartment to the gym.
Quiksilver Freeport Sweat Pants, $50, quiksilver.com
Printed and Pretty
We love the colorful leopard print pattern on these running shorts. They're unlike any we've ever seen before. Plus, you're sure to stand out to that cutie over at the pull-up bar.
Lorna Jane Delight Run Shorts in Animal Magic, $55, lornajane.com
Sheer Genius
Got your eye on a guy in your yoga class? Show a little leg in your next session while wearing these hot pants.
Michi Stardust Pant, $129, michiny.com
Pedal Pushers
Nothing says "pretty" like a pair of hot pink sneakers. We're obsessed.
Women's Adidas by Stella McCartney Afzelia Adipure Shoes, $140, zappos.com

From Yugos to Dragon Masters, the weirdest rides for sale at Barrett-Jackson

 

 With more than 1,200 cars to sell over six days, the Barrett-Jackson auctions in Scottsdale, Ariz., has become the world's largest bazaar for car collectors. Unlike most collector auctions, the vast majority of vehicles at Barrett-Jackson roll on the auction stage with no reserve price, drawing thousands of potential bidders looking for a deal — as well as sellers who hope the exposure can give their prized set of wheels a maximum price, even if those wheels come attached to a Yugo convertible. Here's the oddest machines that will cross the Barrett-Jackson stage next week.

Mike Joy, the collector car analyst who narrates SPEED TV's coverage of the auctions starting Jan. 17, has seen a fleet of weirdness roll across the stage over the years, and has a theory about the kind of crowd they attract.

“Who else has one? That’s the questions your trying to answer for," Joy says. "There are many collectors with an eclectic taste leaning toward ‘one of a kind’ or ‘the last one left,’ or ‘you don’t see those every day.’ These types of cars inject a little bit of humor into the auction, and they are fun for everybody to see – whether you would like to take one home or not.”

Take the model above, a pristine 1990 Yugo CV Cabrio with just 351 miles; even its auction catalog entry references the "poor workmanship" Yugos were famous for. "The Yugo convertible was probably the answer to a question that no one had asked," Joy says. "So, this vehicle is going to be very rare, near new, and it will be an absolute steal because you would hope only one more person would show up that would want to buy this car.”

Motorized Yellow Submarine  

More of a tribute than properly licensed Beatles memorabilia, this piece combines the grandeur of toy submarines with the seagoing ability of a one-cylinder go-kart, although one that plays Beatles songs at speed. "It’s a great piece of whimsy," Joy says. "There’s really nothing in the description about its powerplant, its handling prowess or anything like that, so this is a parade car similar to the little cars you might see the Shriners drive – something that somebody can have some fun with.”

1989 Dodge Shelby CSX, 18 miles
Apparently twice a month for two decades, except in winter, the owner of this 1989 Dodge Shelby Shadow CSX would start it up, drive it 100 yards, then promptly shut it off. It will be driven further than that onto the Barrett-Jackson auction block with 18 miles, in mint running condition. Assuming it's a 1989 CSX-VNT, it's one of only 500 made, and one of far fewer with its rare variable vane turbo and composite wheels intact, impressive technology even though it only made 175 hp. Two years ago, a similar Shelby Shadow with 7,622 miles sold for $7,975, so this Shadow's final price will demonstrate the value of Shelby's name. Joy says it's perfect for the Dodge dealer who wants to complete his garage of performance models; I say it's the fixie bike of hipster ironic vehicle collecting.

1965 Amphicar 770 Convertible
Having seen an Amphicar in action, I can vouch that what looks like an ungainly and stumpy ride on dry land transforms into the coolest craft upon the waves. The first truly submersible car/boat requires massive upkeep to stay in driving/floating condition, and with only 3,878 built, the surviving examples have become sought-after collector cars.
"They aren’t horrible to drive, but the truth is, they weren’t a very good car and they weren’t a very good boat," says Joy. "However, they could be used as either and they have a small, somewhat twisted, yet very avid following.”
How avid? Last March, a similar Amphicar drew $63,000 at auction, from someone who clearly saw the price as buying two kinds of classics in one.

1957 BMW Isetta Convertible
Once made famous as Steve Urkel's ride of choice, BMW's diminutive four-wheeler ranks among the more hotly contested classic minicars around, with mint-condition examples running close to $50,000.
"The taxi theme is kind of interesting because these are only two-seaters to begin with, and the only door is in the front," Joy said, adding "this car will probably sell for more than it would cost to buy a brand new New York City taxi today."

1981 Zimmer 2-Door Coupe
It's too bad Ricardo Montalbán isn't still around to introduce the 1981 Zimmer, the rich Corinthian leather of motoring, inasmuch as it's a made-up thing (from fiberglass panels bolted to the body of a Ford Granada) that sounds super classy. Zimmer calls its cars "neo-classics," not kits, and will build a new one from a modern Ford Mustang for $133,000. Copies such as this one typically run anywhere from $16,000 to $25,000.

Tricycle Helicopter
I wish the builder of this toy chopper from a kid's fairground ride had shared the same amount of imagination as the Yellow Submarine crew and done this as a proper tribute to Airwolf.

2003 Harley-Davidson Softtail Deuce in a box
When Peter Fonda rode a Harley in "Easy Rider," he never imagined that one day someone would pay homage to the spirit of freedom he embodied by buying a 100th Anniversary Edition Harley and immediately putting it back in its shipping container. The target market for this will be the same guy who drove his Dodge Shelby Shadow a mile a year.

Dragon Master Semi Truck and Trailer
For the past decade, self-employed logger Dale Ison has commissioned artist Mickey Harris to create airbrushed tribute vehicles; if you've been to a regional car show, you've probably seen the "Heroes" Cadillac Escalade in its chromed, history-blending glory. Ison has put that Escalade up for sale at Barrett-Jackson this year, along with what ranks as the most over-the-top semi-tractor and trailer ever conceived. Dubbed "Dragon Master," the hand-painted murals took about 3,800 man-hours of work, and Ison has estimated the value of time and materials at $130,000. If there's anyone in the world who shares Ison's fervor for Kenworth-powered dragon fighting Norsemen on horseback, they'll probably have a bidding card at Barrett-Jackson