Who magazine: The Biggest Loser update

Spring has sprung, and so have the inspiring weight loss cover stories - bring it!



In this week’s Who magazine six Biggest Loser stars reveal the highs and lows of life back in the real world, several months on from their weight loss triumph on the reality show.



Winner Emma Duncan reveals she has put on 12.5kg since the Biggest Loser finale and feels an element of judgement by the public.



"I had more confidence when I was 130kg," she tells Who.



Contestant Lara Whalan tells Who magazine about her split from boyfriend and fellow Biggest Loser Leigh Westren after "an incident which broke my trust in him".



Also in this week's edition the face of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, one Ms Dannii Minogue, talks about her life as a burgeoning fashion designer, as well as her family life with her one year old son Ethan, her October 40th birthday, and her partner, Kris Smith.



The latest issue of Who magazine is onsale from Friday September 2.

Amazonia Acai products - all sorts of goodness and yum wrapped into one

By now, you've very likely heard of the amazing properties of the acai berry, and Amazonia is the only certified fair trade source in Australia of acai (or 'purpleberry'). A 100% Australian company owned by three young, dynamic men (Dwayne Martens, Jesse Kaniecki, and Chris Norden), they supply the purest form and highest grade of acai possible through an extensive product range www.purpleberry.com.au.

All products are natural whole foods with no preservatives or artificial additives, gluten free, wild harvested, raw, vegan and fair trade*.

I was sent some Amazonia products to try - the capsules and some bars - and I swear popping some of those capsules (you can take six daily!) in particular helped ward off an imminent cold, pre-holiday.

Next on my list to try is the acai chocolate (helllllooo! How delicious does that look?) and the freeze dried version to throw into a smoothie. The taste is a blend of chocolate and berries – delicious. And you can also add it water, juice, yoghurt, over fruit salad or breakfast cereal.

Amazonia acai also comes in puree form; with 2 x 25 ml shots recommended per day. You can also pour the liquid form on ice cream, in yoghurt or drizzle over fruit salad, or in a healthy smoothie.

My fave (so far) are the Amazonia acai health bars. They are seriously good, and with every bite you get a whole lotta goodness: filling, delicious, and low GI snack each bar contains six grams of freeze dried scai berries, cranberries, sunflower oil, organic rice malt, organic dates, tahini, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, organic coconut, rice protein, blackberry concentrate, and natural citric acid.

(*Amazonia products by law are not intended to diagnose treat, cure or prevent disease).

For more, and to buy this purple goodness, see: http://www.purpleberry.com.au/

And for a clip on the Amazonia story, watch this:

Lorna Jane: 'Modern Muse: It's Chic To Be Fit' Competition - now open

Australia’s premier activewear label has begun a search for the national Lorna Jane fashion ambassador

In line with Lorna Jane's new May campaign, Modern Muse: It's Chic To Be Fit, the winner will represent the brand’s message, with the chosen finalist receiving a six month initial contract to join the Lorna Jane team as an 'Active Fashion Ambassador' travelling the nation to report on all things active, with the added bonus of an attractive salary - plus, a $5000 cash prize!

Founder and Head Designer, Lorna Jane Clarkson, says, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for one lucky individual; to be selected as the official Lorna Jane muse and ambassador is a fantastic achievement and shows you are the kind of active woman that Lorna Jane represents.”

The competition winner will be required to travel across Australia, and tasked with promoting active living in communities throughout the country and encouraging them to “Activate Their Lives”.

Sporting the latest Lorna Jane styles through a generous $1000 monthly wardrobe allowance, the new ambassador will attend exclusive fashion and fitness events, recording their experiences along the way and writing about them for the Lorna Jane Blog. They will also have access to a Lorna Jane company vehicle, a monthly travel budget... and an unforgettable experience.

Entrants are required to submit a video application explaining why they should be Lorna Jane’s modern muse and why they would make the best ambassador for the brand.

Competition details are listed on www.lornajane.com/modernmuse and due to a high volume of applications expected, only video applications will be accepted. There will be five open auditions taking place at selected stores around the country where they will be a video booth for entrants to make a short film. These applications, plus the online entries, will be judged by a Lorna Jane panel following the competition closing date and five finalists will be selected. The five successful applications will then be available to view on the site and the public will get to vote for the winner.

Key criteria for the winning applicant include being social media savvy, possessing a passion for writing or having previous blog writing experience, and above all being passionate about the Lorna Jane brand as well as living actively and helping others to the same. Lorna Jane is looking for a personality with a contagious and uplifting spirit, a natural go-getter who is determined to live life to the fullest and someone who will ‘never, never, never give up’.

Lorna Jane Clarkson will be part of the judging panel and is eager to identify the winner, “the successful candidate will have all the credentials that the Lorna Jane brand represents – an active and healthy lifestyle, a positive outlook, great style and the ability to work her Lorna Jane wardrobe for any occasion. We know this individual is out there and we are excited to find out who she is.”

To find out more about the campaign and latest promotions visit http://www.lornajane.com/. The competition opens on May 18 and closes on June 29, 2011.

Lorna Jane: 'Modern Muse: It's Chic To Be Fit' Competition

Australia’s premier activewear label will begin a search for the national Lorna Jane fashion ambassador, launching a nationwide competition on May 18.

In line with Lorna Jane's new May campaign, Modern Muse: It's Chic To Be Fit, the winner will represent the brand’s message, with the chosen finalist receiving a six month initial contract to join the Lorna Jane team as an 'Active Fashion Ambassador' travelling the nation to report on all things active, with the added bonus of an attractive salary - plus, a $5000 cash prize!

Founder and Head Designer, Lorna Jane Clarkson, says, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for one lucky individual; to be selected as the official Lorna Jane muse and ambassador is a fantastic achievement and shows you are the kind of active woman that Lorna Jane represents.”

The competition winner will be required to travel across Australia, and tasked with promoting active living in communities throughout the country and encouraging them to “Activate Their Lives”.

Sporting the latest Lorna Jane styles through a generous $1000 monthly wardrobe allowance, the new ambassador will attend exclusive fashion and fitness events, recording their experiences along the way and writing about them for the Lorna Jane Blog. They will also have access to a Lorna Jane company vehicle, a monthly travel budget... and an unforgettable experience.

Entrants are required to submit a video application explaining why they should be Lorna Jane’s modern muse and why they would make the best ambassador for the brand.

Competition details are listed on www.lornajane.com/modernmuse and due to a high volume of applications expected, only video applications will be accepted. There will be five open auditions taking place at selected stores around the country where they will be a video booth for entrants to make a short film. These applications, plus the online entries, will be judged by a Lorna Jane panel following the competition closing date and five finalists will be selected. The five successful applications will then be available to view on the site and the public will get to vote for the winner.

Key criteria for the winning applicant include being social media savvy, possessing a passion for writing or having previous blog writing experience, and above all being passionate about the Lorna Jane brand as well as living actively and helping others to the same. Lorna Jane is looking for a personality with a contagious and uplifting spirit, a natural go-getter who is determined to live life to the fullest and someone who will ‘never, never, never give up’.

Lorna Jane Clarkson will be part of the judging panel and is eager to identify the winner, “the successful candidate will have all the credentials that the Lorna Jane brand represents – an active and healthy lifestyle, a positive outlook, great style and the ability to work her Lorna Jane wardrobe for any occasion. We know this individual is out there and we are excited to find out who she is.”

To find out more about the campaign and latest promotions visit http://www.lornajane.com/. The competition opens on May 18 and closes on June 29, 2011.

Zumba - the non-workout workout. I'm a fan

I've been Zumba-ing for a few months now and am having a great ol' time. The kilos have seriously melted off - that may also have something to do with the fact I am too stressed and too tired to eat (oops) - but this new fitness regime completely rocks. It's toning without trying.

If you're a mum with kids hanging off you most of the time, pulling out a yoga mat and downward dog-ing is simply not an option.

So, after watching the Zumba infomercials one too many times, I decided to succumb.

I am glad I did. What I love the very most is that I put it on and my two year old twins join in. They both roll around laughing watching mummy have fun and are partial to being held and twirled and try out the moves. What's not to love about bonding time - with an added benefit - with the kiddlywinks?!

You can buy the 'Deluxe' set of DVDs and accessories or the 'Basic' set. Each has a range of workouts, the Zumba toning sticks, and a heart rate watch.

It takes you through your paces with sexy dance steps, pulsating Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow routines, featuring the exotic rhythms of salsa, cumbia, samba, merengue and more. Hooked.

RRP $149.85

To order visit http://www.buyzumba.com.au/