‘Biggest Loser’ winner comes to Ole Miss

New Year’s has passed. By now, those pesky resolutions are in full swing, and the Turner Center will be filled with people working on their spring break bodies.

That is, until the beginning of March, when everyone will give up and go back to their normal ways.

Hopefully this year will be different for Patrick House, winner of The Biggest Loser 10, who is coming to Oxford today.

Starting at 400 pounds, House lost 181 pounds while on the hit television show, which gave the father of two a final weight of 219 pounds.

House is now sharing his dreams, goals and challenges with the University of Mississippi.

“I have always been a lifelong Rebels fan, and paying that forward is definitely important to me,” House said. “I am no super human. I’m just a regular person from Mississippi. Anyone can do it; It just takes a change in lifestyle.”

Aside from speaking about nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, House said he is ready for any other off-the-wall questions students might have. He said he is prepared to discuss behind-the-scenes secrets and life on the Biggest Loser ranch.

“I’m excited to be able to address a lot of fun and crazy questions,” House said.

A native of Vicksburg, House obtained a business management degree from Delta State University, where he played for the school’s football team. His position required him to eat a lot to keep his large build, and he kept the habit after injuring himself.

This led to his battle with obesity.

Although his struggle with weight turned him into a reality TV star, he said he realizes it is an issue that plagues all of Mississippi, including this university.

The latest study conducted by the Center for Health Behavior in spring of 2009 showed that 37 percent of Ole Miss’ campus is overweight - something the Office of Health Promotion is trying to change.

“It is not so much about extreme weight loss; It’s about teaching proper diet techniques and nutrition,” said Ellen Schafer, assistant director of health promotion.

As the fattest state in America, where fried food and sweet tea is the norm for many meals, this is a cause every Mississippian or Mississippi transplant can support.

Here’s the skinny: two-thirds of American adults and over 18 percent of America’s high schoolers are overweight, according to the Center for Disease Control. Things certainly are not getting better.

“People need to stop placing the blame on everyone but themselves,” freshman pre-pharmacy major Roc Cook said.

“Staying healthy and following good nutrition is hard work, and there is not an easy way to be fit. I am glad that Patrick House is coming. We can talk openly and honestly about the problems that are facing our country today.”

The road to being healthier begins with each person individually, and that is the goal of House’s visit: to offer advice and to help students on the bumpy journey to a healthy lifestyle.

House will be signing autographs and accepting questions from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Turner Center and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Smoothie King, which will also give out free samples and coupons.