The Biggest Loser’s Big Wal turns Buff Wal!

…helped by the Show, a supportive family and training at the Beach House Fitness Centre Thuringowa, in Townsville.

Upon meeting Vladimir Milberg - a.k.a ’Big Wal’ - I found a gentle giant, rather unlike the antagonistic and opinionated character portrayed on the show. Akin to the selfless attitude he has as a fire-fighter, Big Wal describes with humility his experience since the show.

Spending a greater part of his day exercising at the Beach House Fitness Centre Thuringowa in Townsville, Big Wal has transformed himself from unhealthy and overweight, to a lean, strong machine, and the weight is still coming off!

Literally, Big Wal was the biggest loser on the show. He set the record for most weight lost in a single episode, approximately 15kg in one week, and has continued to lose a massive 60 kg over 3 months. As a personal trainer myself, that is an absolutely incredible feat!

Day by day, ‘Big’ Wal is becoming ‘Buff’ Wal, and shows that as the biggest loser he is actually the bigger winner!

Options: What have you been doing since the show?

Big Wal: Basically back to work (as a fireman) and training at the Beach House most days.

Options: How much weight have you lost since going on The Biggest Loser?

Big Wal: 60 kg

Options: That’s incredible! Has it changed your performance as a fireman?

Big Wal: Most definitely! In fact, I picked up a 60kg bar-bell the other day and couldn’t believe I used to lug that extra weight around.

Options: What motivated you to enter the show? Was it the prize money?

Big Wal: I didn’t really do it for the money, but mainly for the competition – I’m very competitive.

Options: The first week’s loss was the greatest loss for any one contestant wasn’t it?

Big Wal: Yes, I broke the world record! It was a great achievement to have broken the American records.

Options: So how has fame changed your life?

Big Wal: Pretty amazingly! Apart from getting noticed everywhere, it’s the day to day buzz of having lost 60 kg since the show start, 14 weeks ago.

I am just pleased to have done, what I should have started doing 20 years ago!

Options: Since the show you have continued your training at the Beach House Fitness Centre? How has your experience been there?

Big Wal: I love it! It’s fresh, clean and inviting. I actually feel like training when I’m there; you can’t not help but want to!

Options: You’re obviously very happy there. What are the professional team like at the Beach House?

Big Wal: All the team at the Beach House are great; they really look after me, and everyone else equally. Anthony and Ashik are great out on the floor, making sure everyone is happy.

Paul, the owner has helped me out heaps. He has given me great advice, especially on supplements. His knowledge is really helping me, especially in the countdown to the Grand Final in 10 days!

Options: Is your training different at the Beach House compared to on the show with Jillian and Bob?

Big Wal: Not much different, although there’s no one screaming at me anymore! The Beach House has such a good atmosphere; it’s so positive.

Options: The other side to losing weight is obviously to watch what you put in your mouth. How has the show changed your diet?

Big Wal: Yeah, I am eating differently. I’m having 5-6 meals per day, including protein shakes with fruit. I’m trying to keep the protein up and the Carb’s down.

I’m a bit of a ‘freak’ now, having lost 60kg in 3 months. Previously I use to eat just to get full. I would ride flat-out on the bike for 7 minutes to burn off just one slice of bread. And that’s not including the toppings with lots of butter and fillings, which take forever to burn off. What I didn’t realise is how you can make your body into an ‘efficient machine’ for burning food, just by eating the right types of food.

It’s just going great. My wife, Sue, has also lost 26 kg.

Options: Much emphasis is placed on just losing weight. Have other lessons for self-improvement come out of this experience?

Big Wal: Yes, there is so much emphasis on losing weight and dropping kilos. But I’m actually focussing more on resistance training and keeping my muscle mass up.

I have always done resistance training. I know this will be at the detriment of the show, because muscle weighs more than fat. But I want to consider what’s going to be better: a light and flat body weighing less, or a buffed and stronger Wal who may weigh more on the scales?

Options: What does your family think about the new and improved you?

Big Wal: Well, our life is great! My wife and I have lost 86 kilos between us! Our love-life is great now too!

Options: I’m sure that your personal success has inspired many other people to lose weight. What recommendations do you give them?

Big Wal: Start moving! Get into a routine to get your heart rate up. Look around for a gym to help you out. The Beach House is great because they don’t just promote a workout, but emphasise lifestyle change.

Options: You have been given the title as a "stirrer" on the show. Was there anyone that you don’t get along with?

Big Wal: I actually had a bit of conflict with the trainers. I did my own thing sometimes because I didn’t agree with the calories (load) they put on us or some of the (exercise) training.

I know I have a dominant personality. I got on with most of the contestants. Obviously there were taunts with Tracey. Some people boast they ‘call a spade a spade,’ but when it comes down to it they don’t and I do!

Options: Is there any inside information about the show that you can share with Options?

Big Wal: Not many people know that there were actually 150,000 applicants on the internet. These were short listed to 6,000 people and then 600 got to audition. From them, the final 12 were picked!

There were some really huge people auditioning, but they had to pass medicals too. The show really wanted to see people that produced results.

Options: Will the new ‘Buff Wal’ be in the next Fireman’s Calendar?

Big Wal: Well, once I would have filled the whole calendar, but now they can probably fit me on one page! So depending on where they put the staples, yes, you may see me there!

Review the stat’s:

1. Full name:
Vladimir Milberg

2. Nick name(s):
Big Wal

3. Age:
42 years

4. Town resides:
Townsville, Queensland

5. Status:
Happily married to Sue, for 23 years. Wal has two children, Daniel (21) and Liana (18), who are both in the Navy.

6. Heaviest weight:
197kg, but started the show at 177kg.

7. Weight now:
117 kg (That’s a 60kg loss!)

8. Goals on the Show:
To reach 107 kg by the end of the show.

9. Get’s fit by:
Daily training at the Beach House. Goes for a 1 hour walk in the morning, followed by two hours training of cardio and resistance training (when not at work as a Fire-officer).

10. Favourite food:
I still have to say home-made pizza, but the low-fat variety now. I also don’t mind the odd chicken schnitzel!

11. Favourite pastime:
Now - playing tennis and golf.
Before Show – watching tennis and golf!
I also like to go for walks at the beach and finding new treks to explore.

12. Most memorable moment on the show:
Losing the 15.5 kg and breaking the world record!

13. Most embarrassing moment on the show:
When I gained 700grams in the ‘come-back show’.

14. Favourite TV show (channel 10):
The ‘Loser! (Of course)

15. To which fictional character would you most liken yourself?
Homer Simpson (because my mouth is as foul as his!)

Thank you to Wal for taking time to speak with us, you melted everyone’s heart at the Options office and thank you to Paul at Beach House Townsville for making it all possible.