Erik Chopin: Biggest Loser GAINS 122 Lbs. (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Posted on: January 19th, 2009 by: Meg13 comments

Erik Chopin photos before and after

Biggest Loser season three winner Erik Chopin was a recent guest on The Oprah Show in order to share a big secret with her and the rest of the world – he has fallen off the wagon.

The 36 year old deli owner weighed in at 407 when he joined the reality television show in 2006 and dropped 214 pounds to become the Biggest Loser. Unfortunately he has gained back 122 pounds and is deeply distressed to now weigh 315 pounds.  Chopin weighed 197 at the finale and admits that he remained in denial until he saw the scale hit 300.

His wife Michele has been silently watching while her husband has gone back to all of his old habits.  She told Oprah, “I’d worry about him.  I’d look at him and think it was like he was drowning and I couldn’t do anything to help him.  I could see it in his eyes, and I could see so many things happening again that we’ve been through.”

Erik told Oprah that he had an Aha! moment when he watched the show host share her own weight struggles with the world.   “I thought it was so courageous and so admirable and inspiring.  I said, ‘Wow, I should just reveal this and just get it over with.’  Friends and family, neighbors, they see me.  But the majority of people don’t.  They don’t know.”

He admits that he doesn’t like to go to the gym but he told Oprah that he wants to lose the weight and be healthy for his family.  He said that this time he is going to do it for himself.   He knows that his family will benefit from the ripple effect so everyone will ultimately win.

“Biggest Loser” trainer Jillian Michaels is concerned about the growing number of morbidly obese contestants that the show is featuring.  Several 400 and 500 pound contestants will appear on Season 9.  See her comments and photos here.

Current photos of Erik.  See two videos that show where Erik is on his continuing weight loss journey.

Filed under: Celebrities, Oprah Winfrey, The Biggest Loser

  • Rebecca Bensman

    I totally agree with Angela’s comments. Eric had a tremendous opportunity to turn his life around by given the help and encouragement by a professional trainer to lose 214 pounds, he received $250,000 as a reward for his efforts and then a few months later he gradually regained 122 pounds. To then blame the show for not supporting him after he left the show was sickening. The show did put Eric in the spotlight and gave him a lot of notoriety, but to feel sorry for himself and pack on the pounds once the show was over was unbelievable. As a father of three beautiful children, he owed it to them to stay healthy by learning what he did from being on the show. I hope he gets back on track with his life and realizes that losing weight is no ones responsibility but his own and to get off the couch and move, move, move.

  • Angela

    When I heard him say (on the interview) something like, “They make you a star and then drop you,” – I couldn’t help but think that he gained the weight back on purpose as an angle to get publicity and be back in the lime light. There is no way that anyone can blame anyone outside of themselves for gaining weight back. I can’t imagine having an opportunity as amazing as the Biggest Loser and then turn around and play the pity card. It is terribly sad that Erik gained the weight back, but in no way do I find it inspirational to watch him “Fight Back,” when his attitude is blaming others for his own choices. I believe he will be even more damaged for making a spectacle of himself with such an ungrateful and attention seeking attitude.

  • Roger Russell

    I saw an interview with Eric and he said he liked the fame and his wife seemed to blame the show, saying that they treated him like a celebrity then dropped him.
    What do you people want? They kept up their end of the deal. He lost weight and in addition he got half a million. And now they blame the show. Grow up!
    He could have taken some of that money and once a month gone to se a trainer, diet coach and a therapist to see why he is addicted to food. The Biggest Loser is like drug rehab. Some people take the help given them others just keep going back to their drugs.
    Eric was 300 plus pounds before the biggest loser, who did he blame then?
    Im sorry he has trouble with food. But don’t blame the show. Your life.. your choices!

  • JD

    Eric and wife:

    I do realize that we humans are creatures of habit and that it is likely that “most” Biggest Loser contestants will gain a little of the weight back, but honestly, it is pretty “crappy” of you and your wife to blame your weight gain on the Biggest Loser Show! Saying they treat you like a movie star and then they drop you, is very wrong….

    Reality check… How about putting the blame where it really belongs! You went back to your old eating habits and way of life and that is the reason you gained most of the weight back! Own the blame and do not pass the buck. I do applaud you for getting back up and doing something about it….

  • kathy pilczuk

    Erik, don’t give up I KNOW HOW IT IS TO NOT TO LOSE WEIGHT I KNOW THAT YOU CAN LOSE THE WEIGHT

    KATHY PILCZUK

  • Everbright Smiles

    Im about to RSS this

  • Eliana Kerpe

    Helo, Erik, I´m a brazilian dentist and I watched now your performance in the season 8´s final …You´re the best, man …and you need to see your interior´s beaty too and don´t forget about your healthy …someone saved it, do you remember you said?

  • becky

    Erik! I cannot believe this. I live in Panama so I only just saw your amazing last episode when you won the finale. You were amazing and me and my friends are totally inspired by you. Then, we looked online to find out more about you and I am so saddened to see you put weight back on. Get back on the wagon Erik… you are so HOT!!!

  • Carolina

    dear erik:

    you are amazing ! ! ! i didn´t recognize when i saw your photo.
    Sorry my english but ispeak in spanish.

    You are so beautiful ! DON´T GIVE UP!

  • Julie

    Erik,
    You’re an amazing gentleman and I knew you were going to be the winner of season 3. You have such a loving heart. As far as gaining the weight back, well anyone can fall off the wagon on any issue in life. I know it will be a challenge to get back on the wagon but I know you can do it, because of the incredible trainer, Bob Harper that faught like hell to get you to the finish line before. I’m not sure if you’re in touch with him but if not just think about him in spirit and know the 2nd time around will be more powerful then the 1st, because this time you’re more aware and deep down you have the tools now to go for it., while doing it without the camara’s etc. Also keep watching the current BL episodes for an extra kick in the……….. ;), it’s kicking me in my own issues in life, easy or hard. Bob & Jillian, Twice the joy, OH BOY!!!
    GO ERIK, GO ERIK, ::::::::)))))))
    Julie

  • Becky

    Erik, don’t give up. Losing weight and maintaing a healthy diet is something you can do it. Just small step at a time. Set a goal each week and work towards it.

  • a huge fan

    I am a HUGE fan of Erik. If I could slap him right now I would though. UGH. So frustrated.

  • Victoira

    Erik, you need to loose the weight for you, not for money, not for television… but for you… if you dont like the gym.. go for a walk… I know I have been struggleing with weight for quite sometime and I’ve been working with Dr. and a nutritiionist. I do what they say and I still dont loose it is very frustrating. I continue with this for myself, because I feel better and my body is not under so much strain, I am healthier. If you don’t put your heart into this no one else can help.
    Good luck on your journey.

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