Twin brothers are channeling their inner athletes to try to keep "The Biggest Loser" title in the Chicago area.
Luis and Roberto Hernandez are competing on season 17 of the NBC hit reality weight loss show. The 36-year-old teammates and brothers were born in suburban Cicero, according to their contestant bios on "The Biggest Loser" website.
Luis, of Chicago, had a starting weight that clocked in at 308 pounds, and his brother, Roberto, of Burbank, began his weight loss journey at 348 pounds.
In his bio, Luis – a married father of two boys – says his children were his biggest motivation for going on the show. He thinks a poor diet, lack of exercise and a love of eating led to his high cholesterol and current weight.
Roberto, who is a married father of three boys, said in his bio: "I have wanted to get healthy every day of my life, but it never seemed reachable."
Now he's ready to lose weight for his family and for his career, the bio reads, as he says it's tough to encourage his PE students to be fit and active when he is not a healthy role model.
Both started the journey knowing something about physical fitness. They played football in high school, college and for semi-pro teams. Both are physical education teachers in the Chicago-area.
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The Hernandez brothers say they want to be better role models for their students.
Last season, Toma Dobrosavljevic , of Addison, lost 171 pounds dropping down to 165 pounds. He gained "The Biggest Loser" title and $250,000.
The new season of "The Biggest Loser" premieres on NBC 5 on Monday at 8 p.m.
