Getting the skinny on losing and gaining weight

A pair of North Woodmere residents, Sean Pomper and Karen Katz, have teamed with comedian Gilbert Gottfried to produce an off-Broadway show that will feature former participants on the NBC television reality show “The Biggest Loser.”

“The Diet Show,” which is scheduled to premiere at The Triad in Manhattan in November, will include testimonies from about 11 people who have lost and gained weight throughout the years, said Pomper, who, along with Katz, realized that many people could relate to a show about weight loss. “I’ve been on this diet, off this diet, gaining weight, losing weight and in today’s world people need reinforcement; you’re not alone in battling the weight,” Pomper said.

Lessons can be learned from the performance. “You get lost going on all these diets and they become an excuse not to work; no matter how many different diets you go on, you just got to make a change,” said Pomper, who added that the show touches on exercising as well.

Mark Pinhasovich, the Biggest Loser winner from season 10 in 2010, will discuss his journey. “I’m going to make everyone laugh and then make everyone cry,” he said. “It’s going to be inspiring and graphic; it’s about how I got control of my life and how it can apply to anyone, not just in losing weight.”

Biggest Loser winner of season three in 2006, Erik Chopin speaks about how to beat “yo-yo” dieting — when a person’s weight fluctuates up and down — like a yo-yo. The show also features the story of a plus size model, Krista Mays, who has modeled for Spanks and appeared in PLUS Model Magazine will talk about how being plus size is beautiful, not embarrassing. “She ends up standing up there wearing nothing but her Spanks and her sports bra; it’s a powerful piece,” Pomper said.

Alfredo “Frado” Dinten, a Biggest Loser finalist in season 10, who struggles to keep his weight off and exercises six days a week, will provide inspirational quotes from Shakespeare and famous people throughout history who have spoken about weight loss. “We hope we can connect with some people; we’re all in the same boat trying to keep the weight off, but it comes back,” Dinten said.

The show also corrects some misconceptions, according to Pomper. Many people think that hamburgers are unhealthy and salads are healthier, but salads can be about 800 calories while a burger can be 450 calories. “Key Fritz, a comedian, says to ‘wake up America the salads are attacking,’” Pomper said.

Pomper, who produces low budget horror movies, has worked with Katz for about six years. Their personal experience spurred the show’s creation. “Karen and I have been on so many different diets it’s ridiculous,” Pomper said.

Katz is excited about the show’s premise. “It’s sort of a heartfelt comedy that hopefully will inspire people,” she said. “The cast is very diverse, from younger to older, men to women, people who have kept the weight off and people who haven’t; they’re all individuals who have a common enemy [weight] and each come at it from a different angle.” She likes the piece by Nicole Michalik, who will discuss dieting, dating and how losing over 100 pounds changed her life.

Gottfried’s comedic touch added a vision that others don’t see such as when people eat off other people’s plates and think that those calories don’t count, Pomper said. “I hope when people see the show they walk out with two things, not being embarrassed to be overweight, and inspired to lose weight and take it slow,” he said.