Host of The Biggest Loser Asia, Sarimah Ibrahim, reveals how she clinched her latest and biggest role yet, and how she overcame her own issues with weight.
The discovery
Sarimah’s foray into the entertainment industry reads like a fairy tale. While working as a front door hostess at a TGIF restaurant, the 18-year-old beauty’s exotic Malay-Irish looks and bubbly personality caught the eye of a seasoned talent scout. Several castings later, she began to land roles in commercials, Malay dramas and movies.
Her big break however, came in the form of host for The Attic, a children’s entertainment show which showcased her likeable personality and remarkable on-screen presence.
Having impressed the producers she had worked with, Sarimah became a much sought-after talent and went on to host several other television shows, including Malaysia 2020, RIM Chart Show, Akademi Fantasia and numerous award shows, such as the ever popular Juara Lagu.
The biggest winner
While at a casting call for The Biggest Loser Asia, Sarimah, who is also a part-time psychology student, underwent intensive screen tests and interviews. “I was just being me and didn’t really think too much about it. I waited a few weeks, after which the producers informed me that they were happy to have me on board for the show.”
The news came as a pleasant surprise to Sarimah, who had been following the U.S. version of the show since it began airing in Malaysia.
“I’m a big fan of the show, so to actually be a part of it is so exciting,” she says. “I feel that I can relate to the contestants because I’ve personally had weight issues as well.”
Issues with her weight
As a young woman entering the looks-obsessed entertainment industry, Sarimah knew she wasn’t overweight, but because the camera adds about five kilograms to a person’s frame, she knew she was considered a little overweight for a commercial model and TV host.
Inevitably, she was asked to lose some weight. “What looks normal on TV can be too thin in real life, so I try to keep a balance by working hard to look normal in real life and healthy on TV.”
Staying in shape
“I love exercising, always have and always will. It makes me happy,” declares Sarimah. This long-time Seibukan Goju Ryu karate black-belt holder initially took up the martial art to keep her weight in check, but this particular form of karate incorporates a series of movements called kata, which builds muscle, giving her a ‘bulkier’ on-screen silhouette.
“I wasn’t bulky in person, but because my muscles were more defined and solid, they looked somewhat exaggerated on TV. As a result, she decided to give karate a rest and turned to yoga instead.
“I realized that although I was becoming more flexible with yoga, I wasn’t burning enough fat, so I gave Stott Pilates (a form of pilates that aims to return the spine’s natural curves and re-balance the muscles) a try.” That was three years ago. Stott Pilates, says Sarimah, has lengthened her muscles, and the intensive pace of the exercises gives her a great cardiovascular workout.
Despite filming The Biggest Loser Asia at various locations around Malaysia, she continues to practice Stott Pilates with a trainer, and does regular cardiovascular exercise on the elliptical trainer – at least three times a week. “I also enjoy scuba diving and dancing to R&B, hip-hop and 80s music during my free time,” says the active host.
Food, glorious food
When it comes to keeping her weight in check, Sarimah’s motto is straightforward: “I don’t diet. I eat what I want, but in moderation.”
For breakfast, she digs into toast and eggs, followed by a typical Malaysian lunch, which can range from chicken rice to rice with chicken kurma. “I snack on iced Milo, coffee and raisin bread. Although it’s not easy for me to put on weight because I’m so active, I do tend to retain water, which bloats me. This shows particularly if I don’t work out for more than two days in a row.”
Sarimah’s words of weight wisdom
For anyone who’s struggling to lose weight, Sarimah has these words of wisdom: “Educate yourself. If you feel that something is not right with your body, and your clothes are not fitting as well as they used to, or if you’re feeling down about your body, then read up on nutrition and exercise.”
Sarimah, who guides The Biggest Loser Asia contestants through the show’s ups and downs, adds: “There are so many ways to learn about these things that there’s just no excuse to not do anything about it.”
The first step, she admits, is always the hardest. But in the end, it all comes to down to a desire to feel healthy and good about yourself. That itself, she adds, should be your focus and reward. “You need to pin-point why you are making the wrong choices and eating so much of certain foods, and work from there.”
As for how the show will help overweight Asians, Sarimah says it will give them the tools they need to put their weight-loss intentions into practice by developing the right mindset, choosing the right foods, and exercising.
“A reality show like this showcases the effects of changing one’s behaviour and food choices, which can then help address problems like obesity and diabetes,” says Sarimah, adding: “Of all the reality shows out there, this is one that I feel will benefit its contestants and viewers alike.”
Story courtesy of Shape Malaysia magazine.