MIDDLEBURY — Roy Pickler was voted off NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” but he hasn’t lost the desire to be healthy.

The Middlebury resident was eliminated during Tuesday’s episode. Since the show tapes in advance, he has been home since early December. His wife, Christine Pickler, is still on the show.

On “The Biggest Loser,” overweight individuals compete at losing weight to win a cash prize. The show airs from 8 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays on NBC. People can watch Pickler’s last episode on NBC.com.

Pickler has lost about 90 pounds, according to his last weigh-in, and hopes to make it 100 in the next week or two. He started the show weighing 306 pounds.

With his signature full white beard, Pickler, 63, is a celebrity in the area. People offer encouragement and get his advice on weight loss.

“Every day I get people asking me that question: How can I make that first step?” he said.

To answer that question, Pickler recommends having a buddy system when it comes to exercise. That way, you’re less inclined to miss workouts if it means you have to cancel on your friend.

Pickler said it was easier to be motivated while on set, but since coming home he has to rely more on himself to continue working out and eating healthy. On Feb. 11, he ran in the Frosty 5k Run/Walk and placed first in his age division. Before getting in shape, Pickler said he had not run in 27 years.

“There’s always something to motivate you,” he said. “Here, it has to be more self-motivation.”

Since coming home, Pickler has changed how his children interact with food and exercise. The Picklers bought gym memberships for their children and have introduced more produce into their diet.

Even though it’s been difficult being without his wife, Pickler said he’s not letting his personal problems stop him from reaching his weight-loss goals.

“It’s one of those things that could provide me excuses if I accepted them,” he said. “I don’t accept excuses.”

Pickler works during the holiday season as a Santa, which he said helped him put off exercising for years. Then about a year ago, he broke his leg and was forced to be on bed rest. Now that he’s lost “most of (my) body fat,” Pickler said he doesn’t want to go back to his former weight.

“NBC has helped me publicize that it doesn’t have to be a fat Santa that’s unhealthy,” he said. “Maybe that can be a better selling point because Santa is definitely a role model for kids.”

Truth reporter Marlys Weaver-Stoesz contributed to this story.

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