13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Columbus firefighter booted from Biggest Loser

Columbus firefighter booted from Biggest Loser

Emily Longnecker/Eyewitness News

"Allen, I'm sorry to tell you, you are not The Biggest Loser."

Those are the words America heard Tuesday when 44-year-old Columbus firefighter Allen Smith said goodbye after 11 weeks on The Biggest Loser.

"I'm going home a changed person. I'm going home a fit person. And I'm going home happy," Smith said Tuesday night on the show.

Allen left the show 95 pounds lighter than when he first arrived.

Even though America just saw Allen go home, he's actually been back in Columbus since early September.

"There on the ranch, my job was to lose weight. That's what I was there for so being back home, it is a little harder to do," says Allen.

But Allen says real life, back at work as a firefighter, hasn't gotten in the way.

"On a normal day, I work out 4 to 6 hours. When I'm here at work, I may only work out 3 to 4 hours," says Allen.

Allen says he's lost 30 more pounds since leaving the show and hopes to have even more off by the Biggest Loser Live Finale on December 8th.

 "The exercise is just a small part of having the right fuel in your body to be able to do that,' says Allen.

For Allen, that means eating healthy and no more snacking at the firehouse.

"If I do eat, its because I'm hungry and I need the nutrition and I need the calories," says Allen.

So how does Thanksgiving work for a former Biggest Loser contestant? Is it okay to take the day off from all those new healthy eating habits?

"Thanksgiving is more than just food. It's more about the camaraderie and fellowship that you have with your family and friends and the food is just what pulls it all together," says Allen.

And the food for Allen and his family this Thanksgiving won't be turkey.

"We're having Chicken," says Allen.

"There is going to be a stuffing, but, but it will be very very low fat," Allen adds.

As for the pumpkin pie,

"No. None of that. We might have a sorbet for desert," says Allen.

"Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for the friends and family that you have," he adds.

And this year, Allen has even more to be thankful for.

"I feel like the Allen of old."

And Allen's sharing what he learned on The Biggest Loser with people he loves.

"America the next time you see me, I'm going to be a smokin' hot firefighter," Allen said on the show Tuesday night.

And he's sharing too with a community he loves to serve.