The University Board will be bringing in Amanda Arlauskas from the NBC show “The Biggest Loser” to speak about weight loss and overall health.

Amber Holland, a junior communication disorders and sciences major and a UB coordinator for the event, said one of the UB’s goals was to keep this event open to anyone and that health could apply to anyone.

Arlauskas will be speaking at 7 p.m. Monday in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Alyssa Anderson, a senior psychology major and vice president for the UB, said Arlauskas’ name came to them from a list of possible public speakers and that it just stuck out.

Arlauskas competed in season eight of “The Biggest Loser” and while she did not win, Anderson said fans of the show often remember Arlauskas and her family.

“This drive can be applied to anyone,” Anderson said. “Even if you are at your target weight you can take this motivation and use it.”

Anderson said Arlauskas will be telling the story of her life before, during and after “The Biggest Loser.” Arlauskas will also do a question and answer section at the end and sign autographs.

Holland said Arlauskas’ speech will be inspiring.

“It’s nice that we have someone who was at rock bottom. It shows that anyone can do it,” Holland said. “This was someone who had no hope.”

Holland said there will be several giveaways at the event. Including two Huffy’s “Classic Cruiser” bikes in styles for both men and women. Anderson said they are very good bikes.

Anderson said the UB will be giving away exercise DVDs as well as exercise equipment such as an exercise mats, exercise balls, dumbbells and jump ropes.

“What we tried to do was include anything needed in the workout DVDs is provided (as prizes). So people can just be well equipped to just do it, no excuses,” Anderson said.

Anderson said a health expo was also planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Library Quad but it will not be as big as planned because of some budgeting and planning issues.

She said a lot of groups such as student government plan on using the quad for their Green Week event.

Seth Schroeder can be reached at 581-2812 or scschroeder2@eiu.edu.