Shine's Women of the Year (Healthy Living): Ali Vincent from "The Biggest Loser"

Why is it that healthy living so often seems to be about the extremes? There were the roller coaster highs of crossing finish lines, kicking sugar completely and cheering on so many amazing female Olympians from field to pool to pommel horse. And then there were the lows of diagnoses, drugs and body image ridiculousness. We do a pretty good job ofcalling out the crazy, sad and questionable lows. Now it is time to put all that aside and toast our BPA-free reusable water bottles to honor the women who've inspired us to live healthier lives. Whether they've made big leaps or lots of little steps each day, we're always excited to see healthy, active, centered women rise to the top.

I am particularly pleased to shine the spotlight on 2008's Healthy Living woman of the year, Ali Vincent. We celebrated with Ali in April when she became the first female winner of "The Biggest Loser." She beat out male contestants by losing 112 pounds, equal to a stunning 47.86% of her body weight, during the six-month competition.

Months later, Ali is working as a motivational speaker and fitness chain spokesperson while also working out in 90-minute exercise sessions six days a week.

Ali's our pick because she's a woman many of us can relate to with celebrity that rose up out of a commitment to take care of herself. I love that she describes herself as having a "warrior mentality" and that she was guided (OK, kicked into high gear again and again) by another woman -- the fabulous, fearless and unapologetically intense trainer Jillian Michaels.

Haven't we all been unhappy in our bodies at some point? Of course. I love that Ali Vincent not only had the courage to stand on a scale in a sports bra and spandex shorts in front of America, but then to let us watch her sweat, cry, and overcome her body image obstacles. Even if we haven't seen that exact number on the scale or lost weight on television show, or flexed guns that big for the camera, I think we get her.

Ali Vincent, on-screen, on tour, or on the treadmill, we're still cheering you on!