ABC Orders Third Season of EXTREME MAKEOVER: WEIGHT LOSS EDITION

As first reported on TVGuide.com, ABC has ordered a third season of its reality series EXTREME MAKEOVER: WEIGHT LOSS EDITION. The second season of the network's summer series will not premiere until June 3, but ABC has already given the show a third-season pickup of 15 two-hour episodes which will air in summer 2013.

The series is a non-competitive show about weight loss that documents the unprecedented 365-day journeys of eight courageous, “super obese” people. Transformational specialist and bestselling author Chris Powell guides them as they set out to safely lose half of their body weight, ultimately revealing an amazing metamorphosis.

In each of the eight stand-alone two-hour episodes, the participants, whose ages range from 19 to 49 years old, undergo a transformation not only of their bodies, but of who they are as individuals. By assuring that the participants have the proper nourishment and exercise movement, Powell provides a fresh perspective to individuals whose lives have become unmanageable because of their weight. He guides each of the eight participants through their transformation process by moving into their homes with their families or loved ones.

The upcoming second season is filled with noteworthy and eye-opening changes, including one participant who loses 50% of his body weight, despite being homeless for most of the year. Another loses a staggering 142 lbs. in the first 90 days, while another will lose a grand total of 281 lbs. over the year. In a show of support to their loved one, another participant’s family challenge themselves to lose 500 lbs. together. This season, Walmart is a proud participant on “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition,” and at the end of each episode will award individuals with a truly life-changing gift to help support their new healthy lifestyle.

Photo credit: Craig Sjodin/ABC