He's a prize 'loser' and proud of it.

It's the 'biggest' title Bernardo Salazar, 29, has earned so far in his life. Next Thursday, the Walnut Creek resident will be "earning" his Thanksgiving meal at the city's 16th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk. And he and challenges the community to do the same.

It's part of the new "loser" mentality he'd developed since shedding 130 pounds on NBC's hit weight-loss show "The Biggest Loser."

"Before you stuff your face, go for a run. If you're not necessarily in the position to run it, walk it — just get out there and make it as enjoyable as possible," said Salazar, the $100,000 prize winning, at-home contestant for Season Five, which aired in 2007.

"We all have those holiday traditions to just sit on the couch and watch football. Make tying in a little bit of fitness that day part of your new routine.

"Earn your food, earn your meal," added Salazar, who moved to Walnut Creek last March. "The pilgrims and the Native Americans earned their food, so if you really want to take on the true spirit of Thanksgiving, get out there and pretend you're chasing a turkey or something!"

Salazar uses humor, wit and personal experience in his everyday life to inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle. Now a motivational speaker, the Chicago born man of Puerto Rican/Mexican-American heritage can identify with those struggling with the social, emotional and physical ramifications of obesity.

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Salazar (known as Bernie to his friends and "Biggest Loser" fans) weighed a whopping 283 pounds on his 5-foot-5 frame during his 2006 audition for the show that teaches contestants how to eat right and exercise to gain health and, in some cases, save lives.

"As soon as I came out, the doctor said, "You have a fat one," Salazar laughed. "In my culture, you have to clean your plate, bite the plate and give it back. Then you can leave the table. I attribute where I was as far as weight to my personality. I'm a giver. I wanted to please. So I was definitely pleasing whoever was cooking that day, be it Chef Boyardee or grandma. I always made sure I showed them full respect by finishing my plate."

Finishing up his Master's degree in education leadership at the University of Illinois-Chicago, Salazar decided to put on a red, crushed velvet leisure suit for fun and give the show a try — "out of curiosity more than anything else," he said. It's that curiosity that landed him a spot on the show and ultimately gave him a new lease on life — after a lot of hard physical and emotional work.

"It's a complete mind change. The confidence I gained while on the ranch (the facility where contestants train on the show) is what drove me. I can do this. I can be more physically fit and make my dreams come true," said Salazar, who works out for about an hour at least five times a week. "I took what I learned from the ranch and put that into my real life. I'm stronger than I ever thought I could be. and I'm now living the life I deserve — academically, socially and personally."

Salazar's 'increased sense of self' has led him to create a children's book titled "Monster Size." It's a rhyming, repetitive story to get young kids up and moving and accept their own body types and self. It's not yet published, but "Biggest Loser" fans can hear a snippet of the book during next week's "Where Are They Now?" special, airing Wednesday at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Bernie also met his future bride Jennifer Verastegui, regional manager of European Wax Center in Walnut Creek, through Brittany Aberle, 24, his partner on the show. The two were strangers coupled together on the ranch during the competition. They became fast friends Verastegui is Aberle's cousin, and will marry Salazar next summer.

"Everything Bernie does, from TV shows to public speaking, he's just an inspiration to everybody, including myself. It's just his whole personality," said Robert Jackson, 27, founder and owner of Forma Gym in Walnut Creek. "Bernie has brought a lot of motivation and inspiration to people in this city and our facility here. He did it (lost weight) and is maintaining it and is a perfect role model for others wanting to lose weight and feel better about themselves."

Salazar will be traveling the country speaking publicly about weight loss and well-being. He's even partnered up with a nutritionist from Washington, D.C. to make a plan and encourage government employees to get fit (www.nurtureprinciples.com). Salazar believes in 'paying it forward.'

"I'm a people lover, I love people. I get so excited to be able to share this experience or what I've learned or this confidence or hopefully motivate people who are willing to change their lives as well," added Salazar. "By no means am I a savior. I make sure I share that with people because we all have the ability to be our own lifeline and that's the hardest part to actually come to terms with and then utilize moving forward."