Nicole Michalik likes that she was once a "loser."

A "Biggest Loser" that is.The weight loss show has not only helped the former Summit Hill native transform her life, it has also helped spark her career as an on-air personality for Mix 106 and Q102 and the social networking manager for Q102, Mix 106 and Radio 1045 in Philadelphia.Now, Michalik is taking her life-changing experiences on the road and hitting the Big Apple in an off-Broadway production called "The Diet Show." The show opens at 7 p.m., Tuesday in the Traid Theatre, 158 W. 72nd St., New York."Everyone knows what it's like to struggle with weight, body issues, diet, and exercise," she said. "It's a battle that we all had, obviously some more than others, but we want to make everyone laugh, cry, snort, and sigh knowing we understand and speak for the masses.""The Diet Show," which is the brain child of Gilbert Gottfried, Sean Pomper and Karen Katz, is a "heart-warming production inspiring people to 'Laugh away one pound at a time.'"The show focuses on the weight struggles and food temptations that people face during their everyday lives.According to the show's website, the producers tell visitors to "Prepare to be inspired to shed those few pounds, get ready to feel proud of yourself with the way you are, and get motivated to laugh and lose weight. Laugh yourself skinny! It's time for Broadway to go on a Diet!"Michalik is one of nine former contestants of NBC's hit television show "The Biggest Loser" who will be taking the stage in the production and talking about their weight loss journeys and how hard it is to keep off the pounds after the cameras stopped rolling. Others include Biggest Loser season winners Erik Chopin and Bill Germanakos; runners-up Alfredo "Frado" Dinten and Tara Costa; at-home winners Jim Germanakos and Mark Pinhasovich; and contestants Amanda Arlauska and Suzanne Mendoca.In addition, Lane Bryant model Krista Mays and comedian Key Fitz will join the cast.Michalik said she became involved with the production after Chopin, who knows Pomper and Katz, recommended her as a good fit for the production.The show, which Michalik explained is all monologues, will have the audience listening to the cast's stories, while mixing it up to include some comic relief on a very tough topic."We are all basically playing ourselves and telling our stories about our lives pre, during, and post Loser. So basically I am 'playing' myself, give or take a few exaggerated parts," Michalik said."I told my parents, 'you know how Lady Gaga does some outlandish things but her parents love her anyway because they know it's for entertainment? Well that is how you have to go into the play.' It's very real and that's why people can relate."Michalik added that since her appearance on "The Biggest Loser" five year ago, she has continued to work to maintain the progress she made while on the show, and set a new goal to lose an additional 30 pounds."I'm working on it, but man, I wish I could just eat cucumbers," she said with a laugh."I am doing really well considering it has been five years, but everyday is still a battle."What's next for the budding star?Michalik said she hopes to one day make it back to television with her own talk show, but until then she is planning on working to meet her weight loss goals, find the man of her dreams and start a family.Tickets for "The Diet Show" are now on sale for the show, which runs eight times through March 2, 2013. To see the schedule of dates and times, or to purchase general admission tickets, visit

www.broadwaysgoingonadiet.com; or call 1-800-838-3006. Ticket price is $44.Michalik urges everyone to attend, not only to support the cast, but to learn that it's not just you struggling with losing those last few pounds."NYC isn't that far away," she said. "I would love to see everyone there."