Obesity is on the rise, and ABC's doing something about it with its latest reality series 'Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition' (Mondays, 10PM ET).

The program is documenting the journeys of eight "super obese" people as they undergo a new fitness plan designed to both shed the pounds and educate about lifestyle choices. Trainer and transformation specialist Chris Powell guides the participants on their journey.

Each stand-alone episode of the series will document one person's transformation. Powell's no stranger to changes himself -- once the tiniest kid in his grade school class, he later transformed his own body by lifting weights.

AOL TV chatted with Powell to get his thoughts on how 'Weight Loss Edition' differs from similar programs, how he handles contestants becoming attached to him and what he thinks Kirstie Alley needs to do in order to keep the weight off that she lost on 'Dancing With the Stars.'

How does 'Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition' differ from NBC's 'The Biggest Loser'?
Ours is not a competition program. There's not a threat of ever going home [like there is on 'Loser']. Our participants are there because they want to lose weight and increase the quality of their lives. They truly want this.

Yes. We're talking about instilling lifestyle changes. It's not just this rapid weight loss. You want to do it slowly. If you do it that way, the chances of the weight loss being permanent are much greater. We take the time to address the emotional, psychological and environmental triggers that can lead to weight gain. It takes time. Change is terrifying. It needs to be done a little at a time -- that's why we require a full year.

So much of eating is emotionally-based. How do you handle it when participants do the transference thing and get emotionally attached to you?
It's something I still work with. There isn't much of a "wall" with what I do. There's only one reason I work with people. It's very personal. I'm friends with all of them. I reach out to them and it goes so far beyond what the cameras see. You're helping people change their lives. It's an emotional process for them ... it is for me, too.

I approach every transformation with a basic template in mind. I know what I want them to do, but based on their lifestyle and social support group I have to tweak it. I have one who's a single individual and another who is a married mom who's working two jobs with kids. I have to stay flexible in my approach.

Kirstie Alley lost a good deal of weight during the course of 'Dancing With the Stars.' What's your advice to her to keep it off now that the show is over?
The physical regime that she [went] through is intense. If she's not as physically active [now that] the show is over, then she needs to be able to compensate for that with nutrition and movement.

Is everyone successful with weight loss on your show, or are there setbacks?
Everybody has setbacks. It's a rollercoaster. The whole process is done in phases. You're going to see people go through their phase goals and see people fail, too. You'll see success and failure with every individual because this is not easy. They've committed to losing hundreds of pounds. It's real life.