'Extreme Weight Loss' Stars Chris and Heidi Powell Reap Kudos for Blended Family Love

— -- On their hit show “Extreme Weight Loss,” celebrity trainers Heidi and Chris Powell inspire contestants to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Now, they’re inspiring people in a new way.

Heidi Powell posted a photo on Instagram on Sunday showing her ex-husband, Derek Solomon, cuddling with their two children along with the two children she shares with Chris Powell, her husband of five years. Alongside the photo she used the hashtag #LoveMyBlendedFamily.

The photo has garnered nearly 5,000 “likes” and drawn praise from her Instagram followers.

“Truly amazing example of how to rock a blended family!” one poster wrote.

Another added: “Way to keep the family together!!! This is going to be so great for your children!”

In an interview with ABC News on Thursday, she explained how they all make it work.

“With three people willing to put the kids first and our egos last we've come up with this incredible dynamic that has resulted in four wonderfully happy kids and consequently three happy adults,” she said.

Heidi shares son Matix, 10, and daughter Marley, 9, with Solomon. She and Chris have a son, Cash, 4, and daughter, Ruby, 2.

Chris told ABC News that he and Solomon spent some time together early on “so we could communicate and talk to each other about parenting plans.”

He added: “It was so important for me to acknowledge and recognize that he is their father, he will always be their father. It's not my job to step in and try to be their dad, I'm their stepdad, and I couldn't be more proud of it. I'm a bonus dad.”

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but everyone is committed to the children, Heidi said.

“I'm not saying that everyone has to be best friends but I do think so much positive can come from being kind to someone else,” she said.