Home is Where the Heart is

The show starts off as each of the contestants return home to hero’s welcome.  The contestants weigh in again in front of their families and then Alison Sweeney magically appears on the scale and informs the contestants that surprise, surprise, there will be an annual ritual for the contestants.  The Biggest Loser Marathon.

As the contestants use different methods to prepare for the Marathon we see each and every struggle that being away from the ranch can bring.  Koli decides to re-locate to Las Vegas and Daris struggles with his eating.  Every contestant struggles with their old environment from one degree or another.

Run Forest Run!

At the Biggest Loser Marathon former contestants and family members join the final four to encourage them to make it through the entire 26.2 miles.  Only The Biggest Loser can take something as boring as a marathon and make it emotional.  Daris smokes the field and finishes in just over 4 hours.

And The Finalist Are:

At the weigh in the contestants lose the following amounts of weight in the 30 days since they last stepped on the scale

Michael loses 23 lbs

Koli loses 13 lbs

Ashley loses 18 lbs

Daris gains +2 lbs and ends up tearfully admitting that his eating struggles have sabotaged his efforts.

Daris and Koli fall below the yellow line and America will vote on which contestant will join Michael and Ashley as a finalist.  You can vote for your favorite by going to http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/vote/register.shtml

Next week we will have special behind the scenes footage from the special Live Finale of NBC’s The Biggest Loser.  It will be amazing!

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s A Winner Within You!

Tons of Texans

Bob Beats up The Regulars
Bob visits a local 24 Hr Fitness gym and works out the local folk. It was really neat to see him punish some regular sized folk.  I love to see him spread around!

Hotel Hell
Where do you work out when your stuck in a hotel?  In the hotel of course!  Mike, Darris and Ashley work the stairs in the hotel to make sure they get their calories burned.

That’s Bull!
At the State Fair of Texas the contestants have to corral cattle for the coveted prize of immunity.  As usual Sam and Koli combine and assure Koli immunity for the week.  They have this teamwork thing down!

Heartbreak High School
In a preview of Jillian’s upcoming show Losing It (just kidding) Jillian and Abby from Season 8 go to Maybank High School in Texas and in one of the most heart wrenching moments in the shows history. Jillian takes questions from students and one students shares how she does not think she will ever be able to be slim or live her dreams.  It is amazing how the human spirit can be crushed by the mean taunts of others and the excess weight of the flesh.  An encouraging word may be all someone needs to be re-directed toward a life of achievement. Who have you encouraged today?

Where Winners Work
With O’Neal away attending the funeral of his brother with Sunshine, five contestants were left to be pushed to limits they had never gone before. 2 Trainers. 5 Contestants.  It is almost painful to watch.  Naw. not really. I loved seeing it!

Was the Work Enough?
The contestants weigh-in at the American Airlines Center and see their old selves on the big screens. All of the contestants do great on the scale.  Except for O’Neal and Sunshine who had to miss workouts due to the funeral and ultimately both fall below the yellow line. O’Neal requests to be sent home and he is doing amazing at home.  It appears that nothing will keep him from his goals.

Next week is Makeover week.  It should be sweet!

Special kudos to the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, who is using the Biggest Loser to try and motivate his State to lose weight.   It just makes sense to capitalize on one of the most watched shows in the world to motivate others.

You can win $10,000. just by losing weight. That’s right! We are running our own Weight Loss Challenge!  You can win $10,000.00 by grabbing some team members and signing up over at http://healthywage.com/wellness/contest/biggestloserteam

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s A Winner Within You!

Food, Food Go Away

Stairway to Heaven
In an ode to childhood games of blocks the contestants have to build a block tower to lift them off the ground up to a metal ladder.  Once they climb the blocks to reach the ladder they then climb even higher up the ladder until they reach their colored flag.  Darius wins this challenge and also receives a 1 pound advantage at the weigh in.  ONeal stumbles and injures his knee and receives a one pound disadvantage.  The pain in his knee does not compare to the pain in his heart as ONeal receives word that his brother has passed away from cancer.

Beauty and the Beach
In a special advertising segment for Danskin and Starter, Pro Volleyball star and Model Gabrielle Reece puts the contestants through a beach workout and then a splash in the ocean.  No one mistakenly called Greenpeace.

Weigh-in Woes
In a very up and down week for the contestants Koli overcomes his calorie binge to lose 3.7% of his weight.  ONeal also has an amazing week by overcoming his knee and his hurt heart and loses 8lbs. However his daughter Sunshine falls below the yellow line with Victoria, both for the first time.

Koli chooses Victoria to be eliminated.  This is expected since she has had the least amount of time to develop relationships on the ranch and gets scolded for her work ethic.  She is looking amazing at home with her Mom Cherita who also looks great.

Next week Jillian and the contestants go to Texas to help the people of one of the most obese states in the Union to change their habits.

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s A Winner Within You!

Sink or Swim
In this week’s challenge the players head to the pool for a swimming challenge.  Each player competes to pick up 100 1 pound weights from the bottom of a swimming pool.  The winner receives an all expense paid trip to the Biggest Loser resort. The last place competitor will receive a 1lb penalty at the weigh-in. After finishing the race, each contestant can go help others finish.  As contestants flock to help first O’Neal and then Mike, Melissa comes in last place and it is obvious that she has no allies on the ranch.

Hard Times
Dr. H explains some of the dynamics of fat loss to the contestants and they proceed to work out nearly around the clock as well as debate the best time to hit the button and weigh in.
In sort of a surprise, Victoria is the first contestant to hit the magic Staples ‘That Was Easy’ button to weigh in. She hops on the scale and reveals weight loss of 3 lbs.  3 lbs short of her 6 lb goal.
The next contestant to hit the button for immunity is Sam who needs to lose 6 lbs and ends up losing 10 lbs or nearly 4% of his body weight.

The Scales Tell All
In an up and down week for the contestants Melissa and Andrea fall below the yellow line and of course Melissa gets sent home.

Next week Bob and Jillian take a bath.  That is must see T.V.!

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s A Winner Within You!

Back to Singles Plus One

In week Eleven of the Biggest Loser Allison informs the contestants that they’ll be competing as individuals again instead of teams but their elation is short lived as they find out that the eliminated players are vying for a chance to come back on the ranch.

However, in an unusual twist the current contestants will actually vote for the contestant who returns. In seasons past the returning player was determined by actual weight loss.

The eliminated contestants actually have to plead their case to the current contestants as to why they should be allowed back onto the Biggest Loser Ranch. In essences they are begging for their lives.  In a tight vote the current contestants vote to allow Victoria back on the ranch.

Get To Stepping!!

In another surprise the rest of the eliminated players begin a step-up challenge.  The first player to reach 1,000 steps wins a second spot back onto the Biggest Loser Ranch.  Of course this challenge favors the lighter weight contestants so it is no surprise to see Melissa make it back on the ranch.
I can guarantee that the newest additions to the Biggest Loser family, Victoria and Melissa, will not last very long.  This game is about weight loss and relationships and Victoria has not been able to build any relationships and Melissa damaged all of her relationships during her previous stint on campus. For this, however, Melissa and Victoria have immunity.
Emotional Damage

As the show rolls on the contestants begin to grate on each other’s nerves and Ashley questions Stephanie’s motives.  This is undoubtedly an omen of things to come as Stephanie is apparently struggling with the competition aspect of the ranch.

Weighty Weigh In
At the weigh in Sam and Stephanie fall below the yellow line and plead their case.  Stephanie ends up going home and will have to wait awhile before she is able to talk to her beau Sam again.  Yes it is true Sam and Stephanie have been dating since Week Three of the show.  By the way Biggest Loser has had more marriages than The Bachelor.  Stephanie is currently a size 12 and continuing to kick butt.

Biggest Fan
In a twist Wayne Vandenlangenberg appears live on the Biggest Loser scale to show that he has gone from 674lbs to 258lbs for a loss of 416 lbs.

Next week the contestants challenge each others to be the first to lose 2% of their body weight before any other contestants in order to secure immunity.

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s A Winner Within You!

Buzz Me Up Scotty

As the show starts the contestants meet up with Allison for a pop challenge.  This challenge is a head to head competition where contestants answer trivia questions based on the most current Biggest Loser book.  Can you say advertising?  The winning team gets picked up via limo and taken to the Four Seasons Hotel for an evening at the Spa and a dinner at the Chef’s table.

The losing team will have to clean the gym and the kitchen on the ranch.  I guess these contestants habits are rather gross since the show is making the contestants fight to keep from cleaning the house.

The Blue team wins the challenge and is immediately taken to the spa.

Some of the on the spot interviews of the contestants were classic!  Darrius looks particularly lovely with his green facial mask and red curly hair.  It is one of the most memorable visuals in the history of the show.

Help Me Help Myself

The workouts pick up in intensity and Jillian has her seasonal ‘You’re worthy’ conversation as she mediates a Mother – Daughter Come – To – Jesus moment with Ashley and Sherry.  It is absolutely amazing how the Biggest Loser helps both the helper and the helper to see a different side of themselves.

What’s Cooking Good Looking

As Michael goes home to handle a family emergency the rest of the contestants have a cooking challenge with Chef Curtis Stone.  For some reason the ladies are gaga over him.

In classic Food Network Top Chef fashion the contestants are informed that they will have prepare an appetizer, entree and a desert using a total of 12 ingredients in only 30 minutes.  It is probably a good thing that they cleaned up the kitchen or they would have died from some type of food borne illness.

Chef Stone judges each teams dish based on nutrition and taste. The Black Team wins the challenge and will receive a 5 pound advantage at the weigh-in.  This will be nearly insurmountable on the scale.

Leave More on The Gym Floor

During the Last Chance Workout Bob gives a classic line as he tells his team – “All we need to be thinking about is sweating”

Jillian explains to us that for her team – “It’s back to beatings as usual.”

Shoe In On The Scale?

After the Black Team weighs in with some lackluster numbers the Blue Team comes through with amazing numbers to simply crush the Black Team.  Sunshine of the Blue Team loses more weight by herself than two of the ladies from the Black team lose combined.

In one of the most profound moments in the shows history Michael shares that working out while he was in Chicago was his way of getting away from the pain of his Grandmothers illness.  Wow.  Did you catch that?  Not food.  Not television. Not sleep.  Working out.   The internal change for Michael is truly taking hold.

As you could easily anticipate the Black Team sends home Sherry.  Sherry’s transformation and continued success at home is nothing short of amazing.

Between Ashley and Sherry’s relationship, Michael’s Grandmothers health, Sherry dealing with her husbands death and some of the milestones reached by the Blue Team members on the scale this was the most heart wrenching episode to date.

Great Great Episode.  And I don’t say that often.

Next week the contestants go home and spend time with their families.

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s A Winner Within You!

Pete Thomas
www.Winningman.com

Work What?
In a very unique twist Biggest Loser will put the contestants to work in full time 40 hour per week job working for Feeding America. They will maintain regular work hours and observe regular gym hours. This will include a 5:30am wake up call and a 6:00am workout. For a moment I thought I was watching the Real World on MTV. This twist should prepare the contestants long term for the time when they return home to the real world.

My Aching Back!
In this weeks challenge the teams must push a 33,000 lb Semi Truck along a stretch of highway. Along the way the teams have to stop the Truck and load Puzzle pieces that are stacked along the road. Once they reach the finish line the teams unload the pieces and reassemble them. Blue Team comes through and wins free groceries for a year!

Work A Day Worries
For the next week the contestants put in their time at the LA Regional Food Bank, while squeezing in workouts and rest. Even Bob and Jillian comply with the rules, working the contestants hard before the lights in the gym shut off.

Weigh In Revenge
At this weeks weigh-in the Blue Team rolls to a victory because Sam does not have many rolls left. In the elimination room we say goodbye to the Orange Team’s Mama Cheryl who is already looking amazing! She will be awesome at the finale’

Check out the casting call tips online here!

Talk to you soon and remember,
There’s A Winner Within You!

In a continuation of the prior episode (you remember the episode before the Olympics and Jay Leno’s move back to late night) we return to the Biggest Loser to find Cheryl of The Orange Team and our favorite, Darrell of the Black Team.
Darell puts in a yeoman’s effort but the squatting position gets to him and he gives out after nearly 10 minutes.  It is a tearful goodbye as he has to leave his daughter Andrea and return back home here to lovely Michigan.

How many calories will this cost me?

In another twist the contestants participate in a temptation challenge in the form of the game of Memory, Biggest Loser style.  Under each item in the memory game is a food item.  If you find the food match your opponent has to eat it.  If you don’t find a match you have to eat a cookie.  If you find the cards that say ‘Choose Teams’ then you have the potential to give yourself immunity and separate all contestants into Black vs Blue Teams.  This power is not as important as in years past since both Bob and Jillian have been training everyone.  However it is still a great amount of power.

Michael divides up the teams in the following manner:

Black Team
Sam
Cheryl
Drea
Stephanie
Sherry
Ashley

Blue Team
Koli
Darrius
Lance
Miggy
Sunshine
Michael

Michael also selects O’Neal to receive immunity.  He will join whichever team loses this weeks weigh in. The Blue team is stacked to do very well and as a result Jillian blows a gasket and then gets down to business with Bob as they train the contestants.

Tugging at Your Heart Strings

In a modified tug of war challenge the two teams must challenge each other by pulling a bag to the top of a building.  The Blue team wins the challenge and as a reward for their efforts receive letters from home.

Don’t Mess With Jillian, Dummy

At the weigh in the skill that is Jillian Michaels comes through as her Black Team wins in a not so surprising upset.  The Blue Team must deliberate and eventually send Miggy home where she receives a surprising visit from Nicole of Season 7.  Miggy is doing an awesome job!

While our Michigan Man Darrell was voted off he is doing quite well. He has dropped another 45lbs since leaving the ranch.  You can come workout with us in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the 1 on 1 Fitness Club .  You may have to come early since he works out between 4:30am and 6:30am.  We Losers get at it!!!!

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s A Winner Within You!

This week the contestants start off with two big surprises. Alison Sweeney informs the contestants that they will be leaving campus for a trip to the Olympic Training Center in Utah. Then on top of that the teams will now complete as singles. Then in a third surprise it is announced that two contestants will be going home this week instead of just one.
The quote of the week is from Lance of the Red Team as he says “It’s crazy that being Fat got me to the Olympics.“

Shameless Advertisement
After a brief education from the USOC Nutritionist we are amazed to see Extra Sugar Free gum at the US Olympic Center. Wow, who knew?
Slip Sliding Away
In a Pre-challenge, Olympian JR Celski shows the contestants how to use the ‘slideboard’. Of course he makes it look incredibly easy. The contestants look much more human as they struggle and then learn the technique that’s needed to keep from falling and shaking the camera.

In a very tight race Sam of the Grey Team wins Gold, Melissa wins Silver and Sunshine wins Bronze. It amounts to nothing much as they penalize each other at the actual challenge.

Mere Mortals visit The Valley of the Gods

This week’s Challenge occurs in the Valley of the Gods. The contestants vie for immunity by competing in a du-athlon for big people. The contestants have to run a lap and then shoot another contestants target. When a contestant gets five shots against them they are eliminated. This gets repeated until only one contestant remains.

In the end O’Neil of the Yellow Team wins the challenge over our Michigan Man, Darrell.

Workouts Galore
Throughout the show the contestants meet some incredible Olympians and go through various workouts. One Olympian is shown Hula Hooping on one leg on a Bosu Ball – Incredible!

The Olympians themselves even take the contestants through a series of circuit training workouts that even amaze the Olympians with their duration and intensity. Check out this incredible article on Jeret Speedy Peterson and cheer him on in Vancouver.

The contestants also do a bootcamp class and a last chance workout that means more than any other. Being away from the ranch is a refreshing change of pace but is horrible when it comes to maintaining regular workouts.

Weigh In Blues
At this weeks weigh-in Melissa of the Orange Team falls below the dreaded Red Line and is immediately eliminated. Falling below the Yellow Line are Cheryl of the Orange Team and our Michigan Man Darrell!! Nooo!
As a result of falling below the Yellow line Cheryl and Darrell will have to compete to stay on the Ranch. They do this by balancing a torch stand on their head while in a squatting position.

Of course as I stated last week this is a two part show and we will have to wait until after the Olympics to see who is eliminated. I could tell you but then I would have to eliminate you!

Do something great this week in honor of the Olympics and see you in a couple weeks.

Pete Thomas