The challenge this week looked like so much fun – obviously not for 100 ups and downs, but I really wanted to try the giant see-saws and see what it felt like to be 12 feet up in the air. I was so bummed not to get that chance. Next time!

Anyway, it was impressive to see Mark and Jay, again dominate the challenge. Their communication skills kept them going as they got tired, and again Blue team was making the Black team fight for victory, but in the end the outcome was clear. Black team wins again. But most of the teams wanted to keep going, to reach the 100 mark. Bette-Sue wasn’t as excited to keep it up as Ali, but Ali kept her going. Purple team were closest to me, so I got the chance to see how well Maggie and Jenn support each other. They were great at inspiring each other, when it was needed, or giving a verbal kick in the pants, when that was what’s called for. That’s what friends are for, right?!

I love Jillian, and believe me – I’ve worked out with her, and she is a bad@ss. But it was hilarious when she said that Bob is a ‘kinder, gentler’ trainer, and then they cut to him in the gym kicking Roger’s butt. Because I know Bob seems sensitive, and he is, but he definitely doesn’t let that stop him from getting the job done. And then we definitely saw that Jillian has a ‘softer’ side too…

Neill’s struggle with the gym was such a key part of the episode. While I can only imagine how hard it was for him to watch, it shows how real and how tough this experience is. Weight loss is not just about counting calories and running on a treadmill – there is huge emotional and psychological aspect that is dealt with every day. And Jillian’s talk with Neill was just one example of the way that Jillian and Bob work with everyone they train to help them change the rest of their lives.

Everyone dealt with very low and frustrating numbers on the scale today. And the temptation the night before the weigh in didn’t help. Though Mark, Paul and Mallory all took into account their calories and spent extra time at the gym they all were thinking about that BBQ when then got on the scale. But the weigh-in was a wake-up call to everyone that weight loss at the Biggest Loser campus in some ways, is just like at home. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve experienced that same feeling myself – I spent a whole week, eating right, working out for what? No lbs gone?! And then it’s so much easier to just throw in the towel. I have so much admiration for everyone, dusting off their disappointments and renewing their efforts with Bob and Jillian to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

The elimination this week was so emotional. Each team had a different approach. Purple went with the numbers, meaning they voted for the Brown team because they had the lowest percentage of weight loss. Other teams went with the bonds they’d formed – some were clearly so close to Curtis and Mallory and some have tight friendships with Kelly and Paul. Amanda and Neill seemed very upset to be losing their roommates. They obviously had a lot in common, and the friendships that are formed on campus become very close very quickly. I have to say, on that subject, having watched reality shows for years, I never really understood why contestants would become so emotional about voting someone off after having only known that person for a few weeks.

But having lived through, only partially, what they are going through, it all makes sense now. They are living in each others pockets… 24/7. they have no outside support system, so they immediately bond with the people they click with. Bottom line, you have to trust someone, somehow. And with everyone at Biggest Loser, ultimately trying to achieve the same goal, it is easy to see how such tight friendships form so quickly. And it was heartbreaking seeing Jay hug Mallory goodbye, and Neill show such emotion at saying goodbye to the brown team. They walked away with the pride of knowing they do have the inner strength to continue – and that everyone in the room, crew, host included is supporting them on their journey and wishing them the best of luck.