There are always a few episodes in each season of The Biggest Loser that are EXTRA SPECIAL... well, Week 3 proved to be just that. Can we say NFL WEEK? NFL WEEK!!!! I mean I'll admit I'm a college football fan first and foremost (Can I get a ROLL TIDE?), but I'm all for a little NFL action. Alison tells the contestants that there will be many NFL surprises this week, but the big deal is the weekly challenge. The contestant with the highest percentage of weight loss for the week gets a pair of tickets to this year's Super Bowl!! Let the games begin!
We start out the episode with a challenge. The concept is simple. The contestants have to run down the field, grab a football and throw it into the target of their choice. What's the target...? In true Biggest Loser style, the targets are life-sized cutouts of the contestants themselves. The idea is that when you pass your football into one of the contestant's cutout, that contestant is out. Easy right? Um, wrong... this IS The Biggest Loser after all, and there's always a catch! Alison tells the contestants that not only will they be competing against one another, but there will be three NFL superstars competing as well. We are now introduced to Clay Matthews, Tony Gonzales and Drew Brees!!! I'm sorry for all you dudes out there, but I'm gonna have to take a moment to wipe the DROOL off my computer... Clay Matthews is a hottie! I need to repeat that sentence... Clay Matthews is a hottie. I'm telling you, if I was in that challenge, I would just chase him around the field the whole time. :) Okay, back to business... the prize. The prize is a whopping $5,000 to the last one standing! I have to say that this is where Biggest Loser gets it right... in the challenges. You would think that the NFL players would wipe the field with the contestants, but in the end, it is a GIRL that stands alone. Being one of the few females to ever win BL, I was personally jumping up and down with pride. Our challenge winner is Courtney! You go girl!
One of the other highlights of the episode was another physical challenge. The challenge consisted of four quarters where each team had 15 minutes to burn the most calories. The team at the end of the four quarters with the most calories burned won bragging rights and a spa day. Oh, I forgot to mention that not only are the contestants participating in this challenge, but so are the trainers! Who else LOVES the fact that they have the trainers involved in challenges this season? It really seems to unify the team with their trainers... I'm really digging it! It was a fight to the finish between the Red Team and Black Team... and not to my surprise, the Black Ream with smokin' hot Bob Harper at the lead was victorious! The Black Team is really proving to be a powerhouse this season. They are really proving that with good training and leadership age is just a number.
So, Last-Chance Workout brought us more NFL stars to aid in the butt kicking! I really noticed that everyone's intensity was through the roof this week. It's amazing what dangling a carrot in front of a horse will do! :) Anyway, the weigh-in brought huge numbers across the board... again, carrots anyone? The Red Team did very well this week, and Jessica was the Biggest Loser on their team and first in line for those Super Bowl tickets. Even with great numbers, the Red Team was SMASHED by the Black Team. Wow, those numbers were impressive. Jessica was beat out of the tickets by Joe. Lastly, we have the "oldies but goodies," the Blue Team. I was so happy to see Bonnie finally break through her low weight loss. I can so relate to that. It's devastating to stand on the scale two weeks in a row, knowing you worked as hard as you could, and the scale doesn't show it. She proved that when you keep going, you WILL breakdown those walls. The final weigh-in of the night was Coach Mike, who, bless his heart, wanted those tickets so bad! I literally screamed when he lost an amazing 17 pounds. 17 POUNDS! Finally, the Blue Team gets a break from the elimination room, and Coach gets to cross another goal off his bucket list. He gets to go to the Super Bowl! The Blue Team continues to prove age doesn't matter on the scale. Truly inspiring.
After a tearful deliberation, Patrick was eliminated from the Red Team. It's always so hard to see one of your teammates go, but the Red Team promised to work hard even in his absence. Whew, Episode 3... BRAVO. My favorite so far.
So what did you think?? Let me know in the comments! Also, got a question for me? Ask away - you might see your answer in next week's blog!
Questions from last week:
CordovaBelle asked: Do you think it's fair to divide the teams by age?
Well, I have to admit, I was very skeptical in the beginning, but as each week goes by, the Blue Team is smashing those stereotypes! I mean Mike lost 17 pounds this week, leaving everyone else in the dust! They really are proving that age is just a number!!
PattyH1983 asked: How are you maintaining your weight loss?
Great question. I get asked this a lot. My answer is pretty simple. At The Biggest Loser, they really do teach a lifestyle change. It's not about a quick fix or a magic pill. So, basically I have continued to eat and exercise like I did at the ranch. Now, I don't work out for 6-plus hours anymore, but I do work out 90 minutes a day, six days a week. I stick with whole foods and skip the processed stuff. It's hard work, but the benefits are so worth it!
Health & Happiness,
Olivia xo