Watching the premiere episode of season six brought back so many memories for me. I know exactly what the contestants are feeling because I was in their shoes not too long ago! I was glad to hear this season was going to be families. I remember walking onto the ranch the first day and wondering if I was really ready for the experience. Having my mom right there with me was comforting. We believed in each other, no matter what. So it’s great that these contestants have someone they know, love and trust with them on this journey.
The first steps of the experience are truly overwhelming. You get on the scale for the first time and have to face your reality and then head right into the gym for the most intense and treacherous workout of your life. I remember being on the treadmill the first workout wondering when it was going to end. Six hours later, when it did end, we still had homework – additional time in the gym – to complete before the next day.
With that workout comes a flood of emotions, too. You want to be there, but it’s so hard and exhausting. Your body starts to breakdown and you have Bob and Jillian screaming at you. There is no time to ease into the situation. When Jillian was telling Jerry there are two ways to do things – her way or her way mad – that’s no joke. She means it. Heba hit it right on the nose when she told Ed there is no tomorrow. On the ranch, you’ve got one shot and that’s today.
It made my heart stop to see Jerry fall off the treadmill. It took me back to when my mom fell off. You worry about the person you love and wonder if you’re doing the right thing, but in that same moment, you know there is no other place you should be. Like Coleen, I was not only saving my life, I was helping save the life of my parent.
Aside from the utter exhaustion from the workouts, the biggest surprise for me when I arrived at the ranch was the fact that there wasn’t a chef. For some reason, I was under the assumption someone would be preparing these lavish, healthy meals for us. Boy, was I mistaken! After working out for up to eight hours a day, we had to prepare our own meals. I remember many nights when my mom crawled to bed and I would take her food to her. We had to eat to keep our energy level high, but it was tough to do. I didn’t even know how to cook before The Biggest Loser! I was a fast food junkie. And then there are so many steps to eating healthy…weighing the food, preparing the food…I wanted fast and easy. But fast and easy is what put me at 234 pounds.
Watching the episode, I can’t help but wonder if they are going through the same experiences I did. Is Michelle taking food to her mom? Is the pink team in the same bedroom? Are Michelle and Renee, as well as Amy and Shellay, feeling the pressure that comes with being mother-daughter, female teams? There is definitely a buzz in the house when a female team is still in the game. It always seemed like it was expected for the women to fall below the line. Hopefully my victory last season changed that thought process.
So here are my thoughts on the Season 6 contestants…
Pink Team – Michelle & Renee – I don’t know if it’s the color of the shirt or the fact that they are mother and daughter, but I have soft spot in my heart for the pink team. People always said my mom and I could be twins. The same goes for Michelle and Renee, don’t you think? Through this journey, hopefully they will be able to support each other not only as mother and daughter, but as two women fighting the same battle. I see the fire in Michelle’s eyes. She is a force to be reckoned with. Even Jillian recognized that in week one.
Purple Team – Amy & Shellay– Amy has such a dynamic flare that could take her all the way to the finale. I’m not sure if Shallay is there for herself as much as she is there to support Amy. I know my mom insisted in week one that she was there for me. By week three, she knew she was there for herself. I hope it doesn’t take Shellay three weeks to figure that out.
Yellow Team – Coleen & Jerry– Although Jerry has some obstacles with his health, he seems so determined to do whatever it takes to push forward for Coleen. Watching the episode, I wanted to jump through the TV and protect Coleen when she was sparring with Jillian. I remember those days! Both Bob and Jillian will pick the stronger person in the duo and push him or her even harder. I hope Coleen is ready for it.
Grey Team – Tom & Tom– These guys have an advantage for sure. Like Roger and Trent last season, they are big guys with a lot of weight to lose. If they have the energy, drive and desire, they could definitely be major players until the end. The Biggest Loser ranch not only requires that you give 100 percent, but that you improve on that each day. Even if the odds are stacked in your favor, belief in yourself and determination are what will set the winner apart from the rest of the contestants.
Orange Team – Ed & Heba – I can’t believe they fell below the yellow line! I love Heba. Her energy and ability to have fun even in the most grueling moments will take her a long way. She may be the biggest girl on the scale, but she may also have the biggest heart. And heart is what determines the winner of this game. Ed is going to have to step up to the plate to keep up with Heba.
Brown Team – Vicky & Brady– Holy cow! Over seven percent weight loss. Are you kidding me? I think sometimes what appears to be disadvantage turns into a positive. Knowing they had the two additional pounds added to their total, I’m sure they really stepped it up in the gym. It shows a lot of character. I wouldn’t be surprised if this couple made it all the way to the finale.
Green Team – Adam & Stacy– It’s hard to be the first to be sent home. I’m sure Adam and Stacy are wondering if they got enough information in one week to change their lives. They hardest part is over though. They told the truth and whether you’re on the ranch or at home, the time is now. You have to get healthy. Plus, you never know when The Biggest Loser is going to add a twist and give you the opportunity to come back. That worked out pretty well for me!
Red Team – Phillip & Amy – Phillip and Amy are making this change for themselves and their kids, as well. That extra motivation could be the difference for them. Plus, they can use their skills as real estate agents to form some alliances in the house. This is, after all, a game.
Finally, let's talk about the weigh-in. Every time you stand in front of the big scale, you wonder if you did enough to stay above the yellow line and if not, are you going to be able to convince people in the house to keep you on the ranch for another week. The first weigh-in out of all of them, you really don't have an idea on what to expect. No one who comes to the ranch has paid attention to their weight in years, so you don’t have a gauge.
It was so fun to watch the excitement on the contestants’ faces as they watched their new numbers pop up. Heba skipping back to her spot was an amazing moment. I remember seeing 19 pounds come off my total that first week. It was an out-of-body experience. All of the people who weighed in before me pulled huge numbers and the doubt started creeping in. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes because I was so nervous and scared. Then to see that huge number come up for me, I was ecstatic.
I’m excited to watch this season through a whole new set of eyes and share my thoughts and feelings with you as these contestants go through their journey. Judging from the first episode, we’ve got some determined and motivated people for season six. Should be a lot of fun!
Believe It. Be It.
--Ali
www.alivincent.com
