By Ali Vincent, Special to BiggestLoserClub.com
I can't imagine the pressure that the contestants must have been feeling the next morning they woke up and realized that their teammates -- who went home for 30 days -- were counting on them to stay in the game and bring them back. Yes they started the show as teams, but it is hard enough just to take care of yourself and worry about you during the first weeks on the Biggest Loser ranch.
Now they also have to face the notoriously hardest week on campus, the dreaded week 2. People always ask, what is it about that week that delivers results so lower than week 1? I would have to say that the body, after week 1, is in so much shock it goes into a state of confusion.
The 1st week we go from typically only eating foods that are extremely bad for us and to eating, in one day, the caloric equivalent to what use to be one meal or a night out on the town with friends. The women eat 1200-1800 calories daily, and the men usually have around 2000 calories. Water is the only drink. So basically, our bodies go into shock, and the second week our poor bodies just want to hold on to what they can for dear life, much to our dismay.
I have great faith that the contestants who went home for 30 days will do what they can to keep up with their counterparts on the ranch. After all, if all goes well, they too will once again be on the ranch competing with their partners for the Biggest Loser grand prize of $250,000... I'm pretty sure though that Carla would have killed Joelle if she had gone through with her urge to take Alison up on the temptation to bail out now and take some money instead.
Show You the Money?
What would you have done? Here you are on the Biggest Loser ranch, something you wanted for so long. Already after only one week you have seen the twists and turns that could possibly be ahead of you -- I mean who would have thought they would send half the contestants home? And now Alison is offering you $25,000 and a ride in a limo home. Well, I am proud of the contestants for turning it down, especially since Bob and Jill didn't even have a chance to talk to their new teams before such a huge temptation was put in front of them.
I know that Bob will do what he can to help Joelle figure out what is stopping her from believing in herself and pushing through her fears. However she is definitely going to have to start seeing a bigger picture than just what is tempting right in front of her; I am not convinced that she would have turned down the offer of the $25,000 if she didn't have the pressure of Carla counting on her to get back in the game, and that worries me. At the end of the day it will be up to her and nobody else.
How fun was it to see all the "at home" contestants! Carla, you go girl with your pink headphones! I love how Estella had her calendar and was crossing off the days. This grandma is showing her grandkids and America that it can be done at home. And Laura, getting after it on the beach, enjoying the outdoors. David, you can do it, dig deep my friend. Shanon, use that anger you are feeling about getting out of shape to your benefit and take it off mama. Nicole, you look strong, one day at a time, and you will see the ranch again. Aubrey... a male Jill? That is what it's going to take, is his name Bob? Sione, that mountain looks familiar, love South Mountain. Cathy, you will find your energy more and more with every passing day.
A Formidable Tara
I think this challenge was extraordinarily hard and with such stakes. Immunity in the second week is priceless. Tara you are a force to be reckoned with... What do you think, Biggest Loser Club, are we looking at our third female Biggest Loser?
Ok I know that I know you all have probably even seen more episodes than even I have and can we just say "SHUT UP Joelle!" Bob never gets crazy so you know he had to be pushed to his wits end. I mean, for crying out loud, even Jill was astounded. Bob and Jill are not looking for perfection; they are looking for each contestant to go as far as they can and then take one more step. If you were perfect at this, you would not be on the Biggest Loser. I think that is the key for the contestants and all of us at home to find it deep within ourselves and with the support of others, to push ourselves further than we ever thought we could go. And yes, it is true, sometimes 30 seconds feels like a lifetime.
At the Weigh-In and Elimination
To get on the scale and have an empty scale next to you must have felt like a lot of pressure. I'm sure that each contestant must have wondered, did I do enough? (I know that I did every single time I stepped on that dreaded scale, and I never had an empty one next to me.)
Jerry and Daniel, really? I don't know that there could have been a worse outcome, in regards to health. What I do know is that everything happens for a reason. I think that Ron was right on, when he shared during the one hour between weigh-in and elimination that Jerry has been there before (healthy that is) and would have the strength to continue at home now that he realizes he can do it again.
But Dan has never felt it, and he has a long way to go. As a past contestant in season 5, I remember the second week elimination when we chose to keep those on campus who we thought needed the most support, and we were confident that Curtis and Mallory would have the most success at home. I think as hard as it was for the contestants, that Dan could use some more time on campus. It broke my heart to see the disappointment on Jerry's face and with that same thought, at least he has Estella to go home to.
You can do it Jerry! Kiss Estella when you get home, then hit the gym together. I can't wait to see the hottest grandparents around at the finale!
Ali Vincent of Season 5 was the first woman to ever win The Biggest Loser grand prize.
