I just want to start out by saying um.... NICOLE, where oh where did you go? I couldn't believe how amazing Nicole looked when I first set eyes on her back at campus in week 13. And it was so great for me to be there with everyone; it truly is a special place.
Every time I go back, I always want to take every single contestant in my arms and tell them how good they are doing and that everything will be ok. I want to share with them that it will all be ok whether they stay on ranch or go home because eventually everyone goes home. Being on The Biggest Loser is definitely a special time in our lives as contestants, but it just is a moment in time in all respect to our entire lives. It is especially inspiring to see contestants come back to campus or the finale after only a short stint on The Biggest Loser campus and see the amazing results created at home.
Too Much Stress?
All too often at home we feel pulled in millions of different directions. Sometimes it becomes overwhelming, and our bodies can physically panic. When our bodies are that stressed out, be it emotionally or physically, our systems go into protective mode and produce a hormone called Cortisol.
Now I am no doctor by any means, I can only talk from my experience and the knowledge given to me by my trainers, Bob and Jillian. But what happens when Cortisol is released is that it prevents you from losing weight. I don't know why Nicole gained 5 lbs. during her week back on campus, but I do know that she was experiencing a lot of stress from so many people pulling her in so many different directions. I know. I've been there!
Control What You Can
As a contestant returning to campus after being gone for weeks and weeks, you do not come back to the same situation. There is gameplay in The Biggest Loser, and the longer you stay on campus the more sucked into it you get.
When I returned to campus during my season after a 5-week hiatus, I could not personally handle that kind of stress. I just decided to control what I could and that was my intake of calories and the amount of calories I burned. For whatever reason, I was able to detach enough from the drama of the game that I did not have any experiences (that I was aware of) with Cortisol.
I am not trying to make excuses for anyone, just thinking things over. I have been lucky enough to personally get to know Nicole, and she is one of the most vibrant and strong women I have had the privilege to cross paths with. I think Nicole is AMAZING, and I know in my heart of hearts that everything happens for a reason. I know Nicole believes that too. So America, brace yourself for a woman who has used her at-home resources to their fullest. And know this, you can do the very same thing to regain control of your life!
YAY! YAY! YAY! We have all the colors back! I love it when the show goes back to singles. I know teams are important, but I sometimes think that the real reason we contestants all step foot on the ranch gets lost a bit in teams. And yes, Helen, you do look awesome in pink! Can you believe how big Mike's shirt looks? It is amazing and just think, they just put those colors back on and they have many more weeks on campus and in this journey.
I honestly can't imagine what the players must have been feeling having the opportunity to choose their trainer, just like that -- in the middle of the game. I know we all knew who Sione and Felipe were going to pick, but I honestly was not sure about the others except Tara.
Jill, Jill, Jill...
In the beginning it seemed everyone was going to choose Jill. But remember they were Jill's players already, and the order was based on the highest percentage of weight loss. This was really emotional and hard but also liberating. Choosing their own trainer means they have no one to blame but themselves.
It really hurt Bob when Mike decided by flipping a coin. Ron was right. It was an action of Mike's age. It shouldn't matter who trains you on campus but it does. It is different and separate, but there is a game part of the Biggest Loser. Everyone is losing weight but those with the highest percentage of weight loss were being trained by Jill and still are.
I can relate to how Laura was feeling, being on ranch is so scary, and you definitely feel as if some have closer connections than others to the trainers. You just have to focus on what matters and know that you will be going home to your real life. The Biggest Loser is 2.2 seconds of our lives in the big picture and whether or not you feel as if you are a favorite or not, Bob and Jill will do all that they can to get you to your goal.
Picking on Tara
Trainers are chosen, individual colors are on, now let's see what everyone thinks of you. It's these challenges that I hate the most. I think if immunity wasn't on the table, some of the contestants would have just kept their weight to themselves -- at least that is what I would hope. I don't care though what the situation, it hurts. It hurts your feelings when you feel picked on, and they were picking on Tara, plain and simple. I really like Tara and I have really enjoyed watching her grow over the past few weeks, I think that maybe something like this needed to happen to remind Tara that there is a bigger picture -- the rest of her life.
Pulling the car
What's 257 pounds when you are already pulling over 2 tons anyway, right Tara?! LOL you go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!! The steady one wins the prize. As a contestant, I was never the one to do anything particularly out of the ordinary, but I was the one who was consistent and steady. That is how you change your life. I am very proud of Tara and how she turned those feelings of hurt into strength in herself. I think everyone wanted to see Tara win this one.
100-Pound Milestone
Who was going to do it? Was this the week that a woman would lose 100 POUNDS on campus? You bet your sweet booty it was! CONGRATULATION KRISTIN!!!!!!
What a week! It's hard to know where even to begin. I had so many people ask me what I thought was going to happen after being left in the dust last week with "to be continued" on the TV screen right as Mike was weighing in.
I hoped that he would kill it on the scale so everyone could have one more week on the ranch and he did with a 9 pound loss!. But leave it to The Biggest Loser to follow up with the pop challenge of pop challenges -- who could hold a wall squat the longest. The winner would then be allowed to pair off Blue and Black team members at the next weigh-in for up to four pairings. The first team to get to 3 points (or weigh-ins) won would win the weigh-in.
Poor Blue Team! They try and try and give it everything they have, only to lose challenges time and time again. I wasn't sure though who was going to pull it off; Mandy seemed like a real contender against the almighty Tara -- that girl is AMAZING!
I realize how important it was for everyone to try and win this, to have the opportunity to pair people up to compete on the scale. Talk about power to control the game on many levels. However, the pressure that must have come hand in hand with that power, I don't know if I would have wanted that pressure. I thought the pairings were pretty good. I think that anyway you could have stacked it, it would have been pretty dominant in favor of the Black. I loved though how many of the Blue contestants had a higher percentage of weight loss than their counterparts.
I thought it was fun to see the contestants have fun with the competition of going up against each other one on one. I love Kristen -- I just think she is just good-hearted and takes everything for what it is and is light about everything put in her path.
Spiraling Out of Control at the Spa
I loved the relay challenge at the gym. I really thought maybe Blue was going to have a chance. As it turns out, they didn't win that challenge after all...but maybe that was a good thing. The Black Team was given 24 hours at a spa for winning the challenge, so while they indulged (all the stuff they used to do before coming to the ranch), the Blue Team was back at the ranch working out.
Everyone needs a day off and I understand that, but while on The Biggest Loser ranch, contestants take a day off every week. Part of being successful is taking care of your body in all aspects and that includes resting. Yes, you need to get your daily sleep but you also have to take one day a week to let your body relax, this also keeps your body guessing.
(I'm sure most of you have heard of the new Biggest Loser book, 30-Day Jump Start which is a wealth of information including all the details about how we did it! And one of the things you learn is that the contestants allow their bodies to rest one day a week.)
What About Drinking?
Back to what happened at the spa, let's talk about drinking. Is it bad? No. In moderation, nothing is bad. But there is a two-fold situation here. First, if you are on The Biggest Loser, chances are you have issues knowing when to stop and knowing when enough is enough.
The second part is what typically happens when someone drinks too much -- they tend to crave food. I don't not know why this happens, but I do know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it does. We witnessed both in this episode, it started out with one shot then went to another, then cocktails, then ordering additional food even though they just had an extremely high-calorie dinner. Let's tell the truth, were you at home surprised about what came next?
Jillian's Explosion, Filipe's Freakout
I think Jill was so upset because she gives EVERYTHING of who she is to have us succeed and supports us in every way that she knows. Even when she is not on ranch, she is constantly thinking about how to support us. I don't think she cared that they had a drink, I think she was upset that they were reckless in their behavior. And upset at the fact that she stays up at night worrying, and at the first opportunity her team threw caution to the wind.
Everyone can stay in line when someone is watching you, but if you can't stay true to yourself when nobody is, then you will never be successful in the long run, and that scares both Jill and Bob. I think she was scared and hurt and upset and pissed off, so maybe it got out of control a bit, but there was no excuse for Filipe to go off the way that he did!
I'm sorry, I have been there and you know what? Sometimes the trainers forget to train you....not because they forgot about you but because they have so much on their minds. Filipe could have, and in my opinion should have, taken a moment to think about how overwhelmed he was feeling then multiply that by 6 and then maybe he might have an idea how Jill feels every day and has for approximately 7 years. Give a girl a break and take responsibility.
I reminded Jill one evening that it appeared as if she had forgotten about me, that she didn't train me. She didn't even realize it and apologized, sent everyone in and trained me for an hour by myself. That night was probably one of my biggest breakthroughs on the ranch, it is when Jill is asking me why I'm there and why I'm fat. I could have not said anything, let it build, collect evidence like I had always done in my life about why I wasn't worth it, whatever "IT" is, and probably eventually blow up or I could just remind my trainer I haven't been trained. Now I wasn't there, but I don't care. Jill and Bob give so much and never deserve to ever be disrespected in the game of The Biggest Loser.
I guess everything happens for a reason, and I realize Bob was put in a tricky situation when Filipe and Sione walked into that gym saying they only wanted to train with him, I just personally don't know if it was handled in the most professional way.
What a Weigh-In
What a weigh-in! I thought the Blue Team might pull it off, but, wow, I couldn't believe Mandi gained two pounds. The only possible explanation to me is STRESS.
At the elimination, I thought Mandi was actually going to let Aubrey sacrifice herself again and head home. I started crying immediately as soon as Mandi started talking 'cause I realized she wasn't going to let her do it. I know that took a lot of courage to realize that she deserved a chance, just like Mandi had the first 30 days because I know that she did not want to.
I was very proud of Mandi, and I think she gave her sister a gift that was way beyond staying for one more week on the ranch. She gave Aubrey an opportunity to give to herself and only herself, even if it might just be one week. So far, it was probably my favorite moment this season.
Ali Vincent of Season 5 was the first woman to ever win The Biggest Loser grand prize.
What a heartbreaking elimination the previous week when Jerry was sent home. I think that some contestants were resentful for having to choose between two worthy contestants when others, in their opinion, didn't work as hard or want it as badly. This is where it gets tricky -- who is to say who is worthy and who is not? But it is hard to understand why some people talk a big talk but don't necessarily walk the walk, particularly on the Biggest Loser ranch. We all have our own way of dealing when we are up against our issues, especially if it seems everyone around us doesn't understand. But I know that if you try and communicate rather than shut down, you will open yourself to change.
Do you feel, as I do, that season 7, so far, is the season of Joelle? What we resist persists, as my mom Bette-Sue always says. Even when Joelle avoids attention, it somehow seems to find her. In the food temptation, although she wanted to eat to go home for an overnight, she didn't. Yet you would have thought by the reaction of the other players that she did, because she was excited to go home after Carla ate a ton, over 2000 calories. You know if I had been at home and that was the only control I had to try and get some more guidance from the trainer I had had for a mere week, I too would have gone for it as Carla and Sione did. After all, to get back on the ranch their weight does not come into the equation, but every day counts when you are aiming to be the next Biggest Loser.
Meltdown in Detroit
I think that the trip to see Carla was not as well received as Joelle might have been hoping for. I think it is obvious though that Joelle does not respond well to people getting in her face. After tonight we have seen it now twice, first with Bob (which has NEVER happened before) and now her best friend Carla. You know if one person reacts to you in an uncanny manner you can write it off, but if more than one does you should definitely take a look at yourself, as I think it's time to do for our spitfire girl in silver. It is one thing to have personal affirmations, and you all know that I am a believer in affirmations, but you must not only put it out to the universe in speech but also in your actions!
The Jump Challenge
We have seen this type of challenge before, and yes the winner of it became the Biggest Loser…will it happen again? That's the thing -- although every one of the contestants has it in them to win, I think this classic challenge in particular was telling. The contestants not have to have the endurance, they also have to stay completely conscious! All it takes is a moment of distraction to break that styrofoam bar. My hat is off to both Tara and Kristin for a job well done. It wasn't easy to jump for more than an hour in 90-degree weather.
Dan's the Man!
Over 50 pounds in just 3 weeks! What an amazing feat for Dan! I know that he is truly taking in every minute on ranch. My hope is that he is acknowledges that he is the one creating his destiny, and that he should believe -- as he shared with Jill -- that he can do this!
I will say I did not understand the voting in the elimination this week at all. All things considered, Damien's journey on ranch just came to an end, yet once again Joelle is the one who caught the immediate attention of Alison.
This time however I saw genuine feeling. She was not trying to hide but probably for the first time in years was just being in the moment, a moment of surprise yet a second chance of a lifetime. Regardless of what may or may not have been the reason for the teams to vote off Damien and keep Joelle, Joelle should take this as a gift, prayers answered, stroke of luck, or a twist of fate, whatever you will but TAKE IT and run with it mama! And I'm talking about all day and night on that TREADMILL!!!
Ali Vincent of Season 5 was the first woman to ever win The Biggest Loser grand prize.
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.
I am so excited about this season. I think it's time. It's time after 5 years to not only watch every Tuesday and support the contestants but to get up and join them. This season will be like no other, we have the biggest contestants yet. This is America and it's time we join together and make a change. I can testify that The Biggest Loser is bigger than just a television show, it is a show that has inspired a country and now we have the opportunity to sign online and register together to put action behind our dreams.
I honestly can say I don't know what it would have been like to do my first workout on the ranch on my own. But I must admit these contestants looked so lost, they have NO idea what they are in store for. I think that Bob and Jillian know that this is serious and that there is a lot of work ahead of everyone on season 7. I guess I say a lot of work ahead for fear of saying these contestants are sick. America, we are killing ourselves by allowing ourselves to get so out of shape and living the convenient life of drive-thrus, and couches while watching TV. The upswing of such dire circumstances is that there is so much room for change and success and that is exciting!
Scared for Jerry
I got so scared when I saw what looked like the life drained out of Jerry. I know that the privilege of having been on ranch is to have constant supervision by trainers and doctors, so please be excited on your journeys but remember to check in with your doctors and trainers at home when starting and changing your activity routines and calorie intakes.
Picking teams is a horrible way to have to get on a team, I don't know why I hate situations like that so much. (I'm probably just too sensitive as Roger might say!) What I do know is that everything happens for a reason so I hope everyone likes their teams but whether they do or not, I know they are right where they are supposed to be. How cool for the purple team to go from feeling like they weren't being chosen to being the only team that got to choose their trainer, how about that Kristin and Cathy?!
Hardest Step
The first weigh-in is one of the hardest steps that anyone on the Biggest Loser has to take, as well as for every one of you at home. I know that there are those of you out there who do not feel like they need to weigh themselves in order to lose weight. What I have to say to that is, you are absolutely right. What you do have to do though is come up with a way for you to judge your progress.
So whether it's a scale or a pair of pants that you can pull up but are tight and unable to button up or maybe it's an elastic band that can't stretch anymore and cuts into your skin throughout the day, I don't know. I do think it is important to continue to have ways to judge progress in more ways than just feeling better. It is important to see success so we continue to be encouraged. And of course if you want to participate in the pound-for-pound match-up, you have to use the scale, so come on, do it for the hungry as well as yourself.
About the Contestants
Daniel is one of my favorites already. He is the heaviest contestant ever. I just want it for him sooooooo bad. I want him to finally for the first time in his life feel proud of himself and have success in a battle I can only imagine has caused him tremendous pain.
Then there is Kristin and Cathy. I love their commitment to each other and Kristin's ability to see the glass half full. The silver and pink teams are both full of spunk which makes me love them. The black and blue teams are both from my home state and have what I imagine to be similar backgrounds. So there is that soft spot.
Oh and Damien and Nicole, so cute and in love and so much ahead of them. Who can't relate to Mandi and Aubrey, the sisters who will encourage and set each other off. I know what it feels like to feel uncomfortable in your own skin and my heart went out to Mandi when she said her husband doesn't even see her like that; I'm sorry but that has to put a strain on the relationship. She deserves to feel beautiful and sexy around the man that she loves and has chosen to share her life with.
What would it feel like to be too big to be a plus-size model like Tara and Laura? I can't imagine. I'm so excited to see Jerry and Estella going after it. I hate it when people think that it's too late, and they are too old. I'm glad that the white team is going to put that notion to rest. When I was on the show my grandma started walking to get the mail, which was a huge step for her. I can't wait to see the results of the power of a father and son team in Mike and Ron.
The First Challenge
Go Aubrey and Mandi! I love how they gave it everything they had. Even though they lost the coveted immunity, I was extremely impressed. It's at times like that I wish Alison would say they both get immunity but that's my fairyland lol.
I kinda feel like Bob and Jill both have come to the conclusion that there is absolutely no time to waste. At least that's what it felt like during the contestants' very first LAST-CHANCE workout. With each new season I try to remember how I felt -- it's amazing how our bodies change.
The twist of all twists, you could tell that Bob and Jill weren't buying the fact that there was not going to be an elimination as grounds to celebrate, and they were right. I think I would have died if I got that news. I don't know what would be more courageous, to leave or stay. Mike and Ron really took it home. Congrats guys!
What would it be like to decide between yourself and your dream and the opportunity of a lifetime and one of the most important people in your life? Both are such a hard spaces to be in, it truly becomes an act of trust. What is supposed to be, will be. The responsibility each team member must feel, this is good though… this is what it is all about, believing in yourself enough to create something far bigger than you can do on your own. Shanon was right when she said in her last campus interview this will inspire people. It has inspired me.
Let's talk real quick about the pound-for-pound match-up. This is probably the coolest thing Biggest Loser has ever been a part of and I mean Biggest Loser the community, the viewers, the club members and all of your friends. Let's make a pact to encourage everyone that crosses our path to go online and resister to get healthy and FEED the HUNGRY!
Ali Vincent of Season 5 was the first woman to ever win The Biggest Loser grand prize.
Wow! I can’t believe it’s that time again. Next week there will be another Biggest Loser to join our club of few. I remember that last week on the ranch and can I just tell you, I felt like I was going to die. I know, watching the show, it looks like there is a lot time where all the contestants are reminiscing--and we do. However, every single player is working out nonstop and is just pulled away from the gym to film different "beats" (that’s what production calls, for example, the scenes in which contestants were watching their videos with their trainers).
The last week on campus is truly do or die. I remember Jillian actually having to make me stop and go into the house for some rest. Although I know that resting my body is just as important as working out, I just couldn’t, for whatever reason, stop on my own. I didn’t want to have ANY regrets, and I knew that if I had fallen below the yellow line, I would replay every second of every day. I was depending on Jill to know how far I could go. To push yourself to such limits, you have to have an amazing support system of people. Not only to push you but also to help you realize when you need to lighten up.
I know that Michelle may feel as if she is all alone, but she is far from it. First of all she has herself, and she has all of you who are cheering her on. I’m actually glad that she has this opportunity to go all the way depending on just herself. On some level it’s funny, because your partner is your support system, but sometimes they become your crutch. Michelle no longer needs any crutches in her life she is a strong, capable woman. She may be in black now but she started out as PINK!
The Final Challenge
The final challenge is always an eye-opener. Each season it looks different, but each season the contestants have to carry all the weight they have shed at that point. I like how the contestants got to take off the weight as they shed it on campus. It’s amazing to feel how heavy all that weight is and how you don’t really feel it when it is on your body.
I was so upset in our last challenge, not only because I was physically uncomfortable, but also they made us put on those horrible fat suits. (Which, by the way, I have in my closet. On occasion I’ll put it on just to remind myself that I no longer need that weight to hide myself.
Bob always liked to share cooking tips with us. He makes the best stir fry. I hope Vicky finds ways to get creative with cooking so that her children start not only liking vegetables but really start craving them. Truly the key to staying healthy is eating tons of veggies. I like to eat so I always veggie-load my meals. It’s a great way to feel satisfied yet stay within your calorie budget.
One-Two Punch?
I must admit when I saw the two-pound weight gain, I thought, like Bob, it was game play. I think that Ed and Heba have the same plan that I know Vicki and Brady have--one to win the show, the other to win at home. It only makes sense, why compete against your partner when you can work together and sweep the season? That would be pretty amazing if a husband and wife team won it all. (I can’t wait to see the milk mustache ads!)
I have to tell you I am so excited to see everyone on Tuesday. Yes! I will be at the finale. It's just the beginning of the rest of their lives, and I hope that each and every contestant--present and future--really gets what a blessing the Biggest Loser is, and all its tools. We are changing lives together and that includes you at home. Just remember, when you feel like you have nobody--you do! Here at the Club! Anything is possible as long as you believe in yourself and set up the support system you need for just those moments.
See you at the finale, I’ll be the one in the pink dress ;)