Reality TV

The Biggest Loser Season 7 – February 10, 2009

After two week below the yellow line, the brown team has to face the reality that one more week below, and it is very likely that they will be sent home.  For this reason, Bob made it a priority to sit down with Mike & Ron.  The reality…these guys are burning 10,000 calories a day, so they need to fuel their body with lots of complex carbohydrates…if you eat less, you lose less weight when it comes to working out as hard as these contestants, eating right is just as important as exercising right.

Alison starts off the week with a “pop-challenge”, stand with one foot on a block for as long as you can…it is harder than it looks, but the prize was so good…a visit with a loved one for 24 hrs ON THE RANCH.  Mandi wanted to see her husband, and she literally begged for the last 3 contestants to bow out gracefully so she could win.  We get it, you want to purse, but when Jillian heard about the win, she was less than excited about the whole thing…afraid that Mandi’s husbands visit might mess up all that Jillian has accomplished with Mandi over the last weeks.  Mandi’s husband was less than supportive about Mandi coming on the show to begin with…so everyone could understand Jillian’s apprehensions.

It was a chilly (30 something degrees) night, starting the challenge for immunity  at 8pm…teamwork & endurance were a must, as players and their partners had to hold a bar in the air for as long as possible.  Over 4 hours into the challenge (after midnight) and two teams remained, green and purple…both teams were getting tired and were literally freezing, but the purple team held out, and won the challenge  (I really think Tara had it in her to go all night, but her partner, Laura is truly the weaker link).

Mandi’s “pop-challenge” win comes true, as she walks in her room to find her husband, Rusty, waiting for her…and a little surprise at the door when she gets a knock from her two boys…she was ecstatic, and her husband was more than happy with how great Mandi is starting to look.  Mandi treated her family to “a day on the ranch” from a contestants perspective, and Rusty admitted that it was really hard work, and noted how proud he was of Mandi, and that he wanted her to keep on working hard.

Bob’s team got a lot of on-air attention this week, as they highlighted Bob’s yoga routine…showing that concentration, relaxation, and finding peace are key to the biggest loser experience.  This hits close to home with Kathy, as she talks about how much this has helped her in staying positive in her addiction recovery.  Bob’s team is working it hard this week, as they hike 5 miles to eat at a Subway, but wait…get a snack, let’s walk another 2 miles before we eat.  Again, Bob give attention to eating complex carbohydrates, and focuses on the brown teams eating habits…as Ron is still afraid of carbs.

Last chance workouts…this week really showed us how long and hard these players are working out…from 9am to 9pm they are still in the gym, and most contestants are not surprised to find their teammates in there at 5am…no wonder they are burning 10,000 calories a day…which is equivalent to about 2.8 lbs burned per day…this is how these contestants are dropping 13 pounds a week.

Weigh ins are an emotional roller coaster for all of us, but to these players… it is a one chance moment, where they get to stay or have to go home.  This week, only one player on one team will be sent home…meaning partners will be divided.  The black team fell below the yellow line this week, and Blaine pleaded to be sent home, so Dane could stay.  Blaine got his wish, as he was voted off The Biggest Loser, but in recap he is making great progress at home, has lost 86 lbs, and plans on completing an Ironman Triathlon before he returns for the finale.

So yes, the brown team has made it another week, but will the stress on Mike of pulling the weight for him and his dad be too much?  Can’t wait for next week.