Loser Catch Up

I have two Biggest Loser episodes on my DVR in the living room. I record shows on two different DVRs. I know I have a problem, no need to tell me. For those of you who don't read my main blog, I've been staying with my cousins at their house. They are ages 15,13,9 and 8 and they don't watch tv during the school week. I didn't have time to watch all my shows because I was so busy with them.

So I am just now watching the January 13th and 20th episodes of BL. Let's discuss, shall we?

So the 1/13 episode begins with the contestants who are left talking about the big twist. The twist was that after the first weigh-in, 9 contestants went home, leaving their partners behind alone. Everyone seems shocked by the twist. All of the "campus" contestants seem up for the challenge, if not a little sad. I wonder as I'm watching the beginning, will we see a lot of the 9 "home" contestants?

Ah, we do see the "homies" telling their families and friends about the twist. They have 30 days to lose as much weight as possible but the "campus" contestants must do the most. They have to bring their partners back by staying in the game. We see the "homies" talking with trainers and cleaning out their pantries. Then we see David ordering two hot dogs. Well, way to go!

Back on the campus, the contestants meet up with Allison for a challenge. A limo pulls up and Ali tells them that this is their first temptation. She is offering them $5,000 to walk across a line that is drawn on the ground. If they do though, they (and their whole team) are out of the game for good. No one bites (but they talk about fried chicken a lot) and she ups it to $10,000.

We find out that silver team lady is living at home with her mom. Her mom is apparently supporting her, too. It looks painful for her to not take the money. Alison says that the final offer is $25,000 and she (silver team lady) says, "That is more than I make in a couple of years!" Hmmm, what does she do for a living? She cusses a lot and looks uneasy. Is she gonna do it?

The offer is to leave the game for $25,000 which is 10% of the final prize. Joelle (silver team lady) seams like she might take it. Daniel (the poor boy who is the biggest ever) says, "If you wanna win money, go on a game show..." They are basically saying if you're in it for money, go for it now. I personally think that the opportunity to be on this show is worth more than that. I don't think that the real prize is in the money.

It's my first glimpse of Bob in two weeks! He tells his team that this was the craziest weigh in ever. Jillian asks her team how they made the decision on who to send home. Jerry talks about how he needs it the most and Jillian agrees.

Bob talks to Kristen who sent her mother home. He tells her that he really liked her mom and that she loves her daughter so much. Kristen says that she thinks her mom will "kick butt" (at home). Bob tells them that they have a responsibility to not only themselves but to their teammates at home. The green lady, one of the models, tells Jillian about the temptation challenge. Joelle tells Bob that she almost took the money and Bob can't believe it. He is concerned for her and her teammate.

Bob and Joelle talk privately. He asks her why she wants to be there. She tells him that the show is the only way (other than surgery) for her to lose 100 pounds. He tells her that she must get out of her comfort zone to do it. She begins to cry and talk about shame and guilt! This is a hot button topic for me because I'm the QUEEN of shame and guilt. Bob tells her that "Today is the day to forgive yourself." She also talks about fear and Bob says, "Anytime you start to feel that fear- welcome it. Hands up, eyes open- I welcome this. It's time for you to see what you are capable of. You'll come out of this victorious." That is why I love Bob!!!

It's gym time. Jillian talks about the pattern of week 2 on the show. She tells us that she is "the best." Bob says f--- week two." Then he shows us (and Joelle) how to do a push up. Jerry is working hard and he talks about how he can't believe how much he's accomplished. Way to go, Jerry!

Bob is talking to the brown team about snacking. They discuss how they want something sweet in the afternoon and what should be done about that. Bob tells them that they should chew a stick of Extra Sugar Free gum and gives them the Sweet Watermelon to put in their pocket.

Joelle falls or knocks something over and their is a big BANG! She tells them that she is fine. It seems like she is just kinda half-assing it and her team notices. She says that she can do the diet but the exercise is the hardest for her.

We see the "homies" talking about their goals and accomplishments. They talk about how hard it is for them. Everyone seems to be doing what they should- going to the gym, setting goals, walking, etc.

Bob's Trainer Tip is to sing while working out. Awesome! I love to sing.

Now it's time for the challenge. The campus contestants and Ali are on a boat. Alison tells them that they must kayak to shore and then climb a mountain. The reward is immunity at the next weigh-in and a phone call home. She tells them that second, third and fourth place will also receive a phone call home. Also, the last place contestant will receive a 1 pound disadvantage at the weigh-in.

The contestants are in the kayak and Blaine and Helen are first. Jerry didn't seem to be moving at all! It's a foot pedaling thing. Joelle talks about her mantra and that would so be me, talking to myself. I do it all the time. Tara, green, starts to make some headway. She has had a great attitude so far. Helen is doing really well, too. Poor Dan and Jerry are still waaaaay in the water. It is strange how much I'd like to do this. I surprise myself.

Jerry finally makes it to shore but is struggling. On the mountain (hill?), Blaine and Tara are neck and neck, walking, when Tara begins to jog. She passes Blaine. She says that she felt that she had to do it then so she had a chance. It's the steepest part of the hike, Ali says and we can see how it's affecting the two. Then, Blaine says that he just couldn't do it. Tara wins 1st. Blaine wins 2nd. Dan is just making it to shore.

Mandy wins 3rd place. Helen is struggling but says that she just kept thinking about a phone call home. She wins 4th place and the last phone call. Who will be last? It's between Jerry and Daniel. Jerry makes it and says that he is not glad that Danny is behind him. A few of the others go out to meet Dan and I cry again. That is just awesome. He just needs to do it and I think that accomplishing things like this are a big start.

The winners talk about how proud they are of themselves. Tara talks about how for so long she didn't do things because of her weight and now look at her. She is kayaking and climbing mountains. She then says that the immunity is good enough for her and she would like to give her phone call away. She gives it to Felipe who is a husband and father. I cry again.

Felipe calls his wife and she says that he sounds different. He tells her that he goes days without using his inhaler. Blaine calls his wife, who is going to have a baby in two weeks. She tells him that he needs to stay because she needs him to be okay. He tells her, "I'm just no good without 'cha." It is so sweet.

Mandi gets to call her husband and she is so glad. She tells him that she did good in the challenge and that is why she gets to call. She thinks that makes him more supportive. Helen calls home and talks to her daughter that was sent home. She is the one who recently got arrested, FYI.

Ok, phone calls over and we are back in the gym for the last chance workout. Bob says that he's gonna work them hard so they don't do bad in week 2. Jillian says the same thing. Dane says that it is the hardest thing that he's done so far there. She has him squatting and leg pressing Blaine. He does it though- 900 pounds. He says that she is the hardest coach he's ever had, including his football coaches. That is a big statement.

Now, Bob is pushing Joelle. He is very frustrated with her. She does a lot of talking. Jerry is working hard with Jillian. She tells us that he just doesn't have the stamina as the younger contestants. He seems to have some knee problems. Here is Joelle again talking about not giving in or something. She says that she is "faking it until she makes it." I don't know what she is talking about. Faking it for who or what? Dan pushes himself and I am so proud! He says that it's a great feeling.

Bob is working with his team. They are running on the treadmill for 30 seconds and Joelle stops at 20 seconds. Bob is PISSED! He is cussing and yelling at her. She says she is giving him her best and he tells her that she is not. He wants to know "WHAT IS IT?" He is livid and everyone looks stunned. Jillian tells her team that she has NEVER seen him that mad, ever. He wants them to do it again. He starts counting and they are off. Joelle stops at about 25 seconds. Everyone is yelling at her to focus. She is telling him she is doing her best and blah, blah, blah. He tells her to shut the f--- up and just do it. They do it again and she makes it.

Now it is time for the weigh in. As the contestants are going into the weigh in area, we hear from the "homies." Everyone is nervous and doesn't want their partner to go home. Joelle says that she knows that everyone is mad at her. Helen talks about how Joelle has to lose weight because if she falls below, she is going home. Another person said the same thing earlier.

Ali reminds them that their weigh in is important for their future and the future of their partner at home. She asks Jillian about this week and Jillian tells her that it's been a good week, a hard week. She then says something about Bob entertaining them. Ali asks him what she means and he tells her that he and Joelle had some growing pains. He says that he was possessed by Jillian. This gets a big laugh from everyone. Then Joelle says that she just really wants to get on the scale.

*Tara is first because they are going in order of the challenge winners. She only lost 1 pound.
*Blaine came in 2nd so his team (black) goes next. Blaine lost 16 and Dane lost 14 for a combined total of 30. They have lost a total of 64 pounds since they arrived.
*Mandi weighed 251 previously. She weighs 245 and lost 6 pounds. She is happy.
*Helen weighed 245 previously. She weighs in at 237. She lost 8 pounds. She cries and says that she is going to bring Shannon back.
*The brown team goes next. Mike was 366 previously and Ron was 398. Ron loses 12 and Mike loses 7. That is 19 total and they move above Mandi.
*Damian (red) weighed 364 pounds. He has really big nipples. He's pretty confident going up to the scale. He lost 9 pounds.
*Kristen (purple-mother/daughter) weighed 341 and needs to lose more than 8 pounds. She lost 10. She does the "Bob dance" and it's not pretty. This puts her third and Mandi last.
*Felipe is up next. He needs to have lost more than 8 pounds. He weighed 347 last week. This week he weighs 339. He lost 9 pounds and he screams. He moves to fourth.
*Joelle is finally up. Kristen says, "It has been the week of Joelle. From the temptations to the workouts to the last chance workout- she sticks out like a sore thumb. I'm very interested to see what that looks like on the scale." Me too. She needs to have lost more than 7 pounds. She was 296 previously. Her current weight is 294. She lost 2 pounds. Bob is mad. Mandi is happy.
*Jerry makes his way down and I feel sad for him. Last week he weighed 344. His current weight is 343. He looks SO sad. I hate that. Everyone is moved by this. Ali and the other contestants are all sad for him. They give him a round of applause. Jillian tells him, "You still lost 26 pounds in two weeks. Nobody wants to see Jerry fall below the yellow line." Mandi is safe but is really sad for Jerry.
*Dan is next. He has a 1 pound penalty and needs to have lost more than 3 pounds. He weighed 424 last time. His current weight is 421 which means that he lost 3. If he had not received the penalty, he'd be safe and Joelle would be below with Jerry.

Joelle says that there is no glory in beating the "oldest and the heaviest". She bugs me. Now everyone must decide who to send home. Jillian says that this is the worst case scenario- Jerry and Dan below the line.

This is the hard part. Everyone is discussing who needs it more and it is very emotional. Jerry needs it more because he passed out the first day. Dan is so young and needs to be able to live again. Ron is crying and saying that Dan HAS to be there. For him, Dan represents a younger him and his own son. He says that Dan may go home and lose 80 pounds but he regain 110. That is his own pattern and he is scared for Dan.

It's time to vote and everyone sits down with Alison. She tells them that she "can't imagine a more difficult choice." Kristen goes first and votes for Jerry. She is upset about it though and hugs him. Jerry says that he is "at peace." Felipe tells Ali that he didn't base it on who worked the hardest or who needed to be there more, he based it on his feelings. He votes for Jerry too. Jerry gives Felipe a thumbs up. Damian says that he wants to see Daniel grow up to be Jerry so he votes for Jerry. Tara votes for Jerry because she thinks he has more support at home. She tearfully tells Jerry that she is sorry. He tells her not to be, that he is at peace. Ron is last and we know that he is going to vote for Jerry to go.

I am so sad and so is everyone else. Jerry says that he feels good. When Ali tells him that he is not the biggest loser he tells her that he is the biggest winner though. I am crying really hard! I hope so much that he does well. He can do it now.

Oh my goodness. Seeing him is amazing. He looks so good! He has no indication of diabetes and nothing wrong. He and Estella look great! She says that she is below 200. Jerry lost 84 pounds.

NEXT EPISODE

The January 20th episode (the latest) begins with everyone talking about how hard eliminating Jerry was. Ron says that Jerry asked to be eliminated over Daniel. Mandi says that it's hard and upsetting to have to chose between two people who are working hard when their is someone who is not. Joelle. She is not working as hard as everyone and she ostracizes herself from them. She says that she feels out of control and has an issue with losing that control. I don't get this AT ALL. She wants control of what? Her weight?? Ummm, she doesn't have that.

Now the "homies" talk about their biggest temptations- fast food, gravy, chicken burrito, cheeseburgers, strawberry danish, coffees, jerk chicken, fried chicken, potatoes. Then we see them eating better- well, some of them. David is eating fried chicken and laughing. Then he burps- cute.

The campus contestants are at a temptation challenge. They are standing in front of a table that has different food (tacos, donuts, chicken nuggets, peanut butter cups) on it. Each food has it's calorie count next to it. Alison will give them each five minutes alone in the room and they can eat as much or as little as they want. However, their partners have already done the challenge. The campus contestants will not know what the "homies" have done until they are done. The team with the highest number of calories wins the temptation. The winner gets to train alone with their trainer- at home.

Joelle is all excited because she wants to leave and have a break. This aggravates me because so many people would love to have the opportunity that she does. I am also a little confused. Does Ali mean that the winner "gets" to go home? That doesn't seem right to me.

The game starts and everyone is sniffing and staring at the food when it's their turn. Damian says he has a "meat"tooth instead of a sweet tooth. So does Blue. Mandi is confused as to what to do. She wants to go home and give her boys a hug. I guess that they will get to go home. She eats a slice of pizza. Felipe is eyeing the 200 calorie tacos. Joelle goes in and takes a slice of pizza, a donut, etc. The contestants continue to sniff and eat.

Ali comes back and tells them that there will be a winner. She starts with Mandi. Mandi ate one slice of pizza for 380 calories. Aubrey is then shown on tv and tells them that she has been craving tacos. But she didn't eat any. Mandi buries her face in her hands and cries. Aubrey tells her that she hopes Mandi ate nothing, too. Umm, oh well. FAIL.

Felipe ate nothing. Good job. Sione is shown on the tv with two pieces of pizza and a taco. He says that he did that because he needs that workout with him and Bob. His food was a total of 960 calories. Felipe is shocked. Now they are in the lead.

Kristen didn't eat anything. We see Kathy and she didn't eat anything either. Kristen is happy to see her mom on tv.

Damian didn't eat anything. Ali asks him if he thinks Nicole ate anything and he says no. Nicole shows up on the screen and Damian lets out a big "Whoo!" It is really sweet. She shows him her plate and it is empty. He is happy. She tells him that she is counting the days until she sees him again and he gets a huge grin on his face.

Helen ate nothing too. She says she doesn't know how Shannon did. Shannon came on the screen and cries. She didn't eat anything.

Tara ate nothing and neither did Laura.

Black and brown are both on campus and Ali tells us that neither of them ate anything.

Joelle didn't eat anything in the end. She put the donut in her mouth and took it out. Gross. Then we see Carla who was the biggest woman on the show. She has a plate of 3 slices of pizza, 5 chicken nuggets, 1 taco and 2 cupcakes-2710 calories. Everyone is shocked and grossed out. Joelle is all excited. Damian says (to us, not in front of her) that Joelle is 41 but emotionally 12 or 13. That is so true! She is laughing and is happy.

Mandi is very upset. She wanted to go home and see her boys very badly. She also ate a piece of pizza for nothing. Joelle says that she is not smiling because of Carla "consuming." Then she says that Carla has a strength and it's being able to do something like that (I guess eat) and then go back and "get it in line". Umm, I beg to differ. The scale says otherwise, honey. Felipe speaks up and tells her that rekinling isn't gonna burn calories. He also says that Mandy should've gone home. I feel sorry for her but she should've eaten more. I don't believe that you should get special privledges because you have kids.

Joelle and Bob will be traveling to Detroit. Everyone else who is working with Bob will be without him for a few days. Now, they have to tell Bob. We review last week's Bob meltdown where he was pissed at Joelle. Oh, this is gonna be gooooood. The team (Bob's) is on the treadmill and they tell him that they had a temptation. Felipe explains the temptation to Bob (and I understand the reward better- 24 hours at home with your trainer and partner). He tells Bob that he is going home with Carla. Bob, the doll, says, "I'm going where?" I am laughing hard.

Bob doesn't seem too happy. He says that Joelle is a mess and now he has to go and tell Carla that Joelle has been in the bottom for the past two weeks. Joelle and Bob are standing in front of Carla's house. It's big- huge. Carla comes out and everyone hugs. They go in and Bob tells Carla that Joelle has taken him where no other contestant has. She asks, "Is it me?" What an idiot. Carla tells her that at times she can push people's buttons. They discuss Joelle's being at the bottom during weigh in and Carla is not happy.

Bob goes into the kitchen and tells them about snacking on yogurt. Back in Cali, Jillian and her team are working out in the gym. Mandi starts crying and saying that she feels bad. She and Jillian go outside to talk. Mandi says that she is hitting a wall and is drained. She misses her kids. Jillian gives her a pep talk and she feels a little better.

Bob is in Detroit working the silver team. Carla is angry that Joelle isn't pulling her weight. She tells Joelle that she needs to workout hard at the campus. She keeps going on and on and Joelle gets mad. Joelle yells and Carla yells. Bob stands back and lets them be foolish. Carla has a point though. She says that she lost 9 pounds at home while Joelle lost 2 at the ranch.

Bob's trainer tip is about healthy(er) pizza. Yum. He says to start with whole wheat dough and top that with low fat cheese, veggies, chicken or shrimp and fruit.

Bob calls the team at the ranch. He is on speaker phone. He tells them- no excuses and that their last chance workout is gonna be brutal. Bob sits down to eat salad with the silver team. They start singing the same ole tune and Joelle doesn't care. She acts really disinterested. Carla tells her that she is mad that Joelle is on the ranch and not her. She wants to see a fire in Joelle and she doesn't. Joelle tells Carla some crap about vision and Carla ain't happy about that.

Blaine has a meeting with the doctor. He is 28 and takes 8 medications a day. After 3 weeks of diet and exercise he is finished with the meds. Ron is up next. He was taking 10 pills a day plus his insulin. Now he only takes 1 and a fraction of the insulin. He says that The Biggest Loser is like a fountain of youth. I have gotten off of most of my meds, too and it feels great.

It's time for a challenge. It's the jump-the-beam challenge. The winner gets immunity. Joelle says something stupid. She is the first one off with the first rotation. Ron is next. It looks like he didn't even jump. Dan and Helen are out too. Damian is out after awhile. Felipe scrapes the beam with his heels. Then he breaks it on the next round. Four people are left after over 20 minutes- three girls and Dane. Mandi is out. She is on the sidelines crying. She does that a lot but so do I. Dane is out after 2 hours. The two girls-Tara and Kristen- hit 1000 jumps. Kristin breaks hers at 1030 jumps and 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Tara wins again. She doesn't seem happy because she loves Kristin. ? Kristin is really upset because she almost won and didn't. Tara then starts spitting up and tells her team that she was throwing up in her mouth. I don't know what the hell she is talking about. I'm very grossed out.

The team is in the kitchen and Bob comes back. It's time for the last chance workout. He says that he is going to put the whole week into this workout. Some of them are on the bikes and Joelle is whining again. No one wants to hear.

Jillian talks about how she loves to inflict pain. She gets that fix from Blaine. Bob and Jillian are both pushing really hard. They are using their own weight to push their teams. Bob is pushing Mike really hard and he says that he is almost at his breaking point. Bob says that he wants to make them cry.

Jillian's Trainer Tip is about an interval that can be done in the living room. I think I will. Jumping squats 10 times, bicycle abs 20 times and then running in place for three minutes, rest for one minute and do it over two times.

It's weigh-in time. Bob says that he has no idea where the numbers will be because he has been gone all week. Ali, who looks great, tells them that if they survive the next two weigh-ins, they can bring their partners back.

*Tara goes first. She weighed 272 pounds before and lost 8 pounds. She has immunity.
*Helen gets on the scale and says that she is really nervous. She lost 6 pounds and is happy.
*Mandi goes up and she lost 8 pounds. (side note, I wish we knew how the "homies" are doing weight wise)
*Joelle is next and I'm anxious to see what she did. She weighed 294 last week. Her current weight is 288. She lost 6 pounds. She is just weird, the way she acts.
*Felipe weighed 338 pounds. His current weight is 324. He lost 14 pounds and he is screaming and yelling. It's fun! He says that he really pushed himself this week. I'm inspired by him and his reaction. He is now at the top of the scoreboard.
*The brown team-father and son, Mike and Ron-are next. They need to lose more than 18 pounds. Ron lost 9 pounds and Mike lost 11. They have lost 93 pounds in three weeks. Bob is exstatic and says, "That 93 pounds is Nicole Ritchie."
*The black team-cousins, Dane and Blaine-go next. They need to have lost more than 18 pounds. Blaine lost 12 pounds and Dane lost 18 for a total of 30. That is amazing. If I lost 18 pounds in one week, I'd pass out.
*Damian needs more than 8 pounds to stay above the yellow line and he only lost 4. Bob feels guilty.
*Dan is up and he is worried. He needs to have lost more than 8 pounds. He was at 421 and is at 406. He lost 15 pounds. He has lost 48 pounds in three weeks. WOW. I have not lost that in three freaking months. FRACK.
*Kristen weighed 331 last week. She needs to have lost more than 6 pounds. Felipe says that they were all rooting for Kristin because if she makes it, Joelle and Damian go below the line. Joelle will go home then. If she doesn't make it, she and Damian will be up for elimintion. She lost 7. She is safe.

Joelle and Damian are below the yellow line and are up for elimination. Joelle knows that it's not good for her. Bob says that he assumes it's gonna be the silver team and in that case, Carla is gonna kill someone. The contestants are all in the kitchen. Tara asks Joelle if she wants to be there and she is wishy-washy. It looks like Joelle is going home.

Felipe votes for Joelle to go home.
Brown votes for Joelle to go home.
Kristin says that Joelle has expressed a desire to not be there so she votes for her.
Helen votes for Joelle to go home.
Black team votes for Damian to go home and I kinda figured that would happen. They acted kinda sketchy during deliberation.
Tara votes for Damian to go home. I guess that Jillian's team is not on board with the votes.
Dan votes for Damian and I am really shocked. Not shocked that the other team did that but because I didn't really think of it. I didn't think they would do that.

Damian feels really bad. He feels like he let Nicole down. It's sad. In three weeks he lost 30 pounds. That is really great.

Damian and Nicole look really great. Nicole lost 76 pounds. Damian has lost 74 pounds.

NEXT WEEK
The partners come back!