And by SHE, I mean not only Tracey, but Liz and Rebecca.  To quote the Beastie Boys, “Hey Ladies!” Don’t profess to do everything possible to control the game only to give up your power at the very end.

TEMPTATION

Quick start to the week!  Ali informs the players that the game is on.  It’s Blue vs. Black and one player will win control over the rest of the game.  NBC built a nice replica of the Wheel of Fortune for this temptation.  The circle has 36 spaces holding silver trays – one has the golden ticket and the other 35 have bonuses or penalties.  Winner of the golden ticket?  You select your trainer and determine the teams.

Opportunity is in the air!  Rebecca sees this a chance to control her own destiny.   Everyone agrees, except for Abby who asserts that what she wants isn’t going to be found by participating in this temptation.   The order is determined by highest percentage of weight loss so Rudy spins first.  He gets a slice of cake – 1000 calories!  Ugh.  Rebecca’s silver tray contains a 280 calorie donut.   Allen’s third up to spin.  No cash prize or ticket, just a mini chocolate cupcake, worth 100 calories.  Will the power rest with Danny?  No.  His silver tray yields a monster cupcake, full of sprinkles and frosting…and 780 calories.

A collective hush rolls over the group.  Tracey is next to spin.  Heck yeah, she wants this.  And as Mo tells us, the woman has the power to channel whatever she desires.   And then, an eerie win blows across the playing area, like a poltergeist.  Yes.  Seriously.   Any guesses on how this turns out?

Tracey wins!  As she contemplates her team selections, the rest of the group is dismayed.  Amanda is worried, she needs Bob.   Lots of fear and tears from Orange.  Dina can’t grasp being separated from her Blue Team partner Rudy, but he reminds her that she can depend on herself.   Ultimately, it will be okay.

The trainers arrive as the players regroup and prepare to be divvied up.  People are about to go crazy.  When Bob hears what’s unfolded, he deadpans, “Shocker!”  Tracey’s first decision is her own fate.  She professes to have a kinship with Bob and makes herself the first member of the Blue Team.  In reality, she probably didn’t want to face Jillian, who’s been gearing up to give her an “ass-whipping” for four weeks.  Will Jillian ever get her chance?

Tracey keeps only two teams intact, Purple and Orange.  At least she finally did something nice for Shay! She selects Mo, Allen, Liz, Rudy and Rebecca for the Blue Team.    Daniel, Shay, Abby, Danny, Amanda and Dina form the Black Team.   Silent discontent, marred by tears from Liz (who begged Tracey to keep her with Danny) and Amanda (who has formed a true connection with Bob).  Danny’s looking for blood on his new Black shirt, since he feels as if he’s been stabbed in the back.  And Dina, last to be picked, is just disgusted.

But the ultimate injustice:  Tracey bursting into tears as she gets to Amanda and Dina, saying that it’s time that she stopped trying to please people.   Excuse me?  When did she start?  Did we all miss the people pleasing over the last four weeks?

World War 3 has begun.  No more two-faced players, says Danny.  Everyone’s four-faced!  Dina, Danny and Liz agree that Tracey has no integrity.   Miss Liz decides to throw down – her mission this week is to send Tracey home.  Uh oh!  Advice to Tracey?  Don’t eat anything Liz whips up for you!

IN THE GYM

Frazzled nerves need soothing.  Only thing that can do it?  A collective beat down from the trainers.  Nothing like a good session on the treadmills and weight training to beat the drama out of the newly formed teams.

Liz is so intent on sending Tracey packing, she completely overworks herself and passes out on the treadmill.  After she recovers, Jillian asks, “What happens to Southern women when they get mad?”  Liz replies, “We get even.”  I just love her!

Jillian’s cracking into everyone except Dina.  She can’t get Dina to block out her fear and jump onto a stool.  Finally, she issues the ultimatim – get to what’s blocking you, figure it out, write a new story or you’re wasting my time!  Dina goes outside to pull it together.  Rudy, no doubt pulling from all of his football training, gives her a pep talk.   He coaxes Dina back in and in a strange hey-he’s-out-Jillianing- Jillian moment, he tries his best to get Dina on the stool.  But not even the blue crash mat will ease Dina’s fears.   Not happening.

TRAINER TIP

Jillian demos deadlifts to sculpt glutes and hamstrings.  Grab a bar or dumbbells, lean forward with slight bend in knees until back is parallel to ground.  Then return to starting position in a slow fluid motion.  For more of a challenge, stand on one leg for one set.  Switch legs and repeat on other side.

BLUE TEAM BUILDING/PRODUCT PLACEMENT

Field trip!  The Blue Team heads out to the local grocery store to learn about healthy, on-the-go food choices.  Bob suggests substituting leaner Jennie O Turkey Breast for whole roast chicken.   A few bags of vegetables later, the group is back on campus, creating wraps at the house picnic tables.

CHALLENGE – TEAMWORK

The teams evaluate themselves and competition on the way to the first team challenge.  Black perceives Blue as the stronger team, but Dina says  “Black has heart!”  And Jillian!

Ali lays out the hillside challenge.  Good players help themselves, great players help others.  Sometimes you carry yourself, sometimes they carry you.  Literally.   The objective:  each team carries one teammate on a board up the hill, splashing through a mud patch and ending on top of the hill.  One person has to be on the board at all times.  Reward:  Video from home!  Always a motivator.

Tracey and Abby sit out again this week.   Blue decides to carry Rebecca, who unhappily discovers she is unable to channel her inner Cleopatra.  Black choose Dina.  Blue takes the early lead as both teams navigate through the narrow path.  Black struggles to work cohesively, with Shay having trouble maintaining her grip as Daniel pushes to catch up.  The mud patch stalls the Black Team.  Amanda loses her shoe (PLOY! says FosterFitness) and takes Dina’s place.  Dina’s thrilled, she’s finally helping herself.   But Black Team tempers flare – everyone’s out of sync.

Blue Team is excited to get the first team win.  Liz still has her eye on the real prize – giving Tracey the boot.  In a surprising move, Rebecca wants to give up her video so that Dina can watch hers…as long as Dina promises to get on the stool.  Dina passes.  Still not happening!

REWARD

Video time!  Families are adorable, with singing sisters, pets and crawling babies.  Tracey’s husband seems to be her perfect match.  He’s sweet, telling her how much she misses her, then pretends to end the video.  He returns and launches into a hard-hitting, win-this-game speech:  “Pain is temporary, pride is forever.”  IMHO, it’s all about the $250K.

Best part – Liz goes to Danny’s room and asks him to watch her family video with her.  He agrees and is surprised when Liz starts the tape.  It’s HIS family!  Nice fakeout on Liz’s part.  Let’s hope her acting ability holds up with other players.

LAST CHANCE WORKOUT

Best described as Bob’s Disco Circuits at 24 Hour Fitness vs. Jillian’s Get Your Teammates’ Ass on the Stool!

Bob finally gets Tracey on the treadmill.  She’s impressed with herself, but Bob and Rudy…not so much.  While Bob’s got Blue working out together, Jillian’s taking team-building to a whole new level outside.  Black Team members are using each other as weights, carrying each other around.  She’s building trust and Amanda’s finally able to focus without Bob’s team working alongside.   Mo’s on the recumbent bike and Liz is looking strong.  With one more plea for Black to get Dina’s ass on the platform,  Jillian calls snack break and then they’ll do 5 miles “because it’s fun!”

TRAINER TIP

Bob explains that wall push-ups are a good option if you can’t do regular push-ups.  Face the wall with arms shoulder width apart, then lower and press up.  As your strength improves, choose a lower resting spot – a desk, chair, step then eventually the ground.

WEIGH-IN

“It’s going to be hard,” whines Tracey.  As the winner of the temptation, she goes first.  Everyone’s looking for double digits, especially Rudy since he’s been on a streak.    Blue Team nets an impressive 43 lbs loss, losing 2.56%.

• Tracey:7 lbs, Mo:6 lbs, Allen:7 lbs,Rudy:8 lbs, Rebecca:7 lbs, Liz:8 lbs

Black will have to lose more than 45 lbs to avoid elimination.  Abby, Dina and Amanda all lose mid-single digits, leaving the last three team members to lose 28 lbs.   Can they do it?  Of course.  Remember…this is the Black Team.

• Abby: 5 lbs,Dina: 6 lbs,Amanda: 6 lbs,Danny: 10 lbs,Daniel: 11 lbs,Shay: 16 lbs

Way to go Shay!  54 lbs and 3.05% lost for the Black Team. Danny’s the first to say it out loud – they’re committing themselves to choosing new paths.

ELIMINATION

Rebecca says that before they arrived at the house, a unified Blue Team had decided to boot Tracey.  That ill wind must have been blowing across campus again.  By the time they sit down to discuss the vote, the team members have lost their minds!!!  After Mo serves himself up as the weaker player and Tracey says that she’s proven how much she wants to be there (oh yes, we’ve noticed!), the team actually considers eliminating Coach Mo.  EVEN LIZ and REBECCA, the most ardent Tracey foes!  The discord:  keep the stronger player OR the more motivational player.   Physical prowess or harmonious unity?

I actually wailed “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” as Liz started to lift the cover to reveal Mo’s name.  Everyone caves in a slow motion horror show.  And then snap, it’s done.  Mo’s out.  Tracey stays to wreak more havoc.   Does this really benefit Blue Team?  Bob’s.  Gonna.  FLIP OUT!

HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYERS LOOK NOW

Mo rediscovered himself at the ranch.  He’s all about family and can’t wait to share what he’s learned about healthy weight loss and character with his community.   And he keeps his vow to get off the sidelines and back in the game.

NEXT WEEK

Home for one week. Scary. Halloween’s coming early.