It’s work time! Only no singing from Dolly.
Anyone who struggles with weight loss knows how hard it is to manage food and fitness at home. The contestants take a practice run this week as they work full-time off campus. Since this is someone’s last week on the ranch…no time like the present! Especially with Blue’s resolve to crush Black during this week’s weigh in.
CHALLENGE
Alison announces that the players will be working the entire week as volunteers for Feeding America. The commute and actual job hours will leave little time for workouts or meal prep. That’s the reason they’ll be doing this week’s Challenge at the start of the week.
Each team will have to pull a 33,000 lbs semi tractor trailer down a runway strip, collecting puzzle pieces along the way. At the end of the strip, they’ll assemble the pieces to reveal this week’s prize – free groceries for a year! Hey, I’m one of the world’s biggest “B.J. and the Bear” fans. But I always wanted to drive the truck with Bear along for the ride, not pull the darn thing. Poor O’Neal. He’s barely recovered from the stress of not knowing if Sunshine made it through elimination. Now he’s got to pull an 18 wheeler too?!
Blue decides to have O’Neal run alongside the truck, collecting the pieces while Sherry does the same for Black. The sheer size and strength of the Blue Team gets their truck off the starting line quickly. Black can’t even move theirs! Blue pulls the truck almost three lengths ahead of Black before Blue’s cab leaves the line. O’Neal momentarily loses steam, causing Black to question whether they put him in the right spot; Sunshine coaxes him to regain focus. Blue’s semi reaches the finish, although Sherry really scrambles making the most of Black’s opportunity. Blue is first to assemble the pieces, thrilled to collect the free year groceries prize!
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Black and Blue inform the trainers of their work schedule. Jillian and Bob aren’t thrilled with the time constraints but devise their workout plans. After some early gym time, the players head over to the Feeding America food bank. Responsibilities include driving the forklift, making thank you calls to donors, checking inventory and stocking the distribution trucks. They meet Steve, one of the Food Bank employees. He’s got a family history of obesity and lost his dad at a young age. He’s worried that he’s going down that same path. Blue and Black share their stories with Steve, reminding all of us where they were only 2 and 1/2 months ago. Although they enjoy the work, the players have a few glitches. Sam forgets to bring his lunch…good thing Subway’s right around the corner! Barely a chance to fit in a Last Chance Workout before lights out at the gym.
TRAINER TIP
Jillian explains that mixing strength training with cardio is key to weight loss. The more muscle mass, the more calories you’ll burn each day.
WEIGH IN
Of all the weeks not to have immunity! But that’s exactly what the contestants face when they get on the scale. Only one person is safe on the losing team…the one with the highest percentage of weight loss. Will Blue make good on its threat to squash Black?
- O’Neal – 5 lbs
- Sunshine – 7 lbs
- Michael – 9 lbs (his hair this week! Need a Richard Simmons picture with his white headband, so I can do a “Separated at Birth”)
- Koli – 10 lbs
- Daris – 9 lbs
- Lance – 10 lbs
Blue’s off to a good start, with four players at or hovering around 10 lbs. Lance finally got out of the 300s! Total loss is 50 lbs, 2.71 %. Did Black peel off the 39 lbs needed to win the weigh in?
- Andrea – 7 lbs
- Ashley – 8 lbs
- Cheryl – 5 lbs
- Sherry – 5 lbs
- Stephanie – 3 lbs
- Sam – 4 lbs
Ashley has a great number, following Lance’s lead into the 200s! But it’s not enough to keep Black safe. Sherry has immunity with the highest percentage of weight loss. Sam’s at the other end of the spectrum.
ELIMINATION
The Black team takes a different approach in deciding which player to vote off. It’s obvious that keeping Sam will help the team since he has a lot more to lose…and equally obvious that Stephanie won’t be voting for him. (Awwww! Young love!) The question becomes: who is closest to their goal weight? Since Sherry’s immune, Cheryl has the least amount to lose. Sam chooses Mama Cheryl. She votes for Stephanie, Sherry picks Sam saying he can do it at home. Tears from Ashley as the remaining votes are cast for Cheryl.
HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW
Dealing with injuries, Cheryl didn’t have a great last week at the ranch. But once home, she cleans out her closet, retains her warrior spirit by leading a fitness group and now weighs 164 lbs! Next on the to-do list: tackle a 5K and hit her finale goal weight of 135 lbs.
NEXT WEEK
Jillian doesn’t like to lose. In fact, she really, REALLY hates it. Look for some serious butt-kicking in the gym!