Danny, Danny, DANNY!!!

It was the finale of my dreams, except for two small little incidents.  The first occurred promptly at 7:59 and 58 seconds as the Boston NBC affiliate LOST THE FEED!!!  Thought I was going to have a heart attack.  Missed the beginning three minutes and the live Tweeters got me up to speed quickly.  The second snafu…we’ll get to that shortly.

AMERICA VOTES

Alison Sweeney looks unbelievably gorgeous in her red dress.  I am still awestruck that she didn’t lose the microphone in her cleavage, what with all the hugging going on!   As Amanda and Liz take the stage to hear how America voted, I was stunned by the resemblance between Amanda and Ali.  If Days of Our Lives needs Sami flashbacks that don’t fit with the storyline, they should definitely call Amanda.   Simply stunning.  Liz also looks great, but even with the weight loss, she’s still looking much older than 49.  Residual marriage stress?   America seconds it’s original choice:  Amanda wins the chance to weigh in for the grand prize!

AT HOME PRIZE RESULTS - $100,000

By order of elimination, the first four are Alexandra, Antoine, Sean and Julio.  Alexandra dances, saying how lucky she was to share the weight loss journey with Antoine, her boyfriend since they left the show.   Antoine is glowing with pride, accomplishment…and a secret!   Sean’’s life announces that he’s a proud papa for the third time, a daughter named Jillian!   Julio is swoonworthy.  Didn’t even recognize him with his new mustache.   Very dashing.

Bob and Jillian wow the crowd in their sleek sexy black outfits as the first four contestants change for weigh in.  Gorgeous, both of them.  I find myself wondering if Bob’s mohawk will return in Season 9.   Back to business – the first set of weigh in results:

• Alexandra – start 309 lbs, finish 218 lbs,  total % lost 29.45
• Antoine – start 367 lbs, finish 215 lbs, total % lost 41.42
• Sean- start 444 lbs, finish 289 lbs, total % lost 34.91
• Julio – start 407 lbs, finish 227, total % lost 44.2

Julio’s in the lead!  Coach Mo, Dina, Abby and Tracey stroll out.   Coach Mo looks svelte in his purple sweater.   If Alison surprises her with a bench, I’m  confident Dina could jump onto it.  She’s looking strong.  It is so good to see Abby smile in her sexy red dress!  Tracey is clearly in contention for the 100K but her words of strength don’t match her appearance.  She looks like a skeleton among the healthy glow of all the other players.  Has to stand out, even in the finale!

• Coach Mo – start 355 lbs, finish 263, total % lost 25.92
• Dina – start 253 lbs, finish 174, total % lost 31.23
• Abby – start 247 lbs, finish 147, total % lost 40.49 (an even 100 lbs, meeting her goal!)
• Tracey – start 250 lbs, finish 132, total % lost 47.23

Good god.  Second stumble of the night occurs.  A wave of nausea crashes over me.  Tracey has taken the lead from Julio!   No, no, NO!!!  Is she actually going to win the at home prize?!

Shay, Daniel, Rebecca, Allen and Liz are the final five to weigh in.  It’s been such a long journey for Shay as the heaviest player to date.  She knows her journey will continue well past the finale.  Daniel, rocking the v-neck, looking so handsome with his new muscles!  Dr. H tells the Orange Team that they did get their Second Chance.  With the pounds they lost, Shay gained 13 years of life, Daniel an astonishing 23!  Rebecca’s doing the previous incarnations of the Pink Team proud, flaunting arms that scream “SLEEVELESS!”  Not sure about the new blonde hair color though.  Loved that glossy dark brown.  Allen lives up to the hunky firefighter image – he looks awesome!

• Shay – start 476 lbs, finish 304, total % lost 36.12
• Daniel – start 312 lbs, finish 201, total % lost 35.58
• Rebecca – start 279 lbs, finish 140, total % lost 49.82 (she takes the lead from Tracey!!!)
• Allen – start 325 lbs, finish 209, total % lost 35.69
• Liz – start 267 lbs, finish 176, total % lost 34.08

And once again, karma come back to bite Tracey in the butt.  Rebecca scores the $100,000!

A collective cheer among the live Tweeters!  And Bob dishes out the first surprise of the night, inviting Shay to weigh in again at the Season 9 finale in May.   Jillian tells her that Subway is going to give her $1,000 dollars for every pound she loses.  That is AWESOME!  Finally, a product plug we can be proud of!

THE FINAL THREE GRAND PRIZE

The second surprise of the evening – Antoine whips out a ring and proposes to Alexandra, who is overwhelmed with shock!   And of course, she says yes!

Erin, who competed with Amanda to get on Season 8, returns with her at-home weight loss – 76 lbs!  Then it’s down to Amanda, Rudy and Danny.   It was so strange to see the thin contestants walk side by side down the stage with their heavier doppelgangers.   Actually, a little disturbing.  But I did like that the contestants got into it, especially Rudy who gave his alter-ego a nice little pat on the ass.

We’ve already seen Amanda, but Rudy and Danny…WOW!  The “big boys” look amazing.  Who knew how cute Rudy was?  Danny’s channeling a younger version of Judge Reinhold.  I’ve been a Danny girl since the first week, but seeing Rudy, I know it’s going to be close.  Very close.  No way Amanda’s even in the running.

Danny picks the order since he lost the most weight on the ranch.  And finally, what we’ve all been waiting for:

• Amanda – start 250 lbs, finish 163, total % lost 34.80
• Rudy – start 442 lbs, finish 208, total % lost 52.9 (gulp!)
  
• Danny – start 430 lbs, finish 191, total % lost 55.5

AND IT’S DANNY!!! What a finish!  Rudy’s a warrior, coming THAT close to snagging a cool $250K.    Season 4’s Hollie Self is back to interview Danny after the finale:

The Biggest Loser Season 9:  Couples III returns to NBC on January 5.   Can’t wait!

FLASHBACK

Pasty, gray images as the contestants recall the last three months.  It’s as if the death knell is sounding!  Slowly the images change from torture in the gym (Jillian:  “Rudy, it’s never going to stop until you die!”)  to the ever-smaller players hoisting weights (and trainers) they struggled to move during the first few weeks.  They’ve lost pounds and gained strength, both physically and mentally.  The achievement is amazing.

GOING GOING GONE

Ali surprises the fab four by telling them they’re going home for 60 days.  They’ll have to face the same things that got them to the ranch in the first place.  Their only support: the lessons they’ve learned from Bob and Jillian.   After two months, they’ll return to the ranch to face the scale one last time before the finale.

The limos drop them off at home and reality sets in.   Rudy’s missed his family and is grateful to his wife for holding it together while he’s been away.  But he’s worried that he won’t be able to mix family life with his rigorous diet and exercise schedule.  Danny thanks his wife for her support and tells family that he wants to renew their vows.   Liz remembers how she threw a fit to go home the first week.  But every week it got easier.   This version of Liz is very different than the one who left family behind 12 weeks ago.   She’s made changes and she’s expecting her family to do the same, especially her husband.   Amanda’s broken the pattern of giving up when things got difficult.  She hopes her friends and family will be able to see her as a changed person.

Watching the players trying to integrate into their previous lives is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together.  Eventually with a little time, the pieces all fit together.   Rudy, Danny and Amanda settle in more easily than Liz.  She and her husband are uncomfortable discussing her journey at the ranch.   As Liz herself admits, they have had difficulties in their marriage, leading to bitterness and resentment on both sides.  Feels as if we’re eavesdropping on marriage counseling!

SPECIAL DELIVERY

The players receive video messages from Bob and Jillian, asking them to embrace the people they’ve become.  Neither of the trainers ever want to see the individuals they met at the ranch on Day 1 again.  Instead, they ask Liz, Rudy, Amanda and Danny to live life fully and with happiness…without losing sight of themselves.   The trainers follow up with a phone call, informing each contestant they’ll be running a marathon!  Surprise factor seems to be wearing off here.  Wonder if the Season 9 contestants will do a triathlon!

AT HOME VISITS

We’ve grumbled quite a bit on Twitter each Tuesday night about the insufferable amounts of product plugs this season.   The only time I thought it worked seamlessly and seemed completely appropriate was tonight when Danny’s kids were playing The Biggest Loser game No stilted setup or dialog,  just kids having fun while exercising.  So darn it, I’ll take the cue and plug it myself!

Curtis Stone makes good on the last week’s prize and teaches Danny’s family how to make lighten up favorite recipes.  He revamps a classic potato skins dish by stuffing the skins with turkey vegetable chili.  MMMMmmm!   The trainers are also on the move, sneaking up on the players at home.   Bob goes one-on-one with Rudy and Amanda, while Jillian does mini family interventions with Liz and Danny (a pretty good promo for her show actually).   Everybody agrees that it’s stressful to be home, but the trainers keep the players on course with helpful tips.

RACE DAY

Ali meets the players at the starting line to wish them luck.  She also tells them that they have a chance to pay it forward.  Each player who finishes will receive $10,000 to donate to the charity of his/her choice.   The starting gun fires and the players start running.   Rudy and Amanda settle into a comfortable pace, each running alone.  Danny and Liz decide that teamwork got them to this point – and teamwork will carry them through to the finish line.

Motivation comes in the form of running partners.  Tara Costa surprises the Brown Team and Liz is overjoyed, telling Tara that she watched her run the marathon last season!  The trio is later joined by Danny’s wife and Liz’s husband, and another former Brown Team member, Season 7’s Mike Morelli.  Meanwhile, Dina joins her former Blue Team partner at the halfway point.  Amanda scoops up her friend Brian around mile 15.  Everyone keeps running (or walking/jogging), despite the serious pain they’re all feeling…knees, hips, everywhere!  Tara moves up to run with Amanda, giving her small goals – “walk to the post, then run.”    Rudy puts it best:  “Who puts the finish line 26.2 miles away from the starting line?!”  Mile 25 has significance – they’ve been there before on Day 1!  It was the first mile they ran.  Now it’s the last.

One by one, they roll through the finish line. Rudy’s first, followed by Amanda, then Danny and Liz cement their partnership by finishing together.  No time to savor the achievement; they’ve got one last weigh in!

WEIGH-IN

Ali outlines the ground rules – the two players with the highest percentage of weight loss automatically make it to the finale.  The last two will ask America to decide which one will compete for the grand prize.  The announcement will be made live at the finale.

• Liz, 16 lbs
• Amanda, 16 lbs
• Danny, 54 lbs ASTONISHING!
• Rudy, 43 lbs WOW!

America will decide between Amanda and Liz.

NEXT WEEK

The live 2- hour finale!

POST ELIMINATION

A jolt for Amanda – Rebecca’s gone and she’s truly alone.  She has to start worrying about herself and no one else.  If it works out that America made the right choice, cool.  Getting to the Final Four is her responsibility.  The rest of the team discusses what they’ll have to do this week to stay – take advantage of every second with Bob and Jillian.

Bob and Jillian are more surprised by the “whys” of the vote than the fact that Rebecca’s gone.  They tell the remaining five to admit it – Rebecca was a threat!  Game play aside, it’s the last week on the ranch.  Everybody’s going home.   The trainers pile it on in the gym – it’s the last chance they have to make sure that the players leave the ranch prepared to do it at home.   Rudy is able to laugh at how easy the workouts are now, compared to what they were at the beginning.  Allen, Danny, Amanda and Liz are exercising like pro-atheletes, focused and strong.

MINI CHALLENGE

Ali introduces a surprise guest, financial expert Suze Orman.   Suze asks the players if they’ve ever made the connection between wealth and health.   It’s expensive to be overweight!   After reviewing their personal finances in detail (no big deal to talk FICO scores after the entire country knows how much you weigh, I guess!), Suze gives the players a chance to make some cash while they burn off a few calories.   The players hop on treadmills and answer a series of money questions.   Right answer means $1,000, wrong answer bumps up the treadmill speed.   Amanda collects $3,000 while Rudy, Liz, Danny and Allen bring home $4,000 each.

SPOT IN FINAL FOUR

The players evaluate each other and their individual chances to stay in the final four.   Amanda makes peace with herself and what she’s already accomplished.  She knows the others will vote her off if she’s up for elimination.  Rudy and Danny think they’re each other’s biggest competition.   Allen’s wondering if he can stay above the yellow line.  Percentage-wise, he’s smaller than the big guys.  They have more weight to lose.  Liz has to fight like she’s never fought before.

Bob is trying to figure out where everyone is mentally.  He insists that he won’t be accepting any Miss America answers; he wants an honest admission that they are afraid.   And they are.  They know it will be hard.   Danny thought he had won the battle years ago but the weight still came back.  Will they be able to keep it off?  Amanda, overwhelmed by tears, says this is the happiest she’s ever been.  She’s not going back to the person she was before.   Amanda later speaks privately to Bob and thanks him for getting her on track.   He’s convinced that America chose her for a reason and he counts her as his biggest success this season.  Danny and Liz also have a heart-to-heart.  They each recognize their partnership was instrumental in getting them to the final week on the ranch.

CHALLENGE

The team mets Ali at a football field and are surprised by Biggest Loser fan (and NFL Hall of Famer) Rod Woodson.  Each contestant runs up and down the football field, harnessed to a barrel containing 10 footballs.  The balls equal the amount of weight lost while on the ranch.  Rod cheers them on as the players move the footballs out of the barrel and down to the other end of the field.   Allen takes the early lead and despite a challenge from Rudy and Amanda, maintains the number one position.  There’s no immunity this week, but Allen wins two tickets to the 2010 Pro Bowl.  The NFL also donates $5000 worth of athletic equipment to his daughter’s school.  Ali congratulates the players and tells them to enjoy the rest of their time on the ranch.

TRAINER TIP

Rod Woodson joins the NFL in its effort to eradicate childhood obsesity, encouraging kids to exercise at least 60 minutes a day.

LAST CHANCE WORKOUT

Is Biggest Loser looking for a new theme song?  Danny’s been flexing his musical muscles and debuts a song he wrote about his time on the ranch.   Jury’s out – heartfelt or cheesy?  You decide!

Bob and Jillian are all about the tough love during the last Last Chance Workout.   Rudy and Danny battle it out on the stair climber, while Allen throws punches for Jillian.   Bob reminds Amanda that the Pink Team has had it good at the ranch.   He wants her to continue the streak.    Liz ups the intensity by adding Jillian to her routine, dragging her across the gym and doing pushups as the trainer sits on her back.  They are fighting for it!  No one wants to be the one who doesn’t make it.

TRAINER TIP

Bob and Jillian say drink up!  Water, Brita filtered water that is.   The Brita filter is an inexpensive way to make sure that your water is as clean as possible.

WEIGH IN

Ali reminds the final five – no immunity tonight!  However, the winner will win a healthy cooking lesson at home visit from Curtis Stone.   Each player has earned this second chance and now it’s all about staying above the yellow line.   Rudy ends up setting a record – the most weight lost of any player on campus.   Danny also breaks a record – most weeks of double-digit weight loss.  And overall, it’s Danny who ends up on top and wins the home visit from Curtis!  Hope the Danny trend continues at the finale.  Results are:

• Liz – 5 lbs, 2.46 %
• Rudy – 12 lbs, 3.9 %
• Allen – 8 lbs, 3.36 %
• Danny – 16 lbs, 5.26 %
• Amanda – 6 lbs, 3.63 %

So it’s Liz and Allen below the yellow line!   Liz and Allen figure that Amanda will be the swing vote…and they’re right.   Liz has voted for Amanda in a past elimination, and Allen speaks to Amanda privately, reminding her that this is a game.  Allen has not been able to get the percentages each week; Liz is more of a threat to Amanda.

ELIMINATION

Danny votes for Allen, Rudy votes for Liz and Amanda casts the tie-breaking vote for Allen.  Amanda explains that she wants to see another woman in the finale.  Will that prove to be a good decision?  Only America knows for sure!

HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW

Before Allen leaves the ranch, he vows to be a smoking hot fireman!  Judging by his wife’s reaction, he’s more than  fulfilled that promise.

NEXT WEEK

Finalists from last season cheer on the Season 8 finalists as they prepare to run a marathon!

SURPRISES

• We didn’t see the trainers’ reactions to the younger team doing extra exercise rather than getting sleep during Week 9.  That’s a big reason why Amanda and Shay fell below the yellow line and Daniel went home immediately  Both Bob and Jillian consider proper rest as important to weight loss as nutrition and exercise.   If NBC is reading this, please add this footage to the behind-the-scenes web clips.  Thanks!  :0)

• Rudy’s sister died of leukemia when he was in his early teens.  Jillian flipped out when she and Bob found that out during Rudy’s motivational speech.  Exercise beatdown followed shortly thereafter.  Hard to believe Rudy had never made the connection between his sister’s passing and his weight gain.

• And Rebecca had a meltdown over Rudy’s vote at the elimination.  If I had been in Rebecca’s shoes, I wouldn’t have been surprised.  It’s Young vs. Old at this point.  No reason to expect Rudy to deviate from that.

If you missed the Makeover Episode, check out these stellar recaps from PhillyBurbs and Celebrate Weight Loss. And Alison has a great collection of “Before and After” photos of the final five!

HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW

NEXT WEEK

(Okay, this week!)  Back to back episodes on Tuesday and Wednesday!  First, financial guru Suze Orman and NFL Hall of Famer Rod Woodson pay surprise visits to the final five contestants on Tuesday night.  Then, are they still winning the battle of the bulge? Contestants from the previous seven seasons return in a 2-hour special Wednesday night.

But as luck would have it, I got sick this week and never managed to convert my rough draft into a polished recap post.   And lucky you!  Once I read this, I figured, “Why bother?!”

Alison…“Baby, You’re the Best.” Thanks for bailing me out.

I reserve a special place in my heart for Washington, D.C.

I discovered the city as a high school junior when a friend enrolled at Catholic University.  Fell head over heels for one of my friend’s college buddies.   An older man!  (Okay, 4 years.  Just old enough to make Mom nervous.)  Walked around the Memorials, hand in hand.    After that fizzled out, I returned to D.C.  the next year as part of a Young Leaders Conference.  Met a girl from Michigan on that trip.  We ended up meeting again as randomly paired college roommates.    I spent a college semester there, working as an intern for the Senate, writing my thesis and house-sitting for a couple whom I still consider part of my family almost 18 years later.   I always thought I’d end up living there again.  Lots of personal history.   And now I can add one more fond memory – it was the site of my favorite BL elimination to date!

IN THE ELIMINATION ROOM

After Black sends Abby home, Alison invites the Blue Team to join the rest of the players.   Alison reminds them that America looks to them for inspiration.  They’re losing the weight.  All over the country, Americans are fighting the same battle against obesity.  The statistics are staggering.  Alison gives the teams a new mission:  help Americans lose those pounds.  And the best place to make it happen:  the nation’s capital!

TRAVEL

The last time they flew, no one could buckle their seatbelts without the extender. What a difference 8 weeks makes!  Black and Blue board their JetBlue flight to D.C. and settle themselves into their seats. No spillover, no discomfort, no embarrassment, plenty of room to stretch out!

Alison, a vision in another “Mad Men” inspired outfit, greets them at the Jefferson Memorial. Shay cannot believe she’s right down the street from the President. Everyone’s excited to play a role in helping Americans lead healthier lives. Who better to assist them? Bob and Jillian, of course! Both trainers marvel at how far the show has come in just eight seasons – it’s not a normal reality show. And when Alison tells the group they’ll be going to the White House, Bob nails it: if that doesn’t say that the show has had an impact on America, he doesn’t know what does.

As Jefferson was a proponent of individual rights, meeting at the memorial has special significance. The game is going back to singles! Each man or woman stands on his or her own, in his or her previous color shirt. The players are delighted to hear Alison say this, especially Daniel whose lower than expected weight loss has hampered the Black Team.

POP CHALLENGE

If you want to affect change on a national level, you need grassroots support to promote your cause. This becomes the cornerstone of the day’s Pop Challenge. Alison announces that in a few hours, Bob and Jillian will hold a public workout in front of the Washington monument. Each player has 60 minutes to get the most people assembled in front of the monument, ready to workout. The winner will get a huge advantage at the next challenge, but of course Alison keeps mum. She does reveal that the winner will also get to take his or her entire team to Subway for a post-workout dinner.

The contestants scurry and start working the streets around the National Mall. They start selling like crazy to corral as many people as possible. Color-coded stickers in hand, Danny tells a group that he’s proof The Biggest Loser works. He’s lost all this weight in 7 weeks. Amanda discovers her unique selling proposition: people start recognizing her from last season’s finale. She’s racking up the votes. Allen’s not messing around. He heads to the nearest fire station and issues a 911.

Oh Lord, Liz says as she approaches a group and they start chanting “Amanda, Amanda!” She searches for people who aren’t wearing pink stickers and finds some young boys. She bribes them with promises of cute younger female contestants, telling the camera, “I left cute behind 30 years ago. I’m relying on guilt and charm!” Shay and Rebecca try staking out their individual turf, as Rudy and the others taunt them with their growing numbers.

Getting the people turns out to be easier than keeping them. Talk about a political schooling! The D.C. tourists and residents turn out to be a fickle bunch. When Amanda’s groupies see Daniel, they have an immediate change of heart and start hooting, “Daniel, Daniel!” Rudy crosses party lines by slapping a Blue sticker on Daniel’s back. But Daniel refuses to move to the middle.

Time’s up! The fire trucks start rolling into the monument site as the teams assemble – it really looks like the Brotherhood will lock this up for Allen. Ali introduces the contestants and says that it came down to one vote separating the top two finalists, Allen and Liz. And Liz wins! Yes, you definitely go girl.

It was awesome to see the crowd start working out. Bob grabs the headset and starts leading the crowd. He is pumped, it’s what he loves about his job…the ability to help people. Jillian’s also pretty happy, strolling through the crowd, picking on total strangers. Poor tangerine-suited woman tells Jillian she can’t and everyone else ends up doing 20 extra squats because of it. Tangerine gets in line pretty quickly after that! As the winner, Liz gets to take her team and Jillian to dinner at Subway. Jillian instructs them to order off the 9 gram menu, pick lean protein and load up on the veggies.

NEXT DAY

The Biggest Loser storms Capitol Hill! The trainers and players lobby two members of Congress on obesity issues and how they affect children specifically. The contestants all tear up a little talking about their own experiences. Jillian makes an empassioned plea for Congress to pay more attention to what’s in the food supply. Our bodies don’t recognize this Franken-food! The general consensus: reps need to hear the people on these issues.

CHALLENGE

Alison meets the team at Constitution Gardens and announces a 4 station challenge. Winner gets immunity! Liz’s advantage is that she can choose not to compete in a certain section. As every politician knows, you’ve got to run hard to make it to D.C. The first part is a one mile run around the Constitution Gardens. The first six finishers will go onto the second station and Liz decides to participate.

Tracey freezes when she hears Alison say “one mile run.” Amazing to see how much goodwill surrounded her during flashbacks to the first week…and how she squandered it over the next 6. But she’s game. Allen and Rebecca take an early lead, Shay and Tracey bring up the rear. Shay says the difference this time is that it’s a matter of when, not if she completes the race. The top six are Rebecca, Daniel, Allen, Amanda, Rudy and Liz. Tracey ends up finishing the race ahead of Shay, happy to have conquered the distance.

Fundraising time! Probably the worst part of being a politician. 17,954 pennies cover the steps of the Watergate Hotel. The amount of pennies equals the amount of pounds lost to date on the show. Each player has to scoop enough pennies to fill their tube. First four move on. Liz decides to sit this one out. I would have done the same thing! Rudy and Daniel secure the next two spots, with Rebecca beating Allen for the final position.

TRAINER TIP

Bob says that everyone asks how to handle workouts during vacations. With a flight of stairs and a little creativity, you can stay on track. Walk or run the stairs for 20-30 minutes for cardio. Then finish with chair dips, side squats and pushups on the stairs.

After another impromptu happy dance from Rebecca, the competitors move to the next station in front of Capitol Hill. Getting things done in Congress requires a certain amount of balance. The players have to stand on a pedestal, balancing on a narrow ledge as they hold a Pilates ball over their heads. What?! This one’s over pretty quickly. Daniel folds almost immediately, Rudy worries about his big feet but manages to beat out Liz before falling off. So it’s Rebecca and Rudy at the top of the ballots!

Or maybe just in front of the White House. They’ll have to take 206 steps, the amount of contestants in the show’s history. All the cable networks would have called this pretty quickly. Rebecca opens up a 30 step lead and never looks back. She’s an immunity-winning monster machine.

In the first open rebellion to excessive product placment, Twitter nation contemplates a Gumcott as Bob has a heart-to-heart with Amanda. (I think he wants to squeeze her as much as he wants to squeeze the Obamas.) If she wants to stay in the game, she has to focus on healthy snacks, like Extra gum. Sigh.

WHITE HOUSE TIME

The group gets to meet the White House personal chef, who takes them on a tour of the First Lady’s organic vegetable garden. They pick the produce for their lunch and then trot off to the White House kitchen to prepare their salads. Bob is very impressed to learn that the Obamas eat healthy every day. If it’s good enough for the President, it’s good enough for the country. I’m sure at this point, Secret Service was keeping a very close eye on Mr. Harper. You know he’d be leaping across the counter to squeeze those Obama kids! Jillian, slightly less huggy, admires the standard being set by the 1st Family.

LAST CHANCE WORKOUT

Back to singles means back to joint training. Torture, sings Jillian! Especially for Tracey. She’s been dying to beat the gameplay out that girl. Jillian barely gets a sumo squat out of her before Tracey turns on the waterworks. Don’t fall for it Jillian! Everyone else is happy to be back on track, especially Amanda who is getting her groove back with Bob.

WEIGH-IN

A spectacular site as the scale sits underneath the Lincoln memorial. The usual amount of panic sets in, but as Danny says, no one knows what a week away from the ranch will mean. Shay is set on getting below 400. Daniel hasn’t lost much in the last two weeks, so he’s hoping for big numbers. And Amanda wants to see results from her renewed Bob connection.

Results are:

• Rebecca – 4   Immunity
• Shay – 9  Bye bye 400!
• Tracey -  3  Jillian didn’t make a dent.
• Daniel – 11  Just 7 short of 200 lbs lost since last season!
• Allen – 9
• Danny – 12
• Rudy – 9
• Liz -  3  Needed 4 to stay above yellow line.
• Amanda – 7  All that “extra” attention from Bob!

ELIMINATION

It’s Liz v. Tracey!  Mentally kicking Liz, who better be kicking her own ass for not taking it Tracey when she had the chance.   I mistakenly cue the Rocky song, thinking they’ll go a few rounds in a last ditch effort to keep themselves safe.   Liz doesn’t fight at all.  AGAIN, just like she failed to stand up for herself a few weeks back.  And Shay points this out, noting that her vote will never be based on strategy.  Now I want to do the punching.  Room starts to get hazy and I’m having trouble tweeting.  Alison isn’t helping me with her repeated banana hands tweets.    Can’t breathe.  Tracey may pull this out again!!!

Luckily, it’s pretty cut and dried.   Shay casts the lone vote against Liz; Amanda, Danny, Daniel and Rebecca give the four needed to cut Tracey loose!

HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW

24 hours later, Tracey departs for home…in a helicopter just like the one she needed the first day on the ranch.  Her family is delighted to see her and even cheer her on when she returns to Malibu for another go at the “Miracle Mile.”    Safe to say Tracey inspired a lot of people across America, maybe not in the usual way other players have.  Ultimately, she fought hard to stay, she played the game and the choices came back to bite her.  She says she’s a new person, a happier person.  Definitely a leaner person as we saw on Leno. I  believe her.   But that doesn’t mean I have to like her!

NEXT WEEK

Nervous squabbling, treadmill user error (Rudy!) and heated outbursts as players learn two will be eliminated!

BLACK SENDS DINA HOME

Rudy is sad to learn Dina’s fate, but the rest of the Blue Team knows it was the obvious choice.   As Liz notes it wasn’t difficult.  Black knew the outcome when they left the weigh in.  Danny had immunity and strong ties have developed among Amanda, Abby and Daniel.   The real test:  if Danny wins immunity this week.  Then Liz hopes to see tears!

POP CHALLENGE

New day and a sudden realization – we’re halfway through this competition!  Alison meets the group and reminds them that Rudy is only 13 lbs from losing 100 lbs.  Will he beat the record set by Dane last season in week 8?

She also announces face off week is officially underway.   “Bring it,” says Shay remembering how Season 7’s Kristin had a picture of Filipe on her treadmill.    The winner of the Pop Challenge will choose the face-to-face matchups.   Two discs are strung overhead on opposite sides of a limbo-type pole.  Players have to touch one disc, then duck under the pole to touch the other disc.  First team to touch 500 times wins.  The rules – only one player competes at a time for each team and the players can only take one turn.

The tall players are at a clear disadvantage.  Allen and Rudy would be better off jumping the middle pole instead of weaving underneath.   Abby, in her first official pop challenge, does the first leg for Black while Tracey starts for Blue.  Abby has to swap out after only 20 touches, aggravating her injuries.  Shay goes in and gets over 100, leaving Tracey in her wake.  But as soon as Allen swaps in for Tracey, Blue starts cranking.  Black team’s best chances are Amanda and Daniel, who narrow Blue’s lead to under 5.   Ultimately, Rebecca wins it for Blue when she passes the 490 mark and never looks back.

Power!  And Rebecca is LOVING it.  The Blue Team realizes that they only need to win 3 of 5 matchups at the weigh in.  They choose carefully:

• Rebecca v. Amanda
• Tracey v. Abby
• Allen v. Danny
• Rudy v. Shay
• Liz v. Daniel

Blue plays it strategically.  Only surprising pairing:  former partners Rebecca and Amanda.  They are famous for their Pink Shirt happy dance.  How could it go so wrong?  Apparently, both are competitive…and both are jealous.   Black team takes it in stride, especially Shay who knows she’s at a disadvantage against “lumberjack” Rudy.  But she’s got courage and heart, “and that can get your further than your head and the numbers.”

It’s on, baby!  DING!

TRAINER TIP

Jillian says that swimming is a great addition to any cardio routine.  Mix up laps with intervals of treading water or pushups on the side edge of the pool.

WORKOUTS BEGIN

Bob’s taking Jillian’s advice on swimming.  He’s got the entire Blue Team in the pool, splishing and splashing.  As Rudy says, it’s sink or swim, literally.

Meanwhile, Black’s also getting wet, only they’re dripping with Jillian-induced sweat in the gym.   Amanda has a complete meltdown on the treadmill as Jillian tries to break her out of her comfort zone.  Rather than manage her stress in a safe controlled evironment, Amanda begins whining and ends up in tears, unwilling or unable to complete her routine.  An exasperated Jillian questions why these contestants are so difficult.

CHALLENGE

It’s baseball!  Black and Blue march into the field wearing baseball jerseys.  Danny is ecstatic to be wearing number 73, as it evokes championships he’s won as a former athlete.  The group is startled to confront life-size blowup pictures of themselves 7 weeks earlier.  Talk about morphing into different people!

The Jumbotron begins to flicker as Alison announces a surprise message from a mystery guest.  Both teams are happy to see NY Yankees star Derek Jeter (pains me to type that as a Red Sox fan.  And Kevin Youklis would have done it live.  Just sayin!).  He cheers them on by name and actually chides the Black Team for not winning a challenge.  Nothing like being called out by a baseball star on national television, says Abby.  The important takeaway from Jeter – you have to work as a team in order to win.

The rules:  In order to eliminate the opposing team’s players, each team collects and throws balls at the pictures of the players they want to “bench” for the game.  It takes 316 balls (Jeter’s batting average) to eliminate a player.  The team who eliminates the other team first wins.  The prize:  Curtis Stone whipping up lunch.  Awww!  PLUS, a 2 lbs advantage at the weigh in.   Nice.

Abby has to sit out due to injuries and Blue selects Tracey to even up the teams.   The strategy is clear:  take out the strongest player first!  Black gangs up on Allen, while Blue opts to strike randomly.  We discover Danny’s got tremendous aim, a human pitching machine.   And Blue begins trash talking!   Shay blocks it all out with a determined strut.    It comes down to Liz against Danny and Shay.  After more than 90 minutes, Danny sinks the 316th ball in Liz’s column to get Black Team’s first win!

Curtis prepares a backyard BBQ for the Black Team – Mediterrean Burgers featuring lean Jennie-O turkey breast.  He combines thyme, garlic, cherry tomatoes, onion and red wine vinegar with the ground turkey and replaces the bun with a portabello mushroom cap.   Throw the burgers onto the grill or sandwich press for a delicious 244 calories.

COOKING TIP

Curtis favors stocks and broth to enhance flavor, but points out that most are high in sodium.  A quick homemade version of vegetable broth:  boil onion, celery and carrots for 30 minutes, scoop out the veggies and you’ve got stock.

WORKOUTS CONTINUE

And Jillian continues to make her contestants fold like card players.   She asks Abby:  what’s it like to lose everything you love?  A heart-stopping question.   It’s no secret that Jillian’s utilizes many therapeutic techniques with her contestants, techniques that she no doubt picked up from her mother, a licensed therapist.   Jillian’s very effective at forcing players to confront their issues in a safe zone.  It’s always tough to watch, but this is the only time in BL history when I wondered if she had gone over the line.  As Abby recounts how she lost her husband and children, she tells Jillian that being at the ranch is the hardest thing she’s ever done.  But she’s strong and getting stronger.  Jillian admits that she could not have handled it herself if she’d been in that situation.  She tells Abby that she’s made a choice to survive, to continue to love and it’s working.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

The new Biggest Loser Interactive Fitness game!  If it’s half as good as the commercial…loved seeing Bob break into that couple’s house.   Is that the same one Ali Vincent plugged in earlier episodes?

PRODUCT PLACEMENT

Amanda changes the Brita filter in the kitchen and has an epiphany!  She admits to Jillian that she hated being the fat girl and now she hates feeling like a failure.  She apologizes to Jillian, who responds by telling her not to be afraid!  It’s learning from your mistakes.  It’s how you grow.

LAST CHANCE WORKOUT

Bob presides over an amazing feat – Allen jumping 3 feet into the air at 270 lbs and landing on a box.  And he made it look EASY!  Mind over matter.  If only Dina had watched that!

Shay and Jillian have a heart-to-heart.  Shay says the stupid ladder, as painful as it is, mirrors the pain of her life.  She chose food before.  Now she’s choosing something else.   Jillian asks, have you figured out how not to die?  She takes Shay off the treadmill and puts her on the floor with a bar on her chest.   She truly breaks her down, forcing the bar into Shay’s chest.   Jillian tells her to listen:  it wasn’t your fault.  You were a child.  You couldn’t save your mom.  Be angry.  But deal with it.

Jillian succeeds in her mission to break down the Black Team’s emotional barriers.  Is it enough to supercharge their weight loss for the week?

WEIGH-IN

Black decides to give entire 2 lbs to Amanda.   Did it pay off?

• Rebecca 9 Amanda 4 (6 with advantage) 
• Tracey 5 Abby 3
• Allen 8 Danny 12
• Liz 7 Daniel 5 (nice upset for Granny!)
• Rudy 14 Shay 9

Nope.  And Jillian is dismayed by Amanda and Daniel’s numbers.  She’s not getting though to them.  Or maybe it’s too much emotion.   Either way, Liz gets her wish.  Danny has immunity and the Black Team will be crying over a tough decision.   Great individual week for Danny – double digits!   Shay had a solid week too, but up against Rudy, not enough.    In fact, Rudy sets a new Biggest Loser record losing 101 lbs in 7 weeks!  Classy that Dane came back to witness it, even though he was doing a triathlon the next day – he looked fantastic!

ELIMINATION

Devastating!  Abby makes the case – for the team to send her home!  She knows who she is.  Her journey isn’t like the others.  This perturbed me, as I think Daniel should have fallen on the sword here.   But Abby has asked them all prior to this night – if I ask you to send me home, abide by my request.

They go to meet Alison.  Abby selects Amanda, because she thought she’d be the one player not to get a vote, she doesn’t want to vote for Daniel and she can’t vote for herself.  Shay is sobbing as she tells Abby she’s the mother she never had and reveals Abby’s name on the placard.  Amanda also picks Abby.  Danny has second thoughts, he votes his conscience (another reason he’s my guy this season) and chooses Daniel.  The final vote is Daniel’s and he does as Abby asked – he sends her home.  Alison says they’ll see her at the finale and Abby hugs Shay, saying she better win!

WRAP-UP

Personally crushed by this outcome.  But Abby is okay with it.  She has proven to herself that she’s where she wants to be.  It’s working.  She started on the ranch after the lowest point in her life.  Abby doesn’t know what the next chapter is, but she’s ready to fly again.

HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW

Abby reveals that she started dreaming since the ranch.  She’s discovered her mission:  to help others who are hurting change their lives.

NEXT WEEK

The Biggest Loser show travels to the nation’s capital!  Dining in the White House kitchen and maybe a Last Chance Workout on the National Mall?  Tracey wonders whether some of her choices will come back to bite her.  I hope so – with very big teeth!

Outrage among The Biggest Loser Fans last week!  How.  Could.  Blue.  Keep.  TRACEY?!   Black Team could hardly believe it either as Blue Team single-filed into the house this week.  But after the initial shock wore off and Tracey stopped crying (split personality!  I swear she’s Sybill.), an odd thing happened.  We had an almost entirely Tracey-free episode.   We didn’t even see Bob’s reaction when he found it out Blue Team had booted Mo.  The spotlight shifted away from our formerly Purple shirted devil woman and illuminated someone more deserving.

Danny, YOU!  Are my shining star, don’t you go away. (Disclaimer – not me!  I’m Lori, not Laura.  But I just can’t stop smiling when I see this clip.  Same way I feel watching Danny.)  He led the Black Team in pounds lost, but more importantly, he showed us all how it’s done by returning home and involving his family in his weight loss.   Laser-sharp focus from him this week and you could see it all over his face.  Simply put, he’s inspired.  He knows who he was, who he is and who he wants to be.  And I’m rooting for him!

CHALLENGE

Bob puts the Blue Team through treadmill hell and tells them that if they can’t win the weigh-in, at least win the challenge.   No time wasted this week.  Night falls and both teams head out to meet Alison.  She won’t tell them what they’re playing for, only that it determines who will stay and who will go.  The players know it involves finding 4 keys that are buried in a sand pit.  Each team needs their 4 keys in order to unlock their treasure box.  Abby and Tracey aren’t competing due to injuries, and to even the number of players, Amanda volunteers to sit out.  Good idea, since she hates sand!

Lot of interesting digging strategy.  Hands, shovels, sideways snow angels (Liz).  Danny finds the first blue key, races to put it into the lock and then assists Daniel, who’s made significant progress locating his key.  Allen gets the first Blue key, unlocks his lock and then jumps over to Rudy.   The two manage to unearth the second Blue key while Black team is struggling on their second.

30 minutes flash by.  Lots of sand, no keys!  Finally, Blue gets the third key out of the ground and over to the treasure box.   Another 10 minutes goes by before Rebecca finally gets the last Blue key!  Blue Team unlocks the box to reveal the prize – a week at home…if they want to go.  If they don’t, they can send Black Team off campus.  Rudy’s unsure and so is the rest of Blue.   Ultimately, they decide the advantage is stay on campus and have Bob kick their butts for a week.  Black Team is going home!

AT HOME

Black Team is both nervous and excited.  Daniel, who’s already been doing this at home, worries that a week off the ranch will spell disaster.  Abby, Dina, Shay, Amanda and Danny can’t wait to see their families.  At the same time, they know they are not the same people who left home five weeks ago.  Will their families accept that?

I love watching the contestants reunite with their families.  Everyone’s in awe of what they’ve accomplished physically.   Daniel’s family is thrilled beyond belief.  Abby, whose parents were her rocks when she lost her husband and kids, are overjoyed at seeing the light return to their daughter’s eyes.  Dina’s hubby and adorable son are all dressed up for the special occasion and her husband says that Dina looks like she did when they first met.  Shay’s husband hasn’t told her stepchildren exactly where she’s been, so she explains and they all tell her how glad they are to have her home.  Amanda’s mom is astonished, noting her daughter’s newfound self-confidence and emerging beauty as Amanda tells her crowd that she’s wearing a size 16!  Danny’s missed his wife and kids and they greet him with huge hugs and happy smiles.  His wife says this is the Danny she met years ago.

After the meets and greets, the Black Team contestants prep their families.  They explain what happened at the challenge and how scary it is to have the security blanket of team and trainers pulled out from underneath them.  They know it’s going to be a crazy four or five days.   As Shay notes, forget digging in the sand.  Being at home with all of the distractions and old patterns is the true challenge!

The biggest problems:  food and working out.  If they can’t get these two things under control, weigh in will be a disaster.   Wondering if it was an editing decision on the producers part, but it seemed as if most of the Black Team players were fixated on what they couldn’t eat or do.  Danny’s approach with his family was completely different, more optimistic, I thought.  He outlined how he wanted the week to unfold and kept himself and his family focused on the positive benefits of these choices, especially the food.  Enjoyed that he explained the benefits of eating at home with the best quality food.  A big ole BBQ of teachable moments.  Very Law of Attraction!

The other contestants are struggling to manage their diets and exercise at home.  Shay gets a chance to demonstrate her newfound nutrition knowledge at Subway with her friends later, but eating out with her stepchildren and husband is an entirely different story.  Everyone except Shay gets their usual order.  Seeing the plates of fried appetizers and cheesy entrees, she realizes that her stepkids were only copying what they saw her eating.   She orders grilled fish but wonders if the kitchen really cooked it the way she ordered.  By the time she gets to the gym,  she has to keep reminding herself that she has to learn to do it at home, even if means being uncomfortable as the only big girl working out.

Meanwhile, Dina’s shocked by the amounts of unhealthy food being served up at her family’s restaurant outing.   Appetizers laden with grease pass around the table.  Dina can’t believe she ever ate like this.  She tries to change her husband’s mind, but he wolfs down an enormous burrito.   She doesn’t feel as if she’s getting a lot of support.  And working out presents more challenge – she has to bring her son with her.   Her kid’s so cute though.  He can’t believe she can run so fast on the treadmill!

Danny and Amanda get much needed pep talk calls from Jillian.  She tells them that they know more than they think and to keep focused.  Abby’s a swimming machine, but she wonders if she’s staying on track.   Abby’s mom, seeing her daughter’s efforts, calls Abby her hero!

TRAINER TIP

Bob explains that circuit training is a great way to peel off the pounds.  Do 8-10 exercises in row, mixing in a cardio component.  No resting between sets!  The body will tire quickly, so exercise multiple muscle groups for the best results.  He suggests one arm rows, lateral raises, step up for cardio for the first three exercises.   Add in additional muscle groups for the next 5-7 exercises.   Repeat entire 8-10 exercises, 3-5 times.  (Use The Biggest Loser Fitness Programor Jillian’s Hot Bod in a Boxfor easy-to-follow circuits)

BACK ON CAMPUS

Bob’s showing Blue Team that every day’s a Last Chance Workout!  (Perhaps the inspiration for this little DVD
coming out in December?)  No one does sassy, adorably smug and snarky like Bob.  After all, he’s only there to “make the Blue Team happy!”   But he and Blue both know that this is their moment.   He can’t work them out hard enough to make them want to go home, according to Liz.  Bob tells them to think of the elimination.  How badly do they want it?  He’s not putting them on the 10% incline to make it easy!  In fact, he’s quite happy to beat the crap out of them.

Product placement time!   Bob meets Liz and Tracey in the kitchen to dispense a few words of wisdom.  Liz says there’s no drama here on campus (this week anyway!), allowing her to focus on what she needs.  Just happens to be a tall glass of nutrient dense milk!  Unlike the print ad, no milk mustaches though. The ladies clink glasses – cheers to being without the Black Team.

TRAINER TIP

Jillian’s way to make sandwiches leaner?   Skip the mayo and cheese and use avocado.  Less calories, plus a good dose of heart-healthy fat.   Lori G. tip:  mash with lime juice and cayenne pepper for a nice flavor jolt.

FOOD BANK

The Blue Team was inspired by last year’s Food Bank challenge and Bob decides to take them to the L.A. Food Bank.  The team fills backpacks with enough food to take kids through a whole weekend.  Job well done, Blue!

LAST CHANCE WORKOUT

Black Team arrives back on campus.  They tell Blue how hard it was, but they don’t have to tell Jillian: “It’s gonna suck, guaranteed!”  A week’s worth of workouts in one measly gym day.  Black is happy to be back, despite Jillian’s beatdown.   Shay loves the way she feels when it’s all done.  Face lighting up, Danny says he’s gotten rid of his Kryptonite.  Superman’s slowly coming back!

Bob turns up the heat on Blue, telling them to speed it up.  They had the whole house this week, and he says, “It’ll be sad” if they lose the weigh in.   He looks particularly gleeful barking orders to Tracey.

Jillian can’t figure out what’s going on with Daniel.  After she yells at him for working under his potential, Daniel starts to cry.  Being at home triggered an uncomfortable realization.  He always thought his mother wasn’t proud of him as he was when she made repeated attempts to help him lose weight.  He finally understands that she wanted the best for him.  And still does.  Jillian reminds him that Mom is still alive and he can make her proud by doing his best.   Daniel manages to wrangle a huge Jillian hug.

WEIGH-IN

Black team is freaking out and so is Bob.  If Blue’s in elimination for the second week in a row, he’s going to be “pissed.”  Not that he has to worry!  Blue pulls some amazing numbers, especially our Big Boy Rudy – 14 lbs!  Blue loses 35 lbs and 2.65% percentage of body weight.  Question:  can everyone on the Black Team average 7 lbs?  Answer:  No, although Danny sheds an amazing 15 lbs!  Black Team loses 34 lbs and 1.98% of body weight.

Ack!  Jillian’s hug had no magical powers!  Daniel gained a pound at home.  The Black Team pleads their individual cases and then heads to the elimination room.  As much as I adore Daniel, I would have sent him home.  He’s had his second chance.  But the team is evenly split between Daniel and Dina.  Shay casts the final vote to oust…Dina.

HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW

Dina leaves the ranch understanding her potential.  She is determined to win the battle. Check out her two new trainers (husband is conspicuously absent), the challenge she obliterated at home, amazing makeover plus BL fan questions!

NEXT WEEK

Head to head match ups against the other team.  Abby vs. Tracey, Amanda melts down.  Looks like a pressure cooker…hot, hot, HOT!  Plus a player from the past returns to see if a record gets broken at the weigh in.

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.

And judging by the Tweets during the live show, she’s shaping up to the be the most reviled player in Biggest Loser history.   I always thought it would take a lot of effort to surpass Vicky Vilcan (Season 6) in that regard, but Tracey is pulling it off!  Had an interesting Twitter conversation with DonnaInHouston Tuesday about the Tracey vs. Vicky as villian.   Tracey has pretty much put it all out on the table, for both the players and to camera for viewers.  Her intentions are clear.  Donna thought Vicky’s game play was very obvious too, although I don’t remember Vicky tipping off the other players so early on in the season.  Thoughts?

WEEK 4

The week begins with a chat between the Orange and Purple Teams about the previous week.   Shay tells Tracey that she didn’t appreciate her going back on her word and she felt betrayed by Tracey’s actions.  While she wants to love Tracey, Shay isn’t getting respect or even honesty, making it impossible to trust the Purple Team.    Tracey insists that she was being “straight up” and that she chose Shay at the weigh-in because she thought Shay had worked so hard in the gym.  The four of them know the truth.  It’s hard to see Mo sitting there, defending Tracey again.  Jillian’s words at the last weigh in have fallen on deaf ears.

Bob and Jillian meet up with the contestants the next morning and discover that Sean and Antoine have sacrificed themselves in order to keep Shay on campus.  While it’s clear they appreciate the generosity of the Red Team, they remind the group that everyone needs to be on campus.  No more favors for each other.  Each individual has to fight to stay.

The gym workouts begin.  Jillian is especially focused on getting Julio to confront his issues.  He insists he’s happy.  Jillian is equally insistent that 407 lbs are screaming “not happy!”  Abby’s workouts are in the pool again this week due to her stress fractures.  Tracey meets with Dr. H, who tells her that her muscles are still stressed.  Her CPK enzymes are unusually high and if they climb any higher, she risks organ damage.  The prescription:  no exercise for the entire week.   Tracey is very upset by this news, anticipating the difficulty of losing pounds by relying strictly on her diet.   I’m not sure I get why she’s fretting, since she was able to do it the previous week with a pretty impressive 11 lbs loss.  Mo will have to pick up the slack in the gym to keep Purple Team in play.

POP QUIZ

As the players meet Alison in the kitchen, they are suprised to see the cabinets, pantry and fridge locked down tight.   Alison tells them that they won’t have access to the kitchen for the entire week.  Tracey instantly becomes Trazey, with panic flooding her face.  Instead, the players must order all of their food from take-out menus.   Reminding them that they’ll have to make food choices in the real world, Alison announces a pop quiz.  The players have to select the lowest calorie entree from three dinner plates.  Winner gets a fully stocked kitchen for an entire year!!!   Each plate features various portion sizes of chicken, plus varying assortments of vegetables, grains, desserts and beverages.   The teams are divided between Plate A and C, with most opting for Plate A.  Pink, Brown and Orange correctly choose Plate A and in order to win the prize, then have to guess the plate’s calorie count.  The plate is 445 calories and Pink comes the closest without going over, guessing 385.  Pink is elated, doing a sit down version of their happy weigh in dance.   Consolation prizes for everyone though – copies of the recently released Biggest Loser Simple Swaps.

TRAINER TIP

Jillian suggests a guilt-free mashed potatoes recipe,  swapping out potassium-rich, vitamin C filled cauliflower for the potatoes.  She’s keeping with the simple swap theme, but we’ve heard this tip before.   How about roasting the cauliflower (or potatoes) with a spritz of olive oil, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper and minced garlic?   Yummy!

OFF CAMPUS

The players really struggle while ordering their takeout meals.   They make painstaking selections only to discover their food isn’t quite the way they ordered.  Are they eating more calories than they thought?  But the process does get them talking about at-home food strategies that will help them stay on track.

Bob and Jillian decide to take the players out for dinner so that they coach them on ordering the healthiest restaurant options.  The fare?  Mexican!  The restaurant has plenty of high calorie options, fried and loaded with cheese.   And did anyone bring The Biggest Loser Calorie Counter as Jillian reminded them?  NO!  Of course not.  (Personally, I prefer this one because it fits into your purse, especially helpful if you can’t look up the item online before you go to the restaurant.)  Jillian reminds the team that they need to focus on their goals in order to stay in control and bypass unhealthy temptations.  Bob says that he and Jillian have to make these decisions every day.   Staying mindful can be difficult, but the end result is looking and feeling great.   The trainers then help the team order food, which turns out to be managed chaos.   Steaming, roasting, sugar, protein, healthy fats!  Bob and Jillian analyze every option, calling out calories and subsitutions.   Some plates are sent back to the kitchen.   The waitstaff is amazingly patient.  All in all, a dining success.

FOOD TIP
Bob says that you can eat out with a little planning.  Look at the menu online before you go.  Pick grilled, steamed, baked, broiled or poached.  Sauces on the side, if at all and don’t be afraid to send it back!

CHALLENGE
Another water challenge!  Do the producers realize how much the contestants dread the aquatic events?  I guess they do, since they keep the water and height challenges in constant rotation.  The players have to grab a handlebar on a platform.  The platform will gradually shift until it ends up vertical above the water.  Last contestant hanging on wins immunity.  Alison, queen of understatement, calls it a tough challenge.  These contestants are carrying hundreds of extra pounds.  I’ve got 10 lbs to go and I know  I could never do it, that’s for sure.  First, I prefer to be in the water, not out of it, so I would immediately let go.   Plus, I know one hand would start itching, I’d loosen my grip and then BLAM!  My feet would succumb to the gravitational pull in about two second flat.   So in my imaginary BL game, I’d make sure the other Alison, sassy workout girl from Foster Fitness, was on my team.  Because she could definitely do it!!!

Daniel is focused on this challenge.  He was eliminated in week 4 last time and winning immunity is the best way to ensure another week on campus.  Abby and Tracey both sit out due to injury.   The platform moves about 45 degrees and Liz is the first one to let go.  She’s followed in rapid succession by Danny.   Amanda’s next with Rudy close behind her.  Pink is eliminated as Rebecca loses her grip.   The platform continues to rotate, claiming Dina.  Orange has two in the final four as Daniel and Shay hang on,  joined by Allen and Julio.   Shay’s next to fall into the water, amazing considering she is the heaviest player.   Julio can’t hang on any longer, leaving Daniel and Allen.  Battle of wills!  I thought Allen would pull it out, but he drops – Daniel wins!   He and Shay are on to week 5.

LAST CHANCE WORKOUT

It’s all business at the Last Chance Workout.  Bob orders Julio to get on the treadmill while Jillian pounces on Rudy.   Given that the team’s been eating takeout all week,  Bob and Jillian proceed to “beat out some of the crappy food.”   Jillian puts Rudy in his place when he complains, telling him that she doesn’t give a crap and he has to “either drop dead or make it happen.”   Made me laugh, especially when Rudy decides to push through.   He’s not fooling Jillian one bit!  She knows he’s a machine, one of the “big ole boys,”  like former college football players Roger Shultz and Trent Patterson from Season 5.

As Julio points out, it’s a mind game at this point.  Everyone’s asking themselves if they’ve done enough.  Liz is worrying that she might have gained weight.  Tracey says she desperately wants to be in the gym.  Coach Mo is working like a maniac in the gym and ends up straining his back.   He immediately panics, thinking he’s done.  Bob tells him to stop freaking out, that he’s making it worse.   After relaxing outside for a while, Coach Mo returns to the gym.

WEIGH-IN

As the weigh-in begins, Alison says that results aren’t just about the weight lost but how much knowledge the players have gained.  The players aren’t so sure.  Danny thinks it’s a crap shot and Liz agrees, “One word…it sucks!”

Orange Team has immunity, so they step on the scale first.   Jillian and Bob immediately suspect game play, as Daniel doesn’t lose a pound!

Results are:

• Daniel: 0 lbs, Shay: 5 lbs
• Allen: 7 lbs, Abby: 3 lbs
• Rudy: 11 lbs, Dina: 3 lbs
• Danny: 3 lbs, Liz: 8 lbs
• Tracey: 4 lbs, Coach Mo: 8 lbs
• Julio: 4 lbs
• Amanda: 5 lbs, Rebecca: 4 lbs

This week could have been a disaster and yet everyone except Daniel lost weight!  Rudy peeled off double digits,  Coach Mo and Liz both shed 8 lbs and we got a sincerely happy dance from the Pink Team.  For all her crocodile tears, Tracey still managed 4 lbs.   But the standard is percentage of weight loss – Brown Team and Julio are below the yellow line, heading for elimination.

Deliberations start and the trainers words take me back full circle.  You have to fight to stay on the ranch.  No one needs to throw a punch, but the contestants have to at least mount a strong defense.   Liz, Danny and Julio have formed a sincere friendship.  They like each other.  Everyone likes them.   It really is the worst-case scenario for these three.  Liz, Danny and Julio refuse to throw anyone under the bus.  I admire that.  But it infuriates me that they won’t make the case for themselves and why they need to stay.

My aggravation only gets worse.  The Purple Team is at odds because Coach Mo has cut a deal with Julio not to vote him off and Tracey has the same arrangement with Liz.    Everything else being even, Coach Mo should win out on this one.  As amyshy reminded us on the live Twitter stream, he’s teamed up with a partner who has made every single decision so far, including selling out Bob and Jillian for a lousy two lbs!

The teams head to the elimination room.  Orange chooses Julio, Blue picks Liz and Danny, Green picks Julio and Purple casts the third vote for Julio, sending him home.   So Tracey wins out again.  Coach Mo better start putting his foot down – and I mean in a big old STOMP.  He has a big opportunity next week to start playing the game for himself!   Until then amyshy and I are coming clean.  We’re holding a serious grudge.  Tracey.  Off.  NOW!!!

HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW

Leaving the ranch, Julio said he was a whole different guy, no longer afraid.  And boy, does he look fearless!

NEXT WEEK
It’s on baby!  Blue vs. Black and a golden ticket winner gets to pick the trainer and the teams.  Is this Mo’s opportunity to jump off the Tracey Crazy train?