Season 14 Biggest Loser Premiere

I'm finishing up yesterday's episode right now. I'm liking what I see so far. Here's some bullets so far from yesterday and what I'm seeing so far.

The Kids

One of this season's focus is childhood obesity. There are three teens who have joined BL this season. They will highlight the problem and struggles of obesity in children. They did work out on the ranch for the 1st week. There wasn't a whole lot of footage for ranch workouts. So far, trying to include them with the adult contestants has seemed a little clunky.  But, it's kids... who can't feel warm and fuzzy!

Lindsay, Sunny, and Bingo

Sunday Night

I was a little disappointed that we didn't get back story on all of the contestants.

Jillian Michaels returns for Biggest Loser

Jillian showed up which was great. I think it will be a good season with red, white, and blue teams.

Jillian's team suffered a double hit though. Demons overcame Nikki who left the ranch to deal with personal issues. It is a shame that there aren't alternates that are selected to replace those who quit the show so early. Nikki's departure along with other problem contestants from past year makes me question BL psych screening for contestants. It doesn't seem that great.

It was so sad to see TC eliminated leaving the white team with only three contestants. TC had a heart-warming back story.





Workout Buffet

We get to see different style workouts on Monday. Bob had a major Crossfit set-up. The crossfit workouts have been great for me, and I know the blue team will be inspired. Dolvett gives us a boot camp workout.

Jillian Drama

Ok, we are getting drama already but it isn't the same crap as last season. Jillian's team of three is have major issues. The yelling and screaming approach isn't working. I was totally surprised by Jillian's flexibility in dealing with her team. The three remaining seem like emotionally healthy people, but the women are basket cases!  Will we get the warm & fluffy Jillian this season?

Red Line

I am SO glad to see the red line this season! So, nice for effort/results to determine elimination rather than game play! Keep that red line goin' baby!

News on Season 14 Biggest Loser

Jillian Michaels Returns

It will be a long Fall without Biggest Loser. So far, no TV show seems that interesting to me. I just don't warm up to sit-coms.

The BL staff have been busy re-working the show and NBC is  praying that people will forget the disaster that was season 13.

News is out that Jillian Michaels is back for season 14. A new addition to the show will be weight loss for teens. I suspect that Jillian may have a leading role in working with the teens.

News is that the teens will not be eliminated from the show and won't be weighed in.

I buy into the no elimination part of the deal. But no weigh in, hmmm? I understand the shame and low self-esteem angle on teen obesity, but what about accountability and achievement recognition?

Bob Harper and Dolvett Quince will be part of the trainer crew as well. It won't take much to surpass Season 13, but it will take some major changes to keep the show going long term. We'll see what Biggest Loser Season 14 brings.

Thoughts on Crazy People on Biggest Loser

My last post on Chris's elimination got me thinking about other day about other former Biggest Loser contestants with lots of known mental baggage or who were just presented on the show in a way that made them look a crazy.

I can think of two quick examples from last season's winners. Season 12 Biggest Loser, John Rhode, struggled with expressing his feelings and being honest. I was not happy to see him win and really liked Antone Davis better. I never saw him as genuine. It is curious that we don't hear much about him this season.

The season 12 at home winner, Jennifer Rumple, was not liked by other contestants who openly talked about her need for "help". She also had  label of being obsessed with Bob Harper.

However, when most people think about crazy people and Biggest Loser, they would probably think of "Crazy Tracey" - aka Tracey Yukich from Season 8.

After photo Tracey Yukich 

I can still remember some of drama from that season. Tracey collapsed from heat stroke during a one mile beach run that opened season 8. It appears she also had some type of heart problem discovered after the event. She was in the hospital and restricted on activity for several weeks after the season opener.

Her eight weeks on the ranch was filled with lots of drama. She eagerly went for any temptation challenge including a 2 lb advantage for a week without a trainer and power-eating cupcakes to control the game.

She used her final win on a game of chance to totally shake-up the teams and apparently alienate all of other contestants for that season.

It was no surprise that she was sent home when she was up for elimination. Neither Bob nor Jillian seemed to like her. Even two years after the season, Jillian Michaels had this to say when asked about Tracey.

She is a cancer in that house, promoting nothing but stress and ill will. You know what you do with a cancer? You CUT IT OUT and then start the healing. I was shocked and chagrined to see Coach Mo go home.

I recall seeing a sane and slim Tracey in one of the Biggest Loser Where are they now spots a year or two ago. Tracey says she is grateful for the health and life change that Biggest Loser and Dr. H gave her.

She has a website and does motivational speaking. Her season 8 reputation will always follow her, but it seems that Tracey is striving to live a healthy, inspiring life going forward.

Here's a recent you tube video of her promoting Total gym. You decide - still crazy or no.

Show recap for Nov 2nd - Things Change

Just a quick post on the show. I watched it late last night. It was one of the more enjoyable shows for this season.

FOOD FIGHT

I've said how much I HATE temptation challenges. I LOVE knowledge challenges like last night's calorie counting challenge. Calorie counting is an essential tool for to both achieve and maintain weight loss.

Oft overlooked calories in Mexican Restaurant meal

It is staggering to think that all of the meals shown had calorie counts equal to a full day worth of calories. Sunny's Mexican meal was over 4000 calories! There are so many calorie hazards with Mexican food. One of the the most overlooked hazards are the tortilla chips. A basket of chips can set up back 250-400 calories. Add some queso to those chips, and it's all over.




Final Word on Anna 

Thumbs down to Anna

I have decided thumbs down on Anna as a trainer. Telling Joe to "man up" is not a great way to start your trainer relationship. I realize that her team achieved success at the weigh-in. However, she doesn't have likability or inspiration.



Anna is talented and capable. She was able to take her good looks and talent as a good (not great) tennis player and be successful.  However, she just isn't able in my mind to use her skills to add value as a trainer to the Biggest Loser. NBC needs to keep looking for a trainer or make Jillian Michael an offer she can't refuse.

I won't waste any more time commenting on Anna. I hope that her team is able to take what they need from her and others on the Ranch to be successful.

Elimination 

Jessica's departure was logical. She is young and healthy. Her chance of winning the marathon is pretty good.

I also think it is good for her and Ramon to have some time apart to gain perspective on their romance.


Bonnie Reconsidered 

I was pretty harsh on Bonnie in a prior post. I have some regret after last night's episode. She appeared to be a different person. Maybe, her relationship with Anna was so toxic and negative. I'm taking a fresh look at Bonnie now. I hope that Dolvett and John will help her in her personal growth.

Jillian Michael podcast impression

I mentioned in the motivation on the go post that I planned to check out Jillian's podcast during my commute this week. I actually checked out two different podcasts and have double the info.

The first podcasts turned out not to be what I expected. The Jillian Michaels Fan Cast is not hosted by Jillian but by a guy named Dave. The casts have some news about Jillian interspersed with lot of marketing of her products. There's a website associated with the podcast where you can buy products mentioned on the podcast.

I give this podcast thumbs down and removed it.  Dave's story on one of his other weight loss websites is a good one, but I prefer practical advice over marketing.

The Jillian Michaels Show does have Jillian and a co-host, Julia (?). I listened to partials of a two her her podcasts on Friday. I didn't get exactly what I expected. My expectation was to hear straight-on fitness advice. However, the opportunity to hear Jillian in a more unplugged setting was good.

Jillian chats free-form with the co-host a good part of the podcast and takes calls from people seeking advice. Her advice is honest and practical.

I give this podcast a tenative thumbs up. I'm still not sure the format meets my current personal needs, but we'll see.

Motivation on the Go

Even though Jillian Michaels is no longer part of the Biggest Loser, she still a great motivator for fitness and weight loss.

I found that she has podcasts in itunes. I plan to subscribe and give some of them a listen.  A podcast is a great way to pass the time and get motivation while stuck in the commute to or from work.

Check out the Jillian Michaels Show on itunes. I'll have some feedback next week after listening to a few episodes. Let me know what you think.