Heading to week 10

Week 10

I was updating the eliminated contestant page. I can't believe that the season is already heading to week 10 with the makeover in just a few days.

What's been good 

The positive tone on this season and only one temptation challenge have been positives for this season. Most of the contestants seem like people that you could relate to and enjoy hanging with. There's only been one stab in the back moment with Michael's elimination.

Kids are inspiring.

What's been lacking 

Not really sure on this one, but something is missing for me this season. Incorporation of the kid's story hasn't been that great. Their clips seem to be an afterthought.

The main lacking thing is enthusiasm on my part. Maybe it's the busy nature in my life right now. Maybe it's my own pursuit of health with crossfit and a focused diet plan. It's more important to me to do the real thing than watch it on TV.

I guess we'll have to see what NBC sees in ratings and feedback on this season in another 4 or so weeks.

Time and Priority

I missed a whole episode 2 weeks ago when David was eliminated. I probably won't bother to catch-up and watch that episode.

Only watched a partial of this past week's episode. Life is lived, and sometimes TV shows aren't a priority. I can't say that I'm  burned out with BL, but it's just not the priority that it was in the past.

I've updated the contestants page, and we'll see how things go with tomorrow's episode and any commentary.

The Kids

The kid's stories are somewhat inspiring, but I'm still not getting into that aspect of this season. BL just can't seem to incorporate them in the episodes in a way that is meaningful to me.

Week 5 Recap

So Fast! 

Hard to believe we're at week 5 already. This season seems to be flying by. I watched last night's episode via DVR late last night.

I am so glad to see the apparent end of temptation challenges. This season is straightforward, mostly non-nonsense get healthy and lose weight.

I like it!
It's refreshingly positive

Eating healthy challenge 

I'm living last night's challenge with the family month of eating healthy. I've been up early and staying up late to prep food or cook. Didn't get the large batch operation done this past weekend; so, it's a daily grind to get healthy meals done. I got breakfast, work lunch, and dinner done.

• Breakfast - boiled eggs, lean sausage, assorted bite-size veggies - will get some fruit in the morning
• Lunch - more assorted bite-size veggies, apple, left-over rotisserie chicken, baked sweet potatoe 
• Dinner - crockpot roast 

Contestants had to shop on a budget and fix from their purchase for the week. It's a great practical lesson on shopping healthy and cooking healthy. I think they have a link at the NBC website on shopping lists. Head over and check it out.

We got to meet chef, Devin Alexander, and watch her prepare a southwest sweet potato recipe. 

I'm really getting into sweet potatoes! 

Tonight's stumble 

 

Life is messy. Today was a messy day. I ate well this morning and at lunch. Tonight, it was pizza and skinny girl margarita. I wasn't a big fan of plain margaritas on the rocks. Skinny girl takes some of the calorie hit out of margaritas. 

Challenge 

We get a frigid, pond swimming challenge with 5 lb weight. Danni, sole white team member, wins!


Weigh-in 

Red team falls with Lisa going home. The elimination format is filled with a whole lot less drama. I noticed that they aren't doing the dramatic commercial break in the last few eliminations. Again, I like it.

Nikki and TC

We get a glimpse of Nikki and TC doing a photo shoot. Both seem to be doing well. Nice to see that Nikki appears to have gotten help and is in a better place mentally.

Live blog BL episode - No trainers this week

The trainers head out for the week to visit the teens. They'll be back for the last chance workout! In the meantime, trainers meet with their teams.

Bob

Written plans. One person will lead the team workout each day.

Dolvett 

State of the warrior, get pissed off, and fight - Dolvett's words of advice.

Jillian 

Workout plans for the ladies. Goal of 5 miles.

To the kids! 

 The trainers are with the kids to get a chance to see their world.

Biingo's family has succeeded in changing food choices and cooking at home. Biingo - 27 lb weight loss, awesome!

The overloaded, stressed Sunny eats to deal with stress. She is afraid of failing and feels trapped in her role.

Whole family change is happening in Lindsay's family. Dolvett is truly a man unfraid of a unique work-out. A cheerleader workout this season and ballet last season!

Teams on their own 

Blue team seems to be struggling with direction and motivation. Dave is worried about going home due to his

Jackson seems to be doing a good job in leading the red team and seems to have more motivation with less health problems.

White team is bonding and getting stronger.

To the beach for a 5K! 

We get Allison running with the group along with other support, wow!

Dr. H to the rescue and brings an inhaler to Jackson.

White team cleans up with 1st and 3rd place finishes and take the top cash prize.

Last Chance workout

Mom & Dad - aka Jillian & Bob workout the blue and white team together.

Jeff and Jillian clash, and back to bob he goes.

Weigh-in

Best quote of the night - I've always been a ripped, bald black guy on the inside - Jackson

Then there was one for the white team, Pam is eliminated.

Goodbye Cate

Show Recap 

I did get a chance to watch BL late on Monday. Love that DVR! The show has been enjoyable to watch so far. It is definitely staying on the positive.

Biggest Loser Junk 

The theme for the week was lose the junk. The blue team lost a childhood obesity trivia challenge and was forced to spend hours in a junk food laden, sedentary room.

A childhood obesity expert stopped in to the teen contestants' homes and emptied out the junk food.

The best part of the episode was Bob's deck of cards crossfit wod in the junk room. weigh-in

Cate Laughlan from the red team was voted off after red team lost the weigh-in. I was pulling for a red line again, but the voting was much more civil this time. There are very nice Q&A interview by Cate that I found that is inspiring.

Random Sunday Thought Collection

End of last week's episode

I posted before the end of last week's show. Jillian's team is now decimated with the loss of Nate. Her two remaining ladies will have to pull it together to keep any of the white team members around. Fortunately for Jillian, the trainers are working with everyone; so, she'll still have a job but no team if the other two ladies get eliminated early in the season.

NFL challenge

I liked the NFL challenge in the 2nd episode. I think the kids got included in the segment much better than in the prior challenge.

Reasonable physical challenges are a great part of BL and should have center stage.

Next week's teaser 

Looks like a ridiculous temptation challenge is coming - getting locked in a room with sweets. I really hope there is no advantage given to a contestant that pigs out. Overall, the temptation looks lame.

I'm about 11 days into my whole 30 challenge. I get temptation as I deal with some cravings for diet coke, bread, and peanut butter. However, the reward and sense of accomplishment keep me motivated.


Interesting things I'm doing in the the kitchen

Over toasted cumin seeds

I got a mortar and pestle for Christmas and used it last night. I toasted (over in my case over-toasted) some cumin seeds. They tasted not burnt, and the cumin flavor was INTENSE. I used it on my 2nd, improved batch of cauliflower carrot hummus as well as on some baked sweet potatoes.

I seeds toast very quickly. I think the key to my next toasting will be lower heat and immediate transfer out of the hot skillet when they are that nice golden brown color. I delayed a bit and the seeds toasted even when the skillet was off heat.

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!

Biggest Loser Season 14 Launch

Season Premiere

We get part 1 of a two part season premiere tonight. NBC has some details up on contestants and the concept for this season. 

This season is Challenge America. Inspire and change lives. Sounds very positive and uplifting. As I wrote in the past, this season is likely to be very over the top kumbayah to overcome the negativity and nastiness from the last couple of seasons. 

Whole 30 breakfast 

I'm into day 5 of whole 30, and it's going okay. Hunger has been a challenge. I have to eat more frequently. Time for meal prep is also a challenge. I'll be making some tweaks on a paleo breakfast casserole recipe that I discovered and have it either this morning or tomorrow morning. Looks good and will hopefully taste good too. 

Paleo breakfast casserole

 

New BL Season Starts on Jan 6th

I stopped by the NBC BL site this morning to see what was happening with the new season. Here's the 1st video.

I expect this season will be over the top with niceness, heart-warming stories, and team work. Hopefully, NBC really had the psychologists screen this bunch and weed-out the nasty, crazy folks.

Besides writing on BL, I'll also share the upcoming whole 30 challenge that me and the fam will start in about a week.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year's.

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.

Former Biggest Loser Contestant Update

Jay and Jennifer Jacobs 

Biggest Loser Season 11 finalist, Jay Jacob, and his daughter Jennifer have struggled since leaving the show. You may recall that Jay was voted off in week 7 and returned in week 12. Jay did have a decent performance overall and lost a little over 45% of his body weight. He ultimately lost out to Irene Alvarado for the 3rd finalist spot at the finale weigh-in. It seemed to me that Jay was never really checked-in after his return to BL in week 12. Like father, Jennifer also lost around 40% of her body weight.

Both Jay and Jennifer appear to have struggled with regaining the weight and are striking out to something new. They will be partnering with the author, Jonathan Bailor, to try out his program, the Smarter Side of Slim. .

The program says that it focuses on eating and a smart approach to exercise. You can check out the book, The Smarter Side of Slim (affiliate link).

You can check out more information about Jennifer and Jay as well as information regarding the program at the Smarter Side of Slim blog.

News about Dr. Huizenga

Biggest Loser Physician, Dr. Huizenga

I read an article a while ago on Dr. Huizenga. He spoke to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists about the improvement in health in BL contestants.

It was an interesting peak into the methods used by the show to get the pounds off contestants. One of the most surprising facts that I learned is that the calorie restriction isn't that extreme - around 80% of daily requirements.

However, the exercise is intense. Contestant do 4 hours of exercise per day. Half of the exercise is more intense consisting of either resistance or cardio.

The audience was impressed by the decrease in diabetes medication use and blood pressure medication use. The methods are extreme but so are the results.

BL Trainer Updates

In case BL fans aren't aware, NBC has postponed Season 14 premiere until the beginning of 2013. I think the postponement is a good long term move after the Season 13 disaster. I'll miss BL in the Fall, but it will take a while to get rid of the negative vibes.

So, what's a reality show TV trainer (including former trainers) to do without regular employment?

Dolvett Quince 

Dolvett Quince's New Reality Gig

Dolvett already has a successful personal training business and lots of recognition from his Biggest Loser role. While BL is on hiatus, he'll stay in the reality spotlight as a contestant on the new NBC show Stars Earn Stripes.

My quick read on the show plot is that it features various below A- list stars competing in military style challenges for charity.

I'll give it a look and report back.









Bob Harper 

Bob shooting for Guest Host Spot with Kelly Ripa

Bob's been busy as well. I just learned that he has a new book, Skinny Rules (affiliate link). The book appears to be doing well on the New York Times list. He's done a major revamp of his website, BobHarper.com, into an online fitness club.

I have a great deal of respect for Bob's experience and technique, but I was beginning to think that it was time for him to leave BL. Maybe, his new efforts will freshen up his skills and make him more interesting.

Bob is also interested in a guest host spot with Kelly Ripa on Live with Kelly. Good luck Bob! I'll DVR that show if it happens.

Dealing with Fitness Roadblocks

Summer Here We Come 

The unofficial start of summer is already here with the end of school, and the official season start of summer is only a week or so away. 

Is your body prepared for summer? 

My answer to the question is, No. 

No, my body is not as ready as I hoped it would be. I could feel better at the pool or beach by comparing myself to overweight and less fit. That bit of mental coping won't ultimately help me in my fitness journey. Reality is that all of us will ebb and flow in our efforts and our success. Staying committed and putting out consistent efforts are the keys to success. 

Is someone ever too far gone to begin or resume a fitness journey?  The answer from the Biggest Loser show is  no. What's your answer? 

Biggest Loser Survey Shocks and Saddens

I just read an article recapping  responses from a recent survey of people who responded to a Biggest Loser contest.  


10,000 people responded to the contest survey. The results while not surprising were to me still very worrisome. In spite of all the health promotion educational campaigns both local and national, unhealthy habits still remain a persistent problem. Here are the major highlights from the contestant responses

1. Gym membership - 56% have no gym membership
2. Fast food - 81% eat fast food occasionally or 2/3 times per week
3. Exercise - 51% do no exercise at all
4. Water drinking - 46% drink no water during an average day 
5. Knowledge gap - 46% said they didn't know what to do to get healthy 

Concluding Thoughts for Season 13 Biggest Loser

What if they picked a Biggest Loser and nobody cared?

The article above raises an intriguing question and also summarizes my feeling on this whole season. I think the finale show reflects the feelings that many BL fans including me had about this season. After all the drama and quitting, we didn't really like most of the players and really didn't care how they did. 

I suspect the finale was scripted based on that reality. The one hour finale was short and to the point. We got very little sappy, video clips from earlier in the season. At-home contestants were virtually silent. The finalists got a little bit more face and talk time, but it was still short.

Producers to contestants: Be quiet, wave a lot, smile a lot, and let's get this over with.

I think the raw numbers post  highlights those who excelled at the finale. It's wasted time to dwell on the topic any longer. The true question for season 13 contestants is

Now What? 

Will you continue on course towards better health?

Will you participate in the BL community and be an inspiration?

Six Weeks 

It's six weeks until the official season start for summer. I'll begin with the next post talking about six habits for six week to get you off to a healthy start when summer begins.

 

BL Season 13 Raw Numbers

Season 13 Percent Weight loss

How did they do? 

The big question in my mind for this season 13 biggest loser is whether or not this season's contestants did as well as past seasons. 

The drama and the quitters from this season really swallowed up a a lot of positive feelings that I and I think many people have about BL. 

So, hard facts can help give perspective on how these folks really did. Percent weight loss is a key measure that is used throughout the game. Jeremy and Kim both meet or exceed the finalist average percent loss from the prior two seasons.  The stats aren't so good for the at-home players. Only five out of the fourteen at home players surpass the prior two season at home player loss.   

Body Mass Index 

Body mass index (BMI) is a fair measure of obesity and is another stats that can help give perspective for 

season 13 accomplishment. Both men and women had starting BMI scores on par with past seasons. I did remove Rulon and Arthur from the season 11 calculation since both men had massively high BMI scores that were way above even the morbid obesity score norm for most starting men players. 

The remaining men (three of the men this season quit) did finish out with an average in line with prior seasons. The women started in line with average but didn't make the grade at the end. 

BMI 25-29.9 overweight 

30-39.9 obese 

40-50 morbid obesity 

> 50          super obesity (not good!) 

Season 13 Body Mass Index

Perspective 

I don't want to diminish the accomplishments of folks for this season. Contestants lost a lot of weight and made major life changes for their health. Most shifted from morbid obesity to overweight, and a few have achieved normal BMI scores.  

Biggest Loser Season 13 Quick Post on Finale

Jeremy Britt Season 13 Winner

I only caught the final three weigh-in last night. As I mentioned in finale of the unlikable, I figured either Jeremy or Conda would get the final prize.

Jeremy did crush it from the time he left the ranch to the weigh-in. He lost an additional 49 lbs. Kim and Conda both lost less than 20 lbs. The low loss for Kim is not surprising. She didn't have much to lose. Conda on the other hand still appears to have a distance to travel to reach a healthier weight.

Congrats to Jeremy, I wish him well.

I'll be viewing the whole finale episode as I have time this week and compiling the stats.

Eliminated BL Contestants get a 2nd Chance

Eliminated players compete for a spot back on ranch

Second Chance for Eliminated Players 

We saw the eliminated players return for a chance to rejoin the game for the finale. This episode cements the final three for the grand prize.

Eliminated contestants first weigh-in a chance to compete. Only the top eight percentage weight loss players will have the chance to compete. The players who qualify for the chance include:

• Megan 
• Nurse Kim 
• Jeremy 
• Casandra
• Joe
• Chris 
• Emily 
• Lauren 

Chism Chokes at Home

Chism's weigh-in was the most surprising of the eliminated player weigh-ins. His elimination weight was 282, and he only lost 17 lbs since his elimination. Wonder how Dad, Mark, feels about that one?

Finale Spot Challenge

I feel some regret that we didn't get a marathon this season, but the multi-step qualifying competition was a great consolation prize. I really like the fact that the challenge was broken up into physical and mental challenges.

I was surprised to see Chris sent home prior to the first competition due to medical disqualification. She was seen working out in earlier segments. Did she get injured or did they know that she was not medically able to run?

In the end, Jeremy prevails and rejoins his sister and wrassler Kim for the finale.

Finale of the Unlikeable?

This is probably one of the hardest BL finales for me to watch since Ed and Heba were part of the finale several seasons ago.

I don't feel a lot of connection with any of the three finalists. Wrassler Kim would probably be my choice, but I don't think she will win. She's lost most of her weight already. The only way for her to win would be for the other two to choke at home.

If either Jeremy or Conda win, I wish them the best for success with a lot of skepticism. 

Biggest Loser Season 13 Mutiny Final Goes Down

Week's theme: I lack motivation 
The week's theme is shot-down in flames with the opening segment. 

The only motivation on display is the motivation to quit the show. 

We get to see a lot of the behind the scenes folks such as producer Joel Relampagos and other production people in the opening segments. There's a flurry of activity as Allison, Bob, and Dolvett are brought in to talk to the remaining
five contestants to convince them to stay. 

Unfair! Undeserved!

Intervention by Bob and Dolvett at Biggest Loser Mutiny

Seems everyone is upset and threatening to quit the show because eliminated players are coming back for a shot at a spot in the finale. The remaining five believe that the plot twist is unfair, and that only the remaining five deserve to compete in the finale for the grand prize. 

The BL ranch is a high stress environment, I get that, and I can understand that stress can make people a little crazy. I don't get the reaction of players this week. They should understand that BL is a reality TV show with the need for plot twists and other "devices" to keep the whole show interesting. You might as well  watch a P90X infomercial if the plot twists, human interest, challenges, and (sigh) drama are removed from the show. Bob Harper even mentions that many of the seasons give an eliminated player a chance to return and compete. 


They've been at home all this time, sleeping in their own bed! 

The five remaining five are upset with the twist so late in the game. The eliminated folks aren't worthy of the chance. 


Mark - are you saying your son, Chism, isn't worthy for a chance at the grand prize? 











Kim - are you telling your "best pal" Emily that she isn't worthy? 










A home journey towards health and weight loss at home can be every bit as challenging as life on the ranch but in a different way. Balancing work and family while staying focused, I believe, is every bit as challenging as following that path on the BL ranch. 

Poppi Kramer at home winner for Biggest Loser Season 3 

The true proof of "worthiness" will be revealed by weight loss, and maintaining the health achieved at the finale. Consider Poppi Kramer, at home winner for season 3. Poppi lost 50.4% (232 lb --- 115 lb) entirely at home. The 50% loss hasn't been achieved by several people who were grand finale winner on BL! 


In the end, Buddy and John walk out in spite of all the intervention. 

The unaired challenge 
Contestants competed in a tough mudder run. Past champions, Olivia War, Patrick Hall,d and John Rhode make appearances. 

Weigh-in
Producers decided to put in a red line to chop the remaining three contestants 
down to two. I was fairly sure that Jeremy would fall below the line, which he did. I suspected that he would throw the weigh-in to give his sister a spot. 
still put up a respectable 10 lb loss. 

Conda and Kim both put up unbelievable numbers. Kim especially loses 15 lbs. The cynic in me wonders if Kim (maybe Conda too) cheated by dehydrating themselves to get that degree of weight loss. 

Kim wins a Ford Escape as her reward for having the highest weight loss at the weigh-in. 

Another cynical though from me - I wonder if producers pulled out the SUV on this episode as "an incentive" to motivate mutinous players to stay? 

The final segment shows the eliminated players marching in to compete for a spot in the final three.