Who Watches The Biggest Loser??

[Kyan]

Randy, that was VERY VERY interesting!! Thanks for posting that!! At first I felt that Tom really should watch an entire season - not just the first episode - before voicing his opinion, but I kept an open-mind. After I finished the article I realized that his list of pros and cons were pretty fair, and not based on what we see each week on the show. I still find the show inspirational - and some of the things Tom said things we all have said at one time or another. For example: how the contestants are at the ranch with nothing to do but lose weight. No juggling time, running errands, working at a job, taking care of other people - just exercise and focusing on themselves. I've also always wondered how these people would do when they go home and life is back to exactly what it was before they left. I believe that a lot of prior contestants gained all or most of the weight back - I wonder how many stayed in a normal weight range?

[dene]

Tom made a pretty fair assessment in my opinion. Those of use who've been around our SB forum here have made comments in the past as Ky said. "If I exercised 6 hours a day, I could lose weight, too." That sort of thing. And most people know a healthy weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week. I watch for inspiration, not for information on how I should go about losing weight. I totally know that it is just TV and not realistic. I have read articles about the contestants going to extremes for a weigh in, but I hadn't heard that they eat NOTHING for days before the big weigh in. I have also observed that the ones who are really in the running for the prize seem to have lost too much at the weigh in, but it's only because they want to win the prize. They usually gain some back to a more healthy weight once the contest is over. And I know some gain back too much. So, yes, his points are well taken, and people should be aware that it is TV and not normal. But it is still fun to watch if you have the right mind set.

Ky, what did you think of makeover week??? Becky, Sunny and Vinny looked the best to me. Vinny is such a sweetheart. I'm sorry, but I just can't make myself like John. There is just something about him that turns me off.

[Kyan]

Hey Dene!!

My boys and I were wondering if the show is pushing John to act like a jerk to make it interesting! What do you think?

Makeover week is always so much fun! I thought it was sweet that Sunny's wedding ring now fits again!! And Becky's husband lost 50 pounds while she was at the ranch - WOW! That is super! Or was it Becky's wedding ring that now fits? I thought Becky looked AMAZING! Becky and her husband really seem to love each other so much! Is it John's wife that is very overweight? I wonder why she didn't try to lose any weight at home! She was either awfully nervous or not very happy to see him, lol. I REALLY like Vinny's girlfriend. She loved Vinny when he was VERY overweight - so you know she loved HIM, not the package!

Did you notice that THREE of Bob's team made the final four?

Back to that article that Randy posted. I didn't know the contestants went to such extremes, either! AND I also agree that quite a few of them lost so much weight that they looked sickly! I can't remember his name... I believe it might have been the season 5 - $100,000 winner - OH Jerry? He looked a bit too thin... and Helen looked too thin. Then again, a lot of them who come to the final show look like they haven't done diddley squat to lose any weight! There are always at least 2 who look as heavy as they did when they first came to the ranch! I would FORCE myself to lose weight just to save face!

Hey Dene - I DID see part of that Biggest Loser they had on Wednesday night - but dang it, I missed seeing Abby! Her's was the saddest story ever! They showed pictures of her husband and daughter and baby boy several times... and they were the most beautiful family! I honestly don't know if I could go on after something like that! I feel so bad for Sam is it? I guess he was trying to climb onto the fire escape (because he locked himself on the roof) and he lost his footing and fell down several stories onto concrete! He is such a great guy, too!

I am very excited to see who wins this season! I wouldn't mind seeing Vinny win, but I don't think it will be him. He just haven't lost enough weight through this season to be able to drop enough to win - but I could be wrong! It might be John. Or Antone?? Next week is the marathon!!

[dene]

Hey Ky,
It was Becky's ring that fit. and it was cool that her husband lost weight at home. I think they will do well at home together. I loved her new look. Sunny looked great, too. I think (hope) she'll stick with it and keep working. Her husband seems to be supportive and that helps alot.

I don't know about John. He seems sincere, but I just can't get into him. Yes, his wife was overweight. Hopefully, he can be a leader in his home and encourage her to join him in eating healthy and exercising.

Vinny's girlfriend also admitted there might be a conflict with Vinny's old friends expecting Vinny to be "Big Vinny" again and the awkwardness it might cause. I really hope Vinny and his girlfriend can build a life together where they get away from his old persona and keep on with his healthier lifestyle.

Yes, Bob got the results, nobody can argue that. But that article is correct when it talks about life being different once they get home and find that they have to get back to real life and still figure out a way to exercise. I can't believe how some people gain over 30 pounds in a couple weeks after they weigh in. Ugh. That's so unhealthy to put your body through that. I know it's 250K but come on.

Yes, Jerry was too thin, Helen was painfully thin and Michelle looked downright anorexic to me when she won. I saw her pic at a later date and she had gained a little and it made her look so much better. Like I said, I know they just lose and lose till the final to try to win the money, but it's unrealistic to stay thinner than is healthy after that.

I am looking forward to the marathon, too. And did you see the preview where Vinny proposes!!!??? So cool.

[dene]

Okay, I'll go. I watched last night. It was good to see how so many had been doing since they went home. I thought Jess would win the Marathon, but she did good at 3rd. Courtney was such a surprise. She may be a contender for at home prize. How about that Ramon??? Bless his heart, he really wanted it. I have to admit that I was disappointed in the two finalists that will join Ramon. I wanted it to be Vinny and Antone. Vinny has just really impressed me with his dedication, his sincerity, and his attitude. I just can't get on board with John. There's something about him that rubs me the wrong way. I liked Becky alot, but of the 4, she came in 3rd in my choices.

Looking forward to the finale. I have my doubts that John will be able to stick with it long term. Dolvett was right in his assessment that for John to concentrate only on weight loss and not join back up to real life is setting himself to fail when the finale is over the he has to face reality. I think we talked about that before.

I just loved it that Vinny proposed. It was so cute to hear him say almost to himself...."I'm getting married!" My DH was so funny. He'd see somebody and say, "I don't remember them." Then they'd show the person when they first started and he'd say, "Oh, now I remember."

[dene]

Trying to decide if I can stay up till 11 to watch the finale live. Have to wait till Thursday, otherwise. What to do, what to do?

[Kyan]

Oh my gosh.... I wrote this big long reply and it didn't post and I lost it! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHH!!!

I will try again but I don't have as much time to sit here and type as I did a bit ago!

I think you SHOULD stay up and watch!!
I'm going to, but I think it ends at 10:00 p.m. my time, which is better than 11!

I thought the marathon show was fun! I was SOOO happy that Ramon won! I really thought Courtney was going to win for the longest time. I would like to see Ramon win the Biggest Loser - although I think John is going to do it... and then gain back every pound! I don't think Antone has lost as much weight so far as other guys his size have lost in the past. I just don't see him winning the finals, but I do like him! I liked Becky too, but I wasn't surprised when she didn't make it above the yellow line - those guys are awfully competitive!

Who do you think will win the 100,000 prize?

[dene]

Yep, decided to go for it. About 5:30 a.m., I'll be dragging out of bed, but DH and I are staying up tonight!

Noooooo, tell me John isn't going to win! I would rather Ramon or Antone win, but I think you're right about Antone's weight loss not being enough to win.

I think Courtney has a shot for the at home prize, based on how she looked at the marathon. Jess looked good, too. Some others did, too, though. It's always fun to watch them all weigh in any way. Wish Vinny had a shot, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Well, see ya on the other side!!!!

[dene]

Seriously? Jennifer? Would never have picked her for the at home winner. Vinny came really close!! so proud of him. I was so hoping Antone would pull it off. He looked great and had a great attitude. Can't believe John won. Wonder where he'll be 6 month down the road? He says it's a permanent change, but we'll see what happens when he has to go back to real life and not spend 24/7 focusing on his workouts.

I thought they all looked good. But it looked like Jess gained weight since the marathon. Did you think so?

I can't believe some of the previews for next season. Not a fan of watching people puke.

[Kyan]

Yeah, I was shocked that Jennifer won. She was a surprise, for sure! I thought Vinny had it - or even Patrick. Patrick looked awesome!

Ramon lost 154 pounds total.... John lost 220. When you figure that a lot of the contestants lost around 80 pounds, John lost as much MORE weight than Ramon as one other contestant - that is mind boggling! It makes me think of Randy's article that he posted here the other week - I wonder how healthy it is to lose that much weight in that short of a time period? I was impressed that Antone lost 202 pounds! All three of those men were looking GREAT!

A lot of the $100,000 contestants were looking incredible, too. Could you believe Bonnie? The biggest disappointment was Debbie. She lost 33 pounds. I mean, 33 pounds is certainly nothing to sneer at - but I just don't feel like she really tried. She always seemed to have this attitude problem. I wonder why she even bothered to try out for Biggest Loser, because it seemed from the very beginning that she did not want to be there!

I agree that I was surprised with Jess. She DID look like she might have gained weight. And someone - I can't think who it is now.. was it Jess... in the blue dress? I thought the dress looked awful!! I also thought that Sunny's face almost looked TOO thin - yet when they weighed her she weighed almost 180, so she couldn't have been too thin!

As for the scenes from the BL coming up in January - they sure did focus on "Santa", didn't they? LOL I wondered last night if they are going to shave his beard for the make-over! (If he makes it that far!) Even his wife looked like Mrs. Santa! No partners this season, either. That seemed to really tick them off! I think it will be interesting.

And before I forget - I could do without watching all the puking, too. I have started tuning out the workouts anyway, since I have never been able to pick up the slightest helpful hint from the show. What incline are they working on? What speed? ANYTHING? How many reps of this? Of that? They show the people sweating and working - I get the gist, I really do. But as for what I can take from there and do on my own? Pretty open if you know what I mean! I love the challenges, the cooking tips, the temptations.... not really into the tears and drama... and I LOVE the weigh-ins.

No matter what, the show always inspires me!!

[dene]

Ky,
I agree about Debbie. 33 pounds? she was a waste of space where someone who really wanted to lose could have been.

Yes, Jess was in the blue dress. I was disappointed in her. Thought she was more dedicated than that.

I know...it doesn't seem like it is healthy to lose 220 pounds in 7 months. It's bizarre.

I know what you mean about watching the workouts. I'm with you...love to see the challenges and even the cooking and stuff, but I can do without the groaning, puking and crying in the gym. Doesn't really contribute anything to my knowledge or entertainment. Except when Dolvett yells, "Get your hands off my treadmill!" Now, that was fun.

Yes, Sunny looked thinner than they said her weight was to me. Bonnie looked good, even though I got tired of her whining on the show.

I enjoy the show, too, but like you, I have my favorite parts and can pass on the other stuff.

[Beaching It]

Who's watching the new season starting tonight? So far it's good. I got out of watching when Jillian left, but I'm liking this new trainer. He's tough!!! Can't believe that wrestler girl's story! Wow!! Did you see her photos? So sad that she became like this... I like how they split up the partners. Should be a good season. Very inspiring. If they can do it, I can do it for sure!
Lisa

[Kyan]

I thought it was a REALLY good first episode of the season! I pretty much liked everyone there, which is unusual!

I felt sooo sorry for the Aqua team. I honestly HATE how the Biggest Loser brings people to the Ranch and then sends some team home before they ever begin. Something like 100,000 people vie to be contestants for each season... to be chosen and then rejected before you even get started sucks! I get pissed off every time they do that! At least this season they told the couple that if they lose 50 pounds in a month between them, they can come back. I hope they do it! You can tell that they really wanted to be there!

Could you believe Ben? I guess I understand... 9 kids and a baby on the way, he felt he should be at home. But to give up after a week? Even after losing 50 pounds at home, he still weighs almost 350 pounds! With 10 kids he NEEDS to get healthy!

The challenges were lame. The puzzle was just stupid.

Dolvett IS hot!! I couldn't believe his team beat Bob's at the weigh-in!

I liked Santa and Mrs. Claus, lol.

[dene]

Watched last night. I told DH that they would give the aqua team another chance, and I was glad they went ahead and told them that. It is heartbreaking to think you made it to the Ranch, only to find out you didn't even make it in the gate. Maybe they will have the drive to do this first month at home and get a chance to really get on the ranch. I was sure they were the ones who were going home after they showed video of the upcoming season because I didn't remember them being on any of the shots. Laughed at one shot where someone yells, "Shut up, Santa." Should be an interesting show.

Cracked up at Dolvett! "Seriously, I've got two older people and some others are injured??? I've got to beat Bob!" I laughed at Bob's face when his team lost the weigh in. He was in shock! I thought the numbers were low for the first week. Usually they lose alot the first week and then go into the second week slump.

I have mixed feelings about Ben volunteering to go home. I understand that he missed his family and that he felt like everything clicked the first week; but to volunteer to go? He did seem to be making progress at home and I hope he can keep it up. He seemed really dedicated to his family, and I think he realizes that he really has to make this lifestyle change with all those people depending on him.

Yes, the wrestler had quite a story. Hope she does well.

I could do without the puking shots. That's just disgusting. Oh, and I'm thinking about printing NO EXCUSES and putting it on my refrigerator, pantry, and any place else there is food!

[Kyan]

Dene!! I forgot - I wanted to say something about the "No Excuses" too! Wasn't that GREAT??? I think a sign is a great idea!