Last season was dominated by a focus on an intense hatred of the blue team, especially Vicky, though it was at least salvaged by the fact that lone remaining black team member Michelle was the winner. Regardless of how many people swore they’d never watch again, it was still a very successful season, and it’s back again for The Biggest Loser 7. Going back to the couples theme from season 5, The Biggest Loser Couples 2 cast consists of 11 teams of 2 all fighting for the $250,000 grand prize and a shot at the title of The Biggest Loser.
For their first workout, they’ll be alone. No Bob or Jillian. Most of these people have probably never even seen half of this equipment, let alone having any awareness about the proper and effective (or for that matter safe) way to use it. The trainers, however, are watching them behind the scenes with a monitor and hidden cameras.
Somehow during this less than strenuous workout, Jerry has managed to get himself to the point where he’s ready to collapse, prompting the medical team to come to the rescue. Granted, he is 63 and terribly out of shape. He seems to be doing okay as the ambulance hauls him off. This serves as a wake up call for the others in the house as to how dire their situation is and what their future may hold.
Jillian and Bob will each pick one team, who will pick the next team and so forth.
Jillian’s Team
Estella & Jerry (White)
Blaine & Dane (Black)
Laura & Tara (Green)
Daniel & David (Orange)
Mandi & Aubrey (Yellow)
Bob’s Team
Carla & Joelle (Silver)
Sione & Filipe (Blue)
Nicole & Damien (Red)
Helen & Shannon (Pink)
Mike & Ron (Brown)
Kristin & Cathy (Purple)
Since they weren’t chosen by anyone, Kristin & Cathy are allowed to pick their trainer.
With teams selected, it’s time for the first weigh-in.
Estella: 242 pounds
Jerry: 369 pounds (weighed at the hospital)
White Total: 611 pounds
Helen: 257 pounds
Shannon: 283 pounds
Pink Total: 540 pounds
Kristin: 360 pounds (heaviest woman ever by 62 pounds)
Cathy: 293 pounds
Purple Total: 653 pounds
Mandi: 263 pounds
Aubrey: 249 pounds
Yellow Total: 512 pounds
Nicole: 269 pounds
Damien: 381 pounds
Red Total: 650 pounds
Laura: 285 pounds
Tara: 294 pounds
Green Total: 579 pounds
Filipe: 364 pounds
Sione: 372 pounds
Blue Total: 736 pounds
Blaine: 365 pounds
Dane: 412 pounds
Black Total: 777 pounds
Mike: 388 pounds (youngest ever at 18)
Ron: 430 pounds
Brown Total: 818 pounds
Carla: 379 pounds (now the heaviest woman ever)
Joelle: 309 pounds
Silver Total: 688 pounds
Daniel: 454 pounds (heaviest contestant ever, at age 19)
David: 393 pounds
Orange Total: 847 pounds (heaviest team ever)
Some of the numbers we’re seeing are pretty typical for this show, but some are excessive even for The Biggest Loser. This should make for an interesting first workout. Laura starts early with the hyperventilation, then throws up on the treadmill.
Jerry returns to the house. He found out that his blood pressure dropped during the workout, but he’s doing okay.
The first challenge starts off on a bridge. In order to cross the bridge, they have to make it past 250,000 pounds of sand, touch a flag on the other side, and then return back to where they started. The contestants must wait for their partner before going past the halfway mark and before their race is complete. The first 5 teams to finish will go on to the second leg. The top 2 teams from that leg will advance to the finals. The winner of the final leg wins immunity.
First Leg
Mandi & Aubrey
Blaine & Dane
Filipe & Sione
Laura & Tara
Nicole & Damien
Second Leg
Blaine & Dane
Mandi & Aubrey
Tara did better than everyone else, but she wasn’t able to drag Laura through the race.
In the final leg, it’s a footrace between Dane and Aubrey, which leads to a very close finish as Aubrey sprints toward the line. Dane edges her out, though, and Blaine & Dane win immunity.
Now it’s time to meet the doctor with the bad news. Ron has so much fat that he’s now depositing it into his abdomen and liver. He wants this to be a lesson for his sons. Helen and Shannon are right around 50% fat. Helen’s biological age is 60. Due to his excess adbominal fat, Blaine’s got significantly diminished lung capacity and a liver nearly twice the size of what it should be.
During the last chance workout, Bob gets worried about Joelle because the only thing she’s really moving is her mouth. Over on Jillian’s end of the gym, Laura continues with her drama. Tara plans to do whatever it takes to hold up her team until Laura gets her head in the game.
When they get to the weigh-in, Allison tells them there will be no elimination tonight. But 9 people will be going home. Uh. Huh?
The team with the highest combined percentage of weight loss will be above the yellow line. In addition to them, Dane & Blaine are safe because they have immunity. For the other 9 teams, they’ll have to choose who has to go home. That brings me to my question. Why even bother asking this many contestants on the show if you’re just going to throw half of them away week one, unless they’re planning a twist like they did when they brought Jillian back after her season off?
Blaine: 351 pounds (-14)
Dane: 392 pounds (-20)
Total: -34 pounds, 4.38%
Carla: 368 pounds (-11)
Joelle: 296 pounds (-13)
Total: -24 pounds, 3.49%
Daniel: 424 pounds (-30)
David: 377 pounds (-16)
Total: -46 pounds, 5.43%
Nicole: 251 pounds (-18)
Damien: 364 pounds (-17)
Total: -35 pounds, 5.38%
Jerry: 344 pounds (-25)
Estella: 233 pounds (-9)
Total: -34 pounds, 5.59%
Filipe: 347 pounds (-17)
Sione: 349 pounds (-23)
Total: -40 pounds, 5.43%
Mandi: 251 pounds (-12)
Aubrey: 236 pounds (-13)
Total: -25 pounds, 4.88%
Kristin: 341 pounds (-19)
Cathy: 281 pounds (-12)
Total: -31 pounds, 4.75%
Helen: 245 pounds (-12)
Shannon: 270 pounds (-13)
Total: -25 pounds, 4.63%
Laura: 272 pounds (-13)
Tara: 273 pounds (-21)
Total: -34 pounds, 5.87%
Mike: 366 pounds (-22)
Ron: 398 pounds (-32, a new record)
Total: -54 pounds, 6.60%
That huge loss puts the brown team above the yellow line, so Mike & Ron are safe, along with Dane & Blaine. The other 9 teams will have to decide who’s going home tonight. I’m still waiting for a twist that doesn’t resemble something the Big Brother producers cooked up, and here it is (sorta). There is a way back. After 30 days, if their teammate has managed to stay in the game, they get to come back.
Shannon doesn’t want to be there without her mom. Mandi’s worried she may be too weak to do it on her own. Carla & Joelle both stubbornly don’t give any indication they’re remotely willing to go home. It’s pretty obvious what Jerry & Estella will do.
Votes
Pink: Shannon
Blue: Sione
Green: Laura
Yellow: Aubrey
Red: Nicole
Orange: David
Silver: Carla
Purple: Cathy
White: Estella
This twist has the potential to turn out interestingly, but it’s a rough break for 4 or 5 people who really weren’t given a shot.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Biggest Loser 7, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC.