The Biggest Loser is back for season 10 with a new cast of 21 contestants. This season’s theme is about paying it forward, with the hope of reaching communities, rather than just individual contestants.
If 21 contestants sounds like an odd number, there’s a reason for that. Bob, Jillian, and Alison will travel to seven cities: Detroit, Los Angeles, Portland, Atlanta, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, and Boston. In each city there will be three contestants. Of those, the ones who finish the the fitness challenges first will win a spot on the ranch. The seven who finish in last will be eliminated, but will have another shot at a later date. Not liking this twist. Why not just have the losers all on one team like season 4?
First stop is Detroit, where Jesse Atkins, Sophia Franklin, and Aaron Thompkins are the first contestants. Bob thinks that all three of these people need to be on this show. For that matter, half the audience does, too. Jesse has a fog weighing over everything and is wasting his life. Sophia says she was shut down by her brother’s death, although prior to that she was 220 pounds to begin with. Aaron eats rather than being an alcoholic. At this weight, it’s hard to say which is worse.
Jesse: 369 pounds
Sophia: 272 pounds
Aaron: 468 pounds
The challenge starts now. The first two to step 500 times will make it to the ranch, while the other goes home. Aaron gets off to an early lead, which lasts about 23 steps. Sophia and Jesse hit 100, with Aaron bringing up the rear. Sophia hits 250 first, about 5 ahead of Jesse. She’s also the first to hit 500. Jesse’s a close second. Aaron, the largest contestant of the season by 40 pounds, is the one who will not be going to campus.
The next stop is the windy city, Los Angeles. Ada Wong, Adam Hurtado, and Montina Cooper are there to compete. Adam’s been ridiculed his whole life, but that never stopped him from gaining more weight. His mother, as well, was obese, dying of a heart attack at age 51. Ada’s brothers died at an early age, and her parents won’t let her forget it. Montina is a backup singer for Beyonce, a dream job, but she’s tired of being in the background due to her image.
Adam: 402 pounds
Ada: 258 pounds
Montina: 287 pounds
It’s time to get to stepping. Adam jumps to an early lead, which lasts about 70 steps before Ada takes over. Montina is quickly falling behind the pack. Ada hits 500 first, followed by Adam. Montina’s knee has been bothering her throughout the competition, but she finishes alongside her husband and son.
Next stop is Portland, where we are joined by Mike from season 7, as well as contestants Corey Pinkerton, Burgandy Keel, and Tina Elliott. Burgandy has 5 kids and puts her family first, leading to convenient excuses. Corey wants his wife to have a strong husband. Tina is this season’s grandma.
Burgandy: 231 pounds
Corey: 391 pounds
Tina: 263 pounds
They will not be stepping. Rather, they will have a 1 mile race. Corey takes off pretty quickly. Burgandy passes him eventually, and he begins walking. His hope is that he can at least beat Tina, who’s more than twice his age. Burgandy is the first person to cross the finish line. Corey’s in second but not with a particularly large lead. With a short distance left to the line, Corey collapses. He gets up and tries again, then he falls again. When he’s down, Tina crosses the line. I’m sensing a pattern here in which the biggest people are going to be the ones who get cut.
Atlanta brings us Patrick House, Anna Wright, and Rick Deroque. Anna lost her 3 year old son to cancer in 1999. Rick wants to be around for his 5 kids and 9 grandkids. Patrick hopes to make a change so that his kids don’t pick up his bad habits.
Anna: 330 pounds
Rick: 350 pounds
Patrick: 400 pounds
Their challenge is also to run a mile. Rick overtakes the lead from Patrick. He hopes to prove that being the old guy isn’t going to be the determining factor here, and that heart is what matters. He keeps right on going to finish first. Patrick is behind him. In the rear is Anna, who’s having a meltdown, but at least she keeps going to finish the race.
We meet Jessica Delfs, Mark Pinkhasovich, and Shanna Masten in Phoenix. It’s a hundred degrees. In the shade. But it’s a dry heat. Jessica had a rough relationship with her mother. Pigging out was her way of getting even, but she’s really only hurting herself. Mark kept eating the same in college as he did when he was working out a lot in high school, which led to the freshman 50. Shanna was diagnosed with cancer last year. Having fought to live through that, she’s ready to beat obesity, too, since that’s self inflicted and she has a choice about it.
Jessica: 282 pounds
Mark: 421 pounds
Shanna: 242 pounds
They will be competing in a 1 mile run. Jessica takes the lead, and Shanna falls behind. Keeping that lead throughout, Jessica places first. Mark performs quite well considering his size and places second. That leaves Shanna in third, which is a shame because she’s got such an inspirational story.
Boston is the final destination, and there we meet Mark Kruger of season 5, along with contestants Alfredo Dinten, Elizabeth Ruiz, and Brendan Donovan. Brendan has been dieting since around the age of 13. He teaches a wellness program, but is unable to practice what he teaches. Elizabeth gained 90 pounds during her abusive marriage. Alfredo is a diabetic who’s been told he will be dead within 5 years if he does not lose the weight.
Brendan: 362 pounds
Elizabeth: 244 pounds
Alfredo: 367 pounds
This last group will also be stepping. This is starting off to be a close race. Alfredo is the first to 400 steps, with Brendan about 10 behind him. Elizabeth is falling behind, and the inhaler isn’t helping. Her body gives up, and she collapses. She’s fine, but she will not be going to the ranch.
So that rounds out the 14 contestants who will be competing on this season:
Ada
Adam
Alfredo
Allie
Brendan
Burgandy
Jesse
Jessica
Lisa
Mark
Patrick
Rick
Sophia
Tina
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Biggest Loser Season 10 Episode 2, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC.