What a shocker! Like the other contestants I gasped when Amanda weighed in and recorded a loss of only 700 grams. While on the outside that’s a great score, and it’s a good score considering her injuries, it must be heartbreaking for Amanda now that she and Stewart are faced with the prospect of elimination.
But she has made some huge leaps forward mentally and, as Teresa said, Amanda is a lot stronger than she thinks.
I know you probably laughed at the cottage cheese incident (where Amanda confessed to Shannan that she’d given into comfort eating with a tablespoon of cottage cheese) but this shows an awareness of the issue and an ability to stay in control that I don’t think even Amanda has given herself credit for yet.
Comfort eating is learned over a lifetime; it really is a difficult habit to break. I used to eat a block of chocolate just about every night, and it wasn’t because I was hungry let me tell you! But, as Amanda is discovering, you start the long process of conquering the habit by recognising that emotions are compelling you to eat, and then finding alternatives or other ways to deal with them. And this is why I’m so proud of Amanda because that’s exactly what she did.
Another lesson from last night’s weigh-in is the reminder of how much of your life you miss out on by being overweight. Andrew’s confession that he’s only ever been to the beach once as a child was a good example. The fact that he’s also only ever taken his kids to the beach once because he was too embarrassed about his body just goes to prove how much ‘fat’ can control your life.
I know because I let it control mine. I live less than a kilometer away from the ocean and could count on one hand the number of times I took my kids to the beach before Loser. On the few occasions I did go, the kids used to beg me to come in to the surf but I wouldn’t budge from where I sat on the sand, fully clothed.
I even remember a time at the local pool (where I used to take the kids but never swam myself) when the lifeguard told me my two-year-old was too young to be swimming on her own in the baby pool. He said I had to get in to accompany her, but I was too embarrassed to be seen in a swimsuit so I got my girls out of the water and we left. What my kids missed out on by me being overweight is more than I realise…
That’s probably why I’m apprehensive ahead of tonight’s elimination. Both Amanda and Stewart and Holly and Mel need to be in the house, but one couple has to go home. Be sure to tune in tonight at 7PM on TEN and check your inbox in the morning for my daily update.
If you missed last night’s shock weigh-in, you can watch the full episode at The Biggest Loser TV show website.
In all the talk about Amanda, I forgot to say congrats to Bob for pulling a hat trick and being the Biggest Loser for the third week running. I can’t wait to hear more about what Bob’s doing with his diet – when you consider the metabolic advantage the younger contestants have, Bob is really defying the odds and proving it’s never too late to get your health under control.
Below I’ve shared the segment where Bob and Tiff weigh-in followed by Amanda and Stewart. Hope you enjoy it and are moved by it a second time around!
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Alison Braun is one of the most-loved contestants in Biggest Loser history. Since losing over 55kg during Series 3, she has kept the weight off with the help of The Biggest Loser Club and, more recently, The Biggest Loser Club Meal Replacement Program.