I have been complaining for a while that there’s not enough training in this year’s Loser. I don’t mean that the contestants aren’t working hard enough – I just mean that we’re not seeing enough blood, sweat and tears!
Call me a junkie but I love the training. I love all of the crazy new things the contestants are doing, and how day by day they’re building their fitness. I love seeing how Shannan and Michelle’s training methods have developed since last year.
My time on Loser transformed me from an exercise avoider to an exercise… ‘addict’ is too strong a word, but let’s just say that exercise is now something that I cherish in my life and that I’m not prepared to sacrifice. And this is coming from someone who until a year ago, hadn’t exercised since they were 16!
All this is a very long-winded way to say that I got a buzz from the training in last night’s episode: it was great to see the Reds doing gymnastics, the Blues trying Capoeira (a Brazilian style of martial-arts/dance) and then the Reds facing Emazon in the boxing ring.
I would have loved to have been in that ring fighting for a food group last night! Seeing the Reds step up and be counted reminded me of why I love exercise. I love exercise because it teaches you so many things about life: about mental toughness, about digging deep, about being a fighter, about not being afraid to try.
For me, exercise has become a safe space where I can focus on grounding myself, developing my inner strength, letting off some steam. Last night, that intense session with Emazon helped Sammy get in touch with the anger she feels for letting herself become so overweight. For Andrew, it allowed him to “Unleash the fury inside me in a controlled environment”. For Meaghan, it gave her something to be proud of.
These are amazing rewards to get from something that has so many health benefits in the first place. I think Shannan put it well when he said, “Life if full of experiences – throw yourself in!” He was explaining how before Loser, most of his team would have walked straight past a group of Capoeira dancers and headed for an ice cream.
When I was overweight, I avoided exercise because it was difficult and sweaty and embarrassing. But it just goes to show that by removing the mental barrier, doing what you can and then stepping up for more the next day, you can embrace life and truly transform yourself – it’s amazing what you can achieve.
Be sure to tune in to tonight’s episode where the contestants have a very special visitor. It’s on at 7PM on TEN and I’ll have some extra gossip in my blog by tomorrow morning.
If you missed last night's show, you can watch the full episode at The Biggest Loser TV show website.
Below I've shared my favourite segment – it's where the Reds go face to face with Emazon.
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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.