Hi everyone,
I don’t think it was a huge surprise that the yellow girls pulled the big numbers to win the weigh-in this week. When they decided to take on the rest of contestants after winning Temptation, I thought: “you go girls”.
I loved the fact that they weren’t intimidated by the big boys. Those boys have metabolisms that can’t be matched, only outsmarted, which is what I think the yellow girls were thinking – a little bit of strategy. Maybe they had a little fuel, or dare I say water, in the tank from last week when they had immunity?
Going into elimination I secretly hoped that with two girls in charge, a boy would be going home... sorry boys, I would love to see a girl up there at the end. But when Wayne put his hand up I was shocked. Wayne has been such a strong force in the game and it was sad to see him go. However, I truly understand the importance of family, and personally, I think Wayne has got it! He will be successful. If I was a betting person, I’d have had my money on Wayne to be there as a finalist.
Some predictions
The leaderboard is no surprise to me right now, but don't underestimate anyone sitting last, or second last for that matter. At this point in the game, I was actually sitting 11th out of 12 and ended up coming second, so anything is possible. I still don't think you should underestimate Lisa. Mums from WA have been very successful in The Biggest Loser. They hold the title of runner-up for three out of four series: Kristy in Series 1, myself in Series 3, Tiffany in Series 4... maybe this time a WA mum will take out the title.
Either way, there are some pretty big targets on a few backs, and now that we have singles, I think we are finally going to see the game step up a notch. I think the results of this week’s weigh-in will have some interesting repercussions on next week’s first singles weigh-in.
Reunions
Phil and his family – what a great moment. I find these reunion episodes very hard to watch; I end up in tears every week. For me it brings back the pain of being in the house. At times, that pain made me want to give up. It is so difficult to be cut off from your family. When I was on The Biggest Loser I missed all three of my children's birthdays. I missed Christmas, New Year, my baby Isabella's first day of school and I had my birthday in the house. All were very emotional and magical moments that I felt guilty for missing. However, in the end these were just small sacrifices for such a large gain.
What Phil is learning at Camp Biggest Loser is going to be priceless for his entire family. And for Wayne to give Phil that family time – what a beautiful gift. I'm a firm believer: what you put out there always comes back.
Psychology
The Masterclass circuit made by the contestants was sensational. It’s something I speak about often: you don't need a gym membership to exercise. You just need to make a decision to do it! Not having a gym membership is not an excuse. JUST MOVE. Indoors, outdoors, stairs, monkey bars, tins of beans; you can use anything to help. The point is, if you really want to make something happen, it’s up to you. Yes, you can create excuses. I can give you more excuses than the calories in Daina’s Temptation crème brûlée, however, at the end of the day it’s your choice.
I think that idea of choice really flows into what Lenny Vartanian was trying to get across to the contestants during Masterclass. There was something in the discussion that really hit home for me. He talked about how we (i.e. people with a weight issue) can’t eat the way our friends do (or at least not when we are out at restaurants). Well, to be honest, if I ate the way most of my friends do I would not have had a weight issue.
See, I spent a fair amount of my time after The Biggest Loser wishing I could be like all those skinny people that could eat whatever they want. Then I decided to study what they did actually eat and to my shock all the healthy weight people actually showed great discipline. They would have their little treat, but not overeat, and they would exercise.
If I had a block of chocolate in the house right now I can guarantee you the keys of this keyboard would have sticky residue all over them. Because I know I'm not very good with my self-control when I’m at home, I don’t keep chocolate in the cupboard. That's not to say I don't eat it. I do and will always eat chocolate – I love it! But these days I only buy a small bar for a treat and if I overdo it I know I have to wear it in the gym the next day!
This may sound like you are depriving yourself of the things you love to eat, but ask yourself, are the things you eat stopping you from living and enjoying life? I know which one I would choose.
Believe in yourself.
Ali
Video highlight
Speaking of choice: Lincoln Hall. What an amazing story, the strength, courage and sheer determination. Lincoln made the choice to make that first step...the first step to saving his life. The amazing thing is we all have this inside of us. We can all conquer our very own Everest by just making that first step.