As the tenth weigh-in takes place, the Second Chance Challenge contestants are feeling the pressures of pulling large numbers each week. By following The Biggest Loser Club Meal Replacement Program and exercising regularly, each team member is chipping away to reach their goal weight in time for their appearance on The Biggest Loser Finale.
Biggest Loser Couple of the week
Strangers: Tanya and Conrad
This week saw Tanya and Conrad steal the weight-loss title for the second consecutive week, taking their combined weight loss to a grand total of 67.4kg. As if this wasn't enough, Tanya was also the indiviudal Biggest Loser with a 3.6kg loss. There's no stopping this determined duo!
Self-confidence reappears
Whether it’s believing they can complete the race or learning to love themselves again, some of the Second Chance team are discovering the mental and psychological benefits of their weight-loss journey.
Newfound fitness fanatic Ben has embraced exercise and his new mental attitude. “When I started the Challenge there was some self-doubt about whether I could do something or if I was going to quit. Slowly but surely those thoughts have gone and now I don’t even consider quitting — instead I am just powering through and nothing is going to stop me.”
Ben's Challenge partner Kate is also keeping up the fitness stakes thanks to the new belief she has in herself. Kate explains, “I did my first running race this week and opted for the 5km, which I completed in 35 minutes. I was so happy with my result and didn’t stop once. I am going to step it up next time with the 10km race.” Kate continues, “The best thing about the Second Chance Challenge is that I have learnt so much that I am positive I can continue to lose weight when my normal life resumes.”
Even young-gun Jesikah is learning to enjoy the exercise she once struggled with. “I’ve had some really big training sessions and it’s the first time that I feel excited to be going to the gym,” she says.
Meanwhile, this week Kellie realised that being healthy and happy isn't just about diet and exercise — it's about taking pride in yourself. “I have been taking such good care of myself since losing this weight. I take vitamins, have massages and get my hair coloured. I was too worried about everyone else before that I forgot to look after myself.”
Rewarded with results
As the weight loss of all the contestants become glaringly obvious to those around them, the compliments just keep flooding in, as does the need to go clothes shopping.
When Michael caught up with friends at a birthday party, he was taken aback by their reaction to his weight-loss success. He says, “I couldn’t believe the reaction I got and some people didn’t even recognise me! It was a calorie-free reward to see the looks on their faces and hear them telling me how proud they are of me.”
Mary too is receiving compliments, a lot sooner than she thought. She reveals, “Yesterday I was at the pool and a woman told me how well I was doing and to keep it up. It was such nice feedback as, at my kind of weight, it takes a long time to look any different.”
Jesikah saw a different kind of reward this week, one that made her realise she really is downsizing – for good. “I went shopping for my Finale dress and tried on an XL and it was too big for me! The sales assistant had to get a medium and I just couldn’t believe my eyes! I don’t ever remember being a medium – I will never go back to an XXL!”
While out shopping Jodie also had a delightful wake-up call. “I was trying on a skirt and the size 14 was too big. I screamed from the changing room to ask for a size 12, just to be sure the whole store could hear me!”