Week 1: What a start!

Here we are again, the start of a new year of The Biggest Loser. It was only two years ago that I was on the show, but it feels like a lifetime since I said goodbye to my family to embark on the most amazing ride of my life.

And now this year's contestants are about to take a similar ride.

As the doors of the studio opened and I watched those 18 very large, very scared, and no doubt extremely excited, contestants walk slowly through the studio, there was a part of me that could only feel a little sorry for them... and another part that was so excited for them.

I was sorry for them because I know and remember the physical and mental pain they are about to experience, and excited for them because I know they’ll discover things about themselves that they never knew existed... strengths they never knew they had.

For them this is the beginning of a discovery. Each contestant is on the way to finding the person that is trapped inside, under the layers that kept them from fully living their life for many years. From this moment on, the show will help them slowly strip back the layers, and at each layer they will discover something wonderful about who they are.

I was on the edge of my seat as Hayley walked toward the contestants. It was different, the change of guard. Then she started to speak... her warmth and empathy is going to be such a positive breath of fresh air for Series 5. And as she said:

"This will be a positive journey for all of us".

The first weigh-in

As the first weigh-in began, so did a flood of my memories... to stand in front of hundreds of thousands of people in Lycra when all you have done for most of your adult life is cover up, so you can’t be seen, is so confronting and overwhelming. However, as hard as it is, this weigh-in is necessary. It’s when the contestants have to finally acknowledge that they have a weight issue. There is no hiding. But the wonderful thing about this day is: it is the very last time they will ever look like this. From this day they will only get smaller, stronger, fitter.

We have our largest girl in the comp this year, Caitlin. But we’ve also got some of the smallest starters as well – I was surprised that two girls were under 100 kilos. This will certainly make for an interesting percentage at Finale. Could a lower starting weight be the key to a female taking out the title this year? Or will it work for our heaviest girl?

The challenges

Wow! We’ve already seen some great challenges and the show is just getting started. The first challenge was to run the final 4km of the marathon the contestants will run in three months time. Shannon's mind took over his exhausted body – even before the 1km point he'd given up. Shannan the trainer pushed him to stand and make the 1km point... not to give up! Now I know many of you may have thought that was wrong, but I think the opposite.

It’s those times when you get up, dust yourself off, and push past that comfort zone that you truly do start to succeed. Shannon may not have made the 4km, but he stood up when he thought he could do no more, and he succeeded. That is what will help him discover all that he has inside of him.

It's not just physical strength that will get you all the way to the end in this game. Mental strength should never be underestimated and with that, I will be keeping my eye on Caitlin, Jarna and Lisa.

The speaking challenge for me has been the highlight of the season so far. We were finally able to see a little of who these contestants are. It was so moving and so very personal. I'm not sure if, when you watch the show, you realise how much the contestants really give of themselves: we share personal battles, fears, hopes and dreams with the nation, all while thinking we really don't belong there, because at the time we really have no self-worth.

The weigh-ins

That weigh-in at the end of the first episode blew me away! There were some serious numbers. Bear in mind though, a lot of the loss in the first week is fluid. Plus, this is Series 5 of the show and these contestants know exactly what the competition is all about. All I can say is, be prepared for a sensational ride to Finale.

The second weigh in was just as amazing; the rate they are going, I think these guys are going to smash all Biggest Loser records at Finale!

Congratulations to ...
Biggest Loser week 1: David
Biggest Loser week 2: Rick

On a personal note, I think it’s important for everyone to understand that Camp Biggest Loser is a very unique situation and to get these results out in the real world is almost impossible. I should know, I have tried! But my results have never, ever, matched those that I pulled in the House. So don't be disheartened if you don't lose 12kg in your first week! Or even 5 kilos. One to two kilos is normal.

And finally

It’s such an honour to be back here again sharing another Biggest Loser journey. I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity given to me in 2008. The experience truly helped me to change my life. I look forward to sharing my thoughts, memories and maybe even a little insider information with you all over the next 12 weeks.

Ali