The Biggest Loser: Week 9

So last week Amy decided to finally put herself at the top of her priority list and voted off her former teammate, Brady. And for that decision she really caught some slack from her other teammates.

But she made the decision to vote Brady off because she knew that he was her biggest threat in the game and instead of staying true to her FORMER team (they are technically singles now) and keeping the player with the second highest percentage of weight lost (she's the first), she made a very wise and bold move and voted against someone she wasn't 'supposed' to.

You know, sometimes when we're on the path to becoming healthier and trying to lose weight we also face some challenges from those we are around. "Oh come on, just one piece won't hurt" or "Let's go get a burger. Who wants to eat salad?!" These aren't the best examples but I think you know what I'm talking about. And they'll come from both thinner, healthier people as well as those who are in the same unhealthy boat we are! Those who aren't facing the same struggles we are have a hard time understanding and we all know that misery (read: other overweight, unhealthy people) loves company. Making healthier decisions tends to make others who are overweight and not taking care of themselves feel guilty and because of that they sometimes attack our choices in order to make themselves feel better.

Sometimes it's a very hard and lonely road we walk but like Amy, we MUST keep our focus and take care of ourselves. No one else can do it for us. And no matter what challenges or temptations or even criticism come our way, we have to keep our eye on our goal and keep working hard to reach it.

It was 80's week on the Biggest Loser campus and here were the trivia questions asked during the challenge. There are some pretty astonishing numbers here!

Since 1980, the obesity rates have nearly:
A.) Doubled
B.) Tripled
C.) Quadrupled
Answer: A.) Doubled

In the 80's, one of the most popular workout videos promised to give you buns of what?
Answer: Steel

The National Institute of Health classified obesity as a disease in 1985... True or False?
Answer: True

The percentage of Americans with diabetes has increased by what percent since 1980?
A.) 100%
B.) 200%
C.) 300%
Answer: C.) 300%

Twenty years ago, U.S. teenage boys drank twice as much milk as soda. Today, they drink twice as much soda as milk... True or False?
Answer? True

Today, the most commonly purchased women's dress size in America is a size 14. In 1985, it was a size...
A.) 8
B.) 10
C.) 12
Answer: A.) 8

Today, women between the ages of 20 & 39 are eating an average of 385 extra calories a day compared to the 1980's. That's enough to gain how many pounds in one year?
A.) 20 pounds
B.) 26.7 pounds
C.) 35.8 pounds
Answer: B.) 26.7 pounds

Who won a Grammy for best video of the year in 1982 for a music video that featured her working out in a leotard?
A.) Madonna
B.) Olivia Newton-John
C.) ? (Heba answered before Allison could read choice C.
Answer: B.) Olivia Newton-John

How crazy is Jillian? Seriously. She took the seats off the spin bikes while her girls were standing up working out on them. I'm telling ya', $250,000 is just simply not work it! It wouldn't be a such a big deal if she didn't push them way beyond what anybody can possible do. And if she'd get her dang feet off the wheel of the bike while they're pedaling!

TRAINER TIP (Bob):
Keeping power snacks readily available is crucial to help keep your blood sugar stable, your metabolism at high-speed, and also help curb cravings. Nuts are a perfect snack or low-fat string cheese, or carry around an apple with you. The fiber in an apple helps regulate blood sugar levels and helps keep you from crashing at the end of a long day.


Michelle: -8 (-56)
Renee: -8 (-60)
Ed: -11 (-73)
Heba: -7 (-63)
Coleen: -3 (-51)
Amy: -8 (-66)
Vicky: -6 (-59)

ELIMINATED: Coleen

All I can say is UNbelievable! I was so proud of Amy last week, yet I think she just sealed her fate this week.

Ah well. I guess the drama continues.

Breakfast is a Must!

It's true, breakfast really IS the most important meal of the day. Even if you don't like to eat breakfast or you're 'not a breakfast' person, you need to make it a priority to start your day out doing the best thing you can for your body. Studies show that skipping breakfast can actually cause you to GAIN weight!

Still not convinced? Why is eating breakfast so important? Well, there are several reasons. First of all, most of us are our most active in the earlier part of the day and our bodies need fuel to be able to function at it's best. Eating breakfast helps keep you from getting hungry later on in the day which means you will usually make healthier food choices throughout the day. And most importantly, eating a healthy breakfast kick starts your metabolism, which means that you will begin burning calories first thing in the morning!

According to The Biggest Loser Cookbook we should eat at least 4 servings of fruits and veggies (you can eat more than that, but make sure you eat more vegetables than fruit), 3 servings of protein (that's three 8-ounce portions, which is 1 cup or about the size of the palm of your hand), 2 servings of whole grains, and up to 200 calories of 'extras' each day.

So for breakfast I am trying to find different ideas that include the following prerequisites:

*good source of protein to give me a boost of energy
*good source of fiber to keep things moving *wink* and to help fill me up
*low in calories and fat
*must taste good, meaning I'm not about to gag as I choke it down
*inexpensive, as I have five other people in my home to feed as well
*I also follow the Weight Watchers plan of counting Points, so it must not be high in Points as well

So far I have quickly come up with two options that meet all these requirements.

1. Small, plain Lenders bagel with 1 TBSP. regular Wal-Mart brand peanut butter; this provides the following:
Calories: 150
Fat: 1g.
Fiber: 1g.
Protein: 5g.
WW Points: 3
*I thought, in order to get in a fruit/veggie I might also add 1 small banana which adds 90 calories, 0 grams of fat, 3 grams of fiber, 1 gram of protein, and 1 Point.


2. Bestlife Light Flat-Out Wrap (bought these at Wal-Mart) with 1 egg scrambled (with nothing added while scrambling), and 1/4 c. of shredded low-fat cheese; this provides the following:
Calories: 240
Fat: 12 1/2g.
Fiber: 9g.
Protein: 23g.
WW Points: 5

I know there are a lot of other options out there and I'll be on the hunt for them. As I find them I will share them here.

If anyone has any ideas or recipes to share, please pass them on.

The Biggest Loser: Week 8

My intention in blogging about this season's Biggest Loser was to pass on the helpful tips and advice given during the show and not get into the personal things that go on with the contestants. But I have to say, I am very disappointed in how much drama has gone on this time. It has taken a positive, encouraging, helpful show and turned it into nothing more than a drama-filled soap opera. I love the show and have always felt so encouraged and inspired after watching it, but this season all I feel is anger and frustration.

So, having said that and not wanting to dwell on it any further, here are the best snippets I came away with tonight.

Just because you may be trying to lose weight and eat healthier doesn't mean you have to totally give up the sweets. I know they have these purposefully placed ads during the show, but this one was a good example of a sweet treat we can have for very few calories.


Jello Sugar Free Banana Fudge Sundae has only 60 calories. Add a bit of Cool Whip for 20 more calories and you've got a perfect-portioned, yummy, sweet snack that you don't have to feel guilty about. I've done this several times with sugar free jello as well. YUM! Here are some comparisons...

Schwans Banana Fudge Sundae Cone = 250 Calories
Sonic Banana Fudge = 480 Calories
Low-Fat, Low-Calorie version recipe from CalorieKing = 213 Calories

Last season's winner, Ali Vincent visited the contestants tonight and talked with them and encouraged them. She 'brought along' a friend, Cynthia Sass, Registered Dietician and Prevention Magazine's Nutrition Director and she had some really good advice for the contestants.



This doesn't apply to me, but maybe it will help someone else. Because Heba and Ed were recruited for the show in a bar, this tip is in regards to drinking beer.

1 pint of beer = 1 slice of bread
6 pints = 1 loaf of bread
Switching to lite beer slashes the calories and carbs by at least 50% or more.

Her tip for families with children who believe that if it's good for you it can't possibly taste good is to blindfold the children (or the parents) and get them to try new foods that way. Brady, who is a 'super finicky eater', was blindfolded and given a yellow pepper (and something else I couldn't distinguish) to taste. Surprisingly he liked both. I think we'll have to try this trick in our own home!



For those with a sweet tooth the trick is to cut or seperate your baked goods (brownies, cookies, etc.) into smaller portions, wrap them in freezer paper, put them in a ziplock bag and put them into the freezer. This way you have perfectly portioned snacks plus you also can't gobble it all up and reach for another one. You actually have to wait for it to thaw. Good thinking!

The only thing that resembled a 'Trainer Tip' this week is when they showed a couple of signs on the wall of the gym.

"Because I said so, that's why!" - Jillian

"Are you ready? You bet you are!" - Bob

THIS WEEK'S WEIGHT LOSS:
Michelle: -6 (-48)
Renee: -7 (-52)
Coleen: -7 (-48)
Brady: -6 (-77)
Vicky: -8 (-53)
Heba: -9 (-56)
Amy C.: -6 (-58)
Ed: -4 (-62)

ELIMINATED: Brady

And for the returning players who battled for a chance to return to the ranch, here's how much they've lost since Week 1:
Jerry: -41
Shellay: -39
Tom: -48
L.T. -57
Adam: -35
Stacey: -31
Ed: -58 (won the challenge to come back to the ranch)
Amy P. -47
Phil -68