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