Biggest Loser Family Edition: Don’t Take A Vacation From Weight Loss
Rankings by Donna Emery
As of October 1, 2008
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This week on the Biggest Loser, the teams took a road trip to the Grand Canyon, and health issues cut one contestant’s aspirations short.
Games continue to predominate the competition, and no one surprised me much this week. The Red Team stayed positive; the Orange Team remained competitive; Purple was lovable; Brown showed less-than-admirable sportsmanship; Yellow propped each other up and Pink was as sweet as its jerseys.
It was inspiring to see the Grand Canyon, and I envied them a camping trip in such a beautiful setting. I have to wonder why they didn’t take better advantage of the setting to supercharge their weight loss efforts.
It became evident early in the show that Jerry was headed for home. Even if Yellow hadn’t ended up “below the line”, he probably should have been removed from the game. I am glad Coleen didn’t go with him, though I hope she can continue to perform at her current level and remain in the game for a while longer. I’m also glad she didn’t sacrifice her own opportunity so that her dad could remain at the Ranch.
Throughout the years, when I see a team who is so clearly intent on playing the Game as Brown appears to be, it is frustrating. I do understand that it’s a game and that these machinations make it “good TV” but I’ve thought more than once that it’s a shame to see people squander such a precious opportunity to lose weight. Those of us who struggle with the Battle of the Bulge know each pound is a struggle and each choice is a challenge. So, when contestants make it clear that their priorities are not to make the most of the resources of the Ranch, it can be maddeningly frustrating. It’s hard to root for a team when one member of that team claps when Jerry – who obviously did his best – gained two pounds. What was the point of that? And though we can’t be privy to the inner structure of their relationship, I have to wonder how Vicky had the temerity to assume she’d be the one to stay at the Ranch if the choice was put to them which one would go home.
In the end, it was definitely for the best that Jerry go home, and it was gratifying that he’s taken his Ranch Lessons to heart and lost 70 pounds. I do have to comment that all that work won’t mean a thing if he has an accident and continues to ride without a helmet, but that’s beside the point.
For now, here’s how they stand in the running for the prize:
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Phillip
Current Ranking: 1 Previous Ranking: 2
A 41-year old real estate agent from Greer, South Carolina.
To me, Phillip looks a lot like TV’s “Dr. Phil”, and he seems just as likeable. He began to gain weight while serving in the Air Force. He’s been married to his high school sweetheart for almost 20 years.
I’m so glad this genial guy pulled forward in the ratings. It’s a pleasure to see him leading the pack. Here’s hoping he stays up here. He’s now lost 41 pounds, or 12.38%
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Brady
Current Ranking: 2 Previous Ranking: 1
A 36-year old pharmacist from Hourna, Louisiana. Brady is proud of his Native-American heritage and wants to be a good example for their two children. He says he is the counselor, but considers his team to be very competitive.
It’s good that Brady has done so well, and I have to hand him kudos for his accomplishment. But he’s still more intent on playing the game than taking advantage of his opportunity. He has now lost 40 pounds or 11.7%.
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Michelle
Current Ranking: 3 Previous Ranking: 6
A 26-year old aspiring aviation engineer from Dallas, Texas. She has a beautiful smile and a personality to match. She looks forward
to taking off enough weight to take charge of her life.
Even though she lost only 3 pounds, this lovely little lady has gained enough
percentage points to move up to third place. She’s sweet and supportive, and I am
rooting her on. She has now lost 22 pounds, and that’s 10.91%
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Amy
Current Ranking: 4 Previous Ranking: 5
A 26-year old purchaser from Auburn Hills, Michigan. She’s sweet and bubbly and she and her mom work well together. She’s currently studying cosmetology and has battled her weight since middle school.
I love her enthusiasm, and her down-to-earth personality is a winner. She has now lost 26 pounds, or 10.88%.
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Vicky
Current Ranking: 5 Previous Ranking: 3
A 37-year old anesthestist from Hourna, Louisiana.
She’s been good at juggling career and home up until now, but realizes she hasn’t taken enough time for herself. She’s setting out to prove that working moms are a force to be reckoned with!
There’s no denying Vicki’s success at losing the pounds, but she’s not gaining any fans. There’s a fine line between playing the game and being a “sore winner”, and Vicky has crossed it quite a few times. She has lost 26 pounds, which is 10.6 %.
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Colleen
Current Ranking: 6 Previous Ranking: 7
A 23-year old receptionist from Cleveland, Ohio. She’s
a cute but formidable opponent who has struggled with her weight since her
teens. She wants to be more active and have a healthier life.
I know she’ll miss her dad, but I hope it doesn’t stop her from making the most of
this opportunity for herself. She has lost 21 pounds, or 9.63%.
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Renee
Current Ranking: 7 Previous Ranking: 8
A 46-year old event planner from Dallas, Texas. She’s just as lovely as daughter Michelle, although she worries about the effects of her weight on her new marriage. She wants to travel to Hawaii after she loses some weight.
I really hope Renee takes Jillian’s advice, because this sweet lady deserves her place in the sun. I like her and she can still turn this around. She has now lost 25 pounds or 9.26%.
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Amy
Current Ranking: 8 Previous Ranking: 4
A 40-year old real estate agent from Greer, South Carolina.
This bubbly lady is a dynamo at the office, but raising her autistic son took a toll
on her emotions and led to a weight gain. Now, she wants to get healthy and be a
better role model.
She’s lost a little ground this week in the standings, but it’s not over for her yet.
She can still turn the competition around. For now she has lost 25 pounds or
8.73%.
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Shellay
Current Ranking: 9 Previous Ranking: 9
A 51-year old stay-at-home mom from Royal Oaks,
Michigan. She hopes to enter the job market, and wants to prove that she can lose
the necessary weight.
I admire her stamina and love her spirit. This is one mom who is definitely
backing up her daughter. She has lost 18 pounds or 8.33%.
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Ed
Current Ranking: 10 Previous Ranking: 11
A chef from Raleigh, North Carolina. Cooking delicious
food all day doesn’t help in his quest to lose weight, but he and Heba would like
to have a family, so he’s hoping a weight loss will be the key to better health.
It’s a mystery to me why this hard-working guy has numbers so low, but there it
is. If he wants an Orange victory, it’s up to him to step it up. He has lost 26
pounds or 8%.
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Heba
Current Ranking: 11 Previous Ranking: 11
A sales representative from Raleigh, North Carolina. It’s easy to like Heba. Her bubbly personality and determination make her fun to watch. She really wants to have a child someday, and knows that better health would be helpful.
She and her hubby are competitors in the challenges, and they’ve won the last three prizes. But if they don’t soon increase their weight loss, they’ll have to settle for contending for the “at home” prize. She has lost 20 pounds or 4.76%
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Jerry
3rd Elmination
A 51-year old police sergeant from Cleveland, Ohio. We already know he is the “sickest contestant”, so I have to give him kudos for however long he and Colleen make it through the game.
I will miss Jerry and seeing his relationship with Coleen, but for his sake it was
best for him to go home. If you saw the transformation video, you know Jerry’s
doing great now! On the show he lost 17 pounds, or 4.43 %
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Tom
2nd Elimination
A 42-year old cab driver from Everett, Massachusetts. He sits in a cab all day, so it’s tough to keep the weight off. He wants to find more time and energy to spend with his family.
Tom did a great job while he was at the Ranch. He began at 314 lost 8.59% before he was eliminated.
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LT
1st Elimination
A 23-year old cab driver from Everett, Massachusetts. He works with his dad in the taxi, and has copied some of dad’s bad food habits.
L.T. tried his best, but the curse of Week Two caused him to gain weight. He began at 357 and lost 4.2%
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The standings aren’t as clear-cut this week, and that’s significant. I’m glad they’re changing things up in the eliminations, because if they keep up these surprises maybe someone’s manipulations won’t save them from going home. I’m looking forward to see who emerges from the pack next week.
Donna is a nurse and teacher, and a mother of 5. She lives in Pennsylvania and is admittedly addicted to many reality shows. You can reach her at mrsed4ever@yahoo.com.
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