Biggest Loser S12E04 - Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Having just lost Patrick, Dolvett starts the show off consoling the red group. Most are crying and complaining they should have done more to save Patrick. Dolvett take the opportunity to remind everyone they did good and should not feel bad for their respective weight losses. "Be proud of your weight loss", he tells them.

Bob is next to talk to his team, but its on a much happier note. Hannah from the previous season of Biggest Loser is stopping by to help encourage the black team. When the black team realizes how much she has lost, they almost wonder how she could have ever gotten as big as she was. "I was comfortable being in that 'fat suit'", she tells them. This helps them realize once she got tired of the 'fat suit', she was able to lose all her weight, and they can too.

The black team isn't the only one who has motivation stopping over for a visit. Adam from season 10 comes to visit Dolvett's red team. With his encouragement they are now ready to tackle a hike, with a twist. Dolvett wants to teach them how far they have come and how to be team players. The hike is five miles and as they are going they must bring along a 50 pound weight. Ramon decides to take the weight first stating, "I am a team player to the max, but I also want to be a team leader." To try and stress his ability to be team leader, he opts to take the weight the entire time, despite being unable to set it down. But as optimistic as he is, Courtney is anything but. She relates to Dolvett she doesn't want to hate herself. It's words he picks up on immediately and he helps her to realize the importance of never saying anything so negative. He does his bit to encourage her, but it's a battle likely to take some time to resolve.

Still hanging with the black team, Hannah decides to do a bit of product placement and introduces a recipe for Jennie-O Turkey Stuffed Peppers. The recipe can be found on the NBC site by clicking the link above.

The final guest of this episode is Marci from season 11. She's here for the blue team and before working out with them encourages them by saying "I don't care what they say, we are not old." The rest of the team agree and begin their workout on the beach with Marci and Anna leading them alone. What's Marci's encouragement for the older blue team? "I want them to think, 'why are they here today', why did they come to the biggest loser ranch in the first place. And what are they looking for?" The work out on the beach is exhausting, but the entire team is happier for it.

Once again, focus is shifted back to the black team, and Hannah is still with them working out. She's impressed by the gym and honored to know her poster is hanging on the wall motivating them each day. As Bob continues to motivate his team he decides to give them information he feels will come in handy. "I don't want you to think that your going to live this life that you can't have. All that food that you love, whatever it is; ice cream, pizza, whatever. Because you can have them. Here's the thing, that food that got you in this house is not taboo anymore. You don't have to eat it in secret. But there's a time and a place for it. When you take the mystery out of food, that food no longer has the power." Truer words were never spoken. It's all about knowing your limitations and eating in moderation.

After the little chat from before, Dolvett decides to spend a little time with Courtney. He has learned she loves sports so he tries to kick-start her love for playing the sports that she loves, by taking her to the basketball court. She admits she used to love playing basketball but was ashamed she as always the biggest on the team and that she finally gave up. Once again, Dolvett is shocked by her choice of words. "I hate that you gave up and I hate that you used those words." Giving her a basketball, he encourages her to make a few baskets. After a few air-balls, she finally hits her stride and suddenly she's practically playing one-on-one with Dolvett. It seems she's finally found her mojo.

Challenge time comes and the teams must form a line and pass a box between from one end of the course to the other, through all sorts of crazy weather including wind, rain and snow. But what's in the box? Letters from home! The winning team of this line box challenge gets to read letters from home. Jennifer is still on crutches because of her knee so is unable to compete, but will get to read her letter from home if her team wins. As soon as the race begins, it's clear the winner will be either the red or black teams. Being older and only three members, the blue team is quickly left in the dust. The red team is first to the snow area but the black team is right behind them. By the time the teams make it to the wind and rain sections, the black team has passed the red. The last leg of the course is a steep climb which slows the black team, but not enough for red team to catch them. The red team is right behind them but the blue team is still on the course, still a few sections back. Cue the cheesy music and montage of the blue team finally making it to the end. They are tired, exhausted and crying over the fact they will not receive letters from home. It's then Alison admits the winner gets to read letters from home, but so does everyone else. The real prize for the black team will be a video call from home.

Focus is finally diverted from the black team to the blue team where Anna has a surprise. They will be doing last chance workout on a newly built tennis court. Anna feels at home here, so hope is she'll be a more effective trainer. She does a hard-core cardio work including 'happy feet' and continuous tennis volleys. By the time they are finished, everyone but Anna is exhausted. Anna asks Bonnie, "You gonna sleep with a racket today?" to which Bonnie replies, "No, I"ll let you do that."

Fade to black and Bob has his team in the pool since Jennifer is still limited in what she can do. But Joe has a problem with water as a result of having almost drown twice in his life. That excuse isn't working for Bob, "We're going to over come this fear, and we're going to do it today." Flash forward a few minutes and Joe is working out in the pool along with everyone else.

Last chance work out for the red team has a diversity again. Dolvett is again trying to motivate Courtney. She claims she's doing the best she can but Dolvett says he doesn't believe here. She replied, "I don't know what you want. I'm doing it". Dolvett replies he wants to see more from her, more focus or she should just give up. She tells him NO and pushes on, more determined than ever. Meanwhile Ramon is asked to do 10 pushups, but he decides to do 50 to impress Dolvett.

Weigh In
Blue Team
Mike -5
Becky -2
Bonnie -7 "I climbed Mt. Everest this week".
Total 14 - 1.93%

Black Team
Joe -6
Sunny -4
Antone -8
John -9
Jennifer -7 "I'm a Bob stalker"
Total 34 - 2.12%

Red Team
Courtney -3
Jessica -2
Vinny -8
Ramon -11
Total 24 - 2.05%

Despite the hard work, blue team falls below once again. Alison reminds the blue team that Bonnie is the biggest loser so Mike and Becky's vote won't matter since they can't vote for Bonnie. Bonnie will be the one to chose who's going home. Bonnie claims her reason for voting was determined by who needs the ranch more. She believes Becky needs the ranch more and chooses Mike to go home. He obviously disagrees with her decision, but it's out of his hands now. "You don't get rid of the guy leading you all the way." - Mike
Since he started his Biggest Loser journey, Mike has lost 70 pounds.

Biggest Loser S12E03 - The One Where Antone Cries

NFL WEEK
The episode begins right after last weeks elimination. Anna is upset to see another person from her team go, but the rest of the contestants let her know she was spending too much time with him, and now she can concentrate on everyone.

Alison introduces the first challenge of the week. It's an NFL themed challenge where large cut-outs of each contestant is placed on a football field with a large round hole in it. Each contestant must try and pass a football through the hole in the cut-out from 5 yards away. But they won't be playing alone, Alison brings in three NFL greats to compete against; OLB Clay Matthews from the Green Bay Packers, TE Tony Gonzalez from the Atlanta Falcons and QB Drew Brees from the New Orleans Saints. Each has the same cut-out on the field and will be playing to knock out the contestants. But Alison gives Tony a handicap of throwing from the 10 yard line and Drew assigned to throw from the 15 yard line. At stake for the game is a $5,000 cash prize. Unfortunately, Jennifer has not been cleared to play because of her knee and must sit out the challenge. Then before the challenge begins, Alison also informs everyone that whoever has the highest weight-loss percentage for the week will win a VIP trip to the Superbowl. With visions of cash and Superbowls dancing in their heads, the game is started.

Being a Packers fan, Patrick is immediately targeted by Tony. Meanwhile, Clay Matthews from the Packers targets Bonnie for supporting 'Da Bears'. He then works on eliminating Jessica for her Steelers love, but he's knocked out by her instead. Jessica is also successful in getting rid of Tony. Drew is the last of the NFL'ers and targets Johnny before being ousted by Mike. After Patrick knocks out Antone and the dust has settled, Ramon, Courtney, Patrick Vinny and Jessica are all that's left, and ironically all from the younger red team. To win the cash prize, they must now target each other. Patrick knocks out Jessica, but is knocked out by Courtney who also knocks out Ramon and Vinny.

Later, Antone is having a chat with Bob. He's embarrassed and upset that during the challenge, not only did he not knock anyone out, he also wasn't recognized as an NFL player. Having played for the Eagles at one time, he's ashamed of what he's become. Bob asks him to bear his soul and Antone tells him about growing up in a poor family where they always had to fight for food. He recalls several times he went out collecting bottles, just to earn enough money to buy something, anything to eat. When he was 14 he started working and was able to help provide for his family. It was then he began gorging himself with food, having the mindset you eat whatever food you can get. He now realizes, he must change this thought process.

Another NFL themed challenge promises the winning team a spa day. The gym has been rearranged and each team has their own 'locker room'. There will be 4 quarters of 15 minutes each where each team must strive to loose as many calories as they can. Each team has help from their trainers and after each quarter are allowed to rest briefly. At "half time" they meet with their trainers and discuss how things are going. Before starting the second half, the scores so far are revealed. The older blue team has lost an average of 385 calories, the younger red team has lost an average of 475 calories and the middle aged black team has an average of 570 calories. As time ticks away during the second half, the trainers are doing their best to motivate their team. Bob is shouting "Come on, Pound it!", Dolvet is screaming "Let's go, Right here! Right now! FASTER, LET'S GO!" and Anna is telling her team to 'go faster'. The final results are the blue team averaging 764 calories, red team 952 calories and black team 1171 calories. They win the spa day but Bob politely refuses it and declares that's not why they are on the ranch.

Time has finally come for the last chance workout, and each team receives a surprise visitor. The black team has Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman from the Buffalo Bills to help motivate them along with Bob. The blue team has a Hall of Fame celebrity Eric Dickerson to help get them motivated. In his career he's played for the Rams and the Colts. He helps remind the older team that 'Age is only a number'. The red team is visited by Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos.

During the last chance workout, Dolvett tries to get inside the mind of Vinny, who relates the sad tale of his youth. He's certain his weight gain was triggered by traumatic family events. When he was around 9 his step father began beating him with extension cords and wrenches. Only after talking to his friends at school did he finally realize his home life was much different than others. His mother, whom he still holds love for, typically looked the other way as the beatings went on. Instead of coming to his aide, she'd usually ask Vinny what HE DID to upset his step-father. Through tears, Vinny went on to explain he's never forgiven his mother for not sticking for him. As a result of his insecurities, Vinny was over 230 pounds by age 11 and reached 300 pounds during 8th grade. This all added to him not only gaining weight, but 'made to feel like crap'.

During weigh in, Alison reminds everyone what's at stake for the person who has the highest percentage of weight loss, VIP Superbowl tickets. First to weigh in is the red team.

Red Team
Courtney -7
Vinnny -10
Ramon -7
Patrick -11
jessica -11
Total 46 - 2.93%

Black Team
Antone -16
Sunny -10
Joe -17
Jennifer -16
John -18
Total 77 4.58%

Blue Team
Bonnie -7
Becky -9
Mike -17 5.86%
Total 33 - 4.34%

With a total of 4.34% weight loss, Mike wins the Super Bowl VIP tickets and keeps his team safe. Red is now faced with the decision of who to vote out. This time it's Patrick who offers himself up to save his fellow team-mate Jessica. Even so, it's a close vote with Patrick and Vinny throwing votes on Courtney. As this weeks show comes to a conclusion, Patrick is at home and has lost 91 pounds so far. He's well on his way to making a comeback during the season finale marathon.

"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work that hard."

Biggest Loser S12E02 - Dumb As Poo

The Biggest Loser begins this week with a new song. I'm not talking about the opening credits, Vinny is playing a song on his guitar when suddenly Alison shows up. And you know what that means. It's time for the first challenge of the week. Alison asks for three volunteers (from each group) to take part in the challenge first. Vinny (Red Team), Antone (Black team) and Mike (Blue team) are led to the first temptation challenge. The room they are led to is filled with doughnuts. Vinny wonders if they have found Homer Simpsons hideaway. Before the temptation begins, Alison explains what's going on for the week. Normally the gym is open to all at all hours, but for this week it will only be open during three time slots. In the morning between 5-7, in the afternoon between 12-2 and in the evening between 9-11. The catch for the temptation challenge is whichever team eats the most donuts, will be able to decide when each team works out.

A plate of 35 calorie each doughnut holes are presented to each contestant. Vinny and Antone refuse to eat any, but Mike from the older team downs 11 doughnuts (385 calories) to insure he'll be able to choose when his team works out. The second group is Patrick from the younger red team, Joe from the middle-age group and Becky from the older teams. As each person is hidden, and there is no knowledge of what the group before has done, Becky hopes Mike has not done anything foolish. All three decide not to partake but Joe tries a little strategy to make it sound like he's eating. However Patrick and Becky can tell he's obviously faking as he simply rattles a water bottle provided to help the doughnuts go down easier. The third group is Courney, Sunny and Bonnie from the young, middle age and older teams respectively. Again, no one consumes anything and Bonnie is even afraid to open her mouth for fear of gaining weight from the fumes. The next group is Ramon, Jennifer and Johnny and turns out to be the highlight of the show.

After Jennifer says she's not going to play games, Johnny agrees there is no way he's eating. Instead he decides to make it sound like he's eating a 'feast'. So the grunts and groans he makes as he's sitting there makes everyone laugh, Alison included. As the time runs out Alison can barely blurt out, "Stop, Please stop". The next and final round includes Jessica, John and a randomly picked (yea right) Johnny, since the blue team is down by one player. John is determined to work out when he wants to so begins his own personal doughnut eating challenge. By the time the powdered sugar has settled, John has scarfed down 37 donuts; a total of 1,295 calories. He decides to take the early morning time slot of 5-7 and gives the blue team the afternoon time slot of 12-2. He says he has done so because he 'respects' the blue team. The time slot of 9-11 is given to the red team and none are too happy with John for implying he doesn't respect them, Jessica is especially offended.

At the crack of dawn, Bob wakes up his team with a megaphone, and he's really getting into it. But things don't look good in the gym. Jessica is having problems with her knee and Bob has Antone on the ground crying. To top things off, Sunny is upset with John who has already begun game play. He's already said he wants to start a four horsemen alliance with Antone from his team and Vinny and Ramon from the younger team. He also insults her intelligence and says she's as dumb as a box of rocks and dumb as poo. Joe is just as upset with John for trying to make deals with the other team members. Joe feels John has already turned his back on the team. Bob encourages them to refocus because the other teams are going to LOVE the crack that has started to appear in his group.

Other moments of interest in this episode are Johnny struggling in his workout with Anna's team, Dolvett does his first product placement for Yoplait yogurt and Doctor Huizenga stops by to give some bad news to the contestants regarding their health, and why they need to improve. Also he doesn't sugar coat it, if you'll pardon the pun.

The Next challenge rewards the first two teams to complete it, weight advantages. In the center of a pool is a large raft with a maze on it. The teams must navigate balls through the maze, using their weight to tilt the raft, thus moving the ball. First place will win a 2 pound weight advantage and second place wins a 1 pound weight advantage. Essentially, you don't want to come in last. The first team to go is the red team and they finish the task in 7:45. The older, blue team, is next but require 14:45. Finally, the black team is up and they are on par with the red team. They have a bit of trouble getting the ball into the hole at the end, but still beat the red team by 3 seconds.

So Black team wins a two pound advantage and Red team receive a one pound advantage at the weigh in. Speaking of which, here are the results.
Red Team
Vinny -5
Jessica -7
Courtney -7
Patrick -6
Ramon -9
Total 34 (35 with advantage) 2.18%

Black Team
Joe -2
Jennifer -6
Sunny -6
Antone -10
John -15
Total 39 (41 with advantage) 2.38%

Blue Team
Becky -5
Mike -7
Bonnie -3
Johnny +2
Total 13 1.2%
Johnny is shocked he has gained two pounds but Anna says he makes too many excuses during the work outs and he needs to fight to stay on the ranch.

Elimination is an easy choice, Mike is the biggest loser of the team so he's safe. Bonnie gets one vote, but even in a tie Johnny goes home for having lowest weight loss (or gain in this case). The rest of the team agrees and Johnny is sent home singing. (Olivia he is not). Having started at the Biggest Loser ranch at 328, he's currently weighing 269 for a total weight loss so far of 59 pounds.

Next: NFL week

Biggest Loser S12E01 - Premier

Biggest Loser has officially began. Did you catch the first episode? If not, here's what you missed.

The contestants are dropped off in the middle of a desert. Suddenly the transports which brought them, depart, effectively stranding them. But soon Alison arrives and divides the teams into 3. Those under 30, 30-49 and 50 and up. Because there will be 3 teams, there are 3 trainers and Alison next calls them in via helicopter. Once the helicopters land, out comes Bob, Dolvett and Anna. Alison informs everyone a race is going to determine which group gets what trainer. Teams are grouped together and must run a mile towards the trainer they want. The Biggest Loser challenges have officially begun.


The middle-aged group consisting of Sunny (41), Jennifer (39), Joe (46), John (40) & Antone (44) are first, and have run towards Bob. The young team consisting of Jessica (26), Courtney (24), Ramon (27), Patrick (26) & Vinny (27) are next to come in and have chosen Dolvett as their trainer. Finally, Anna stand alone. It sucks to be picked last, but it also sucks to finish last. She decides to run out and finish with her team consisting of Becky (51), Debbie (60), Bonnie (63), Mike (62)and Johnny (65).

When the contestants enter the gym for the first workout they are greeted by motivational posters hanging on the walls featuring past contestants. Suddenly, a phone call comes in for Becky and she is informed her father has passed away. She leaves the Biggest Loser ranch for a few days to be with her family and attend the funeral, but she's back knowing her dad would want her to change her life.

The time has come for the first last chance workout of the system and Bob notes he is the only one who has ever been in this situation before. He knows his team is going to do well. Dolvett has something to prove and channels his best Jillian by yelling at the contestants to do what he instructs. He throws a fit when he spots Patrick continuing to hold the sides of the treadmill. Patrick does it again so Dolvet kicks him out of the gym. Meanwhile, Anna has problems of her own when Johnny decides he wants to quit and leaves the gym. Both contestants rethink their decisions and rejoin the gym.

Results from this weeks weigh in:
Older Team (Anna's) 49 pounds lost - 3.58% percentage.
Middle Age Team (Bob's) 126 pounds lost - 6.82% percentage.
Young Team (Dolvett's) 89 pounds lost - 5.26% percentage.

The older team has lost the first challenge and have an hour to decide who is going home. As they are debating, Debbie lets everyone know she's got great support at home and is a member at a gym but doesn't want to leave. She thinks Bonnie should be sent home. She complains about Bonnie crying and says she's doing it for sympathy. In the end, the rest of the team take Debbie's words to heart. If she's got great support at home, then she's the one to go. A prime example you should be careful what you say, just before voting someone out.

Biggest Loser 12 - Battle of the Ages

In the newest season of Biggest Loser, Jillian Michaels has left. She's been replaced by Tennis pro Anna Kournikova and Master Trainer - Dolvett Quince.*

The twist starting off this season is called 'Battle of the Ages'. There will be three teams, each team consisting of a different age group.


Team One - Ages under 30.

Name: Jessica Limpert
Occupation: Nurse
Age: 26
From: San Francisco, California
Starting Weight: 254 Pounds














Name: Courtney Rainville
Occupation: Internet Marketing Specialist
Age: 24
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
Starting Weight: 270 Pounds














Name: Ramon Medeiros
Occupation: Tattoo Artist
Age: 27
From: Florence, Colorado
Starting Weight: 355 Pounds














Name: Patrick Ferrari
Occupation: Adult Mental Health Care Worker
Age: 26
From: Albany, Oregon
Starting Weight: 387 Pounds














Name: Vinny Hickerson
Occupation: Songwriter
Age: 27
From: Nashville, Tennessee
Starting Weight: 426 Pounds














Team Two - Ages 30 - 49

Name: Sunny Sinclair
Occupation: Teacher
Age: 41
From: Frisco, Texas
Starting Weight: 277 Pounds














Name: Jennifer Rumple
Occupation: TV Producer
Age: 39
From: Alameda, California
Starting Weight: 330 Pounds














Name: Joe Mitchell
Occupation: Home Health Therapist
Age: 46
From: Knoxville, Tennessee
Starting Weight: 348 Pounds














Name: John Rhode
Occupation: Teacher/Football Coach
Age: 40
From: Mesa, Arizona
Starting Weight: 445 Pounds














Name: Antone Davis
Occupation: Restaurant Manager & Former NFL Player.
Age: 44
From: Knoxville, Tennessee
Starting Weight: 447 Pounds














Team Three - Ages 50 and older.

Name: Becky Comet
Occupation: Math Teacher
Age: 51
From: Benton, Arkansas
Starting Weight: 238 Pounds














Name: Debbie Lounds
Occupation: Administrative Assistant
Age: 60
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Starting Weight: 239 Pounds














Name: Bonnie Griffin
Occupation: Retired Payroll Supervisor
Age: 63
From: Picayune, Mississippi
Starting Weight: 254 Pounds














Name: Mike Danley
Occupation: High School Teacher
Age: 62
From: Spencerville, Indiana
Starting Weight: 309 Pounds














Name: Johnny Forger
Occupation: Realty Company Owner
Age: 65
From: Canton, Massachusetts
Starting Weight: 328 Pounds














Which team will get what trainer? Who do you think will win this season of Biggest Loser? Jennifer Rumple at 330 pounds is the heaviest woman and Antone Davis is the heaviest male at 447 Pounds. They certainly have the most to lose. Antone should have enough training and discipline from his former days to do very well; unless we have another Rulon this year - Then he may go the way of the 'Gridiron Grill', a restaurant he once owned (no longer in business). Becky Comet at 238 pounds weighs the least of anyone. Will she be able to put up the numbers to stay week after week, or will she be one of the first to go? What about Ramon Medeiros, the tattoo artist? Will he make a mark this season or will his contribution be hidden away? Courtney Rainville is the youngest 'loser' this season at only 24. Compare that with Johnny Forger, 65 years old. Will age before beauty triumph this season? Or will we have another female winner?

Don't forget to watch!
NBC - Tuesday evening - 8/7 Central
Season Premiere Sept. 20

*Click HERE for more info on this season's trainers.

Working Daze - Weight Watchers Cartoons 2

Working Daze - Weight Watchers Cartoons

Meet the Biggest Loser Trainers of Season 12

Anna Kournikova
Born: Moscow, Russia
History: Anna started playing tennis at 5 years old. When she was 9 she moved to America and at 14 began playing tennis professionally. She feels many others had made the decision for her. Despite this, at 15 she was at Wimbledon in the semi-finals; her career debut. Her tennis career has blossomed since then, defeating many of the world's top players including Lindsay Davenport, Steffi Graff & Jennifer Capriati.
What she brings to Biggest Loser: With a long career as a professional athlete, Anna feels she's been trained by the best trainers and nutritionists and can't wait to share what's she's learned with the Season 12 contestants.
Goals: To get contestants healthy, off medications and educate them well enough to take what they learn back to their real lives.


Dolvett Quince
Born: Stanford, CT
History: Working at YMCA when he was noticed to work well with others. This led him to a private gym before becoming an 'independent contractor'. In 2004 he opened his first Body Sculptor in Atlanta, GA and gained notoriety on a radio show. He is now a recognized celebrity trainer.
What he brings to Biggest Loser: He's a fan of the show and has credentials as a Master Trainer. He enjoys what he does and looks forward to help people change their lives. He's excited to work with Anna and Bob.
Outlook: Believes a trainer should be very personal and a friend with who he's training; thus personal trainer.
Tips for anyone looking to improve their health: Start walking, park further away from store entrances, mind your portion sizes and start an exercise regiment.
What to look forward to this season: When asked on Twitter @dolvett replied, "Expect the inevitable probability of unlimited, possibility".


Bob Harper
Born: Nashville, TN
History: Bob grew up on a cattle farm, but moved to Los Angeles to become a fitness trainer. He's developed his own fitness philosophy which he calls 'Inside Out'. If you've ever seen Biggest Loser before, you'll have seen Bob and know what he's all about. He's been with Biggest Loser since season 1 and follows a vegan lifestyle.
Why he's still with Biggest Loser: You'd think after 11 seasons, Bob would have followed Jillian's decision to leave but with the new trainers and contestants he feels Biggest Loser is being kept fresh.
What he brings to Biggest Loser: Has a passion for what he does, and enjoys the ability to use Biggest Loser to get his message out to people.
Thoughts on some of the new contestants: Jennifer is 330 pounds and he initially thought she'd be the crazy one but she seems to be disciplined and motivated. Also he hears lots of singing going on, one guy really loves to sing. "If singing burned calories this guy would be the thinnest person in the house".
What to look forward to this season: This season will break a lot of myths about working out when older. Discipline and drive helps a person lose weight, not youth. Biggest Loser ranch is a place you DO NOT want to go to. There is a lot of demand on each contestant and that's just in one day. It'll all start again the following day.

Biggest Loser 13 - Open Casting Call

Chicago August 20th 2011

The day before the open casting call, Holland and Kerry from the Biggest Loser Casting, filmed a video giving advice and suggestions needed before attending. As you can see in the photos, it was a very small venue so Kerry explained the parking situation. Essentially, you were not to park in the lot where 'Chicago Home Fitness' was (the location of the open casting call). Well, you could, but the problem was the two hour parking limit and the likelihood of being in line and with the casting crew for more than two hours. Street parking was available, but most had two hour limits also (as I discovered). The best bet was to get dropped off, or find a freebie spot and walk a few blocks. And hey, why not start off your Biggest Loser experience with a bit of a walk?

Once the parking situation was assessed, the next thought was how the line would form. A long line was likely, resulting in business entrances being potentially blocked. The direction of the line would wrap around the strip mall and into the alley. Caution was also given to the 'potty situation'. There was no bathrooms available inside the Chicago Home Fitness because of how small it was. The recommended strategy was to find a local business willing to allow use of it's facilities. Last word I heard, businesses were not pleased with the prospect. Perhaps they were not counting on the Biggest Loser hopefuls willing to make purchases in the stores after making use of the toilets? Who's to know. Holland gave the suggestion of perhaps getting something to eat at a local restaurant, then taking care of any nature calls.

With the information now digested, the Biggest Loser casting call for season 13 could begin. Who knows, maybe the next winner of the Biggest Loser will come from the Chicago area.

The morning began with a terrible storm and a torrential downpour of rain. Driving in, there were warnings of flash flooding and certain streets were closed. But soon the rain abated and the casting call was fully underway. As you can see, the line forming outside the Chicago Home Fitness never cleared despite the rains heaviest pounding. From there on, the sun was out and the rest of the day was absolutely beautiful. So beautiful in fact, a local merchant began grilling fish and giving away free samples.

As the day went on, the line did get shorter. This was the line around 2:00pm, the halfway mark for the time allotted for the casting call. Unfortunately, because the area was so crammed I was unable to get many photo ops except from the outside, such as this shot. Initially I thought the casting call would be in an area with more room. Maybe next time I'll get a special invite to do my reporting from inside the action? We can only hope.

So, were you at the Chicago casting call? How did it go for you? We'd love to read about your experience. Or if you were at another cities casting location how did it go? Was it as small as this location? Share your thoughts below.

Reasons I'm Disappointed in My Fitness Gym

It was recently pointed out to me I'm not spending a lot of time at the gym. True, I've started a workout program at home, and have tried to carefully watch what I eat, but am I missing out by not attending the gym? If so, why am I not going? After much soul searching, I realized it wasn't the workouts I was actually steering clear from. The gym I go to is disgusting and I'm getting fed up with it. What's so disgusting about it? Glad you asked. Following are the top 5 reasons I've grown to hate visiting the gym.

1. Disgusting shower area.

After a hard workout, the last thing I want to worry about is the condition of the shower area. I'm tired, sore and dirty but I have to question the sanitary condition of the shower area when it always seems filthy (even in the morning), the shower heads looks disgusting, and large sections of tiling and wall removed, covered by plastic. What is this, Porky's? Disturbing.



2. People stealing your soap.

As much as I'd like to, I can't fault the gym when this happens. But the fact remains, it happens. The way my gym is set up, you have the locker room which leads into the shower area, which then branches into the pool area or the steam room. So if you bring your own soap, you must place it on a shelf and hang up your towel. Then you can visit the pool and/or steam room. Once you are done, with luck, your soap is still around. Mine has been swiped several times. Of course you have to bring your own soap because the gym is lax in making sure their slimy soap is well stocked. SCORE! - I guess I can blame the gym for this after all. Seriously though, are times so tough people have resorted to stealing soap? Next time I'm bringing an empty bottle of soap filled with something other than soap and see what happens.


3. Rusty & Unclean Lockers

"Holy Rusted Metal Batman. The metal, it's all rusted and full of holes." One of my favorite movie quotes helps explain what really irks me. I realize the lockers have been in the gym for 20+ years. I also realize how expensive it might be to replace them. But again, why should it stop me from complaining? The reality is even with no garbage inside the locker, when it's severely rusted, it SEEMS dirty and disgusting. But the fun doesn't stop there, because most members at the gym DO leave garbage behind. If it's not discarded deodorant, it's used Q-tips or paper toweling. It's certainly getting rougher and rougher to find a decent locker to use.



4. Ripped and stained carpet.

This is the reason workout mats were likely invented. Not to cushion the floor, but to keep the funk from the carpet away from us. Seriously, I can only imagine what these stains are. Additionally, are the stains so bad they can't be cleaned? Has the gym never heard of Rug Doctor, or even the funds to insure they own a carpet cleaning machine? If a drink were spilled or someone vomited on the wood floor, wouldn't it immediately be cleaned up? So what's wrong with immediately cleaning up something on the carpet. So very hard to imagine.



5. Several machines always out of order.

Nothing is so aggravating as having to wait several minutes for a machine. How does such a thing come about? It's not because the machine is dispensing gold bricks, but because there is a lack of available machines for use. This is probably the least problem I'm worried about because generally the gym has many machines on hand. Knowing ahead of time what isn't working helps to alter your workout plan. The most annoying problem comes when the machine is out of order for longer than a week. I know parts may be needed, I hope the problem isn't having to find someone to fix the machine. You would think there's a service contract or some maintenance person is readily available. Another petty gripe, I know. But who doesn't like to stoke the fire once it gets going?



Conclusion? It's not the actual working out I've been trying to avoid, it's the disgusting gym. It's hard to keep motivated when you are working out in a pit. Isn't there something the gym can do to improve? Or is this an inevitable reality I need to face? Well, if they want to keep me as a member, I'm hoping some of these things are addressed. Am I working out at the wrong place or is this typical of most places? I'm not looking to work out at the Ritz, but I'm also not looking to work out at the local dump.

What are your fitness gym horror stories?

State Fairs - Bad For Your Health (Maybe)

This cartoon makes a valid point about State Fairs. Don't kid yourself into beleive that just because you are walking, you can eat whatever you want. The true fact is, walking around during the course of the day does not burn enough calories for you to go on a diet free caloric splurge. There is more to State Fairs than just food to enjoy. Take in the shows, watch the animals or people watch. Find something to do that keeps you busy, and away from the food. But if you STILL feel the need to treat yourself, try doing a little research into how many calories you'll be consuming. Chances are, you'll be less likely to start a see-food diet.

New: Facebook Public Profile

Just thought I'd mention to everyone, I've created a public profile page on Facebook. If you are a FB user, I welcome you to stop by and show your support. THANKS!

The Incredible Personal Trainer

Lately I've been having a problem finding my motivation. Maybe I need to hire a fitness coach or trainer? I have a feeling, this personal trainer would do the job nicely.