Thin Blog

The Biggest Loser Season 8 Episode that ran on September 22 2009 was the second of the season.  This season is all about 2nd chances and that is what this series of articles is all about.  If you missed the episode, this is the place to read all about the episode.  This is an article that was written as the show aired and scene by scene it was written.  If you want to know how it happened or check on some scene from the episode, you have come to the right place.  The players this season may be new to you so we have provided a brief recap of who they are and what they do for a living.  The color used for their names denotes the color of their team.  Bookmark this website because we will provide this episode recap and review for each and every episode of the season.

Daniel Wright – 20, Willow Spring, NC.  Contestant in Biggest Loser 7.
Shay Sorrells – 29, Newport Beach, CA.  Social worker/heaviest player ever.
Rudy Pauls – 30, Brooklyn, CT. Works as an engineer.
Dina Mercado – 27, Commerce, CA. Works as a custodian.
Allen Smith – 43, Columbus, IN. Works as a firefighter/EMT.
Abby Rike - 34, Mabank, TX. Works as a teacher.
Rebecca Meyer – 25, Des Moines, IA. Is a student and works as a nanny.
Amanda Arlauskas – 19, Butler, NJ. Patient Care Tech/RN Student.
This is the player voted into the show by America last season.
Antoine Dove – 23, Dudley, NC.  Health Insurance Physician Contractor.
Sean Algaier – 29, Tulsa, OK. Works as a youth pastor.
Liz Young -49, Lewisberg, TN. Comfort Consultant.
Danny Cahill – 39, Broken Arrow, OK. Works as a landscaper and musician.
Mo Dewalt – 55, Louisville, KY. Works as a youth mentor.
Tracey Yukich – 37, Allen, TX. Works as a homemaker.
Alexandra White – 20, Harrisburg, PA. College student. (Sent home week#2=09/15/09)
Julio Gomez – 39, Algonquin, IL. Works as a mortgage loan officer.

The show started with the players talking about the pain and reality of being on the show.  Alexandra was sent home last week, as repeated by the scene of her leaving last week.  Mo said that he hated to send someone home.  The show went over how hard it was to send someone home.  After Alexandra left the show, Alison told the remaining members that there was a possibility for no players to go home next week.  The players were told that if the total weight of all the players lost next week were to be 150 pounds, nobody would be sent home.  The players then rehashed the fact how hard it would be to lose that much weight in week two of the program.  This has always been the worst week for weight loss of each and every season that has been on before.  If the players did not lose 150 pounds, then two players would have to go home next week.

Julio then told the players how grateful he was to still be there.  Mo then stepped in and said that everyone had to work together to make it happen.  Daniel said last season he lost 33 pounds week one and then on week two he worked his butt off and only lost 3 pounds.  Mo then said that the players were going to make it happen this week and lose the 150 pounds.

Jillian and Bob then walked into the gym and called all the players together and told them that week 2 would be the hardest week so far, for any season.  The players all then yelled out that if they lost 150 pounds nobody would have to go home.  Jillian and Bob both said how hard it would be.  Jillian said that starving was not the answer and that all the players had to eat to lose weight.  They split into two teams with Jillian and Bob.  Bob started his players on 90 second interval training while Jillian preached “calories in and calories out.”  Jillian said that the gym workouts would accelerate calories out and then said they needed a game plan to lose the weight.  Jillian started to educate the players she was with about calories and eating, while scenes flashed of Bob Harperrunning the players he had through severe workout periods.  This was the first time in recent memory where the TV audience was shown the moments the players received information about how important it is to be educated on food, calories and eating habits. 

Next we saw the players leaving the gym and Bob saying the day was done and he saw Dina and Rudy.  Dina showed panic about having to lose weight for this week.  Bob told her that it was only week 2 and she was spinning herself out with stress.  Bob then told America that if a person was stressed out, it would hamper weight loss.  Dina was still full of stress and panic and doubt as she walked away into the treeline.

Jillian Michaels then took the brown team into the kitchen and told them that 90 minutes was too long to prepare healthy food every single day.  She was actually giving a relevant tip using Ziplocbags to portion out food.  It was a commercial that was built into the show.  We are not too thrilled about these Tivo proof commercials, but they are a fact of the show.

Next we were at the Los Robles Medical Center with Mo visiting his partner still in the hospital, Tracey.  He said he was nervous about how well she was doing.  He reflected about how when she was carried off the ranch she was not conscientious.   He walked in the room and Moe handed her a Purple shirt and they hugged.  Tracey cried when she learned she could come back to the ranch.  Mo told America he wanted to take the pressure off and told her they all wanted her back at the ranch.

Soon we were once again back at the ranch and Daniel was at the table talking and theteam started to plan how they were going to work out.  In this scene all of the players were shown with their BodyBuggs on their arms, which is that band on their arms we always see.  Another silent commercial? 

The players were all seen exercising and then watching Julio NOT exercise.  The players were all shown griping about Julio.  They asked him how he was on his calorie burn and when he answered ALL of the players said he was not speaking the truth.  All of the players were complaining to America that if anyone had to go home this week, it would be Julio’s fault. 

Tracey then appeared the moment the show returned from a commercial and when she met the other players, Tracey started to cry.  Tracey said that her life was put in perspective when she was at the hospital.  The players told her she missed alot and then asked her to put on her purple shirt and she cried as she told America that she now had a new family.   She was back in the show and was shown speaking to Bob Harper and Bob told her that she was starting late and yet she could not work out as hard as everyone else.  Bob told her she had to get her nutrition down andthenanother “hidden” commercial began with Bob showing off The Biggest Loser Protein Powder.  Although it was a commercial, it was not a bad thing because the facts we were being shown about the protein powder were ALL true.  Protein is such a large factor in what Tracey, and all of America needs.

Next we saw Allison and the players at California Health and Longevity Institute.  She then went over the offer that if they lose150 pounds this week, it would be because of nutrition. 

Next we saw Jillian and a trainer tip. She mentioned how important it was to keep a food journal and keep a record of the calories eaten.  She said how important it was and then recommended the Biggest Loser Calorie Book.  We, here at IChooseThin realize it is very important to keep a food journal and since are using a computer right now we suggest you use it to record your calories. If you are looking to use BodyBugg by 24 Hours Fitness, the calorie counting food journal is included for 6 months in the purchase price.  If you are not ready to buy a BodyBugg, then just use the online FitDay, which is a great tool to count calories for a few months.  Curtis Stone, a world class chef then walked out to the kitchen and welcomed them to learn about nutrition.  Then Allison said she would quiz the players andiftheyanswered 5 out of 8 questions correctly, they would get a 15 pound advantage at the weigh in.

Curtis Stone then said that portion size is SO IMPORTANT and pulled out a steak and said what is one portion?  He then said the players had to measure the portions and pulled out the Biggest Loser food scaleto weight the food.  He said the word salad is not really healthy unless you are careful withwhat you put on the salad.  Too often people load up a salad with croutons and fatty salad dressing to ruin the healthy qualities.  He said that soda is really bad and then Sean (red team) said he drank two liters a day.  He even made a funnywhen he said he fills his water bed with soda he loves it so much.  Curtis showed him a bowl of sugar that was in two liter of soda and said the drink should have health warnings.  He then went onto how important it was to eat protein during snacks.  The players then said the information was coming out them so fast  they were worried if they could pass the quiz that Allison was going to give them.  Allison then walked into the room and after the commercials and said the quiz was about to start. The questions were:

 The Purple Team went first= Which Plate of meat had the correct portion size for meat and there were three plates with meat on the plates.  The Purple Team (Mo and Tracey) repeated that portion size of meat should be 3 to 4 ounces and chose a plate they thought to be correct.  Allison said they were correct.

The Orange Team was then asked for 3 different ways to cook without oil.  Shay told America she knew the answer right away.  The answer given was Baked, Poached and Steamed which was correct and they now had two correct answers.

The Brown Team  was then asked about how many calories were in a restaurant chain salad.  540…..640   or 1010 calories.  They guessed 1010 and they were correct.

The Pink Team was next and they were asked “by substituting Zucchini for pasta how many fewer calories are in one serving?  110, 248 or 343.  The correct answer was 248 calories and they then had four correct answers.

The Green Team was then asked about soda. “How many calories would you consume if you drank a 16 ounce soda with 3 refills?  685, 747 or 789 calories? They answered with 789 calories and they were wrong, it was 747 calories. 

The Red Teamwas asked “which one of these desserts is less than 150 calories?”  Shown were a cup of fresh raspberrieswith a half ounce of melted dark chocolate dipping sauce or a parfait made with acup of blueberries with a half cup of lowfat yogurt and 1 tablespoon of slivered almonds or a cup of vanilla ice cream.  They answered the parfait and the correct answer was the cup of raspberries.

The Blue Team was next and they were asked about snacking.  What were 3 specific reasons to add protein to a snack?  They had to answer with 2 reasons. They answered with it helps you feel full and it gives you more fuel for your muscles.  Allison told them they were correct and then there was applause and Allison told them they only had to lose 135 pounds to allow all of the players to stay on the ranch another week.

Next we saw Curtis Stone tell America that if you want to lose some weight desserts are a no-no but if you put pineapple on sticks and grill them with low-fat plain yogurt, you would really like the treat. 

With the first hour over the show went into a quick review and soon wesaw all the players walking on sand and stop at what appeared to be a lake.  The challenge was about to begin.  Allison told them the challenge had 4 rafts separated by balance beams.  They all had to get from one raft to the next and it was sort of shaped like a square.  Each balance beam got smaller.  Each raft they all got to offered them another prize.  If they got to the first raft they received another 5 pound advantage.  If they got to the second raft theywould get another 5 pound advantage.  If they ALL made it to the third raft they would all get phone calls home.  If they all got to the 4th raft they got anotherten pound advantage.  As they started to walk out on the balance beams the beam started to wobble and the players each spoke off camera to America about how they did not want to fail and fall and let the team down.  One by one they all made it to the first raft andthey received another 5 pound advantage.  The second balance beam was thinner and they were all afraid that if just one person fell off the beam into the water, the challenge was over.  Abbey started to shake and someone yelled “Abbey” and we went to a commercial.

After the commercial we learned that Abbey did not fall and they all made it to the 2nd raft.  They received another 5 pounds to be applied at the weigh in.  If they got to the third raft they would all receive a phone call home.  They made it to the 3rd raft and they all were happy about being able to make a call home.  The next, and last beam was the narrowest and was only 6 inches wide.  One by one they made it across the beam and when there were just 3 players left, they all sort of shimmied the final through feet and they made it to the end.  They received another 10 pound advantage.    Alison said all that was left was the weigh in.

The phone calls home began and the smiles of the players were apparent as each and every player shed tears as they spoke to their family members.  Julio was the most emotional of all the players and he was full of tears.  Amanda spoke of how she was amazed at all the support she received.  Mo was happy as all of the players made the call to their loved ones.  It was a touching moment to see all of the players breakdown inn tears when they heard the voices of their family members.  This scene on the show was very heart wrenching.  Sean (Red Team) found out that the baby he was to be a father to was going to be a girl.  They clouds rolled over the ranch and the commercials began.

Soon we were back in the ranch and we saw some players eating Subway, which is a fast food weight loss wonder.  The players then told Bob Harper and Jillianthey only had to lose 115 pounds.  Then Bob and Jillian told them it was still really alot of weight.  In private Bob and Jillian spoke about how they were going to work the players.  Jillian spoke about how they would go after Julio and then told Bob to “kill him” because he was not working out hard.  Bob took Julio to the side andsaid he was going to work out alone with Julio.  Julio told Bob in private that “his legs were dead” and Bob told him that they would be, as he ignored the request to go easy on him during the upcoming workout.  Julio told him after the work out, he would love Bob, but now he “wanted to kill him.”  Jillian pushed her players hard and hard and playedtug of war with Rudy, which amazed Bob. Bob then joined he kept screaming “last chance workout”   The tug of war with Rudy against Bob andJillian was relentless.  They workout continued with scene after scene of exercise, screaming and sweat.  It was revealed by Bob Harper that Jillian Michaels weighed 115 pounds. (Just a tidbit we threw in here!)

The next scene was showing all the players wiped out in the gym with Jillian talking about why they were there.  Bob asked Shay why she was there.   Shay said she wanted to be happy and then Bob asked her what was different now.  Shay said she was letting go of the fact her mother was a heroine addict  andnow she was letting go of all the issues that fact forced her to carry around.  Bob told her that she could now be happy.  Bob told her she was at his house and now he was going to show her she deserved to be happy.  The players were all seen walking out of the gym and then the time changed and they were seen walking into the weigh in. 

Julio reflected that he was going to prove he deserved to be there.  Allison welcomed themto the second weigh in and went over the rules of the weigh in.  She rehearsed the week and told them because of their accomplishments they would not have to lose 150 pounds but only 115 pounds.  Bob told the room that week two in week two is “alot” and he was not sure about the results.  The weigh in was as follows;

Pink Team, Amanda 244/240 lost 4 pounds  Rebbecca 261/255 lost 6 pounds. Total weight 10 pounds for the team (far short of the needed weight) 
Purple Team, Tracey 238/228 lost 10 pounds Coach Mo 336/327 lost 9 pounds. Total weight for the team 19 pounds (good comeback)
Red Team, Antoine 349/341 lost 6 pounds Sean 422/411 lost 11 pounds. Total weight for team 19 pounds. (nice job)
Green Team, Allen 306/296 lost 10 pounds Abby 232/221 lost 11 pounds. Total pounds lost 21 pounds.  (They might make it!)
Brown Team, Liz  257/247 lost 10 pounds Danny 406/394 lost lost 12 pounds.  Total weight lost 22 pounds.
Blue Team, Rudy 414/400 lost 14 pounds Dina 245/237 lost 8 pounds. Total weight lost 22 pounds. Julio had to lose ONLY two pounds to keep everyone on the ranch.
Black Team, Julio 394/375 lost 19 pounds. 

All of the players could stay on the ranch and now maybe Shay would shut her mouth and stop telling America how much of a slacker Julio is in her eyes.
Orange Team, Daniel 300/293 lost 7 Shay 459/443 lost 16 pounds.  Total weight lost 23 pounds.

They players and Bob Harper and Jillian were all thrilled that they all did so well. As a total weight lost the total amount of weight lost this week was 155 pounds.  Daniel said he was the same weight as when he was a freshman.  They players said week two is a myth and they beat that myth.

Allison announce that there would be no players sent home this week.  There was no elimination for this episode. All of the players were allowed to stay.
The show quickly ended.