This week started out with the announcement that the families would be heading on a road trip to the Grand Canyon. But you know what road trips mean: Unhealthy eating and little activity. Contestants did ok in the eating department, but with tough trainers Jillian and Bob not along for the ride, fitness fell off their list of priorities.

Here are some of the lessons learned from this episode:
Temptation: Contestants were sent into a convenience store and asked to guess the calorie counts of various junk food items -- winning guesses earned you a pack of gum and the chance to stay in a plush RV rather than camping on the ground. I think this kind of game is a great idea -- temptation will always be around, and knowing how many calories you're eating is the first step to cutting down.

The long haul: Contestants got a little teary eyed when they first saw the Grand Canyon. They choked up even more when host Ali compared them to the Grand Canyon, because just as it took millions of years to carve out this geographic masterpiece, it takes time to change a lifetime of bad habits.

Excuses, excuses, excuses: At the campsite, contestants were left to their own devices to come up with a workout. So what did they figure out? Well, a couple took a walk ... and that was about it. But if you're committed to fitness, you don't need equipment to get fit -- particularly at one of the most spectacular natural sites in the world!

Besides hiking the gorgeous terrain, Bob suggested three easy activities you can do in a pinch:

• Lunges
• Mountain Climbers (from a push up position, bring your knees to your chest)
  
• The plank

Gifts: It was Colleen's birthday this week and while the contestants shared a small birthday cake to celebrate, the real treat was afterwards, when everyone in the group talked about what they liked about Colleen and everyone got a bit misty. Now, isn't something like that more special than a calorie-laden cake? It just goes to show you, the most rewarding gifts aren't always edible.

Payback: Bob and Jillian were less than impressed that contestants made little effort to work out on their trip and made them pay with an extra hard torture session workout. Falling off the wagon happens -- what's important is to get right back on it.

Health: Jerry had a health scare when it was thought that he might have a blood clot. Losing weight is important to your health -- take care of yourself before it's too late. Unfortunately, the health scare took Jerry away from the game and he ended up gaining 2 lbs, which resulted in him getting eliminated.

But it's not all bad news -- as we found out at the end of the show, Jerry's slimmed down and improved his health dramatically. Way to go!

Other Tips:

• Bob and Jillian both recommend chewing gum to ease sweet cravings.
• Going on a road trip? Jillian recommends planning ahead with healthy snacks like cheese and crackers, yogurt and fruit. Do Not give into those fast food cravings.
  

(all photos from Biggest Loser Website)