Week 11 over at "The Biggest Loser Couples" was full of pizza n' sugar cookie temptations tempered by family love and an at-home challenge to remember. Contestants who could barely walk two miles per hour on a treadmill nearly three months ago are now jogging multiple miles as the fat continued to melt away for all but one. Read on about an episode that had me researching Spring 5K runs in my area.

Biggest Losers Head Home -- Screaming homecomings awaited contestants from Boise to Phoenix to Detroit to Long Island to Miami. Initially excited to see their families, contestants worried their week away from the ranch would ultimately damage their progress on the scale. The numbers were kind for some, but not all. In one unforgettable moment, Ron's morbidly obese son Max was overcome with raw emotion upon seeing his thinner dad and brother standing before him. Makes me wish he could have gone to the ranch, too. But his former eating allies will be home for good in a few weeks, modeling just the behaviors Max will need to join a healthier world.

An 11-Minute Mile Pace Half Marathon - Home Sweet Home had contestants running a half marathon in hopes of winning $10,000 for the best time. But they could add five minutes to a fellow player's time if they ate a giant sugar cookie from a tin delivered on their front doorsteps. Tara narrowly beat Sione, finishing 13.1 miles in 2:24:19, just under Sione's quad-cramped 2:25:57. This queen and king of the road pulled off this challenge at a blistering 11-minute mile pace, incredible considering they're still dozens of pounds away from goal. For some odd reason, Helen was the solo cookie eater, penalizing Tara, which meant Sione scored the $10,000. I felt he deserved to win anyway, he jogged outdoors while Tara ran around a cushy track. Now that it's warming up outside, take your jog on a safe, outdoor trail to challenge your body with undulating terrain and wind gusts.
What's Your Fitness Scapegoat? -- When you're out of shape, it's easy to find an excuse to avoid exercise. Filipe admitted to using asthma as his scapegoat, but now it's no longer an excuse as he ran/walked the full 13.1 miles in 3:24:05. What's your fitness scapegoat? It's time to let it go, then give new activities a try. You will gain confidence, lose weight and breathe easier.

You've Got To Want It -- Back at home, Aubrey tried straight-talking her 500-pound dad into a realization he needs to lose weight. You could tell he was trying his best to dodge the conversation, amidst his obvious love and pride for his daughter's accomplishments. The desire to lose weight is one tricky customer -- it's all up to you and for you. Karla recently made this loud and clear.

Don't-Miss-Trainer-Gems

• Jillian says enjoying mashed potatoes without guilt means mashing steamed cauliflower instead. With a similar texture/taste, zero saturated fat/cholesterol and lots of dietary fiber, potassium, B6 and vitamin C, it's a recipe worth trying. Ironically, I bought a giant head of cauliflower the other day, time to try this recipe or this one today.
• Bob says Biggest Loser Protein Powder by Designer Whey is a great way to recover from exercise, curb hunger and boost metabolism. Available in blueberry, chocolate, red raspberry and vanilla, I just wish it didn't cost $15.95 per 10 oz can.