The Biggest Loser: Abby Rike is Amazing

Week 7 at "The Biggest Loser" centered on emotions and left us with Abby and Rudy's amazing feats. It may sound like a diet-pill hoax, but Rudy really did break a towering BL-record by dropping more than 100 pounds in an unheard-of seven weeks. No pills, no starvation, no liquid diet, just buckets of sweat and healthy eating equity. Read on for the rundown on Jillian's gym psychotherapy, a Derek Jeter surprise and a face-off weigh-in that left one team miserably inspired at elimination.

Jillian's Emotional Core Workout. Whether you've forgiven her for those early-season f-bombs or not, Jillian has an uncanny way of slicing to the core of contestant weight gain. She had her own face-off counseling sessions to address Amanda's fear of failure, Shay's battle to finally fight for herself and Abby's discovery that she truly wants to live again. What can you ask Abby Rike, the mother who lost her husband, daughter and newborn son in a tragic car crash two-and-a-half years ago? In a powerful moment, Jillian found Abby is ready to live and not just exist anymore. Abby continues to leave us speechless with a collective lump in our throat, which is why her picture sits on my treadmill. Who doesn't have the strength to walk or run faster and farther in her honor -- are you on the couch during this show or burning calories?

Halfway Point Pop Challenge. Short contestants loved this one -- shuttle back and forth under a bar to tag a swinging marker 500 times to win the right to pick the face-off match-ups at final weigh-in. Each team member was required to take a turn, and in a tight finish, Blue beat Black 500 to 496. Within a corny boxing ring, Blue picked Rebecca vs. Amanda, Tracy vs. Abby, Allen vs. Danny, Rudy vs. Shay and Liz vs. Daniel. Win three face-offs, and no one goes home. In return for Blue's win, Bob beat 'em up good with a creative pool workout -- try holding the pool wall and kicking furiously straight-legged for-Bob-ever. Grueling. Anyone else notice Rudy's sweet crawl stroke?

Derek Jeter Surprise. At this week's challenge, players were greeted by life-size photos of their first-day selves positioned on a gorgeous baseball field. Everyone wore jerseys with numbers representing weight loss to date. Then the Yankees' Derek Jeter pops up on the big screen to explain the 2,535 balls scattered in the outfield (his career hits) needed to be scooped up and tossed at opponents' photos. Once a contestant's photo was beaned 316 times (Jeter's career batting average), they're out. Last team with a member standing won lunch with our favorite Aussie chef, Curtis Stone, and a two-pound advantage at the weigh-in. A solid team strategy buffeted by Danny's smooth arm gave Black the win.




Toss the Bun, Toast a Portabello. Curtis Stone taught Black how to grill this tasty Mediterranean Burger with Caper Yogurt Sauce and Portabello. The nutritional stats on this delicacy rival Jeter's -- 280 calories, 6g of fat (only 1g saturated), 18g carbs, 4g fiber and 39g protein. Eat like this regularly, and you will drop weight with a satisfied palate.

Don't-Miss Trainer and Curtis Gems

• Experience your next great cardio session in a pool, says Jillian. Do push-ups before you enter, swim laps, tread water in five-minute intervals. It'll give your joints a break, but no floating on your back. Or there's always this underwater pogo stick.
• Forget canned broth and stock, it's often high in sodium. If you're trying to lose weight, Curtis Stone suggests you make your own veggie broth by sliding in chopped carrots, celery and onion in a pot of boiling water for 20 to 30 minutes. Voila, a healthy stock for all your recipes.

As suspected, Blue nearly swept the face-offs at final weigh-in, with the exception of Danny. He dropped 12 more pounds this week to beat powerhouse Allen. Jillian looked dumbfounded as Danny lost 27 pounds the past two weeks following the same diet/fitness regimen as fellow teammate Daniel, who only lost 4. If Daniel is adhering to the program, body chemistry is not always fair. But Daniel continues to lose, and so can you at home. No worries if it's slower, you'll eventually reach your goal. Metabolism-machine Rudy ripped through 14 more pounds to hurdle over 100 pounds lost, a new seven-week record. The former Season 7 record-holder and semi-forgiven marathon cheater, Dane, made a surprise appearance to shake Rudy's hand. He's running a triathlon shortly with 12 former BL contestants, proof-positive this show delivers lifestyle change.

At elimination, Abby asked to go home as Black team tears fell. "I kept trying different things to try and rejoin life the past two-and-a-half years, and none of them we're working. And then I came here -- it's working," explained Abby. She's now 80 pounds lighter back home, courageously motivating others with the message that every day marks your second chance to choose differently. Abby tells us hope exists even in your darkest hour, and this show continues to provide non-surgical hope for millions of viewers struggling with their weight. NBC dedicated Week 7 to Abby Rike's beloved husband Rick, daughter Macy and son Caleb.

See you next week for Week 8 in Washington, D.C. Maybe an early-morning, nine-minute arm workout with the sleek First Lady herself? OK, not likely.