The Biggest Loser - Salad in the White House
Posted on Nov 4th 2009 12:00PM by Bev Sklar
Photo: NBC
No More Seat Extenders. On the flight out to D.C., Rudy realized he didn't need a seat belt extender anymore. Contestants were taking up one seat, not two. Daniel had seat belt tail to spare. Fitting comfortably on an airplane was a liberating and joyful moment for contestants. Their bodies are becoming noticeably slimmer, and just think how many more celebrations are ahead -- sliding behind the wheel of a car, sitting on a bus, buying clothes off the rack, tossing meds.
Best Politician Wins. In a creative pop challenge, contestants ran around D.C. attempting to convince the most people to join them for a workout with Bob and Jillian at the Washington Monument. Of course Allen ran to the firehouse, but he was beaten by one thanks to Liz's southern charm. Liz won an advantage in a later challenge for immunity and a healthy lunch -- yup, Subway -- for her supporters. The group workout was fantastic, with Bob loving the stage as Jillian mingled among the crowd picking on total strangers.
Reality or Movement? Contestants shared their personal experience with morbid obesity with U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Robert Casey (D-PA). Daniel questioned why his high school required so few credits for health and physical education. Not sure if anyone brought it up, but the underfunded National School Lunch Program is also a processed food disaster. Pumped from lobbying, Jillian said it best, "Biggest Loser is more than a reality show, it's a movement. And that's what we're doing in D.C. We're lobbying people who can help us effect change." Doubling the reimbursement for the National School Lunch Program is a great place to start.
Sightsee for Immunity. In a four-stage challenge, contestants ran a mile around Constitution Gardens with the top six continuing to the Watergate steps to scoop their share of 17,954 pennies the fastest. Coins represented total pounds lost on the show since season one. Rudy, Rebecca, Daniel and Liz (she played her free pass on this round), moved onto a balance event over at the U.S. Capitol. Rudy and Rebecca won that one and then went foot-to-foot in a 206-step challenge symbolizing the number of contestants the show has seen to date. Quickest feet -- Rebecca, along with quantified proof this show has made a serious difference in contestants' lives.
White House Garden Salad. America had a chance to see the White House vegetable garden up close as contestants met up with White House assistant chef, Sam Kass, to pick fixings for this delicious White House Salad tossed with lemon, olive oil and a bit of honey. White House executive chef, Cristeta Comeford, made an appearance, but no-go on the Obamas. That's OK, their push for a garden on the grounds and their stellar fitness habits are significant statements that they support a healthier America. Now they need to get salad bars into every school.
A Breakthrough? Jillian was leading an emotional workout with Tracey this week. Her main message? "You can control what happens by controlling yourself," says Jillian. You don't need fancy diets, gimmick gear or the ranch to lose weight. All of us can reach for health by controlling the choices we make each day.
Price of Teenage Obesity. Amanda opened up to her favorite trainer, Bob, about the losses she faced as an obese teen. She didn't get to go to her prom, she always made excuses to avoid the beach, she missed out on many joys of life. She's understandably sad, but she also nailed the one-minute sprint on the treadmill. The same challenge that drove her from the gym in a fit of frustration the week before.
Don't-Miss Trainer Gems
- People always ask Bob, "How do you work out on vacation?" That's easy, just find a flight of stairs and run up and down them for 20-30 minutes, followed by stair dips, side squats and push-ups. Same goes if you've been scarfing Halloween candies by the dozen, although it's America's daily habit of 22 sugary teaspoons that's the bigger problem. Get your hand out of the sugar bowl and find some stairs. Wait, that's sounding like Jillian, not Bob.
Final weigh-in was staged under the solemn, watchful eye of the lanky former President sitting at the Lincoln Memorial. It may have been vacation week, but several contestants lost big. Shay dropped nine to break into the 300s, Daniel broke through a plateau to shed 11. Danny continued his tear with 12 more pounds gone and Amanda lost an amazing seven pounds, the highest weight loss ever for her to date. Tracey and Liz ended up below the yellow line and you guessed it, Tracey was sent packing. Season 8 has less manipulative game play than past seasons, Tracey's days were numbered. After reuniting with her husband and four kids, she's now down 85 pounds and looks like a completely different person. A far cry from the woman helicoptered to a hospital with heatstroke after collapsing during the controversial mile run on day one. "It can be done ... That's the new person I am today, I finish what I start," Tracey says. From the looks of her slim shoulders and under 12-minute mile, she's right.
See you next week at the ranch where two will be heading home and Rudy does a face plant onto a treadmill -- ouch. Not nearly as pretty a sight as Washington D.C., but the show must go on. Don't miss these three tips to blast through your weight plateau with lettuce.
