The Biggest Loser: The Heart of Makeover Week

Week 10 marked double digit weeks spent on "The Biggest Loser" ranch, as well as a clothes, hair and emotional transformation for the final six. It was a soul-searching makeover week, draped in glitz and glamor and awash in happy tears, family reunions and a chance to tell the world how eating right and working out changes lives. Contestants showed off noticeably slimmer waistlines in gorgeous off-the-rack clothes for dramatic effect. After the stage lights dimmed, makeover week weight loss was kind to some and not others, delivering a heated elimination confrontation.

Goodbye X-Sizes, Hello Jawlines. Besides seeing famous designer Tim Gunn try to convince Rebecca to sport the leopard print blouse, makeover week had fans buzzing with one visual excitement after another. No more X-men and women ranch t-shirts, this is the moment contestants slip into real clothes and designer haircuts. They looked thin this week because nearly 500 pounds of fat is gone between the final six. Instead of a visit with Tyra Banks, Season 8 contestants stepped on stage to speak about their weight loss journey to a 300-plus audience.

Morbid Obesity Has Its Reasons. Jillian's skinny jawline dropped when Rudy stood on the stage and shared with the crowd he lost his 14-year-old sister to leukemia when he was just 12 years old. Jillian ended up pulling Rudy into a one-on-one counseling workout back at the ranch, pointing out his unresolved grief must be acknowledged to continue to grow. Rudy shared that knowing what started his weight gain is a critical piece to keeping the weight off permanently. Liz told the audience she lost herself while serving the needs of others. However she's shining the spotlight back on herself. If you're overweight, obese or just in horrible shape -- why? How did you develop negative eating and fitness habits? What can you do emotionally to shore up your resolve for a lifetime of healthier choices? Forget the next diet trick -- for eight seasons now, Jillian has said this makeover of heart and soul is one of the most critical strategies for permanent weight loss.

Turning Points. Firefighter Allen felt he was becoming an on-the-job liability. Danny's daughter began to wish she had a big belly like her dad's. Liz's denial ran so deep, she blamed the dryer for shrinking her clothes. The Biggest Loser ranch can personally touch only a handful of Americans, but each week's diet and fitness tips featured here at That's Fit are available for the taking. Take baby fitness steps this week -- plan a healthy Thanksgiving side dish, try three days without sugar, take Ali Vincent's advice and figure out what you really weigh, so you can set an honest goal.

Allen's Gameplay Highwire Act. Did anyone else wonder why Allen wasn't in first place after the highwire challenge? So did Bob and Jillian. Rudy won, but in a private moment, Allen told Bob the truth. He's gaming a bit to fly low under the elimination radar. Let's see if that strategy pays off, otherwise his wife will be annoyed he passed up a chance to win that challenge and a two-week family trip to the new Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Utah. Has anyone booked a trip there, yet?

Don't-Miss Trainer Gems

Go Green trainer tips this week. Reduce your carbon footprint and bring your own washable mug to the coffee shop, Jillian said. And to reduce your holiday weight gain, try sidestepping sugary hot holiday drinks such as a Dunkin' Donuts Pumpkin Latte.

Buy fruits and veggies local to save fossil fuels used to transport and refrigerate food long distances, suggested Bob. Organic selections will further save your body and Mother Earth from pesticides.

Rolling out the red makeover carpet didn't hurt Rudy or Amanda's weight loss -- Amanda lost a personal record of nine pounds. Danny extended his double-digit weight loss tear to six weeks in a row. Rudy is a runaway weight loss train, losing 16 pounds for a top-dog 4.94 percent loss. This guy weighs 324 pounds now, and traded his burly look for a clean shave and a blazer. Allen understandably dropped only 5 pounds, to hit a hard rock 238 pounds. Starting the season at 325 pounds, he'd likely have to lose too much weight for a shot at the crown. Rudy and Danny just had much more to lose, their first weigh-ins were 442 and 430 pounds, respectively.

After Rebecca and Liz fell below the yellow line, Rudy's vote sent Rebecca home. In a war of words, Rudy said he didn't trust her after previous game play. More likely, he doesn't trust his own ability to beat Rebecca in a final three match-up. Rudy had better watch out for Liz -- no one thought an older woman would win it all last season. Remember Season 7's Helen? Back in Iowa, Rebecca is now 109 pounds lighter, finished a half-marathon and is in control of her life. Battling obesity since childhood, she hopes to open a gym for overweight children someday.

See you next week -- only two shows remain before the finale -- who do you think will win? And next week we also get to see if The Biggest Loser weight-loss formula sticks. Tune in for NBC's "Where Are They Now" special starring past contestants on Wednesday, November 24.

That's Fit has spoken with several ranch graduates the past few months, including our most recent chat with Ali Vincent.