The Biggest Loser Recap: Buffet Temptation

Week 14 at "The Biggest Loser" cast the spotlight on the buffet. One contestant had the chance to control elimination if they hung out at the buffet long enough. When you're hungry, burning thousands of calories a day in the gym and haven't seen a piece of chocolate cake in weeks, an unlimited fat and sugar spread is irresistible. Or is it? Read on as Sam gets even skinnier and one contestant can't turn away from the taquitos.

Buffet Time. Buffets are a dieter's nightmare -- you pay a handful of dollars for never-ending food. In an interesting surprise, Week 14 opened with a buffet temptation. With the ranch kitchen suddenly off limits, contestants were forced to eat their meals alone at a buffet stocked with healthy and unhealthy choices. Whoever consumed the most calories at the end of the day had the only vote at elimination, provided they remained above the yellow line. Ashley bit into a taquito during a weak moment, but Koli went for the power with a 4,164-calorie buffet fest. He claimed it was an attempt to save Sam at elimination, but maybe it was the bacon. Jillian and Bob were not impressed, but they kept their anger on simmer.

You're Never Over It. O'Neal described the buffet temptation perfectly. "You're never really over the things that got you here," he said. Whether you've lost 10 or 100 pounds, high-calorie foods and poor exercise habits beckon. O'Neal is right, and anyone who's lost weight only to see it return gets it too. Hang in there with those healthy choices, you're not alone.

Diabetes Gone. Ashley checked in with Dr. Huizenga and discovered her diabetes is gone. Michael shaved 12 years off his Know Your Numbers age, and his risk for heart attack, diabetes or stroke plummeted from 84 percent at the premiere to 31 percent today. Keep in mind, he still weighs over 300 pounds. Losing weight is a win-win -- as those numbers dial down on the scale, so does the risk for obesity-related health problems.

Daris Wins One. The slimmer guy in orange built his tower the fastest to reach a flag overhead. Daris isn't flying unnoticed anymore, he's nearly back to his 7th grade weight and scored himself a pound advantage at the weigh-in. O'Neal took a nasty fall, landed in the hospital with an injured knee and a pound disadvantage to boot.

Side Out With Gabrielle. Contestants headed to the beach to meet a sleek Gabrielle Reece -- an actress, model and pro volleyball star. No weight room needed for this beach workout, sprinting between circuits on the beach was rough enough.

Don't Miss Trainer Gems

Yoplait has entered the Greek yogurt craze with their new 100-calorie cup of Yoplait Greek boasting 14 grams of protein and zero fat. Greek yogurt has a strong taste, especially if fruit-on-the-bottom is the usual. Yet Bob had Ashley dipping in her spoon and she loved it. Stoneyfield's Oikos is another option that tastes great without the fat.

Add a few thinking reps to your workout, said Bob. Stand on one foot atop an overturned BOSU, as a gym partner tosses you a tennis ball and peppers you with questions about your career or current events. Beyond the leg and core training, you're working reaction time and hand/eye coordination.

Koli's visit to the buffet did not cost him at the weigh-in. He sweated off 10 pounds this week to Sam's above-the-yellow six pound loss. No family save needed. Injured O'Neal lost eight pounds even as he grieved the death of his brother. Daris lost seven more pounds, but Victoria and Sunshine could only shake one pound each. Koli lifted his power platter vote to reveal Victoria, then advised her to pick it up at home if she wants success. The Koli, Sam and O'Neal alliance is strong, no way was Sunshine heading home. Victoria is now down to a size 12 and boxing her way skinny. Mom Cherita has lost 77 pounds, and she never spent a night at the ranch.

See you next week as "The Biggest Loser" final seven help Texas get fit. Yes, the amazing Abby Rike will be there.