*photo courtesy of NBC.Last night was the night...the night we finally learned the Biggest Loser Season 9 - Final 4. I know my friends and I have been speculating for quite a while now, and we've been anxiously awaiting this night!
First of all, Alison told the remaining 5 contestants that there would be no yellow line this week. There would only be a red line...and the person with the lowest percentage of weight loss would fall below it and automatically be sent home. This news sent the players inside their heads and into survival mode. They knew that alliances would mean nothing at the weigh-in. It was all up to them.
The next surprise came in the form of 2 past Biggest Loser winners. Helen Phillips walked in, and I must say she looks even more amazing than she did the night she won. Her smile showed the beauty radiating out from the inside, and I am still inspired by her as she is only a few years older than me. Then Erik Chopin came in. Erik won Season 2, but put almost all of his weight back on since then. You may recall that Bob invited Erik to re-commit to losing the weight and weigh in at this season's finale. Erik has lost 70 pounds so far since then. He told everyone that he kept giving himself free passes...when he'd gain a few pounds, he'd tell himself it's only a few pounds and he could get back on track any time he wanted. Then it became more, as he lost his purpose and became depressed. (That definitely sounds like what I've been through, since I lost a lot of weight when I was younger but have struggled the last 15 years. I know where he's coming from!)
Helen and Erik met with the contestants one on one to listen to their stories and give advice. Everyone was worried about going home and going back to the habits that made them obese in the first place. Erik mentioned that you have to keep your focus, because you really don't want to have to lose it twice like he has to do. Helen also mentioned that when she first got home, she exercised to an extreme, which also was not healthy. She told everyone that they have to find that balance in their lives. Michael decided he wanted to speak with Helen and Erik at the same time, venting his frustrations with having lost so much weight but still being so heavy. They advised him not to get caught up in that feeling and just keep doing what he's doing.
When Bob and Jillian met with the 5, they could literally feel how thick the tension was in the gym. Then they found out about the red line, and they understood why. Micahel went through his own personal meltdown during his workout with Bob, still feeling that frustration that he spoke about. Bob helped him through it, telling him he needs to be proud of how far he's come and move ahead. Michael learned how to work his pain out in the gym, and he felt much better afterward. When everyone met with Dr. H, they were really impressed with the improvement in their numbers. Their "real age" numbers dropped dramatically. You could see the look of determination on Ashley's face...I love how she sees herself as the Pink Ninja!
One thing I love every season is the challenge where the players have to carry something equivalent to all of the weight they've lost. It's an excellent reminder of just how far they've come. At the top of each hill, they threw off a package that contained the amounts of weight they lost each week, until they came to the highest and final hill. Then they got to toss the backpack with their before pictures off the hill, watching them disappear forever. It was also pretty cool to watch them hike with Tony Romo and try to beat him. Tony told them just how much they inspire the nation, and how proud he is of them.
Before the weigh-in, each player got to sit with either Jillan or Bob and watch a film of their moments since the beginning of their journey. Many tears were shed, especially as they watched themselves at their starting weights tell the new them how proud they are of them, and to never go back to the old person they were. Everyone was so happy with how far they had come, and it made things a little easier for Sunshine when she went below the red line. Of course she wanted to make the finals, but she is so proud of herself and ready to live her new life.
I have to brag a little here...about a month ago I made my pick for the Final 4, and I picked them all correctly. :o) Congratulations to Ashley, Daris, Koli, and Michael...I can't wait to see what's next!!!
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