The Biggest Loser: Second Chances Episode 1

It’s an all new season of the Biggest Loser, and this season the contestants are seeking second chances. For the first time in Biggest Loser history, the trainers have been given the task of selecting the 15 contestants based on their casting interviews. A part of me doubts just how much of a hand they had in this process, but I do feel like they at least made a few key decisions. Regardless, this served as a great way of introducing the contestants to the viewers.

·         

            Chelsea
·         David
·         Fernanda
·         Holley
·         Matt
·         Craig
·         Tanya
·         Bobby
·         Hap
·         Jennifer
·         Marie
·         Rachel
·         Ruben
·         Tumi

We are briefly introduced to David, Ruben, and Rachel. David has led a very difficult life in recent years. After being married for just six months, he woke up in the middle of the night finding his wife Andrea seizing. Shortly after this, Andrea was diagnosed with brain cancer. Sadly, Andrea passed away from the disease. As David watched her take her last breath, he promised her that he would care for their daughters. He is seeking a second chance, so he can do just that. Ruben is best known as the winner of season 2 of American Idol. A lot has changed since Ruben won the title of American Idol, and not all of the change has been for the better. Ruben is ready to “reinvent” himself and be capable of performing for the rest of his life. Rachel was once a national level swimmer, who gave up scholarships, sponsorship's, and a “bright future” for the boy she loved. Unhappy with her current condition, Rachel is ready to take back control of her life and become the woman she wants to be.

Following this brief introductory package, the contestants make their way through the gates of the ranch, each excited and ready for a second chance at life. They are greeted by Alison and the three trainers. Cue Tanya fanning herself of Dolvett. Tanya has to be one of my favorite contestants this season, she is full of heart as well as some serious spunk. “Of course I saw Dolvett first because he had red on…and he’s hot!” this the moment where my love for Tanya’s blunt approach to life was solidified. She’s adorable!  As the contestants get settled before the Alison and the trainers, Alison drops a bombshell on them. This season, the trainers will be selecting the members of their teams based on observations made at the first workout…which was to begin immediately.

As the contestants make their way into the gym, Jillian says that “The plan is to feel out these 15 contestants and see who works best with who. How somebody does in the gym on day one is the true test”.  This statement couldn't be truer! Many past winners have proven themselves to be forces in the first workout. As expected, the majority of the contestants are struggling with this workout. If someone wasn't puking, they were falling over. And if they weren't doing either of those things, they were crying. The first workout is an emotional experience for these contestants, they’re being pushed to their limits in ways many of them have never experienced. As Dolvett observed the contestants, he lets us know that Rachel will be the one to watch this season. I don’t necessarily agree with this, but I do think that her emotional journey will be much bigger than her physical one. Ultimately, the first workout proves to be a challenge for David who leaves the gym. As Jillian chases him down to talk, he is unresponsive, prompting Jill to tell him to stop being a victim (which I agree with wholeheartedly) and to then send him back to the house. David looks within himself and realizes that he is exactly where he needs to be.

Following the work out, the trainers are ready to select their teams.

Blue Team: Bob

-          Holley

-          Hap

-          Chelsea

-          Matt

-          Bobby

Red Team: Dolvett

-          Ruben

-          Jennifer

-          Tanya

-          Rachel

-          David

White Team: Jillian

-          Tumi

-          Fernanda

-          Marie

-          Jay

-          Craig 

     

Now that the teams have been formed, the first team workout beings. On the red team, David is determined to prove something to himself and to Dolvett. He says that he is more than his sad story, something that I was excited to hear him say. I like David a lot, and I’m glad to see him digging deep in this first episode. I think he has a lot of potential for success, but he is going to have to do some self-reflection to make the most of his time on the ranch. On the white team, Jillian talks to her team about finding their why. If they find their why, the can easily find their how. This is a great motivator that can be applied to many areas of life. When it comes to weight loss, discovering the why is a very personal thing. But once you discover what motivates you, acting on it; finding your how, becomes that much easier. Jillian also reveals that she this may be the best team she has worked with. I noticed after Jill made this comment, that she appeared to be a little less dominate among her team members. Dare I say she was taking it easy on them? Of course an easy day in a Jillian workout is still pretty hard. I just felt as if there was less fire in her coaching.

Following the workout, the weigh-in begins. Alison immediately starts things of with another bombshell, when she reveals that this season each trainer will be given a save. They may each save one contestant from their team at any time during the season. The blue team weighed in first.

-          Holley – 16 lbs lost

-          Hap – 17 lbs lost

-          Chelsea – 12 lbs lost

-          Matt – 23 lbs lost

-          Bobby – 20 lbs lost

-          Blue Team – 88lbs 5.15% loss

-          Ruben – 21lbs lost

-          Jennifer – 11lbs lost

-          Tanya – 16lbs lost

-          Rachel – 21lbs lost

-          David – 38lbs  lost

-          Red Team – 107lbs 6.45% loss

-          Tumi – 14lbs lost

-          Feranda – 12lbs lost

-          Marie – 9lbs lost

-          Jay – 23lbs lost

-          Craig – 13lbs lost

With the white team losing the most weight this week, Craig fell below the red line. With Craig being eliminated, Jillian decided the number wasn't a reflection of how hard he had worked and used her save. This means that no one was eliminated in week one! I do have to say that I think Jillian used the save because she felt responsible. As I said previously, I don’t think that she pushed her team to the limit. I’ll be curious to see how hard she works them in week two.

In addition to tonight’s recap, we also have the AustHan Biggest Loser Draft. For this draft, we will also have a weekly winner based on team weight loss. The winning team for week one is  Team Hannah with a total loss of 130 lbs compared to Team Austin’s 113 lb loss.  

Team Totals After Weigh-In Number One:

Team Hannah: 2124lbs

Team Austin: 2204lbs

What are your thoughts on the premiere episode of The Biggest Loser: Second Chances? Sound off in the comments below! Or let me know on Twitter @AustinBarns or @AustHansWorld.