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The Biggest Loser Season 7

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RealityFreakWill:
From people.com

Biggest Loser Recap: Blaine Leaves Dane Behind

Family was forefront on everyone’s minds this week, with father-son team Ron and Mike regrouping, Mandi pleading to win a visit from her husband and new dad Blaine begging the contestants to send him home while keeping cousin Dane on the show. And just when game play could have been a factor, the Ranchers proved they had indeed become a family when they gave Mesa, Ariz., college counselor Blaine Cotter, 27, his wish and sent him packing.

Pop to It: In a deceptively simple challenge, Ali Sweeney (in fur? Faux fur? In L.A.…really?) told the contestants to balance on a block on one foot with the last person aloft winning a 24-hour visitation from a loved one. By the time there were four people remaining, Mandi begged Filipe, and then Blaine, to step off their blocks. It worked. Jillian was skeptical, though, because Mandi’s husband Rusty had expressed doubts about her need to be on the show, and Jillian did not want Mandi’s efforts sabotaged by a visit.

More Carbs, Less Carping: Bob attributed the losing ways of his Brown Team to their diet and explained to them that as counterintuitive as it seemed, they had to eat more food to keep their metabolism in line with their increased exercise. In a visit to Subway, Bob told Ron he could stand to eat more carbs. Meanwhile, Jillian noticed that Laura was spouting weight-loss platitudes without much workout effort (shades of Joelle?). At one point, she called Green Team member Tara over to smack Laura in the face if her left hand dropped during a boxing exercise. Needless to say, Laura regained her form right quick.

Pruple Power, Family Hour: For immunity, Kristin and Cathy of Team Purple held a bar above an electric threshold for a whopping four hours and 40 minutes to beat the Green Team. Meanwhile, waiting in Mandi’s room was her husband Rusty and their two sons. The next day, Mandi made her family simulate her workouts. Rusty admitted, “Now I’m really proud of my wife.” At the last-chance workout, Bob worked Mike to the point of tears, saying, “Ron, your son’s growing up in this house, you know that?”

Weigh-in: It was a good thing Kristin and Cathy had immunity – when they weighed in, Kristin had gained 2 lbs., eluding her under-300 goal for another week. The Blue Team of Filipe and Sione, on the other hand, had an astounding showing, losing 10 and 11 lbs. respectively with Filipe going under 300 lbs. Mike rebounded for the Brown Team with a 13-lb. loss while his dad lost 5 lbs. But falling below the yellow line were cousins Blaine and Dane.

Blaine told everyone to send him home because he learned what he needed to and thought Dane needed to stay on the Ranch more; an emotional debate ensued as Bob’s charges contemplated sending Dane home instead. When Tara told Bob’s team not to engage in game play, Kristin shot back, “Then why did Joelle stay and Damien go home?” But in the end, the majority gave Blaine his wish.

marigold:

 :hearts: Coleen Skeabeck - Biggest Loser Recap Season 7 Episode 6


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V__93EaZJTE

marigold:
An interesting article an interview with Blaine:

Tipping the Scales with Biggest Loser Couples Big Man Blaine Cotter

This week's episode of The Biggest Loser Couples proved that if you ask, beg, and plead, sometimes it works out in your favor for all of the right reasons, especially when it comes to family. Since Arizona native Blaine Cotter was eager to be with his wife and newborn child, weight loss wasn't the first thing on his mind despite finding a new family at the Biggest Loser Ranch and putting up impressive numbers on the scale.

Although big-man contestant Cotter had some stiff competition in the begging department from his new TV family member Mandi, who was vying to win a visit from husband, it was Blaine who became the unlikely winner by getting sent home to be with his new extended family while his cousin Dane remained in the game.

The morning after this week's Biggest Loser Couples, we caught up with Blaine to find out how his time on The Biggest Loser left a lasting impact on his lifestyle, the logistics of the most recent immunity challenge, and how Jillian helped to change his way of thinking of both the physical and mental aspects of living life as a fit individual.

THE DEADBOLT: What happened to the huge numbers that you and Dane were putting up week after week? Did you guys just plateau or something?

BLAINE COTTER: That’s a good question. I wondered the same thing when I saw the numbers. You know, we kind of knew it was coming. I mean, we had put up such big numbers week after week. And we really had to, because we were huge threats and we knew that the second we were below the line they’d get rid of us. As well as the other reason, was definitely because every week we had to do it, because we were the ones that were both there. So two weeks prior, everybody else that was coming from home, they had a great motivation. That they had to have big numbers so that they brought their partner home.

The week after that we really pushed it really hard to make sure we had a big number because you had people that were coming from home and would have another week one, basically, of weight loss. It kind of put us at a disadvantage and we just tried to keep it up every week. But that week we did get sick a little bit and it just ended up being a bad week. We were hoping that maybe just one of us would have a bad week, but it ended up being both.

THE DEADBOLT: Adding to the plateau theme, some former contestants have told me that it’s actually harder for tall people to lose weight. Did you find that to be true?

BLAINE: I don’t know about that percentage wise. I mean, when you’re dealing with percentages that’s definitely the case. I mean, I’m 6'8, so I’m never going to be 200 pounds. That’s just not possible. I’d be thrilled if I got to 230. So definitely, percentage wise it’s tough. But at the beginning we had the percentage and I think it just ended up being a bad week.

THE DEADBOLT: From sitting on my couch, that immunity challenge didn’t look that hard. So what was going on with the bar above your head that put you out in less than two hours?

BLAINE: [laughs] It wasn’t that hard and the bar wasn’t really that heavy. It was pretty light. So I don’t know if people wondered that. I wish I could give that excuse, that it was all weighted differently or something. Really, for us, like I said last night, it was just a matter of concentration. I mean, that’s what that was. It wasn’t who could run the fastest, who was the strongest - It comes down to determination and concentration and, you know, my ADD kicked in and really it was a matter of we were holding it up. And yeah, it hurt.

But so did everybody else. And we actually kind of just - looking away - it touched. And we were like, "Did it just touch?" And then the light comes on and we were like, "Oh, okay. I guess it did touch." But it was pretty funny that all three of the guy teams were out and it was just all of the girls. It was kind of funny. That shows what kind of challenge - not necessarily that the girls can’t do as good as the guys - but it definitely came down to concentration and motivation and determination. And, man! Some of those girls there, they’ll beat me in a determination race any day.

THE DEADBOLT: So it wasn’t about strength? Okay.

BLAINE: No. It definitely wasn’t, because once you held it up you had to - I mean, it was kind of like the jumping challenge that way. Yeah, it takes endurance and strength and that’s going to help you. But ultimately what’s going to get you to the very end is just pure grit, determination, and concentration.

THE DEADBOLT: Aside from the birth of your child, what was the most challenging part of the whole process?

BLAINE: You know, besides the whole family thing - that was definitely the hardest part - I had a few physical aliments while I was there. Nothing that ever stopped me and was that big of a deal, but I have a torn meniscus in my knee and to this day it’s still there. I’ll get surgery after the show. That was painful and they didn’t really show it.

But a day before the challenge of going up and over the cylinder, I was jumping up on a box and got 15 stitches in my leg. So, anyway, being sick every once in awhile, it couldn’t slow you down. But it taught me a valuable lesson that those types of things can’t, you know? I mean, that’s what happened to me. I’d be, "Okay, I’m going to go to the gym." I’d get sick two weeks later and never make it back for four months. So that definitely teaches you to keep going.

THE DEADBOLT: What did you think of Jillian’s style of training? Was it better for you than Bob’s style?

BLAINE: Well, I really don’t know Bob’s. You kind of see what he does and the way he is. I mean, they’re both - Obviously they’re the best trainers in the world if you ask me. But Jillian, I was so glad. I never wanted Jillian. I told Dane, "Dude, we want Bob." All I’ve heard is how horrible and how mean Jillian is. That couldn’t have been more wrong. I’m so glad that I got to be with Jillian and I needed that. I mean, she definitely works both, just not your physical workout.

It’s a mental workout every time you’re with her and she teaches you stuff about yourself. It’s interesting working out and being in pain and pushing yourself to the limit, being away from your family, being in a situation like that, how much that just puts a microscope to your entire life. And I’m so grateful for the lessons I’ve learned from her. From what she taught me, she probably affected me more mentally than she did my physical. More mentally than anything else.

Link to the article: http://www.thedeadbolt.com/news/105474/biggestcoupleblaine_interview.php

marigold:
An interview with Blaine:

Biggest Loser’s Blaine: The Pink Team Aren’t Bad People

Unable to post big weight-loss numbers as they had in previous weeks, the Black Team’s cousin tandem of Blaine Cotter and Dane Patterson from Mesa, Ariz., faced elimination with an emotional plea: Cotter, 27, begged his fellow Ranchers to keep his cousin Patterson, 27, so he could go home to his wife and four children. In a show of heart, the other contestants put aside game play and granted him his wish. Back home, Cotter, who is busy with work, family and training for an Ironman triathlon in May, spoke to reporters about his change of heart about Jillian and his on-going weight challenges.

At voting time, were you surprised to hear the Pink team say they didn’t think you would be able to lose the weight at home?
No, to be honest I think they were justifying why they were voting for Dane. I don’t disrespect them or think the Pink Team are bad people for voting for Dane because it is a game. It isn’t smart to keep Dane and lose me; I’m not a threat of winning anything. I have one of the smallest percentages of weight loss that I can achieve in the house.

Why did Tara seem the most affected by you leaving the Ranch?
Me and Dane and Mandi and Tara got very close while the other partners were at home. The four of us pushed each other a lot. I don’t know if you can call it an alliance, but it was a strong friendship.

How did Joelle’s departure change the atmosphere on the Ranch this week?
I think we were all kind of happy it wasn’t the Joelle Show anymore. Our whole team started to second guess our decision not to let Joelle go the first time. Joelle being there by herself was not as bad as Joelle and Carla being there together. They did not get along, and that’s uncomfortable to be living with people who are really upset with each other.

Did you feel Jillian’s training style worked better for you than Bob’s?
Obviously they are both the best trainers in the world. But I never wanted Jillian. All I had heard was how mean Jillian was. That couldn’t have been more wrong. I’m so glad I got to be with Jillian. It’s not just a physical workout, but also a mental workout every time you are with her. I’m so grateful for the lessons I learned from Jillian.

What is the biggest challenge for you at home?
Food and nutrition are the hardest things. On the Ranch you learn how to work out and I know how to exercise and how to push myself further and harder now than I ever have before. But nutrition-wise, you definitely cook your own food. You learn how to do it there, but you have a refrigerator stocked with good food. Whereas [at home], you have the bad choices and you also have the budget thing.

Link: http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/02/13/biggest-losers-blaine-the-pink-team-arent-bad-people/

marigold:
An interview with Blaine:

Exclusive Interview with Blaine of 'The Biggest Loser: Couples'

Last week, the nation was shocked to see one of the strongest teams on The Biggest Loser fall below the yellow line. After weeks and weeks of shedding double-digit pounds, the Black Team hit their plateau and wound up in last place. The teams were then told they'd have to vote of one of the two members of the Black Team; either Dane or Blaine.

Due to his requests, the cast eliminated Blaine from The Biggest Loser ranch. His wife had just had a baby and he wanted to be home with his family. I was able to chat with Blaine about his Biggest Loser experiences and his life after the ranch. He gives us the low-down on the much-debated Joelle/Damian elimination and his hopes for the outcome of the show.

What were your original reasons for joining The Biggest Loser?

Well, besides being 365 pounds, most of the reasons were just that I was pretty unhealthy. More than looks for me, it was definitely about how I felt.

How many pills are you down to now? You started with what? Seven?

I started with eight. I went on the show with eight and I'm on zero now. I don't take anything.

Really?

Yeah

When did you stop taking them completely?

Before I left the ranch I was on one. Or I should say that when I left the ranch, I was on one. Since then, I've stopped taking that one.

How much do you think it helped you to have Dane there the whole time?

You know, as I said on the show, having Dane there was huge. Me and Dane get along really really well. We were friends before, pretty close, obviously cousins, but really we became best friends on the show. Being there with him and motivating each other - that's what made you happy, just hanging out with Dane.  We had a good time.

Do you think he'll struggle without you on the ranch?

Dane pushes himself really hard. I think that I would struggle more without him than he would without me just because he's so motivated and he really knows how to push himself really hard. But at the same time, it'll be hard. When I left for a couple days when I had the baby, I got back and everybody's like, “Dane really missed you.” And I said, “Good. I'm glad he needs me to.” But he'll do just fine without me.

You said it yourself, you really only had about 50 pounds to go after you left the ranch, so maybe he had more of a reason to stay there?

I mean, definitely. That's the way we felt. And I probably had more reason to go home. Definitely with my wife just having a baby. That was a sacrifice for my wife more than for me. If it was going to be one of us, I really had more reasons to go home and he had more reasons to stay.

That must have been incredibly difficult for you to experience the birth of your child and then to have to go back to the ranch right away. Was it hard to get back into the mindset?

You know, not really. I was really afraid of getting back and having it be hard to not be home and that that would kind of slow me down. I think it just motivated me more to learn that's why I needed to be there. That's why I was there. I've said, I went to the ranch with four reasons (my three kids and my wife) to do this and I went back to the ranch after my baby was born with five reasons.

How much has your daily routine changed since The Biggest Loser?

It's a lot different now than it was before I went to the ranch. I probably exercise as much as I ate before. Instead of eating, I exercise now. That's the change. You know, I exercise more than I think a normal person probably needs to or should right now because of the show and the finale. Mainly, I want to get to the finale and not have any more to lose. I don't ever want to have to lose weight again. I just want to maintain. That's a goal that I have a good timeline to complete.

Has everyone at home been supportive? I know it must be difficult to go back home and have a job and you have, obviously, a lot less free time back at home than you did at the ranch.

Yeah, I mean losing weight at home and then losing weight on the ranch is just absolutely, completely two different things. It's easy to lose weight on the ranch. It's easy. Here, it's difficult, especially because I have a normal job. I work 8 to 5 every single day. I sit at my desk all day. There are different changes you make so that it becomes more possible. It's working out but it's a lot more difficult at home.

You obviously spent a lot of time with everyone at the ranch. Besides Dane, who were you closest to in the house?

Definitely Mandi and Tara. I think you could probably see that on the episode. It was emotional to leave those two. The four of us got close when all the partners went home. Dan went home and Jerry went home and it was just the four of us with Jillian. We got really close. That's definitely who I'll miss the most.

There definitely was a similar competitive spirit between you and Tara. I would say the two of you seemed most competitive on Jillian's side at least.

Definitely. We both are very competitive. It bugged me every single time she'd ever, you know...especially that second challenge where she beat me up the mountain. I always wanted a rematch. I never really got a chance to. It was always a healthy competitiveness between us. It was funny, me and Dane, we met Tara and Laura just for a second. They keep you pretty separated before you start the show. We met them actually just to go to the grocery store once and we're like, “If they make it, they're going to be game players. We better keep them on our team.” It ended up that our impression of them was completely different from who they really were. That's why we had picked them to be on our team. We figured that we should keep our enemies close. But, you know what? They were nothing but friends.

How hard is it, because not a lot of people talk about this, but to balance the competitive side of the game, especially with eliminations and things like that, as compared to the moral side, which I guess came through in your elimination when everyone sent you home because it was really the right thing to do?

It's a game and you have to play it. You want to stay as long as you can because that gives you the most advantages. There is a balance. Definitely, I would say the show makes it looks like… I'm sure the gameplay, even last season it was talked about a lot with Nicky and Hubba and all the gameplay. For instance, this season, with us sending Damian home, that's when the game play started. We definitely made some enemies sending Damian home. Really, the choice on TV, watching the show seemed much clearer that we should have sent Joelle home but, you know, actually being there in the moment and in the situation. You know, Damian wasn't that big of a threat.

The biggest threat if you look at the four players who could be a big threat, it was definitely Carla, being the biggest woman ever on the show, we should have eliminated them if we were going to play the game, but really the choice to send Damian home was a choice that, you know what, he had Nicole at home, we knew that Nicole, from that one week being there, there was no way that they weren't going to do it at home and we felt sorry for Joelle.  We thought that she...we didn't want to make it about popularity rather than about compassion, so that's why we made that vote. So, things like that are definitely - it's more interesting, it makes for controversy, it was shown the other way...that's fun.  You know what you're getting into when you get into this show.  There's a balance there.  At the same time, everybody, it's a game. You're forced into that situation.  And you're forced to play or you have to go home.   But, you're right - there's a balance there.

And not only that, but it helps to have someone else, it really seems like in order to have success, you have to have someone else there, someone supportive.  It feels like Joelle probably had the least amount of support.  How important is the support of the other people around you?

It's big.  The support of everyone is really important.  That's a good lesson for people at home trying to lose weight as well.  Having good support is critical.  The problem, and I felt sorry for Joelle, she doesn't have that at home.  She didn't have that on the ranch and she didn't even have that with a good partner.  Carla's influence was definitely destructive rather than uplifting.  And i felt sorry for Joelle that way too. You're right, a lot of it was self-inflicted, but that's sometimes what we do.  We all have problems.  Everybody there has issues if you're that obese.  There's issues there, whether you want to admit it to yourself or not.  But, some are more visual or more more apparent.  Joelle's was by far the most flamboyant of anyone else's there and that caused her some hardship, but I guess that's life.

What was the biggest thing that you took away from the ranch, the biggest lesson that you learned?

Biggest thing was a mental change that took place. I learned a lot about myself.  Jillian is excellent at doing that, at not just physically training you, but mentally training you.  And we had some good conversations about why I was in that situation and why I wasn't healthy.  All between the ears is really the biggest change that took place.  I have no doubt that I will lose the weight.  It will never come back, and it was because ...not because of the physical change that has taken place inside, but my mental change.  I'm a much better person for knowing one Jillian Michaels for sure.

And just to sort of wrap up.  Who do you think will win, and who do you want to win?

I think Dane will win for sure (laughs).  I hope Dane obviously wins.  Of course, he's my partner.  Definitely Mandy or Tara besides him.  Everybody goes "You're not really in teams and things get split up, you go to to individuals, you're not black and blue at the beginning, you're couples."  You work out with people seven hours a day, twelve days a week you are working out with these people.  You're seeing the toil, struggle, being in pain.  You don't always get to see the other team.  You're definitely close to your team and from day one, you protect each other and so that is obviously anybody from Jillian's team I would like to see go on and finish.  But, you know what, I was never there for the money.  Still, I'm not even going for the hundred thousand, the percentage I had to lose, being 6'8", it was just never going to happen to me compared to everybody else.  It's not why I was there, and that's not why really...I will say that about every single person there.  Nobody was there for the money.  They made sure of that this season.  Everybody was there for the right reasons and anybody, any one of us, deserves...if we change our life that much and do that well, deserves the money.

Awesome.  Hey, Blaine I'm really forward to seeing you looking like a stud on the final and wish you the best of luck.

Hey I appreciate it.

Link: http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-biggest-loser/the-biggest-loser-blaine-inter-26371.aspx

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