Tim Gunn makes it work for PSAs

Tim Gunn PSA - It Gets Better @ Yahoo! Video

Suicide is no joke, and teens feeling lost and hopeless need to feel they have a place to go and somewhere to turn.  With all the recent gay bashing going on, it is nice that someone as cool as Tim Gunn can open up about his own issues and reach out.  That is truly paying it forward.

The Biggest Loser- season 10- week 3- The Real World: Ranch!

COME ON.  They have taken away the happy theme song.  They have replaced it with screams of pain and a pulse.  Then there is a recap of last week's episode underscored with Terminator 2 music.  Then there are shaky hand held camera interviews of the contestants saying things like "Everything has become more real."  Then there is a tearful group meeting filled with arguments and the threats of sending someone home.

I keep expecting them to have a house vote and then kick Puck out because they don't feel safe in the house with him.  I miss the happy Biggest Loser!  The inspirational reality program I have come to know and love!  This season feels a lot colder and harder.  I am just saying- I wouldn't be at all surprised if next season there was a Biggest Loser all seasons challenge called The Gauntlet.

The big drama this week is between Tina Grandma Glasses and Lisa.  After Allie's elimination, Tina says she wants to go home because she forgot she had planned a vacation with her family but got on The Biggest Loser instead, and Lisa wants to leave to go take care of Allie.  Of course everyone accuses them of being selfish and pathetic.  Bob walks in to take them all to the gym and has to play babysitter and judge to a bunch of cry babies.  "All it takes is one elimination," he says.

TO THE GYM!  Since Jillian is gone (filming Losing It, I presume), Bob leads the Losers through a major circuit workout through 15 stations.  "It was organized mayhem," says Rick.  Bob is weeding out all the other Tina's in an effort to see who really wants to be here.  In the Cross Hairs:  Southern Gentleman Patrick, Fog horn Frado, and Funny Man Jesse.  I don't see why he got called funny man.  I would have named him Big Fat Baby for being so sassy to Bob until he ground him into the dirt.

After the workout, Bob hangs out with Tina in an effort to figure out why she wants to leave, and manages to convince her she needs to be a little selfish.  Especially since she got on the show and her daughter (who's idea this was) did not get on the show.  "I won't give up.  I promise," Tina says.

Giving Bob a much needed break, Jillian returns to get the girls in a "warrior head space" because they are "all a little too koombaya".  Makes you miss old school female game players like Tracy and Melissa, doesn't it?

Time for a challenge!  Ali meets the contestants at a tennis center where they are joined by tennis hottie Anna Kournikova to run some skills and drills.  Brendan earns the nick name of "The Stalker" because he stands just a little too close to the star and holds on just a little too long.  "She smells good, too."  Creepy.




And no surprise to anyone, it is a POP CHALLENGE!  The Losers must collect tennis balls and put them in tubes.  Whoever has the most balls in their tube is eliminated.  The boys quickly gang up on the girls, eliminated all of them first (except that Jessica Rabbit), leaving only Frado, Brendan, and Patrick left to duke it out.  Adam perks up his ears, wondering could they possibly be an alliance?  Hmmm?  Frado wins immunity, and Ali announces that there is another weigh in tomorrow night. Surprise!

Adam should win an award, because as soon as they are all home from the tennis center, we see Brendan, Patrick, and Frado meeting together to form an alliance.  Such a dirty word.  "We can't let anyone find out!" says Brendan.  They then change into their boy band names:  Intensity (Frado), Endurance (Brendan), and Fire (Patrick).  Frado also states, "I don't want to be a game player. . .but. . .it is what it is."  Uh oh.




THE WEIGH IN!  Will it be the second week curse? 

Frado:  From 340 lbs to 337 lbs- 3 lbs lost
He is immune, which accounts for the low number.  Jillian says that "Frado doesn't strike me as a game player" but after the rest of the weigh in it is evident that something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Adam:  From 368 lbs to 356 lbs- 12 lbs lost- 3.26% BW

Patrick:  From 378 lbs to 366 lbs- 12 lbs lost- 3.17% BW

Jesse:  From 339 lbs to 329 lbs- 10 lbs lost- 2.95% BW

Mark:  From 380 lbs to 369 lbs- 11 lbs lost- 2.89% BW

Jessica:  From 268 lbs to 261 lbs- 7 lbs lost- 2.61% BW

Rick:  From 314 lbs to 306 lbs- 8 lbs lost- 2.55% BW

Ada:  From 240 lbs to 234 lbs- 6 lbs lost- 2.50% BW

YELLOW LINE

Sophia:  From 258 lbs to 252 lbs- 6 lbs lost- 2.33% BW

Lisa:  From 272 lbs to 267 lbs- 5 lbs lost- 1.84% BW

Tina:  From 247 lbs to 243 lbs- 4 lbs lost- 1.62% BW

Aaron:  From 438 lbs to 431 lbs- 7 lbs lost- 1.60% BW

Brendan:  From 331 lbs to 326 lbs- 5 lbs lost- 1.51% BW

Elizabeth:  From 232 lbs to 229 lbs- 3 lbs lost- 1.29% BW

Burgandy:  From 219 lbs to 218 lbs- 1 lb lost- .46% BW

Angel Adam wins the weigh in and gets to choose one player to save from the elimination challenge.  Invisible Ada and Jessica Rabbit are the only two women above the yellow line, and Blind Side Aaron and Stalker Brandon are the only two guys below the yellow line.  Better odds this week.

At the gym for the not last chance workout, Jillian schools the guys and proves she is "still the man around here", and Bob talks to Lisa about being more selfish and to stop selling herself short.

Then it is time for the second elimination challenge!  Adam reveals he will save Aaron, and Brendan has a sour grapes moment.  Then Ali tells the players about the challenge:  Dig though huge piles of sand for a brass ring.  It is truly a Wild Kingdom moment, watching the players claw and kick desperately through the sand for their very salvation.  Sophia even grabs a ring right out of Brendan's hands- COLD!  But the final two happen to be Tina Grandma Glasses and Loser Lisa:  The very two who started this whole episode.

It is no surprise that Tina is the eliminated player, and she goes home to Pay It Forward to  her daughter who didn't get on the show.  Tina has gone from 263 pounds to 205 pounds, and she hopes that she and her daughter will be able to lose a combined 200 pounds by the finale.

Next week:  Two lines to rule them all, and a double elimination.  Knives out!

5 Questions with Phillip from VH1's Money Hungry

In celebration of the finale of Money Hungry, I reached out to one of my fave contestants, Phillip from Team Flabulous, for an awesome 5 Question interview.  Phillip was the funny, game playing, scheming, microphone wielding contestant who ruled with a fierce iron fist and could "pop n' lock like a Pussy Cat Doll".

Read on!

FF: We know that you ran the house. How important was playing the game and how many hours a day did you spend scheming?

PL: Playing the game was very important. Just as much as working out. I might of spent an hour or two a day scheming in between my three hours of working out. I did workout on the contrary of what others may have believed! I knew I could be in the bottom at any given challenge so I knew it was two things I always had to do: Workout in the gym and workout in the house scheming and controlling the vote. It is exactly what I did until I left the Money Hungry house.

FF: The Money Hungry mansion is on fire. Who do you save: Dan, Richard, or that giant stuffed hamburger?

PL: At first I want to save the stuffed hamburger but then I remember how heavy it is and that would be too much like working out. I then think to save Richard but he would then make the escape from the house a full hour-long workout so I leave him too. I then save Dan! He can crack me up and tell me all the stories of people ragging on him for changing the pronunciation of his last name. Classic.

FF: Where did that microphone come from and why did you bring it?

PL: I bought it from the dollar section at Target. It was actually something that Stephanie and I bought to entertain ourselves while we were being sequestered before filming of the show started. Who would of thought that it would become such a special part of my Money Hungry Journey! You can check out the microphones very first appearance on YouTube called Phillip Gone Bad. That is when our love affair began.



FF: Your partner, Stephanie, is a beautiful girl. Would you ever want her to date (Money Hungry contestant)Josh?

PL: Hell No! She is amazing inside and out and she deserves someone who loves her just the way she is! Josh is not that guy! #POW

FF: Who's going to win and who SHOULD win this damn thing?

PL: Well I thought Regulators had it in the bag but as you see from the finale last night Mission Slimpossible took it all! All three teams in the finale worked very hard over the whole competition and deserved to be there. Well that is because I allowed them to be! Just kidding. Mark and Joe worked hard and as much I hated their mafia boss mentality on the show, they won fair and square. I just want to say congrats to everyone on Money Hungry for taking a stance to change their lives! I will never forget any of them.

And we will never forget you, Phillip.  Here is a picture of Phillip before and Phillip now as the DIVA he is.  I will always have him in my heart as a reality show sooper star!!!

Money Hungry- THE FINALE!!!- "This is for all the marbles."

After 10 "weeks" of fierce competition, we have made it to the season finale of Money Hungry.  It is between Mission Slimpossible, Grading Curves, and The Regulators to take home the $100,000 grand prize. 

So how are they gonna get there?

Every group is tired and exhausted.  Mark from Slimpossible is seeing spots, Po and David feel like they have been through "three college football games in a row", and Grading Curves is hoping to use their pain for their own gain.  It is time for the final challenge!

"House Blend" star Dan Cortese greets the contestants and promises the final challenge will be the toughest one yet.  The contestants must ride big tricycles, pick up big puzzle pieces, put the puzzle together, take the number that is on the puzzle, run one mile down the road, open a box with the number combination, take out the contents of the box, and then run back the mile across the finish line.  The winner will become the Big Heavies, win their $10,000 back, and secure their place in the final weigh in.  The losers will have to compete in a secondary weigh off  to see who will compete against the Big Heavies.  Sounds easy.

The teams start out strong, but it hits a rough patch when Tricia from Grading Curves hits a nasty curve with her bike.

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Doesn't she kinda sound like that lady who smashed her face while she was grape stomping?

Trust me, it hurts me more to watch it than you think.

Despite the injury, the other teams must continue the race.  And what is inside those locked containers?

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Mission Slimpossible takes the win, gets their $10,000, and readies themselves for the finale.  The Regulators head to the gym.  Missy works out alone and waits for Tricia to come back from the hospital.  What happened to Tricia?  "Prognosis:  I'm screwed."  She cracked the top of her tibia.  Ouch.  But being injured severely doesn't stop her from coaching Missy and trying to work out while she is in her wheelchair.

At the pre weigh in weigh off, does Curves muster enough to beat the mighty Regulators?

Grading Curves:  From 433 lbs to 429 lbs- 4 lbs lost- .93% BW

The Regulators:  From 718 lbs to 707 lbs- 11 lbs lost- 1.53% BW

So the final girls team says goodbye and hobbles away, but not before Mission Slimpossible gives them their check for $10,000.  Which was already made out to The Grading Curves.  What?  What makes me think that this was a producers decision?  Dan tells the final two teams they have seven days before their final weigh in, but Slimpossible will need to weigh in first.

Mission Slimpossible:  From 422 lbs to 427 lbs- 5 lbs gained- +1.18% BW  MORE GAME PLAY!

From day 1, Slimpossible has lost 15.94% and the Regulators have lost 16.82%.  It looks like the Regulators have a slight lead.  Will they be able to turn it out?

The teams go into fierce battle with each other, dragging their mattresses into the gym to sleep, running in fields and mountains, splitting logs, and chasing chickens.  You know, the usual.  It is then time for the ultimate weigh off.  Joe calls it "a combo of Super Bowl Sunday and New Year's Eve".  Joining them are their families and their even cuter children, who say adorbs things like, "Mom, stop crying.  It's live television!" (Mark Jr.).  The teams come out for the reveal, well dressed and clean shaven.  You can actually see some weight loss going on!

And now for the drum roll, please. . .

The Regulators:  From 850 lbs to 692 lbs- 158 lbs lost- 18.59% BW
Po lost 70 pounds and Dave lost 88 pounds.

Mission Slimpossible:  From 508 lbs to 406 lbs- 102 lbs lost- 20.07% BW
Joe lost 46 pounds and Mark lost 56 pounds.

Mission Slimpossible wins!  Maybe they took the money and gambled it, but I do know that they opened a new bar in Staten Island called The Fat Boys Lounge.  Any indicator they gained it all back?  Now I gotta meet their star bar tender, Chrissy Shakers!

Congrats to the teams for getting healthier, too.  And read on for my EXCLUSIVE 5 Questions with Flabulous Phillip!!!

Fashion Faux Pas: Beth Ditto is a punk rock pawn for Gaultier

This morning on Huffington Post there was an article about fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier using punk rock singer Beth Ditto as one of the models in his punk rock themed runway show.  Why is this news?  Because Ditto is an obese woman in a sea of skinny.  How shocking!  How amazing!  How brave!

How dumb.

Don't get me wrong.  I think the overweight and obese have just as much right to look cool and fashionable as the thin.  What bothered me was this comment by Ditto:

"It's really interesting to me that people will look at a thin person and go, 'That's a healthy person'. I want to go, 'Come open my refrigerator and look and then let's talk about what you think is so bad'. To be thin and to stay really thin, sometimes...some people literally do coke all the time. Some people smoke cigarettes instead of eating. That's crazy. But that's 'okay' because you look healthier."

I found this photo of Ditto on her Wikipedia page.  This isn't the body of someone who has healthy eating habits.  This is the body (however Rubenesque and lovely that it may be) of someone who has a weight problem.

I am not saying you MUST be thin.  I have written about the "skinny fat" issue and know from my own struggles with my waist that my pant size has not a lot to do with my amazing resting heart rate (60 bpm!) or my rockin' blood pressure (112/80- suggested optimal!).  I waffle between a size 8 and 10 and my current weight is in the 160's.  I also workout almost everyday and watch what I eat.  What I am saying is it is irresponsible for obese women to say that their body type is the normal type and that being overweight is just fine. 

Love yourself.  Love your mind and your heart and your soul.  But don't fool yourself that loving yourself means being blind to heart attacks, diabetes, joint and muscle pain, skeletal strain, a higher insurance rate, higher airline tickets, more expensive gas.  That isn't love.  That is delusion.

Also, don't you think that Gaultier chose Ditto so we would click on her photos and MAYBE also look at the other thin models and his clothes?  What a way to get the word out.  Nice PR.

Sunday Funday!

Boo.

Casual Friday

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

Happy first day of October!  Somehow I found a comic strip that not only promotes the benefits of exercise as it pertains to escaping a killer, but there is a Halloween appropriate chainsaw.  Score one for me, world! HA HA HA HA HA HA! (Did I mention it is STILL raining?)

Apartment Fitness: The Bollywood Dance Workout with Hemalayaa

Bollywood is India's version of Hollywood:  Big movie musical films with lots of dancing and lavish costumes.  If you watch So You Think You Can Dance or America's Got Talent Bollywood dance is becoming more and more popular.  You can catch that Slumdog Millionaire fever at home with The Bollywood Dance Workout featuring the very sensuous Hemalayaa.

This 50 minute video takes you through some of the basics of Bhangra style dance:  Some hands and arms, a little head movement, some foot work, a little abs.  It is like an Indian buffet of Bhangra!  Not any one area is really focused on for very long, so you can't get bored.  Hemalayaa's voice over cuing is light and easy, reminding you to have fun, smile at yourself, and if you can't pick up the steps right away it's no big deal.




I liked this DVD a lot.  For a free and easy workout day without a lot of pressure, it fits in nicely to my exercise video library.  I did have a light sweat but nothing too major.  The workout is done barefoot, but if that bothers you, shoes wouldn't get in the way.  I would recommend having a mat or pillow nearby if being on your knees during the "Ground Play" section bothers you, and on the deep knee plies going to your own level of comfort.  I have knee issues and don't like popping in and out of grand plie- demi plie works just as well!

Thank you to Acacia Fitness for letting me win this video via Twitter!  What a great prize!

Equipment: none (but a mat may be a good idea)

Fitness level: beginner to advanced; may not be appropriate for those with knee issues

Fun level:  On a funness scale of 1-10 (10 being the most fun EVER), I give this a 6!

Money Hungry- episode 9- "Once it's ours we'll have fun touching it."

I couldn't help but notice that Money Hungry is categorized as "reality/health" on my TV's channel menu.  One out of two is not bad.

We are down to the final four!  Mission Slimpossible, The Regulators, Slenderellas, and Grading Curves are in the running for the final $100,000 prize.  What are they going to do with all that money?  Slimpossible says they are going to take it to Vegas and gamble.  The Regulators will use it to get out of debt.  Everyone is mad at Slimpossible for being so cocky-- but they are professional gamblers.  I mean, c'mon.

It is time for this week's challenge!  "Rock me, baby" star Dan Cortese meets the contestants on a bridge covered with cars.  Name of the challenge:  Spare Tire.  The contestants must run through a maze of cars, in them and around them, to get to a stack of spare tires.  They must grab the tires and run back through the maze and put the tires in the trunk of a van.  Whichever team gets all their tires and the trunk door shut first wins and gets to be the Big Heavies and gets a guaranteed spot in the finals.  Engines ready?

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Grading Curves win and Tricia gets a goose egg on her noggin from over excited partner Missy and a trunk door.  Mission Slimpossible cries and wails, asking for a photo finish.  Curves still takes the win.  The Regulators are the last team to finish and now must worry about who will be voted in with them in the bottom.  Will it be Slimpossible or the Slenderellas?

There is a lot of drama on whom should vote for whom.  The Slenderellas try to convince Grading Curves that they should vote out one of the guy teams so a big competitor is eliminated and a female team has a better chance at the win.  Curves don't trust the Slenderellas, and go to Mission Slimpossible to tell them that maybe they should vote themselves in.  The Regulators want to vote for the Slenderellas because they can beat them and Mission Slimpossible has been playing the water gain game.

All that worry translates to more time in the gym and more camera time for Trainer Richard and his molded plastic abs.  It's like 300 under that shirt, people.

After a creepy bubble bath between Joe, Jackie, and Kaitlin, it is time for the house vote and the weigh in.  Who is going against The Regulators and who will be in the finals with Grading Curves?

Grading Curves:  From 436 lbs to 433 lbs- 3 lbs lost- .69% BW

Regulators:  From 735 lbs to 718 lbs- 17 lbs lost- 2.31% BW  Now there is some concern. . .

Mission Slimpossible:  From 443 lbs (but water gain so really) 438 lbs to 422 lbs- 16 lbs lost- 3.65% BW  If they were voted in then it is curtains for The Regulators!  Dan reveals they were not voted in, which means they didn't vote for themselves.  "We'll never vote for ourselves!"  Grading Curves is pissed.

Slenderellas:  From 549 lbs to 540 lbs- 9 lbs lost- 1.64% BW  Their numbers are not great enough to beat the mighty mighty Regulators, and they are sent home.  Kaitlin did take away something great from the program, and realizes "it's time to live!"  I sure hope she sticks with the program because she seems like a great, funny girl.

Next episode is the big finale and the winner will be crowned the hungriest.  It looks like it will be BRUTAL!

The Biggest Loser- season 10- week 2- TWIST!

First of all, I want to apologize for the fact that I have no pictures in my blogs today.  Blogger makes me angry.  *deep breath*  Secondly, I want to apologize for NBC for getting rid of The Biggest Loser theme song and replacing it with something more serious.  Like heart beats and Jillian yelling.

It is the first day on the ranch for the newly chosen Losers, and no sooner have they put on their shiny new shirts and stood in a double rainbow formation, Ali lays some wisdom on them:  They are not alone.

TWIST #1:  Bob and Jillian got to chose one contestant each from the eliminated contestants last week.  I had my fingers crossed for dread locks, but no.  Jillian chose Elizabeth (the girl who passed out after doing step ups) and Bob chose Aaron (the guy who had the cutest little boy ever).

TWIST #2:  Ali announces that although they are wearing matching shirts, they will be competeing individually.  WHAT?  I am loving this season more and more.

Armed with new knowledge the contestants cheerfully stampede to the sounds of cattle drive music to the gym.  Eagerly awaiting them is Bob, Jillian, and a 7 inch incline on the treadmill.  Don't hold on, it's going to be a bumpy ride.  Bob gets totally Debbie Allen in the beginning of Fame on these guys.



"They're still smiling!" Jillian says.  Five puke shots, passing out, our first face plant by Tina Grandma Glasses, and Elizabeth heavy breathing later, Jillian says, "Now, was that so bad?"

Dr. H, newly shorn, takes a cue from Ali and lays more knowledge on the contestants:  They are seriously unhealthy.  Diabetic, high cholesterol, 50% body fat, gastric bypass at 14 unhealthy.  Then the contestants meet with Bob and Jillian to discuss what calories are (one contestant says "what makes you fat") and why people shouldn't eat sandwiches with names called "The Terminator" and "The Grave Digger".  SIDE NOTE:  Alton Brown takes offense to the show Man Vs. Food in this fascinating article.  It couldn't come at a better time!

The second day of working out is not any better.  Bob's response to Jillian's MIND BULLETS is his CROSS HAIRS.  In them:  Brandon, who foolishly asked if they were almost done working out.  Bob makes him spit, blow snot out of his nose, and sweat until he is broken.  Then while we still have our appetities, Bob and Jillian bring in those gross sandwiches we were just talking about so that they can shove it down everyone's throats.  Not the sandwiches, but the knowledge that they are NASTY and full of bad for you things.

TWIST #3:  Ali tells the contestants that they will be weighing in tonight- surprise!  "I wouldn't have had that last apple," complains Fredo.  I don't think apples are the problem, big guy.

TWIST #4:  The yellow line is moving on up!  Eight spots to be precise.  Half of the contestants will be above it and half will be below it and in danger of elimination.  The weigh in winners will be based on the total percentage of fat loss.  How does everyone stack up?

Rick:  From 350 lbs to 314 lbs- 36 lbs lost- 10.29% BW
Mark:  From 421 lbs to 380 lbs- 41 lbs lost- 9.74% BW
Brendan:  From 362 lbs to 331 lbs- 31 lbs lost- 8.56% BW
Adam:  From 402 lbs to 368 lbs- 34 lbs lost- 8.46% BW
Jesse:  From 369 lbs to 339 lbs- 30 lbs lost- 8.10% BW
Frado:  From 367 lbs to 340 lbs- 27 lbs lost- 7.36% BW
Ada:  From 258 lbs to 240 lbs- 18 lbs lost- 6.98% BW
Aaron:  From 468 lbs to 438 lbs- 30 lbs lost- 6.41% BW
YELLOW LINE
Tina:  From 263 lbs to 247 lbs- 16 lbs lost- 6.08% BW
Lisa:  From 288 lbs to 272 lbs- 16 lbs lost- 5.56% BW
Patrick:  From 400 lbs to 378 lbs- 22 lbs lost- 5.50% BW
Allie:  From 322 lbs to 305 lbs- 17 lbs lost- 5.28% BW
Burgandy:  From 231 lbs to 219 lbs- 12 lbs lost- 5.19% BW
Sophia:  From 272 lbs to 258 lbs- 14 lbs lost- 5.15% BW
Jessica:  From 282 lbs to 268 lbs- 14 lbs lost- 4.96% BW
Elizabeth:  From 244 lbs to 232 lbs- 12 lbs lost- 4.92% BW

TWIST #5:  The person with the highest percentage of weight loss (Rick) can save one person under the yellow line.

TWIST #6:  The challenge for this week is only for the people under the yellow line.  They have to save themselves.  The bottom two will be voted on for elimination.

Rick choses to save the one guy under the yellow line: Patrick.  Now it is all ladies in the race of their lives at the elimination challenge.  There will be five races where a flag will be grabbed and the grabber will be safe.  The last two without a flag will be up for elimination.  Things get catty between the wierdly named BURGANDY and Jessica when former sprinter Burgandy accuses Jessica of not staying in her lane.  Note to Burgandy: no lanes.  So. . .yeah.

TWIST #7:  Allie and Tina Grandma Glasses are in the bottom two and will be voted on by the eight above the yellow line.

Strategically, they choose the younger more mobile contestant to be sent home, and Allie says good bye to the ranch.

TWIST #8:  No vending machines this year.  What is this season turning into?  SO MANY CHANGES.

The at home reveal finds an Allie who has lost 60 pounds and has moved out of her home and into season eight winner Danny's home.  Nothing weird about that.  Nope.  Danny says he is paying it forward-- just like this season's theme!

Next week:  shock and jocks with Jillian who claims to still be the only man in charge.

Thintervention with Jackie Warner- episodes 3 and 4- "We're fatletes, not athletes." and "You need to start throwing up your food, girlfriend."

You don't get to go out of town and relax without some consequences.  Mine are falling behind on my TV shows that I like to blog about!  Here's two weeks worth of Thintervention with Jackie Warner goodness for your your reading pleasure.

WEEK 3
After the participants lower second week numbers, there is a renewed sense of purpose for some to lose the weight.  Stacy is shooting for 11 pounds (yeah, right) and Joe says, "Five pounds is dropping like Jackie's pants at a gay bar!"

The one person who doesn't feel that sense of enthusiasm is Nikki, who manages to show up not only late but hungover to Jackie's Basic Training class.  As a punishment, everyone else had to stay on the treadmill, spin bike, etc. while waiting on Nikki to get there.  As imagined, everyone was really pissed.  Nikki says she is not well, and Jackie asks, "Does that illness come in a bottle?"  BURN.  Then  Bryan starts to pick on Stacy about her dramatic heavy breathing, Shay starts to get sassy with assistant Craig and then with Jackie. . .
These people are babies!  Walking on a treadmill is not medieval torture!  The absolute most embarrassing moment was when cry baby Stacy was afraid of the pull up machine because she is scared of heights.  GET. OUT. OF. TOWN.

Everyone is out for blood, and Jackie gathers everyone to discuss their anger issues.  She emphasizes the need for them to rely on one another for support, so she tells them they will be having a healthy comfort food potluck at Mandy's house to learn not to tear each other down.

It works at first.  Perky Mandy the perfect wife has quite the spread, including sweet potato martinis, Joe brings his fat man's diet cheeseburgers, and Jeana brings her personal chef to cook her share.  How nice to see the real housewife keeps it real on this show, too.

The pleasant evening begins to unravel when Shay and Joe get into an argument about Shay acting like a DIVA, he tells her to shut up, and boom.  Then everyone calls out Stacy too, and Stacy begs for forgiveness so she can be accepted by the cool kids while crying and whimpering.  Nikki says, "God, not again.  Every time do we have to cry?  Every time, Stacy?"  Somehow the evening turns around and everyone seems to be having a good time.

The good time dissipates at the extreme workout, this week at the Rose Bowl (just like on Money Hungry!).  Jackie informs them that they will be working on a personal sense of victory by running cones, jumping through speed rings, running 100 yards, and as a reward, climbing up the stadium stairs until they drop.  "That's a little excessive," Jeana sniffs.  Jackie promises them they will have a new sense of self if "you know your limits and surpass them".  Nikki immediately cops a plea of "fat girl knee", but Shay and Joe duke it out for final stairs supremacy.  Joe is impressed by Shay's determination and maybe feels bad about giving her such a hard time earlier?

Therapy this week was especially touching.  The participants were asked to bring a picture of themselves from their childhood when they were happy.  Then the therapist asks them to say something mean to the child.  Most of them can't, and the therapist points out that we say mean things to ourselves everyday.  Maybe we should be kind to ourselves like we would be to that little happy kid.  Really excellent advice that I am trying to take for myself.  Nikki, of course, says to her photo, "You're an ugly, fat little girl" and laughs.  The therapist calls her out on being mean (shocker) and tells her that by being so mean to others she is really being mean to herself and treating herself with dismissiveness.  And Joe is told that his obsession with cheeseburgers is equated with happy times spent with Dad.

Minds are blown, and it is time for the weigh in.

Mandy:  From 157 lbs to 155 lbs- 2 lbs lost
Nikki:  From 214 lbs to 212 lbs- 2 lbs lost
Stacy:  From 215 lbs to 212 lbs- 3 lbs lost
Joe:  From 221 lbs to 216 lbs- 5 lbs gained (Jackie, keep your pants on!)
Shay:  From 197 lbs to 195 lbs- 2 lbs lost
Bryan:  From 252 lbs to 249 lbs- 3 lbs lost
Jeana:  From 169 lbs to 168 lbs- 1 lb lost

Jackie is visibly upset with the results of the weigh in and doesn't understand why her plan isn't working for everyone.  But she is "invested" and wants "to see it through".  Plus, she has a TV show to make.  SO. . .

WEEK 4
This episode focuses on real housewife Jeana and her smaller weight loss numbers.  If you watch Real Housewives of OC you know that Jeana is this unattached meanie who dismisses her friends and enemies with a wave of her hand and a sip of chardonnay.  It is no surprise that the other participants on the show don't feel a connection to her--especially with her personal chef and mega mansion.  But I guess Jeana has feelings too, and goes to get a mani pedi with daughter Cara to discuss her weight loss woes.  Cara doesn't believe that her mom isn't cheating on her diet and advises her to start throwing up.  I am sure she's just joking?  Lord.

But enough about Jeana.  For now.  The fatletes meet Jackie and Craig at a park for running drills and kettlebells.  After one lap, Nikki quits.  Joe has ankle issues.  It starts to rain.  Nikki decides to run again and Jackie allows her to run less laps then everyone else.  Jeana walks every time Jackie has her back turned.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?  Jackie seems tough.  I wouldn't want to mess with her.

After the drills, Jackie tells them to meet her at the grocery store for some food lessons.  Jeana heads into the store with a sense of childlike wonder-- like, "So this is where the food comes from!"  Jackie informs everyone what is good and bad:  Cereal as a snack is bad, protein as a snack is good.  Fruit in sugar syrup bad, fresh fruit is good.  I take for granted that my knowledge of good and bad foods is common sense.  I guess it is not.

Jeana decides to go on a sunset dinner cruise with her fabulous cougar friends, sipping champagne and eating coconut shrimp.  Jackie decides to shanghai the trip, calling out Jeana's excuses and not liking her life right now.  She wants Jeana to get to know herself so she knows herself and likes herself.

At the extreme workout, the participants meet at the Orange County Fire Authority to put on fireman suits and try out fireman drills.  "Firemen are hot," coos Bryan along with all the ladies.  Joe states bluntly, "Firemen don't f$&k lazy fat chicks."  I see that togetherness pot luck really helped!

The fatletes sweat and cry through the drills, but Mandy and Jeana win for the day and get to put out a real fire.  After Nikki's behavior during the drills, Jackie surprises her with a hike.  She also tells her she is concerned that Nikki will never change, and asks her to try not drinking for one week.  Hmm.

At the weigh in, Jeana and Nikki are both called out for their selfish behaviors.  Everyone wants Jackie's attention:  You need to be a self absorbed drunk to get it, I guess.  Jackie does admit that if Nikki was a regular (non televised) client she would be pulled from the program because it doesn't seem like she is ready for change.

Is everyone else?  The weigh in results, please.

Jeana:  From 168 lbs to 166 lbs- 2 lbs lost
Bryan:  From 249 lbs to 246 lbs- 3 lbs lost
Nikki:  From 212 lbs to 210 lbs- 2 lbs lost
Shay:  From 195 lbs to 194 lb- 1 lb lost
Mandy:  From 155 lbs to 152 lbs- 3 lbs lost
Joe:  From 216 lbs to 216 lbs- 0 lbs lost
Stacy:  From 212 lbs to 212 lbs- 0 lbs lost

"There is something flawed in this mathematically," Jackie states.  And it is true.  If these people are really staying on program and working out with the intensity she requires, I feel the weight would be coming off, even if it was 1 pound at a time.

Jackie knows that something is wrong.  Next week:  a lie detector test.  Maury Povich would be so proud!

New Discoveries!

1.) Did you know that the little fruit cup on the Fage yogurt can be tilted up and POURED into the yogurt compartment?  It's true!  I was really annoyed  that I didn't have any spoons small enough to fit into the little fruit cup.  Then I saw this ad that totally blew the lid off this exciting new discovery.

2.) There is a whole department of organic coffees at my Whole Foods that I did not know about.  I now have bought the organic coffee that was on my list of things to always buy organic.

3.) I love going out to eat, but finding organic or farm fresh products in restaurants is actually a lot tougher than I imagined.  Now that the bf's parents have returned home, I can return back to my tasty lunch salads and organic foods!

4.) If you are taking the ACE personal training certification test or are recently certified, I HIGHLY recommend taking the ACE Personal Training in Practice:  Effective Tools and Techniques course (find it on http://www.acefitness.org/ ).  I took it this past weekend to get a little more experience under my Personal Trainer Belt and now I feel 100% comfortable talking to clients and creating a plan for their future health and well being.  Thanks ACE and to my teacher Dan Hogan!

5.) I will someday be able to catch up on all of my blogs.  I just feel it.

Money Hungry- episode 8- "How far can you throw Phillip?"

The Money Hungry household is pissed at Flabulous Phillip.  He is a worse waffler than John Kerry- he voted against it before he voted for it.  No one seems to trust him, and Phillip must find a way to keep his place in the household so he can keep the $10,000 that his grandfather fronted him to enter the competition.

Maybe he will win his team immunity at this week's challenge?  "The Lottery" star Dan Cortese meets the contestants at the beach with some huge cakes at his back.  Slenderella's Kaitlin can barely contain her craving and struggles to listen to the rules of the contest:  "Layer Cake" requires the teams to disassemble and reassemble large weighted fake cake pieces.  Whoever completes the task first will be this week's Big Heavies.  Dan explains there will be no other immunity given by the Big Heavies, so anyone can be up for elimination.

"This is a piece of cake," says Phillip.

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Unfortunately it wasn't, and Mission Slimpossible became this week's Big Heavies and Flabulous is in the bottom.

Now it is time for the politics of the week.  In between three, count 'em, three whole workouts with Trainer Richard (he has to be freaking out with all the air time), the remaining teams struggle to figure out who should be in the bottom with Flabulous.  Flabulous wants to compete against the Slenderellas because their journeys have been so similar:  Kaitlin is to Phillip as Jackie is to Stephanie?  Phillip does not want to go against the Regulators or Grading Curves, so he convinces them to both vote for the Slenderellas.  But then Mission Slimpossible finds out that maybe the Curves aren't going to vote for The Regulators (who's weight loss would surely send Flabulous home) and they remind them they are still a part of The Orphange.  And The Regulators remember that the Slenderellas are a part of The Family.

You can see how this can be very confusing.

At the weigh in, it isn't certain who will be going against Flabulous in the bottom.

Mission Slimpossible:  From 446 lbs (but since they gained water weight) really 438 lbs to 443 lbs- 5 lbs gained- + 1.14% BW  They are immune, but will all this water weight game play back fire on them?  Dan reminds them that the ultimate winner of the entire game will have the greatest percentage of body weight loss.

Flabulous:  From 595 lbs to 593 lbs- 2 lbs lost- .34% BW  Phillip loses 2 pounds and Stephanie loses 0.  Oops.  Joining them in the bottom two?

Grading Curves:  From 452 lbs (but since they gained water weight) really 450 lbs to 436 lbs- 14 lbs lost- 3.11% BW  SAFE

The Regulators:  From 747 lbs to 735 lbs- 12 lbs lost- 1.61% BW  SAFE

Mission Slimpossible is annoyed that Curves didn't vote their way, but. . .

Slenderellas:  From 558 lbs to 549 lbs- 9 lbs lost- 1.61% BW  Voted in, but their weight beats Flabulous.

So Flabulous is heading home this week, and it is sad because I will miss how funny he is and his crazy flip floppin' weighs.  I mean ways.  Stephanie actually blamed herself for the loss--which is nuts--and they say a tear filled goodbye to the house.
"I'm not doing ugly cry," Phillip says.

So it's four teams left between here and the finale.  I am rooting for The Regulators because they seem to be the ones who really want this the most.  I imagine Mission Slimpossible will not make it easy--and sorry Grading Curves, I don't want it to be you all!  They are so mean!  Can you imagine if they were your teachers at school?  FAIL.

Best. Facial. Ever.

I was introduced to Spa Lab from a $25 deal on www.25tuesdays.com: A facial analysis and moisturizer made just for your skin type. I expected a cool service, but I didn't expect and was surprised by the friendly and knowledgable staff. And Julia, who performed my facial (I upgraded my Spa Sally package for $25) was awesome and may give the best hand massage in the city. My skin feels smooth, soft, and dewey!
Spa Lab is located on 36th street between 5th and 6th avenue. It is a delicious Willy Wonka-esque boutique for the senses. Just check out their soaps that look like tasty cookies and cakes. They even use kitchen mixers!






Their massages and facials are quite a treat, and the soaps and homemade facial products would make great gifts for yourself. . .and if you can part with them, for someone else.
Go check it out, NY!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Biggest Loser- season 10- week 1- Meet The Losers

This is my third season to blog about The Biggest Loser and by now I know the drill.  And if you are reading this, you know the drill too.  Find Fat Americans with a great back story, put them on the ranch, shake well, results may vary.  Biggest Loser season 10 doesn't disappoint--and I feel season 10 is the season of DRAMA.  During the live tweeting (join us on Tuesdays 8 pm EST and use the hash tag #BL10) I made a joke that this season is a little more like The Real World.  And it certainly got real this episode.

I don't want to bore you with ALL the deets-- these are just some of the deets.  Join me, won't you?

Season Theme:  Pay it forward.
How contestants chosen:  7 cities- 3 Losers- 2 chosen to go to the ranch- 1 chosen for alternate secret mission.  Please let it be motorcycle Jillian at an abandoned bus depot in the desert! *fingers crossed*
How many shots of contestants shoving food in their mouth: 9
Best part of episode:  People that had tried out for the show and didn't make it- but went home and lost a TON of weight on their own.  It can be done at home people!!!

So let's take a look at the people under the shirts and sports bras this season.

DETROIT
Chosen:
Jesse: 27 year old male from Minnesota; starting weight- 369 lbs; DRAMA- raised by overweight mom
Sophie: 28 year old female from Maryland; starting weight- 272 lbs; DRAMA- brother died in car accident
Not Chosen:
Aaron: 29 year old male from Ohio; starting weight- 468 lbs; DRAMA- raised by alcoholic father- now he is a food addict

LOS ANGELES
Chosen:
Adam: 26 year old male from California; starting weight- 402 lbs; DRAMA- mom died of a weight related heart attack
Montina: 35 year old female from California; starting weight- 287 lbs; DRAMA- back up singer for Beyonce who wants to be in the spotlight
Not Chosen:
Ada: 27 year old female from California; starting weight- 258 lbs; DRAMA- accused by father of killing her brother when a kid and again when she was a teen in her car (!)

PORTLAND
Chosen:
Burgandy (what?): 35 year old female from Utah; starting weight- 231 lbs; DRAMA- has 5 kids, one of them is autistic, no relationship with husband
Tina: 58 year old female from Oregon; starting weight- 263 lbs; DRAMA- was cheated on by her ex husband
Not Chosen:
Corey: 26 year old male from Alaska; starting weight- 391 lbs; DRAMA- an overweight life coach with blond dreadlocks

ATLANTA
Chosen:
Patrick: 27 year old male from Mississippi; starting weight- 400 lbs; DRAMA- wants to be around for his wife and kids
Rick: 54 year old male from Arkansas; starting weight- 350 lbs; DRAMA- overweight physical therapist that wants to be around for his grand kids
Not Chosen:
Anna: 39 year old female from Georgia; starting weight- 330 lbs; DRAMA- son died of cancer

PHOENIX
Chosen:
Jessica: 26 year old female from Arizona; starting weight- 282 lbs; DRAMA- had bad relationship with her mom
Mark: 30 year old male from New Jersey; starting weight- 421 lbs; DRAMA- Jewish guilt
Not Chosen:
Shanna: 38 year old female from Arizona; starting weight- 242 lbs; DRAMA- breast cancer survivor

OKLAHOMA CITY
Chosen:
Allie: 22 year old female from Oklahoma; starting weight- 322 lbs; DRAMA- gastric band surgery that failed
Lisa: 31 year old female from Oklahoma; starting weight- 288 lbs; DRAMA- daughter is anorexic in response to her obesity
Not Chosen:
Sandy: no age given from Oklahoma; starting weight- 259 lbs; DRAMA- brother died 5 days after BL audition from heart attack

BOSTON
Chosen:
Frado: 43 year old male from New York; starting weight- 367 lbs; DRAMA- type 2 diabetic who has been given 5 years to live
Brendan: 32 year old male from Boston; starting weight- 362 lbs; DRAMA- yo yo dieter
Not Chosen:
Elizabeth: 30 year old female from Boston; starting weight- 244 lbs; DRAMA- had an abusive husband

It sounds like it is going to be a crazy season filled with drama, treadmill face plants, marine training, and wacky nick names- I like Tina Grandma Glasses.  Stay tuned and watch with me!