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!

Kirstie Alley's Big Life- episode 7- "They Tried to Make Me Go to Twee-Hab. . ."

One 30-minute episode? How blissful! Not that I don't want the two episodes, but sometimes the blog fairy blesses me because she knows that I have to study and clean house and I don't have all day to spend on the computer.

Another person that spends too much time on the computer? Kirstie. A self-proclaimed "cyberwhore", Kirstie's fingers are "as fit as fiddles" because she spends so much time Twittering. So much so that it is starting to effect all the people around her. For example, assistant Kelly is single. Kirstie is constantly on her to find someone. So what does she do? Puts the description of Kelly's ultimate match on Twitter with HER PHONE NUMBER. Her real live phone number! Within seconds, Kelly's phone starts to ring with random randy men who want to chat.

When Kirstie's trip to the spa end up in the National Enquirer with true facts that only someone on her team would know, she sends apprentice Kyle into the house to uncover the mole. The mole is Kirstie: All her tweeting is giving the tabloids plenty of information that they can use.

Kyle reveals this information to Kirstie at a Twittervention. He reveals that her "twats" are effecting the house negatively. Kelly got over 200 calls from random guys and a picture of someone's junk. Now she has to get a new phone. Ashton Kutcher, number one tweeter, has 5,000 tweets: Kirstie has over 14,000. Jim claims Kirstie is more committed to tweeting than being his chubby buddy and working out. She forgot to pick up True from the mall, and Lillie says her mom would rather be on the computer than spend time with her.

Her family and staff challenge her to be Twitter free for one week.

Day 1: Sex talk with Lillie. "Do you need any help in that area?" Lillie says no. Kirstie says if she has any questions she can ask her. Or Kelly. Or a prostitute.

Day 2: Make overs! Kelly gets a make over and then has to man hunt at the local dog park with Kirstie and Kyle. "You guys are dicks," she states.

Day 3: Gay Lightsabers with Tracy. Stylist Tracy and Kirstie realize they don't have anything to talk to each other about other than clothes. Kirstie tries to get onto Tracy's computer to check her Twitter account and she mysteriously has no internet access. Kirstie then goes to see Magdelana to play Frisbee. The Frisbee gets thrown into the Lemur cage.

Day 4: Hang with Jim. Kirstie watches Jim skim the pool. She pushes him in. "I know where you sleep," he splutters.

Day 5: Pick up guys with Kelly. Kirstie makes Kelly pick up guys at the grocery store with classic pick up lines like "What cereal do you like?" and "Getting some honey?" DUD.

After one week without Twitter, Kirstie's team realizes that she has way too much time on her hands. They insist she gets back on Twitter as soon as possible. "Ah, Twitter. . ." she sighs.

No talk of weight loss this week. Maybe that would have been in the second 30 minutes? Still trying to figure out what it's all about, Alfie.

Tweets from Last Night- #BL9

A collection of some fine moments from last night's live tweeting!

14:48 #BL9 week 3 recap- Mike's dream journal. . . ow.ly/10GTL
18:40 Want to know what's going up with what's going down? Check out www.fosterfitness.blogspot.com. It's mine, so you know it's good. :)
19:31 If you missed last weeks #BL9, check out my blog: www.fosterfitness.blogspot.com and catch up!
19:35 I so agree! RT @ediecoop #BL9 I hope Melissa from the red team is gone! She is not inspiring & should have never made it on the show!
19:58 Ready to go! RT @pseymour: Get ready to rock n roll tonight with what looks to be a heated episode! Just the way we like em, right? ;) #bl9
19:59 Thank you Cyndi! RT @CyndiRenee just read ur blog on #BL9- for last week--loved it!
20:00 Time to get BUCK WILD with the red team! #BL9
20:02 Mike, the star of my blog this week! #BL9
20:02 HEY! RT @SeeKrisRun @phillyBurbs @biggestloserlvr Holla
20:03 Myopic view! RT @AmandaAnn86 I feel bad because Melissa is ruining this experience for her husband... He needs this! #BL9
20:04 I feel like they use the great power responsiblity quote at least once a week. #BL9
20:05 Notice how red is the bad color! Yeah Melissa! #bl9
20:07 Mike- slow and steady wins the race to a certain point. . .#BL9
20:07 @MadamePC Thanks Paula!!!!!
20:08 @HappyRN34 Hi Sharon!
20:09 GET IT OKLAHOMA! ORANGE TEAM ROCKS! #BL9
20:10 That's called karma, Melissa. #BL9
20:10 @biggestloserlvr Hi Lori!!!
20:11 Is this thing on? :) RT @artisticdork: What have YOU dont today to make YOU feel proud? Anyone? ;) #bl9
20:12 @kristina64 I think she only knows how to play the game. . .#BL9
20:14 Lance was an underwater diver- maybe he should chose the cards. #BL9
20:14 F THAT! Melissa is going to be the fattest contestant! #BL9
20:16 This reeks of GAMEPLAY. Don't be dumb, Lance. #BL9
20:16 @biggestloserlvr EEK! BLOG PICS!
20:17 "Some of us said some things" like myself. Me. Melissa. #BL9
20:17 @XxCrystalGHxX Hey Crystal!
20:18 WOW. Really? Messing with the green team? YIKES. #BL9
20:19 I AGREE. RT @DietConfessions: Almost a Tracey repeat! #bl9
20:20 Mike's bandana is OUT OF CONTROL. The Biggest Bandana. #BL9
20:21 Green team scares me! RT @XxCrystalGHxX I know rite those are JerZ girls u don't mess with JerZ girls lol #BL9
20:22 See how Melissa keeps looking away? She's LYING! #Lietome #BL9
20:22 I loved BERNIE! RT @DietsInReview Remember Bernie's "Berndana" in BL5? He totally rocked it first! #BL9
20:23 Just wait until Mom gets home. #BL9
20:25 Don't let Jillian talk to Sherri Shepherd. The world isn't flat, Lance and Melissa. #BL9 #
20:26 This is SO heavy. Can't wait for the"behind the scenes" footage of Melissa eating chocolate candies and not pooping. #BL9
20:27 Birds of a feather lie together! RT @Heavengurl12: Lance is just as bad as Melisa! Omg !! #BL9
20:28 HA! RT @Tabru1: Since when is it bad to be called a liar when you are in fact lying?? #BL9
20:31 Melissa should be skured! RT @shannonruns Get her Jillian! #BL9
20:32 AGREED! RT @ladyg8r I think the red team should be kicked out for refusing to follow the program... #BL9
20:33 SHE THREW THE WEIGH INS! TRUST ME! Oh I trust you, Jillian. #BL9
20:34 NBC EXECS! LISTEN! RT @garthygurl: #BL9 where is the twist in order to keep immunity you have to lose weight
20:34 Wow. I need to take a shower after that last plug. GROSS OUT. #BL9
20:37 RT @smashley1031: #BL9 Red team = crazy. Go @JillianMichaels ! Way to call a spade a spade! @Ali_Sweeney @MyTrainerBob
20:38 Wait. Did Jillian just call Sam Sionne? I think she did! #BL9
20:39 Good thing Maria is gone. This is more water than 4 feet. #BL9
20:41 Why does Ali keep quoting Spiderman week after week? #BL9
20:43 @swissms99 Yes! It's weird!
20:45 HA! Wilson's disease!RT @r8chthegr8: Anyone watch House last night? Remember that crazy chick? I think the red girl is like on #BL9. Psycho!
20:45 Shay is looking good! GET IT SHAY! #BL9
20:47 LOL Try Human Target! RT @sstaysea: #BL9 If red wins I'm watching NCIS from now on
20:48 New #BL9 drinking game! RT @swissms99 10 bucks she says it one more time (at least) :)
20:50 YES! RT @kimhonnick: #BL9 go grey go grey go grey go grey.......
20:51 Melissa might have just given birth. #Ididn'tknowIwaspregnant! Explains the weight gain. . . #BL9
20:52 @SloRunnerMom HA! A sexy Bob the builder!
20:53 REALLY? C'mon Grey team. Don't fall under Melissa's spell! #BL9
20:54 Apparently Miggy also accepts gifts on her daughter's behalf. #BL9
20:54 @SeeKrisRun You heard that scream! :)
20:55 Trainer tip= stretching my legs! #BL9
20:58 Hope she gains a pound! RT @kimhonnick: #BL9 any guesses how much she'll lose tonite?I say at least double digits...
20:59 @PrimaDo HA! I think that sounds tasty!
21:00 OOH! Some green and red smack down to look forward to! Red and green means black and blue! #BL9
21:00 Why no numbers on the Biggest Loser brand phone? #BL9
21:03 Does Migdalia get to use the phone, Mom? #BL9
21:05 It stresses me out! RT @hoopsfreak03 Heads will roll at the weigh-i n tonight!! Can not wait!! #BL9
21:08 That explains a lot! RT @ladyg8r No wonder she's been an emotional mess! #BL9
21:10 Her mom left least week. . . RT @jennyrotten: failed to notice the crap week purple had. 10mi run, no calls home. #BL9
21:10 With great fuel comes great responsibility. #BL9
21:11 Mike should have worn his mountain climbing sweat band. #BL9
21:11 Daris! Return the ring to Mordor! #BL9
21:12 I KNOW! Annoying. RT @Runeatrepeat: Biggest Loser is like an informercial now... #BL9
21:13 I'm in love with my kettlebells! #BL9
21:14 Something tells me that this is an unsafe real "Last chance" workout. Like when it kills you. #BL9
21:15 Cheryl, no need to pant. You are IN the wheel barrow. #BL9 #
21:15 @Spankadia Hee hee. Thanks! #
21:16 Wow. Jillian looked super hot and polished in that last clip. #BL9 #
21:16 @MissS hannan I say cut the commercials and make the show one hour long. :) #B9 #
21:22 @biggestloserlvr Maybe? That was two or three weeks ago- does it time out right? #
21:23 Red team is going to lose bupkiss next week! HA! #BL9 #
21:24 YAY MIKE! GET IT GET IT! #BL9 #
21:25 @FITNESSmarianne If they have immunity, she can have small #'s. Saves the big loss for "when it counts". Stupid gameplay. :( #BL9 #
21:26 @jodidanziger I'm with you sister.
21:27 Daris kind of looks like Side Show Bob. Side Show Daris. #BL9
21:29 HEE! RT @SeeKrisRun: Daris, you are my favorite. I want to take my fingers and run it through your golden locks of love. #biggestloser #bl9
21:30 @FITNESSmarianne No. Her husband's weight was only weight that counted. Immunity the week before- gained a pound. Lost one pound last week.
21:31 @FITNESSmarianne So much drama in 141 characters! :)
21 :31 @FoxySelf Gettin' on with her Foxy self!
21:32 They are such a cute team. Go orange! #OKLAHOMAPROUD #BL9
21:34 All the mom's sacrifice themselves over their kids. :( #BL9
21:35 Look at the single team members working it out! #BL9
21:37 @FITNESSmarianne My pleasure! I'm a reality show geek. :)
21:38 HOLLER! RT @SeeKrisRun: HOLLA if you hear me, Grey Team Grey Team...Work it OUT BOYS #biggestloser #bl9
21:39 Look at that body language. Crap. #BL9
21:39 I know! What support! RT @SloRunnerMom It's what moms do. I wld too All the mom's sacrifice themselves over their kids. :( #BL9
21:41 GRR! RT @AmandaAnn86: I hate Miggy and Midalia's defeated attitude... It annoys me how the-world-is-against-me they act! #BL9
21:42 @wildangelks Danny?
21:44 OUCH. I guess that's the emotion. #BL9
21:44 WOW! I hate Melissa. HATE HATE HATE her. #BL9
21:46 Wilson's disease strikes again! #House #BL9
21:48 That comment I made about mother's sacrificing? I spoke too soon- Miggy is not like that. . .#BL9
21:48 OMG. Melissa is so friggin' stupid!!! Hi pot, this is the kettle. YOU ARE BLACK. #BL9
21:51 And now for some wise words from the grey team. . .#BL9
21:53 RT @frsLicup: #omgitssotrue RT @LucindaLC: "Lets remember where the drama is coming from." Is she for real? #BL9
21:53 I'm scared! RT @sarahebriley: Whose idea was it to sit red next to green at the elimination. Someone might get hurt #BL9
21:54 She scares me! RT @biggestloserlvr Easy to see where Migdalia gets it from. @SloRunnerMom: that's because its always about miggy
21:56 Her feelings would best be described in a monologue from the made-for-tv movie "Boy in a Bubble". . .#BL9
21:57 But now Miggy is left on the ranch! Lock your doors while you sleep Grey team! #BL9
21:58 GAINED 10 pounds! See Jillian knows what is UP. #BL9
22:01 Well, that was super wee woo. Y'all have a good night! Love my #Bl 9 tweeters!!!

The Biggest Loser- week 8- Mr. Harper Goes to Washington. . .

. . .and Jillian, and all the BL contestants too! But we'll get to that in a moment.

Last week's tear-filled episode of the Biggest Loser moved many people, but it was time for the BL train to get back on the happy track and give us some inspiration. Ali steps it up right away, and informs the BLers that they will be traveling to Washington DC to make a positive change.

Will we be meeting the President? The First Lady? WHO!?!

The contestants get on the plane (courtesy of Jet Blue, of course), and they are all astonished that they can comfortably fit into their seats and use the seat belts without extenders. It was moving to share this with my BL tweeties, who have had similar experiences and know how embarrassing it can be. It was nice to see the contestants have a little "Extra" room and a big smile.

The nine remaining BLers walk around the Jefferson Memorial to meet Ali at the reflecting pool with Bob and Jillian. Ali announces that the contestants will not only be working out here to help Americans lead happier and healthier lives, they will be traveling to the White House to talk about health issues to some Congressmen and women. But not the President. Darn.

The contestants are also given their original colored t-shirts and told they are now competing as INDIVIDUALS. Huzzah! This is when everyone really has to step it up. Now Dan has to lose weight or he is screwed. GAME PLAY.

Shay is singled out by Ali and told that she is the only contestant that is still over 400 pounds. I forget that she is still up there- she has been such a trooper up until this point. Will she break through the 400 zone?

Then it is time for the POP CHALLENGE: Each contestant has one hour to get as many people to the Washington Monument to workout with Bob and Jillian as they can. Whoever gets the most people wins a special prize and dinner for themselves and all their new friends at Subway.

Subway? For dinner? Now I'm wishing Curtis Stone was there to make a fancy meal. Subway is a lunch place.

The contestants run into the city to start collecting people. How are they going to get them to join? Danny starts propositioning tourists like a politician, promising that they can meet Bob and Jillian. Amanda uses her clout from being on the finale last season to get a group of teens to join her ranks. Rudy gets a big group of guys to start chanting "Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!" in opposition to the Amanda team. Trazy says how personable she is and threatens a group of teenagers to show up on time (or else). Country Liz uses the age card to make some guys feel guilty and perhaps call their mothers.

Dan totally one ups Amanda- since he was a previous contestant last season, he is more easily recognized and steals all of her supporters! He is sneaky one. GAME PLAY.

Allen uses his newly buff brawniness and rallies all his fellow firefighters to join him. He makes the grandest of entrances on a team of cherry red fire trucks to join his contestants and trainers in the shadow of the Washington Monument.

I figured that Allen had this IN THE BAG. Who doesn't love a firefighter?

Apparently, America. Country Liz manages to guilt enough cougar hungry boys to join her team of Brownies. She wins the pop challenge and the luxurious dinner at Subway. And a soon to be determined "Extra" special prize.

Now it is time for the mega last chance America for the love of all that is holy workout. Bob and Jillian team up to beat the stuffing (literally) out of all the people who showed up. One of my fellow tweet friends, DC based personal trainer Kimberly Linton (http://twitter.com/livinthefitlife) was actually there, working out behind all the firefighters. Sounds like a good seat!

We see a montage of Bob and Jillian sitting on people and screaming in their faces (makes me happy Jillian is on my TV and not in my living room). Bob is super excited, and Jillian can't wait to pick on total strangers. Poor Tangerine. You don't say can't to Jillian.

After the workout, Country Liz and friends go to Subway with Jillian for the weekly Subway plug. On second thought, Subway doesn't look THAT bad for dinner. . .

Then it's time for Mr. Harper to go to the White House. Or the Congress. They meet Sen. Kristen Gillibrand from New York and Sen. Robert Casey from Pennsylvania to talk about the obesity epidemic in America. The contestants cite the lack of information and education in our country as a reason why we are such a fat nation.

Dan tells a moving story about how being overweight made his grades drop and his self esteem drop even lower. Bob also points out that Dan is now the norm, and not the exception. Scary.

Rebecca shares her struggles as well, telling how she basically starved herself to fit in and be thin. I feel for her and know as a girl that was chubby, I tried some very extreme measures to lose weight and try to fit in with my thinner counterparts.

And Jillian states the best fact: The Biggest Loser is a MOVEMENT. Not just a reality show. This show is really changing peoples lives. And that is why I love watching and blogging about it.

After the congress with Congress, the BLers meet Ali at the Constitution Gardens to learn about the physical challenge for the week. There are 4 legs of the contest revolving around 4 tourist attractions. The person to survive all 4 sections will gain immunity at the weigh in. Immunity at this stage of the game is HUGE.

The first leg is a one mile run. We see Trazy's eyes go wild, remembering how the first mile run put her in the hospital. If only we could be that lucky again, but I'm sure that Trazy is healthier now.

Ali tells Country Liz that since she won the pop challenge, she will get a get out of jail free card for one section of the contest.

Only 6 contestants can go to the next round. We watch the contestants running around the Constitution Gardens lake with a rather annoying and insulting Miley Cyrus tune that says something about mountains. Fat people do not want to be compared to mountains.

The six continuing on are Rebecca, Allen, Amanda, Dan, Rudy, and Country Liz. That means Shay, Danny, and Trazy are out.

Trazy then explains the mechanics of walking- one foot in front of the other. She is brilliant.

The next stage of the competition is at the Watergate steps in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Lincoln? It is a clue! The contestants have to pick up pennies. Lotsa pennies. 17,954 to be exact, representing how many pounds have been lost to date on the show. The first four players that pick up enough pennies to fill their funnel will get to continue to the next stage.

Country Liz uses her card to get out of this stage of the contest. Smart move! Picking up pennies and running up stairs in the middle of summer heat does not sound like any fun.

Rudy's "banana hands" were made for penny pinching. He can scoop far more pennies than the rest of the team, and has a clear advantage. He easily finishes before anyone else, and is joined by Dan and Rebecca. That means that Allen and Amanda are out.

The third round is at the US Capital. Ali says the key to our government's success is balance- and that is what the contestants are going to have to do. On a very narrow beam with a pilates ball over their heads. I've never seen anyone at the Capital do that.

Dan is the first out, followed by Country Liz.

It is now between Rudy and Rebecca. They have to take 206 steps on a step bench, representing the 206 contestants that have been on BL so far. Rebecca creams Rudy and his size 15 feet, becoming the victor and winner of the immunity challenge! Happy dance.

Ali then announces that finally, finally! the contestants will get to go to the White House.

Then it is product placement time. Bob takes Amanda out on a date to talk about her break down with Jillian last week and to chew some "Extra" sugar free gum. Oh, NBC. So sneaky.

AND the White House. The contestants take the back entrance- scaling a fence and then walking all the way across the great lawn . They meet Sam Kass, the head chef of the White House. They get to pick vegetables in the White House garden for a salad, and Bob gets to avoid the secret service after he threatens to squeeze the first family.

If I was a heavy drinker, I would have suggested a drinking game: every time one of the contestants said "The White House", you would have to take a drink. I would have been WASTED.

We are shown that the first family are healthy eaters and the ultimate role models. Now, if we could do something about that universal health care plan. . .

Then it is time for Last Chance Workout, DC style. Which entails walking on your hands and carrying Jillian up the stairs. It is equal opportunity beatings for everyone! Beatings and "Extra" gum.

Jillian focuses her mind bullets this week on Trazy, who Jillian as been waiting to throttle since week one. She wants to show Trazy that the BL isn't about game play. It is about changing your life. She breaks her down until she is crying. Sweet, sweet victory.

Now it is time for the weigh in at the Lincoln Memorial. No post flight weight gain!

Rebecca weighs in first, since she had immunity. She weighs in at 219, losing 4 pounds. She is in the teens! Shay weighs in next. Will she get past 400? All she needs is 3 pounds to do it. She loses an impressive 9 pounds, reaching her goal of getting out of the 400s. She vows she will never see that number again.

Then it is Trazy time. Will she be able to save herself? She loses 3 pounds, to reach 194. No amount of GAME PLAY can save her now. Fellow GAME PLAYER Dan steps up next. Is he pulling out the big guns to save himself? Absolutely, ripping out 11 pounds to reach 261. He is 7 pounds away from losing 200 pounds. WOW.

Then Allen gets up, and he already looks like he is an after photo. He still loses an impressive 9 pounds, bringing him to 253. Then it is my fellow Okie Danny. He pulls out the double digits again, losing 12 pounds. Down to 333! Then weight loss monster Rudy loses 9 pounds, bringing him to 332. Beating Danny by one pound! Country Liz weighs in- losing only 3 pounds. Bringing her to 218. Amanda weighs in last, filled with "Extra" confidence. She has to lose more than 3 pounds to stay out of the bottom. She loses 7, reaching 207.

So, Country Liz vs. Trazy. Who to go, who to go? Each lady pleads her case to the fellow BLers, but the group chooses Trazy to leave.

FINALLY! But who am I going to write about now?

At the reveal, Trazy looks good. I'll give her that. And she got to be on The Jay Leno Show after the BL was over. But I hear that 15 minutes ticking away. See ya, Trazy. Or not.

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 14- Mid-Challenge Musings

Day 14 of the Shred. . .well, shredded! WOO!

I did Level 2 full out, all Natalie, all the time. I was super pleased that the thrusting has become easier (I can't think of any other way to word this) and I did the 5 pound weights again for all my shoulder work.

I rounded it out with Jillian's The Biggest Winner Shape Up Front that was such a challenge for me in the first week- I think I did it on day 2 or 3. Today, however, I was stronger, more confident, and able to bust through it with no issue! The format and exercises are similar to the Level 2 Shred- just on steroids. I can't tell you how many weighted jumping jacks I did, but it felt like a million. Actually, it was 60. But it FELT like a million.

The plan for tomorrow is to do Level 1 and Level 2 back to back and see how I've grown. And on Thursday, I am shooting for Level 3. Reaching for the stars, kids.

I wanted to take a second and write about the goals we have set for ourselves. Yes, we are all seeing the benefits of participating in this challenge in our endurance and strength and waistlines. The confidence factor is the most important thing I have been gaining through all of this. The ability to get out there, see a goal, and make it happen.

It is a wonderful feeling. And one I hope that you all are also getting.

It is important to reward your good deeds, and not just if you show positive numbers on the scale or with your tape measure. The fact that we are doing this at all deserves a reward!

And not food based.

My first week reward was a pair of "FUggs" from Payless. I don't have $130 to spend on a pair of yarn booties. But I do have $39! I rewarded myself with those and a new shirt from The Gap. Just a little way to say "I love you, Alison. You are awesome."

This weeks reward: 2 new Jillian Michael's DVDs to round out my collection and give me some extra motivation!

And I am keeping my eye on the prize. Isn't she beautiful? If I finish all 30 days with no excuses, she is ALL MINE!

Happy 14th, y'all! Hope you will be twittering and tweeting with us all during The Biggest Loser!

The Biggest Loser- week 6- The Curse of Davy Jones' Locker

First off, I want to apologize to firefighter Allen, because I have been spelling his name wrong for the past five weeks. Just because my name is spelled with one L doesn't mean that his is.

I feel lighter, just like the contestants on The Biggest Loser!

It is week 6, and the BL ranch is feeling the strain of GAME PLAY. The episode picks up after last weeks Trazy filled elimination where Coach Mo peaced out and Trazy worked her voodoo magic to remain on the television for yet another week. You could cut the tension with a knife as the Blue Team filed back into the room- Amanda from the Black Team thought for sure that Trazy would be gone, but it is the Blue Team's decision. Rudy states they thought they did what was best for their team. Tell Coach Mo that! If he hadn't given up, who knows what would have happened?

Trazy is here to stay. Lucky for us, this episode is not about her. Even though she thinks it is. (Shay? I really don't think you were looking for Rebecca in that line up- but I won't tell anyone.)

The contestants start in the gym, and Bob is pissed and cracking the whip. While the contestants huff and puff on the treadmill (with a surprisingly chipper Trazy- who is now cleared for take off), Bob throws out a catty, "If we can't win a weigh in, at least we can win a challenge". OUCH! Will his words haunt them as they enter today's trial?

Arrrgh, the physical challenge is a nautical theme! The contestants come to the beach at night, and Ali points out the huge piles of sand and the two treasure chests locked with four padlocks apiece. The contestants must dig through the sand until they find the keys that will unlock the box. And what will they be playing for? Arrrgh. . .we'll tell you later. I was hoping that there was a trip to Cancun- fingers crossed! The Real World meets The Biggest Loser! Call the execs!

Only eight contestants could participate, and since Abby is still pool-bound and Trazy STILL can't engage in any physical activity other than running her mouth (I thought she was cleared!), Amanda from the Black Team decides to sit this one out. Because of how she feels about sand. "It's a nuisance," she says. I'm so curious to know THAT story.

The challenge begins, and we see everyone choosing to attack their sand pile in a different way. Danny uses a shovel, Allen uses his hands, Shay lays over the pile, and Country Liz makes sand angels. 20 minutes in (digging in sand for 20 minutes! OMG!) Danny finds his treasure chest and key first. Then Allen on the Blue Team finds his- the teams are neck and neck! The phantom ghost of Bob must be watching the game, because the Blue Team completely annihilates the Black Team after 40 minutes of sand castles.

The Blue Team opens their treasure chest revealing the prize- tickets to home! The team rejoices, and Rudy and Allen talk about how they can't wait to see their wives and kids. As they head down the beach to pack their suitcases, Ali says not so fast! GAME PLAY! The Blue Team can either go home and take the risks associated with being at home, OR they can give their tickets to the Black Team. Allen and Rudy are quickly outnumbered, and the Blue Team agrees that they can always see their families when they are home at the end of the competition. The tickets are handed over, and the Black Team heads off home.

Home is a plus and a minus for The Biggest Loser contestants. On one hand it is the opportunity to see their family and friends whom they haven't seen or talked to in over a month and a half. On the other hand, home is the place where they all got heavy. Home is comfort and bad choices and 30 minute drives to the gym (in Abby's case- that is so Texas! No gyms in her town!).

We see the contestants open their front doors in the usual BL fashion- home made signs and balloons and hugs from grandma and the kids. All is right in the world. Then the reality of the situation sets in- how to incorporate all they have learned on the ranch into their real lives and how to convince their family members to do the same?

We see the Black Team at their local gyms, running on the street, swimming in the pool. We see them at big family barbecues, looking at the spread of food like lost little puppies. We see them at restaurants with the laundry list of cooking instructions for the waitstaff. How are they going to survive?

The saddest tale is Dina's. She is greeted at the door by her husband and her adorable little boy, and I thought everything was going to be okay. Her husband tells her she looks like she did when they first met, and her little boy is in awe of her treadmill abilities. But somehow things take a darker turn. Dina has to take her little boy to the gym with her (where is the husband?). When Dina and her husband go out to eat, they choose Chevy's. CHEVY'S!

Side note about Chevy's- there is one in Times Square that my boyfriend and I went to eat at. In NYC, if you are a restaurant chain, you must put the nutrition information on the menu so you know how many calories you are taking in. Every appetizer on the menu was easily over 1,000 calories. One appetizer was 2,500!!! And that was the last time that we ate there.

Dina's husband ate two appetizers and his entree. He selfishly orders the way he used to with no respect for Dina and her struggle. Why they chose that place to eat is beyond me, but his lack of support signals trouble ahead.

The most impressive tale is Danny. Being from Oklahoma, I know how hard it is to find healthy eating options when you choose to go out. I was proud that Danny managed to food journal every day, and instead of eating out he made dinners at home, proving to his family and himself that he is dedicated to his new lifestyle.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Blue Team is working their patooties off in hope that they can win the weigh in as well as the challenge and make Bob proud. Plus, they want to prove that their sacrifice of giving up trips to home was worth it.

The Black Team returns, and Jillian promptly welcomes them with a good old fashioned ass kicking. She manages to break down Dan, who finally realized that all the times his mom tried to help him with his weight that she was loving him, not hating the person he was becoming. I understand how he felt- I often felt like my family only loved me when I was thinner, and I had to realize that they wanted me to be happy and healthy. When I was ready to make the healthy switch, I had their support. And eight years later, I still have that support and I have taught them a thing or two!

At the weigh in, things are tense. The Blue Team weighs in first. Will Trazy be safe this week? Allen loses 8 pounds, Rebecca loses 5 pounds, Trazy loses 4 pounds (and now she is working out- how odd), Country Liz also loses 4, and Rudy loses 14 pounds. 14! He is a total weight loss machine. I know his family had to think that his sacrifice was worth it. So if the Blue Team is on the bottom, Trazy will have to be the one eliminated. 'Cause we all like Liz.

The Black Team is next. Will home be too much of a hurdle?

Amanda weighs in first, losing 6 pounds. Shay loses 5 pounds. Abby loses 4 pounds (so impressive! She realizes that she can keep doing this at home!) even though she is still injured. Dina loses 5 pounds, even with all the at home temptation. Danny totally blows everyone out of the water, making every Oklahoman proud. He loses 15 pounds! If you have ever been to Oklahoma, you know what a major accomplishment that is. Last to weigh in is Dan the man. Will he be able to pull off the numbers necessary to keep the Black Team afloat? Unfortunately not, because Dan not only didn't lose any weight, but he gained a pound. More GAME PLAY? Or is he feeling puffy from his flight?

The uncertainty of who will be going home hangs in the air. Everyone on the Black Team is a great person, not a game player (well, except Dan, who I have my doubts about) and shouldn't have to make this decision. But a decision must be made. Who is walking the plank?

In Twitterland, everyone thought it should be Dan, because he gained weight. But in Realityville, I knew that Dan would be staying. Why? Because next week he will pull in some MAJOR numbers. Like 30 pounds or something crazy. Who else could go? Maybe Abby, because her numbers are small. Her back story is so sad though. She needs the family support of the ranch. It can't be Shay or Danny- their numbers are too big. That leaves Dina. Even though her numbers weren't the lowest, the fact that she is young and determined means she can continue the journey at home. She heads back to Burritoville.

At the reveal, Dina is looking hot and sexy! Her little boy is still at her side at the gym, becoming a mini Bob and cheering her on. And she is a blond! Curiously absent is her husband- wondering if he was working or if he swims with the fishes.

Next week promises to be explosive! Join us for live twittering on Twitter every Tuesday at 8 pm Eastern Time!