The Biggest Loser, Episode 9: A Look Back

More holiday tips from Bob and Jillian. Bob says that one of his tricks is to use a smaller plate. That way it feels as though you have a huge plate of food, but you are actually eating less. Jillian tells us to eat slowly. It takes about twenty minutes to start feeling full so if you eat slowly and then put down your fork, you will lose weight.

After a commercial, Bob is back with another tip. When you are shopping, he advises, skip over the food court. Instead, he suggests bringing a healthy snack - a turkey sandwich on wheat bread, almonds, some cheese, and a bag of raw veggies. This will help you to avoid those high-calorie temptations at the food court. Good advice, Bob, but packing a lunch is the last thing I think about doing when I am in the midst of my holiday shopping mania.

We see more scenes of strenuous workouts, temptations, and then they all reminisce about the kind of foods they miss. But in order to lose weight, of course, their favorite dishes had to go. Mo hates vegetables, and is not thrilled by this diet at all. He tells us that he is used to fried chicken and fried pork chops. This food is just not doing it for him.

Then, in a neat segment, we watch them in their "confessionals." Not only has this been a place to vent, but it is also a way to document their startling weight loss. Kelly is up first. We see her on day 2, week 4, week 5 and week 8. She is stunning. Gary's progress is also remarkable, as we see him through the various stages. Lisa shrinks before our eyes, as we watch her last clip, 45 pounds lighter than she started.

Being away from their families was very difficult, but Gary had a great reunion with his kids and later his wife. We get to see some new footage of this reunion, including the reaction of the other contestants.

Jillian has another tip. When selecting a piece of turkey, go for the white meat. It has fewer calories. Also, stay away from the skin. Bob suggests baking cookies with applesauce and using low fat milk. Jillian also tells us to eat a big breakfast the day of the big meal.

In a series of clips, we see them goofing around and making fun of each other. Ryan does some cheers, and Kelly and Lisa wrestle each other down to the ground as Jillian is shouting, "Don't get hurt." Everyone gets on everyone else's nerves, though, but humor saves the day again and again. Ryan has a great sense of humor. Bob finds Gary amusing, and Jillian busts on Bob's training techniques.

There is an entire segment on Lisa and her histrionics. Boy, she just kept it up. Mo calls her a "loose cannon," and she calls herself a "drama queen."

Jillian tells us to avoid leftovers and to send them home with your relatives. Bob suggests that we wear tighter clothing so we can "feel the food." I am glad that I am taking notes, and hopefully, I can remember some of this when faced with my own "temptations" over the holidays.

We look back at the eliminated players and the experience that "changed their lives forever." Dana expresses disappointment in being the first one eliminated. Lizzeth was next to go. She says that she will miss working out with the team but plans on keeping it up after she leaves. She advises overweight people not to give up.

Week three saw the demise of Aaron. He says that he will miss Bob the most and calls him the best trainer on the planet. He's hot! In week four, Matt was eliminated. He says that the experience will forever change his life. He looks great now as well. And then there was Dave. He says basically, that if he can do it, anyone can. In a particularly unpleasant scene, we see his audition video. He was scary.

Weepy, whiney Kelly Mac left week six. I have nothing much to say about her. Andrea left on week 7. She praises Bob and she says he opened her eyes to the true flower that she actually is. Finally, last week, Lisa got the boot. She cries, of course, and says that she will miss Jillian "the beast." Lisa has lost a total of 61 pounds and looks great.

In his final holiday tip, Bob reminds us that the holidays are a time to celebrate friends and family, not to overeat. Jillian says we shouldn't wait until New Year's to begin to lose weight. We should start now so that when 2006 arrives, we'll really have something to celebrate.

The Biggest Loser will return on January 4, and one more person will be eliminated. But before that happens, the remaining four will have a chance to turn the tables and "train the trainers." After the elimination, the final three will go home and prepare for the finals (January 11). These tearful reunions get me big time.

In the meantime, enjoy the holidays. Both Bob and Jillian had some great tips for getting through the next couple of weeks without putting on the pounds. One thing about this show, it has definitely made me more aware of my own eating habits. For that, I am truly grateful.

Donna Reynolds is a self-proclaimed entertainment junkie and writes That's Entertainment, a daily column for syracuse.com highlighting events of local interest as well as her take on all things reality! She is also doing a weekly spot on a Syracuse radio station, commenting on the latest entertainment buzz. In addition, Donna does technical writing for a medical equipment company and is a part-time aquatic dance instructor. Whether you agree or disagree, Donna welcomes your comments and you can email her at dlrturtle@earthlink.net.

Be sure to sign up for our e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on the site! And take a look at the rest of the site. You can find out about some other popular shows at our The Amazing Race 6 page and our Last Comic Standing page; and don't miss The Reality TV Hall of Shame. You can even buy reality show stuff at our Reality TV Store!

For more news about reality TV, be sure to check out SirLinksALot!