The Biggest Loser 3, Episode 9: An Ounce of Prevention

Welcome to the ninth episode of The Biggest Loser 3! This series focuses on teams of overweight contestants and their competitive struggles to lose weight and, in the process, regain control of their lives. Challenges and temptations bar their way to a $250,000 cash prize. In a twist, two new returnees (“the Gray Team”) have complicated the plans of everyone.

As usual, the show begins with Mr. Faceless Voice and his recap of last week’s show. However, this week he’s also spills the news that the live finale will feature four contestants returning to the ranch for the final weigh-in. Note, that’s an increase (of one) over the previous seasons.

The episode begins for real shortly after Bobby’s elimination. Erik says it was hard for him to lose Bobby, as he was his last good buddy in the house.

The trainers meet up with the contestants to hear the eviction results. Trainer Bob knows his team needs to “decompress,” and smartly gets them off by themselves. Bob tells the duo he’s committed to them, and trainer Bob and Erik hug (in a manly way). Sorry, no footage on Marty’s hug, if any. However, in the gym Bob climbs on Marty’s back while he’s in a wide push-up position and demands three push-ups. He gets two.

Meanwhile, trainer Kim has her charges hopping through the meadow like bunnies. Funny segue, that… though this is a good exercise for the quads.

In cameos, Kim speaks about the Gray Team that is now training with her. She says she finds Jaron is “a sponge” that absorbs everything. With Adrian, it’s more of an emotional struggle. Yes, it looks like Adrian is going to be the new weeper.

In a cameo, Adrian admits she’s too self-critical and trainer Kim tells her, “You still have Fat-Girl Syndrome in your head.” If I may paraphrase, that’s the ability to see only physical perfection in other women while seeing only faults in your own self. Commenting on Adrian, fellow Gray Team member Jaron says, “I think eventually Adrian will eventually get this place figured out. And I hope it’s before she’s back home.”

Changing scenes, we see the seven gathered about an outside courtyard. And look – a new face comes striding into our screen! It turns out to be Amy O’Conner, deputy editor of Prevention Magazine. Holy Product Placement, I wonder what she’s doing here?

It turns out, Prevention is going to treat the contestants to a pampering makeover – hair, makeup, and clothing. A photo shoot will follow, and they may end up in the pages of Prevention Magazine. Nice! Usually, on this show a surprise that initially seems appealing somehow ends up meaning some kind of pain like a chin-up contest or lifting small cars… but this just looks like fun.

Kai isn’t sure what bald Wylie is going to get in the hair salon. I’m guessing it was a close shave and a high buff. Meanwhile, Heather doesn’t seem too comfortable getting her hair cut by whom she refers to as “Edward Scissorhands.” Comparing this hair cut to what she’s used to in North Dakota, a gleeful Adrian says, “It just felt fabulous.” I’m guessing that if she were to pony up anything close to the money this treatment cost, she’d be surprised what’s possible back home.

It’s on to the photo shoot, which begins with make-up and then wardrobe. Insightful Marty recognizes that what this is really all about is recognition of the progress they’ve made to date.

As the clothes are modeled, Heather admits she doesn’t even own a dress and is very pleased to find out she’s dropped a size below what she expected. Adrian is wearing a smaller dress than ever before, and when she says, “So cute!”… it is.

The next scenes are the photo shoot. Marty in a Calvin Klein suit informs us, “They don’t make fat people clothes.” Wylie looks great, too. Unlike last season when eventual winner Matt sulked all day, everyone seems to be having fun. It ends with a group shot of all jumping in the air. Some of these photos are viewable here.

A graphic tells us that this photo shoot will be featured in an edition of the magazine that will be available on the racks later this month. This link will take you to an article about the three women. There’s no pictures, but note the significant drops in blood pressure and sugar levels.

Well, enough fun, let’s get back to the pain. Yes, it’s time for a challenge! As the players arrive at the site, I must comment on what a cool site this is – it’s a loading dock in a shipyard. What’s really impressive is, this is the cleanest, freshest, most organized dock I’ve ever seen!

Adrian hopes this is an endurance challenge, because she’s confident her training is superior in this area. Stationary bicycles sit on platforms elevated thirty feet aboveground. Kai sees the elevated bikes and admits she’s afraid of heights. She promises us “a meltdown on national TV.” Actually Kai, great news – the show is actually INTERNATIONAL!

At any rate, series host Caroline Rhea is present to preside over events, so there are no placards today. The prize is immunity in the next weigh-in, plus a stationary bike.

Each player rides one of the suspended bikes. Every two miles someone completes, they get to name another player to be lowered ten feet. When you hit the ground, you are eliminated. Gosh, they get to pick on each other, another chance for the newbies to get crapped on…

Adrian is on my same page. She is adamant that this is NOT a fair challenge. VERY adamant! She sees it as a “five versus two” scenario. She shouts, “You know damn well the first people they’re going to vote off are me and Jaron!” When she said the word “damn,” Caroline was visibly shocked.

When Adrian says, “I’m pissed!” Kai derisively interjects an “Oh-ho!” A cameo is inserted here where Heather suggests, “Everyone’s always gunning for somebody, so she should take it in stride and say, hey, it’s just part of the game.”

Caroline tries to convince Adrian the game could play out in any way, addressing her not-so-helpfully as “honey.” Adrian says, “I don’t want to play,” then reiterates it’s unfair and she’s pissed. She’s very close to crying at this point.

A Kai cameo say that she thinks this is about as fair as when Adrian came back to the ranch. Her advice is, “Suck it up, get on the bike, and let’s go.” Yup, exactly the same. What are you Kai, six?

Back live, the gleeful look on Kai’s face says it all and her fear of heights is forgotten. And as we go to commercial, a tearful, frustrated Adrian walks off the set.

Let me say this: Adrian is absolutely right, she and Jaron have NO CHANCE AT ALL in this patently unfair challenge. But having made your point, accept that you’re not going to win and take the opportunity to get in fifteen or twenty minutes of exercise. Isn’t that why you’re there? Also, her concerns about “looking stupid” are not valid.