Why I love “The Biggest Loser”

hannah_curlee

I mean, you guys.  Have you been watching?

I caught up last night, and had tears rolling down my face.

This is the greatest show.

I love that the contestant’s weight loss is something that they cannot fake – you watch their physical transformation over the period of 4 months, and no amount of special effects or movie magic could make someone who was once 400 lbs into someone who is 246 lbs.  They work so hard, day after day, doing exercises that would be tough enough for someone who is already in shape – it’s inspiring and heroic and challenging to me.

But even more than the weight loss, you get a glimpse of the heart change happening in these people.  You get the sense that their obesity is merely a symptom of what’s going on inside – and that the physical transformation begins to lead to heart transformation.  Where there once was self-hatred, there is healthy self-belief.  Where there once was victim mentality, there is empowerment.  Where there once was despair, there is now fervent, passionate hope.

The season finale is next Tuesday, and I will be watching.  Team Purple all the way, although if I had to choose, my vote is for Nashville girl Hannah Curlee.  What a sweet spirit – an underdog who has undergone such a complete emotional metamorphosis, not to mention the fact that she looks AMAZING.

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14 Comments

  1. Christina on May 19, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    I am with you all the way on TBL. I choked up a bit watching it on my DVR last night. Although, I’m just a smidge partial to Olivia (but only by the teeniest bit; love Hannah, too). Or anyone TBL contestant that DOES NOT hit your car with their tour bus, for that matter … ha!

  2. Jess on May 19, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    I’m so with you!! I cried through the entire episode. They are beautiful people. Definitely on Team Purple–though I’m going for NY opera singer Olivia! :D What wonderful sisters.

    I especially got emotional when Bob was talking to each of them–I love the true affection and care he has for his clients!

  3. Emily from Seattle on May 19, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Hannah was beautiful before, no question about it, but she looks AMAZING now!

  4. Maria on May 19, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Oh Annie, I have a severe case of I-read-your-blog-so-I-think-we’re-best-friends-itis with you. I believe we are soul sisters. Wait no – soul sistas. Sistas, ok?

    Except for the Hannah thing. Olivia for the win!

    Can we be friends? Or, fraynds?

  5. Julie on May 19, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    So well put, Annie. I haven’t been regularly following every episode, but I also had tears streaming down my face this week for all the reasons you said. Watching them look their old self in the face, telling them why they don’t want to ever be back there… gah. Incredible.

  6. kim on May 19, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    i am so glad you watch this show! i’m infatuated with the contestants, their journeys, and bob & jillian. as much as i love hannah, i have to say that her sister, olivia is such a beautiful spirit! she’s the one who made me cry the most last week. and that opera voice! oohhhhmygoodness wonDERfulNESS! thoughts on the new trainers? i’m luke warm. then again, i feel badly for those two because how can you compare to bob & jill?! i want to bottle bob up and carry him around in a cute little bottle tied around my neck.

  7. Christina on May 19, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Also, can I just add how great it is to have a Final Four this season comprised of people that are so dang like-able and that you actually want to root for? So refreshing! Some seasons, by the end, its down to a handful of conniving ne’er-do-wells that I can barely stand the sight of. I am clearly too many seasons into this show …

  8. hootenannie on May 19, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    My prediction is that Olivia will win – she’s so fierce, and absolutely deserving. What an impressive woman.

    Still though… Hannah’s my fave. :)

  9. Tay on May 19, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Wow! That is an amazing transformation! This kind of makes me wish I had watched it this season!

  10. Allison on May 19, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    agreed with all of the above. i really like hannah. mostly because i think she’s hilarious. to be honest, olivia kind of annoys me. no, she really really does. i feel like she speaks in emotional cliches, which i just don’t relate to at all.

  11. marisa on May 19, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    hannah took my spin class at the y when they were home from the ranch a couple months ago during the show :) so fun!!!

  12. Marijke on May 21, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Annnddddd….. I loved it. And I love Team Purple so much it hurts. And Hannah!! My fav too!! I want to be her friend, on the real! Also, did you hear when Bob said, “This is the best season ever..” I died. I was all, “You are so right, Bob. So right. (PS, cut your hair.)”

    Amen and amen. Can’t wait for the finale!

  13. annie on May 23, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    Love, love, love this show! It is incredible to me that these people make it so far and change so much in such a short time. Tears always!

  14. Erin on May 24, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    I don’t even watch the show but my roommate had it on tonight and when the opera singer’s husband stood up and had also lost 100 pounds I was immediately in tears!

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