By Gina Scarpa
 
Last week, on the season premiere of The Biggest Loser: Couples, contestants were shocked when most of their teammates were sent home to continue their weight loss journey while they would be left in the competition alone.  If they were still in the game 30 days later, their partner would come back and compete alongside them.  This week, two of Jillian's teammates, Dan and Jerry, fell below the yellow line.  The players deliberated and decided that 63-year-old contestant Jerry Hayes would be the one heading home, where he would continue to train alongside his wife, Estella.  Today, the couple talked to RealityWanted.com in an exclusive interview.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted.com: How did the two of you end up being part of this season of The Biggest Loser?
A. Jerry: Good question!  We started to get information of weight loss.  We never thought The Biggest Loser would pick a 63-year-old couple who did not exercise for 25 years.   Our kids were 100% behind us and helped all the way.

A. Estella: We began with a call on the internet for interviews at the Lexus car dealership in Schaumberg, IL, followed by an hour interview in Chicago.  We went through more interviews in L.A.  After the first interview, we thought our chances were "a snowball's chance in Hell."  Then, we got a phone call and it's been rolling ever since then!
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted.com: Did you underestimate how difficult the workouts would be and what kind of physical toll it would take on your bodies?
A. Jerry: The workouts are tough and very hard on your body and mind.   I found my mind is more limiting than my body.  Beside the one week health problems, my body has performed well.  I have muscle pains but no joint or other body problems.  Enough sleep was a problem at times.

A. Estella: No, we didn't underestimate the difficulty of the workout and the toll on our bodies but we didn't realize our muscle mass under the fat had decreased so much.  For me, this has been the hard part.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted.com: What was your reaction to the twist that almost every team would have a member sent home this season?
A. Jerry: At first, not good, but once I understood it was to show you can lost weigh at home, it was more acceptable.  I never like the idea of being separated from Estella.

A. Estella: Shock! Panic! Then, intense internal pondering of me staying vs. Jerry.  I talked to Sandy, the medical trainer, to see if Jerry could physically train hard, and he gave me the green light.  He said not to panic and he was right.  I could do this at home.  I could do more than I thought.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted.com: Estella, when Jerry collapsed, did you have a moment where you thought that maybe this was going to be too much for the two of you?
A. Estella: With the initial collapse, it definitely got my attention and reaffirmed we needed to be here to make a change. Jerry had been on too many blood pressure medications and not enough potassium was the result from going to the hospital.  But we didn't want to give up.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted.com: What qualities does Jillian bring to the table as a trainer that you appreciated?
A. Jerry: Jillian is great!!  She pushes you to be the best that you can be.  She also watches you like a hawk to ensure you will not hurt or disable yourself.  I learned from Jillian that my mind was my biggest problem to weight loss and physical exercise, not my body.  She is tough, but kind and fair at the same time.   She is great!

A. Estella: Jillian calls it as she sees it and is not afraid to hold up a mirror in front of you with words to help you see or understand the potential for change.  That week with Jillian was life changing for me.  She challenged me to do the "impossible."  I am grateful everyday to have spent the time with this lady.  She is very competitive, fair and able to challenge you to do things you never considered.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted.com: Last season, there was a lot of gameplay and alliances.  Did you see any of that this season?
A. Jerry: There was no game-playing during the show.  We played, laughed, and ate together as one team
A. Estella: I was there for one week and mostly occupied with concerns for Jerry and survival for me with the intense workouts and getting rid of the toxins in my body and feeling lousy.  But thank goodness that has eased.  Too busy for game playing.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted.com: Which players are working the hardest and have the best work ethic?
A. Jerry: This is tough because most contestants work hard and had a great work ethic.  It is a small list of who did not have a best work ethic but I elect not to discuss that because we were one team and we were trying to do our best.

A. Estella: On Jillian's team: Tara, Aubrey, Mandy, Dane, and Daniel all worked hard.  We all tried to encourage each other.  Jerry couldn't work hard in the gym but walked so hard and so long that he got blisters and kept on going.  Carla, Kristen, Sione, Felipe, Nicole, Damian, Ron, Mike, etc.all worked hard and challenged us to work harder.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted.com: What is your workout routine like at home and how has the show changed your lives?
A. Jerry: We work out three to three and half hours a day at home.  We are focused on changing our lives and we are going to be around a long time.

A. Estella: My workout routine include walking-jogging on indoor track at Wheaton Sport Center.  I take classes such a Zumba, Mixer, total body workout, water aerobics, and Spin.  I work out on the stairmaster, elliptical, and treadmill.  One day of doing a circuit of weights and 3 days with a personal trainer.  I workout 6 days, and rest one for at least 2 ½  hours of cardio daily.  The show has changed our lives by encouraging us to do things we never thought possible.  It has helped us to be around longer with the family we love.  It has given Jerry and I more time together, we appreciate each other more, and we are kinder to each other.  It has helped our children see us in a new light as people who can face challenges, become stronger and be role models.  They don't see us as someone to take care of but people to be proud of.  It's been an incredible ride and we are very grateful.

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