by Gina Scarpa

Last week, on The Biggest Loser, the biggest gameplayer found herself below the yellow line at the weigh in.  Tracey had won every opportunity to control the game and made a lot of decisions that hurt and upset her fellow players.  When she found herself up against Liz for elimination, it became an easy choice for some: send Tracey home.  After a busy week, Tracey took time out of her schedule to talk to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about her experiences on the show and answers her critics on whether or not she was on The Biggest Loser to become famous or lose weight.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How did you end up becoming a part of The Biggest Loser this season? Were you a fan of the show previously?
A. Tracey: Yes, I was a huge fan of the show and I used to sit on my couch eating ice cream and watch every Tuesday night.  One evening, I was sitting in my bathroom with the door locked listening to laundry spin and my kids running around the house.  I was sitting in the bathroom eating cookies and crying.  I remember saying to myself, “Why am I doing this right now?”   Then, I remembered seeing a commercial on tv about a Biggest Loser casting call.  Three days later, I was standing in line at Uptown Bar and Grill in Dallas, with thousands of people in the pouring rain, waiting in line for my chance.  There were so many people that showed up, they cut the line off after and were not allowing anyone else inside.  I just stood there for 14 hours in the rain.  I sat down next to a tree and started to cry.  I called my husband to come pick me up and he said Tracey, “You just stood in line for 14 hours.  Go do something.  Make them see you!”  I dried my tears up and I said a very heartfelt prayer!   Just then, DJ Feldmen walked right up to me and said, “Hi, would you like to come in?”  He picked me out of those people standing there.  He grabbed my arm and as we walked, people were throwing things at me and yelling.  It was nuts.  I knew walking in, right away, that I was going to do everything in my will and fight to make it on the show. This was my chance!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you arrived at the ranch, which trainer were you initially hoping to work with and why?
A. Tracey: I always thought that I would have wanted to Jillian.  I wanted to be kicked in the butt, I wanted the beatings that she dishes out!  I wanted to change my life.  That's why I went on the show and, from what you see on tv, she's the one I thought would have been best for me.  But after seeing her reactions to me for playing the game, I quickly changed my mind.  I did not feel that I could trust her, and she felt the same of me.  Now Bob, on the other hand… even though he wasn't happy with me either, on some level, he understood that I was there and I was doing what I had to do at the time to survive.  After all, I was by myself a lot in separate workouts, but doing the job and still losing weight.  He would always give me the extra pat I needed or a smile, he would check on me, and when it came to my diet, I trusted him.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Jillian said on last night's episode that she had a problem with you for a long time because of your gameplay. Have the two of you reached a point where you feel that she respects you?
A. Tracey: Yes, Jillian and I did mend our relationship and I said it on the last episode.  Jillian is exactly what you see on tv, but what you don't see is her heart and trust me when I say this: It is of GOLD.   She and I understand one another.  She may have met her match.  I am just as headstrong as Jillian Michaels. The difference is I never put mine out there to be seen.  She showed me that.  It's okay to ask for help and it's not a sign of weakness.  Just before we took those steps you saw on TV, we had been doing those steps for over a hour and half.  I trust her and I really appreciate what she stands for, changing people’s lives.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You caught a lot heat and a lot of backlash for the decisions that you made in the game. What was your biggest regret?
A. Tracey: No regrets.  I know I said in my exit interview with Alison that I had a few.  Really, when I think back, I have no regrets.  I did exactly what I had to do to stay on the ranch.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Some people felt that you went onto the show for the wrong reasons - more for the television aspect of it than the weight loss. How do you respond to your critics?
A. Tracey: Are you kidding me?  Some people have said the I went on the show for the tv aspect and not to lose weight.  Gimme a break, did you see on the first day I was 250 pounds and I had a heat stroke?  I can't believe that someone would actually think or say that.  My mouth is actually open right now going, “I can't believe people and their thinking.  Put your thinking caps on, people.  Think long and hard.”  After collapsing on the beach, I made a promise to myself sitting in that hospital that Lord, if I get out of this bed and you help me walk, and I get to go to the Biggest Loser ranch, I promise I will get my body healthy and I will do everything I have to do to make sure I stay and lose this weight and get healthy.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Regardless of what anyone has said, there is no denying how hard you've worked at home. What is your daily routine like?
A. Tracey: Yes no matter what they say, they can't talk now.  I have worked out really hard at home being a mom and wife and still able to do all of this while I'm home.  It's all a fulltime job for sure.   It’s not easy taking care of yourself until you make it a priority and that is what I have done at home.  Moms have priorities too and there is nothing wrong with taking the time to do it.  I don't feel guilty like I used to in the past.  I do it.  I am finishing exactly what I’ve started!  I get up between 4-4:30 am every day.  I go for a run and I hit the gym with my trainer. I’m home by 7 to pack lunches and get the kids off to school.  I usually go back for a spin class, swimming, or dance and 2-4 nights a week, I run or take a cardio dance class for extra burn.  Sometimes, if my son has a baseball game, we go early and sprint the bases or go to the park and I do pull ups on the jungle gym while my kids run up and down the slide.  I count everything - running around with 4 kids burns serious calories.  I work out anywhere from 2-6 hours a day depends on the day of the week.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What advice do you have for mothers who want to lose weight and get healthy but perhaps feel that they don't have the time?
A. Tracey: Find a girlfriend or someone you trust or can rely on.  With your friend, walk one mile per day, starting on a Friday.  Never start on a Monday, it's doomed for failure.  Keep upping your walk weeks with miles.   Consult with a nutritionist and a doctor.  Join a gym and start taking classes, spin, aerobics, yoga  - something with cardio.  Lose 20 pounds on your own, then hire a personal trainer.  If your friend falls off the wagon, keep going and replace them with someone that you can depend on.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Are there people on The Biggest Loser that you got close to? People that you're rooting for either still on the show or home?
A. Tracey: Oh yes, I’m very close with lots of people on the show.  I speak to Coach Mo often.  I speak to Liz almost every single day… a few times a day.   I talk to Rebecca, Julio, Allen… wow I could keep going!  I talk to almost everyone!  We are all rooting for each other.  I want everyone to succeed in their journey as do I.  There is one person that I hope takes the cake.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted:  What is your goal for finale night?
A. Tracey:  Finale goal weight I have chosen to keep confidential.  You'll have to wait and see when I get there!  Remember, we are still in competition and you know I'm a competitive player!  Hate the game, not the player…


The Biggest Loser airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET on NBC.

(Image courtesy of NBC)


Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

For more The Biggest Loser Links visit Sirlinksalot.net