by Gina Scarpa

 

 

Last week, on The Biggest Loser, Ashley and Sherry had a heart to heart with Jillian about being able to continue this journey without one another, should that time come. The ironic part came at the weigh in, when their team fell below the yellow line and Sherry was sent home in a 3-2 vote. Being eliminated didn't slow Sherry down, though. In fact, she amazed everyone when she was shown at just 138 pounds. Today, she spoke to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about her experiences on the show and what she's doing to prepare for the live finale.

 

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Whose idea was it to go on The Biggest Loser?
A. Sherry: It was Ashley's idea. She needed a partner and as a mom, I'd do anything for her. I have to admit that I was a little reluctant in the beginning. I was thinking, "Can I do this?" I've never been a real workout person.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How long was it before the reality of the situation hit you? Bob and Jillian are pretty intense, right off the bat!
A. Sherry: The first day we arrived, and we did that bike challenge, it was like, "Oh my gosh." We had worked so hard to get there and we just dug deep because we wanted to stay. I didn't see myself as that overweight but now when I look back, I just laugh. Everyone could see how fat I was but me.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When did you start to feel like your body was changing and you were becoming more physically fit?
A. Sherry: It was several weeks, it really as. You begin to train as an athlete and I was not that. They keep telling you, "You're becoming an athlete," and then they're like, "You are an athlete." It was several weeks to be able to feel that way. You have to be able to do a few things and get that under your belt and you begin to see: I can do this. I can overcome. For women at my age, I thought that was pretty good. There was one day I was doing a spin class off camera and there were all the 20 year olds, one 30 year old, and me at 51. I was hanging in there.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What did you make of all the gameplay that went on this season?
A. Sherry: When Ashley and I went to the ranch, we decided it's not in our nature. We're not huge game players. We went, did what we needed to do, and tried to lose weight without getting caught up in it. It's hard but we wanted to do it for us and change our lives. We really juts wanted to be ourselves. The gameplay begins and a lot of people begin very early but that was not our intention. Back in week 3, we really did not plan to try to throw anyone under the line with that candy temptation. We needed that for us. Ashley had had some injuries but then we thought, "Oh my, we want everyone else to have a fair chance." Eventually, everyone saw that and said, "If anyone had to choose, I'm glad it was you." That meant a lot to us.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How were you feeling when Mike split up the teams into blue and black? That's always a really emotional point in the competition for people.
A. Sherry: I was really quite upset with Michael in the beginning because he called me his mom or his aunt and Ashley his little sister. I wasn't surprised to be put on the other team from Michael because I'm not the strongest contestant. The challenges were very challenging for me but I thought Michael and Ashley were very close in that brother/sister kind of relationship. I think I was more upset that he put Ashley on the other team. We're good with Michael now. It is part of the game. I love Michael and it all worked out.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Last week, Jillian took you and Ashley outside to talk about your relationship with one another. Can you talk about the long lasting impact of that conversation?
A. Sherry: Jill does have a way of really getting you to talk and she really has a way with Ashley, which is a really great thing. Ashley came to me with Jill and said, "I feel responsible for you." That was the emotional part and she was feeling like the only child left at home without my husband she was responsible for taking care of me. That moment was a time for me to express to her the changes I had been making. It really was a great moment in hat we both realized, we both knew it but it was saying it. It's changed both of our lives because we both want that independence. I know she can do it, I've known it all along but I feel like it's my second chance. I had given up my life in a way and I now feel like I did in my 20s. I didn't realize how I bad I felt.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was there really a battle in the house of young vs. old?
A. Sherry: In some ways, I think there was or it's just a natural split. You kind of go with people you're more comfortable with. Not that I'm not comfortable with the younger ones because I have two daughters but being the same age as Cheryl and Patti and Maria and Miggy, we're all about the same age. It was really nice and it was comfortable. We can't always keep up with the 20s but we're trying! It was just a natural split more than anything divisive.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How are you staying motivated at home and preparing for the live finale?
A. Sherry: At home, I'm continuing to do the things I did on the ranch. I added a full time job. I'm getting up early and trying to get in a few hours before work. Something fun in the afternoon to keep it going. I'm really watching my diet. I'm continuing to l ose weight and I have a little ways to go. I want for myself to be the best I can be and that goal that I have is really within reach and that's exciting to me. I feel like I can win this and that drives me even more!

 

The Biggest Loser airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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