by Gina Scarpa and David McAlpine

 

This week, on The Biggest Loser, the remaining players were thrown for a loop when previously eliminated contestants returned for a chance to come back to the ranch. Victoria was voted back in, while Melissa won a challenge in order to return. On top of that, they were both granted immunity while the other contestants had to duke it out on the scale. Sam and Stephanie fell below the yellow line at this week's weigh in and were up for elimination. The house turned on Stephanie, calling her shady and saying negative things about her, before voting her out of the game. Today, Stephanie spoke to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about her experiences on the ranch, the gameplay, and her ousting from the game.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to be part of The Biggest Loser this season?
A. Stephanie: The opportunity to be on The Biggest Loser Season 9 has truly been such a blessing. I wanted to finally let my guard down, admit I needed help, give everything I could to getting healthy again with my mom, and share it all with America hoping someone may connect with me and see it's possible. Someone like myself, 52% body fat, 264 pounds, unhealthy and unhappy can change their life around. I am healthy. I am happy. I am in the best place I could have ever imagined. I can't wait for what's to come!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Which teams or players did you become close to, while on the ranch?
A. Stephanie: My mom and I became very close to the Pink Team (Ashley and Sherry) early on. I remained close to Ashley, Drea, Sunshine and especially Sam. However, I will say we had a great group of contestants and I feel a lot of love for them all in different ways!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What did you make of the gameplay and strategizing that went on this season?
A. Stephanie: I stayed out of it all and was doing a pretty good job until gameplay/strategizing came about from other contestants my final week. My opinion on the best Biggest Loser plan is to lose the most amount of weight you can each and every week. That is what I pushed for, which is why I lost 7lbs, then 4lbs, then 8lbs, then 3lbs, then 9 lbs, then 1lb. I, of course, wish I could have lost more consistent numbers week to week but the totals all still add up to about 10 or 11 pounds every two weeks. I can't control the way my body may lose the weight with the numberss, but I can control how much I work to get to my ultimate goal. That was my game, to win my mind, body and spirit back. I know each individual on the ranch was on their own path with how they acted to camera and/or behind the scenes and I can't really know inner thoughts and feelings. For me, it was never about the other contestants, it was about me and being able to walk away with my head held high. I stand behind my time on the ranch and maintained my integrity throughout.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your initial reaction when Victoria and Melissa returned this week?
A. Stephanie: At that point, we had gone from 22 contestants to 9 and had gone through a lot physically, emotionally, spiritually. So to have one contestant come back, after we already had 2 return (the Yellow Team in week 4), was a lot. Now they are telling us not one, but TWO people are coming back. That makes a total of four contestants to return this season and I don't believe anyone would be honest in saying they would be pleased. It wasn't about who the contestants were, it was about going from nine to eleven at week 11. It just felt like two steps backwards at the time. But one must always expect the unexpected on The Biggest Loser. It is, after all, a reality tv game show.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: There seemed to be a lot of rumors circulating about you being "shady" when you left. What do you think happened?
A. Stephanie: Unfortunately, I can't control how others act or decide to play the game and the rumors that were started by one contestant spread my last week to the remaining contestants except myself and Sam. I felt some tension that last week from my girlfriends (Ashley, Drea and Sunshine). However, they all assured me everything was fine until the night before weigh in when all was revealed. Since then, the girls have apologized and, finding their apologies to be very genuine and sincere, we are now working to move forward in our friendships once again. I hope the same one day for Koli.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You seemed really upset this week, do you think that affected your weight loss?
A. Stephanie: Sure, there are a lot of things that can affect one's weight loss and I am definitely sensitive and wear my heart on my sleeve. However, being upset was not a reason for my 1lb weight loss this week. The fact I killed it the week prior and lost 9 lbs put me in a rough situation going back to averages again. I was losing 10 lbs every two weeks, so I knew it was going to be tough to bring a heavy number again. Nevertheless, I continued to work hard all week in order to overcome this obstacle and unfortunately my body wasn't on the same page.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You look fantastic now! What have you been doing to keep up your weight loss?
A. Stephanie: I am still working at my weight loss and life balance every day. I have gone back to work full time as a sales executive at a radio station in Los Angeles. Having a job that is 100% commission in order to earn an income comes with a lot of stress and pressure. However, I am making time for my exercise on a daily basis before or after work- or both! On weekends I use the time to stay active all day if possible, doing double workouts many times. I also keep a close eye on my nutrition. My job entails a lot of client lunches and dinners so I've needed to learn quickly how to order meals while out. It's a balance act I'm still working towards and will always have to keep a hold of but it's worth it. I'm worth it!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's your goal for the finale?
A. Stephanie: My goal is still the same as it was day 1 of this experience, to share that finale moment of success with my mom, my family, and my friends who have seen me struggle with this issue for years. To walk on stage in front of America and share my absolute joy for my overall transformation. The goal is not just my finale in May, but my forever. I can't wait!

 

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa and David at twitter.com/davidmcalpine

 

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