by Gina Scarpa

 

Last week, on the season premiere of The Biggest Loser, the contestants were faced with the biggest twist in the show's history. They could either train with Bob and Jillian or two unknown trainers. If they chose the unknown trainers, they were guaranteed immunity for four weeks and the opportunity was too good to pass up for many teams. Ana and her daughter, Irene, ended up with Bob and Jillian and fell below the yellow line at the first weigh-in. Feeling that it was more important that her daughter stay, Ana requested that her fellow players send her home and they honored her request. Today, we caught up with Ana in an exclusive interview about her short-lived experiences on the show and what life was like when she returned home.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Whose idea was it to apply for the show?
A. Ana: Irene originally applied with her cousin to be on the show. There wasn't a real connection between them, and they saw me in a lot of her pictures and asked for both of us to come in. And they liked us and we got cast. Irene had never even seen the program, and I had seen a few episodes.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your initial reaction when Alison said that there would be two new trainers?
A. Ana: I was surprised. Everybody was saying, "Who is going to be your trainer, Bob or Jillian?" so when they said there were two new trainers, I was very surprised.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How did you and Irene come to the decision that you wanted the 4 weeks of immunity? What went through your mind when you saw that you'd get Bob and Jillian instead?
A. Ana: When I found out about the 4 weeks immunity, I told Irene I need this to build strength so I can last a little longer. But the team in front of us took the last spot with the new trainers.  As teams were forming, the people we had bonded with the most were all going to Bob and Jillian's team so I was really happy, though I knew I may not last long. It was beyond my control, but I'm really glad for the results from being with them. Even though it was one week, it was a wonderful experience and the people in our group, it felt like a family. We really cared about each other and supported and encouraged each other.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You said you'd never stepped foot in a gym before. How was the first workout?
A. Ana: It was intense. I couldn't run as fast as they wanted us to but I went as fast as I could. I worked out so hard I felt a little lightheaded but I rested and then went back for more. It was character building.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How confident were you going into the weigh-in?
A. Ana: I wasn't that confident because I knew that there were times I was struggling to get my calorie burn because I struggled with pain in my knees. I had arthritis in my knees and have had problems with my knees before, which is why I struggled to do my job as a letter carrier (because of my knees).

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What went through your mind when you saw you and Irene fell below the yellow line?
A. Ana: I felt so sad and disappointed because I felt like I had let Irene down. The last thing I wanted to do was to have her go home.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Why did you want Irene to stay over you?
A. Ana: Primarily because I'm the one who taught her how to eat unhealthy and be overweight, and I knew she was stronger and younger and could last longer. If I was struggling, it may have been too intense for me and maybe I had to do it at a slower pace. I thought she could handle it better and stay longer and learn more.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How are you keeping up the weight loss at home?
A. Ana: I measure and weigh my food, I journal and I work out with my trainer 3 times a week and try to do cardio 2 times a week and walk 3 times a week.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you have a goal for the finale?
A. Ana: I would love to lose 100 lbs. although I know the next 50 to lose will probably be a little slower to lose. I'd love to get as close to 100 lbs lost by finale as I can.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa and David @davidmcalpine

 

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