by Gina Scarpa

 

One lesson Sarah Nitta learned this season on The Biggest Loser was to make choices for herself instead of letting others decide her fate. In a challenge where players had to complete a 5K in order to choose their trainers, she tried to come in last but her fellow players wouldn't let her. She ended up going with Bob and Jillian, which sent Arthur Wornum over to the red team. He was eliminated at the next weigh-in, and she went the following week. We talked to Sarah today about her choices on the ranch, and her weight loss journey at home.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you and your mom decide to try out for The Biggest Loser?
A. Sarah: I actually tried out by myself for season 10 when I realized how much my weight was contributing to my pregnancy losses and how unhappy I was. I made it as an alternate for the show but didn't make it on. Then I was asked to come back with a partner for season 11. My mom jumped right on board and was really excited, whereas I was more hesitant to go through the process again after knowing the disappointment of making it so close but not all the way. I feared the heartache of being let down again so much that I almost didn't go for season 11. Boy, am I glad that I took a chance! It has changed my life forever.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: After the first challenge, why did you opt for immunity instead of training with Bob and Jillian?
A. Sarah: I chose to take the immunity because I felt like I needed to protect myself from myself at that time. The first few weeks are the hardest on the show and it was hard to be there, but I knew that I needed it more than anything to save my life. I took the immunity so I would never be tempted to give up and fall below the yellow line before I really had time to change. I am so glad that I did. I grew and learned and changed so much during the first four weeks.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You had the opportunity to work with both sets of trainers this season. Was there a style, or trainer, that you preferred?
A. Sarah: I feel so blessed to have been able to work with all four trainers because they are all so different and I learned so much from each one. I don't think I could chose one set of trainers that I liked more, but I can say that I trusted Brett and Bob the most when it came to training and have incorporated both of their methods in my workouts here at home.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was it tough when your mom was eliminated from the show and you were left on the ranch without her?
A. Sarah: It was extremely hard to see my mom leave the ranch. I didn't realize how much I loved having her there with me until she was gone. Isn't that how it always goes? When I came back from our two weeks at home and saw her empty bed, I cried.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you went home for the two week period while still in the game, what was your biggest struggle?
A. Sarah: My biggest struggle was separating myself from the parties and activities happening all around me so that I could get in my exercise. I hadn't seen my husband for three months and you can bet I wanted to spend every waking moment in his arms, so it was hard to leave him to go to the gym, although he joined me as much as he was able, which was a lot of fun.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you feel that you made the right choice by choosing Bob and Jillian the second time around? Arthur was sent to the red team, where he was eliminated, and you were sent home the next week.
A. Sarah: When I decided to come in last, I assumed that I would go back over to the red team, and I knew that would save Arthur from being sent there. The red team knew what I was doing while I was on the treadmill they told me that if I came in last they'd send me home that night. So in that moment, I had to make a choice between them sending me home or them possibly sending Arthur home. We had already made our decision of which trainers we would choose before the challenge ever started and we couldn't change it. If you remember, I had a higher body fat percentage than anyone else, including Arthur. I was technically fatter than Arthur, and as much as I wanted him to be there, I needed to be there as well. I was really hoping that someone from the red team that was more ready to go home would go that night, but I understand they're bond and friendship between the team. I am glad that I had my last week on the ranch with Bob because I made a lot of good breakthroughs that week and it was necessary for my progress. Either decision, it sounded like I was going home.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How is your weight loss journey going at home?
A. Sarah: Being at home is certainly harder, but I am still doing it and still succeeding. I feel like now I can honestly say to everyone else that never gets to make it on the ranch that it is possible to do from home, and I am proof of that. It takes a lot of work, dedication, planning and resisting temptations, but I am proud to say that I am still losing weight and learning every day.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Bob always talks about transforming people from the inside out. What's the biggest lesson you learned on the inside?
A. Sarah: The biggest changes for me have all happened on the inside. Once on the show I realized that I had been living my life in fear and didn't believe in myself much at all. Faith and fear cannot co-exist, and when I started to let go of that fear I started to believe in myself more. I have grown to love myself so much, which is something that I really struggled with before. And I believe now that I can do anything! And if I fail, who cares? The greatest difference is that I am no longer afraid to try.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

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