by Gina Scarpa

All season long on The Biggest Loser, Bonnie has been out to prove that, no matter your age, it's never too late to do something about your health and your life.  This week, she also showed her integrity and willingness to put others before herself.  When she fell below the yellow line, she volunteered to leave so that her former teammate Becky could have a shot at the grand prize.  Today, we talked to the determined grandmother in an exclusive interview about her Biggest Loser experience.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the turning point that made you say to yourself that you needed The Biggest Loser?
A. Bonnie: My weight has been a problem for me all of my life. I actually lost 100 lbs in one year when I was 16 years old. The turning point for me was losing my husband in February of 2007 and for years, not caring what I ate and getting bigger and bigger until one day I said, "My grandchildren have lost their paw-paw. I am not letting them lose their maw-maw too." I have watched The Biggest Loser for years and just thought, "Why not try? They can only tell me no. " And surprise surprise, look what happened!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You and Anna didn't always see eye to eye. What do you feel was the biggest issue between the two of you?
A. Bonnie: Anna did her best to work with my situation. Look what she had to work with - a 63 year old woman with a bone on bone knee. I can only thank her for the first 6 weeks for my journey. She helped me to get started and I succeeded each week never gaining. I will always have her to thank for that.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How much tougher is it to actually be on the show as opposed to watching it on television?
A. Bonnie: It is considerably tougher compared to watching it. You're not doing anything but saying, "Oh my!" when you are there. I was determined to get through each challenge I had on that ranch as I felt so lucky to have been asked to be a part of it. I needed to prove to myself and the rest of the people there that I can do this.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It was great to see you lose 5 pounds this week on the scale. What was your proudest moment this season?
A. Bonnie: I never felt better than the time I trucked through the snow, wind, and rain and, last but not least, up the steep hill to be able to receive our mail from home finally. What an accomplishment for me to finish that task.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you and Becky fell below the yellow line, were you immediately sure that you should be the one to go?
A. Bonnie: When I realized that I was going against Becky... she was a very good friend of mine along with a teacher. I said from the beginning that money wasn't the reason I was there and I wanted a teacher to win as they give so much of their time and energy and get so little in return. In my mind - never paid enough.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the reaction of your family and friends when you arrived home?
A. Bonnie: Oh my, there were 50 people at the airport, family and friends, to meet me. They couldn't believe how great I looked and I was so happy to see all of them after 3 months. The only one that wouldn't hug me at first was my 13 year old Down Syndrome grandson Brennan. He said I didn't look like maw-maw. I stooped down and told him, "You will always be in my heart, no matter what size I am," and he hugged me and wouldn't let me go.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How are you managing your weight and preparing for the finale?
A. Bonnie: I have had knee surgery 5 weeks ago and just started driving and going back to the gym. Even though I haven't exercised like I was, I am averaging a pound or 2 each week.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What advice do you have for older people who need to get in shape but feel their age may hinder them?
A. Bonnie: You need to put the age aside and start from scratch, even if it's getting up and down from a chair 25 times a day. There is always some form of exercise you can do no matter how old you are or what your disability is. Just set aside a time and DO IT! It will become a way of life when you start feeling better.

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

(Image courtesy of NBC)

Follow Gina @ginascarpa and "Like" her on Facebook!