by Gina Scarpa

 

The Biggest Loser has returned for its 14th season and is changing things up by introducing three contestants under the age of 18 in order to tackle the issue of childhood obesity. In a packed auditorium in California, we meet Sunny, Noah (who prefers to be called Biingo), and Lindsay. Sunny is an junior in high school, an AP student, and puts a lot of stress on herself to continue doing well in school. Eighth grader Biingo admits to too much snacking and video games, but dreams of being a better athlete. Lindsay, who is the same age as Biingo, always wanted to be a gymnast but stopped because the girls would laugh at her.

 

Alison begins calling contestants onto the stage from the audience, and they have no idea they're about to head to The Biggest Loser ranch. Michael, a new father, is called up, along with Lisa, a mother of four and special education assistant. Next up is Jackson, who came out early on in high school and suffered years of bullying for it, and then Nathan who wants to propose to his girlfriend once he's healthier. Francelina, Pam, Gina, Alex, Cate, Jack, David, Danni, Nikki, Joe, and Jeff are all brought up which leaves one spot left. TC has been auditioning for five seasons and has gotten close, but was never chosen. The father of three was in a car accident and his seat busted, causing him to hit his oldest son in the face when he was just baby. The severity of the injury has weighed on TC for many years but now, his dream of being on the show has finally come true!

 

Upon arriving at the ranch, the contestants find out that they've already been assigned to trainers. In seasons past, there is usually some sort of competition to choose who they want to work with. It's better that it's out of their control! So we have...

 

Team Dolvett: Francelina, Joe, Lisa, Jackson, Cate
Team Jillian: TC, Pam, Nathan, Danni, Nikki
Team Bob: Michael, David, Jeff, Gina, Alex

 

To start things off, everyone gets a free Planet Fitness membership which puts a smile on their faces just up until the trainers start screaming their heads off. While Jillian gets everyone on the treadmills, Dolvett takes the kids outside for some activities and exercise. In the gym, Nathan falls off the treadmill repeatedly, so instead of repeatedly telling him to get up, she kicks him out of the gym. Jackson is the first to actually go down for the count, and the medical staff swarms him with oxygen and water.

 

TC falls down the stairmaster a few times, so Jillian tells him that he's addicted to being a victim and sends him out of the gym as well. When Nikki doesn't seem into the workout, Jillian offers to buy her a one way ticket home and write her a list of excuses to tell her friends. Well, anyone who thought motherhood would've softened her up was wrong! At least not in the gym! She meets with the three she sent outside to tell them that if they're not ready to commit to this process, she'll just send them home herself.

 

After a rough night for many of the contestants, the first challenge awaits them the next day. The kids participate by pulling themselves across a rope to find letters on poles that spell out Biggest Loser. The adults must run through a ball put below to reach those letters and spell in on a game board in order to win. All three teams were neck and neck, but Jillian's team pulls it off, winning a 5 lb advantage and some much needed morale.

 

The kids head home (already?!) to continue journey at home, but will be back from time to time to participate in challenges and have the trainers check in on their progress. Alison sends them off with lots of exercise and and outdoor equipment, plus an iPad each.

Back at the gym, TC and Nathan are handling things much better, which is more than I can say for Nikki who has completely unraveled. Jillian asks if she is truly ready to change, she answers no, and decides to quit. Really?! I get that it's hard but you're going to give up on Day 2, when so many people wanted this opportunity to get healthy?

 

At the weigh-in, most likely due to Nikki's unexpexted exit, there's a red line. Whoever has the lowest percentage of weight loss on the losing team is automatically gone.

 

White Team
TC: -15
Pam: -10
Nathan: -20
Danni: -19
Total: 64 + -5 lb advantage = 69 lbs (5.61%)

 

Red Team
Lisa: -16
Jackson: -22
Francelina: -19
Cate: -12
Joe: -26
Total: -95 (6.59%)

 

Blue Team
Jeff: -29
Michael: -21
David: -20
Alex: -9
Gina: -15
Total: -94 (5.79%)

 

TC has lowest percentage and immediately breaks down. It's such a tough loss for the man who tried so hard to get to the ranch. At home, though, TC seems as if he is already making good progress and hopefully, can keep himself in contention to win the at home prize!

 

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa