by Gina Scarpa

Following Nikki's early exit from The Biggest Loser and TC's elimination in Week 1, it was safe to say that the Jillian's team was feeling down. When Alison let the contestants know that the red line would be back at the weigh-in for Week 2, the pressure was on. After being kicked out of the gym the week prior, Nathan had a breakthrough and showed Jillian what he really was made of. Just as he was getting started though, he fell below that dreaded red line and was sent home. We talked to Nathan following his elimination to find out more about his weigh loss journey both on and off the ranch.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the wakeup call that made you say, "I need The Biggest Loser"?

A. Nathan: You know, being a fan of the show, I've watched every season. Seeing some of the contestants, I'm thinking, "Wow, I'm bigger than some of these people. Maybe it's time for me to change my life." I tried out for Season 12 and I didn't make it, and that kind of discouraged me. I tried out for Season 13 and I didn't make it again. That's when I decided that I was just going to go ahead and do this. I started working out and tried out this season and I made it on.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you were sitting in the audience in that first episode, and Alison called your name, what were you feeling?

A. Nathan: I was ecstatic because just like they said on tv, we actually didn't know that we were going to be selected. Sitting in the crowd, they were calling names, and they hadn't called mine. I was so anxious! I didn't wanna fly out here to LA just to be told I didn't make it. When she finally said Nathan Montgomery, I was just so happy. I knew my life was going to change.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What did you think about being placed on Jillian's team, instead of having some kind of control over the situation?

A. Nathan: You know, that was one of my concerns. In my head, I was thinking, "Maybe we'll have to compete to get on the show or a team." When our names were on the board and I was on Jillian's team, I'm not gonna lie. I was a little concerned for my well being! She's quite the personality, so I was a little afraid. I came to love Jillian though!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you feel like being kicked out of the gym in Week 1 was a good thing?

A. Nathan: It was because my whole life, I've always reacted to that sort of pressure from somebody negatively. I've always given up on myself. Jillian just keeps pushing and eventually breaks through those barriers that you've had up your whole life. We became very close friends and she's an incredible person.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: After Nikki quit, and then TC was eliminated, what was the white team feeling going into Week 2?

A. Nathan: Oh we started out that week kind of down in the dumps you could say. We were sad ew had a team member quit and then TC was such a big part of our team. He was an integral part of us succeeding going forward. Why did we keep losing? Why were we in this position? We talked with Jillian and realized we couldn't focus on this. We went into that week feeling positive but we were all a bit worried because week 2 is so unpredictable. I mean, Jeff lost 0 pounds. Nobody expected that. That's another reason why I pushed myself so hard.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What do you think happened to you in that second week that caused you to fall below the red line?

A. Nathan: You know, I think everybody has a good week the first week because your body jumpstarts that transformation. Then, you do a quick plateau. Nobody lost a good amount of weight. Being so much bigger than everybody, 5 pounds just isn't what it is.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: TC said it was really tough to go home so early on, feeling like he didn't look any different. How did you handle your elimination?

A. Nathan: It was tough! After day one, I loved being on the ranch. I really wanted to stay as long as possible. Coming home is tough because just like TC said, I had to face my girlfriend and see my family, and I hardly look any different. That was hard but they were really supportive and I kept working out every day. Now, I can see a difference!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How are you doing in preparation for the finale, to compete for the at home prize?

A. Nathan: The finale is right around the corner. It's definitely my target right now. There's a lot of stiff competition for the at home prize. I'm focusing on not so much the money, even though $100,000 would never hurt. But I just wanna be a much better me up until the finale, and even after. My prize will be the health, what I look like, and what I'm capable of. My routine now is a lot of cardio. I talked to Dr. H and he recommended vigorous activity each morning. I have a couple hours off until lunch, then back into the gym for cardio or maybe a strength circuit. At night, I'll do some light cardio.

 

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa