by Gina Scarpa

 

This week on The Biggest Loser, the parents on the black team made the ultimate sacrifice for their children. Marci, Deni, and Jesse all agreed that they would be the ones to go home before their children and for two of them, things worked out the way they wanted them to. First, Deni was automatically eliminated after falling below the red line at the weigh-in. Then, Jesse was voted out in favor of keeping Marci at the elimination. Today, we spoke to Jesse about his motivation for going on The Biggest Loser, his thoughts on Arthur's actions this season, and his journey at home.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was your main motivation for going on The Biggest Loser yourself or your son?
A. Jesse: My main motivation was Arthur. It was he that asked me to participate in the casting call with him. It was he and his wife that put my packages together that were submitted to the production company for their consideration. It was he that got to 650 pounds and had me worried that he would die from his condition. It was not till we actually got on the ranch and I began to deal with my issues that I began to focus on myself.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want Bob and Jillian as your trainers?
A. Jesse: We had no choice for trainers. We finished next to last in the competition for choice. Arthur would have chosen Bob and Jillian. I would have chosen the immunity and the other trainers if we had won the opportunity to choose.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Arthur did some things in the game that rubbed people the wrong way and you often kept quiet. Did you feel that he needed to take responsibility for his actions?
A. Jesse: I never discussed my feelings about Arthur's actions in public because that was not the place to discuss them. I always gave him the benefit of my feelings in the privacy of our room. He always took responsibility for his actions. That was one of the first life lessons he learned as my child: consequences.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: This week, it seemed like your team was trying to convince you to be the one to sacrifice yourself for your son and leave the game if you lost the weigh-in. How were you feeling in that moment?
A. Jesse: Wanting to help my son be the best he can be should and never was an issue not with the people that mattered - that is, me and Arthur. What upset me was our team's attitude that we were going to lose and that was it, we had no chance of winning. I did not believe that and why all this talk about me sacrificing for Arthur and for them. I did not necessarily feel that I was an automatic sacrifice because of my age and the fact that I was not part of the good girl network. That does not mean I would not have left for one of the girls. I was only holding my decision for the moment if and when it presented itself. I wanted to have some say in the matter. I was not giving them any false sense of security. Who really knows what any of those who said they would do something would really do when the situation presented itself. We know what I would do. I did it.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What happened this week with the 3 pound weight gain?
A. Jesse: The weight gain was just that... a small bump in the road.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You've done great with your weight loss at home! What was the toughest part about transitioning home from the ranch?
A. Jesse: The toughest part of being home is dealing with the job and trying to find time to work out. Food is also an issue. I have been helped by The Biggest Loser Meal Plan.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What is the biggest difference you notice in yourself, as well as Arthur, since going on The Biggest Loser?
A. Jesse: The biggest difference I have noticed in myself is my ability to deal with those moments when I would sabotage my daily caloric intake. I no longer lose control. The beauty of it is that it is happening naturally, there is no effort on my part. I strive to do the best thing for me 90% of the time. I allow myself 10% for mistakes or what I perceive as a mistake. As for Arthur, it's his appearance. He looks so much smaller to me.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you have a finale weight loss goal and what are you doing to achieve it?
A. Jesse: My finale goal is a 36 inch waist. My goal weight by the finale is to have lost at least 100. That would put me in the 190 area. I am continuing on my workout and calorie awareness to achieve this goal.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa