The Biggest Loser Season 8 Episode 8

Welcome to the Capital of the USA!  Episode 8, the Biggest Loser contestants journey across the country to Washington, D.C.  The Biggest Loser wants America to acknowledge the increasing obesity epidemic that is taking over the nation; the goal for going to D.C. is to learn first hand how the First Family eats, lobby Congress to increase health and fitness education, and most importantly to inspire America.

After arriving in D.C. the contestants were put on individual teams, set to finish the show as individuals and responsible for keeping themselves above the yellow line.  The first challenge was to go into D.C. and recruit people to come to the lawn in front of the Washington Monument to do a big group work-out with Bob and Jillian.  The person who recruited the most people won an advantage for the next challenge.  Contestants handed out stickers with their names on them, in order to identify who was showing up for who.  Allen recruited D.C. firefighters to come support him, giving him the second highest number of people in attendance, to Liz, who somehow recruited the most people to show up for her.

It was incredible to watch hundreds of people working out in front of the Washington Monument.  I cannot believe it has taken the show until season 8 to do something like this.  It is like Jillian said, "The Biggest Loser is not just a show anymore, it is a movement."  It was so evident when these people showed up to work out that America does want to get healthy and there are not anymore excuses.

Jillian, Bob and the contestants got to lobby to two members of Congress; asking them to make health and fitness education a priority in schools.  Teaching the basics at a young age puts children in the position to live a good and healthy life.  Congress seemed to be pretty all-for-it but we will see if they actually make effective changes.

After their visit to Congress it was time for Ali to introduce the next challenge--which was four parts.  The first part of the challenge was to run one mile; the first six contestants to cross the finish line moved on to the next stage.  This was a big moment for the contestants, when they first came to the ranch they had to run one mile and not one of them could run the whole thing.  Now, episode 8, the Biggest Loser's could run the whole thing!  Shay power walked, but she finished!  Danny, Tracey, and Shay did not make it to the next round, but all three gave admiral performances in the mile.

Rebecca won the miles and was determined to win all four stages.  On the line is immunity.  Since Liz won the first challenge by recruiting the most people she had the option to sit out one part of the four-part challenge.  She used it on stage two.  Stage two the contestants had to run up and down stairs collecting penny's equaling the total amount of weight lost on the entire Biggest Loser, then depositing them into a tube.  The first four people to fill their tube to the line got to move to the next stage.

Rudy had no problems with this challenge seeing as his hands are three times the size of everyone else.  He finished first by a long shot, Daniel came in second.  Allen and Rebecca were neck and neck, it was so intense host Alison Sweeney was freaking out.  Rebecca managed to pull through and beat Allen--moving her to the next stage.

Stage three Rudy, Liz, Daniel, and Rebecca had to stand on a tiny ledge holding a Swiss ball above their heads.  Each stage in episode 8 was shown in front of a major D.C. monument, incorporating America into The Biggest Loser, quite touching in my opinion.  Rebeeca and Rudy managed to hold on the longest, thus bringing them to the final stage in front of the White House.  The final stage Rebecca and Rudy had to step up 206 times, one for every contestant every on The Biggest Loser.  Rebecca smoked Rudy and ensured her immunity at the weigh-in.

The next day was the coolest day.  The contestants, Bob and Jillian, and Ali got to go to the White House and make lunch in the kitchen using fresh vegetables from Michelle Obama's garden!! How cool is that?! It was great to see what a fine example the First Family was setting for America.  They use the foods from their garden, ensuring a healthy, cheap, environmentally friendly meal.  It just shows that eating healthy does not cost very much.  The salad they made looked amazing, if you have ever  had freshly picked lettuce you would never go back to buying it in a store.  It is so delicious.  That was a really cool scene, it was also neat to see how in awe Bob and Jillian were of the First Family's healthy lifestyle--really great role models for our country.

It has to come to this, episode 8's last chance work-out.  During the last chance work-out Bob and Amanda reconnected, having a heart-to-heart about her break-down last week.  She seemed to glad to be back with Bob, and he seemed so glad to be back with her.  The two have a bond that is really unique on The Biggest Loser.  It makes me what a "Bob."  Jillian, FINALLY!, got to train Tracey!  Best day of my life, and Jillian's.  She pushed Tracey so hard and got to the root of why she was here--to win the game or to win her life back?  It took Tracey a while to realize that there is more to The Biggest Loser than just a game; in episode 8 I think she realized it.

However the weigh-in did not go so well for her.  Tracey only lost three pounds putting her below the yellow line.  Liz also went below the yellow line leaving the rest of the group to decide between Tracey and her.  Before the decision I have to tell you that Shay went below 400 lbs! That should be an amazing feeling for her!  And... Amanda lost 7-lbs!  Which is the most weight she has ever lost on The Biggest Loser, thank you Bob!

On a somber note, the group had to decide who to send home, inevitable it was Tracey's time.  Given the opportunity to vote her off the contestants took it...I am so surprised it took them until episode 8, but that is their choice, I would have given her the boot the first time.  Tracey went home and surprisingly when seeing her progress she lost a lot of weight and looks really good.  Go girl! I think Tracey learned her lesson; that work-out and talk with Jillian hopefully put her on the right track; this is her life, it is not a game, you win it by getting and staying healthy, there are no advantages, it is hard work but if you can do it you are the biggest winner of all.

Great, great episode, I am loving Season 8! Can't wait to watch next week!