My Day at The Biggest Loser Finale

This is an exciting day for me. I’m going to The Biggest Loser Finale in Los Angeles! Who would have ever believed that my life would have changed this much over these last few years.

It wasn't that long ago that I remember filling out the application and sending it in and going to a casting call to try and get on the show. At the time I was a very large 326 pounds; however, it wasn't big enough for my height to meet the qualifications. But after doing my own personal weight loss challenge losing over 100 pounds, I’m on my way to watch the Season 15 finale tonight.

Last night, I stayed in Minneapolis so I didn’t have to get up so early and drive to the airport, which was a good decision because it’s going to be a long day. I had a nice flight into Denver, except the weather was turning bad--snow and freezing fog. So I asked if I could get on an earlier flight to LA to beat the inevitable flight delays that were coming. As luck would have it a very nice ticket lady got me on an earlier flight…YEAH!

Things I want to do and people I really want to meet while I am in LA.

1. Meet Jillian Michaels. (One way or another I want a picture with her!)
2. Meet Alison Sweeney. :)
3. Meet Rueben. (I have been a big fan of his since his American Idol days.)
4. Go to a few parties afterwards and make some contacts.
5. Enjoy a few minutes outside in LA where it’s NOT below 0 degrees!
6. Oh...I guess I should meet Bob and Dolvette.

I got in to LA before noon and checked in to my hotel. The weather was beautiful. It was much nicer than the below zero I left...and NO SNOW!

I was fortunate enough to start meeting past contestants right away and work began. After a bite to eat and a good workout at the hotel gym, the madness started!

We had to be to the Sony Studios by 4:00 p.m. PST, two hours prior to the start of the show. It was pretty cool being on the studio grounds seeing where they shoot many TV shows and movies. 

Our group was split up throughout the studio audience, I was fortunate to sit next to Jackie Evans in the past contestant area. I was introduced to so many people, heard some amazing stories of inspiration and really felt motivated to help more people.

Then there was the show. I don’t think I've ever clapped my hands so much in my entire life! If you've ever been to a taping of a show you know you have to scream and yell and clap for almost the whole show. This show went out live to America so there was no room for errors and watching the stage crew work was amazing. We were having fun in our section predicting how much everyone would weigh before they stepped on the scale.

So now I’m all sure you’re wondering what my opinion of the winner Rachel, who lost almost 60% of her body weight and weighed in at 105 lbs. A couple of things--remember that David lost 222 lbs, Bobby (who we thought was looking really thin from our seats, but when we met afterwards he looked really good) lost 187 lbs, and Tumi lost 175 lbs. Every one of these contestants are monitored by a doctor. Toward the end when it gets closer to their final weigh-ins, they start doing what bodybuilders call “cutting,” which means no carbs, low calories and they dehydrate themselves. Why would they do this? Because it’s a contest! They’re trying to win $250,000!

Do I think that this is the best way to lose weight? No

Do I think she is too thin? Not really. I do think it was shocking to see her so completely different from where she started over 8 months ago. If you were to meet Rachel now you would never think that she was ever extremely heavy.

Is she healthy? I certainly hope so. I will say that she will probably put on some weight in the next few weeks and everyone will calm down from all of this.

Remember that Rachel was a competitive swimmer and has the personality of a competitor. And when that type of person gets into the winning mode, they stop at nothing in order to win.

I can remember all the emails and texts I received from people after I had gotten down to under 180 pounds in March 2013 when I did my first show. I will say that even though I looked thinner than I had been in over 25 years I was still very healthy. After rehydrating and starting to eat carbs again it didn’t take long to start filling back in. So lets all give Rachel a break and let her enjoy her victory. I’m thinking that she will be just fine.

After the show we all were invited to a party hosted by Jenni-O Turkey on the back lot of the Sony Studios where we were fed very yummy Turkey Tacos. When that wrapped up we headed back to the Westin Hotel where we hosted a great after party with current and past BL contestants. It was such a thrill to be able to meet so many of them as well as meeting Ruben Studdard and of course Alison Sweeney.

I was able to accomplish a few things off my check list…

• Did meet Jillian
  
• Did meet Ruben and Alison
  

• Did spend some time outside
  
• Did make a couple of the after parties
  
• Did meet Bob but not Dolvette
  

I am looking forward to another day here in LA. I have lots of work to do so time will go by quickly. I am looking forward to coming home on Thursday.

Have a great day everyone and make plans to attend our first 2014 Chippewa Valley Challenge Health Seminar on Thursday, February 13 at The Oxford (1814 N. Oxford Ave.) with Lisa Rambo from Season 14 of The Biggest Loser as our keynote speaker.

Stay strong, stay motivated and stay focused!

Dan