Unknown, No More.

Last night’s BL episode picks up where we left off, last week.  It’s the final hours for the “unknowns” at Fitness Ridge and Q is defending himself…Cara is not impressed.  (Why can’t I warm up to ANY of the unknowns?)  At the ranch, it’s last chance workout and some personal attention to Hannah and her back injury.  Wow–injured 12 years ago and 5 weeks into the season Jillian has Hannah doing a back bend (or “wheel”) a challenging position for those with NO back problems.  Impressive or overly aggressive?  BOTH.

The campus group gather for the weigh-in.  Jen and Jay are now part of the campus group.  Irene and Don throw (and admit) the weigh in so that Don can be released from this place that he clearly does NOT belong in, especially with his twin brother already gone.  Both Don and Irene feel this strategic move will also serve to keep anyone else from the elimination.  All makes sense.   Alison decides to skip the deliberation and with a unanimous show of hands, the group sends Don home.

The now, not so “unknowns,” leave the comfort of the Ridge and join the rest on campus.  I was really interested in the way Cara and Brett train their group.  Without all the fancy gym equipment, they did do a lot of boxing, but also a lot of hardcore, creative WORK.   Pulling, pushing, non-stop, grueling work.  I love it!  Rulon is an animal.  He broke one or two treadmills.  (Who does that??)

There are several challenges.  If Jillian and Bob’s group can lose what they lost last week (combined total) they will ALL have a week of immunity.  The former “unknowns” will face their first weigh in WITH elimination.  But first, the challenge for them.  Stacking 500 pounds of weight plates AGAINST each other.  Last team standing wins their 5th week of immunity.  Annoyingly (is that a word?) yellow team’s Rulon and Justin win.

The final weigh in finds Irene up first, using her weight from before the 6 pound gain as her current weight.  That’s fair.  She manages to  lose 8 pounds!  As the rest of the campus teams weigh in they lose a whopping 63 pounds, easily beating last weeks 48!  Phew, they are all safe!    In the end it is red team’s Q and Larialmy that fall below even though they kicked ass and lost 13 and 11 pounds respectively!  They have already decided to ask for Q to be kept on campus as he really still needs a lot more help.  Though, as Rulon points out, they are tired of dragging Q’s ass, they respect the couple’s wishes.  Refrigerator lights OUT for Larialmy.

When we see the eliminated contestants, Larialmy is down from 301 to 227 pounds and inspiring her sisters back at home.  We see Don at home with his family (including his son who had basically disowned his dad) and he has gone from 309 to 222 pounds.  Great job.  This just proves that it’s not only on TV that people can be big, big losers!

Next week, Black vs. Red, a temptation challenge and some swapping of team mates.  Can’t wait!

On a very separate note, what a great Oprah yesterday as she challenged her entire staff (and their families) to go vegan for a week.  If you happen to have it on your DVR, see if you can watch it before you delete it.  It IS a bit graphic, but it really is good to know where your food comes from.  I am elated that most of mine comes from the earth.  But more about this, tomorrow.

Peace, peas…fitness.  All good.  Get yours on!