The week didn’t start the best though, with a sad farewell to one of my fave contestants… Lisa. I understand the logic though – at this stage of the competition it’s power by numbers so it makes sense to even out the game a bit!

10 points to Alex for sticking up for himself to Margie, minus 10 points to Margie for AGAIN being able to serve it but not take it herself. The Black Team, the Blue Team, and the White Team – they have all copped a serving from Margie. It’s fine for her to vote strategically but God forbid someone else do it! All I can hear in my head when I think about Margie at the moment is: “I’m not a bully, old man.” Is she for real? Anyway – Lara’s vent for the week… DONE!

The return of the eliminated contestants this week showed who really has been smashing it up on the outside! I can’t wait to see the contestant’s faces when they see them! I remember returning to the house (very briefly I might add) and the mood around the house changed quite dramatically when we all arrived. It was a mixture of “happy to see you” and “please leave”, after all, these contestants have rightfully played the game until what they thought was the “end,” only now to have a few ex-contestants fight their way back in the game. Particularly when the ex-contestants have 24-hours a day to exercise if they want, but the contestants still in the house have a solid schedule of filming to work around (normally leaving 3- 5 hours a day of gym time). I can’t wait to see who manages to fight their way back into Camp!

This brings me to my all time FAVOURITE part of the competition...

MAAAAKKEEEOOOOVVVEEERRR!!!!!!! I remember thinking to myself when I arrived at Biggest Loser I just want to make it to Makeover then I’ll be quite happy to leave! (Sure enough, I managed to leave the very next week!) I loved seeing all the contestants finally enjoy some pampering time! The Kleenex came out again as I bawled my eyes out watching the reveals. Seeing the family’s reactions got me the most though. I was a blubbering heap. If I ever need a good cry, watching my dad’s reaction to my Makeover gets me every time! The Makeover has once again exceeded all my expectations. All the girls looked SMOKIN HOT and the men looked SEXY! I can’t wait to see even more changes at finale!

When the contestants went back to Camp, I was absolutely shocked to see Michelle have the same binge session / breakdown I had. I just wanted to give her a massive hug! I don’t know what triggered Michelle the most, but for me it was a combination of seeing my family and friends (then being taken from them again) and feeling like I was “done” (in that Makeover to me felt like finale – it felt like the end). It was the most horrible moment. Really really emotional.

I remember smashing three yoghurts and a handful of quinoa and feeling like it was the end of the world. To everyone on the “outside” they would be surely thinking we are being ridiculous worrying over such a small amount of calories, but to the contestants (who follow strict diets and routine) - it can really mess with your head! After all, we are former food addicts. We have a bad day at work, or a fight with a partner, and as an emotional reaction we grab straight for what we know helps us (momentarily)… food. What used to be two family size blocks of chocolate and a tub of ice cream is now replaced with yoghurt and quinoa (or crackers and salmon in Michelle’s case). It doesn’t matter what the food is, it’s the act of binging that is the scariest thing.

On a plus though, the week did end up well for Michelle (and Alex) who both took out an advantage going into the next weigh in from the rafting challenge! That looked like so much fun!

Till next week

Lara xxx