Biggest Loser: Humor & Inspiration

This was one of the best episodes in a long time. It was inspiring and funny. The gang headed to Texas, home to the five fattest cities in the U.S.

The contestants hit radio shows around the state and got people to join them at the Cotton Bowl for a 5K. It was the most inspiring thing I've seen on this series in a long time. Hearing the contestants encouraging other people was really uplifting. (And made me regret the peanut butter fudge I ate earlier.) More on that inspiration a minute, but did anyone else think that
Sunshine running with her long hair under a baseball hat and wearing a yellow shirt looked like Forest Gump?

The challenge of the week was what I'll call a Texas rodeo challenge. Each contestant had to herd cattle into their pen. The reward? Immunity.

O'Neal and Sunshine worked to get calves in O'Neals pen. Sam played for Koli, who ultimately won the immunity. But the most hysterical part of this challenge was Mike trying to sweet talk the calves into submission.

Jillian met up with Abby from Season 8 at a Texas high school. Abby brought Jillian in to motivate the kids. The Q&A in the high school gym was awkward when a very big girl stood up and put herself out there. Jillian talked with her privately after the assembly and encouraged her to make a change. I hope Jillian stays in touch with her.

At the weigh in, Sunshine and O'Neal both fell below the yellow line and, predictably, O'Neal asked to be sent home. Everyone complied with his request and he was voted off. Quite frankly, I'm glad. I was getting tired of Sunshine's teariness and anxiety. Now that she doesn't have to feel responsible for her dad, maybe some of that will go away.

But back to that inspiration. Here is a collection of inspirational things that were said during tonight's episode, most of them during the 5K, many of them from Biggest Loser contestants to the folks who turned out to change their own lives.

Take the small step. Do something. You have to start somewhere. Do a little bit more than you think you can. Go to a different place. Dig deep. Don't leave anyone behind. It's the little things that make the biggest difference. You have to want it. No one can give it to you. Get better everyday. Keep pushing yourself. Your body catches up and then your mind catches up. Little by little you gain confidence. You get such a great feeling from the weight loss and releasing so much crap in your head. It's a lifetime change that's gonna be with me for a lifetime. I've never done that before -- it's great! Maybe I'm not done. Maybe I can get past this and go a little further. I made a difference and I'm thankful. Don't let anybody tell you what you can and can't do. I want to be different. Happiness comes with the achievement of little goals. You have everything that it takes to achieve anything you want. Don't let the little stupid stuff bog you down. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

Oh, praise the Lord and pass the potatoes (or the Extra sugar-free gum), next week is MAKEOVER WEEK!