The episode first kicked off with an emotional reunion between sisters Tiffany and Stephanie and their family members who came in to town just for the birthday celebration. Then to the tune of music, dancing, teary speeches and of course, birthday cake, the girls, clad in gown sizes they hadn’t worn in years, toasted not just Stephanie’s birthday, but their collective weight loss success as well.

Perhaps it was the presence of their trainer, Jessie, but the ladies also exercised a serious dose of self-control and moderation when faced with a delicious spread of food. Fortunately, since the party was organized by two fellow DietTribe members, Mary and Tiffany, the menu was specifically chosen to reflect the clean-eating diet the group has been following for the past two months.

Another memorable moment during episode six came when Rita announced that she and her husband lost their home to foreclosure, but by allowing the bank to take ownership of their home, they are still able to remain living in it. In a show of commitment and perseverance, Rita did not allow the weight of her financial struggle to result in actual weight gain. Instead, she used the opportunity to strengthen her resolve in her weight loss journey and shared her thoughts and inspiration with her fellow tribe members and DietTribe therapist, Stacy Kaiser.

Eighty days into their weight loss program, here is the result of their weight loss thus far:

Rita: New weight: 156 pounds. Pounds lost: 4 pounds. Total weight loss: 21 pounds.

Stephanie: New weight: 203 pounds. Pounds lost: 7 pounds. Total weight loss: 41 pounds.

Mary: New weight: 170 pounds. Pounds lost: 6 pounds. Total weight loss: 40 pounds.

LaNessa: New weight: 294 pounds. Pounds lost: 3 pounds. Total weight loss: 40 pounds.

Tiffany: New weight: 186 pounds. Pounds lost: 6 pounds. Total weight loss: 35 pounds.

Tune in next week when we recap episode seven of DietTribe Season Two.

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DietTribe Recap Episode Six

The women, who are all also mothers except for LaNessa, are concerned that they will inevitably pass their unhealthy eating habits down to their kids. During episode four, chef Cat Cora stopped by to show the women how to cook for themselves and their families in a healthy way in order to prevent their eating patterns from being passed down to another generation.

With love as one of the strongest motivators, the ladies gathered around the kitchen with Cat who helped them prepare healthy, kid-friendly snacks and meals that will keep their children lean, strong and fit. In addition, Cat’s creations will show the kids just how delicious whole foods can be. One of the recipes that she concocted was a low-fat batch of chicken fingers using cornflakes as a crunchy coating rather than heavy batter and baking them rather than frying them in order to trim calories and fat grams.

After their cooking lesson, the DietTribe members had their scheduled weighed in.

Here are the results following the half-way point of their 120-day weight loss journey:

Tiffany: Starting weight: 221 pounds. Current weight: 196 pounds. Total weight loss: 25 pounds

LaNessa: Starting weight: 335 pounds. Current weight: 303 pounds. Total weight loss: 32 pounds

Rita: Starting weight:177 pounds. Current weight: 163 pounds. Total weight loss: 14 pounds

Mary: Starting weight: 210 pounds. Current weight: 183 pounds. Total weight loss: 27 pounds

Stephanie: Starting weight: 244 pounds. Current weight: 215 pounds. Total weight loss: 29 pounds

Keep tuning in to DietsInReview.com for continued updates on the progress of ladies of DietTribe Season Two.

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DietTribe Season Two Episode Four Recap

With ten weeks left to go on their weight loss journey, the women have just crossed the half-way point of their 120-day challenge to lose 50 pounds each and compete in a triathalon. Despite Mary’s near panic attack in the water, all of them made it to shore safely and with a newly found confidence in themselves.

Episode five’s theme was all about overcoming fears. From LaNessa living her dream and singing in front of a crowd (think a baseball stadium full of people) and to swimming in the Pacific Ocean, the tribe made momentous strides during these past two weeks and their weigh-in reflected their continued progress.

Here is a look at that progress in numbers:

Tiffany: Starting weight: 221 pounds. Current weight: 192 pounds. Total pounds lost: 29 pounds

Rita: Starting weight: Current weight: 160 pounds. Total pounds lost: 17 pounds

Stephanie: Starting weight: 244 pounds. Current weight: 210 pounds Total pounds lost: 34 pounds

Mary: Starting weight: 210 pounds. Current weight: 176 pounds. Total pounds lost: 34 pounds

LaNessa: Starting weight: 335 pounds. Current weight: 297 pounds. Total pounds lost: 38 pounds

Tune in for episode six when the girls celebrate Stephanie’s 40th birthday.

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DietTribe Season Two Episode Five Recap

During the second episode, trainer Jessie Pavelka helped the girls prepare healthy and on-the-go meals and snacks, in addition to challenging them to a Marine Corps obstacle course. While the women rose to the challenge of the obstacle course when it came to Mary’s Mardi Gras birthday bash, the margaritas and cake proved to be too much for the girls’ willpower.

Jessie’s disappointment was clear and stern as the girls’ weigh-in reflected their lack of diet discipline during the past two weeks.

Stephanie: Pounds lost: 5. Total weight loss: 15.

Tiffany: Pounds lost: 4. Total weight loss: 14.

Mary: Pounds lost: 3. Total weight loss: 16.

Rita: Pounds lost: 2. Total weight loss: 5.

LaNessa: Pounds lost: 1. Total weight loss: 11.

Given their less than stellar performance, Jessie is exerting his authority by requiring that the women email him their diet log every day in the coming two weeks.

Tune in next week as DietsInReview.com finds out whether Jessie’s disciplinary action and the women’s recommitment to their diets results in greater weight loss following this past week’s disappointing results.

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DietTribe Episode Two Recap

Last week, we  introduced you to the five Tribe ladies who are on a 120-day journey to lose 50 pounds and compete in a triathlon. In addition, we had a chance to speak with two of the show’s contestants, sisters Stephanie Taulealea and Tiffany Young.

On the season premiere, trainer Jessie Pavelka went grocery shopping for the girls and then educated them on the portion sizes, the importance of lean protein and introduced them to the kind of clean-eating diet they would be following over the next 120 days. He also took the girls hiking, and at the end of their trekking excursion, they were introduced to their psychotherapist, Stacy Kaiser, who helped them literally take their first step along their weight loss journey.

All five women had to jump off a large pole suspended by harnesses that caught them as soon as they stepped off the platform. Each of the women managed to take this symbolic leap of faith despite their fears, anxiety and tears.

The rules of Season 2 are a bit different than DietTribe’s first season. Over the course of their four-month journey, the women must lose on average of six pounds every two weeks in order to meet their individual weight loss goals of 50 pounds.

And at the end of their first two weeks of training and dieting, here’s what their weigh-in stats looked like:

Stephanie: Starting weight: 244 pounds. Current weight: 234 pounds. Pounds lost to date: 10 pounds.

Tiffany: Starting weight: 221 pounds. Current weight: 211 pounds. Pounds lost to date: 10 pounds.

LaNessa: Starting weight: 335 pounds. Current weight: 325 pounds. Pounds lost to date: 10 pounds.

Rita: Starting weight: 177 pounds. Current weight: 174 pounds. Pounds lost to date: 3 pounds.

Mary: Starting weight: 210 pounds. Current weight: 197 pounds. Pounds lost to date: 13 pounds.

Tune in this Friday to Lifetime to find out how much farther along the DietTribe members journey towards their weight loss goals.

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DietTribe Season 2 Premiere Recap

Luke, the real estate developer from Santa Maria, California has spent the past two months looking for the love of his life among 20 hand-chosen women who just like him, have a bit more to love.

The two-hour season finale was filled with meeting parents, heartfelt conversations, picking out a ring, spa treatments and of course one life-changing final decision.

While their plus-sized figures were the primary issue in the beginning of the episodes, there was little mention of weight in the last remaining shows, particularly during the season finale as the topic only centered around who Luke was going to pick to wear the coveted ring.

In the end, Luke chose Tali, the independent, somewhat guarded young woman who came to the States from Isreal who is also an aspiring model. With aspirations of changing the world together and inspiring all other plus-sized single folks out there looking for love, Luke and Tali rode off in the blazing LA sunset together.

Let’s hope these two have a better shot at making it as a couple than many of the other reality dating show couples. And you can be sure that DietsInReview will check in and keep you posted on their life together away from the cameras.

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More to Love Finale Recap: Luke Chooses Tali

While everyone was truly transformed, no one underwent a metamorphosis like Miles. Losing 90 pounds since the beginning of the show to last night’s reunion, Miles started the show at 260 pounds and unveiled his amazing leaner bod at just 170 pounds. Miles’ elimination obviously did not deter him from his motivation to keep his weight loss journey thriving.

Pinky: Total weight loss: 25 pounds

Ruben: Total weight loss: 90 pounds

Shayla: Total weight loss: 50 pounds

Alicia: Total weight loss: 95 pounds

Miles: Total weight loss: 90 pounds

Angela: Total weight loss: 36 pounds

Mara: Total weight loss: 44 pounds

Tara: Total weight loss: 52 pounds

Trice: Total weight loss: 69 pounds

Warren: Total weight loss: 25 pounds

Karla: Total weight loss: 20 pounds

Brandan: Total weight loss: 20 pounds

And as a true finale to the dance/weight loss competition, all of the contestants hit the stage together and boogied it up in their new svelte bods.

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Dance Your Ass Off Season Wrap-Up

More to Love finalist Mandy

This week on More to Love, Luke took his three remaining gals away on a getaway to Hawaii. Spending one full day with each, he was able to concentrate on his ladies with uninterrupted focus. From a deep ocean swimming excursion with Tali to a scenic picnic with Mandy, each young woman was able to have Luke all to themselves as they peppered each other with questions on marriage, children and the current love quandary they themselves are in.

Tali, Malissa and Mandy were not just becoming more noticeably enamored with their potential suitor, but more nervous and anxious. Luke’s decision-making responsibility was also getting the best of him as he expressed his fear of regret over choosing the wrong woman and his daunting awareness of the onus he carries on his shoulders that will dearly affect the lives of all three remaining girls and himself.

Narrowing it down to just two girls, Luke eliminated Mandy, the 26-year-old fitness and dance instructor from Long Beach, California.

Next week, Luke gets to meet Tali’s and Malissa’s parents and his mom surprises both girls at breakfast.

Don’t miss next week’s season finale of More to Love as Luke makes the decision that we have all been waiting for and chooses the woman he wants to love more.

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More to Love Recap: Episode 7

In a meeting with Dr. Bradley, Ruby is encouraged to visit a kids’ weight loss camp in the Pokonos. Ruby wants to help these kids curb their weight issues now before they end up in the same situation she is. She takes Georgia and Jeff with her, and they spend three fun-filled days with the campers. Ruby even considers wanting to be a full-time camper herself.

“This place is so awesome!” she says shortly after arriving. “I’ve only been here five minutes and I’m already playing volleyball. This plays means business.”

Everything at the camp translated to exercise, explained Jeff. And the three friends got in a lot of exercise with the young campers. They did volleyball, aerobics, table tennis, dancing, paddle boats and horseback riding. It was one of Ruby’s life-long dreams, and a horse named Moose made it come true! She was nervous at first, asking “Are you sure the horse can hold me?” Reassured, Ruby went on a trail ride and enjoyed it. Saying the experience was “unbelievable!”.

Ruby was also asked to give a presentation to the campers. She met with a co-ed group of students to get to know more about them and what they’re going through. She was nervous about the speech, but Georgia and Jeff knew she’d be inspirational. Ruby wants to get in the kids’ minds, let them know she is them, she is still in their shoes and still trying to beat it. She wants the kids to beat it now while they’re young.

You couldn’t help but feel empowered by Ruby sharing her dream list with the campers. She asked the kids to write their own dream lists and so many went up stood to read theirs:

• Have people cheer for me for coming in first, not coming in last
• Go to school a whole grade without someone making fun of me
• Get to my goal weight and join a varsity team
• Get Presidential Fitness Test under 9 minutes (was at 12)
• Travel to all the continents and break three world records
• Run in local triathlon
• Be a U.S. senator
• Go skydiving
• Cross my legs when I sit
• Be a better daughter and a better sister
• Join Doctor’s Without Borders

“Don’t believe what other people tell you, believe in you,” Ruby encouraged.

Before leaving camp, Ruby has the season’s final weigh-in. Very disappointed, she finds that she’s gained two pounds since her last weigh-in. Ruby wraps the season at 357 pounds. But no less proud of her success so far.

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Ruby Recap – Season Finale, Episode 2.10

We’ve known for a while that her beloved dog Lucy was not well, as her kidneys were failing. Each night Ruby lovingly gave her shots for treatment, and she and friends prepared for the worst. The relationship Ruby has with her dogs is as definitive of man’s best friend as you’ll find. “I don’t think I’ve ever had love like they give me,” Ruby tearfully remarks.

Her roommate and close friend Jeff said that Lucy’s loss would be “like losing a child for her.” In this episode, Lucy does leave Ruby and it’s one of those emotional hurdles that has Ruby questioning if she’ll end up throwing away all of her hard work thus far.

Friends gathered for a memorial service for Lucy, and Ruby’s ex-boyfriend now turned friend, Denny, arrived to help her cope. He said that Ruby always told him that the dogs have no concept of how much bigger she was than other people, and that they just offered unconditional love.

Best friend Georgia was proud of Ruby, as she said this time Ruby “didn’t fall into a big pot of spaghetti, instead she fell into church.” Which is exactly where the two friends went the night after Lucy’s funeral. Ruby is confident that this time she’s going to deal with the pain and the emotions, rather than turning to food.

On the high end, Ruby got to enjoy one of her favorite evenings – Women’s Fat Night. It’s a support group of friends who are each battling their own weight issues. They meet to talk through mishaps and successes and gain motivation and support from one another. Ruby has the bright idea that their next meeting should be an extended one and they’d call it the first Women’s Fat Night Workshop.

In the first part of the workshop, the women shared diet gimmicks that didn’t work, like the sexy stripper workout or the Thighmaster. Then, they each shared a diet tip that has worked for them, like eating more slowly and stopping when you start to feel full. Another woman started a quilt, and for each pound she loses, she adds a square.

Next, Ruby’s doctor, Dr. Bradley, volunteered to host the event in his home and have the OurLife Health chefs attend to show the women how to prepare fast, simple, delicious and healthful meals. They enjoyed sampling the food prepared by Gene and Blair, who recommended the use of olive oil, fresh herbs, and making sure meals were colorful (meaning more nutritious).

Finally, at Dr. Bradley’s recommendation, the women were joined by Sandy Baker, a food addiction specialist who has herself lost 135 pounds and kept it off for more than four years. She taught the women that emotional eating is when you eat instead of feeling. The women vowed to continue to support one another.

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Ruby Recap: Episode 2.9