Tag Archives: biggest loser 11

Biggest Loser Winner Olivia Ward [Video]


Olivia Ward Before and After

New York City resident Olivia Ward takes home the grand prize of $250,000 at the live finale tonight. She dropped a grand total of 129 pounds, 49 percent of her starting weight at 261, making her The Biggest Loser of season 11. She approached every challenge with good humor and determination.

There was a real showing of girl-power in season 11, with Irene, Hannah and Olivia all making it to the final four and Deni winning the at-home prize. Olivia worked hard to post consistent weight loss all season, with her sister Hannah never far behind.

Olivia works as a manager in a plastic surgery, but her big dream is to be an opera singer. Professionally trained in both vocal and opera performance at the New England Conservatory of Music, Olivia feared that she was passed over in auditions because of her weight.

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It’s the Last Week on the Ranch in the Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Episode 20

This is probably the most unlikely final four anyone could have imagined would be standing when the dust settled from the last elimination. It’s official. Hannah, Olivia, Irene, and Jay. This week there are no more eliminations, but there is another weigh in. In lieu of running the famous marathon this year, they stay on the ranch for another week and weigh in one more time to face the yellow line and leave it up to America to decide who will be the three to vie for the big prize.

One of the things I was really big on, and still am, is nutrition. This week’s pop challenge is to cook the best turkey burger possible (but can they top MY turkey burger recipe?). The winner gets $5,000 and a two-week stay at The Biggest Loser Resort for a person of their choice. The judges for this have the most discerning of palates: A bunch of children! Olivia’s green slime burger didn’t seem to win over many kids and neither did Irene’s burger. Jay’s volcano burger and Hannah’s burger as well seemed to be the overall favorites with Jay barely squeaking it out for the win. (more…)

America Votes for the Biggest Loser Final Three: Jay or Irene?

Irene vs. jayThe last position in the final three on The Biggest Loser goes to the contestant who’s won over the viewers’ hearts. In season 11, America must choose between Irene Alvarado and Jay Jacobs, a tough choice. Sisters Olivia Ward and Hannah Curlee are safe after an impressive season of consistent weight loss.

Jay made a big comeback on the ranch after being eliminated in week seven. He’s proved his determination in the face of adversity. On the other hand, Irene lost her teammate and support system when her mother was eliminated in the very first week. She also struggled with self-esteem issues, but managed to work though her emotional challenges to become the first woman to lose over 100 pounds in this season. Will Irene make the cut for the first all-female finale? Or will Jay edge Irene out?

We’re taking an unofficial poll–to see who’s ahead among DietsInReview readers!

[poll id=”20″]

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The Final Four Are Revealed in the Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Episode 19

We all thought that the final four would be determined last week. However, due to a wish granted by Tim Gunn, we have to wait an additional week to get those results. What’s in store for us this week? The end is in sight for everyone and it is time for them to bring together everything they have learned on their journeys.

First up for the contestants is a final exam! Are they in school again? What is happening?! I for one would be able to rock this as I am kind of a closet nerd. There are four parts to this exam with each of the trainers. (more…)

Tim Gunn Hosts Makeover Week in the Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Episode 18

Well, well, well. Looks like that much anticipated time is here. Makeover week!!! All those months of blood, sweat and tears as well as the wear and tear your body goes through are rewarded with just a bit of pampering. The guys may not want to admit it, but it’s just as special for them as it is for the girls. I know my beard was getting to the point where I was about ten days away from leading prayer and was dying to shave it off. My hair was also getting a wee bit feathery for my liking. Let’s see what magic the “Fairy Godfather” Tim Gunn will bestow upon the cast! (more…)

Rulon Walks Off the Biggest Loser Ranch in the Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Week 17

 

 

 

 


 

Meanwhile, back on the ranch! That’s right, bye bye New Zealand, hello the daily grind of the Ranch! The contestants go back to the daily rigors they had grown so accustomed to and there are many adjustments that need to be made now. It’s the final stretch of the competition. What’s in store for the contestants? (more…)

Adventurous Challenges in New Zealand in the Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Week 16

First off, can I say how unbelievably gorgeous New Zealand is? I’m not sure I clarified that in my recap from last week. This episode takes the contestants to Queenstown where they are first informed that they have made it to singles! This is a big milestone in the game as you have to rely on yourself and ONLY yourself from here on out. It is a true test of one’s grit, determination and character from here on out. One more little twist for them, however (there’s always a twist). Brett is back! He decided to drop in from above via a parachute, so the pressure is back on. (more…)

Bungee Jumping in New Zealand in Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Week 15

Everyone is still visibly shaken by Courtney’s departure, but Alison actually has some good news for a change! Guess where the cast gets to go for their travel episode? Are they going to pile in a van and drive two hours south like my season? Not happening. They are going to New Zealand!

This is quite a magical place! Middle Earth itself. We are treated to ridiculous views of this gorgeous land. I am just a bit jealous to say the least. But to one person in particular this place has special meaning, Moses. His father spent a lot of time as a child getting his education in New Zealand. He has such a deep feeling that Bob even breaks the rules and lets him use his phone to call his father! (more…)

Courtney Crozier Says You Don’t Need the Biggest Loser Ranch to Lose Weight

Who didn’t gasp last night when Courtney Crozier posted the one-pound loss that would send her home? One of Biggest Loser 11’s strongest competitors, Courtney’s body went in to what she’s calling starvation mode; she was not eating enough to meet the physical demands being put on her body. Not even the typically neutral host Alison Sweeney could hold back the tears as contestants and trainers objected to her elimination. The only dry eye in the house was Courtney’s, and with a genuine smile on her face, she assured everyone it was OK that she was going home. “I’m going to finish this strong at home,” she said.

She gives no reason not to believe her. Once weighing 435 pounds, this 22-year-old lost 120 pounds on her own before being cast for season 11. “I never needed the show to do this,” she said. “I did it to accelerate my weight loss.” And accelerate she did. Courtney lost 92 pounds on the ranch, sending her home with more than 200 pounds lost. She is very proud of her accomplishment, as she should be.

We spoke with Courtney following her emotional elimination and she talked to us about her advocacy for Dairy Queen, the family-run business, to make a fat-free, sugar-free frozen yogurt available. She also talks about how the weight loss on this side of Biggest Loser is different than her initial push. “It’s a huge process.”

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Brett Hoebel Fired as Biggest Loser Trainer

It seems new Biggest Loser trainer Brett Hoebel was there on some sort of 14-week probationary period. In last night’s episode, week 14, Brett’s red team was down to one final player, Courtney Crozier. The two had the rare opportunity to train one-on-one all week, with the other members of the red team already eliminated. Courtney made it clear at the beginning of the week she was nervous, for herself and Brett; her concern was that if she didn’t pull a good number at the weigh-in that they’d both go home.

That’s exactly what happened.

In 11 seasons, there aren’t really too many surprises that catch the cast, contestants, and even viewers off guard any more. But when Courtney lost only one pound, immediately sending her home, Alison Sweeney turned her attention toward Brett. She announced in a somber tone that it was also his time to leave “with no one left for him to train.” (more…)

A Heartbreaking Elimination in Biggest Loser Recap: Season 11 Week 14



This week’s episode starts off with Courtney’s reflections of last week. She only lost two pounds while Jen lost nothing, causing her to be a team of one. She admits there were mistakes made by both of them relaxing too much, causing a disastrous weigh in. Now it is up to her to save herself as well as Brett, because who will he train if she goes home?

There’s a pop challenge right away and it seems pretty easy at first. What is a mile? The teams have fifteen minutes to pace a mile and plant their flag. To the winner goes a night out in Hollywood. The losing teams all have to scrub the ranch. It seems like no one has a clue what to do. They start measuring and what not, but no one is really sure. Turns out the winner was decided by only four feet! For the win, the black team! Hannah gets her night out! But we all know what happened last week when people got some pampering. (more…)