Okay, I gotta talk about the one thing that really stands out from last night’s episode and it was Arthur in the weigh in.

Let me give you a little backstory and a bird’s eye view that I have had with Arthur. This guy came into our house having lost over 100 pounds on his own, ready to make a difference but he continued to make these bad choices from a place of fear. I am in no way saying that Arthur was a saint and did he make some “game play” moves that benefited him and hurt others, YES! Absolutely. Fear makes you do some dumb things and Arthur was no stranger to making bad decisions. He was a man that ate his way up to almost 700 POUNDS!!! That is complete madness to a lot of people and maybe foreshadowing to some.

So did I sympathize for him?

You’re damn right!

I believe in karma and I think the universe has a way of evening things out and Arthur’s game playing was probably karma and I see that.  I just remember standing in that weigh in room and everyone was getting so emotional and Arthur was standing up there with his red shirt on, crying and it was killing me. I knew right there and then that Arthur would be eliminated because he had no alliance on the Red Team.  That is exactly why I said what I said on TV last night.

What you didn’t hear because it, for whatever reason, ended up on the cutting room floor was that I recognized his bad behavior and I understand how this game works BUT I also believe in the bigger picture and that it shouldn’t just be about alliances and who your friends are in the house.  It should sometimes be about people that come into our house that are knocking on death’s door and need to be forgiven for their past behavior. Sometimes people deserve another chance and that is what I thought about Arthur. When I watched that episode last night, it just almost brought tears to my eyes. That man was so broken, unhealthy, and in need of help and I understand that everyone deserves to be there but sometimes there has to be levels of need and Arthur’s level of needing to be in the house ranked extremely high.

With that said, I know that Arthur will do well at home, I just wanted him to be there longer to really tackle the demons that live inside of him for a little longer. I said a little quiet prayer last night for Arthur and I’m really working on my tools for forgiveness. I’m asking you to do the same.

The phrase, “Miracles really do come true” really stands out to me for this episode.

When Jillian and I found out that our team had lost the pop challenge and were no longer going to be able to use the gym for a week, well, to put it nicely, WE FREAKED OUT!!  Jillian and I have always said that the bread and butter to weight loss in the Biggest Loser house is cardio and to be without all the cardio equipment tied our hands in a way that made us very uncomfortable.  I also had to remember that in the history of the show, whenever a team was not allowed access to the gym it put a fire in the team to work harder and they ended up prevailing in the weigh in.  That was my mantra for the week and we really took advantage of all there was to offer on our campus.  Mainly walking and jogging outside and we also had access to the rowers and spin bikes, so that was a good thing.  To me what else stood out for this episode that I believe many people can relate to is Arthur was working from a place of fear and that is why he sent the green team over to the red team.  So many people get attached to their fear and allow it to make decisions for them and until you face your fears, you will always be more of a person that reacts instead of being a more proactive person.

Was I upset with Arthur?  Of course, but I understood where he was coming from and we were able to sit down and talk with Arthur and got him to face is fears and acknowledge his past behavior.  His past behavior that got him to almost 700 pounds.  All in all, with no gym, by the end of the week we all felt pretty good with our accomplishments.  When it was time to go into the weigh in, suffice to say, we were extremely nervous.  Jillian made a funny comment earlier in the episode that made me laugh.  We are like The Care Bears and they are a football team. Well the Care Bears walked into that weigh in with their heads held high.  It was such a competitive environment that night and I really don’t like when it gets that way, but I really wanted Arthur to prove himself and man did he!!!  When he got on that scale and dropped 20 pounds, we were ecstatic.  Did you notice that Jillian made a beeline to me and jumped right into my arms?

It was the best thing in the world.

We were extremely proud of our team that night.  I believe that whatever you put your mind to, as long as you work from an open and positive place, you will me able to make miracles happen.

So after watching last night’s episode, the main thing that came to my mind and what I was left with is that The Biggest Loser House is a really tough house and it is definitely not for everyone. It broke my heart that Dan & Don couldn’t make it in the house because they really needed to be there and could have gotten so much from the experience. Here is the deal. Jillian & I push people harder than they have ever been pushed because we want them to remember this experience and we want their defenses down so they can take a real hard look at their lives, what is broken, and what is not working. Hundreds of thousands of people try to get on our show every season and the casting people saw something in Dan & Don. I really do hope that they find what it is that they are looking for but they were not going to find it at the Ranch. I said it on the show that if Don would have stayed any longer it could have an adverse affect on his journey so leaving was the best thing for him. Let’s see at the finale how he does. Fingers crossed because I do want what’s best for him.

Now onto the rest of the show. I was so proud of our team for only having a limited amount of time with us to pull such great numbers. These guys work so hard and the scale really showed that. At one point Arthur said that you have to continue to push harder than you did the day before or you could go home and I totally agree with him. You can never get comfortable in our house because everyone is moving forward at such a fast pace that you could easily get left behind. What did you think of the Challenge? I don’t like when there are Challenges that target people. It leaves such a bad taste in my mouth and just seems so petty. I really don’t know what you learn from doing anything like that but oh well.

It never gets old watching Biggest Loser. I love seeing what the editors come up with to put together an episode. You have no idea how much you are not seeing. It looks like people just work out a little and achieve great results. If you only knew the mental and physical strength required from a Biggest Loser Contestant. That is why our house has the ability to change you for the better if you allow for it and come in willing to do anything and everything that is required of you but, like I said in the beginning, our house is not for everyone.

MY LA Getaway Giveaway – from MyTrainerBob.com

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2. Terms and conditions

• Entries for the giveaway will be accepted from 11/17/10 at 8:00am PST to 11/23/10 at 5:30pm PST
• Two (2) unique Twitter users will each be awarded one (1) grand prize:

MY LA Getaway Prize Pack

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• Two (2) unique Twitter users will each be awarded one (1) second prize

One (1) – Complete Inside Out Method DVD set, signed by Bob

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• Only one entry per person will be counted.
• To enter the giveaway entrants must re-Tweet:

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• Entrants must be a follower of @mytrainerbob on www.twitter.com.
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**Should someone be chosen who does not meet these requirements, another entrant will be randomly selected to take their place**

• Entries will be tracked via www.tweetaways.com
• The winner will be randomly selected via www.tweetaways.com

4. Claiming the prize

• Winners will have three (3) days to claim their prize after the winners are announced on www.twitter.com/mytrainerbob by 10:00am PST 11/26/10. If there is no response by the time the three (3) days have elapsed, a new winner(s) will be selected.
• Winners will receive a confirmation of their win via a direct message on www.twitter.com (winners will only be able to receive the direct message if they follow Bob, those not following will be immediately disqualified).
• Winners are to reply to the direct message and provide their full contact information and age to verify eligibility.
• Travel accommodations for grand prize winners will be coordinated by Watch It Now Entertainment. Once grand prize winners are confirmed they will be contacted by a representative from Watch It Now Entertainment.
• Prizes for second place winners will be shipped within two weeks.

Hey everyone! Here are the recipes from last night’s Biggest Loser. Lets thank my friend Brooke Larson for sharing these awesome recipes with us, she is amazing!

Roasted Cauliflower

Serves up to 4 as a side dish 2 heads of organic cauliflower (I get mine from the farmers market, you can get purple, orange, or white)

• Core and cut cauliflower into uniform pieces.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees
• 2 Tablespoons good quality olive oil
• 5 sprigs of organic thyme(picked/pulled from stem)
• 2 garlic cloves (smashed and skinned)
• 2 Tablespoons Red wine Vinegar sea salt and cracked black pepper
• You will need 1 large baking tray/sheet tray
• Arrange cut cauliflower onto sheet tray and sprinkle with olive oil,red wine vinegar, thyme, smashed garlic, and season with salt and pepper(don’t like salt don’t add) gently toss and place into hot pre-heated oven.
• Roast cauliflower until golden brown and soft.
• Check after 30 minutes. Everyone’s ovens are different. If it needs more cooking time give it more time.
• The cauliflower will taste nutty and the acidity from the red wine vinegar adds a beautiful tart yet sweet flavor!
• Enjoy! Ps- you can also do this with Carrots, potatoes, onions, broccoli, green beans, brussel sprouts, etc.

Roasted Wild Mushrooms with Shaved Fennel Salad

Serves 4 people (side dish)

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees you will need a variety of mushrooms, about 4 different types, a good large handful of each variety. Shitake, Morel, Oyster, and Hen of the woods to name a few.
• Make sure your mushrooms are clean of dirt. You can do this by Gently wiping them with a paper towel/kitchen towel. Don’t submerge them in water! Mushrooms are like a sponge and absorb water, you won’t get a good roast on them if they are full of water!!
• The mushrooms need to be cut into the same size… Sometimes it’s easier to pull mushrooms instead of cutting them. How ever you can or what ever is easiest for the “cook” portion the mushrooms and place on a sheet tray.
• 3 tablespoons of good quality olive oil
• 4 smashed garlic cloves( skinned and smashed)
• 1 leek (washed, cut lengthwise, and sliced into 1/2 moon shape)
• 1 large shallot minced/finely diced 5 sprigs of fresh thyme pulled from the stem
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Add all of the above ingredients onto the portioned and cleaned wild mushrooms gently toss with your fingers.
• Once evenly coated place into a 400 degree oven.
• Roast mushrooms until golden brown and slightly crispy.
• Check after 35 minutes. If they need more time, leave them in a little longer!
• Also as a cook it is a good idea to get in the habit of cooking with your nose! You will be able to smell the mushrooms when they are roasted and ready… once ready pull out of oven and let “rest” until you can handle then…
• *Note* you can use what ever mushrooms are available to you. I make this with only button mushrooms and it is delicious!
• For the shaved Fennel Salad- 1 large bulb of fennel(cut in half) plus a few fronds for garnish
• 1/2 a lemon(the juice)
• 2 Tablespoons of good quality olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dash/sprinkle of fennel pollen (Whole Foods and any specialty spice shop will have this, kinda pricey but oh my SO good)
• You will need to shave the bulb of fennel you can do this by using your chefs knife or I find it easier to use my mandolin. Please watch your fingers and be very careful!!
• Once shaved place into a mixing bowl and add oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, fennel pollen, and fronds. Gently toss with your fingers.
• Season to your liking and let sit for 10 minutes.
• To assemble: Place roasted wild mushrooms into a serving plate or bowl. Put the shaved fennel salad on top of the roasted mushrooms and drizzle the extra liquid/vinaigrette over the top. Sprinkle with a little more fennel pollen and fronds.
• Ps- you can eat this dish room Temperature or you can use the mushrooms while there still warm, up to you. I like room temperature.

Chopped Broccoli with Pine Nuts

Serves 4 people (side dish)

• 1 large stalk of organic broccoli (florets and stem cut into uniform pieces)
• 3 Tablespoons of pine nuts (toasted)
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves smashed and skinned
• 1 large shallot sliced
• 1 Tablespoon of red pepper flakes (less if you don’t like spicy)
• 1 Teaspoon of chopped and grated lemon zest
• Salt and pepper
• Heat a large pot with olive oil, add the pepper flakes, garlic, shallot, and season with salt and pepper.
• Once the garlic and shallot are “soft” add the portioned broccoli. Stir until evenly coated.
• Add 1/2 a cup of water and put a lid on the pot.
• Cook the broccoli until the water evaporates about 6-8 minutes.
• Once water is evaporated add the toasted pine nuts and lemon zest.
• With a old school potato masher” mash” the broccoli. You can also use a Cuisinart with the blade attachment, it will only take a few pulses or you can use a food mill.
• *Note* don’t put into a blender! Enjoy!

From Twitter/Facebook:

I am very excited to announce that I am giving away a trip for two to Los Angeles AND two of my personal tickets to the live Biggest Loser finale!   Make sure to enter to win soon!  The finale is on May 25th!

http://www.mytrainerbob.com/contest

ABBY!!!  I got so many comments about the episode this week and how moved they were by Abby and her story.  She is such a special person and when she got to the moment where she basically threw herself on the sword for her team, it just brought a tear to my eye. (more…)

OMG!!!  I have gotten to where I just hate black versus blue because Jillian and I work so well together now and I don’t think that it should ever be about a competition between us.  It should be about getting all of these people as healthy and happy as we can during their stay with us. (more…)