The Bachelor 22 Episode #4 Recap (Spoilers!!!)

• This week’s episode opens with the women gossiping about Bekha’s age, so we know that’s going to be a major plot point later in this episode. 
• Chris Harrison showed up to earn his paycheck. He announced that there will be no date today...in LA...because Arie has already left LA... Because they’re all about to embark on an adventure around the world..to find love...beginning in....Lake Tahoe! Talk about burying the lead. 
• Their temporary home in Lake Tahoe was rustic and woodsy. Kendall was in her element, with all the taxidermy on the walls. 

Date #1:

• Seinne was taken parasailing. 15 Points for the adventurous date. 
• The producers were thoughtful enough to give the other women binoculars, so they can spy on Arie without straining their eyes. 
• Later they were treated to a private concert by country band LANCO 15 Points 
• Arie and Seinne’s date went really well. He said that he had a good feeling about her, from the start. She’s well-educated, well-travelled, and their conversations are easy. Nothing too salacious to report. 
• Sadly, back at the house, Maquel got a call that her grandpa had suddenly passed away. She talked about how close she was with him, and how unexpected his death was. 10 Points 
• Obviously distraught, she left the show (-25 Points) crying (-2 Points). I feel bad for deducting points, but dems da rules. (To clarify, I’m not sure if Maquel will be returning, or if she’s gone for good. If she comes back, I will give the points back) 

Date #2:

• Chelsea, Krystal, Becca, Marikh, Becca, Ashley, Jacqueline, Jenna, Tia, Kendall, Lauren, Brittany and Caroline were invited on a hiking date. 
• Krystal repeatedly pointed out that Arie is looking for a woman, not a girl (while putting on a baby voice) 
• The ladies are greeted by Mykel and Ruth Hawke, who are survivalists. We learn that they are here to teach the woman survival skills. But none of that boring ‘build a shelter’/‘start a fire’ silliness. No, their expertise is in drinking your own pee and eating bugs
• . 
• The girls go behind bushes and pee in the provided bottles. Arie fakes them out and drinks apple juice instead of his own urine. Jacqueline, thinking the pee drinking was real, actually put the bottle to her lips! In the nick of time, Arie stopped her, and told her the truth
• . 
• Then we get to the bug eating portion of the date. The producers are really drilling home the fact that these girls would do ANYTHING for fame…errr…I mean love. 
• Mykel Hawke whips out some worms to eat, and suddenly this has turned into an episode of survivor. I was waiting for Jeff Probst to pop out. 
• After they get some yummy protein, they set off on a hike, to a cabin with a giant hot tub. 15 Points x12 = 180 
• Krystal is perturbed when Caroline and Tia are joking around in the hot tub. 
• Very quickly, Krystal’s arrogance gets on everyone’s nerves and she is, again, our villain of the week 15 Points 
• For the record, this is how Tia says Krystal’s voice makes her face look (Me too, Tia!)
•  
• Krystal used her time to complain to Arie that a target has been put on her back and that Tia and Caroline are mean. -15 Points 
• She also cried while talking to Arie -2 Points 
• Tia interrupted Krystal 5 Points but Krystal asked Arie for more time. 
• Krystal is so cocky, at this point. She said in an interview, “I don’t know how I’m going to get through the elimination of all these girls”, As if she already has the competition in the bag. 
• Krystal pulled Tia and Caroline aside. Tia and Krystal end up exchanging heated words 10 Points Each 
• When Tia finally got her time with Arie, she aired her grievances, without throwing Krystal under the bus (classy and mature!), but she did cry a little -2 Points 
• Tia got the group date rose. (10 Points) As for the rest of them… 
• 
• Krystal was horrified that she didn’t get the rose. (-10 Points). She even said on camera “I thought I was clear with Arie, what was going on” aka, ‘why isn’t he doing what I want him to do?’ 
• She said “It’s hard to shine, without coming across as intimidating to the other girls, because I just come across as flawless” BARF!! 

Date #3:

• Bekah was taken on a horseback riding date 
• Back at home, the other girls keep talking about her age. Meanwhile, in interviews, Arie keeps talking about how mature she is. He has no idea there is a 14 year age difference! 
• They wind up in a hot tub in the wilderness 15 Points 
• Arie asks Bekah if she’s ready to settle down, and she totally dodges the question. She says, “how can I know, if I’ve never been with the right person?” 
• Then Bekah finally spills the beans and tells Arie she’s 22. Arie’s reaction was simply “Oh My Gooood!” LOL!! 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• Bekah gets the rose anyway, but Arie says he has his reservations about her now. 

Rose Ceremony: 

• Chris Harrison arrives again, to announce that Arie has made up his mind, and there will be no cocktail party 
• Mid-rose ceremony, Krystal pulls Arie aside. This pissed off the other women, because they felt like their need to talk to Arie was just as important as Krystal’s. (because the one thing this show prides itself on, is being fair. Hahaha!) 
• Krystal used her extra time to use her signature whisper-purr, in an attempt to manipulate Arie into pitying her. 
• In the end it was Caroline and Brittany that were eliminated. 
• 
• Both Brittany and Caroline cried during their exit interviews -2 Points Each 

Recap:

• Tia: 5+10+15+10-2=38 
• Krystal: 10+15+15-2-15-10=13 
• Maquel: 10-2-25=-17 
• Seinne: 15+15=30 
• Chelsea: 15 
• Becca: 15 
• Marikh: 15 
• Ashley: 15 
• Jacqueline: 15 
• Jenna: 15 
• Kendall: 15
• Lauren: 15 
• Brittany: 15-2=13
• Caroline: 15-2=13 
• Bekah: 15

Weight Loss and Fatletics

Hello

I’ve had this blog up for a couple of days, so I thought it might be time for an introduction. My name is Mandy. I’m from Newfoundland, Canada and I started this blog to challenge myself, as well as keep me accountable.

I’ve struggled with my weight most of my life. I’ve always been asthmatic and not very active. I was a pretty skinny pre-schooler but ballooned in the first grade. It’s been an uphill climb ever since. I have been on some sort of restrictive diet most of my life. As a young child, I remember trips to the dietitian. I developed an unhealthy relationship with food at an early age. Food is both my comforter, and my adversary. My reward and my undoing.  I eat when I feel stressed, emotional, bored, celebratory, etc. Then I feel guilty and go on a crash diet, until my willpower cracks and I binge again. My metabolism is completely shot.

At the grocery store, I would always feel embarrassed if I bought treats. I’d end up buying enough for a party, so the cashier wouldn’t think I was buying junk, just for myself (as if they even noticed what they were checking in!) This, of course, was a slippery slope, because I’d end up eating it all myself. A mukbang without the audience. I disgusted myself.

I’m sure I’m not alone in this. I mean, who hasn’t eaten an entire large bag of chips (or two) in one sitting, and called it supper, am I right? Just me? Ok then..

I hit rock bottom about 6 years ago, in 2012. I weighed myself for the first time in a long time. In horror, I read the numbers. 304.4! Seeing the 3 at the beginning of the number revolted me. How could I let it get this far? I decided I was going to go for a walk that day. That was going to be the start of a new, active me. Of course I’ve said these words to myself before then. Many times I’d start, but I never stuck with anything long-term. Little did I know, this time was going to be different. This time I was going to be stronger, more determined.

It was the 24^th of May long weekend. A beautiful spring day, and I had made my mind up. I was going to walk as far as the neighbourhood grocery store and back. It was brutal. It was a sweaty, wheezy battle, to get to the crest of the “hill” (ie. mild grade). I did manage to get as far as the grocery store, but I was so exhausted. I knew I wasn’t going to make it back home. I had bitten off far more than I could chew. Being the long weekend, the buses were running on their holiday schedule, and few stores were open. I had to shuffle my way to a Marie’s Mini Mart to take out some cash, from their sketchy ATM, and call a cab. Even though the cabbie didn’t know, what I'd just went through, it was still embarrassing for me. I was embarrassed of my own judgement of myself. Perhaps shame is a better word. Something just clicked together in my mind that day. I knew I was finally ready to put in the work, that was necessary to change my life.   

I started small. Shorter walks and water aerobics. Gradually I increased the distance of my walking. By the following spring I was walking at least 5km per day. I also started taking land aerobics classes like Zumba. I felt amazing and the weight was just flying off of me. My friend and I, got this crazy idea to sign up for a local race, the Tely 10. It is a 10 Mile (16km) race. If you had asked me a year from then, if I would even consider joining a 16km race, I would have laughed at you. But in that moment, I was ready for a challenge, and a tangible goal to work towards. We had planned to only walk it. Our training consisted of long walks and we would have been happy if we just finished the race. On the day, we lost our minds (in a good way). With the excitement of the crowd; my dad (who was doing the race with us) encouraging and pushing us; the support and camaraderie of my friend; and the overwhelming feeling that we were a part of something astounding, we started to run! Do I recommend running a race without proper training? NO! By the end of it, we were both completely spent. My legs were jelly and I felt like I needed to throw up. But all of that was worth it, because nothing can compare to that feeling of accomplishment and pride.

Me after my first race. So exhausted but proud!

 Towards the last quarter of the race there is a hill. It’s arguably the hardest portion of the race course. Every year they line the sides of the street with volunteer cheerleaders, to give runners that extra boost to get themselves to the finish. Being a plus sized woman, jogging through that tunnel of encouragement, was so emotional. I felt like a freakin’ Olympian! I couldn’t stop the tears from forming. As someone who once couldn’t even walk to the grocery store, getting a medal put around my neck was the best feeling ever. I was hooked from that day forward.

This is me in the line up, waiting for the Tely 10 to begin; my second year participating

Me during my weight loss, weighing in for a Dietbet

 I threw myself into healthy eating and exercise. In total I lost 125 pounds and I felt fantastic. I honestly never realized how sick I was, until I lost the weight and felt what my new normal was. But it was a constant struggle. The first year, I maintained my lowest weight. Then once race season ended, and the holidays were approaching, I let myself relax a bit. I gained 30 pounds. The same pattern followed in subsequent years. It felt like, if I wasn’t exercising to extremes, and following a strict diet, I’d gain. And once I gained, it was nearly impossible to get it back off. Despite my efforts, I have about 90 pounds back on, since my lowest weight 4 years ago. But I still feel so much better than I had 6 years ago. I can do so much more and my body has become accustomed to a certain level of activity. I’ve entered this, often overlooked/dismissed, world of fat athletes (fatletes?). Working out is not just for skinny people! Chunky girls can run too (or walk; or bike or swim etc).

Me running my first Half-Marathon, The Huffin Puffin

I am 90 pounds heavier, but I’m still running races. Two years ago I ran my first half-marathon. I did it for the second time this summer too. I was slow as cold molasses, but I did it, and I’m proud.  

Me running in the Tely 10 this year. 90 Pounds heavier, but still going!

Of course, I received my share of unsolicited advice, from well-meaning friends and family. Some suggested I was exercising too much, so I’d slack back, to devastating results. Others suggested juicing, Weight Watchers, Cross-fit etc etc...  I’ve tried every class, diet, trick and fad there is. By the end of it, I realized the only thing that remotely worked was devoting every bit of spare time to exercise. I was getting up early in the mornings to weight train, running outside or at the track after work, then doing some sort of Zumba class in the evenings. I’d give myself one rest day a week. All this, just to maintain. The losing had stopped and I was stuck desperately trying not to gain any more. If I stopped, I’d gain. I was obsessed and it wasn’t healthy. Not only was I stressing myself out, I gained the weight anyway. It became clear I needed help. I discussed my troubles with my doctor, who ordered a blood test. Turns out, I was fighting a losing battle with my Thyroid. I’ve recently started hormone replacement therapy, and I’m hoping it will help alleviate the feeling of helplessness.

I know this isn’t a magic pill that’s going to make the weight fall off of me. I still need to put the work in, but with any luck it’ll fix my metabolism issues, and make it easier to maintain a healthy weight, without killing myself at the gym. I’ve already lost 8 pounds so far (probably mostly Christmas bloat. Haha!) I’d love it if you’d join me on this journey. Don’t ever be afraid to start (or re-start). It’s always worth it. YOU’RE always worth it!

The Bachelor 22 Episode #3 Recap (Spoilers!!!)

Whew! This was a pretty eventful episode, so lets get right to it.

Date #1:

• Maquel, Jacqueline, Lauren B, Tia, Marikh, Bekah M, Bibiana, and Krystal go on the first date of the week. Together they form “GLOB” or the 'Gorgeous Ladies of the Bachelor'. This we learn, was a play on the “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling” and means that the girls will be wrestling for Arie’s affections today.
• Considering most of these girls were on the Demo Derby date, in the previous week, it’s worrisome that they’re being asked to participate in yet another aggressive contact activity. Are they trying to give these girls head injuries?

Two former members of GLOW arrived to insult...I mean teach the girls.

Tia and Bibiana couldn’t take the instructor’s negativity and went off to cry, on the sidelines -2 Points Each

Tia cried again when Arie came to comfort her. -2 Points

Before the showdowns between the ladies began, Arie took to the ring. His opponent was none other than Rachel’s cast off Kenny King!

Arie won the match by assaulting the guy. That was a questionable move there, Arie...

• That wasn’t the only awkwardly sexual moment of the evening. Marikh and Lauren B’s performance was...interesting. At one point Marikh pulled money out of Lauren B’s ass, like a magician. My feelings of the entire spectacle can be summed up with this cutaway shot, of a lady in the audience. I feel you girl!

• During the evening portion of the date, Krystal was the first to take Arie away, and this stirred up more animosity from the other girls. Krystal is our villain, yet again. 15 Points
• Krystal whisper-purred at Arie, asking if he wanted her to be more aggressive or be more laid back. Arie, being put on the spot, answered the only way he could. He told her to just do whatever she feels is natural, which Krystal took as permission to let her claws out.
• Everyone knows the cardinal rule of getting ahead in the Bachelor is ‘Don’t tattle to the Bachelor about another contestant!’ Here we are, three weeks in, and what does Bibiana do? Complain to Arie about Krystal. Why would she do that? Doesn’t she know that’s the kiss of death?  -15 Points
• Maquel interrupted Krystal  5 Points
• Bekah received the group date rose 10 Points
• Krystal was certain she would get the group date rose, and was shocked when it was given to Bekah. This only solidified her decision to be MORE aggressive in the future. -10 Points

Date #2:

• The one-on-one date went to Lauren S. She was taken to a winery, which was handy, since I’m sure Arie would have wanted to drink himself into a stupor by the end of the date.
• Lauren would not shut up, but at the same time, didn’t ever say anything of substance.
• They ended up talking about bedtimes, cardigans and her mother’s “really bad eye infection”
• In the end, Arie decided not to give her the date rose, and she was sent home early. It’s probably for the best. She could have been exposed to her mother’s pink eye, and we don’t want that sweeping through the mansion! -25 Points
• She cried during her exit interview -2 Points
• Back at the mansion, Caroline cried when Lauren B’s luggage was taken away -2 Points
• Krystal continued being insufferable, doling out unwanted advice. This rubbed all the girls the wrong way, especially Caroline who quipped, “stop being condescending just because you met his dog”

Date #3:

• What a segway! This next date was doing just that; meeting Arie’s dog! (and many other dogs.) Ashley, Becca, Brittany, Jenna, Caroline, Chelsea, and Annalise went on this date.
• Back at the Mansion, Bibiana and Tia lamented the fact that they got a wrestling date, while the other girls are getting to play with puppies. They even prayed someone would get bitten. Nobody likes a Bitter Betty, girls.
• I’m tyring really hard not to make fun of Annalise’s mental instability, but c’mon. First the motorcycle, then the bumper cars, and now she’s trying to tell me she had a traumatic experience with dogs, as well? My dear, if you’re that fragile, perhaps you don’t belong on TV. Go home. Take care of yourself.
• Annalise was aptly given the job of pooper scooper, for being the party pooper.
• Caroline interrupted Chelsea, and Chelsea interrupted Annalise later (thank God!) 5 Points Each
• Annalise’s time with Arie was filled with awkward silence. Chelsea almost did her a favour by interrupting
• Chelsea got the group date rose 10 Points
• Becca K thought for sure she’d get it and was disappointed -10 Points

Cocktail Party:

• Bibiana set up a make-shift cabana so she could woo Arie by gazing at the stars with him. This however didn’t turn out as planned. Arie discovered the set up, while with Lauren B. After that, he brought just about EVERY women in the house there. Except Bibiana. I thought she was going to explode, but she managed to keep her cool about it. Perhaps she realised that Arie just wasn’t that into her, and there was no used fighting it at that point.
• The same can not be said for Annalise. She clung on tooth and nail.
• First she took Arie to the balcony, where she cornered him and pretty much asked for a kiss. I could almost hear a Jamaican crab softly singing in the distance...

• But Arie told her he didn’t think they were quite there yet. Ouch!! Rejected! -10 Points
• Annalise went to the bathroom -15 Points and cried -2 Points
• Meanwhile Arie was getting straddled by Jenna.
• Annalise took Arie aside a second time and asked him what he meant by “yet”. Arie admitted he just wasn’t feeling it and sent her home. -25 Points
• She cried as she left -2 Points
• Throughout the course of the night Bibiana interrupted Lauren B, Kendall interrupted Annalise, and Annaliese interrupted Tia  5 Points Each
• Bibiana was eliminated during the rose ceremony and she cried during her exit -2 Points I’m going to miss her one-liners!

Recap:

• Bibiana: 5-2-2-15=-14
• Kendall: 5
• Annalise: 5-2-2-25-10-15=-49
• Maquel: 5
• Caroline: 5-2=3
• Chelsea: 5+10=15
• Krystal: 15-10=5
• Bekah: 10
• Tia: -2-2=-4
• Lauren S: -2-25=-27
• Becca: -10

The Bachelor 22 Episode #2 Recap (Spoilers!!!)

Hey guys,

Let’s get right to this week’s recap!

Date #1:

·         Becca K. received the first one-on-one date of the season, and left the mansion with Arie, on a motorcycle.

·         Annalise voiced her concern,  because motorcycles are dangerous. Lol!

·         Whoo! Was this ever a  good date to be chosen for! Becca is one lucky girl, because Arie (aka ABC) showered her with expensive gifts. She got a rack full of dresses from celebrity stylist/designer Rachel Zoe; sparkly Louboutin shoes; Neil Lane jewelry; the whole shebang!

·         Cruelly, Becca was made to walk through the mansion, in front of the other women, toting her new wardrobe. This, of course, stirred up jealousy amongst the other women.

Meanwhile, the producers are like…

·         During supper, Becca opening up about her father passing from brain cancer 10 Points

·         Becca told Arie she was interested in him because she “was told he could fix the breaks on {her} car” Haha! Priorities!

·         They ended the night kissing in a glitter shower

https://imgflip.com/i/pr9vq

Date #2:

·         There was a knock on the door, for the delivery of the date card, and Bibiana said “Honestly, that sounds like the haunting” Lol! She’s fantastic! I think I can count on her for the best sound bites this season.

·         Krystal gets the second one-on-one date. I’m just going to lay this out there. I CAN’T STAND HER! She seems so fake!! Ugh, when she sees Arie and does her trying-too-hard-to-be-cutesy “Hiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeee!”  Barf! 

·         He took her to his hometown to meet his parents, and they really liked her (terrible judge of character! She’s awful!) 20 Points

·         They watched old home movies of Arie, which made Arie cringe so hard he couldn’t watch. Haha! It was adorable.

·         At supper, Krystal opened up about her hard life. Her father left them, her mother was emotionally unavailable, and her brother is now living on the streets. And dang it, now I feel bad for her...sort of… Her sob story still doesn’t squash my irrational loathing of her, though.

·         She cried while discussing her brother’s situation. -2 Points

·         They get a private concert by Connor Duermit 15 Points

Date #3:

·         This date was huge, with 15 girls in attendance! Maquel, Marikh, Tia, Valerie, Annalise, Lauren G, Kendall, Bekha, Jenny, Sienne, Jenna, Caroline, Brittany, Bibiana, and Chelsea all participated in the “Bashelor” demolition derby.

·         The guy, instructing the girls, told them “ You don’t want to kill the barrels. You want to miss the barrels.” Cut to footage of multiple cars not just hitting the barrels, but all out driving over them. 

·         Sassy Chris Harrison decided to give Arie a hard time by saying “Could this be the first time Arie actually wins something on a racetrack?” ZING!

·         Annalise had a complete meltdown. She apparently had a traumatic experience with bumper cars when she was little, and now she’s having flashbacks.

·         She cried on two separate occasions. Once when she was with the other girls, and once while doing an interview -2 x2=-4 Points

·         First the motorcycle thing and now this? She does know she’s competing to MARRY a RACECAR DRIVER, right? If she’s that nervous now, how is she going to keep it together when he has an actual race?

·         But it paid off in the end, because Arie rewarded her with extra time, for being a sook.

·         Jenny was not too impressed. She snarked that she “didn’t know bumper car trauma was a thing” 

·         Sienne won the derby. She also got the group date rose 10 Points

·         At the evening portion, Bibiana got pissed off because it was nearing the end of the night and she hadn’t had a chance to speak to Arie. She stormed off to the bathroom to avoid the cameras -15 Points

Cocktail Party:

·         Brittany had her boobs on full display tonight. But not to be outdone, Caroline had her freaking boobs/sternum/naval out. Where was the rest of her dress?

·         Kendall introduced her stuffed seal to Arie.

·         Jenna interrupted Caroline; Kendall interrupted Lauren B; and Krystal interrupted both Lauren B, and Bibiana (which didn’t go over too well) 5 Points Each (20)

·         Kendall said “steal him away” once 5 Points and Chelsea said it twice 5x2=10 Points

·         Speaking of Krystal interrupting, she ruffled some feathers when she pulled Arie aside TWICE when she already had a rose. She quickly became the villain of the episode 15 Points

·         Bibiana gave her a piece of her mind, and the two got in a heated argument 10 Points each

·        Bibiana told her, “Learn to speak to me like a human being, and not with a fake tone. Because I’m not going to fall for this lalalalala. You have to be kidding me. You need to check yourself before you check on anyone else.” 

https://giphy.com/gifs/the-office-thank-you-michael-scott-1Z02vuppxP1Pa

·         Jenny, Lauren G and Valerie were eliminated

·         Jenny stormed out without saying goodbye. Arie chased her to smooth things over. She pretty much told him she’ll miss the friends she made in the house, more than she’ll miss him. She still cried though -2 Points She couldn’t believe Arie kept a taxidermist over her.

Recap:

Krystal: 5+5+10+15+20+15-2=68

Jenna: 5

Kendall: 5+5=10

Chelsea: 5+5=10

Bibiana: 10-15=-5

Becca: 10

Seinne: 10

Annalise: -4

Jenny: -2