Previously on The Biggest Loser the contestants avoided having anyone eliminated in the first week by virtue of losing more than 100kg at the first competitive weigh in.

Tonight the brand new heavyweight contestants hit the gym for the first time. They’ve got a lot of weight to lose and it’s going to be a hard slog. The contestants also go to the moooooovies… to watch tearjerking home movies of their loved ones talking about how the fat people might DIE.

When do the new contestants jump off the cliff, huh? Bah.

The “original” contestants are freaking out over the new people, thinking they’ve got so much weight to lose. But speculation is also rife – who’ll get the new heavyweights first? And will they crumple under the new training regimen? Don’t forget, these are the same contestants who have been there just one week. So they’re obviously so much fitter!

Shannan’s taking on Big Kev and Rosemary first and he’s really looking forward to the challenge. I think Shannan would enjoy trying to get a whale to lose weight. Or a zombie.

Aaaanyway.

Kevin’s got to be fair dinkum and committed. Kevin says he’s 100% committed, he’ll exercise till it hurts, then he’ll do it some more until he can’t anymore. Shannan says he’ll decide when it hurts, he’s got no idea yet. Kevin tells us his ankles, knees and lower back are already in a lot of pain just from being the size he is.

He’s walking at 5km/hr on the treadmill to start. One minute on, thirty second rest. Shannan thinks he’s being quite gentle but Kevin looks like he’s stepped in front of the gates of hell, Shannan says. It must seem that way for someone his size.

To his credit he’s not complaining… at least not yet! Shannan has to keep telling him to take his hands off the sides but he’s getting it done, though he confesses to us that he didn’t expect it to be this hard this fast.

Anita and Cher, are you ready to go, Mish asks? Anita and Cher are worried they’re going to throw up in the first session. Mish tells us the worst that can happen is you run out of steam, big deal! Nothing to fear. Once you get rid of the fear you start enjoying yourself, Mish insists.

Cher tells us the last time she did exercise like this was never! Anita’s trying to get her own life back on track, too. Mish says it’s one thing to suggest to your child they do some exercise, it’s another to be a role model.

Mish thinks Anita’s got more fight in her than Cher does. Cher’s fight has gone out of her and that’s why she’s the size she is. But Michelle’s determined to get that fight back into her. Go Mish!

Back to Kevin and he’s still struggling. His life is the most in danger, Shannan says. More than anyone he’s got to learn the lessons as soon as he can. Shannan warns him not to fall off the back or he’ll knock the door down. Not very encouraging!

Kevin’s come off the back but he’s still on his feet. He’s trying to catch his breath and Shannan’s not surprised at his shortcomings thus far. Shannan’s trying to tell him he can do this, start telling himself he can do this. Shannan says he’s been there for five minutes, get back on!

Shannan says he’s lived his life in a bubble of comfort. Eat whenever and whatever, drink whenever and whatever, sleep whenever he wants. He tells Kevin it’s going to hurt every day, that’s just the way it is. Get back on the treadmill! Kevin thinks it’s too much for him and walks out the door of the gym. Got energy to walk out, got energy to walk on the treadmill!

Kevin and Shannan head out on the lawn for an animated discussion. Shannan says he’s a logical man, does he think this is good enough, just walking onto the grounds of The Biggest Loser? Kevin says no, he just wanted to calm down a bit, from all of Shannan’s… encouragement? That’s not really the idea, Kev.

Shannan asks him to get back inside and get back on the treadmill. Kevin says he won’t change in five minutes on the treadmill and Shannan says it will. The more he says he can’t, the more it won’t. He has to start showing that he CAN. He thinks he can’t push more, but he can. Shannan tells us he knows he’s capable of so much more. Given the animated discussion they’re having, I’d say he’s right! Kevin wants to change his life, most especially for his girlfriend who is pretty much his carer at this point.

Shannan tells us that even though Kevin walked out of the session, that doesn’t matter – because he went back in!

Cher’s getting emotional in her session with Mish. She wants a baaaaby. And a wedding with her long term boyfriend. But she won’t risk her own life or the babies life by trying to have one now, so she’s doing it for herself and her family. Mish tells us Cher’s head is stopping her from doing it, not her body. People always underestimate themselves coming into these sessions and then they walk out and realise they really could do it, and that’s how they build up their self confidence.

Kevin’s doing much better on his second attempt. His mind is in the right place now, Shannan says, and this is what he can do when he tells himself he can do it instead of giving up. “I can do it. I can do it.” Go Kevin! Shannan says one more minute and he’s done, he promises, no mucking around. If he gets angry at stuff, turn it into something positive and get back on the treadmill. Everyone wants him to succeed but there’s no easy ways out, it all starts here.

He’s knackered afterwards but his Mum says, “He done great.” You done great… disservice to the English language.

Time for… THE FRIDGE. The latest gamechanger.

They didn’t have a fridge before?

The fridge isn’t about food, it’s about power. Power to stay above the line or fall below it. And who holds the power? The Biggest Losers of the week. Which is Gerald and Todd right now. Each week the fridge has a different power inside, it could be good or bad. They can choose to open it themselves or pass it to another team. Whoever opens it, gets the power.

Open the fridge, boys! They have a chat first… Boring chat. They’re going to pass it on like idiots. It’s the first one, it’ll be a good thing. They pass it on to yellow and yellow aren’t surprised. They figure they’re the fresh meat. They’re worried now about what it could be… probably nothing scary.

Just an ad break, nothing to worry about.

Actually it’s an “Exclusive Trainer”. Pick your own trainer for the rest of the week, nobody else can have them. Some good one on two time. Yellow’s pondering. They’ve had Michelle already so they’d like to see what Shannan and Commando are about. They like the idea of the boxing training with Shannan, so they’re leaning that way. It’s only for a week for a trial, if they don’t like him in the end then it doesn’t matter too much. They still get a big advantage. And they end up choosing Shannan. Shannan’s stoked, as usual. He tells them the Yellow Line is in play this week so it’s going to be a fierce competition.

And they get one other big bonus – they have a direct hotline to Shannan. It means they can get contact with him at any time and also that he can contact them at any time – so he’d better hear them training when he calls! He tells them they should be eating 1,000 calories a day (seems a bit low?). Anita’s knee is a bit sore, Cher’s joints are a bit sore, too. Shannan’s got them some Super Krill Oil and suggesting a rest and restore multivitamin, too. PUSHERRRR. SHANNAN’S A PUSHER!

And one more surprise! Put your best civvies on… oh, everyone’s going, this is just the movie trip! The trainers have their civvies on too.

Mish’s shirt says “No Excuses” on it. So much love!

They’re at the movies, but it’s not the movies they’re expecting. No blockbusters today, Steve says! They know what it’s like to live with their weight but what they’re here for today is to find out how it affects the people around them. They may find out some things they didn’t expect today. They’ve been putting on a front as the happy fat chick or bloke, Shannan says, but those closest see through it. It’s going to be confronting but it’s got to be.

First up, Rhys and Brodie, Sam’s sons. Jannelle’s wife, too. She’s worried how the boys will cope without him there. Jordy, his daughter, is worried about life without him. Jordy, his daughter, is looking like she could go on next season, after they fix Sam and Jess! He’s not been the role model he’d thought he’d be to his boys. He’s tried to, but he hasn’t just yet. The brothers love their big sister, but it’s hard to deal with her being unwell. Jordy and the even younger brother are worried about being without her. Awww!

Jess is in tears and Mish comes over to give her a cuddle. Awwwww!

Next up, Brett’s dad Brian. He says Brett’s a good basketballist, even now, he knows how to play well. He’s proud of his son though he expects his son doesn’t think so right now. Brian has tried to talk to him about his weight but Brett usually laughs it off as a joke. Brian gets cross with Mandy more because Mandy’s always saying it’s just what Mums do, it’s what wives do. But the daughter of the family is worried too! Some shots of some super bogan haircuts from old family holidays there, kudos guys!

Brian doesn’t think Mandy is happy, and admitting that brings him to tears. Mandy says she’s put everyone ahead of her since the kids were born. She thinks she’s too far gone. Shannan says she’s got to cut the excuses and take control!

Now Cher’s boyfriend, Luke. With his big chunky necklace and shitty chinese character neck tattoo. They’ve not been trying for babies because they didn’t want to risk the life of baby or Mum. Cher wants to change, she says, and she’s got people who’ll help her. Mish tells her if she wants it bad enough she can have it, but even with all the support she’s still got to do it.

Kevin’s girlfriend Julie, now. She’s not sure how much longer his body can put up with it. And life without him would be like losing a part of herself. She’s worried they’ll be doing his funeral in five years not their marriage. Kevin admits that Julie’s put on a lot of weight since they’ve been together and it makes him feel bad.

Kate, Todd’s Mum, doesn’t want Todd to end up like his Dad, struggling with his weight. Sophie, the sister, sees happy Todd at home and a different one at school. Todd’s dream is to play baseball in America and it seems the whole family would love to see that. Steve comes over for a chat, asks him what’s wrong. Tells him they’re cheering him on. The people who’ve put him down, he’ll be showing them! Steve gives him a manly hug. Awww, softie!

What sort of a big sister is Katie, Ashley? “A BORING ONE.” Ha! That’s the way! Apparently she doesn’t do anything with the family. Grandma is worried about Katie having a heart attack or getting the diabeetus. Craig, the dad, is frustrated she’s sitting there and wasting away. Erm, that’s not the problem! Craig says it’s Katie’s chance to be the soldier she wants to be and to turn her life around, but he’ll always love her. Awww!

Katie wishes people had said something sooner because she’d already be off training in the Army.

Ashley says his Mum sits in bed a lot eating chocolate ice cream. Off-screen interview lady asks him what he thinks of that and he’s not sure – he does the same thing right with her. Cue very guilty look from Robyn. Robyn’s Dad has been putting aside $150 a month in a special savings account so if one of them has a heart attack and dies, they’ve got the money to bury them. Which is horrible, but it’s a fact, he says. It could happen, any day. Ouch. Robyn had no idea her Dad was doing that. And they’re there to change the habits that lead to it.

Janet’s husband remembers a more alive wife. Now she pulls back a bit if he even tries to hug her. He doesn’t feel so loved, sometimes, and he’s not sure if he’s still wanted. Janet confirms she does pull back because she’s worried about what he’ll think. They’re changing that now, of course. And her future looks amazing, now she’s working on it.

Kirsten’s a fun person to be around, her Dad thinks, but you only ever see 50% of her because she hides away a bit. Her boyfriend says she thinks she’s not good enough for him but he thinks that’s rubbish. Awww! He feels like he’s not doing enough to make her feel loved. He’s hoping maybe one day he’ll get to see her walk down the aisle towards him.

Mark’s Mum doesn’t want him to be dead at 30, nor wants Chris to be dead before his time too. They’ve got a lot of emotional baggage to deal with. Who doesn’t, lady? Apparently Mark was a twin at birth but the twin died at two weeks. Which explains why Mum and Dad are fat, not so much why Mark is! Chris didn’t deal with the death of the baby too well and it’ll be hard for them to admit they’ve got emotional problems to work through.

Chris worries he’ll forget about the past. Shannan tells him that moving on isn’t about forgetting, it’s about not letting the past hold you back. You never forget!

Belinda hates her life. She’d rather live in a tent. She wants her life back, she wants her husband, the person she married back! Richard is BAWLING HIS EYES OUT. Seriously, full on sobbing and everything. It’s hard to find the balance in living and Steve says from the sidelines he hasn’t had any balance. Richard wants her back, but he can’t go home and not go back to work. It’s not what Mish is saying, it’s about making the changes. And sure, you’ve got to pay the bills, but if he’s always on the road he’s got to find time to be home for his wife, too.

It’s been an emotional day for everyone but Michelle says she’s hoping it’ll be the lightbulb moment for a lot of them to make the change. Imagine what their lives will be like if they stay true to their promises. Time to get real, Shannan says. Steve says it’s been an eye opener but there’s work to be done. Swap the civvies for some training gear. Shannan suggests swapping the kleenex for some sweat towels!

Tomorrow night! More training. And they’re going to attempt a tethered half marathon. Even Kevin? Surely not Kevin? And Brett’s going to shove Shannan. KICK HIS ARSE, SHANNAN!

Remember, @TBLRecap on Twitter, for your recapping goodness.