The Biggest Loser is back with its biggest challenge ever. Can Shannan and the lovebirds whip the entire town of Ararat into shape?

Probably not! But this season’s going to be quite a bit different to past seasons so it should be fun to follow along the various journeys.

With a population numbering in the thousands Ararat has been decreed the most overweight in the country and having seen the advertisements it sounds an accurate description.

But let’s get on with the show, eh?

We open on… a white house? But that can’t be THE white house? Oh, right, it’s the new white house!

Steve and Shannan arrive and wander inside first but can’t find anyone, not even Michelle. They eventually go outside and find Hayley who tells them not to worry about Mish. They’ve changed the lives of singles, family, friends and so on before. But this time they’re going to change the lives of an entire town.

Commando Steve says he loves a challenge!
68% of the town is
overweight! They’ve been dubbed Fat-arat. Lots of shots of just huge guts strolling down the street while people talk about needing help.

Steve and Shannan are on a train down to Ararat while reading a dossier on their town. They’re both shocked at how much the townsfolk put away in fast food, but they reckon that’s where the problem is coming from.

The train announces they’re arriving in Ararat and Shannan says he gets a chill. They head out of the station
and onto the streets and can immediately see there’s a huge problem. But they’re not even sure the town will want their help.

Footage includes a lot of people, fast food, fast food shops, an infant nomming on something fried and battered. Ew.
Most of the town eats out all the time. Shannan joins some locals at a chinese place for a chat. He says there’s a lot of food on the table and one guy says that if they’d known Shannan was coming they’d’ve ordered some more. Shannan has a good chuckle at that.

But he tells us the portion sizes are out of control. I love my chinese food, but I’d struggle putting away my share of that banquet.

Shannan heads off to a supermarket next to check out some trolleys. One lady says her favourite naughty food is chocolate, a cashier says chips, cakes and so on.

Manager guy Cameron Brown says a lot of chips, chocolate, sweet bakery treats are his biggest sellers, stuff he enjoys himself when he knows he probably shouldn’t. It’s a Woolworths store, as I suspected. Not a lot of signage gives it away because, presumably, Coles are still the show’s food provider.
Unsurprisingly, Ararat has a big drinking problem. Steve finds a bunch of guys with a bunch of empty glasses already. One guy, almost proudly, says his record is one hundred shots of beer in one hundred minutes, after eating a big mixed “grill”, which is really a greasy fry up more than anything grilled.

To change the town, Steve knows he’ll need help. He rocks up to the Mayor’s office and the receptionist buzzes the mayor and announces him as The Commando.

Mayor Ian Wilson is upset by having the “fattest town in Australia” tag, they don’t want the tag. He’s passionate about changing it because they’re his friends, his community and so on. He’s hoping they can change and get a bit healthier.

Steve and Shannan decide to have a town meeting the next morning. They run around flyering and postering and announcing it from a ute, doing a radio announcement and so on. They’re determined to get people to show up, Steve says he doesn’t want to fail the task set by Hayley.

Next morning, bright and early, five minutes to nine and there’s nobody there. Oh dear. Streets are empty. Few people are wandering around but they’re just going aimlessly.

Then, as hope seems lost, the mayor is leading a procession. And it’s a fair dinkum procession, hundreds of them are marching down the street behind the mayor as he leads them in a chant. “What do we want?” “To lose some weight!” “When do we want it?” “Now!”

Shannan and Steve are obviously very happy they haven’t turned up for nothing!

Shannan introduces himself as Shannan, if nobody knew him yet. And the other guy is The Commando! Lots of girly squeals. Hah!

Steve says they’ve stripped over 6 tonnes off past contestants and they’re here to help change the cycle here in Ararat.

Time to meet Dr Norman Swan! He’s the resident doctor for the show and he’s there to talk some shocking facts and Shannan promises they are shocking. Dr Swan also owes Shannan $50 because Shannan said there’d be more than 500 people turn up.

Dr Swan says Australia has an obesity problem and rural Australia in particular is heading up the list.

First question Dr Swan asks is if they’re getting 30 minutes of exercise every day, raise your hand. Nobody!
How many love a drink? Pretty much everybody!

70% of people don’t get enough exercise and 50% of Ararat men drink at risky levels and 30% of women. Ouch!

The people of Ararat spend $19million on takeaway food every year. That’s insane, that’s more what you’d expect from a much larger town.

So how much bad fat is that? Well, Dr Swan has a dump truck full of fat trimmings. It’s a huge, stinky pile. 8 tonnes of fat.

It’s a lot, but that’s not really so bad for an entire town, is it Shannan?

Oh, that’s a MONTH’S WORTH? Not an entire fucking year? Holy crap, guys. That is insane. No wonder you’re all monstrously fat.

All that fat increases your chances of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, cancer and much more. The town is a ticking time bomb, Dr Swan says.

Time to crack the whip and get them moving, Steve says.

But first, Ararat? It’s time to weigh in!

Rather than trying to weigh them in separately they’re going to lift a dozen or so with a crane at a time and weigh them that way. Saves a little embarassment and gets it done in a reasonable time.

Shannan’s impressed by the turnout today, not just in fat people but also families with their kids and so on. It’s a pretty good turnout. Not sure how many scarpered once they realised they’d have to weigh in but the crowd does seem to have reduced a little!

Each basket lift is ranging between 1400kg and 2600kg. Last basket weighs in at a whopping 2,895kg.

So now they’ve got a good sample size per head of Araratians they can average it out and work out how much the whole town is likely to weigh.

And that figure is… 901,062kg. Lots of gasps around the crowd. Nearly 1million kilos, Shannan says helpfully. Steve tells us it’s well above the national average.

Shannan tells the crowd that in order to shed their “fattest town in the country” tag they’ll need to lose 25,819kg. So they’re rounding that up to an even 26,000kg. That’s to get under the national average, not to get properly healthy, just not one of the fattest towns.

Shannan’s challenging them to turn it around. Can they do it? Yeah!

The challenge is set, time to get started.

Shannan and Steve have set up a gym in the local church and they’re handing out Alere Pebbles, which count steps and monitor weightloss.
They also have the usual challenges galore to push them hard.

And one more trick up their sleeve, Shannan says. They’re going to pick 14 champions of the town to come back to Sydney with them for some intensive training at the Biggest Loser House. Every kilogram they lose they’ll raise money for the town.

Steve says they’ve never been involved in the audition process before and today hundreds have turned out for a chance at getting into a top 24 to head to a special boot camp. Not sure that’s a prize worth winning!

Shannan greets Sharon as she comes in, having remembered her from the chinese restaurant the other day. She has a pink hardhat with her as she works in a steel company. She works with 15 blokes so she has the hardhat to remind everyone she’s a girl and she should be treated as such.

Yeah, okay, you don’t get a special pass because you’re a girl. You get treated like everyone else!

Anyone, she says she didn’t want to cry, but she’s crying as she says she hates her body, she wants people to look at her and think she’s fit and stuff. But she loves her job!

17 year old Caitlyn (?) is the youngest one they have. Lots of other people flow through, talking about having no life or not being happy, not having self confidence, etc.

Who needs it the most, Shannan wonders.

Now we see an older couple, Gary and Katrina. Katrina works as a disability support officer. The couple has been together for 25 years or so, which is a long time! Katrina doesn’t like her reflection in the mirror. But Gary loves her, no matter what. Katrina knows she needs to do something though because she’s missing out on so much.

Shannan has no idea how to choose between all these people!

Cam from the supermarket is getting interviewed now. Says he’s going to lead by example since he’s the bossman at his place of work.

Mary Reed is obviously super embarassed. Or she just has a naturally very flushed complexion. She’s a public servant who could never have children due to her weight. She has a “great niece”, her brother’s granddaughter. She’s going to be her granddaughter too, Mary says. She’s obviously very upset to have missed out on being a Mum.

But she’s determined to do this, it’s her time, she says.

Shannan and Steve have some passes on the table to give out to people the boys think need it most and get their audition right.

Record beer drinker comes through and he says he’s realised maybe that’s nothing to be proud of, since it’s killing him. I think the girl who’s up next is the checkout chick from the supermarket? She says she’s not happy and won’t be until she’s fit and healthy. Her weight is holding her back.

Cal carries a lot of extra weight, but he does play footy so he’s not completely unfit, but he cops a lot of abuse when he’s playing from the sidelines which obviously hurts him. He has a young son he wants to be a good role model for.

He needs change, Shannan says, so he’s giving him the next boot camp pass. Shannan says he’s got heart in him.

Still some places need filling after the audition process so Steve’s taken some to a couple at their house. Shannan takes one to the boozehound at the bar. Last beer for him!

Shannan takes one to the pink hat lady. Her kids come out and give Shannan a hug. Aww!

They’re waiting at the town hall the next morning for the bus that will take them to boot camp. They’re all happy and cheerful now but I’m sure that will change soon enough!

Lots of people find others they know, small town and all that.

They’re heading into the Grampians, apparently. Cam says it’s a lovely place, except if you’re on The Biggest Loser!

Shannan confirms when they get there that it is, indeed, the Grampians. Who knows Mount William, Shannan asks. It’s the highest peak, apparently. And today they’re going to climb it!

Mary is LITERALLY packing it. She should probably have that looked at.

24 will start the day, only 14 will finish. 14 go on to the next stage, one step closer to getting to the House.

No stuffing about at the start of the course. Line up, get going.

Shannan and Steve have a plan, with Shannan out front urging everyone to greater effort while Steve rounds up the stragglers at the back, trying to get them to go faster and finish the course. Mary’s already struggling not long after the start, walking backwards because she must think that will be easier?

But it’s her shot, she’s got to do it, etc. She says she’s always been a big person and physical limits have always been there. Each morning she wonders how long it’s been since she had a sick day, can she have another yet because she doesn’t want to go outside.

Mary’s not sure how far she’ll get up the hill but she’s determined to push as far as she can.

Shannan says the Mount William run is a 20% grade and if he plucked Joe Average off the street they’d find it a hard slog. It does look pretty bloody steep in parts.

Gary’s out the front, feeling like he’s got to get to the top to stand a chance of getting in. His wife is still way back in the pack. Shannan asks him about it and Gary says he’ll go back and get her when he’s done.

Yeah, not sure you’ll want to do that once you’re done!

Pink Hat is having trouble breathing, has to stop for a moment and regain her breath. One of the other Boot Campers stops and encourages her to keep going.

Scott’s having a lot of trouble, Steve says he’s internalising a lot of stuff but Steve has confidence he can do it. Scott says he’s struggling to breathe and his legs are turning to jelly. He eventually has to have a sit down for a minute or two. He hadn’t realised how unfit he’d become but he was determined to keep going. His wedding band is looking mighty tight on his finger!

Meanwhile Gary’s reached the summit, says he’s in a world of hurt but he feels okay. He didn’t go to come first but it felt good, was just the way it turned out though.

Two more lads turn up and there’s a round of congratulations. Gary hasn’t headed down the hill to keep his wife company yet!

Cam’s struggling, collapsing at one point and getting tempted to quit. He’s pulling up the rear among the men and Shannan wants him to pick up the pace so it’s hand in the back time and telling him he’s a natural leader, he wants him up front, etc.

Cam employs the most people in town so his motivation is being a role model for his staff.

Shannan tries to encourage Cam into a jog but Cam’s struggling and falls over. As he tries to pick himself up his arms are wobbly.
Shannan can tell Cam really wants it but his mind is letting him down a bit at the moment. Shannan wants to see more commitment if he’s going to take him to the house.

Cam falls over yet again, complaining about his leg. Shannan insists it’s just a cramp but Cam’s not convinced.
And Shannan’s not convinced Cam’s giving it all he’s got just yet and they only want the ones who’ll give it everything.

And Gary’s finally gone back to get his wife! She hasn’t stopped once but she’s still a long way behind the others.

But not last by any means! Everyone’s having a good time at the top, overjoyed at having made it.

Shannan tells us that if you draw a line in the sand and start pushing yourself, you’ll find it rewarding.

Meanwhile everyone’s celebrating up top… everyone except Mary. Mary’s still going but she’s in tears. Shannan says she’s one of the biggest contestants he’s seen on the show, but he’s sure she’s got it in her. He reminds her of her promise to keep going, even when her body is trying to give up on her.

It’s still hurting, Mary says, she’s still uncomfortable, but thanks to Shannan’s motivational skills she’s still going.

And for the final 20 metres her mates from Ararat come down and cheer her across the line. Awwww!

Mary thanks Shannan when she has the breath for it again and Shannan chuckles and says she was going to kill him 20 minutes ago!

Everyone feel good? Sense of accomplishment, Steve asks? Good. That was the warmup!

Boot Camp starts now!

First is holding a big rope over their heads. They’re using this session to further try and narrow their choice of 14 down.

They’re getting everyone to hold the rope at shoulder height as they all squat, then come back up and lift it above their head. Brutal!

Mary doesn’t see how she has any chance at getting in when there’s 23 other people there too.

And yet Mary’s the first to get a shirt! Shannan was proud of her efforts today in not giving up, despite being dead last. Shannan tells them it’s not about coming first or last, it’s about giving 100% and Mary gave one hundred gut busting percent.

One down, thirteen to go!

It’s one big circuit training session. Pushups and rope pulls and tire flips and so on. Shannan says that if they break while either of the trainers are watching their chances of getting a shirt are much smaller.

Cal’s doing it for his kid. He and his wife are both big and he’s worried they’ll pass that on to their son.
But he’s powering through the tire flips and Shannan finally hands over a shirt. Cal doesn’t want to take it off now because he can barely believe he got one!

Lots more shirts handed out in quick succession! Shannan says it’s not just about turning up, they’ve got to earn their shirt.

Sharon’s knackered. But she starts out doing the tire flips on one of the smaller tires they had for the ladies. She’s four foot nine but Shannan’s seen the determination in her and he moves her on to one of the men’s tires.

She’s crying and saying she can’t breathe, but she gets down on her knees and flips it over. And again. And again. And again.

She’s the shortest competitor they’ve got and she’s doing the man’s tire. She’s got a look of steely determination in her eye and Shannan says that’s what they need. Shannan hands over the shirt and gives her a hug, though Sharon says she’s a bit dirty Shannan’s obviously used to it!

More and more people are getting shirts and Katrina’s getting desperate. She doesn’t think she’ll get in.

Only two shirts left, still quite a few people shirtless. Who’ll get in? The shirted are calling out encouragement from the sidelines.

Shannan’s on Cam’s case again. He’s giving him everyone chance to earn the shirt but Cam keeps falling over instead of holding the bridge Shannan wants him to hold.

Cam falls down again and Shannan’s trying to give him a shirt but he won’t get up and look at it. He does finally make it though and Shannan’s happy Cam gave enough to earn it.

One shirt left so Katrina and Gary won’t be going together. And Katrina’s crushed, thinking they wouldn’t be going at all.

Shannan comes over to Katrina and Gary and though Gary made it to the top first, Shannan thinks Katrina needs it more for herself than Gary needs it.

It’s a little bittersweet, but at least she gets to go. Shannan tells Gary he’ll be working hard back in town as a leader, and Gary says he’ll be doing just that.

The other ten will return to town and rally friends and family to try and remove the label of being Arafat. Everyone’s going to get behind them, they reckon. We’ll see!

Then it’s nighttime and they have a campfire chat. Shannan and Steve want to learn a bit about them all.

Cal feels like he’s not treated with respect due to his weight. He’d got 200m into the walk and thought it was too hard, but when he got to the top the weight lifted off him.

Cam says he works 14-15 hours a day. He’s got three kids at home, what’s he doing it for?

Sharon Pink Hat can’t go on living like this, she says.

One of the guys says it’s going to be hard work, but they’re there for each other, or at least he’ll be there for the others. And then they can go back home and help change the town, too.

But it’s not over yet. While they’re done for today, tomorrow it kicks up a gear.

Tomorrow night on The Biggest Loser the 14 champions weigh in by themselves.
And a new record will be set, for the heaviest woman in Biggest Loser history. Presumably Mary!

Then as the season continues there’ll be “secrets, surprises and super-sized challenges” Mr Voiceover Man says.

Looks like a fun season, if an unconventional one. Any favourite contestants among the recap crowd so far?