by Alison Cox
Patti Anderson, one half of the mother - daughter
purple team of The Biggest Loser Couples was the
second contestant to leave The Biggest Loser ranch
after a second week of Biggest Loser competition.
After her tearful plea to sacrifice herself so
her daughter, Stephanie, could stay on the ranch
for a Biggest Loser transformation, the other
Biggest Loser ranchers were unanimous in their
votes to send Patti home. In losing weight, it
all comes down to support. Patti had it while
Stephanie did not and The Biggest Loser provided
an early exit door for Patti to help her daughter.
On our weekly Biggest Loser conference call, we asked Patti about her reactions to the medical gravities revealed on the second episode of The Biggest Loser and how Patti would have addressed her diabetes two decades ago now that she’s a former competitor of The Biggest Loser Couples.
THE DEADBOLT: After the medical evaluations, what things were you thinking when you were by yourself and the cameras were off?
PATTI ANDERSON: I was thinking I have two feet in the grave. It was overwhelming and made me more determined than ever to succeed at this, because I want to live. I want to be healthy. I want to be around for Pamela’s and Stephanie’s babies. With my history, with finding out exactly how ill I was, there’s no choice. It’s time to really change my life. I’m just so grateful that I had the knowledge to start, to get healthy.
THE DEADBOLT: If you could go back in time to focus on your diabetes, what would you do differently?
PATTI: Oh my goodness. I have just wasted twenty years of my life. Initially, when I was diagnosed as a diabetic, if I had taken it seriously - You know, diabetes is a sneaky disease, because you don’t feel the affects for such a long time. You don’t think about it. If it doesn’t impact your daily life, you’re in denial. I wish I had taken it seriously. You know, I can’t that now, but I can change going forward. That’s what I’m doing.
Other Conference Call Highlights:
You’re running and dancing and leading what I assume is a much more active life than before. I’m curious what you’re doing diet wise? What are you eating?
PATTI:
I’m cooking. The girls grew up and went off
to school. I stopped cooking and I started eating
out. You can’t control how the food is prepared
when you eat out. This experience has taught
me that I really enjoy being in the kitchen.
I’ve learned to cut down on sodium. Right now
I’m still only eating chicken, turkey and fish.
I haven’t reintroduced beef, pork or lamb and
I don’t know if I will or not. Lots of veggies
and salads and I never feel deprived. The one
thing I have to keep out of my kitchen is peanut
butter. That is my sinful pleasure and I can’t
even have it in the house. Other than that,
I’m thoroughly enjoying the lessons the nutritionist
Cheryl Foberg taught me. I’m enjoying shopping,
cooking and eating, so it’s all really great.
Has anyone else in your family and friends have joined and are losing weight themselves and if you’re seeing these lifestyle changes affecting other people around you.
PATTI: Oh, I am. It’s wonderful. Everyone has been inspired. They’re getting up and moving. They’re changing their diets. My nieces and nephews. It’s just wonderful. My brother had a heart attack last year and he’s 60. That really changed his life. You know, you slip back. And this has really re-energized him. I’ve had dinner parties since I’ve been home and I cook Biggest Loser style. Everyone is amazed at how wonderful the food is. All of my family and many of my friends are inspired to get healthy in 2010.
