by Troy Rogers
After getting a second chance to stay at The Biggest
Loser ranch, Sunshine Hampton and her father O'Neal
reaped the rewards of The Biggest Loser Couples
in more ways than they could have imagined. Although
Sunshine saw her father leave The Biggest Loser
ranch and was left to stand on her own, Sunshine
came into her own after transforming her lifestyle
and enduring the necessary pain to come out of
The Biggest Loser a new person.
Although Sunshine was a favorite to win The Biggest Loser, the Minnesota native fell below the "red" line after only a two pound weight loss, which meant that it was harder for Sunshine to lose weight given her remarkable progress.
The next day we caught up with Sunshine of The Biggest Loser to learn more about her journey, what she took away from the ranch, and how Sunshine saw last week's Biggest Loser challenge as a turning point.
THE DEADBOLT: You talked about never being in a relationship or going on a date, and Daris mentioned the same thing. Did you guys talk about that on the ranch?
SUNSHINE HAMPTON: Well, it was always brought up. Daris and I were really close friends and we got along well. We had pretty much the same background. I think that while we were there we definitely could relate to each other, so we worked out a lot together and everything. Nothing ever happened between Daris and I, though, so I don't know. When he went back home, he did start seeing a girl, and I believe now he is dating someone. So I'm happy for Daris.
THE
DEADBOLT: What did you get from Bob and
what did you get that was different from Jillian?
SUNSHINE: From Bob and Jillian I got two different things. Jillian really told me how I needed to do this, and she is the one that made me realize that I've been under my dad's wing for so long that I need to separate and do my journey parallel with him and not underneath him. I need to learn to let go. It will only make our bond stronger, and that's within me.
For Bob it was completely different. Bob was my trainer and he could work me out like no other. He knew what I could and couldn't do. Being there, it's just a magical place and Bob is a magical person. He made me feel so good in the gym. Really, you could see it in his eyes that he wants us to succeed and he wants the best for us. And every time he's working us out, he's there and one-hundred percent committed and it only makes me want to commit one-hundred percent and do everything he's telling me to do.
THE DEADBOLT: Looking back, how much of a turning point was that weight carrying challenge?
SUNSHINE:
Oh, man. That week was, for me, a huge reflection.
I got to focus on my whole journey, my dad being
gone, and just really look back on where I started.
The challenge was very emotional. I get chills
thinking about it again.
To reflect on your whole journey and what I have done in the four months that I was on the ranch was just unbelievable. It felt so good to take out those pounds and just slam them down and be like, "That part of my life is done! That chapter is closed!"
Throwing the last one over the edge, just taking a last breath, I couldn't have been more proud of myself. Sometimes I feel guilty for being proud and feeling so good and not caring about other people, but it's what we had to do. I had to put myself first and that's something I've never done my entire life. So I put myself first and I was able to get all of this weight off and I feel great.
THE DEADBOLT: How did that differ from Michael's journey? Was it a turning point for him, too?
SUNSHINE: I think it was a turning point. I'm hoping it was. I gave him a great big hug afterwards and he was like, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe this. It's crazy." And I'm like, "I know it is crazy." So I think it was a turning point for him, too. For everyone, I hope it was a turning point. You know, Michael still has a long way to go, but he's doing really well.
THE
DEADBOLT: What did you take away from the
visit by Helen and Erik?
SUNSHINE: From Helen and Erik, it was cool to see two different perspectives, one who has gained the weight and one who has been able to keep it off. One of the things I'm going to hold onto is what Erik said, "You don't want to do this twice." And I'm like, "Oh no, I don't want to do this twice."
For Helen, she has been able to keep it off and maintain a healthy lifestyle. She gave me tips on how to do it, because I'm from up North and I live in Minnesota. In the winter, how can I be outside and do my workouts outside? I got a couple of good things from both of them.
