The Biggest Loser Australia: Couples


The fourth season of the Australian version of the original NBC American reality television series The Biggest Loser, known as The Biggest Loser Australia: Couples, premiered on 1 February 2009 on Network Ten. Series Host Ajay Rochester reprised her role for the fourth season, along with trainers Shannan Ponton, Michelle Bridges and Steve Willis. The show also introduced a new trainer Emma Hutton. Applications opened mid-2008 for potential contestants. On 27 April, Bob Herdsman was crowned the oldest contestant in Australian History to ever win with a record weight loss of 87.6 kg, or 52.21% of his starting weight, and won $200,000 in prize money.

Season Overview

List of episodes

Game variations

There are 20 contestants in this season, competing as ten teams of two.
MembersTeammate
Tania DianaRamsesBrown TeamEliminated Week 14
Ramses DianaTaniaBrown Team-Eliminated Week 14
Jodi NolteJedaPink TeamEliminated Week 25 *
JodiPink Team-Eliminated Week 25 *
StewartPurple TeamEliminated Week 33
AmandaPurple Team-Eliminated Week 33
Sean Doudle, returned Wk 5BenGreen TeamEliminated Week 43
Ben TerrySeanGreen Team-Eliminated Week 43
Holly ScoulerMelYellow TeamEliminated Week 57
Melanie "Mel" ScoulerHollyYellow Team-Eliminated Week 57
Amanda BrockSeanWhite TeamRed TeamEliminated Week 64
Nathan Miles**AndrewSky Blue TeamRed TeamCastawaysEliminated Castaways7
Teresa HamiltonSharifOrange TeamBlue TeamBlue TeamEliminated Week 84
TeresaOrange TeamRed TeamRed Team1
Andrew Miles**NathanBlue TeamRed TeamEliminated Week 97
Meaghan TrattlesJulieBlue TeamRed TeamRed Team2
Sean DoudleAmandaWhite TeamBlue TeamBlue TeamEliminated Week 103
Julie TrattlesMeaghanBlue TeamBlue TeamBlue TeamEliminated Week 114
Stewart Brock***AmandaPurple TeamXXEliminated Week 12 - The Walk0
Cameron FisherSammyRed TeamRed TeamBlue TeamEliminated Week 124
CameronRed TeamRed TeamRed Team3rd Runner-Up0
Sharif Deen***TeresaOrange TeamRed TeamRed Team2nd Runner-Up0
Tiffany HerdsmanBobGrey TeamBlue TeamBlue TeamRunner-Up2
Bob HerdsmanTiffanyGrey TeamBlue TeamCastawaysThe Biggest Loser0

Note: * Holly and Melanie were given a "double vote" as a result of Nathan and Andrew's second walk. As a result, Holly and Melanie's vote was definitive in voting Jodi and Jeda off the show.
Note: ** In week three a second "elimination" was performed with incredibly short notice after the normal elimination, resulting in Nathan & Andrew getting four nominations. In another twist Ajay revealed that they had a lifeline, in which they would compete against the average weight loss percentage of the other six couples and if they won they would have the one and only vote at the next elimination.
Note: *** In week 11, both Stewart and Sharif returned to the competition, to compete in singles.

Game elements

The episodes and elements of the show are screened on a weekly rotation, generally in the following set up:
The contestants originally competed in their couples teams, but were later re-organised into a blue team and a red team. As of week 9, the contestants are competing as singles, wearing black shirts, and even being known as a "Black team".
In week 11, the eliminated contestants returned and wore their original couples team colours, and competed for 4 "wildcard" white T-shirts.
In week 12, Castaways Bob and Nathan returned to Camp Biggest Loser to weigh in. Bob beat out Nathan to earn a black T-shirt and claim the 4th and final spot in the Final 4.

Bracelets

The two bracelets were introduced in week 1's Walk, and have moved around over the course of the series due to other Walks and Eliminations. The Double bracelet has the power to double the prize money if worn by the winner of the overall competition, while the Nothing bracelet has the power to deny the prize money if worn by the overall winner. If the wearer of a bracelet is eliminated, that person must choose onto which of the remaining contestants to pass their bracelet.

Weigh-Ins

Weigh-ins occur every week. They show the contestant's weight, previous weight and difference. Every week contestants are weighed in. While the contestants are in "couples", the two couples with the lowest weight loss percentages are eligible for elimination. When the game shifts to "singles", the two players with the lowest weight loss percentages are eligible for elimination. After the finalists are decided, they go home for a certain amount of time to continue their diets at home until the live finale where they are weighed in one last time and the winner, the "Biggest Loser", is crowned. The contestant's weekly results can be seen below, and are listed in chronological order of elimination, with the exception of the finalists, whose results are listed in order of their position on the leaderboard.
Legend
Teams
Winner
Standings
BMIs
Notes
Weigh-In Results for Fitzroy Island "Castaways"
Castaway who lost out on a spot in the finalist group

Warehouses or Challenges

Every week, at the warehouse the contestants are given two options that will be their staple food for the rest of the week as in 2008. Some weeks, a challenge will take place instead, as happened in 2006 and 2007.
Week 1 - Chickens vs. Eggs: The choices were between barbecued chicken or uncooked eggs. All ten couples decided to choose the eggs because it can be cooked in any way and the chicken option was higher in fat.
Week 2 - Race to Sydney Challenge: Teams had to travel from Fitzroy Island to Camp Biggest Loser in Manly. The first team to arrive won immunity and the last team to finish suffered a two kilogram weight penalty at the next weigh in.
Week 3 - Commando: Each couple had to decide between them which would go to an unknown destination. What they didn't know is that it was a Commando training session. Although Julie had a very difficult time during the session, everyone managed to get through the training session. After the session, the Commando kept Sharif and Mel, as the contestants who had lost the smallest amounts of weight that week with him until further notice.
Week 4 - Fast Food vs. $5 A Day: The two options were either ordering take out food every day for a week or five dollars per person per day for the week. Since Nathan & Andrew were up against the rest of the couples, they had the right to choose first. They decided to go for the $5 a day option knowing if they were to take the other option, the other team would have $60 a day. After selection, Sean really took it hard as he stated that he would not go for fast food ever again.
Week 5 - Raw Food vs. Straw Food: This week, the contestants had a choice between raw food and straw food. With raw food, the contestants would be able to eat anything they liked, provided it was not cooked or heated in any way. With straw food, contestants would be able to eat only food that could be consumed with a straw. As the biggest losers at the previous weigh-in, Teresa and Sharif were given the power to select one option for themselves, leaving the remaining contestants with the other. They selected raw food, leaving the remaining teams to eat only blended food for the week. Meaghan thought it was a good choice, but Holly believed straw food was the better option.
Week 6 - Cycle for Money: This week, instead of a warehouse, all contestants had 24 hours to cycle on a spin bike for cash. For every kilometre they cycle, they gain 10 cents.
Week 7 - Dine In vs. Dine Out: Sean was the biggest loser for the week after Amanda, so he got to choose between "Dine In" and "Dine Out" for his team, with the other team getting the other option. However, he didn't know what either option entailed. He chose "Dine In" for his team, which involved them eating nothing but frozen meals. The other team got to "Dine Out", for which they were taken away to a secret location to face Emazon. Each member had to face Emazon in the boxing ring while the rest of the team completed a circuit. If the team member was able to stand up to Emazon, they got to choose a food group for their food for the week. All five members stood up to Emazon and the team returned with five food groups.
Week 8 - N/A: No warehouse challenge was shown this week, as the episode instead focused on Nathan's choice of Bob for a surprise "elimination" and their later encounter with The Commando.
Week 9 - N/A: No warehouse challenge was shown this week, as the episode instead focused on the dissolving of teams and the contestants finding out about Nathan and Bob on Fitzroy Island.
Week 10 - N/A: No warehouse challenge was shown this week, as the episode instead focused on the contestants' "Back to the future" hike up Mount Tarawera in New Zealand. As they walked up the dormant volcano, they passed through a series of gates, each representing one week in the past 9 weeks of their time on The Biggest Loser, starting at week 9 and working backwards. At each week's gate, the trainers Shannon and Michelle added to each contestant's backpack the weight that they lost in that week, so that they could feel the weight they lost, remember who they were, and acknowledge their past so as to look to their future.
Week 11 - N/A: No warehouse challenge was shown this week, as the episode instead focused on the return of all the eliminated contestants for second-chance week, and their initial weigh-ins.
Week 12 - N/A: No warehouse challenge was shown this week. The episode instead featured the "Train The Trainers" session, the contestants viewing their audition DVDs, and the contestants putting on their dream outfits, as well as Bob and Nathan while carrying in their backpacks the weight they've lost.

Temptations

Temptation is generally an opportunity for a couple or contestant to win immunity for the next weigh-in. This means that even if their weight loss means they would fall below the yellow line, they will not be up for elimination and the next couple or contestant with the lowest percentage of weight loss will take their place under the yellow line. As well as winning immunity, the couple or contestant also gains the responsibility of taking 'The Walk'. To win immunity, an element of risk is involved as couples or contestants may have to eat high calorie or unhealthy foods for a chance to win immunity and this could jeopardise their performance in the next weigh-in.
Temptation is symbolic of the fact that foods offered in temptation may be foods that tempt the contestants in the outside world and some contestants restrain from temptation for the fact that they want to steer away from these foods for good.
WeekTitleDescriptionWinnerCalories consumed
1Race to the PlattersSix covered plates were placed in front of the couples. One of them contained immunity and the rest contained high calorie foods. The possibilities included some lolly-pops, a chocolate éclair, cheesecake, chocolate cake, and a burger "with the lot" and chips. The first to grab the covered plate with immunity would win it. If the contestant chose one of the food plates, both teammates would have to eat the food. Every couple of minutes, the highest calorie food was removed, increasing the chances of immunity. Eventually, when there were two options, many considered going for the immunity, and in the end Nathan and Andrew took both the final plates to win immunity as a couple. The rest of the contestants then knew that Nathan and Andrew were "playing the game". This, Andrew and Nathan felt, would make them targets for elimination.Andrew & Nathan80 cal each
2N/ABecause of the Race to Sydney challenge, no Temptation was played this week. However, immunity and the power of The Walk were given to the couple that came first in the Race to Sydney challenge.N/A0 cal
3Wooden SpoonSimilar to last year's golden fork temptation, the couples had to grab the wooden spoon in order to be in the running for immunity. The kitchen had been decked out in foods from the bakery, but the temptation foods were doughnuts. The foods ranged from a small cinnamon doughnut at 70 calories to the chocolate jam and cream-filled doughnut with hundreds and thousands at 1275 calories. As Nathan and Andrew were the current holders of immunity, they were the first to play. AJ asked them who they wanted to play against, and they chose the green team. Immediately, the green team Mates took the wooden spoon and won. The light blue team withdrew and the green team were then asked who they wanted to play against next. For the rest of the rounds, despite some players – such as Cameron – wanting the food and a chance for immunity, everyone else refused to take the spoon, and as a result, Ben & Sean won immunity having eaten just 70 calories. Also, since Mel and Sharif were with the Commando, Holly and Teresa represented themselves without their partner. The other couples had all expressed a desire to go for immunity in order to take it from Nathan & Andrew. But, as they discovered that Nathan & Andrew no longer had it, and so as not to take in unnecessary calories, they stood firm and didn't give in to temptation. After the challenge, Bob & Tiffany got to see their family for one day because Bob had been the biggest loser for two weeks running and had the greatest percentage weight loss in week two.Ben & Sean70 cal each
4Italian TemptationFor this temptation, one contestant at a time had to decide whether to eat any food for immunity or not. For the first time, each couple was not allowed to consult with their partners whether to go for immunity or not. For this temptation, as it was "one vs all" week, Nathan & Andrew were not able to compete for immunity. If none of the six couples went for immunity, no one would hold immunity and Nathan & Andrew would have the power of the walk. Meaghan, despite not eating, commented that she was tempted by the chef instead of the food. In the end, Teresa ate a Vegetarian Pizza ; Holly also ate a Vegetarian Pizza ; and Sharif ate a Chicken Parmigiana to win immunity for Teresa & Sharif.Teresa & SharifTeresa Sharif
5Milkshake WarsFor this temptation, each contestant wearing blindfolds had to decide whether to drink the banana and strawberry milkshake for immunity. They had twenty minutes to decide whether to drink or not, and were not allowed to talk to anyone on the table. Sharif, Teresa and Sammy all decided not to drink their milkshakes. In the end, Nathan drank the whole three litres to claim immunity for him and his brother.Andrew & NathanNathan Andrew
6Chocolate PokerThe contestants were seated around a poker table with items of chocolate of various calorie counts in front of them. Each in turn could place a bet in calories of chocolate, with each succeeding player needing to match the bet with the option of raising it, or else drop out of the game. Whoever was the last player in the game had to eat their bet to win immunity. This was the first Temptation where contestants competed individually for immunity, rather than as couples. Andrew bet a mini Milky Way. All other players dropped out of the game, except Nathan, who raised the bet over his brother to 2 mini Milky Ways. Andrew dropped out, and Nathan ate the 2 mini Milky Ways to win Temptation.Nathan124 cal
7Favourite FoodThe contestants were seated along a table with their favourite meal in front of them, totalling 1000 calories, which they had symbolically thrown away seven weeks earlier on Fitzroy Island. To play Temptation, they had to eat the entire meal within 15 minutes. If more than one person finished their meal, those people would progress to the second round, with desserts. Furthermore, the contestants were divided by screens so they couldn't see who was eating. Sharif was the only one to eat and finish his meal, so he won immunity.Sharif1000 cal
8Fortune CookiesThe contestants went to Kam Fook Restaurant, and were seated around a table. They were each presented with a bowl full of 100 fortune cookies. One fortune cookie within each bowl contained immunity. Each fortune cookie contained 25 calories. They had 30 minutes to eat as many cookies as they wanted in order to find immunity. Whoever found immunity first would win it, but if no one found it within the time limit, only those who had eaten at least one cookie would go to the next round. In the next round, there would only be one cookie for each player, and only one containing immunity. The one who picks the correct cookie would win immunity. Sharif started to eat cookies but stopped after seven without finding immunity. No one else ate within the time limit, so Sharif won immunity.Sharif175 cal
9N/AThere was no Temptation this week, as the episode instead focused on the contestants receiving full-body makeovers. However, there was still a Walk, and immunity was the prize for the major challenge instead.N/A0 cal
10N/AThere was no Temptation this week, as the episode instead focused on Sammy, Sean and Cameron's "Face Your Fears" personal challenges, in which each contestant would perform an activity that would get them to face their greatest fears. Sammy went whitewater rafting, Sean jumped out of a helicopter into Lake Tarawera, and Cameron went abseiling.N/A0 cal
11Table of PresentsThis week was second-chance week for the eliminated contestants, so Temptation was played between the eliminated contestants. There was a table with 6 presents along it. In each present was a different item: the prize of an 8-day trek for 2 to North Vietnam, the prize of a SYM VS 125cc scooter, chocolate crackles that the contestant had to eat, fairy bread that the contestant had to eat, elimination, and a "wildcard" white T-shirt. As there were 12 contestants but only 6 presents, they would have to race and put their hand on a present before anyone else to claim it. Sharif ate the fairy bread, Meaghan won the scooter, Andrew ate the chocolate crackles, Jodi won the white T-shirt, Ben was eliminated, and Stewart won the holiday to Vietnam.Jodi0 cal
12N/AInstead of Temptation this week, there was the final challenge. The power of the final Walk was the prize for the winner of the final challenge.N/A0 cal

"The Walk"

Week 1 - Nathan and Andrew - Nathan and Andrew picked the double and nothing bracelets. They gave the Nothing bracelet to Meaghan and the Double bracelet to Holly.
Week 2 - Nathan and Andrew - Nathan and Andrew had to pick one of the four discs, each containing two couples. They picked up a disc that said Jodi & Jeda and Holly & Melanie. As a result, they had to decide which of the two teams will receive a double vote at the next elimination. They decided on Holly & Melanie in hopes that they will vote with them. Holly & Melanie initially didn't want it, but played along knowing that they weren't trustworthy.
Week 3 - Ben and Sean - Ben and Sean had to pick one of two discs: one was to move the double bracelet to another contestant, the other was to move the nothing bracelet to another contestant. Ben and Sean chose the disc that required them to move the double bracelet to another contestant. As a result, Holly had to give up the bracelet to Tiffany.
Week 4 - Teresa and Sharif - Sharif picked a disc out of one of two vessels of water, which was revealed to be a disc that said Give a couple pleasure. Then in a surprise twist Teresa was told that it was now her turn, and she took the other disc that said Give a couple pain. Sharif and Teresa gave the "pleasure" to Julie & Meaghan which resulted in them being pampered and the "pain" was given to Holly & Melanie which made them take Emazon's challenge.
Week 5 - Nathan and Andrew - Before Nathan and Andrew picked up any discs, the four eliminated couples returned and stood beside Ajay on the walk. Ajay told Nathan & Andrew that two of them will be returning to the game. There were four vessels, each containing a disc inscribed with the names of an eliminated couple. Nathan & Andrew each picked a disc, which revealed "Ben & Sean" and "Amanda & Stewart". Nathan & Andrew were not happy for picking these two names because they wanted Jodi & Jeda to get their alliance back and Tania & Ramses to strengthen Michelle's training alliance. After the couples were selected, Ajay told the selected couples that only one person from each couple will return to the house as the "odd couple". Each couple would decide for themselves which of them would return. As a result, Sean and Amanda returned to the house.
Week 6 - Nathan - The purpose of this Walk was to dissolve the couples teams and form new red and blue teams. There were two vessels. One vessel had a disc for Nathan to choose another couple to split up, one on each of the new teams, and those two people would then pick the new teams. The other vessel's disc would split Nathan and his partner Andrew up, so that they would start and pick the new teams. The disc revealed that he had to pick one couple to pick the red and blue teams. In the end, he chose Julie & Meaghan to pick teams, splitting them up. Nathan also had to choose who out of Julie and Meaghan would be on the red team and who would be on the blue team, and also who would get first pick. Nathan chose for Julie to be blue and Meaghan to be red, and for Julie to get first pick. Julie and Meaghan chose their teams as follows: Sean, Nathan, Andrew, Sharif, Bob, Amanda, Teresa, Sammy, Tiffany, Cameron.
Week 7 - Sharif - There were two vessels. One vessel had a disc for Sharif to choose a bracelet to take himself, and the other had a disc for Sharif to choose a bracelet to give to another contestant. He picked out the disc to give a bracelet to another contestant. He chose to take the double bracelet from Tiffany and give it to Teresa, his former couples partner.
Week 8 - Sharif - There were two vessels. One vessel had a disc for the red team to decide as a group to choose someone to swap with a member from the blue team. The other was for the blue team to decide as a group to choose someone to swap with a member from the red team. Either way, a swap will happen. Sharif chose the vessel on the right and gave him and the red team the power to decide who will be swapped. The only catch is that Sharif cannot be involved with the swap. When the decision was made, the red team constantly tricked the blue team with their decision by passing the blue shirt around until they announced that Cameron will be moved to the blue team due to his poor performance in challenges. Sharif then gave the red shirt to Andrew for consistently losing big numbers in weigh-ins and for good performance in challenges.
Week 9 - Meaghan - Although there was no Temptation this week, the contestants received a letter that they would need to decide among themselves who would go on The Walk. They had only 30 minutes to decide. As the alliance consisting of Meaghan, Julie, Tiffany, Cameron and Sammy held the majority of the remaining 8 contestants, it was decided that Meaghan should go on The Walk. On The Walk, there were two vessels. One vessel had a disc for Meaghan to choose one male contestant to eliminate or choose to eliminate herself. The other had a disc for Meaghan to choose one female contestant to eliminate or choose to eliminate herself. Meaghan picked from the vessel on the right, and picked out the disc to eliminate a male contestant or herself. Meaghan only had 1 hour to make her decision. Meaghan wouldn't have eliminated herself or Cameron, as they were part of the alliance, so that left Sean, Andrew and Sharif to choose from. Andrew suggested to Meaghan that he didn't need to still be in the competition, although he still wanted to be there, whereas the other two choices still needed to be there. However, Meaghan chose to eliminate Sharif, because he was the greatest threat to Meaghan's alliance. Should she have picked the other vessel, it would completely ruin Meaghan's alliance by voting one of their own and would either eliminate Sammy or Tiffany since she wouldn't vote herself out or her mother Julie.
Week 10 - N/A - There was no Walk this week, as the episode instead focused on Tiffany, Meaghan and Julie's "Face Your Fears" personal challenges, in which each contestant would perform an activity that would get them to face their greatest fears. Tiffany went skydiving, while both Meaghan and Julie were suspended below a helicopter flying over Mount Tarawera.
Week 11 - N/A - There was no Walk this week, as the episode instead focused on the eliminated contestants' "Stacks On" challenge for second-chance week.
Week 12 - Tiffany - Tiffany won the power of The Walk by winning the escalator challenge. There was a single vessel containing a briefcase. On the back, there was an instruction to move either bracelet to any bracelet-less contestant. Whoever had their bracelet taken away received the case. Tiffany chose to give herself Sammy's 'double' bracelet, and therefore give Sammy the case. Inside was a disc telling Sammy to eliminate any contestant. She had 1 hour to make her decision. Tiffany and Cameron told her to eliminate Sharif, since he was the bigger threat. Sammy went against this and chose to eliminate Stewart, because she felt Sharif deserved to stay there more.

Major Challenges

Week 1 - Bucket Loads of Trouble - One partner had to stand on a block while balancing a log on their shoulders with two 30-litre buckets attached to each end. The other partner had to run into the sea to gather water and pour it into any of the contestants' buckets. Once a contestant could not hold up their log or stay on their block any longer, them and their partner were eliminated from the challenge. After the challenge, despite Nathan & Andrew won, the other couples yelled at Jodi & Jeda for not eliminating Nathan & Andrew especially when they had a chance to do so earlier in the challenge. Jeda yelled at Cameron for yelling at the sidelines about an alliance with Nathan & Andrew. Then, Sammy got involved and told Jeda to "shut her mouth" defending Cameron and the other couples. At the house, Jodi told Jeda that there was no need for her to yell at Cameron or anyone and explained to her that they are now targets for having the couples believing that they are part of the alliance with Nathan & Andrew.
Week 2 - Race to Sydney Challenge - See above under "Warehouses or Challenges" section.
Week 2 - Brain Strain - The couples found a line of treadmills set up outside for their challenge. Ajay was going to ask them multiple choice questions about nutrition. One half of the couple was to answer the question and if they gave the wrong answer, the speed of the treadmill their partner was on would be raised by 1 km/h. The final three couples were Holly & Mel, Teresa & Sharif and Ben & Sean. In the end, Ben & Sean won the challenge and letters from home. Ajay then told the winning couple to select who will also receive letters from home. Ben & Sean decided that all of them deserved letters from home and in the end selected all the couples to have letters from home.
Week 3 - Struggle in the Sand Dunes - The winner of this challenge would have a 1 kg advantage at the next weigh-in. Holly and Amanda couldn’t compete because of injury and Sharif and Mel were still with the Commando. Only one half of each couple would be taking part in the challenge and Sammy was amazed when Cameron volunteered to compete on their behalf. It came down to Tiffany and Nathan. They had to carry 40 kg up the dune. Nathan won, but later came back down to help Tiffany, who was lagging behind showing how caring he was with his training group alliance member.
Week 4 - A Waterlogged Challenge - The contestants had to walk across a narrow beam suspended above a pool, pick up a 10 kg water balloon and carry it back over the beam to place it on a rack. They had 90 minutes to place as many balloons as they could on the rack. If a contestant fell off on the beam, they had to swim to the side they started from and start again. Nathan managed to get 10 balloons to the other side, while the six couples could only manage to get one over. Despite losing, the six couples all had a dip in the pool and became best friends with each other.
Week 5 - Towers of Tuna - Each team had a stack of 10,000 tins of tuna that they had to move 50m and restack using nothing but their bare hands. 8,800 tins were in trays but the other 1,200 were loose tins. Whichever team's was completed and held up for 60 seconds first would win $10,000. Andrew was not able to run or carry tins due to his knee injury, so he was restricted to stacking tins. Holly and Mel won the challenge. Nathan tried to complete his stack anyway but collapsed due to muscle spasms in his back, though he recovered after getting medical attention.
Week 6 - Relay Race at Royal Randwick - For the first red team vs blue team challenge, the contestants were taken to Royal Randwick racecourse, and were to run a relay race around the 2.1 km track. Each member of each team would run a 420m leg, and the teams had to do 4 laps of the track in total. The fifth and final lap would then consist of the first runner picking up each successive member of the team to run together until the finish line. Teresa sat out due to an injury, and the red team chose Cameron to sit out to even the teams out. The trainers Shannon and Michelle would run with their team to encourage them along. The prize on offer was precious phone calls home. The lead passed between the teams over the course of the race but the blue team ended up winning.
Week 7 - Brain vs Brawn - A team challenge in which one person from each team answered multiple-choice questions while the rest of the team carried a heavy load. Each team picked one person to be their "brain". The rest of the teams were the "brawn", and had to carry a metal disc between them. Ajay asked the "brains" multiple-choice questions, and the first person to buzz in would answer. If they answered incorrectly, a 10 kg weight was added to their team's disc, while if they answered correctly, a 10 kg weight would be added to the opposing team's disc. If neither "brain" buzzed in, both teams would receive a 10 kg weight. Whichever team dropped their disc first would lose the challenge. The prize on offer was the power to choose which member of the blue team would not be part of the next team weigh-in total. In the end, the blue team accumulated 50 kg of extra weight while the red team accumulated 90 kg before dropping their disc. At the next weigh-in, the blue team chose Andrew to not count towards the weigh-in total.
Week 8 - Dirty Dash - This challenge took place in a mud-filled paddock of a length of 100m, with a low-hung cargo net in the middle. In each round, all contestants would race from one end of the paddock, going under the cargo net, to the other end, then around a flag pole and back under the cargo net to the start to pick up a finishing flag. There would be one less finishing flag than contestants, so whoever did not get a finishing flag would be out of the challenge. The next round would then start with the remaining contestants and one fewer finishing flag. Whichever team had all their members eliminated first would lose the challenge. The prize on offer was the power to choose which member of the blue team would not be part of the next team weigh-in total. Because the blue team had one extra member, they chose Julie to sit out of the challenge. This was the first challenge after Andrew and Cameron had swapped teams, so they both wanted to prove themselves to their new teams. The contestants eliminated from the challenge were, in order: Cameron, Sammy, Sharif, Tiffany, Teresa, Meaghan, Andrew. Sean won the challenge for the blue team. At the next weigh-in, the blue team chose Julie to not count towards the weigh-in total.
Week 9 - Hearts Racing - This challenge took place in the weigh-in room, with each contestant on a spin bike and hooked up to a heart rate monitor. The contestants would have to pedal and keep their heart rate at or above 80% of their maximum heart rate. If a contestant's heart rate dropped below 80% or they stopped pedalling, they were out of the challenge. Whoever was the last one remaining would win the challenge and immunity. The contestants dropped out in the following order: Andrew, Julie, Sean, Meaghan, Sammy, Cameron. Tiffany was the last one left and so won the challenge and immunity. Tiffany and Cameron had been pedalling for 2 hours and 20 minutes before Cameron dropped out.
Week 10 - New Zealand Super Challenge - This challenge, set along the Waikato River, would result in one contestant being eliminated. The super challenge would begin with a 4 km mountain bike race, ending at the Huka Falls. The next leg of the race would be 3 km on foot following the Waikato River. The contestants would then be faced with a fork in the road, where they would have to choose to either take the stairs down to the river, or bungy jump 47m. Before they could take the stairs, they would have to wait for a 30-minute penalty, but they could bungy jump immediately. This was their chance to put into practice what they had learnt earlier in the week about facing their fears. Once down at the river through either method, they would have to kayak for 1.5 km. From there, it was a 100m sprint to the finish line. At the finish line was one last challenge: there would be six food items, and the contestants would have to choose one when they arrive. Whoever had the item with the most calories would lose the challenge and be eliminated. When the bike leg started, Sean took off ahead, followed by Meaghan, Cameron, Tiffany, Sammy and then Julie in last place. Tiffany overtook Cameron during the bike leg, and later Cameron fell off his bike a couple of times. On the running leg, Sammy and later Julie overtook Cameron. Sean arrived at the fork in the road, and decided to bungy jump. Meaghan arrived at the fork and saw Sean bungy jump. Tiffany arrived at the fork while Meaghan was waiting, and bungy jumped ahead of her. Sammy arrived at the fork, and, to try to encourage Meaghan to jump, agreed to jump in tandem with her. However, Meaghan couldn't make herself jump, delaying both herself and Sammy. While she was hesitating, Julie and Cameron arrived and waited out their 30 minutes to take the stairs. Eventually, Meaghan pulled out of the bungy jump and took the stairs while Sammy jumped alone. Sean arrived at the finish line first and chose the Weet-Bix with skim milk as his food item. Tiffany arrived second and chose 125g of blueberries. Julie arrived in third place and chose 43g of potato chips. Cameron's kayak capsized but he still arrived at the finish line in fourth place and chose the ham, cheese and tomato sandwich. Meaghan felt guilty about delaying Sammy because of her own fears, and wanted to sacrifice herself for Sammy, choosing a worse food option than Sammy to protect her. However, they had difficulty deciding between the two options: 200g of spam or 1/2 a litre of full-cream milk. Eventually, Sammy chose the milk and Meaghan chose the spam. Finally, Ajay revealed the results. In order from lowest to highest calories, the food items were: 125g of blueberries ; Weet-Bix with skim milk ; 43g of potato chips ; ham, cheese and tomato sandwich ; 1/2 a litre of full-cream milk ; 200g of spam. Meaghan was eliminated, but before she left she had to pass on the Nothing bracelet to another contestant. At this point in the game, the bracelet didn't offer much protection anymore, and none of the contestants minded having it as they weren't in the game for the money. Meaghan decided to give the bracelet to Cameron, as she felt that if one of the other contestants were to win, they would need the money more. Meaghan then left straightaway, taken away by helicopter.
Week 11 - Stacks On - This challenge was similar to the week 1 challenge "Bucket Loads of Trouble", and was played out between the eliminated contestants who had not yet received a "wildcard" white T-shirt or gone home. Amanda left before the challenge under doctor's orders due to her shoulder injury, so that left 9 contestants to participate in the challenge. In this challenge, each contestant was standing on a disc and carrying a barbell on their shoulders. In turn, each contestant would nominate another contestant to have 10 kg added to their barbell. The first contestant to drop their barbell or step off their disc would be eliminated. The last contestant standing would win a "wildcard" white T-shirt. The contestants dropped out in the following order: Tania, Jeda, Andrew, Stewart, Ramses, Meaghan, Sean, Teresa. Sharif was the last contestant standing, carrying 140 kg, and won the "wildcard" white T-shirt. Tania was eliminated for being the first to drop out.
Week 11 - "Escape from Cockatoo Island" Super Challenge - The challenge was the final chance for the eliminated contestants to win a "wildcard" white T-shirt. Set on Cockatoo Island, it was played out between the 7 eliminated contestants who had not yet received a "wildcard" white T-shirt or gone home. The challenge took the form of a race with a convict theme due to Cockatoo Island's past as a convict prison. The contestants each started with a 10 kg ball and chain attached to their ankles, and they had to run 500m up a hill carrying the ball and chain. At the top of the hill was a question 2 answer choices. If they answered incorrectly, they would have to run back down to the start and then run back up again. If they answered correctly, they would have to sort through a set of keys to find the correct key to remove their ball and chain. They would then do 3 laps of the island, arriving back at the hill each time to answer a new question. Each time they got a question wrong, they would have to run back down to the starting line and then back up again. After completing their laps, they would have to complete a strength challenge of moving 7 bags of 20 kg of grain a distance of 75m. Once they had moved all their bags, they would open a box and smash open a bottle to find a message describing how to get to the yacht that was the finishing line. The first two contestants to finish the race would win the "wildcard" white T-shirts, and the rest would be eliminated. Ultimately, Sean came first and Stewart came second, so the two of them won the "wildcard" white T-shirts while the other 5 were eliminated.
Week 12 - Escalator Challenge - This was the final challenge, and was played in the place of Temptation, so that the reward for winning the challenge could be the power of the final Walk. The 5 contestants were taken to Westfield Burwood. The challenge was to take place on one of the escalators in the shopping centre. The contestants would each stand in a spot along the escalator, separated by barriers between them. When the challenge started, the escalator would move down while the contestants would have to walk up, so that they stay between the barriers in front of and behind them. If a contestant moved through the barrier behind them, they would be out of the challenge. The last contestant standing would win the challenge and the power of The Walk. The contestants were placed with Tiffany at the top, followed by Stewart, Sharif, Sammy, and then Cameron. Cameron dropped out first, then Sammy dropped out soon afterwards. Sharif accidentally went through the barrier when he turned around to see how close he was to it. Stewart and Tiffany were going strong but the other 3 contestants were cheering for Tiffany and not Stewart, as they wanted Tiffany to win. Finally Stewart conceded to Tiffany, being mentally fatigued. Tiffany won the challenge, having walked up the escalator for 32 minutes.
Week 12 - The Biggest Loser Cook-Off - This challenge was set by the trainers to see how much the contestants had learnt about healthy cooking. Each contestant had 45 minutes to prepare an entrée, a main and a dessert. Each course had to include at least one of the three base ingredients: blueberries, chicken and bok choy. Shannon and Michelle would be the judges, and judge each dish on presentation and taste. The winner of the challenge would win a $4500 Everdure barbecue. Sammy presented her courses first: grilled eggplant with mushroom, cottage cheese and bok choy for entrée; stir-fried snow peas, carrot, mushroom, onion, garlic and chilli with Worcestershire and soy sauces for the main course; and carb-smart ice cream with berries and vanilla essence for dessert. Tiffany was next and presented: grilled capsicum and garlic bok choy tapas with cottage cheese for entrée; mustard chicken on a bed of lime and lemon greens for main course; and vanilla blueberries and yoghurt for dessert. Cameron then served his courses: cajun chicken and mushroom for entrée; stir-fried chicken with bok choy, cabbage, onion, carrots, capsicum, with worcestershire sauce for main course; and blueberries with yoghurt and light chocolate syrup for dessert. Sharif was the favourite to win the competition, being the best chef in the house. He first presented his entrée, baby spinach salad with cottage cheese and balsamic dressing, but unfortunately he forgot to put bok choy in the dish. He then presented the main course: wilted bok choy with stir-fried chicken, chilli, garlic and ginger plus a squeeze of lemon. His dessert was a punnet of blueberries with 100g of cottage cheese and a raspberry cooler on top. The judges awarded one point each to a contestant that they felt had the best dish within each course. Sammy got both points for the entrée. Tiffany got both points for the main course. For the dessert, Shannon gave a point to Tiffany and Michelle gave a point to Sharif. Therefore, Tiffany won the challenge and the barbecue with 3 points. Shannon and Michelle also awarded the Coach's Encouragement Award to Cameron because he has improved so much.
WeekChallenge NamePrizePenaltyWinnerLoser
1Bucket Loads of Trouble3 kg AdvantageNo PenaltyAndrew & Nathan
2Race to Sydney ChallengeImmunity2 kg DisadvantageAndrew & NathanMeaghan & Julie
2Brain StrainLetters from homeNo PenaltyBen & Sean
3Struggle in the Sand Dunes1 kg AdvantageNo PenaltyNathan
4A Waterlogged ChallengeNo RewardNo access to gym, exercise equipment or trainers until weigh-in.Andrew & NathanOther 6 couples
5Towers of Tuna$10,000No PenaltyHolly & Mel
6Relay Race at Royal RandwickPhone calls homeNo PenaltyBlue TeamRed Team
7Brain vs BrawnPower to choose which member of the blue team would not be part of the next team weigh-in totalNo PenaltyBlue TeamRed Team
8Dirty DashPower to choose which member of the blue team would not be part of the next team weigh-in totalNo PenaltyBlue TeamRed Team
9Hearts RacingImmunityNo PenaltyTiffany
10New Zealand Super ChallengeNo RewardEliminationTiffany, Sean Meaghan
11Stacks On"Wildcard" white T-shirtEliminationSharifTania
11"Escape from Cockatoo Island" Super Challenge"Wildcard" white T-shirt EliminationSean Other 5 remaining eliminated contestants
11"Escape from Cockatoo Island" Super Challenge"Wildcard" white T-shirt EliminationStewart Other 5 remaining eliminated contestants
12Escalator ChallengePower of "The Walk"No PenaltyTiffany
12The Biggest Loser Cook-OffBarbecue No PenaltyTiffany

Emazon

Holly and Mel were given the disk of pain in week 4 by Sharif & Teresa and this resulted in the first interaction between Emazon and any contestants. Holly and Mel were blindfolded and led to a cage, where Mel was locked outside and Holly locked inside with Emazon. Holly had to follow Emazon's training directions, high-demand boxing training, while Mel was forced to move large numbers of items, including tractor tyres and barrels, to be able to claim the key and end Holly's pain. Also, Mel was not allow to roll the barrels or tyres as it would defeat the purpose. During the challenge, Holly managed the session with Emazon very well by using her anger against Sharif & Teresa for the boxing session. However, Mel had a hard time moving the items from one end to the other. When Mel was on her last tyre, she nearly gave up, but Holly told her "I believe in you!" and Mel managed to move the last tyre, grab the key and free Holly from the cage. Afterwards they were told by Emazon that if they said anything about her to anyone else, "all of the work you have done here will be lost".
In week 7, since Sean was the Biggest Loser for the week, Sean chose the "Dine In" warehouse option for his Blue team, leaving the Red team with the "Dine Out" warehouse option. For the "Dine Out" option, all the members of the Red team met Emazon for the first time. Before they started Emazon's challenge, they were first shown a video of Holly and Mel's time with Emazon. After that, each member had to face Emazon one-on-one while the rest of the members had to do a circuit, in order to end the one-on-one session with Emazon. Should the individual succeed, they would be able to choose a food group as staple food for the week. After the session, all five members earned their food and Emazon once again told them all not to reveal her identity or their time with her.
In week 11, while the eliminated contestants had returned and were competing for a chance to get back in the competition, the final four contestants received a note that said they have a present waiting for them. Before that, the final four contestants had not been happy that the eliminated contestants had returned and two would be returning to the competition. Cameron was especially unhappy that the eliminated contestants had had a chance to win prizes through a Temptation while the final four had not. As soon as this message was revealed, Cameron felt emotional and silly for making these remarks earlier. But when they got in the car, they arrived at an unpleasant place and knew that this wasn't the present they were expecting. Julie cried when she saw the arena and feared getting bashed up. But this was Cameron and Sammy's second encounter with Emazon and they knew what to expect. In Emazon's session, each contestant was to fight off their anger and frustration against the eliminated contestants and fight for their places in the finals knowing that these people will not steal their places in the finale. After the session, all the contestants bonded together to try to keep each other in the final four and not let the latest twists affect them in any way.

Eliminations

Teams have to participate in the elimination if they have the lowest percentage of weight loss at the previous weigh-in. Contestants must vote strategically to stay in the game and eliminate another contestant by a majority vote. If the vote is tied it's considered a "hung vote"; the couple with the lowest percentage of weight loss will be eliminated.
The finale aired on Monday 27 April, in a two-hour special at 8:30pm on Channel Ten. The last episode before this was a normal half-hour episode at 7:00pm on the same day.
Bob Herdsman was crowned the 2009 Biggest Loser, having lost 87.6 kg, or 52.21% of his body weight, winning him the $200,000 grand prize. His results were a record for most kilos and highest body percentage lost in the show's history. He is also the oldest contestant to win the show in any version of The Biggest Loser.
Tiffany finished in second place and won $30,000, Sharif finished in third place and won $20,000, and Sammy finished in fourth place and won $10,000.
Of the 16 eliminated contestants, Sean lost the most weight, having lost 47.7 kg or 36% of his body weight. For this feat, he was awarded $30,000.
The winners of the second-chance contest were also announced: they were friends Ben and Katie, who had lost a combined total of 78.5 kg, which was the highest percentage out of the 10 second-chance couples, and so they won $10,000.
Eliminated Contestants' Weigh-In Results
Finalists' Weigh-In Results

Production and release

Filming locations & dates

In all previous seasons filming was "The White House" in Sydney, New South Wales. Due to a large number of complaints, the former Warringah Council rejected Fremantle's request to use this property for season 4. The first week of the season was set at Hunt Resort on Fitzroy Island off the coast of Far North Queensland, as was Nathan and Bob's training with The Commando from week 8. The new Biggest Loser Sydney base is the former School of Artillery at the North Head Sanctuary near Manly.

Air dates and channels

The program premiered on 1 February 2009 on Network TEN.
In the promos, Christina Aguilera's "Fighter" was played as the theme for the commercials before the premiere. In this song, the chorus is played but one line was removed as it was deemed inappropriate for the basis of the show.

Reception and public response

Television viewing and ratings

The fourth season started off with a successful peak of 1.7 million viewers and averaging 1.2 million over the premiere episode. This was up against sports programs expected to have high viewing audiences.