Liz Young

"The Biggest Loser" returns for season eight with a special theme of second chances. Alison Sweeney (Days of our Lives) hosts the popular series, and trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels return to train 16 contestants eager to get their second chances at a new lease on life. From a mother and military wife who has always put others first, to a firefighter whose health and job are at risk because of his weight, they'’ll all come together hoping to transform their bodies, their health, and ultimately, their lives. Last season'’s heaviest contestant and fan favorite Daniel will also return for a second chance to finish the weight loss journey he started and inspire a female social worker who has taken his place as the heaviest contestant in the history of "The Biggest Loser" weighing in at 476 lbs. In the season premiere, one contestant has a health scare during the first challenge, and all of the players get a wake-up call when they meet with Dr. Huizenga to better understand all the medical conditions they'’re facing because of their extra weight. Then an emotional weigh-in is followed by an elimination, sending home the first player of the season.

It'’s week two at the ranch, well known as one of the hardest weeks on "The Biggest Loser" to lose big numbers on the scale. So contestants are surprised when host Alison Sweeney tells them they'’ll all get to stay on the ranch another week - if they lose a certain amount of weight. Hoping to help in their quest is Chef Curtis Stone, who meets them at the California Health and Longevity Institute for a "kitchen boot camp" designed to help them make healthier food choices. Then all the contestants have to rely on each other for a balancing challenge that tests their ability to work together. And later, the weekly weigh-in will reveal whether all the players meet the required weight loss goal to stay another week - or whether two players will be sent home. Trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels also star.

It’s an intense week on "The Biggest Loser" when the contestants learn from host Alison Sweeney that they will each face off against a player from the opposing team at weigh-in. The winner of the pop challenge gains considerable control by getting to choose who faces off against whom. Then New York Yankee and four-time World Series champ Derek Jeter gives the players a pep talk about the importance of teamwork before they embark on a wild baseball challenge. The challenge winner then gets a delicious and healthy Mediterranean meal prepared by acclaimed chef Curtis Stone. Later, one player breaks a "Biggest Loser" record at weigh-in, and then the contestants say goodbye to one of their own in the most emotional elimination so far this season. Trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels also star.

Week five on the ranch kicks off with contestants getting the news that they'’re all going to be joining either trainer Jillian Michaels'’ black team or Bob Harper’'s blue team. But the bigger news from host Alison Sweeney is that whoever wins this week’s temptation gets to make the critical decision of which contestant goes on which team. And when one person wins that much power, all of the contestants are worried about being potentially separated from the partner who has been with them since the beginning of their weight-loss journey. Later, a challenge tests the contestants’ ability to work together in their newly-formed teams, and one player gives another a very special gift. Then a weigh-in leads to a tough elimination, sending another player home.

The kitchen is off limits to the contestants this week and the trainers teach the players how to make healthy choices when eating out. This week, one contestant is sidelined due to a medical condition and frustrated about not being able to work out to their full capacity. And all of the contestants are in for a big surprise when they learn from host Alison Sweeney that the kitchen is off limits this week and why. A pop challenge about calories brings one winning team an amazing prize, and trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels take the players out to a restaurant to help them learn how to make healthy choices when eating out. Later, a tough challenge tests all the players’ endurance before a weigh in, after which another contestant is sent home.

It’'s an exciting week on "The Biggest Loser" when the nine remaining contestants head to Washington D.C., for an adventure that will take them from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the inside of the White House kitchen! After arriving in the nation’s capitol, the players learn from host Alison Sweeney that they’ll now be competing as individuals rather than by teams. And their first challenge is a big one - to race around the National Mall and try and bring as many people as possible back to the Washington monument for a public workout with trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, for the biggest workout in Biggest Loser history! Later, the trainers and contestants meet with members of Congress to talk about the importance of health and nutrition education, especially in schools. Then the players engage in a wild competition involving iconic D.C. landmarks before visiting the White House, where they get to prepare a delicious salad with the chef using vegetables from the White House garden. Later, the contestants weigh in by the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before another elimination round sends a contestant home for an emotional reunion with their family.