[teahoney]

Frankly, I'll be happy with whoever wins. But I'm a bit partial to Suzy although I love the guys too. Oh, I don't know, let them all win. lol

I hope Pete wins the $100,000. I loved him. He seemed like such a genuinely nice person.

[Star]

Pete was a big Teddy Bear, well little Teddy Bear afterwards! He was actually way too nice to be from Michigan........lol

[NowOrNever!]

I *want* Suzy to win--am afraid it will be Matt. There have been times when I've hated Matt with a passion (personally, I think the guy needs some serious counseling) but then we went and did the right thing IMO by keeping Suzy last week. MrsJim--I had forgotten about the "qualification" factor--that's pretty interesting. I think that in the Suzy vs. Matt showdown, Suzy has certainly been MUCH more consistent. Matt's little escapade with the 12 pound gain was NOT mitigated by the following 26 pound loss. When he made some of his comments about how that was how he hoped it would turn out, his experience "making weight" as a wrestler, etc. I just wanted to slap him because of course none of us reaches these upper weights if we REALLY have control. Seth may be the big sleeper in the trio and if Suzy doesn't win, then I'd prefer to see Seth. I actually have this fear that Matt has been spending hours prior to the show going live and the final weigh-in playing his old wrestling games and sitting somewhere in a sweatbox "making weight" (I wish they would test for dehydration and eliminate any player dehydrated).

[MrsJim]

Originally Posted by NowOrNever!

I actually have this fear that Matt has been spending hours prior to the show going live and the final weigh-in playing his old wrestling games and sitting somewhere in a sweatbox "making weight" (I wish they would test for dehydration and eliminate any player dehydrated).

Actually there *is* a dehydration test - the body fat test.

If (like last year) the bodyfat percentage counts for as much as it did last year - remember that Ryan beat out Gary last year by a mere point even though he lost significantly more weight poundwise than Gary, Gary aced him on the bodyfat percentage test - then if Matt (or any of the contestants) try to win via dehydrating or fasting, they're going to screw themselves on the bodyfat testing portion of the weigh-in, and I'm sure all of the finalists are aware of that (I would think that Jillian and/or Bob has apprised them of this or they are working out with personal trainers in their home town).

Here are the bodyfat pre-test guidelines:

1. Hydration is essential for an accurate body fat analysis. Drink 8 - 10 glasses of water spread out over 24 hours prior to the test. Note: You can not hydrate by drinking all 8-10 glasses at once a couple of hours before testing.

2. It is best to abstain from large amounts of food and water 4 hours prior to testing, and necessary to abstain from all foods 2 hours before testing.

3. Do not ingest any alcohol or caffeine (coffee, caffeinated soda, Aspirin with caffeine, etc.) and refrain from SMOKING 24 hours before your scheduled assessment time.

4. If you are taking any MEDICATION, prescribed over-the counter, we ask that you reschedule when you are no longer using the medication. If the medication that you are on for a continual basis please discuss it with your Fitness Instructor.

5. Do not exercise 12 hours prior to your assessment.

Again...at this point, it's a really close call. It was easier last year - this year I believe that all three finalists have an equal shot at the grand prize, which is why I didn't vote for anyone in particular.

[NowOrNever!]

Hey MrsJim--which body fat test are you referring to? Maybe my info is out of date, but hydration is a measurable factor in only some methodologies (e.g., bioimpedance), but not really a factor for hydrostatic testing (which I've administered and done). My middle-aged brain could be off, but I thought they used hydrostatic testing for the show?

I totally agree that this is a 3 "loser" race at this point! I think that's what has made this season so much fun to watch (not to mention the really inspirational results of those voted off (with the exception of Nick).

[MrsJim]

You could be right...I'm not a certified trainer, but those are the requirements I had to follow for my bodyfat testing (which was a caliper test, BTW). Yup - they do use a hydrostatic test

In that case I would bet that all three of them will use the same techniques - there are really no 'secrets' as far as that goes, especially if (as I expect) they are all using personal trainers, as the previous finalists did.

(as far as Nick...one of the reasons I really want to tune in tonight is to see if the dude actually SHOWS UP...that's what we should have taken bets on!)

[ledom]

I think Suzanne is going to make a strong showing for the $100,000 too. One more hour 'til it starts. Not a clue on who will win.

[MrsJim]

Dang I forgot that you guys get to see it in 45 minutes...

Fortunately I have a 6 pm Spin class - so that'll keep me busy at least til 7 or so (I'm WAY excited about this class as a special guest instructor will be kicking our butts...Keli Roberts who is supposed to be the s**t I had to sign up for this class 3 weeks ago to get in...Yowsa!)

[sapphire9]

I agree it's a 3-way guess as to who the winner is, but I would prefer Suzy to win. I hope either Dr. Jeff or Pete wins the runner up prize. As of last week's People, Dr. Jeff had lost 165 lbs!

[NowOrNever!]

Funny MrsJim--I stayed on the treadmill longer tonight to try to reduce some of the wait time. Now I have an hour to kill (also to avoid the phone since my sister gets satellite tv and will be dying to tell me who wins LOL). I expect Suzy will probably have lots of other kinds of job offers after tonight, otherwise I'd be planning to try to track down her salon (I live just a few miles from Des Moines WA) :-)

[pixiefalls]

They all looked so good tonight.. I was glued to it! I'm so excited for them

[AMYC]

They all looked so GREAT....
I was crying for them and everything, like I know them.
I guess I have been there trying to lose the weight and you sorta feel their pain!!
I was so proud of them, they looked like models!!
Makes me want to work even harder cause I want those results!!

Amy