The Deadbolt Interview - Making the Right Choices with Abby Rike of The Biggest Loser

Making the Right Choices with Abby Rike of The Biggest Loser
by Troy Rogers

Week seven of The Biggest Loser Second Chances saw a new Biggest Loser record set when the drama played out at the final weigh-in and Rudy lost 14 pounds for a record setting and amazing 101 pounds in seven weeks. But aside from the new Biggest Loser Record, the latest Biggest Loser episode was all about turning a new chapter in the life of school teacher Abby Rike whose journey at The Biggest Loser ranch came to an end in week seven. But for Abby, after losing her family in a tragic car accident, her Biggest Loser journey was as much about learning to love again as it was about losing weight and leading a healthier Biggest Loser inspired lifestyle.

When their tears subsided the next day after Abby left The Biggest Loser ranch, we hopped on the phone for a quick Biggest Loser chat with Abby to learn what she took away from her Biggest Loser experience, what she thought of the gameplay and fellow Biggest Loser competitor Tracey, and how her partner Allen helped her on her rewarding second chance journey on The Biggest Loser.

THE DEADBOLT: What was the most important lesson that you took away from the ranch?

ABBY RIKE: I think that one of the things that really stuck with me was when Jill said, basically, "Whenever you're making choices in your life, what is your end goal for yourself? Not what everybody else wants for you, but what's your end goal for yourself?" And I think all of the choices that I made were better for me. I think that's true in life and I've always kind of had that mantra as a teacher. You know, happiness is a choice. So I think that's what really stuck with me the most.

THE DEADBOLT: How prepared were you for all of the strategizing and the emotional elements of the show?

ABBY: As far as prepared for the gameplay [laughs], I mean, that factors not into my real realm. My goal was to feel better and be healthy, basically, and doing that lost weight. So that part of it never [factored]. I mean, honestly, I could've cared less about that. As far as the emotional part, I think that was just a surprising blessing that I truly did - Not just did, I do love and care about so many of these people.

THE DEADBOLT: What exercise gave you the best results and which workout did you like the least?

ABBY: Well, that is the weird part. I had a stress fracture [laughs]. I was literally in the pool for pretty much the entire time I was on the ranch and so swimming. I swam a lot [laughs]. That is where I burned my calories. So having a least favorite workout, I don't feel like I really ever had one that stands out simply because I didn't get to be a part of so much of that.

THE DEADBOLT: What unhealthy food do you still find hard to resist?

ABBY: To be honest, I've really found a replacement for any of that. I was a big fan of ice cream, but I find that frozen yogurt is just as good and doesn't make me feel bad after I eat it. Not like mentally feel bad, but physically. I just don't respond physically to those types of foods. So, pretty much like I said, I just found replacements for all of that.

THE DEADBOLT: Is Tracey really like we see her on television?

ABBY: [laughs] Oh, I knew you were going to throw in one of those questions. I think it's one of those things: It's a television show and they record what you say and how you act and then they put it on TV. So it just is what it is.

THE DEADBOLT: How much help was Allen to you throughout your time on the ranch?

ABBY: You know, Allen and I, he was a great partner in the sense that he was never frustrated or ugly about the fact that I had a stress fracture. And I always greatly appreciated that because there was never any pressure of, "Oh Abby, what are we going to do?" It was nothing like that. He was always, "Abby, take care of yourself. I don't want you to have a lifetime injury," and things like that.

-- Troy Rogers