(S09E05) This was the week the Blue and Yellow teams have been waiting for. After four weeks at home, working out without their trainers, both teams were back on campus to see which would be allowed the chance to return to the show. It came down to which pair had the highest percentage of weight loss.

But before they got on the scales, Bob and Jillian treated them to their first -- and for one of them, their last -- "Last Chance Workout." I couldn't help but feel for the team that was going to be heading home again. Twice they'd come to the Ranch to participate in 'The Biggest Loser,' and twice they'd come up short. At least they still had the chance at that "At Home" prize.

This week also saw Alison handing out immunities like they were going out of style, as well as a two-pound penalty to the team to finish the week's challenge last. I'm a huge proponent of this element being added, as it keeps the incentive on the contestants to give it their all until the finish.

The first Immunity was awarded to the winning team in the first weigh-off; the team that would be returning to campus. Considering what happened to Nicole two seasons ago (she was eliminated in the same week she came back), this is a fair move to make. Adjusting to life and exercise on the Ranch takes some adjustment, so allowing a week is only right.

Going into the weigh-in, I thought the Blue team was looking very strong. They'd seemed more impressive at their two-week check-up, and I worried that O'Neal wasn't looking as if he'd done enough. The Blue team did bring in impressive numbers. Cherita shed 24 pounds, while Victoria dropped a healthy 39 pounds. But O'Neal and that Yellow team had me eating my expectations.

By himself, O'Neal dropped 51 pounds. Daughter Sunshine added an additional 25 to bring Yellow back into the game, and guarantee them Immunity for the week. They also gained the ability to cast the only elimination vote for the week, but that ultimately proved irrelevant.

Immunity was up again at the next challenge, with the penalty of the last-place team taking the two-pound disadvantage. I wondered if the Yellow team might throw the challenge, considering two pounds would be irrelevant to them as they already had immunity. It could be a gesture of good faith to these new faces who don't know them. It didn't happen, though. Ultimately, the Pink team wound up with the penalty. I wondered about putting Sherry in there to compete, but at the same time Ashley would have probably struggled even more considering the endurance aspect of it.

What did happen was Michael stepping up and competing with the big teams. By big teams, of course, I'm referring to the Gray and Red teams, who've come to dominate all the challenges in the game. Big Mike had an advantage in that he barely had to move to reach the rotating weight mats, though 1,000 touches is still nothing to laugh at. We also learned that the Gray team does not lose gracefully.

Surprisingly graceful in the face of adversity was Miggy. She spent much of the week in the hospital having her appendix, along with a tumor and another growht, removed. The ordeal so soon after Migdalia left the Ranch left her more sensitive to her emotions, and a more sympathetic person. She even said she feels she's changing as a person. Maybe now she won't go home and tell Migdalia not to cry all the time.

Even more surprising, with the exercise restrictions she was under, Miggy still managed to pull one of the best percentages in the house. They came close to getting their first chance to eliminate Melissa or Lance from the Red team, but John came up short, and as he was the only member of the Brown team left, it was off to home.

After losing 60+ pounds on the Ranch, John dropped another 40 since going home. It was great seeing him and his brother working out together, and the support they were getting from their families. Even better, it was awesome seeing John without a beard. Those two look terrible in those beards they were sporting.

[Catch up with clips and full episodes of The Biggest Loser on SlashControl.]

My Pound for Pound Challenge

It happened a little quicker than I expected, and I'm glad for it. This week saw another two pounds slip away, as I achieved 218 pounds. After seeing the Yellow and Blue teams numbers, six pounds isn't very impressive for a month's worth of work, but I am amping up what I'm doing every day, pushing myself with harder workouts, and stricter diets. I'd like to see these numbers start moving down a bit faster, but as long as they're moving down, it's motivation to keep at it.

• Starting: 224 lb.
• Week 1: 222 lb.
• Week 2: 225 lb.
• Week 3: 220 lb.
• Week 4: 218 lb.

Share your own journeys in the comments, and join the "Pound for Pound Challenge" so your win can be a win for your local food pantry as well.