Michael Dorsey, a Cedarville University graduate and former employee, is a contestant on Season 14 of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” which premiered in a two-night event on Sunday, Jan. 6, and Monday, Jan. 7. Dorsey watched the episode, which aired at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, on NBC, and wrote a blog entry, sharing his thoughts only with our publications. Watch “The Biggest Loser” at 8 p.m. Mondays on NBC. Look out for more of Dorsey’s blog entries on our web site throughout the season.

Heading into this week, I was starting to feel a sense of normalcy. I had been getting accustomed to the workouts and change in diet. So it goes without saying that any type of diversion from my new routine was not welcomed. Enter, the Pop Challenge featuring trivia on childhood obesity.

Let’s back up a little. We walked into the kids play room, and I could not believe my eyes! There was so much “bad food” in that room, and any other day, I would have been happy about it, but that day, I wasn’t, simply because I knew what that meant. All I could think as Alison (Sweeney) explained the penalty for losing this challenge was that our team cannot afford 4.5 hours to do nothing but sit in that room. I cannot believe the shape that our country is in when it comes to fixing this disease called obesity. Having to sit in that play room for 4.5 hours a day really put things in perspective, especially as a father who will have to face this issue later down the road.

After our time was up, the last thing we felt like doing was working out. But, we knew that wasn’t the way to approach the situation, and Bob did not let us forget that we had a weigh in coming up.

Our challenge with the bubble gum was definitely more enjoyable as a spectator as opposed to being a participant. It was really rough, but at the end of it, I was happy that Lisa especially was able to walk away with the groceries.

By the way, I am happy to report that my knee is feeling a whole lot better! Starting at 444 pounds put a lot of pressure on my joints, and by week three, it was starting to really play out. It just got shocked a little in the pit and scared me more than anything.

How about that Bob Harper with the deck of cards for the Blue Team’s last chance workout? That man is a genius, and I really appreciate how he loves what he does and really genuinely wants to see us be successful. That was by far one of the hardest workouts, and it seemed so simple. My wife wants us to do a workout like that, and I told her I still have some post traumatic stress (LOL). Needless to say, it worked! Blue Team was safe, and I even hit a milestone of leaving the 400s! It felt so good to say goodbye to that number. And it is my promise, I will not go back.

How about that Pam?!?!?! What I love about her is that she is totally self expressed, and to see her celebrate how she did on that scale … it was EPIC!

Eliminations are never easy. This one was particularly tough simply because it was the first time a team had to actually eliminate. You never want to see someone go home, especially given the fact we are a very tight group. Cate was so gracious, and to actually see the breakthrough she was starting to experience really made me appreciate her and how much she had grown in just three weeks.