Season 5 kicked off in a huge empty studio where the finale will be filmed in the coming months. My adrenalin was pumping and I felt like I was a part of a Rocky or Mission Impossible sequel. The tension was so thick in this huge warehouse-like studio as I walked slowly (and very badly) in my first pair of high heels - a very amateur display from a female who lives in thongs!

I was walking closer and closer to some very frightened and apprehensive contestants for the very start of Series 5. My heart was fluttering at 100 miles per hour but I managed to get through my introduction which revealed to the contestants their very first challenge - a 4km run - and then by the end of the show, an amazing 42km.

The contestants did an absolutely amazing job in the 4km run but Shannon unfortunately couldn’t finish the last 3km and was transported in a medic van. However, he managed to jog the last few metres which was incredibly inspiring. I already have a wonderful feeling about this courageous group of people and feel very honoured that I will be a part of their journey.

The contestants then arrived at their new home where they explored the house and chose their bedrooms. I can tell that they are excited and raring to go and have already formed a special bond with each other.
 
The first weigh-in was frightening to say the least and I couldn't help but feel concerned for my new friends as I saw their faces as they walked into the weigh-in room. It went pretty much as I had imagined. Having watched the four previous series of the show, I already had the feeling that this first weigh-in was going to be an emotional one for all and this one turned out to be no exception.

The first challenge of the week saw each couple having to dig up a row boat, carry it to the water’s edge and then row 500m to collect their team’s flag. The first team back won immunity, which for the contestants is the most valuable prize to win in this game. It proved to be a very tough challenge and in the scorching heat, I so desperately wanted to help them all get through it a little quicker. The green boys - Rick and Joe - won very comfortably and asserted their early dominance in the competition.

The contestants then had the opportunity of facing their worst fear - public speaking. Some of them took it in their stride, while others were completely overwhelmed with the task at hand. Each of them had to share their stories in front of 200 people, many of whom were Biggest Loser applicants. It was a really tough task but all of the contestants were fantastic and really won the crowd over with their honesty.

Geoff of team red was admitted to hospital after struggling during the course of the week. His teammate Wayne felt the pressure and loss and trained the house down to compensate for the loss of his friend. Wayne was informed that Geoff wouldn’t be competing in the weigh-in and he had to weigh-in alone.

On weigh-in day I was feeling nervous for the contestants. I had heard that they were training hard and sticking well to their diets and hoped this would result in some big weight losses. Rick topped the leader board and it is already evident that the green team are a force to reckoned with. Wayne proved to be tough competitor, going it alone without Geoff and succeeding.

Geoff finally returned to Camp Bigger Loser but you could see quite clearly he wasn’t 100%. The medics were always close at hand and he was trying really hard to keep up with the day’s challenges and training.

The contestants competed in their first temptation and Daina and Wayne went head to head in a battle for immunity with Daina proving to own a very strong stomach as she consumed 4112 calories to win the challenge for her and Caitlin. We later found out that Daina hit the treadmill for nearly four hours in order to work off those unwanted calories.

Being the biggest loser of the week has its rewards. Rick’s girlfriend paid a surprise visit to the house for the Family Reveal - you could see she was completely shocked to see the remarkable change in her man in just a couple of weeks.

The Commando made a shock midnight visit to the contestants and promptly whisked them away to a quarry for one of his hardcore training sessions. They had to work together in order to move a massive 40 tonne mound of sand to find one little key that was going to prove to be a wonderful prize for all of them…letters from home.

Hayley