Formerly unemployed father of two Patrick House once described 2010 as a “terrible year,” but now he has to admit, it hasn’t been so bad at all.
Sure, he lost his job as a sales rep, begged and borrowed to keep a roof over his head and at 400 pounds, feared his battle with morbid obesity would mean he’d never see his sons grow up. But by Tuesday night, all of that seemed like another life and a much different year, as a healthier, happier and 181 pounds lighter Patrick won the $250,000 grand prize and the title of “The Biggest Loser.”
The well-earned honor came after the cavalcade of eliminated “Loser” hopefuls took the stage and showed off their own impressive results and amazing transformations. All combined, the at-home gang lost nearly 2,000 pounds, and individually, some of them even outperformed the grand-prize winner himself.
Among those who won the obesity battle off the ranch with bigger than on-ranch results were Adam Hurtado and Rick DeRoque. The two men shed more than 45 percent of their starting weights, with losses of 220 pounds and 185 pounds, respectively. Still, despite those numbers, neither of them took the top at-home prize.
The $100,000 went to the recently booted Mark Pinhasovich, who started the competition at 421 pounds and left the game barely resembling the man fans first met. He lost an incredible 213 pounds, a smidge more than 50 percent of his starting weight. Mark credited his success to his family back home and his new “Biggest Loser” alumni family.
Of course, it was thanks to a few of Mark’s “Loser” pals that his didn’t walk away with the biggest win of the night.
The in-game alliance must have known what they were doing when they sent Mark packing. If it weren’t for Patrick’s protective pact with Frado Dinten and Brendan Donovan throughout the season, Patrick would have likely been the runner-up on finale night. But the alliance was in force, which not only worked out in Patrick’s favor, but it helped Frado, now weighing 162 pounds less than before, land that second-place spot.
The third place finish went to the player America voted into the final three, Ada Wong. With her newly supportive parents looking on from the audience (talk about your quick turnarounds), “Ada the Terminator” showed off her 99-pound weight loss and a much improved outlook on life.
As for season 10’s “Biggest Loser,” Patrick’s outlook couldn’t be more different than before. If his weight-loss and cash prize weren’t life changing enough, his success on the show has even led to a new job. During the finale, Patrick revealed he was offered an employment opportunity at a South Carolina school that would allow him to keep the “pay it forward” spirit alive as he helps overweight teens get their lives back on track.
Not bad for the 28-year-old who until recently remained convinced he’d die young. Now Patrick not only expects to see his sons grow up, he plans to be around for his grandchildren, too.
“I’ve changed the future of my life with my family,” Patrick said Tuesday night. “I’m going to be around a lot longer for them.”
Ree Hines rooted for Ada but can’t complain about a Patrick win. Follow @ReeHines on Twitterand share your own post-finale feelings.