'The Biggest Loser': Who are you voting for, Daris or Koli?

Daris gained two pounds.

He was sent home for 30 days, a month during which his goal was to train for and run a marathon and lose enough weight to secure a spot in the finale, and he gained two pounds.

This episode managed to encapsulates this season of "The Biggest Loser." This season has been like no other in that the core group of players formed and maintained a tight-knit, collegial group that served to inspire each other to greatness, rather than tear each other down in an effort to win the grand prize of $250,000 and the title of this season's "Biggest Loser." There were the roller-coaster highs and lows, as the game served up its owns twists and turns at the players. And we watched players ignore Soothsayer Bob at their own peril: If you play to win the game, you will ultimately lose.

Oracle Jillian's words came to ring true: Just do what you need to do, and let the rest will take care of itself.

And it was proof that losing 150 pounds won't change your life and solve all your problems. It just means that there's less of you to show up and face your problems.

That's how Michael and Ashley slipped past Daris and Koli and landed two secure berths in next week's finale. And now you -- America, the audience -- must choose whether Daris or Koli will be the one to join them.

As always, "The Biggest Loser" is a numbers game -- who has the ability to lose the largest percentage of body weight. And if seasons past are an indicator, that person needs to come close to that benchmark of losing nearly 50% of his or her starting weight. By that simple measure, Daris and Koli -- who have lost a considerable amount of weight, and do not have all that much more to lose -- would have had the easier time hitting that mark.

But of course there are a few other things at work. Those last few pounds are among the hardest to lose. And that can -- and did -- give an edge to Ashley and Michael, who both have plenty of weight to lose despite already setting weight loss records while at the ranch. He was the first player to lose 200 pounds at the ranch, and she set a record for the woman who lost the most weight while at the ranch, over 140 pounds.

Finally, there is the mental aspect of the game. While Daris and Koli have been among the toughest -- mentally speaking -- players to ever tackle the game, they began to crumble at home. Koli seemed so fixated on winning the game -- he temporarily relocated to Las Vegas to train with an MMA coach and unwittingly ended up living in a hovel with a bunch of pizza-and-fast-food-chowing guys -- that he appears to have completely stressed himself out. It probably did not help matters that he went home and revisited the first weigh-in by promising friends and family that he would win this thing. Way to put pressure on yourself, Koli.

Daris, meanwhile, seems to have learned nothing at the ranch. The stress of being back at home and facing life -- what to do, how to live, having a real dating life for the first time ever -- triggered spells of late-night eating that ultimately showed up on the scale.

Michael and Ashley, meanwhile, got back to basics. At home, they incorporated the lessons learned at the ranch: Making their favorite meals using lo-cal substitutes, and shunning late nights out with friends, and turning to each other for support.

Well, it paid off.

Who are you voting for? Daris, or Koli?

--Rene Lynch
On Twitter @renelynch

Photo credit: The players at the marathon starting line. NBC Universal

Comments

[rj]

daris

[Jen F]

It's very hard to decide who to vote for. I think, in the end, I am probably going to vote for Koli. He tried to do the right thing, but did stress himself out too much. I wish he had taken time with his family and friends. If he had stayed home with Sam, I think he could have prevailed and probably pushed either Ashley or Michael below the line. Sam would have pushed him.

Daris had come so far, but fell back into his old ways. I don't think he has made the mental shift. He still thinks about all of the things he missed and wonders if he will ever achieve them. I wish Bob had given Daris the same talk he gave Michael about how far he had come, and to look at what he had accomplished instead of focusing on far he has to go on certain things. I think that Daris may gain his weight back. He was way too stressed. Hopefully Mama can keep him straight.

[Ness in Silverlake]

I was disappointed to see that all of the former contestants except Alli had put on considerable lbs. It proves that the "magic" happens in the kitchen, not on the track or weight room. They quickly went back to the same eating habits that got them on the show in the first place.

I'm voting for Koli because Daris doesn't stand a chance. He couldn't even control himself for 1 month and he could lose only 30 more lbs at the most.

Like I said 2 weeks ago, it's definitely between Mike and Ash. I think Mike will take it all.

[Jll]

The contestants were supposed to go home for a month and see how they did back in their every day lives. Koli didn't do that. He relocated to Las Vegas. I wonder if he'll do that again until the finale. Not sure that's exactly playing by the rules. All my votes went to Daris.

[David]

The thing with Darius is that he already weighs 195 and if your training for a marathon and your running in the sub 10 minute mile range your going to be eating at night and all the time.

I think its ignorant for anyone to say that Darius learned nothing from the ranch.

Being Below 200 lbs at his height and having the endurance to finish a marathon in 4 hours and 4 minutes shows that the goal of the show is off. Weight is just one aspect of health but also eating is as well.

I personally am about the same weight as Darius and am doing marathon training and experience the same things that he is going through but people should not try to make him feel bad for snacking at night with all the activity that he is doing his body needs it for fuel.

I wont every one of you to go run those distances for a month and see if you dont start snacking at night.

The Fact is that the others just cared about their weight but Darius cares about his overall physicall strength and endurance.

People always have to remember that muscle ways more than fat.

His weight will fluctuate forever between 5lbs he should get used to it. Its really not that big off a deal thats how people get eating disorders.

If you look at all the past winners that ran with them they all have gained weight. The goal is long term and sustainable not crazy and neurotic like jillian and Bob.

The two hosts were idiots. Go Darius!!!!

[Jerrika A]

I am voting for Daris. I know he couldn't control himself for a month but I think that gaining two pounds opened up his eyes. He has been so humble throughout the whole show. Koil on the other hand is cocky and all he cares about it winning the show.

[Brian in Sonora]

Have you ever seen an overweight serious runner? There are not many (if any) around. If Daris keeps running his current speed he's at, he will keep the weight off. Ask any marathoner, they'll tell you that it's actually bad to lose much weight the weeks before the race-that can lead to injury. Daris is now an athlete and he should train like such. Bob is mistaken for reprimanding Daris. His overeating is a concern, but he admits his focus was on the marathon. So my vote is for him.

[erica stephens]

I am voting for Daris,he will probably put some weight back on when he goes home for good,but his desire for a personal life will win out.There is something about Kholi,creepy is the only word I can think of.

[Tanya]

The challenge was to return to everyday life and see how much weight you could lose. Daris may have struggled with that, but Koli didn't even attempt it. While I adore Koli and Daris, my vote will go to Daris. This is only because he stayed at home, and dealt with all the challenges of being there, while Koli did not.

[cathy]

My vote goes to Darius. He stayed at home and didn't run away from the pressures of being in his normal routine. I think Koli should be disqualified because he didn't stick to the rules. As for Darius gaining 2 pounds. He is working on overall health and at some point you stop losing fat weight and start gaining some muscle but no one every talks about that.

[Melissa]

Ok so my vote is for Daris. The reason being is because I love Daris and think he did very well on this show. He trained for the marathon and snacked at night yeah who would't. Would you rather starve yourself. Yeah he probably could have chosen healthier foods but he didn't so I'm giving him another chance please why don't you all? Koli just gets on my nerves so cocky and dosen't even care how much weight he loses as long as the confetti is falling on him! ugh seriously I like Sam way better. Go Daris!

[South Loop Dude]

Daris. Koli was underhanded by going to Vegas, and Daris' slip doesn't deem him unworthy of the spot. Also, figure in Koli's entitlement - he thinks this is already sewn up for himself. BS. Daris all the way.

[Steph]

Well I have to say the decision is a tough one. I think Daris and Koli are likeable and humble (maybe even introverted). Some might say Koli was wrong for believing that Stephanie threw the weigh-in to have Sherry eliminated. Even though I believe she didn't, I still think she would have thrown any of the players she befriended in the ranch under the bus when she had the chance. I remember her saying she didn't want Victoria back in the competition she didn't even vote for her to return (she chose James) despite Cherita's pleas for the active players to give Victoria a second chance. That was cold-hearted on Steph's part, Victoria was held back in the challenge that had her booted by her mother and I would have voted for her to return without a doubt.

But I digress...I'd say they both worked very hard to get to this point. Here are the stats: Daris started @ just under 350 lbs and has lost 149 lbs while Koli started @ just under 410 lbs and has lost 185 lbs. I wouldn't classify either man as a "straggler" who got to the final four simply because the other players thought of him as a poor competitor who didn't pose a threat or because they pitied him. They are both used to being the underdog in a competitive environment and I especially sympathize with Daris because he has never had a girlfriend. They both look great now though and it seems their respective self esteems have been boosted by the Biggest Loser experience.

I've always identified Koli with integrity. He's usually calm and level-headed even under periods of stress and since he's a high school football coach by profession I think if he were to win, he would use the title of Biggest Loser to encourage others and role model to even more individuals. It must have been great for him to be close to friends and family during the 30 days back home, but he knew he had a higher priority and opted to retreat to Vegas instead of catching up with them and released his tension with jujitsu training.

I understand it's human for people to panic under stress, but I was disappointed in Daris for reverting to eating (of all things, eating!) as a coping mechanism. I wish him the best but he should have learned a way to avoid emotional binging while on the ranch. The worst case scenario would be for him to become the Biggest Loser and gain back most of the weight he lost on the ranch like Eric Chopin did!

Ultimately, I like them both and I think they both deserve to advance but I'm voting for Koli.

[bv]

KOLI ALL THE WAYYYYYYYYY! You are crazy if you decide to vote for whiney daris. of course he has to cry during his video to get votes. all the true bigest loser fans will vote for koli. he ahs been an inspiration to all and i truly believe he and sam made the show awesome this season.this is an EASY decision. Vote for Koli. He is a great man and he is more deterimed and focused than Daris to go all the way.

[Jane]

I totally agree with David. The fact that Daris gained 2lbs while training for and completing a marathon in 4 hrs means nothing. Weight will vary under those conditions. He does not have that much body fat. He is overall in better shape with greater endurance than the others. He had nothing to apologize for and Bob and Jillian were way off base to berate him. The flaw in the show is that the bigger you start, the greater your chance of winning whether you are in the best shape or not. Koli is in far greater danger of regaining the weight. He can't live at home.

[voicing]

Koli got all my votes. He busted his chops. I think people are forgetting that this is a game and there is a large amount of money involved. You do what you have to do to be that number one. Koli went to Las Vegas worked out ate right and he was staying with friends who ate junk food all the time. He remained steadfast and stayed on the right path. Where Daris was in the kitchen at 1:00 in the morning eating, bemoaning the fact that he didn't have a girlfriend. Look, I like them both and they look amazing but Koli did the work.

[Sandi]

Koli should have been sent home a long time ago. His relationship with Sam is creepy and unhealthy. He ate 4000 calories to keep Sam on the show when clearly he was skinny and was time for him to go home. I agree Koli ran from the pressures at home instead of sticking it out like the other contestants and yes he is very cocky and has an attitude. I voted for Daris but hope that Michael takes it all the way and wins.

[Nancy]

This is the first season I've watched the Biggest Loser. To me, it didn't seem in the spirit of the competition for Koli to high tail it to Vegas. Daris' emotional eating is concerning, but at least he faced being at home. He is sincere. Koli and Sam both kind of turned me off.

[kia]

KOLI!!!!! The comments justifying Daris over eating are nuts. If you're training, you have to eat like you are. They were working out 6-8 hours a day on the ranch, and they still had to eat right. You aren't supposed to eat 2 hours before you plan on sleeping... so I don't think he learned anything on the ranch. Koli has heart, Daris played the background role the whole show, and then had Sam sent home (yes... him ashley, and mike were bogus for that, and that's what I call playing the game...which is wrong). Koli decided to focus on himself after sam got sent home, because he knew what kind of people they are. Yes Koli went to vegas, but he still had to live somewhere. It wasn't like he was sleeping in the gym. He still was around people who ate poorly...and he still was able to lose weight. Stop making excuses for Daris. If he really wanted to WIN, he would of put up an effort, any type of effort. It means nothing that you beat everyone in the marathon (cause everyone got a check to donate) if you can't do what you're supposed to. His job is to lose weight, if he's done losing weight then he needs to go home. Koli shouldn't be sent packing because he was focused. Y'all are giving Daris a pity vote because yall feel sorry for him because girls don't like him, he has horrible hair, etc. I think when he goes home he will gain weight back (not all, but some). He's just not focused and driven mentally, and the last episode proved it. If you want a winner VOTE KOLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IRIS]

KOLI ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!! YAY KOLI