riverheightsnancy

Well sure, but doctors will and do prescribe them for precisely these purposes. Some of these women may be on BCPs anyway and do not want to stop while on the show. Say a woman is going to have her cycle during her honeymoon, a doctor (based on her medical condition) may tell her to take the pill continuously for another month. Not every woman that has taken BCPs have the same outcomes (although that is scary) and ALL drugs have side effects that do not effect everyone that takes the drug. Not having your cycle due to extreme weight loss is not a good effect either.

Yes. It is easy, just keep taking the hormone birth control pills and not the "sugar pills". There is a newer birth control pill that you only get a cycle once every three months (I forget the name-too old for that stuff now!). Many people may say this is bad or "abnormal", however, when a woman is pregnant, she doesn't have her cycle for many months either.

As much as I didn't like Carleigh not going second to last on the reunion show, I also don't think it is fair that Fowler's achievement is being downgraded because of the rules of the show. He played the same game as everyone else. I 100% guarantee that the contract specifically states what the parameters are for being pulled. Game shows have very strict regulations after the scandals of the quiz shows back in 1959. I don't think that the doctor's or producers have any real desire for a specific person to win. Legally and medically, they must do the right thing, or open themselves up for lawsuits and medical malpractice. They craft the season's edit after it is all said and done. If they had not shown Fowler very much, we would not have known half of what he did. They showed him more than anyone else precisely BECAUSE he won. I knew that Megan was likely not final 2 because of how little we saw her. That was what I contended in this thread during ep.1. And they need to change that because it totally gives away who wins if they always show the winner in episode 1 and the early tap outs. Just because Fowler is bigger, doens't mean that is unfair. Men burn more calories per hour than women (due to muscle) and Fowler did not have an easy camp and had to walk up and down the hill for the lake. If the producers would want to make that aspect of it more fair, they could do an all women season, but there will always be individual differences in metabolism. They cannot control for every variable or differences amongst participants. Look at Dave, he was extremely skinny, but Carleigh spent time in the hospital. They didn't mention that Dave did. Maybe she really was in medical trouble.

I think Carleigh mentioned that if she had not eaten more to maintain or gain weight that she would be pulled. I would bet that they do tell them more than what we see. Which is why both Carleigh and Fowler were worried about being pulled. If Dave had eaten all of his food, who knows how the end would have played out? He seems to have a high metabolism.

BMI is a calculation based on height and weight and it used to be different for men and women until the NIH and the WHO changed it in 1998 ( I think). So there is an allowance for being taller as that (technically) will weigh more. Still not as accurate as a body fat analyzer though, which would be a better, more fair choice. For athletes, something below 18.5 is still ok, because they have adequate nutrition. I have heard of athletes having a 12, BUT they are eating a ton and monitored by professional athletic coaches. In addition, I think the healthy BMI is 19-25. So 17 is really giving them a wide berth.

I thought it was Brooke too. I guess we will see next week.

Carleigh seems like an introvert, so her stuff is not going to be over-the-top in terms of her filming. But they really dissed her by not having her interviewed second to last. She deserved that and I think that she will take this "loss" hard. As cool as Callie was, it was unfair to Carleigh not to have her moment second to last. It minimizes her achievement and that kind of pisses me off for her.

On the reunion, they are going to save the most interesting people for last, Callie and Fowler. Now it makes sense for Fowler to go last, but that is totally unfair to Carleigh, who did NOT quit and came in 2nd, NOT 4th.

I think that Fowler lost a higher % of weight (I think it said @33%-60 pounds), but obviously was not in a critical condition yet or below BMI of 17. Men also have more muscle so they will burn more calories doing nothing or resting. So, I think that makes it somewhat more equal to the women on the show in that respect. Don't forget, he was the only one NOT to bring any rations. So, he was at a self-chosen disadvantage right out of the box. Maybe he gained weight before on purpose to buffer for that. If he had been thinner to start with, he might have gotten pulled before Carleigh. It looked to me like Dave has a high metabolism and just loses weight really fast. I wish I had that problem. lol

Hey, are there people missing at the reunion? I really love Greg's honesty in the reunion show. He is such an authentic person. I am glad that they showed Carleigh at the hospital. It shows that she was really in trouble. She just didn't look like she was in trouble because she is younger, she has less obvious signs on her face like Dave.

Running Commentary: 1) Knew it would be down to Carleigh and Fowler based on editing. 2) Fowler deserves to win. His location sucked. 3) Awww, Carleigh. You are a great winner and role model despite getting pulled. Great spirit and attitude. I wish her all the best in life. Sweet girl. 4) I knew it. Yeah, Fowler! So happy for a fellow Mainer!!! He and his wife seem so cute and in love. What I said from Week 1 was that they ALWAYS show the winner in episode #1. Fowler was THAT person. Said this on Dec. 9th, "The one issue that I have is the editing. If they only feature 3-4 people in the episode and one is going home, then they are massively telegraphing that to the viewer. I didn't get to see preview because I forgot it was on, but I assumed at least one of the 4 people is a tap and could possibly they have also shown the winner. Does anyone remember if Alan was specifically shown during ep 1 and the guy who won last year as well? I think they need to focus on showing a little more of more people every episode so it is not so obvious (at least to me). We complained about this a lot last season. I don't remember it being so bad during season one, however, they lost about 5 people really quick so they had more time to focus on less people. " Dec. 10th, "The only thing I am saying is, that I wish they would just add a snippet of a few other people, in case they are making a conscious decision to feature the first few taps and the winner in episode #1. Because if I were into edgic, then I would be scrutinizing episode #1 for specific clues. Since one of the guys I like is in episode 1, that is not so bad, but once you sort of figure out their "formula" it can take some of the fun out of it I suppose. I remember season 1, and the excitement of truly not knowing what the editors were doing. Every week was a total nail bitter (pumas not included, natch). Now it seems there is a formula and it takes away a little from the show for me (IMHO). So, I hope that they have changed that up a little this year, but I do like my ginger Fowler! I think he will be my horse this year! His little baby is very cute". 5) Sparrow totally gave Fowler shade when she first saw him. haha. Cute. 6) Fowler-put some of your carvings up on Ebay. I would buy something!

Yeah I saw that too.

Hey Walnutqueen (we go way back!), I totally hear you about the ladies. Normally, I would be 100% for them, but, I got the Fowler love early, once I found out that he lives 30 minutes or so from my mom and my home state. I kinda hope he wins. (I think the editing has said that from day one if my theory holds). I do like Carleigh, but I don't think that we have seen enough of either of the ladies (from the editing standpoint) for either to be the winner. Maybe, I will be wrong. They are all worthy, just due to length of stay. IMO

I 100% agree. I would actually look away when he was on. He was/is delusional. I would imagine that they administer a psych battery to these people beforehand, but if they don't, then this is a reason for why they should. It is similar to the girl who won the final prize on Biggest Loser a while back. She was positively anorexic when she came out for the big reveal and people were stunned and it was hard to applaud her "win" because she looked awful. Dave may be the type to have addictive qualities or traits in his personality which meant that he would do "anything" to win and just won't let go despite the obvious issues. However, his thinking became clouded pretty early on. I think Sam was starting to tip in that direction as well. Only he tapped before it got too bad.

I had Fowler from episode #1, based on editing and I made a post or two about that a ways back.

Thanks, I love him too!

Sometime in 2013/2014 blood pressure recommendations changed to 140/90 as "normal" (if over 60, even a little higher 150/90) but that is very much contested and is considered to put many more people at risk for stroke (@70% higher incidence). Prior to those changes there was movement by many docs who were advocating 110/70 as a number to shoot for. Obviously, some of these numbers are specific to an individual and their genetics and no matter what one does, they may not be able to reach those guidelines, even medicated.

So, Dave going medical was telegraphed for a while. Not surprised. I am pleading with the TV. Fowler, don't give up. PLEASE-don't give up!!! Fowler might be in better position right now if he had brought rations. When they said that Megan blood pressure was normal, uh, not from my experience. Her 120/80 for a person not eating much and low body weight is not really low, even though it may be construed as "normal". The 80 is a concern, it is right on the cusp of pre-high blood pressure. My doc screams when my diastolic is 80. I would expect the diastolic to be lower, but that number can be driven up by anxiety or nervousness too.

Unless I am wrong, they were already back home by the time this started airing, so they know who won as they approached editing. This is not a live stream and they only have a day to create an episode. I think that they have enough lead time to create story arcs. I don't think Callie is a plant. Perhaps, she just did not want to get personal. That is not everyone's way. Remember the lady from season 2 (I cannot remember her name), who tapped after an incident with a bear and hurt her shoulder? Practically the minute she got out there, it was ALL about her PTSD and issues. People ragged on her for coming on a competition show and having it be about her "journey". Maybe, Callie has no baggage? I know that seems hard to believe because everyone seems to have baggage. Maybe she just choose not to discuss it on camera? I want Fowler to win and I agree that his cute carvings could sell in some of the tourist shops in Bar Harbor. He really is an artist in many ways.

Yeah, I think Dave will get pulled for medical. I think Callie is more of a spiritual sort and she made peace with her journey after overcoming the spider bites. I know a lot don't think that is legit to quit for a reason like that, but it is, after all, her journey. I cannot imagine what it feels like to see your shelter torn down-hers was pretty cool. I wonder if they do that for the contestant after they leave?

Personally, I HATE cold tomatoes-right out of the frig that is. I think it absolutely ruins their flavor and meatiness. However, the produce could have been room temp (or at least warmer than directly out of frig), and with hot studio lights, how much of a temp difference could there have been? I think that I would like a warm vinaigrette. I felt bad for Emily. She seems demoralized and submissive at this point and the other chefs seemed to be pulling for Jamie more and that must sting to constantly fail.

In the video that we saw at the side of the road, Fowler came in a little hefty, so he has slimmed down too. He is looking pretty good. But you can see how much slimmer he is in comparison to that video. I wonder if that would be a good strategy to gain some weight before coming in on this show? I know that has been discussed on Survivor thread as well. While Megan and Carleigh seem nice, I don't think they have focused on them enough for me to root for them. I think Carleigh has gotten more camera time than Megan or Dave. Just as a guess I would say it comes down to Carleigh and Fowler, we will see if my editing guess is correct.

That was the tune I was singing last year regarding Jose and we all know how that turns out. I don't think the editors of this show are that crafty to create a "story" in which the winner is only in 4 episodes. They have been telegraphing a Fowler win from day 1. They have to place a little doubt about him for the viewer (like they played with us last night making us believe that it could be any of them that tapped last night), so they include a little homesickness, but the vast majority of their edit about Fowler is very positive. It is very similar to Alan's edit. Alan had a moment at one point where he seemed a little down, but the vast majority of his edit as well, was positive. As I said about last year, they are not going to hide the winner. The winner is always featured in the vast majority of episodes. No chance that Dave wins. Carleigh and Megan are whatever, we don't know them enough. I would lay money on Fowler. That makes me pretty happy actually. Callie would have been a great winner too, and if it had come down to the 2 of them, I think I would have wished for a dual prize because they would have both been deserving.

Shocked-but not. Just like Lucas. They had a comment that Callie made in the last segment, which I thought that they left in on purpose. About her body would tell her when it was over. And she said something after that which I thought was that she was done. Now, Fowler ALL THE WAY! Dave will die of dirt or starvation and they have already been plugging Megan and Carleigh tapping. Fowler has been edited as the winner (IMO) since day 1.

I liked it, but I love sneaky shows like this, hence my love of the original Mole show. (I played a competitive online version of that and won-it was fun). I think that I would withdraw all the money (in separate installments) as soon as you got notification someplace near your home, because they already know where you live, so you are not giving them anything else. Plus, I might skim off, the last $20 and give a person (anyone really-or a truck driver) the ATM card and say to them, "Here is the card and here is the pin, there is $20 for you, just use this in your farthest distance from here. This is not illegal and you are not in trouble." I do not understand why those dolts (model girl/tall guy) came to Atlanta. I would stay out in the boonies of SC. Coming to a major city has more cameras and ways to track you. You have to go off the grid. Get food (I would buy 2 cases of Ramen, matches, a pot) and get to the land. A person who knows how to camp (think of the show Alone), could get to a remote area and ride this out. A lake or river for fish, camping gear, NO tech unless you buy a burner phone. A way to get water. They probably did not pick people with really good survival skills, because you would want to stay away from cities and cameras as opposed to going to the deep woods.