The eighth week of The Biggest Loser proved that families and friends can kill you with love.

After 58 days at “The Ranch” each contestant was granted one week “vacation” at their home. This challenge was frightening for all of them because, as Bernie described it, this is where they gave him all that extra “love.” Each member had to struggle against old patterns and habits.

After watching these people bust their butts week after week, it was very disheartening to see that their families put out glazed donuts, brownies, chips, and other assorted foods. Bernie yelled, “Who brought the Danish? Mom?” and then you heard his mother (presumably) holler, “Not everyone here is on a diet.” Very sad.

Worse yet, Mark took a glazed donut out of his son’s hands. Twice. The second time, he crawled under the table to snatch it away from the child who was hiding, trying to eat. Then Mark threw plates of brownies and donuts in the garbage with children crying and screaming, “That’s not fair, Daddy!” How can this scene be described as “loving and supportive?”

When they returned, Bob, the trainer for the Blue team, verbally bitch-slapped Dan for admitting to having two glasses of wine. Overall, however, this team seemed to have made healthy choices.

Jillian, the bullwhip-carrying trainer, reamed out Paul for not answering or returning her phone calls. She called each member first thing in the morning and last thing at night while they were at home. Dedication or obsession? You be the judge.

Brittany admitted to one very small piece of pizza and one chocolate chip cookie. For her confession, she received a look of utter disgust from Jillian. Maggie yelled out, “Hey, I ate fish at every single meal. I’m sweating tilapia!,” which just made me laugh. Bernie visited his favorite bakery where they had named his favorite cupcake after him. He resisted the temptation.

If people normally go to bars with their friends or have wine with dinner, it seems ridiculous to castigate them for small slip-ups. One small slice of pizza and one cookie during a week at home in their “normal” environment seems to me to be a victory of restraint me rather than something about which to berate them.