'Biggest Loser' Contestant's Tragic Past

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 28th 2009 10:45AM

In an new Life & Style interview given exclusively to PopEater, 'The Biggest Loser' contestant Abigail Rike reveals she faced more challenges than just losing 82 pounds during season eight. After her husband and two children were killed in a horrific car crash in 2006, Rike turned to food to ease the pain. Now three years later, Rike admits focusing on her weight loss has helped her regain purpose in her life. "Losing weight is kind of like shedding the sadness and hurt and emerging stronger. My life will matter again," Rike said.

Before the accident, Rike was a devoted wife and mother. "I wouldn't have traded lives with any human on the planet because my life was the best." But that dramatically changed when a speeding driver crashed head-on into the family's Nissan minivan, killing her husband Richard Rike, 33, Macy, 5, and Caleb, just 2½ weeks. Abby wasn't in the vehicle.

"After the wreck, all my roles were gone. I wasn't a wife anymore. I wasn't a mother anymore. I was broken and falling apart inside.There were pieces of shrapnel where my heart used to be -- it was shattered."

To deal with the pain, she started emotionally eating and struggled with depression -- watching the weight pile on. "You can't bury your two children and the love of your life and think, 'Oh, I'm just going to be okay,'" she said.

Her life turned around when she decided to audition for 'The Biggest Loser.' As the pounds started to come off, she realized the process helped her "heal from the inside out" as she channeled her pain into her workouts. Starting at 247 pounds, she lost an average of 4 pounds a week and now, after being eliminated, the 5-foot-4 contestant is down to an impressive 165 pounds. "You can't help what happens to you, but you can choose how you respond to it."

Tags: the biggest loser, TheBiggestLoser

Comments

(74)

Wednesday 28 October

By MBA Health

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She is a strong woman. Bravo for her courage and commitment to change. Her story on the show made me cry so hard...

Sunday 01 November

By Katie

I never watched the show before, but for some reason I had it on one night. My roomate and I broke into tears with her story and were so sad for her. I cant believe how strong she is, I dont know if I could be as strong as her. Abby, you are truly an amazing person.

By martina

I too cried when she was on the show, even for her weighins and what not, she is very brave.

By Holly

God Bless You Abbie! I honestly don't think I could have lived after losing my love and my children. You were stronger than what you thought! I am so happy to see you smile and see who emotionally strong you have become. It's not about weight, it is about becoming human again with emotions and life in your eyes. I was routing for you! I am so happy to see you are doing ok. Bless you and the angels that are by your side. You are a true inspiration! Love Holly Kruger

Thursday 29 October

By Millie

May GOD give you the strenght that you need. I wish you nothing but the best and put your trust in the Lord's hands. Only he can help you each and every day.

By axlroxx

Best wishes to her. I wouldn't be able to go on with my life after that. My child and husband are everything to me, after them nothing else matters. I'm sure she felt the same way but she must be a much more courageous person. Congrats to her.

By Luanne

I give all the contestants of the Biggest Loser lots of praise....They want to change their lives and don't know how. I love seeing the change in these people and how they start having the inner confidence and emotional breakdown with trainers working out and that is what it takes for them to release verbally where they are in their journey and when they hit the wall and realize whom they can be and let go of that old bigger person....it is so rewarding for them. I have been blessed and have never been overweight but I look at them and I can see whom they can become....I love Jillian she works their butts off but she has a deeper passion for each for them to reach their potential they thought they could never reach. Choices everyday make you whom you are...

By Marshall

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I read the article with interest. What state does
Mrs. Rike live in?

By Jonathan

she lives in Texas/Louisiana. She was a teacher at my high school in Louisiana. Really sweet person

By Amanda

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She lives in Texas. I live in the next town to her.

Monday 02 November

By med

She lives in the great state of Texas

By amber

she is a stronger woman than i am. im a single mom, n i truly dont believe i could live through such a tragedy. if anything happened to my son, it would kill me. im proud that she could do what she has done, after what shes been through. it gives me a little more faith in gods grace after taking something so precious away from her.

By Lori

I am truly puzzled. How does the death of Abby's husband and two children, one only 2-1/2 weeks, give you more faith in God's grace? This is a complete mystery to me. I honestly don't understand the logic.

Friday 06 November

By MidMOmom

Lori, as a believer in God and Christ, we learn there is a purpose behind everything that happens. None of us can know the impact of Abby's loss will have on others. God does not give us more than we can handle, and God knew that Abby would be stronger after this tragedy. If Abby had not lost her family, she may never have gotten on the Biggest Loser and inspired millions of people. It is like the ripple effect....Abby's ripples have now gone around the world. God is good, all the time.

By kathy

Abby is truely wonderful person, she never got into the backstabbing that goes on the show, she left herself be voted off, to help her teammates stay longer. i hope she finds love again

By Gia

People should always stop and think when they see a very large person. NOBODY wants to be that way! It's uncomfortable and humiliating! People lose their loved ones, people are raped, people are abused in many different ways and sometimes the only way to cope is food. So hopefully the next time anyone sees a big person they will stop and think of what might have happened to them that lead to over eating. It's not just a lazy slob thing. It's a total outward show of mental anguish! When the medical field starts treating over weight people like they do Alcoholics and drug additcs it will be a huge step forward!

By Brandy

She is an amazing woman!

By shanna

unless you're a mom, you cant begin to understand the attachment to your children. I, too cried. Abby, you're an inspiration. congratulations. We love you!

By yaya

Abbie! You are an amazing lady! I wish you all the luck in the world! Greattttttt job indeed!!

By Christina

I was really hoping that abby would go all the way to the end and win. I mean people tell me im strong and all but i don't think i could ever deal with such a tragedy. I just sat and cried when she told her story and that is the first time i have ever cried watching the biggest looser. Best wishes to abby and you are truely an amazing woman!

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