'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)

Monday 02 November

By Bill Simonds

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Abbie:

What a beautiful person! Your story tugged at the hearts of America, all that you had gone through, but yet you are still as pretty on the inside as you are on the outside. We wish you the best of luck in the future, and you can and will achieve anything you set out to do. You are a true champion!! Love Ya!!

By Mrs Warren

Michael........
SHUT IT, Shankapotimus. What an assinine thing to say. People like you have obviously never been touched by the kind of pain that this woman went through. And as unkind as you are... I would not wish it on you. She buried her husband and her 2 sweet children... how dare you cheapen that with your skanky, whitetrash, piece of **it remark!

By Debera

I know how it feels to lose a child and it hits you so hard emotionally that it takes years to cope with such a loss. You never get over it, each year you cry and reflect on your loss. I couldn't amagine losing two children and your best friend (your husband). I will not tell her or say how brave she is. Brave has nothing to do with such a loss. I will tell her that take all the time she needs to reflect and learn. It's okay to cry, it's okay to scream and to release the anger you feel. Somehow turn some of that anger around and become an advocate for others who have also lost loved ones from people who believe they are above the law and can make their own rules in life. Be it drinking and driving, speeding, abuse just harness that negative energy and use it to make this strange world a better place. This way you will get the self satisfaction of knowing that somehow their lives were not taken in vain. It's okay to be angry.

By nancy h

Abbie you are an amazing woman and an inspiration to the world sharing your story on BL. Your husband and children are with God and God is with you. You have taken back your life and God will bless you richly for it. We will all be together again one day with those we lost, but for now- He has plans for you and they are already being fulfilled ... God Bless You.

By medikkev

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Abby and her husband were both teachers here in my hometown of canton and are so very well loved by their students. Their daughter Macy was such a wonderful vibrant, full of life little girl and was in my daughters grade. I had the honor of possibly making Macy laugh for the last time the day this happenned, by playing with her at lunchtime recess along with my daughter. This is such a tragic outcome that this classy lady has turned into good by showing people that no matter what happens in life, you can overcome it. I honestly do not know how I could ever deal with such a loss, much less turning it around to make such a comeback. The Towns of Mabank and Canton are so lucky to have such a wonderful person in their midst.

By Michelle

Everyone is very proud of you Abby and loves you very much. You have a wonderful future ahead of you. Your heart will be full again.

By Bart

Abbie,
I think you look fantastic. Good luck with your new career of being a motivational speaker. I think you have a fantastic future ahead of you despite the pain and tragedy you have already suffered. I wish you the very best.

By Linda

This woman is amazing. Totally amazing. If anyone out there has lost a child they will totally understand that the drive this woman has comes from a much higher source. We lost my brother suddenly in at car accident at 16. We were 3 girls, Johnny was the baby. I can only tell you my pain was nothing compared to what my parents went through - I had to stay strong for them and I did. Then they were handed 100 valium at a time - drinking started - I admire this woman and would love to send her a book that an amish woman wrote "goodnight my son" amazing book no matter if you lost a son or daughter. Keep up the good work and know that a higher force is behind this woman - GOD

By Kramer

I can so relate. I became a widow at 42 yrs old in 2006. My children and I had to begin a new life. It is not easy to change your identity in one's early 40's. My grieving was for, not only my loss, but the loss of my kids losing a wonderful dad. Depression, weight changes happen. For me, I lost weight... down to 108 and then up to 128. I'm somewhere in the middle now. Grieving the loss of spouse or children is hard bc your life is literally turned upside down. God bless her in her journey. I do not think there is a harder walk than what she has been through.

By paym

what an ass u are! Actually you've just become the
"Biggest Loser" in every sense. You'll have your one day my friend...carma is a mother f...er.....!!!

By betty

i am glad that they are getting more to the root of the emotional side of why everybody gains the weight because i have the same problem but not one in my life to turn to.

By Jezzie

I too, fight the weight battle every day of my life, but I in no way can measure up to what Abbie went through. Her story however, made me take a long, hard look in the mirror to see what I was really made of -- and I didn't like what I saw. She is an inspiration to everyone, and if she, after going through the devistation she has, can have such a terrific attitude and still care about others as well as herself, who am I to feel sorry for myself? I think she's fantastic. God Bless you, Abbie -- you deserve nothing but the best, and I ask God to give you special blessings for you sure deserve it.

By Kiki

I love the show, though I do not have a weight problem. These people inspire me every week. No one though, has touched me more than Abby, she has turned her life around where many would never have the strength or courage to do so. There are great things in store for this survivor...congrats Abby...you are my hero!!

Wednesday 04 November

By amber

to lori: it doesnt matter that u dont understand, im just not religious, although i believe in god. it shows me that he took mercy on her suffering from losing her family, by offering an opportunity, n she took it, n hopefully she will be on to greater things in her life, while never forgetting her family. thats alot of tragedy for anyone, especially someone so young, with likely many years ahead of her. if u have any preaching to do, then dont reply back, bcuz i really wont care enough to reply.

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