Biggest Loser Castoff Cheers on Her "Soldier" of a Mom

When Shanon Thomas called her mom for advice on how to cook an Easter ham, the 29-year-old never would've thought she'd end up on The Biggest Loser: Couples (Tuesdays at 8 pm/ET, NBC).

Just days into the start of the weight-loss series' seventh cycle, with her mom Helen as her partner, a twist sent Shanon packing only to return weeks later to compete again at the ranch. Her final exit came in Week 7 when, up for elimination against her mother, she again chose to go home and let Helen stay.

TVGuide.com spoke to the massage therapist about what changes she has since made at home, and why scrubbing floors makes a great workout.

TVGuide.com: Has your diet or exercise changed from when you were home the first time around?
Shanon Thomas: I didn't know what I was doing before I got to the ranch. You try all the fads and you read the books. There's the three-day diet, the cabbage diet .... You're always trying these new things, but all it really comes down to is paying attention to what you're doing. And exercise. You have to exercise if you want to lose weight. I've been keeping up with my diet and just trying to take it one day at a time.

TVGuide.com: What's the greatest lesson you learned from your trainer, Bob Harper?
Thomas: Bob always says, "Keep moving, keep moving." Even if you're just rocking back and forth while watching TV, don't stop moving, because that way you're always burning calories. So I always think about that. When I see my friends, if they're sitting down, I'll go jump on my friend's elliptical. Even if I'm going slow, I'm still burning calories. Just keep moving — and scrub your kitchen floor!

TVGuide.com: Were you surprised by your mom's success on the Biggest Loser ranch while you were home?
Thomas: No, I knew she could do it. That's why she stayed there and I went home. When my mom sets her mind to something, she takes it all the way. She is a really strong person physically and emotionally. She's just a soldier. She's awesome.

TVGuide.com: Whose idea was it to audition for the show?
Thomas: It was actually my mom's. I didn't even know there were auditions. It was Easter weekend and I called her because I bought the wrong ham. How ironic, right? I heard all the noise in the background and I'm like, "Where are you?" She said, "I'm at the Biggest Loser auditions; come down here!" I'm in my sweatpants, trying to cook Easter dinner for 15 people and I was like, "OK," and I did. We actually came out for Season 6 [The Biggest Loser: Families] and they ended up using us for Season 7.