With just one show left before next week's 3-hour season finale, last night's episode of
The Biggest Loser was huge, because it'd set up the finals for next week. Not only that, but it gave the contestants a little taste of what life after
Loser will be like. They were sent home to be on their own for 30 days before coming back to the Ranch for the final weigh-in before the finals. The contestants were also thrown a curveball after a few days of being home when they learned that they'd be taking part in a 26.2 mile marathon when they returned to the Ranch.
The focus started off with Mike, who was pretty nervous about returning to the place where he first got as big as he did. He was worried that he would fall back into the same habits, especially when he pointed out that the gym (where he would be spending most of his time) was right across the street from the fast food joint where he used to spend all of his time. Worrying about his brother Max was also a huge issue for him, and the reasoning became clear to him when Jillian made a surprise visit. She pointed out that he looks at Max and sees what he used to be and what he's scared of going back to, which is part of the reason why he's so focused on trying to help train Max. Jill said she'd help Max out if he was ready for it, but that Mike should focus on himself first.
The attention shifted to Tara, who gave her usual "OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M IN THE FINAL FOUR" crap before saying that she was starting to struggle with being home. Like Mike, she didn't want to fall back into her old habits, and she was also helped out big time by Jillian's visit. Tara's room was a frickin pig sty, and Jill was SHOCKED when she saw how messy it was. She made a good point, saying that Tara had replaced her obsession of eating with an obsession for working out, and that she needed to find a balance to be fully successful. Tara told Jill how she was at the grocery store after working out once and starting eating a bag of pita chips in the store and how much she got pissed at her, and Jill pretty much told her she was nuts, then told her that they were going to work out and have a drink after. After realizing you can workout and be healthy but still enjoy life (like a glass of wine or a piece of cake every now and then), Tara was feeling good.
Next up was Helen, who went through her closet and was surprised at how big her clothes used to be and felt ashamed that she used to think that how she used to be was okay and healthy. After being surprised at a diner by Jillian, Helen finally broke down and told Jill how tired she was. Jill told her that she was putting too much stress on herself and that she should be happy and not so stressed or exhausted. Jill convinced her to settle down and have a glass of wine with her while they were eating some fruit. (Line of the night goes to my Mom, who busted out with, "Wow. I think Jillian just wants an excuse to booze up.")
Ron was featured last and was surprised to have Bob show up at his door. Like Jillian wanted to help Max out while helping Mike, Bob also wanted to pass along the fitness bug to him, too. He had Max and Ron bring him out to what a typical lunch for them used to be, and after coming back home with a sh*t ton of fast food, Bob took them out to Subway and helped show Max how much he could eat there that would equal the calorie count of a fast food lunch.
The marathon was up next, and I gotta say, as long as boring as I thought the coverage was going to be (and was, in some points), I thought it was pretty cool when they brought back old contestants and family members to cheer the contestants on. Tara and Helen started off running together while Mike and Ron walked together (Mike couldn't run because of a hip injury a few days before he returned to the Ranch). Tara and Helen met up with their brother and husband, then finally split up. Tara's brother stayed with her most of the way, until the final mile, when Jillian was there waiting for her. They crossed the finish line together first. Helen's husband had to drop out, and just as she was starting to second-guess whether she could finish alone or not, she ran into last season's winner Michelle, who ran with her for a bit too. Mike met up with Max, who walked a good distance with Mike before he had to drop out. A little while later, Mike met up with Bernie from 2 seasons ago, who helped encourage him and point out that he's come a long way. Ron was doing pretty well until about Mile 16, when he started feeling shaky and took a seat. His blood pressure was through the roof and it looked like he wouldn't finish, but once his BP returned to normal, he got back up and kept on walking. He was met by Bob at first, then Mike and Max, then as night time came, Ron was walking with Bob, Jill, Tara, Helen, Max, Bernie, Ali (the winner from 2 seasons ago), and Heba from last season. Somehow, Mike ended up at the finish line before everyone else, and teared up when he saw his father approaching the finish line. After Ron crossed it, Mike gave him a huge hug, which Max joined in on once he walked up to them. I gotta say, I even got the lump-in-the-throat feeling.
Finally came in the weigh-in. Tara dropped 10 lbs over 30 days and finished with the most percentage of fat lost, guaranteeing her a spot in the Final 3. Helen finished under Tara, putting her in the finals with Tara and also putting both Mike and Ron below the yellow line. So now, the vote for the 3rd Finalist is up to us, America. If you hit go
here, you'll find the image above where you can vote for either Mike or Ron. You can also watch their video pleas, which basically has Mike asking to be brought to the finals and Ron asking everyone to vote for his son. Go vote!! We find out who the third finalist is during next week's 3-hour finale. Let it be known -- I'm on Team Mike!!
