Biggest Loser discussion: Season 7 finale is next week, vote for the third finalist

May 6, 8:23 AMWeight Loss ExaminerGail Gedan Spencer

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Tara, Helen, Mikey and Ron – they are the final four, and the show kicked off with their amazing transformations.

All of them were sent home for 30 days. Let’s see what happens.

Quote of the week, from Mikey: “Home’s the same – I’ve changed.”

We learned that Mike had a terrible “closet eating” problem. He would hit the drive-through three times on his way home from work. We got to see the sadness and frustration that permeated the contestants’ old lives.

Tara had won the kitchen makeover in one of the challenges and gave the prize to her mom who declared it “gaw-geous” in her best Long Island accent. Tara made her mom some mini chipotle-spiced turkey meat loaves in that gorgeous oven and the recipe's right HERE.

The contestants all got a little surprise on their doorsteps – a video from Ali that told them in 26 days they’d all be running a marathon. Try training for one of those in less than a month. Bob and Jillian hit the road to visit their team members.

Jillian met with Mike and saw how frustrated he was with his brother Max and his unwillingness to change his life. Jillian told him that as painful as it was, Mike has to focus on himself. Tara found herself in a messy bedroom full of clothes and confusion. She confessed to Jillian that she had wolfed down a bag of pita chips because her life feels out of control. Jillian worked out with Tara then took her out to lunch to show her that she can balance a healthy life with a healthy social life.

Bob surprised Ron and Mike (and Max) at home. Bob was concerned that Ron’s body wouldn’t be able to handle a marathon. Bob took all three of them to workout – Max “Fresh Meat” included.

Quote of the week, No. 2, from Bob to Max: “This weight is going to come off you because you want it and you’re going to do it.”

Then we got to see Max puke buckets – awesome! After he purged, Bob took the gang to Subway. Jillian surprised Helen in Michigan where Helen proceeded to cut up and make 100 pounds of fruit salad. Jillian told her to chill out and have a glass of wine (she also told Tara to do that as well).

While running in the neighborhood, Mikey had a stabbing pain in his hip (hopefully it’s not another fracture problem like Laura had).

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the four of them came back to run (or walk) their marathon. Mikeys’ doctor told him that he can’t run. But Mike was heartened that his brother Max made the journey to join him on the marathon. Max really looked smaller in these scenes. Dr. Huizenga was on the marathon route to make sure the contestants didn’t fall apart too badly along the way. While running.Tara came across season 5 winner Ali Vincent, who still looks incredible. Helen caught up with season 6 winner Michelle Aguilar, also keeping her weight off. Helen was energized all over again. While Mikey was walking out popped Bernie, an at-home winner, still looking fab. Tara caught up with Jillian for the last couple of miles and, say it with me one more time, TARA WON THE CHALLENGE. (The song played was This Time It’s Mine by Britney Christian.) Helen came in a close second. A few hours later Mikey finished his marathon walk. Ron was a bunch of miles back feeling pretty bad. His blood pressure was rising and he felt very shaky. The Biggest Loser champs found where Ron was and walked with him the rest of the way.

And then – yikes NBC! – they had a promo for the vote with Ron and Mike’s pictures on the graphic. Talk about a spoiler!

Finally, after 13 hours, Ron finished the race. (Well, it’s not really a race; it’s a marathon. And isn’t that an apt metaphor for weight loss and maintenance?) All four won $10,000 checks that they could donate to their favorite charity.

Weigh-in: These numbers were for the month they were away. Ron lost 10 pounds and gained an oddly youthful hairstyle. Mike lost 10 pounds as well. Helen lost 7 pounds. I am so psyched to see a 48-year-old woman in the finals. Gives hope to this 47-year-old mom. Tara lost an amazing 10 pounds, which puts her in the finals as well.

So it’s up to us to choose the third finalist – Ron or Mike. Go to nbc.com/biggestloser to vote but take my poll, too, just for fun.

This may have been the best season of Biggest Loser yet. These contestants’ desire for weight loss wasn’t for vanity; it was for saving their lives. I can’t wait for next week’s finale!

NBC photo