The Biggest Loser - Final Four Go Solo

Look Back to Look Forward -- Most of this week's episode had contestants looking back at old clips/photos of their morbidly obese selves. The result was steely resolves to never eat their way back to that weight again. If you're trying to lose weight, pull out the photo albums of leaner days (or that bird's nest box of scattered pics). It may be hard to deny the extra 50 pounds you're carrying, but easier to let the extra 15 or 20 slide. Post that pic on your fridge or give a serious daily stare at your framed wedding photo. Your body remembers where it came from, you just need to make the diet and fitness changes to turn it around.

Ron Fits in the MRI Now -- It's easy to mock Ron and call him The Godfather or Mr. Manipulator. But when Dr. Huizenga reported his heart isn't surrounded by fat anymore and nearly all of his meds are out the window, Ron's joy ran deep and genuine. The guy's been on every diet imaginable and even went under the gastro-knife. He wants to live a longer, healthy life and his 132-pound loss has made it possible. How many morbidly obese people are out there devoid of hope? Ron is tangible proof that sensible eating coupled with vigorous fitness over time works. Dr. H. handed out more good news: Helen's biological age wound back 10 years from 60 to 50, Tara's belly is gone, Mike's waist is 54 percent smaller, and Sione dropped 15 inches off his waistline. Dr. H. was the best part of the show.

Jillian and Bob Blow Big Calories -- The Train the Trainers tradition held true this week as contestants led a Last Chance payback workout for the trainers. Jillian hates to run and she nearly ran out of her low-cut top as Tara pulled her from behind with a stretchy band. Bob hit Level 20 on the stairstepper -- That's Fit says that's fit.

Tara-Peat -- Gunning for a one-pound advantage or $10,000, contestants dragged a giant sack of sand filled with mini-sacks representing their weekly weight-loss totals over 16 sand hills. Turtle Tara kept a steady pace and won handily, choosing the late-in-the-game pound. Second Place Mike got the leftover prize -- $10,000. Who thinks he'll add that to the $250,000 grand prize? Let us know your projected winner in the poll below -- will Jillian's inspiration and magic metabolism techniques win again?




Don't-Miss-Trainer-Gems

• Bob reminds us that recovery time is just as important as cardio and weights. Don't weight train the same muscle group on successive days, muscles need time to repair to strengthen.
  
• Bob and Jillian were so apathetic delivering this next Trainer Tip, I almost didn't share it. I realize it's Week 17, but step it up, OK? Don't grocery shop when you're hungry and make sure you bring a grocery list. Here's one I swear by, always turn down the free, food samples at the big box stores. Just smile and walk on by to avoid an extra 300 or so processed calories.

Tara shed five percent of herself this week and is down to 169 pounds -- Week 17 Incredible. Mike dropped 11 and Helen, seven. Even with respectable weight losses, Ron (nine) and Filipe (10) fell below the yellow line. Bigger Threat Filipe headed back to his Tongan family, immediately modeling healthier behavior to a culture addicted to massive spreads of fatty foods. He's leading weekly extended family fitness classes in his backyard each week -- love this -- and taught his daughter to peel the skin off her chicken drumstick. After sitting at a weight-loss plateau, he's now down 13 pounds after his dad's sudden stroke delivered a wake-up call. Luckily, dad is recovering and has joined the backyard workouts.

In a cool twist, the Final Four now head home for 30 days before returning for a final ranch weigh-in. America will then decide the Finale Final Three. Will contestants gain, lose or plateau at home? Here comes the real challenge -- living life like the rest of us ... plus a $250K carrot. See you next week.