Having begun the season at 257 pounds, Phillips wasn't considered a serious threat to beat out considerably younger finalists Mike Morelli (19) and Tara Costa (24). Costa, a ferociously competitive former model, won a record 12 challenges and didn't once fall below the dreaded yellow line (a 'Biggest Loser' first). And Morelli, a fan favorite, beat out his father Ron with enough call-in votes to win the third spot in the finale.
Biggest Loser': Before & After
BEFORE: Contestants Helen Phillips (left) and Shanon Thomas (right)
NBC
AFTER: 'Biggest Loser' winner Helen Phillips
NBC
BEFORE: Contestants Ronald Morelli (left) and Michael Morelli (right)
NBC
AFTER: Finalist Michael Morelli
NBC
BEFORE: Contestants Tara Costa (left) and Laura Denoux (right)
NBC
AFTER: Finalist Tara Costa
NBC
But it was Phillips who proved that age -- and weight -- ain't nothing but a number. Though she was vilified by some for sending her own daughter, Shanon, home (through a mutual decision), Phillips had the last laugh at the end. Her final weigh-in put her at 117 pounds, pushing her past her competitors for a total weight loss of 54.47%. It also cemented trainer Jillian Michaels' reputation for training 'Loser' winners -- she's trained the victorious contestant in every season on which she's appeared.
After winning, Phillips, a mother of two from Michigan, exulted, "I haven't worn a dress in at least 10 years ... It was just wonderful. I actually feel beautiful today. I haven't felt that in a really long time." E! Online also reported that she said she would "absolutely consider chest surgery" to repair some of the sagging skin where she's shed fat.
A total of 2,763 pounds was lost this season.
Watch Helen's winning moment
Reader Comments (394)
Kate at 1:07PM on May 13th 2009
I am disgusted that the biggest loser allowed her to win at all. It was the same when Ally won during the previous season. Both of them look skinny and UNHEALTHY. For a show that supposedly promotes "health and fitness"...they do an interesting job at rewarding obvious anorexia. You can see Helen's bones through her skin. Shame on you biggest loser, for promoting and rewarding this.
Samantha at 1:08PM on May 13th 2009
I love the fact that they are helping these people get healthy, but losing all that weight so quickly is just causing another problem. They now have all that excess skin that comes from rapid weight loss. Now they must either live with it or have a body lift to have it removed. Eating right and exercising appropriately is much healthier and they would be 10 times more likely to keep it off in the long run. Just my opinion..............
Dina Earl at 1:09PM on May 13th 2009
I am very dissapointed the she won. I wish Mike had won. This is a mother who sent her overweight child home. Not very nice.
Samantha at 1:13PM on May 13th 2009
Kate, that just shows you the state our country is in right now. People are always trying to push acceptance of obesity or trying to push people to be underweight. People no longer accept being at a healthy weight.
toby at 1:15PM on May 13th 2009
Are you kidding me.i guess being 400 pounds is real healthy!she is skinny because she works out not because she dont eat.try working out 5 6 days a week run lift weights thats what you look like.
DD at 1:17PM on May 13th 2009
CONGRATULATIONS HELEN! IT WAS INDEED A LIFE CHANGING JOURNEY YOU'LL NEVER FORGET. NOW IF I COULD GET OFF THE COUCH AND GET TO WORK...
kathy at 1:18PM on May 13th 2009
I wanted either Tara or Mike to win. I found every sentence that came out of Helen's mouth began and ended with me or I. Tara and Mike were unselfish in every way - either way they all won - they all lost weight and learned how to balance food and exercise. Not sure how anyone says this show isn't a good thing - it does not promote anything unhealthy!!
sam at 1:19PM on May 13th 2009
Nobody said being 400 lbs is healthy. I was saying that there is ahealthy middle ground. I work out every day. I am a Personal Trainer and yet I do not look as thin as she does. I have meat and muscles on my bones.
Rene at 1:25PM on May 13th 2009
I agree with Kate....The episode where she had lost 107 lbs. she looked good then. But when she came out last night I was shocked at how she looked. It looked to me as if she let her weight get too low, either for the money or now she's obsessed with being too thin. Her face was sunken in and lots of skin hanging where before she just looked good and healthy. Being 48 yrs. old 117 lbs. is too thin for her or anyone older.as you age your weight should be a little more than when you were 21. But, happy for all of them that lost the weight......
Jennifer at 1:23PM on May 13th 2009
I don't watch the show, so I really don't care who won. But I have to say that the before and after photos are impressive for all three! Hope they can take home some healthy habits and keep that weight off.