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Home › Entertainment

The Biggest Loser | 05/13/2009 7:10 am

Biggest Loser Winners Revealed: Helen Phillips and Jerry Hayes

NBC’s ‘The Biggest Loser: Couples’ host Alison Sweeney revealed Helen Phillips, mother of three, lost the most weight on the show. Jerry Hayes, oldest contestant ever, lost the most weight at home.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Helen's Before and After

"The Biggest Loser" last night was truly inspirational, for it showed that you’re never too old to change your life.

Helen Phillips won the weight-loss challenge and earned $250,000 for her perseverance. Phillips entered the competition at age 47 weighing 257 pounds. Her weight last night? One hundred seventeen pounds, which means she lost 140 pounds, or 54.47 percent of her body fat. Phillips, a mother of three, once described herself as a woman who "fell in the fast food routine." She entered "Biggest Loser" with her daughter Shanon, who went from 283 to 191 pounds, a loss of 92 pounds or 32.51 percent weight loss.

The person who won the challenge for most weight lost as an at-home contestant — meaning they were eliminated from the show but continued to diet and exercise — was Jerry Hayes. At 64, Hayes was the show’s oldest contestant ever. He was eliminated early in the competition but continued to lose weight after the show. He went from 369 to 192 pounds, a loss of 177 pounds, or 47.97 percent weight loss.

Even more important than the weight loss was the fact that Jerry was no longer taking the five medications he was on. Jerry entered the competition with his wife of 41 years, Estella. She, too, transformed herself, losing a staggering 83 pounds. As grandparents to five grandchildren, they’ll certainly find it easier to keep up.

Congratulations to all the contestants! They are all winners! Click here for a rundown of each contestant’s weight loss.

Read more about: Aging, Alison Sweeney, Biggest Loser, Diet Exercise, Entertainment, Helen Phillips, Jerry Hayes, News, Nutrition, The Biggest Loser, Weight Loss

18 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

S G
I smiled from ear to ear last night. Way to go Helen and Jerry. Truth is they are all winners because they will now live longer. It blew me away to watch Ron walk the whole marathon. This season was full of inspiration. I hope they will bring Max to the ranch so he can join Mike and Ron. You can accomplish anything:) These people are proof:)
By S G on 05/13/2009 7:26 am
Karleen S
Ron really was an inspiration in that marathon.  He just was not going to quit, even when everyone knew it would be justified.  Mike was so emotional seeing his dad come in after 13 hours.  I can just imagine how he felt seeing the whole journey.
By Karleen S on 05/14/2009 2:18 pm
C Hardy

My eyes were not dry the whole 3 hour finale last night.  I have watched Biggest Loser from Season 1 and truly this season touched me the most.  Seeing Ron and his son Mike grow stronger and healthier together as father and son, it was truly amazing.  To see Jerry at the end looking like a totally different person, I just couldnt believe it was the same man.  Mike is HOT and he wont ever have to worry about girls, other than swatting them off.  I too hope they bring Max to the ranch but he did look like he had lost some weight. 

But for me everyone who goes on that show & accomplishes what they do are all winners b/c they have changed their lives for the better and healthier.  Way to go peoples!!!  :)

By C Hardy on 05/13/2009 8:49 am
Valerie Wright
I also follow the episodes not as regularly as I would like, but every season I feel so proud of these men and women most of whom never had any idea how to lose the weight by themselves.It is not easy,I know because I have overweight family members who are on the yoyo diet plan.Again I applaud all the contestants for their efforts and wish them luck and continued good health.
By Valerie Wright on 05/13/2009 4:21 pm
Yvonne White

Having just turned 48 myself, I might naturally share in the sense of pride and accomplishment reflected in this article and other comments written here. However, having watched nearly all of this seasons episodes, sadly, I cannot share your joy; since the only thing proved here was that Helen Phillips truly is "A BIG LOSER".

Without going into long, drawn out detail, the nation watched as Helen Phillips threw her own daughter under-the-bust in the pursuit of glory. From the moment the two of them came up for elimination, it became apparent that Helen’s campaign to win, included the obvious life-long manipulation of her daughter’s emotions.  She’s sharpened that weapon and executes it like a ninja master.

How sad for Shannon to have been saddled with a mother like Helen. The woman stands as a living monument against teenage pregnancy. The risk of a young mother who percieves her daughter as a rival, runs high in such instances. Being only 18 years older than her daughter, Helen is clearly on a mission to recapture a youth she feels she lost in becoming a mother so soon in her life. And "The Biggest Loser" offered her the opportunity to seize it on a GRAND scale; even at her daughter’s expense.

But Shannon has obviously been paying the price of being Helen’s daughter all of her life. She didn’t even sound or look convincing when she made supportive statements re her mom staying at the camp or her mom’s weight loss. She appears to be a very sad, and soon to be resentful and angry - if she’s not already - woman. What a disservice this woman has done to her daughter becoming a whole person.

The “Losing More Than Weight w/Helen & Shannon” reality show, would make for riveting television. It would also be a major eye opener; especially for Shannon.

By Yvonne White on 05/14/2009 8:09 am
Jeannot Kensinger

Yvonne, I agree with you. I just did not want Helen to win. Every time she came up for possible elimination  she had a "me me me" speech, I often turned it off as I was angry at her. She would work the people around her professing love and friendship and whatever she needed at that moment. I too feel sorry for her daughter.

On the other hand the father and son saga was a real show of affection and caring.

By Jeannot Kensinger on 05/14/2009 8:59 am
Karleen S
The difference between the mother/daughter dynamic of Helen and Shannon, and the father/son dynamic of Ron and Mike, was totally night and day. I didn’t watch it regularly, but checked in on everyone throughout the season. The transformation in Mike was truly astounding. I was worried that he would let his newfound hottness go to his head, but throughout the season he demonstrated himself to be a very conscientious, compassionate, well-spoken, and well-grounded kid, probably from him having to find new ways to exist in a society that turns up its nose at fat people. He also has a terrific father, and I hope-hope-hope that Max will try to “be like Mike!” The smile on the young man is a million watts. Forget Helen and her $250,000. I see a positive future in motivational speaking and appearances that will continue to pay off for him for a very long time.
By Karleen S on 05/14/2009 10:18 am
Pamela Munro
It said in the L.A. Times that the woman worked out something like 6 hours per DAY to get that ultimate loss & now will lecture others. Is that a realistic role model?
By Pamela Munro on 05/14/2009 1:19 pm
Karleen S
Mike has 10 times her appeal.  I think he’ll do the same thing and do it better.  To think he missed it by 4 stinkin’ pounds! 
By Karleen S on 05/14/2009 2:21 pm
Cecile Tunstead
Does anyone know if there is a "biggerst loser - Canada".  If there is I would be interested in applying
By Cecile Tunstead on 05/14/2009 2:04 pm
Belinda Joy
Simply beautiful! She is an inspiration to women everywhere that exercise and eating right truly does pay off.
By Belinda Joy on 05/14/2009 3:05 pm
Gail Inkman

The after picture of Helen appears photoshopped.  I watched the show and found her appearance concerning.  117 did not appear to be a healthy weight for her.  She was shockingly thin. 

Tara and Mike on the other hand looked healthy as did the remaining contestants.

By Gail Inkman on 05/14/2009 6:56 pm
Rae Morgan
I agree, Gail. I thought she looked much healthier at the last weigh-in before the finale. She just looked way too thin.
By Rae Morgan on 05/15/2009 5:36 am
Karleen S
I agree with both of you.  I thought the same thing.  I hope she just did whatever she could to win and will put a few pounds back on.  She looked her best in the marathon.
By Karleen S on 05/15/2009 12:57 pm
Trina O

I didn’t watch the show, but I love to read stories and see pictures like this. Very inspirational!

If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. It’s so true.  

By Trina O on 05/15/2009 5:39 am
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