Michigan woman is newest 'Biggest Loser'

Wed, 13 May 2009 13:23:41 GMT — A Detroit-area woman is the "The Biggest Loser: Couples."

Helen Phillips from Sterling Heights lost the greatest percentage of weight among the three finalists to win the televised weight-loss competition. She took home the $250,000 grand prize.

She has bested 19-year-old Mike Morelli of South Lyon, Mich.

Phillips tells The Associated Press Tuesday night that her husband, Russell, is in danger of losing his job when Chrysler LLC closes its Sterling Heights assembly plant in 2010, and the money will give the family "a nice cushion"

New York City resident Tara Costa placed third. Morelli's 55-year-old father, Ron, finished fourth.

Phillips stayed in the game by flying under the radar and insisting she was not a threat, but she had them all fooled. The 48-year-old mom defeated two finalists young enough to be her children, becoming the oldest "Biggest Loser" champion in the show's history. Meanwhile, Jerry Hayes, who at 64 is the oldest player to ever enter the game, took home the $100,000 consolation prize.Phillips started the season at 257 pounds and lost 140 " 54.47 percent of her original body weight " to finish at a svelte 117 pounds and pocket $250,000. That was good enough to beat out 23-year-old Tara Costa and 18-year-old Mike Morelli."Helen was a 48 year old, overweight woman who had passed her prime," trainer Jillian Michaels said before the finale. "Everyone's going to tolerate Helen until the time comes to send her packing. And now you have this powerhouse who's kicked everyone's ass."Mike Morelli, who was voted into the final by the viewers over his father and teammate Ron Morelli, confidently boasted he had the title "in the bag." He came close, weighing in at 181 pounds, 53.38 percent less than his original weight of 388 pounds. Tara Costa was also a strong contender from the start of the game. She won 12 challenges and never fell below the dreaded yellow line in 18 weeks. In the end she, lost 52.72 percent of her original 294 pounds, finishing at 139.This season of "Biggest Loser: Couples" emphasized that people dieting at home could lose weight just as easily as players on the Biggest Loser ranch. Jerry Hayes drove the message home when he lost 177 pounds despite being sent home after just two weeks. For losing 47.97 percent of his body weight (he started the season at 369), the grandfather of five took home $100,000 for highest percentage of weight lost among the non-finalists. Hayes' wife Estella lasted just one week on the ranch, but managed to lose 83 pounds herself.Helen Phillips was almost sent home in Week 7 when she and her daughter Shannon fell below the yellow line. The team, however, decided Helen would stay. Helen's remaining time on the ranch was an emotional journey as she switched trainers mid-season, moving from Bob Harper to Jillian Michaels, and completed both a half and full full marthon."I've worked my ass off every moment," Phillips said in a taped piece that aired during the finale on NBC. "I've done everything my trainers' asked me to do, and it paid off."