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Ali won’t jeopardize health to become ‘Biggest Loser’

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Ali has lost a total of 99 lbs. and is gunning to become the first woman to win the title of ‘Biggest Loser.’ But her trainer said Ali’s also prepared to call it quits if her weight drops too low.

As Ali raised two perfectly toned arms in victory after it was revealed on Tuesday night’s show that she landed a spot in the finals, it was impossible not to look at her trim figure and ask: How much more weight could she possibly lose?

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Her trainer, Jillian Michaels, said that was the subject of a frank discussion. The conclusion? Ali made a pact with Jillian that she will not fall below 120 lbs., even if that target weight puts the title out of reach. ‘120 lbs. is our cutoff,’ Jillian said Wednesday. ‘We don’t want her to get unhealthy. There’s a bigger message here about getting healthy -- not just losing weight [to win the game].’

Ali, a former championship synchronized swimmer, had predicted her place in the finals, and her victory, from the very first show. ‘I said it then. ‘I am going to be ‘The Biggest Loser,’ and I believe it.’

Fans will vote online at nbc.com/thebiggestloser to determine which finalist -- Mark or Roger -- will join Ali and Kelly in the race for the title and the $250,000 check that goes along with it.

On Wednesday, Jillian stopped short of saying that fans should vote against Roger. But she did say that she believes a woman can only win if Roger loses.

‘If Roger makes it, there’s a strong chance that he’ll win,’ Jillian said Wednesday. And if Mark makes it, there’s a good chance victory will go to Ali, making her the first U.S. woman to win ‘The Biggest Loser.’

A victory for Ali or Kelly would help quell criticism that the show favors men. Jillian said there’s no doubt in her mind that men have the upper hand -- ‘We all know men definitely lose weight easier than women.’ But she said she would be opposed to changing the rules, as some have suggested, to give the women their own separate category.

‘That would be a cheap victory,’ she said, adding that Ali and Kelly should be an inspiration: ‘Women, we can do this...It’s not insurmoutable.’

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Jillian said she was at first disappointed to find out that viewers -- and not Ali and Kelly -- would determine who would be the third finalist for the prize. (And in that case, they would have picked Mark.) But she said she now believes it’s an apt ending to the season.

‘America has earned the right to vote. This is so much bigger than just these contestants. America should have a say, they should say ‘Here’s the person who inspired me, here’s the person I want in this thing.’ ‘

--Rene Lynch

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