Ali won't jeopardize health to become 'Biggest Loser'

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?

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."

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

Comments

[Lisa]

I agree with NYBABY - my husband and I were both exasperated with how quick to cry Mark and Jason were. Even Mark's wife asked him on the phone in Australia "Are you crying AGAIN?" I would love to see Ali win and although I was not a fan of Kelly, I never thought she would make it to the end. She was usually one of the first ones to lose in the challenges and also quick to cry at nearly every weigh in but she really pulled it together on the last weigh in and made it through without the advantage that the guys had with their alliance of protecting each other. I think it was fantastic that the women in the end took the cock out of Roger. They are all winners but I am cheering for Ali and Kelly. They had alot to overcome overall and up against the men.

[dicegal]

Go GIRLS!!!! I really wanted to vote Mark off. I can't believe the amount of times that man sobbed..it was ridiculous. Roger I thought had the biggest ego of everyone on the show..but Mark drove me crazy with his constant crying. I voted for Roger because I want one of the girls to win and he is to big of a threat. Go Girls!!

[cheryl]

im just stating my opinion not trashing anyone...so dont delete this like the nbc.com biggest loser moderator did....the last 4 shows have been predictable...i knew they were gonna have the brothers gain weight...i think kelly should win...she looks awesome! ali looks sickly....that last weigh in was a scam.roger and mark look good too but its time for a gal to win!!...theres no way they all coulda lost that much weight after going to australia and back the network wanted the drama of the final 4...its to bad roger lost his job but he will get another one!!

[JMGMRMM]

Awesome job girls, my family was screaming when Ali and Kelly were the two above the yellow line. It's about time the crybaby's get put in their place. If you do the math as of Tuesday nights show, Kelly is the biggest loser. If she keeps up the weight loss through this week she's won. What a great ending to a gal that has been the underdog this whole season, makes me want to cry. The weight loss for all these people is just amazing and I am so happy for all of them and wish them the best for long healthy happy lives.

[Diane Warner]

No matter what I don't beleive woman can compete with men. I think there should be a woman and a man biggest loser show it could be the same show it would just be men compete against men and woman compete aganist women. Ali may have won the weight lose through out the weeks but she never won the competitions against the men and if she would of been competing against woman I beleive she would of won. I not saying this because I am a woman because I want Mark to win but I just feel it's not fair. I work out 5 days a week and I know woman can be strong but never as strong as a man. Thank you Diane Warner

[paula mealer]

I watch all the time, and the girls fought hard to stay in and they, Kelli or Alli should win

[Kimberly]

I have to comment and stick up for Mark. He has been really heavy most of his life. Now, in this very short period of time, he has discovered that he is good looking and strong. He went from being a very angry person at the beginning of the show to someone who I see as finding peace. He DIDN"T need to win the last challenge, the way he so desperately had to at the beginning. Roger even got mad at Mark because Mark wasn't being such a hot head anymore. So he was feeling emotional about it all, and the primary emotion he was feeling was JOY. What is wrong with that??

[KELLY FAN]

THAT STINKS THAT NBC DID THIS TO KELLY AND ALI. FINALLY THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE A WOMAN WIN AND THEN THEY DO THIS. EVERYONE IS VOTING ROGER BECAUSE MARK CRIES TOO MUCH. IF ROGER GETS IN THE GIRLS DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN NBC SHOULD OF LEFT IT ALONE...

[Fan of Roger and Kelly]

I would love to see Kelly win. I think Ali has lost enough weight already. And Mark has nothing left to lose either. For competition sake, I would love to see Roger win the vote. After all this is a
competition isn't it? It would be great to see a women win under such fierce competition. If Kelly
beat Roger that would be exciting!

[Patrick Foran]

Will someone put Mark in that Dude comercial he could be on a park bench crying and the guy say's dude and Mark say's the Red Sox just lost to N.Y. and they both start crying..

[Linda N]

I too was SO disappointed when they let the public decide the 3rd finalist. A recurring motif this season has been "the surprising turn of events". While this is a great metaphor for real life....I want a WOMAN to win this thing for a change. Here it was....soooo close! Then ripped away at the last moment - shocking. BUT, what if the strategy was to give one of the women a chance in case THEY both ended up below the yellow line, which is what I was expecting.

As for tears, I cry every week while watching the show. I have not missed a single Biggest Loser episode, EVER. This show has been such a motivator to me. Changing behaviors is an emotional roller coaster.

Go Ali!!!!!!! and Kelly!!!

[Angie]

I will like to all of the them the very best, who ever ends up winning woked real hard for prize.