The Final 4 went home to see how well they could do on their own for 60 days.

From the beginning Danny’s looks were most noticeably different. Amanda and Rudy showed big differences too, but not as dramatic as Danny’s. To be fair, Amanda is pretty close to her goal so she wouldn’t show as dramatic a difference. Liz showed improvement as well, but the least out of the group – in my opinion.

Danny and Amanda seemed to have the better support systems at home and were able to stay consistent.

There was a point where Danny’s wife was having a crisis of conscience wondering if her husband would still want her as he was looking better and better. This is a real fear. I have read more than a few articles where one spouse looses a lot of weight and gains a whole new outlook and self-confidence while the other remains in their status quo. These changes often cause conflict and have led to many divorces.

Rudy is a busy guy working long hours and wants to spend precious time with his young wife and baby girl. I remember how that feels. His schedule doesn’t leave him with the time he needs or would like to spend on himself. Again, I totally empathize.

Liz and her husband have a strained relationship, maybe even fractured. Whether or not it’s reparable was not evident. When visited by Jillian, Liz had been left alone on her rural property – a small farm – to take care of and run on her own. It didn’t leave her a lot of time for herself. Liz does not seem happy at home.

The group got a lot of support in the form of video-taped DVD’s, visits from Bob and Jillian and even a chef. They were given their final BL challenge to run a full 26.2 mile marathon.

When I could run, I was only good for short sprints. I hated the pain and agony of any extended run, so I know how they felt when they got the news they had to run such a distance.

During the run they received inspiration in the form of former BL Winners and finalists running with them, urging them on. Among them was Tara “The Machine”. It was noticeable that she had put on weight, but she still looked good and had that competitive fire. She really helped Amanda through a rough spot of doubt during the run.

I have to say I was impressed how well Rudy did. He broke away from the pack early while still carrying a considerable bulk on his frame and left everyone in the dust finishing in less than 5.5 hours.

Amanda came in second. At her young age and her much improved physique; I figured she’d have been first.

Danny, also still carrying a lot of weight, had considerable trouble. He was in a lot of pain, but Liz stayed by his side. At one point they had to stop and Danny iced his knees before continuing on. It was trying, but Danny made it over the Finish Line in just over 7 hours – not bad for a big guy…not bad at all.

During their weigh-in before the big finale, the women each posted a 16 pound weight loss over the last 60 days, which is good and a normal rate of weight loss. Danny then gets on the scale and pulls a huge 59 pound loss. About 1 pound a day! Then Rudy gets on the scale and he shows a 43 pound loss – averaging over 5 pounds a week.

I was thinking these numbers are pretty good for the guys until it suddenly dawned on me, “Holy crap, they lost this sort of weight during the last 60 days – at home!”

This made their accomplishment all the more astonishing.

Liz and Amanda fell below the yellow line, and each pled their case to America to vote for them as the third and final finalist to compete for the $250K next week.

We voted for Amanda. I like Amanda because she was heavy all her life and I know just what that’s like. However, I think Liz will get the sympathy vote being the older woman and in a troubled relationship.

Either way, it doesn’t matter as Danny and Rudy were so obese to begin with their total potential percentage of weight lost should be greater than either of the ladies could attain. I’m looking for Danny to win the whole thing…