First, the final four contestants - Tara Costa, Mike and Ron Morelli and Helen Phillips head home for 30 days. After heartwarming reunions with family and friends, they try to get back into their routines but find it challenging to make diet and exercise a priority back at home. Adding to the challenge is the news from host Alison Sweeney that when they return to the ranch at the end of 30 days, their final challenge will be their toughest one yet - running a full marathon. Trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels make surprise visits to the finalists to help steer them back on track.

Mike and Ron, below the yellow line on the latest weigh-in, learn who America voted for to proceed to the final three with Helen and Tara. Before season 7 is completed, season 8 already begins with two hopefuls, Amanda and Erinn, vying for the one remaining spot for next season's competition. The decision on who that person will be is made by popular vote by the American public during the airing of this live episode, voting based on part on how each does in a workout with Bob and Jillian. The results on the "Pound for Pound" Challenge is presented, this program which aims to tie weight-loss programs across the United States to food bank donations, with the amount of weight pledged and lost equaled by the weight of food donated. The nineteen non-finalist contestants weigh-in to see who has the highest percentage of weight loss to earn the $100,000 "at home" prize. The final three weigh-in last, to see who will take home the $250,000 grand prize. By happenstance, the three finalists do have the highest percentage of weight loss this season, the only three contestants to have lost more than half of their original weight.