Helen Phillips, winner of "The Biggest Loser" season 7 television show, along with other show contestants, will participate in the first Fall Colors Bridge Race across the Mackinac Bridge Saturday, October 10. (Phillips family photograph) Helen Phillips, winner of "The Biggest Loser" season 7 television show, will participate in the first Fall Colors Bridge Race across the Mackinac Bridge Saturday, October 10. Registration will cost $40 at the Mackinaw City Visitors Bureau or online at its Web site until Thursday, October 8, at midnight. Registration will also be taken at the bureau or by telephone Friday, October 9, until 5 p.m.

A resident of Sterling Heights for 35 years, Mrs. Phillips owns a cabin at Carp Lake and frequently visits Mackinaw City and the Upper Peninsula. After winning the televised weight loss competition, the Mackinaw City Visitors Bureau offered her free tickets to Mackinac Island. She learned of the bridge race from Courtney Kolatski of the bureau.

The race will be the first event in Mackinaw City in which Mrs. Phillips has participated. She wants to take part in fitness activities she was unable to do in the past, she said.

Mrs. Phillips is also active in other ways. She often runs and bikes near her cabin in Carp Lake, and has plowed a small garden plot for vegetables.

"There are just so many opportunities to exercise, you don't need to join a gym," she said.

Mrs. Phillips lost 140 pounds during the competition. She is frequently asked how she lost so much weight and what techniques she uses.

"Honestly, there's no magic," she said. "It's all about good nutrition -- what you put in your body -- and exercise."

Losing weight and keeping it off is difficult and there is no quick fix, she said. Mrs. Phillips had tried many popular regimens and did lose weight, but the inherent problem was in repeatedly eating the same food. After losing 15 to 20 pounds, the weight would return.

"It's not reality. You can't live your life like that," she said.

The best way to go about losing weight is to visit a doctor for advice.

Finding an enjoyable activity will make exercising easier, Mrs. Phillips said. Getting family and friends involved will improve success, as well.

"The changes will come, but it's difficult to get started. If you really want to make a change, you have to do it at home," Mrs. Phillips said.

Eating properly is important to success, she said, and she found replacing high-fat items in the kitchen with healthier alternatives a good idea. Mrs. Phillips did this herself after returning home from the competition and was surprised by what she found.

"I must have had seven pounds of butter in my freezer. I was mortified," she said.

Once she replaced the food in her kitchen, she realized much of the food she was cooking for her family was unhealthy. Making a change in diet -- and sticking to it - - should be a family affair, she advised, and involving the family creates a support structure that could increase the likelihood of weight loss.

Many people tend to "reward" themselves with fatty food after losing weight, Mrs. Phillips said, sabotaging their own efforts. This often leads to guilt, which can derail a successful diet. Mrs. Phillips rewards herself on occasion, but will cut the portion of what she is eating in half. She will only eat half a slice of pizza, for example, or half a piece of cake. She will also take time to make healthier versions of fatty food.

"You're not in a jail and you're not putting yourself under lock and key. You have to live your life," she said.

Saturday's Mackinac Bridge Race will begin at staggered times, with the first group starting at 7 a.m. at the St. Ignace end of the bridge. Mrs. Phillips's daughter, Shannon, and show finalists Ron and Mike Morelli with race across the bridge, as well. A meet and greet reception with the celebrities for registered runners will take place Friday, October 9, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Mackinaw City.

Fall Colors Bridge Race

Across the Mackinac Bridge Saturday, October 10, beginning in St. Ignace at 7 a.m.

Race is for registered runners. Registration will cost $40 at the Mackinaw City Visitors Bureau or online at its Web site until Thursday, October 8, at midnight. Registration will also be taken at the bureau or by telephone Friday, October 9, until 5 p.m.