Anyone watching Biggest Loser?
- Thread starter WilTX
- Start date
Biggest Loser Pro and Con
As a fitness professional for over 20 years, I have some issues with the show. But more from a professional, ethical standpoint. IN other words, the amount of weight these folks are losing (in such a short amount of time) is dangerous, and not successful long-term. Second, injuries are prevalent and the way these folks are trained has red flags all over the place.
However, I do have clients that find it motivating which is great. But they are not inspired to lose weight personally, simply inspired by the show. Hmmmm.
At the end of the day, it sets people up with unrealistic expectations. For those that are afraid of exercise, this "scream in your face" approach keeps them away. Finally, it's smoke and mirrors, meaning that these folks are working out 8 hours a day, as they lose weight they are wrapped so excess skin (part of dramatic weight loss) is not visible and they have a chef and therapist on staff 24/7.
What happens when these folks go back to their real life? Jobs, families, regular stresses of life? They no longer have 8 hours to exercise, they don't have the time nor money to hire a chef or therapist and they start gradually gaining back the weight while losing more of their self-esteem.
I wish they would show a more realistic show, but perhaps that's not entertaining enough and television is meant for entertainment.
As a fitness professional for over 20 years, I have some issues with the show. But more from a professional, ethical standpoint. IN other words, the amount of weight these folks are losing (in such a short amount of time) is dangerous, and not successful long-term. Second, injuries are prevalent and the way these folks are trained has red flags all over the place.
However, I do have clients that find it motivating which is great. But they are not inspired to lose weight personally, simply inspired by the show. Hmmmm.
At the end of the day, it sets people up with unrealistic expectations. For those that are afraid of exercise, this "scream in your face" approach keeps them away. Finally, it's smoke and mirrors, meaning that these folks are working out 8 hours a day, as they lose weight they are wrapped so excess skin (part of dramatic weight loss) is not visible and they have a chef and therapist on staff 24/7.
What happens when these folks go back to their real life? Jobs, families, regular stresses of life? They no longer have 8 hours to exercise, they don't have the time nor money to hire a chef or therapist and they start gradually gaining back the weight while losing more of their self-esteem.
I wish they would show a more realistic show, but perhaps that's not entertaining enough and television is meant for entertainment.
desertadventure
New member
More O'Neil drama Tonight??
Tonights previews show more O'Neil drama. (Roll eyes)
Pretty much this season has turned into a major Suckfest.
Lets just get this one over already!
Tonights previews show more O'Neil drama. (Roll eyes)
Pretty much this season has turned into a major Suckfest.
Lets just get this one over already!
caydensmom89
New member
i LOVE the biggest loser. and this season was amazing. melissa well she made me mad. but i do hope that o'neal or micheal wins.
patsfan
New member
Victoria was probably the right choice to be sent home this week. She is just so far behind the other contestants mentally when it comes to approaching the grueling workouts.
As far as O'Neal and Sunshine; I like them, they're wholly dedicated and they don't question workouts, always try the challenges (even O'Neal who doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of winning any of them due to his physical condition.
I do however, think that O'Neal and Sunshine are co-dependent still, but is this bad if their codependency is focused on something healthy, as opposed to being each other's food and indulgence buddy?
I also find, as I think is the crux of the complaints about the yellow team, that from Day One O'Neal has shown....an intensity that is a tad much. I mean, he could kick it down like five notches and we'd still be bracing ourselves for the next freakout. Ditto for Sunshine's crying. And I'm someone who tears up too easily myself, but the sobbing....get a hold of yourself, girl!
I like Ashley. I'm not sure she's the smartest, but she's a worker and still has a lot to lose. I think she's a sweet girl who deserves the life she's starting to see is possible.
As far as O'Neal and Sunshine; I like them, they're wholly dedicated and they don't question workouts, always try the challenges (even O'Neal who doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of winning any of them due to his physical condition.
I do however, think that O'Neal and Sunshine are co-dependent still, but is this bad if their codependency is focused on something healthy, as opposed to being each other's food and indulgence buddy?
I also find, as I think is the crux of the complaints about the yellow team, that from Day One O'Neal has shown....an intensity that is a tad much. I mean, he could kick it down like five notches and we'd still be bracing ourselves for the next freakout. Ditto for Sunshine's crying. And I'm someone who tears up too easily myself, but the sobbing....get a hold of yourself, girl!
I like Ashley. I'm not sure she's the smartest, but she's a worker and still has a lot to lose. I think she's a sweet girl who deserves the life she's starting to see is possible.
AmberElizabeth
New member
So we're left with Darus, Michael, Sunshine, Ashley, Sam and Koli going into Makeover Week... My favorite week on BL!
Darus- I hope he wins the whole thing. There's just something about him that's made me like him the whole time. I respect him for sure.
Michael- He is absolutely a button-pusher and a whiner, but the fact that he still has so much weight to lose makes me hope he can stay as long as possible.
Sunshine- Oh for the love of all that is holy... She needs to stop being so freaking emotional. Now that her dad is home, hopefully that puts the brakes on her crying episodes. Every time she starts crying I want to punch her in the face.
Sam & Koli- I love them. I'm hoping to see them in the Final Four with Michael and Darus. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something about them that makes me root for them every week.
Ashley- You can cram her into the same boat as Sunshine. She annoys the crap out of me. She seems to have some psychological issues that losing weight just isn't going to fix. My fiance thinks she'll still have fat girl issues when she's skinny. Homegirl needs to line up some appointments with a therapist to work those out.
Darus- I hope he wins the whole thing. There's just something about him that's made me like him the whole time. I respect him for sure.
Michael- He is absolutely a button-pusher and a whiner, but the fact that he still has so much weight to lose makes me hope he can stay as long as possible.
Sunshine- Oh for the love of all that is holy... She needs to stop being so freaking emotional. Now that her dad is home, hopefully that puts the brakes on her crying episodes. Every time she starts crying I want to punch her in the face.
Sam & Koli- I love them. I'm hoping to see them in the Final Four with Michael and Darus. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something about them that makes me root for them every week.
Ashley- You can cram her into the same boat as Sunshine. She annoys the crap out of me. She seems to have some psychological issues that losing weight just isn't going to fix. My fiance thinks she'll still have fat girl issues when she's skinny. Homegirl needs to line up some appointments with a therapist to work those out.
I would love to see that too! I love this show as well, I find it motivatioal. I can't wait to see this coming up season.
Sunflower2
New member
When does the new season start? I'm very excited!
Stacy
New member
I totally agree! This show promotes a very unhealthy approach to weight loss, and you're right, once they go back to their normal lives I bet most (if not all) of these contestants gain the weight back within 5 years.
The show sets very unrealistic & unhealthy expectations. Yes, it is entertaining, yes I do believe they have changed some lives that otherwise may've remained 200+lbs overweight and shortened due to it. BUT they do need to find a way to let the general public know that what is going on on the show should not be expected to be going on in the avg morbidly obese person's life while at home, lol.
downwitthefat
New member
The biggest loser did hit the world by storm. I noticed one thing about the culture of obesity. they do not love themselves and they finally have to love themselves after being 400lbs heavier. how many pounds do you have to put on to realize it's got to stop. yes i know most of them are emotional eaters and yes i probably don't know what kind of pain they are going through but i guess at some point you have to get a hold of your life and just take the control back. everybody had got problems you know...
desertadventure
New member
I agree with you asking "how many pounds do you have to put on to realize its got to stop."
But in the defense of many obese adults and children today it really stems from mainly two things(born of ignorance and apathy):
1. the sophisticated marketing and oftentimes outright deceptions of the food industry, and lack of real education about what makes up modern foods.
2. The increased inactivity that technology, modern conveniences, and today's lifestyles have caused.
Take the first thing. You go into a supermarket and pick up a pack of lunch ham. Right on the front of the package it says 97% fat free.....really ? Its fricken HAM for cripes sakes ! It's not a super low fat food. The way that the advertiser gets around it is that it is that the amount of fat by packaged volume is 3%. But, because fat has more than twice as many calories per gram than either protein or carbohydrates the calories from fat is more like 25 to 30% of the total calories per serving. To the general population that's not educated in this it makes them an easy mark. While not "technically" lying it is deception.
Also serving sizes, that same packet of ham is probably three "servings" per pack, most people nowadays just think it's one and eat the whole packet without realizing it.
Another thing is that most food portions have gotten much bigger. Think about that original glass bottle of Coke back in the late fifties or early sixties. It was 8 ounces...thats all ! Opie from Mayberry drank one bottle of it and then rode his big heavy balloon tire bicycle all the way up to the pond to fish. He then probably walked around the pond a couple times to find the best fishing spot. After he was done fishing he rode back to town. More than likely he then saw some of his friends throwing a baseball and joined in in an active game of catch. He then rode the rest of the way home where Aunt Bea cooked him a BALANCED home cooked meal. It was probably not the most low-fat meal but the portions were moderate sizes and It included some good vegetables and wholesome protein. But, remember Opie just burned off about 2000 calories during his day.
So whats my point here: Opie was thin and fit because he was active and did not eat a whole ton of extra, unhealthy calories that were passed through to him from some Drive-thru window.
ISeeNoChanges
New member
You are probably 100% right with this statement.
Obesity brings with it so many additional problems and stresses that i think it would it is very hard for people to understand without walking in those shoes.
People have this concept of simply "that person eats too much and they are lazy" but it can be very deep problems anywhere from genetics, to upbringing and culture to Psychological issues (to name a few) and in many times a horrible combination of issues. That being said... at the end of the day we have to be accountable for ourselves and it is on us to make changes. You ask how many pound does it take? and there is no answer. Most Obese people never go near a scale, and unfortunatly it is a medical issue or other life changing event that leads to change.
There is no quick fix and i would think most people who have lost 100+ pounds in a healthy manner probably did it with more hard work, determination, motivation & discipline than the millions of people judging them and calling them fat have ever displayed or had to exert.
VJDTropical
New member
Good point
VJDTropical
New member
I agree with you asking "how many pounds do you have to put on to realize its got to stop."
But in the defense of many obese adults and children today it really stems from mainly two things(born of ignorance and apathy):
1. the sophisticated marketing and oftentimes outright deceptions of the food industry, and lack of real education about what makes up modern foods.
2. The increased inactivity that technology, modern conveniences, and today's lifestyles have caused.
Take the first thing. You go into a supermarket and pick up a pack of lunch ham. Right on the front of the package it says 97% fat free.....really ? Its fricken HAM for cripes sakes ! It's not a super low fat food. The way that the advertiser gets around it is that it is that the amount of fat by packaged volume is 3%. But, because fat has more than twice as many calories per gram than either protein or carbohydrates the calories from fat is more like 25 to 30% of the total calories per serving. To the general population that's not educated in this it makes them an easy mark. While not "technically" lying it is deception.
Also serving sizes, that same packet of ham is probably three "servings" per pack, most people nowadays just think it's one and eat the whole packet without realizing it.
Another thing is that most food portions have gotten much bigger. Think about that original glass bottle of Coke back in the late fifties or early sixties. It was 8 ounces...thats all ! Opie from Mayberry drank one bottle of it and then rode his big heavy balloon tire bicycle all the way up to the pond to fish. He then probably walked around the pond a couple times to find the best fishing spot. After he was done fishing he rode back to town. More than likely he then saw some of his friends throwing a baseball and joined in in an active game of catch. He then rode the rest of the way home where Aunt Bea cooked him a BALANCED home cooked meal. It was probably not the most low-fat meal but the portions were moderate sizes and It included some good vegetables and wholesome protein. But, remember Opie just burned off about 2000 calories during his day.
So whats my point here: Opie was thin and fit because he was active and did not eat a whole ton of extra, unhealthy calories that were passed through to him from some Drive-thru window.
Quite true
VJDTropical
New member
I agree. Back in the days when I was considered fat in my country I was considered normal in USA, UK, Australia and other places. But that's because the girls in my country have very good physiques and I do mean great bodies. Well 2/3 of them anyways. That's about to end though because of the spread of fast food, lack of physical activity and other stuff in the third and second world.
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