The biggest loser show (biggest looser)

pastelroses said:
How do you know they are being trained the same?
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You must've missed where I said:

Maybe that's happening behind the scenes but it certainly isn't happening on the show.
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That said, I've seen on past seasons the trainers make all contestants on their team do the same workout, regardless of ability or contraindications. In normal setting, that's a lawsuit.

In my opinion, regardless of what's happening behind the scenes, on the trainer front the show sets a number of bad examples. I suppose my view is a bit critical given the fact that I am a trainer, but it's still my view.

I've never seen them go into exactly what their routines are, so I don't think anyone knows exactly what they do on a day to day basis.
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Well we were blessed with one of the BL winners on this very forum. She didn't last long b/c she disliked me, lol. See that convo here:

http://weight-loss.fitness.com/newcomers/12490-hi-all.html

I also posted some communication between one of the contestants and Lyle McDonald here:

http://weight-loss.fitness.com/weight-loss-media/17800-biggest-loser-couples-13.html#post401656

I've also come across a number of people who were in contact with some of the contestants and they all had unique/interesting stories to share.

I do wish the show would give us more of an idea of their routine and what they eat.
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There's only so much you can fit in and you have to remember they're showing the stuff that sells. America and most anyone nowadays likes extreme... hence this show.

I also think it's important to note that my original critique was based on what I see on the show. I don't need the behind the scenes footage to know that some of the shit I see is absurd from the trainers.

My thoughts about the reason for this is that they don't want people copying exactly what's being done, b/c these people are being supervised by health professionals and the average veiwer is not. Just a thought...
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In my opinion, it has more to do with what I said above.
 
AHH! I did NOT want either team that got below the yellow line to go. I was sooo sad to see the grey team go. They showed their "now" pictures and a little video of them...and I have to say...the son is looking mighty Very impressive!
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MMM HMMM :drool5:.....
lol
 
:waving:I am totally rooting for Jerry & Colleen (the cop and his daughter). However, grey team was my second choice, so I am sad they are gone! I find brown team to be very whiny (did you catch his comments on preparing muscles and how he "hates vegetables" - and then his wife refused to try the cauliflower! How old is she?!). I think the mother and daughter who look very exotic are simply BEAUTIFUL, and it is cool that they are rebuilding their relationship.

Looking forward to more of BL
ABBA
 
how he "hates vegetables" - and then his wife refused to try the cauliflower! How old is she?!).
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I've come across a bunch of people on various forums, including here, that profess a hatred of all vegetables... It's pretty comical...

it's reading stuff like that though that just reinforces my hatred of that show and why I won't watch it - These people are going on a nationally televises show -probably internationally televised show.. Did they really think they weren't going to be made to change eating habits and try new things? or does whining just make for better television?
Cauliflower -however - is kinda icky and thats one vegetable that no matter how m any times i've tried it - I just don't like it...
 
Steve said:
http://weight-loss.fitness.com/newcomers/12490-hi-all.html

I also posted some communication between one of the contestants and Lyle McDonald here:

http://weight-loss.fitness.com/weight-loss-media/17800-biggest-loser-couples-13.html#post401656
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Thanks, that was really informative. It's disappointing, but not surprising, that there are unhealthy practices going on. I think what I found most disturbing in one of the articles was that there was a contestant eating only 500 calories a day. Every time the show airs, the disclaimer says that these people are under the advice and care of health professionals. What health professional in their right mind would allow that to happen? This must mean that the television producers are dressing up as health professionals. They should take the disclaimer off after the first couple of weeks, because obviously they are not being monitored anymore after a certain point. Something else I find sneaky is that sometimes they are going two weeks between weigh-ins without telling the viewer so that we think that they lost that in one week instead of two. I'm ruined! I'll never be able to watch it the same again! lol!

Well, I still love the show, but now I just feel guilty about loving the show! Thanks again, for posting those links.
 
but now I just feel guilty about loving the show
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i think that's the whole point behind reality television - how else can you explain the popularity of survivor or american idol? :D

People like guilt :)
 
pastelroses said:
Thanks, that was really informative. It's disappointing, but not surprising, that there are unhealthy practices going on. I think what I found most disturbing in one of the articles was that there was a contestant eating only 500 calories a day. Every time the show airs, the disclaimer says that these people are under the advice and care of health professionals. What health professional in their right mind would allow that to happen? This must mean that the television producers are dressing up as health professionals. They should take the disclaimer off after the first couple of weeks, because obviously they are not being monitored anymore after a certain point. Something else I find sneaky is that sometimes they are going two weeks between weigh-ins without telling the viewer so that we think that they lost that in one week instead of two. I'm ruined! I'll never be able to watch it the same again! lol!

Well, I still love the show, but now I just feel guilty about loving the show! Thanks again, for posting those links.
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You're quite welcome.

I've discussed this show extensively on this forum and my feelings haven't changed. From my perspective, there's a lot about it that pisses me off. It gives people... desperate people... false expectations and on that front, it can really cause more harm than good, especially once you factor in the gullibility of the masses.

On the flip-side however, I've seen this show spark hope in a number of people. It motivates them. Gets them off the couch. And I'm certainly not one to judge people... especially with regards to what motivates them to self-improve.

In this sense, great.

All in all, the show is created to make a ton of money. Obesity is in the limelight at the moment in our society. It will remain there for a long while. The producers and owners know this and they took advantage of it. How can you blame them? This show has minted money.

If I had it my way, which is a pipe dream, I would have gone about it completely different. It would have been all about education as well as changing lives and motivating. I would have used the chance to really make a positive impact and difference first and foremost. This would have been the goal aside from financial success. If financial success follow, fantastic.

What we see now has those two factors flip-flopped.
 
Okay, I love the show too, and it does give me hope (even if it is false hope). But it does really suck what they do to people to make money you know, when this show first started I thought it was a way to help people who were really obese and completely unhealthy, but sometimes, especially when they're so mean and cruel to the people instead of being postive or encouraging really ticks me off!!!
Say Steve, why don't you start your own biggest loser, I'm sure alot of us would join LoL you have alot of good advice. Okay, so I live in Colorado, but I'd try it. :) Anyhow, I guess I'll keep watching the show just because it does give me some kind of hope, and we all need something encouraging, right?

Natasha
 
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Future Implications of Obesity

Lots of good points that Steve is making.

I watch the show too, and aside from the obvious topics being discussed here, I've thought about how the current obesity epidemic is going to (or is already) put increasing strain on the health care system in this country, especially as the Baby Boomer generation ages. In this regard, today's obesity epidemic is effecting everyone, whether obese or not!
 
I've never seen the show

I've never seen the show, but one guy who won it is the brother of a friend of mine. (I've not met either one personally) It's the guy who he and his twin brother were in it together last year (season 4). Jim got kicked off the show some where along the line and continued to lose more then the people who stayed at the camp. Today they are still going strong and living their lives and trying to help people the way that the show helped them.

Anyway, Billy wrote a blog and I asked him if I could repost it here.

"We all face the same challenges. Really.


You know something... I just found out that I was turned down to do an appearance on a very popular television show. Turns out the reason that I was rejected was because I'm in such excellent shape right now.

It seems that since so many people have so much trouble keeping weight off, that the show would rather have the Biggest Loser contestants who've gained all their weight back, so that they can all empathize with eachother about how hard it is to stay on a program. You know what they say: Misery loves company.

What's odd is that I and some of the others who have stayed in shape face the exact same challenges the others do every single day. We simply choose to continue to utilize the tools and education that we were given on the show... and the others don't.

Honestly, if I were a viewer of this show, I'd much rather be inspired by those who have figured out how to stay on the program (so I could learn from them), than sit and listen to a bunch of fat people who were lucky enough to be trained by Bob, Kim or especially Jillian, but have since decided to abandon every freekin' thing that they were taught in leau of a big stack of twinkies.

Hey, maybe it's just me...

My question is: Why can't we just stop making or looking for excuses?

FYI - You know why I'm fit right now? I'm fit because I decided to make a change and I did. Yup.. you're right.. I was lucky enough to get on the show and be handed some great tools and a great trainer. Don't forget that I had to apply for the show, just like every one else, and once I got on the show, I had to do the freekin work... and I did... and continue to do the work.

So, don't read this and become a hater. Before you get to that point, you should hire a trainer, a registered dietician, nutritionist, physician and psychologist. ( most are all covered by your health isurance. ) Once you get re-educated, then it's time to get to work. What's that? Too expensive you say? You're telling me that YOUR LIFE isn't worth enough for you to pay for a bit of education? ( Yeah sure, I won the money... What if I didn't win the money? You know I had to leave my job, and not to mention... my wife and kids, for FOUR MONTHS with no contact at all. CAN YOU AFFORD THAT? Me neither, but I DID IT, DIDN'T I?. It just happened to work out for me. So, you've got to remember that I took on this challenge with the promise of nothing. Like I said before... I made a committment to myself, and I'm sticking to it.) You want what I have? Put together a tape and some photos and get your butt down to a casting call. ( Just remember that THE ONLY IMPORTANT THING THAT I HAVE that I got from the show is MY HEALTH. The rest of it - the money, the fame.. whatever... is just gravy.

Here's the bottom line, and the most valuable lesson that Jillian ever taught me: You could get the best education from the best people and nothing will ever happen unless you actually DO THE WORK. Period. Go figure.

You know what? Jillian was right.

( ps - Don't ask me which show. It doesn't really matter ... and don't bother asking me questions on this blog, because I'm done talking about it. Really. )

BG"
 
Interesting! Thanks for posting that Trops. You should watch the show sometime..... During the cooking segment they sure did a lot of product placement this last week, but aside from that I just love the show.
 
Thanks for that Trops. Just another negative.

And those brothers looked phenomenal by the end of the show. Better than me! I liked them.
 
Yeah, they are still looking good, too. Not as muscular as you, but still pretty cut. Both are right around the 170 +/- that they were when they left the show.
 
K- did anyone else cry like a baby that the dad on the yellow team was sent home? He was seriously my favorite. I was so worried that he wouldn't be able to continue by himself with all of his medical problems. I was totally shocked to see his "now" pics and that he lost at least 50 pounds on his own (well, with the help of a trainer and working out at a gym) :D Colleen is going to be so proud of her Daddy!!!

I couldn't stand how a lot of them were complaining about "camping" at the Grand Canyon! They were disapointed to not be looking at it...."through the window of a hotel room" WHAT?!? They had huge tents and sleeping bags and cots....and they were acting like they were sleeping in the dirt. Grr! Heck, if I had an opportunity to go to the Grand Canyon for free then I WOULD sleep in the dirt!!
 
Agree i was upset to see the dad from the yellow team go home.

Who knows what they actually did while camping and cut out for tv. They very well could have hiked but the producers just chose not to show it. Like did anyone actually eat the birthday cake or did they throw it out?

Also, i am now pulling for the red team. They seem like great people and are there for their family. I hope they do well. I really dislike the orange team, they seem so self centered. Just my opinion.

I cant wait for next week. It amazes me how much i realize the weight loss on this show is not typical but i love the entertainment value.

Matt
 
I have a feeling Orange team is going to do very well in the future. The husband seems to lose consistant numbers and the wife is doing better each. weigh in. Personally I like Ed but not so much Heba

Everyone pretty much confessed to doing very little at the canyon. enough to lose some weight obvious but not enough for them to feel good about it.

Forgive me if I'm a bit annoyed here though. I realize that bob and Jillian known a hell of a lot more than me but it just seems dangerous and asking for injury some of the things these contestant are doing in the gym. If it was me I'd be dead from a snapped neck when one of those metal bars they were lifting over their heads got dropped becuase I couldn't hold on anymore.

I like the show becuase I love seeing the change in people but I cringe everytime I see them jumping on and off benches or one of the trainers sitting or standing on them ( usually when they are sitting doing some sort of pull down weight. or when they are supporting themselves against a wall.
 
Exercise in the Grand Canyon

I was amazed that all those people coudn't figure out how to exercise outside of a gym! I'm probably just the opposite, since my exercise (aerobic and strength training) doesn't take place in a gym. The closest I get to that is probably yoga class, and they're not held in a gym either, lol! But if I were to be plunked down into the middle of a gym (as they were put into the Grand Canyon) I think I'd quickly figure out how to adapt, even though I do my exercise outside of the gym setting. It makes for good TV I guess.

I do have to say that I enjoy watching the show, and I think it inspires a lot of people, even though it's admittedly not the most realistic average weight loss experience.
 
I watched the first episode of the current season on hulu the other day. It was the first time I've seen a biggest loser show.

I really wanted to see the Yellow team lose weight, its a shame the dad got kicked off but its good to hear he's continued to lose. I also liked the grey team because going from how they were eating, and seeing the rest of their family, it would probably be most difficult for them but they both came off as very sincere to me. I didn't really find that with alot of the other groups.

Do they provide the kicked off contestants with trainers when they are sent home so they can continue to lose throughout the remainder of the show's taping?
 
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